Chapter 322

Pei Di thought, he also didn't really have anyone he could truly hate.

Forget it, I'll just practice calligraphy and painting.

In the afternoon, after finishing her meal, Mu Yuanzhi went to the Ministry of Works.

She thought she might as well submit the design drawings; unable to fathom the new emperor's intentions, she decided to take things as they came.

However, even if those people had the drawings, they still couldn't make them; they needed her to do it.

"This lady must be the Guardian Princess, right?"

Someone called out to her, a voice unfamiliar.

Mu Yuanzhi turned around and saw a young man of extraordinary bearing, dressed in splendid clothes, whose visage somewhat resembled the new emperor.

Could this be Xiao Di's older brother?

Who could he be?

Could he be the Crown Prince?

For some reason, Mu Yuanzhi instinctively thought so.

He had the aura of an elder brother, and happening to meet him today, besides the Crown Prince, she couldn't think of anyone else.

Did he come looking for her on purpose?

After all, she often came to the Ministry of Works, had never seen this person before, and the Crown Prince presumably had little to do with the Ministry.

"Indeed, may I ask who you are?" Mu Yuanzhi politely nodded and then asked.

The man smiled and introduced himself: "I am Pei Di's elder brother, Pei Biao."

As expected!

Mu Yuanzhi: "So it's the Highness, my apologies."

Pei Biao: "This is my first time at the Ministry of Works; I'm quite familiar with it. May the Princess explain a thing or two?"

"Compared to me, the Vice Minister of Works knows the ministry better; he's free today, Your Highness can go see him."

"Does the Princess not wish to accompany me? Did I do something impolite?" Pei Biao asked.

Saying that is already impolite.

For some reason, Mu Yuanzhi instinctively felt a bit of aversion toward this Highness.

She couldn't tell whether it was because of Pei Di or her intuition, but she felt this person wasn't as simple as he seemed.

"Your Highness flatters me; I've just been very busy and have no time to accompany you."

"What keeps the Princess busy? I heard from Father Emperor that all the advanced weapon designs previously made in the Ministry of Works are your achievements, and that these weapons must be personally completed by you—others can't make them." Pei Biao asked.

"That's exactly right, so I haven't had time to greet Your Highness; please forgive me." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"No problem, I'd also like to take a look, if that's alright?" Pei Biao asked again.

Mu Yuanzhi bit her lower lip.

Does this person intend to cling to her no matter what?

Fine, let's see what he wants to do.

"Of course, as long as Your Highness doesn't mind the boredom."

"How could I? I love learning the most."

Pei Biao made a gesturing invitation.

He followed Mu Yuanzhi to the Office of Affairs, sitting beside her with apparent interest as she tinkered; if Mu Yuanzhi hadn't spoken up, he wouldn't have interrupted.

On the surface, he is a man who makes people feel harmonious and comfortable in his presence.

But Mu Yuanzhi had an indescribable feeling; in short, she didn't take a liking to him.

Fortunately, he didn't interfere with her work.

Until evening, Mu Yuanzhi was still hard at work, while this Highness prepared to leave.

"I've disturbed the Princess all day; I should head back now."

"Take your leave, Your Highness."

Pei Biao took a few steps, then turned back and asked Mu Yuanzhi: "I see you get along well with the Crown Prince, yet you seem to keep me at arm's length."

"Have you been holding it in all day and finally couldn't help asking?" Mu Yuanzhi forced a polite smile: "Your Highness misunderstands; I am naturally familiar with the Crown Prince as a friend, but with Your Highness this is only our first meeting, so some awkwardness is inevitable."

"You're friends?" Pei Biao's eyes flickered with something unusual: "It seems the Princess and I aren't destined for such a deep connection."

"At least for now we're just passing acquaintances." Mu Yuanzhi didn't beat around the bush either.

Since this person speaks so bluntly.

"Understood, farewell."

Pei Biao turned, restrained his smile, and strode away.

He walked out of the Ministry of Works, boarded a carriage; the sorceress-doctor seated in the corner lifted her head and smiled: "Your Highness has finally come out."

"How did you get here?" Pei Biao frowned. "No one saw you, right?"

"Don't underestimate me, Your Highness; how could I possibly be tailed?" the sorceress-doctor chuckled.

"There are Father Emperor's spies everywhere in Jingcheng." Pei Biao still wasn't reassured.

"Jingcheng is full of all kinds of spies; it's not just the Son of Heaven who needs to be careful." The sorceress-doctor said calmly, "Your Highness, after seeing the Guardian Princess today, what do you think?"

Pei Biao snorted from his nose and said: "That woman is hard to deal with."

"I told you so; you just didn't believe me." The sorceress-doctor wasn't surprised at all; he had anticipated this, leisurely lifting a cup of tea to sip, unhurried.

Pei Biao showed an unwilling expression: "She's quite useful; if we could win her over, that would be best!"

"You can't control her; I've long advised you to give up, but you wouldn't listen, and now you've exposed yourself before her—she must have noticed." The sorceress-doctor said.

"If I hadn't come out, would she not have noticed?" Pei Biao retorted.

The sorceress-doctor's lips curled deeper: "At least not that certain."

That's about the same.

"So the Eldest Highness decided to give up courting the Guardian State Princess, right?" the Witch Doctor asked.

"There's no way to not give up; the situation has come to this—she can't avoid making a mistake, can she?" Pei Biao's eyes flickered, "What about Father Emperor's side? Hasn't he summoned you into the palace yet?"

The Witch Doctor shook his head. "No, I'm afraid the Crown Prince needs to step in."

The Witch Doctor said, "What do you mean by your wording, 'Crown Prince'?" But saying that, Pei Biao's expression couldn't hide his delight, as if victory was already in hand.

The Witch Doctor covered his mouth, apologetically saying, "I misspoke, please don't blame me, Eldest Highness."

"It's fine; only you and I are here, I'll pretend I didn't hear it." Pei Biao said.

"Indeed, I've received news that the Son of Heaven Yingxu will set off to return to his country tomorrow." the Witch Doctor said with regret.

"He's actually leaving? All talk and no action—he really doesn't dare to oppose Father Emperor." Pei Biao's expression was full of contempt.

I had thought Yingxu could cooperate well with him this time!

"Eldest Highness, please stay calm; the Nine Thousand Years Old remains here, and the Son of Heaven Yingxu hasn't given up." the Witch Doctor said.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Pei Biao glanced at him resentfully.

The Witch Doctor pressed down the curve at the corner of his mouth, but the curve in his heart rose.

This person...

He sighed inwardly, somewhat helplessly flipping open the cup lid, taking a sip of tea, then slowly said, "Don't rush, don't rush, Your Highness; haste makes waste."

Pei Biao glanced at the Witch Doctor, but ultimately swallowed the words he wanted to say.

And as the Son of Heaven Yingxu was leaving, the news that the Nine Thousand Years Old would stay quickly reached Mu Yuanzhi's ears.

No matter what, the Son of Heaven Yingxu's departure counts as a good thing; as for what the Nine Thousand Years Old stays behind to do, that's up to him.

Perhaps she could find time to ask.