Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 695 What are you saying?
Pei Yuan silently watched as Empress Dowager Zhang fell into fear.

She added slowly and deliberately, "Indeed, we need to think about this carefully. If a heartless person like Prince Huai, Zhu Youqi, were to emerge, would the two marquises of the Zhang family still be able to protect him? And how would Your Majesty handle this?"

Empress Dowager Zhang's heart sank, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Do these guys think I'm dead?"

Then, full of confidence, he added, "Besides, the emperor is only twenty years old this year. Who dares to say that the emperor will have no heir?"

Pei Yuan didn't have much hope for this.

Within a few years, the border generals began recklessly sending pregnant women into the palace.

Clearly, this is no longer a matter of probability.

Instead, the border guards realized that there was truly no hope left.

Empress Dowager Zhang vented her frustrations by saying a few words, then looked at Pei Yuan with some anticipation, "Pei Yuan, what are your thoughts?"

Although her conversation with Pei Yuan was brief, his composure and keen insight in sorting things out left a deep impression on her.

Moreover, this person just said that he had advised Zhu Houzhao and was deeply trusted by him, so he might be able to come up with some good ideas.

However, Pei Yuan had no intention of resolving the problem in accordance with Empress Dowager Zhang's approach.

Pei Yuan then decisively said, "This is a matter for the imperial family, and it is not something that an outsider can interfere with. Moreover, acting rashly may disrupt my plans."

Empress Dowager Zhang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. "You mean?"

Pei Yuan calmly said, "Things must be done step by step. The most important thing now is to take advantage of the Shandong case to expose De Fan's long-term slander and defamation of the imperial family."

“Otherwise, if this goes on for too long, the people will become half-believing and half-doubting. If someone were to incite others, perhaps some would even dare to question His Majesty… Father.”

Pei Yuan deliberately spoke boldly, subtly testing the Empress Dowager's limits.

However, he discovered that although Empress Zhang looked surprised and angry, it was not directed at him.

Pei Yuan felt relieved, having roughly understood his safe zone.

If Pei Yuan had not previously cultivated a good impression on Empress Dowager Zhang and then threatened her with a huge real crisis, his seemingly relevant but actually offensive words could easily have provoked the Empress Dowager's wrath.

But Empress Dowager Zhang could obviously hear Pei Yuan's words at this moment, and following Pei Yuan's train of thought, she couldn't help but nod slightly.

"Therefore, I believe that we should not make any moves that might alert the enemy. Instead, we should give Prince Ning and his son some unrealistic hope and then encourage them to focus all their efforts on dealing with De Fan."

"As for other matters, once we have conquered the Dewan region, I will make further plans for the Empress Dowager."

Seeing that Pei Yuan spoke in a very organized manner, Empress Dowager Zhang calmed down somewhat from her previous panic.

She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "I hope so, I hope that old bastard Prince Ning can accomplish this."

Pei Yuan raised Empress Dowager Zhang's expectations, "A thorough investigation of the Shandong case is a goal shared by the court and the public. Even if Prince Ning doesn't understand this kind of easy credit, Li Shishi will remind him."

Empress Dowager Zhang breathed a long sigh of relief upon hearing Pei Yuan's certainty. "I hope so."

His expression also became confused.

Although there was a glimmer of hope in the long-standing Zheng Wang seditious rumors case, an even greater nightmare loomed over her.

However, she had no immediate solution.

Furthermore, because she bore a significant responsibility for the matter of "the Prince of Ning's son being in charge of incense," she could not openly discuss it with the Emperor and could only worry about it alone.

Empress Dowager Zhang was lost in thought for a moment, then asked, "Are Bi Zhen and Gu Dayong still capable of serving? Should they be replaced?"

She didn't have many options in the outer court.

All we can do is help adjust the inner court officials.

However, procedurally, it would be easy for her to move Gu Dayong, who wielded more power, but moving Bi Zhen would be more troublesome. Bi Zhen was a garrison eunuch, and moving him required approval from the Ministry of War, as well as no objections from the Six Ministries, before any adjustments could be made.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan quickly spoke highly of the two, saying, "Both of them are dedicated people and know how to share the burdens of their master."

Empress Dowager Zhang remained silent for a long time.

Pei Yuan waited for a long time before he heard Empress Dowager Zhang's voice coming from the imperial steps, "I don't know much about these matters either, and I don't know if Marquis Shouning and Marquis Jianchang can be of any help? Should I call them to see you?"

