After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 100

Pei Zhen suddenly stood up, a surge of impulse rising in his heart, wanting to go see her.

It wasn’t to ask about her relationship with Lu Zhi, nor for any other reason, he simply wanted to see her.

Just like that cold, starry night when he had still been Pei Er, when without any reason he had ridden his horse from the military camp straight back home, unable to suppress the impulse in his heart, just to see her once.

Like a foolish young boy.

But he was no longer his youthful, unrestrained self, nor the amnesiac Pei Er who could act without concern.

Even if his martial skills were exceptional, trained since childhood, able to hit a target a hundred paces away and wield a spear like a god, he was still ultimately a mortal of flesh and blood, not an immortal who could ride the clouds and come and go freely wherever he pleased.

Moreover, the rebel army had only just captured the prefectural city; its defenses would certainly be tight. If he could infiltrate it easily and meet the princess, then there would be no need to fight this war at all. Li Xuan could not have survived under the emperor’s watchful eye for so many years, nor successfully escaped.

Of course, if infiltration wasn’t possible, he could send a message via a golden eagle. This time, when he came to Liangzhou, he had brought the golden eagle Little Black, originally for the convenience of sending messages to Bingzhou.

But without prior notice, if he simply released the eagle toward the city, it would very likely be shot down by the defending soldiers. Though delivering a message was important… Little Black’s life was a life too. After all, he had raised it for so many years; there was inevitably some attachment. And his wife seemed to like Little Black as well.

Pei Zhen paced a couple of steps with his hands behind his back. After suppressing that impulse, he sat back down in his chair, frowning as he continued to think deeply.

Actually, during the day, he should have tied a letter to an arrow and shot it toward the city gate, then the princess would certainly have received it. But at the time, his heart had already been overwhelmed by the excitement and joy of learning that his wife was not dead. His mind had been filled entirely with the image of her in armor, riding on horseback, radiant and striking.

In addition, he had been constantly wondering whether the princess would come out to see him, caught between anticipation and torment, and had completely forgotten about it.

So now, he could only wait until tomorrow.

Pei Zhen pressed his temples and let out a silent sigh, then thought again of Lu Zhi.

After calming down and thinking everything through from the beginning, he was now certain that Lu Zhi had not been the Crown Prince’s man before. When Lu Zhi and Li Chanxiu met at the mountain stronghold, it must have been their first encounter.

After all, when they had tried to recruit Lu Zhi then, his hesitation and scrutiny had not seemed fake. And after being released alone, he had indeed intended to leave Yongzhou.

Even during their meeting at the tavern, when he raised his cup in farewell, the melancholy in his eyes had not seemed feigned. It was only after his wife had spoken with him alone for a while… Previously, Pei Zhen hadn’t been certain whether Lu Zhi’s sudden decision to stay in Yongzhou had anything to do with his wife. But now, he was completely certain, it absolutely did!

Even Lu Zhi’s later mining of the salt lake and trafficking of private salt were connected to his wife. If Lu Zhi had already possessed the salt lake earlier, why would he have wanted to leave?

Clearly, the location of the salt lake had been told to him by his wife; the method of trading salt had been her idea. Even Lu Zhi and Xuanping’s later recruitment of troops might have been at her instruction.

Otherwise, when he was being hunted down by Jiang He, how could Xuanping have arrived at just the right moment? It must have been his wife, worried about him, who had notified Xuanping to come rescue him.

As the Crown Prince’s daughter, it was entirely natural for her to plan such things. She might even have already intended to recruit Lu Zhi and the others for the Crown Prince when she persuaded him to bring them under amnesty.

After all, she had always shown admiration for Lu Zhi.

Pei Zhen even wondered, after that meeting at the tavern, had Lu Zhi already been recruited by the princess?

A trace of bitterness suddenly rose in his heart. Could it be that his amnesiac self had not been worth recruiting? It wasn’t that he wanted to be recruited, but his wife had told Lu Zhi everything, yet had not revealed even the slightest bit to him.

Although his true identity was Pei Zhen, his wife had not known it at the time. And he had lost his memory, and was her husband, clearly appearing more safe and reliable than Lu Zhi, yet his wife had still chosen Lu Zhi.