Pei Yuan hadn't expected this turn of events. His eyes flickered, and he quickly said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, I have something offensive to say to the two marquises, but I don't know if I should say it."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang shook her head and sighed, "It's better not to say anything; it's nothing more than what the ministers have been talking about."

Pei Yuan was quite decisive, saying directly, "Then I won't say anything more."

"I just think that the two marquises are not ignorant, but rather they are fearless because they have something to rely on."

"When they repeatedly caused trouble and made things difficult for the Empress Dowager, did they ever consider her difficulties?"

Even Empress Zhang, a notorious shrew who dotes on her brother, felt a pang of resentment upon hearing Pei Yuan's scathing words.

Empress Dowager Zhang was quite exhausted at the moment. She instructed, "Go and think about this matter carefully."

He then asked, "When will you leave the capital?"

Pei Yuan respectfully replied, "I still need to make some arrangements and find some more compelling evidence. With the matter of the Prince of Ning's heir in charge of incense offerings at the Imperial Ancestral Temple imminent, I'm afraid the Prince of Ning will not act rashly."

"Once things are settled here after the New Year, Prince Ning can set off. I will also go to Shandong to ensure the matter proceeds smoothly."

Empress Dowager Zhang nodded and said, "Before you leave the capital, if you come up with any good ideas, you may come to see me at any time. Once the results are in Shandong, you must report to me as soon as possible."

Pei Yuan was secretly delighted upon hearing this; this was the meaning behind his long-term strategy.

The title of Empress Dowager is still quite effective.

When Prince Ning rebelled, he falsely claimed to have a secret edict from the Empress Dowager; during the power vacuum after Zhu Houzhao's death, many edicts were also issued in the name of the Empress Dowager.

Pei Yuan has extensive experience in managing upwards and is confident that he can take advantage of the chaotic situation to maintain a close relationship with the Empress Dowager.

Pei Yuan quickly bowed again, saying, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost and do everything in his power."

Empress Dowager Zhang waved towards the distance.

The palace maids and eunuchs quickly surrounded them from all sides.

Empress Dowager Zhang instructed Jiang Gui, "Take him out."

After saying that, he turned to another eunuch who was clearly of much higher status and said, "Pick some things that can be rewarded and give them to him."

After saying this, without waiting for Pei Yuan to express his gratitude, he went back to Renshou Palace on his own.

Jiang Gui quickly descended the imperial steps and approached Pei Yuan, whispering, "Commander, did you anger the Empress Dowager just now?"

Before he left, he heard something that could be fatal.

If the Empress Dowager and His Majesty were to quarrel again, Commander Pei, who was caught in the middle, would definitely not fare well.

Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Empress Dowager Zhang leave, and said easily, "It's alright, the Empress Dowager is going to reward me anyway."

As he spoke, he looked up at the high imperial steps.

The Empress Dowager had already departed from the imperial steps, and the eunuchs and palace maids had all gathered around her. Only the old eunuch, whom Empress Dowager Zhang had instructed to give as a reward to Pei Yuan, glanced back at Pei Yuan before continuing to follow the Empress Dowager.

As soon as he turned around, Pei Yuan asked, "Who is that?"

Jiang Gui said, "This is Jingxing, a trusted eunuch of the Empress Dowager."

Pei Yuan responded with an "Oh".

He was thinking about the reward that Empress Zhang had mentioned earlier, and he wanted to ask Jiang Gui about it, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Fortunately, after only a short while, several palace maids, led by Jingxing, came out carrying several trays.

Because of their high position, it wasn't until they descended the steps and stood before Pei Yuan that he could see clearly that the tray contained several plates of pastries.

Pei Yuan chuckled to himself.

I don't know if Jingxing is being selective in his rewards, or if this is just how rewards are given.

Jing Xing approached Pei Yuan expressionlessly and looked at him.

Jiang Gui quickly reminded him, "Commander Pei, aren't you going to thank the emperor?"

Pei Yuan had no choice but to bow again to Renshou Palace to thank the Empress Dowager for her grace.

Several palace maids took out embroidered handkerchiefs, wrapped up the pastries, and handed them to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan couldn't just put the gifts away in front of these people, so he lifted the hem of his flying fish robe and gathered the rewards inside.

After Jingxing left, she pouted and rewrapped the package, stuffing it haphazardly into her wide sleeve.

Jiang Gui was still thinking about what had happened before, and he was still quite frightened.

He hurriedly urged, "Commander, please come with me. I wonder if anyone has spread rumors about what I just said."

Pei Yuan smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Jiang Gui didn't need the eunuchs to accompany him; he saw Pei Yuan off himself.

Just outside Renshou Palace, they saw the old eunuch Li Zhang, who was carrying a whisk and had a few people waiting by the roadside.

Li Zhang first looked at Pei Yuan, then smiled at Jiang Gui, "Let me see Commander Pei out. I happen to have some things to say to Commander Pei."

Jiang Gui glanced at Pei Yuan, and seeing Pei Yuan nod slightly, he said, "Then this old servant will go back first."

After saying that, he left Pei Yuan with Li Zhang and went on his own.

As soon as Jiang Gui turned around, Li Zhang approached with a fawning smile, "This old servant greets Commander Pei."

Pei Yuan thought that he rarely came to the palace and rarely saw people, so this was a good opportunity to win them over.

So he stopped and inquired about Li Zhang's well-being.

He then inquired about the current situation of Xiao Jing's followers.

Upon hearing Pei Yuan's concern, Li Zhang immediately smiled and said, "At first, when the people below saw that Emperor Xiao had been sent to a post outside the capital, they thought that all hope was lost. Later, with the help of the commander of the thousand, and even the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs giving us some face, people's hearts gradually settled down."

Pei Yuan nodded in satisfaction and then told Li Zhang about the promise he had made to Jiang Gui that morning.

When Li Zhang heard that Pei Yuan was going to choose a large temple in the capital for them to live out their old age and have monks guide them through their next life, he was overjoyed.

Although he could rely on his nephew Li Jin, most people in the palace did not have such a hope.

Many people, let alone having no relatives to rely on, even if they do have relatives to rely on, will inevitably face a bleak old age after their meager savings are spent piecemeal.

Many eunuchs, after they grew old, would find small temples in the desolate suburbs outside the city and live together to make a living.

Who would have thought that I could retire to a large temple in the capital?

Li Zhang immediately expressed his gratitude profusely.

After getting up, Li Zhang pondered Pei Yuan's concern and lingering manner, and suddenly misunderstood Pei Yuan's meaning, exclaiming, "Commander, could it be that you wish to see Empress Xia again?"

Pei Yuan was slightly angered upon hearing this, "What are you saying? What time is it now? Don't you want to die?"

Li Zhang said in a low voice, "Okay now."

Pei Yuan was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Li Zhang looked around and whispered, "Now that the end of the year is approaching, many people are busy making preparations for the New Year. Zhuofang Garden has always been deserted, and these days, I have been gradually replacing the people around the Cold Palace with our own."

"It's not easy to get into this palace, but once you're inside, taking a few extra steps around isn't a big deal."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan quickly weighed the options in his mind and couldn't help but swallow.

He gritted his teeth and said to Li Zhang, "Eunuch Xiao should have mentioned this to you before. He can only return to the capital when Empress Xia finally makes her move."

"We've invested so much, we can't let Empress Xia renege on our promise."

"Since we're already here, I might as well go and scout things out."

Li Zhang couldn't help but smile. "That's what I think too."

After saying that, he said to Pei Yuan, "Commander, come with me."

As she spoke, she led Pei Yuan out.

Pei Yuan looked at the path that seemed to lead out of the inner palace, and wanted to offer a suggestion, but didn't know how to speak.

When they came to a fork in the road, Li Zhang signaled Pei Yuan to stop, then bent down and went into a small brick house.

These brick houses, built against the palace walls, are only about half a person's height and each is only seven or eight feet long. They were the places where the guards rested and stood guard.

Not long after Li Zhang went in, several eunuchs emerged from inside with their heads bowed.

Li Zhang also came out, looked him over, and then had a slightly taller eunuch take off his clothes.

Then he gestured to Pei Yuanyi.

Pei Yuan understood immediately. He quickly looked around, grabbed the clothes, and slipped into the brick house.

Pei Yuan was about to change out of his flying fish robe when his heart started pounding with nervousness.

Even at this point, Pei Yuan still had a chance to turn back; he could still swagger out of the inner palace.

Once he changed into eunuch's clothes and was discovered, Pei Yuan's treacherous intentions would have no excuse to deny them.

Should I take the risk?

In just a moment of hesitation, Pei Yuan's mind had already engaged in countless intense battles.

Finally, gritting his teeth, he quickly changed into the eunuch's clothes.

(End of this chapter)