Previously, Pei Zhen had always felt that Lu Zhi posed no threat. After all, the memories from when he was Pei Er told him that his wife did not like Lu Zhi.

But now he was no longer certain. Back when he was Pei Er, he had been like a blind man with open eyes, deaf as well, unable to notice anything. Lu Zhi had interacted with his wife many times, secretly mining salt, trafficking salt, and recruiting troops together behind his back, and he hadn’t known a thing!

When his wife wanted to leave, she hadn’t told him. She hadn’t revealed her identity to him either, but she had told everything to Lu Zhi, even bringing Lu Zhi back with her into the rebel army. Perhaps she had already introduced him to Li Xuan…

Pei Zhen suddenly took a deep breath. He could not keep thinking any further, the more he thought, the more unbearably sour his heart felt, as if it had been soaked in vinegar and then wrung out.

***

Inside the prefectural city, Li Chanxiu was staying in a temporary residence near the North City Gate.

After parting with Lu Zhi and Yan Xiaoming, he returned to his quarters and had his ever-present guard, Yu Xingfan, withdraw.

Once he was alone in the room, he let out a soft breath, sat down somewhat wearily on a chair, and rubbed his temples.

The next moment, thinking of Pei Zhen, the fingers pressing at his temples stiffened slightly. After a pause, he silently lowered his hand and placed it on his knee, clenching it into a fist.

No matter what, he had never expected that Pei Er would actually be Pei Zhen. The shock had left him somewhat dazed all afternoon, and like an ostrich, he had not dared to face the other for the time being.

If Pei Er had only been Pei Er, then the money he had left him would have been enough for him to live out the rest of his life. If they met again in the future, he would have explained everything clearly and apologized.

But the other was Pei Zhen, the commander of the enemy army, and also, in his dreams, his senior, his friend, and his teacher.

Setting aside the latter, just the fact that he was the enemy commander added yet another layer of opposition to their already complicated relationship.

An explanation would certainly have to be given, but it was truly awkward. And beyond the awkwardness, the shock, and the difficulty… there was also a kind of indescribable, inexpressible complex emotion, causing a mix of sour heaviness and lightness in his heart, there was surprise, there was guilt, and there was… joy as well.

Pei Er was actually Pei Zhen. Pei Zhen was actually Pei Er.

So the person he had always wanted to meet, he had already met in his dreams long ago. In his dreams, he had often wondered and imagined, trying to glimpse the other’s true appearance through the tone of his letters. Yet it turned out that, back when he had just arrived at the northwestern frontier, in that lonely corner of the Yongfeng camp, when he saw that blood-covered wounded soldier, he had already met him.

That blood-soaked man had been Pei Zhen!

No wonder, in his dreams, Pei Zhen had always remained gravely injured, while in reality he had come to Liangzhou in good condition to lead troops, because in the dream, he had only applied medicine to him a few times before fleeing Yongfeng.

Moreover, at that time he had not yet met the old traveling physician, and had not realized that Pei Zhen’s arrow wound was poisoned, so he had not helped him detoxify it. After he left, no one treated Pei Zhen either, causing him to miss the optimal treatment period, and leaving him, like Lu Zhi, with lingering ailments.

Li Chanxiu let out a light sigh. It had to be said, learning that Pei Er was Pei Zhen had shattered many of his previous imaginings of Pei Zhen.

So when Pei Zhen had lost his memory, he had actually been honest and dull, a bit stubborn and even foolish. He didn’t know whether that was part of his true nature. Yet when they met on the battlefield today, the other had been cold and ruthless, like a wolf king in slaughter, also not at all the refined gentleman or scholarly general he had imagined.

But that was not strange, when fighting with real blades and weapons, who could still remain refined?

However, the tone and wording of those letters in his dreams had indeed been gentle, refined, humble, and courteous…

Inside the room, the candlelight crackled.

As Li Chanxiu recalled all this, the candlelight reflected in his clear eyes like a flicker of soft radiance, and at some point, the corners of his lips had curved slightly, as if holding a smile.

Suddenly, he rose and took out a sheet of drawing paper, lifting his brush to grind ink.

In his dreams, he had actually drawn a portrait of Pei Zhen before, but it had been the Pei Zhen of his imagination, so he had only drawn a back view. He had even referenced a bit of Lu Zhi’s image, since Lu Zhi was also a scholarly general, elegant and courteous. In his dreams, he had thought the two must share similarities.

But now, it seemed they were completely different. He couldn’t help but lift his brush, wanting to draw the real Pei Zhen.

The impulse came suddenly. Without thinking, he simply did it.

Speaking of which, he had learned to paint only after hearing that Pei Zhen could, he had deliberately studied it. He had been confined since birth, and soon after coming out, had been caught up in war; there had truly been no opportunity to learn such things.

The reason he had suddenly begun learning after taking command of troops was also because he admired Pei Zhen, regarded him as a senior and friend, and wanted to learn from him.

But just as he was about to set brush to paper, he suddenly remembered the complicated relationship between himself and Pei Zhen now, having once been married, and now secretly painting his portrait. If someone were to see it, there would be a kind of shame, as if some hidden, unspeakable matter had been exposed.

So after a moment’s hesitation, he ultimately drew another back view, very similar to the one in his dream, only this time removing the refined elements he had referenced from Lu Zhi, and instead recalling Pei Zhen’s figure on the battlefield, making adjustments. As a result, it became much colder and more austere, filled with killing intent.

Looking at the finished painting, Li Chanxiu couldn’t help but smile lightly. After letting it dry, just as he was about to mount it, he suddenly heard a guard outside call, “My lord,” followed by his father’s cool, gentle voice: “Is Chanxiu in his room?”

Li Chanxiu felt a sudden fluster, hurriedly rolling up the painting and hiding it behind the bookshelf.

Just after hiding it, before he even had time to straighten his appearance, he saw Li Xuan, clad in a black robe and cloak, already walking in at an unhurried pace.

Seeing Li Chanxiu’s state, Li Xuan was slightly startled, then smiled and said, “What mischief is Chan Nu’er up to, to be so flustered?”

Li Chanxiu: “…”

Seeing his expression turn awkward and puzzled, Li Xuan lightly tapped his forehead and said, “When you were little and secretly hid crickets and grasshoppers on your bed to play with them, leaving mud all over the sheets and bedding, you looked just this guilty.”

Like a little kitten that had done something wrong, flustered, lowering its head and ears, pitiful and adorable, making even the greatest anger dissipate.

At this point, Li Xuan sighed, somewhat nostalgic: “But after you grew up, you rarely looked like this anymore.”

Li Chanxiu felt slightly embarrassed, and worried that in his earlier haste, the painting hidden on the bookshelf behind him hadn’t been placed properly and might fall down, so he kept his back pressed against it. He gave a light cough and said, “I’m grown up now, I rarely make mistakes…”

Naturally, there was no need to act pitiful anymore.

After speaking, he quickly asked, “Dad, did you come to see me for something?”

After growing up, he usually called him “father,” only using “dad” when being affectionate or feeling guilty.

Hearing this, Li Xuan suddenly fell silent, looking at him. After a moment, he sighed and said, “You haven’t returned to the prefect’s residence to dine with me for several days. Truly, when a son grows up, he no longer follows his father.”

Hearing this, Li Chanxiu immediately felt guilty. Back when he had been confined, he had always eaten together with his father, his father must have been used to it.

And he himself had longed so much to meet his father. Yet after their reunion, he hadn’t gone to see him often, it was indeed wrong.

So, feeling guilty, he said, “Then I…”

As he spoke, he intended to go dine with Li Xuan, but the moment his back left the bookshelf, he felt as though the rolled painting was about to fall, so he quickly leaned back again.

Li Xuan couldn’t help but feel puzzled and asked, “What is it?”

Li Chanxiu hurriedly shook his head and covered up, “Nothing. I… I’ll go have a meal with you tomorrow morning.”

After saying that, he paused, then asked softly with a hint of anticipation, “Is that alright?”

Li Xuan laughed upon hearing this and said, “I was only joking with you just now, not blaming you. I was merely worried you were putting all your energy into military matters and forgetting to eat, which would be bad for your health.”

Hearing this, Li Chanxiu couldn’t help but let out a breath of relief, and felt warmth in his heart. “Don’t worry, Dad, I eat properly every day. You can ask Guard Yu.”

“Mm.” Li Xuan nodded with his hands behind his back, then pondered. “Speaking of Guard Yu, I heard that today Pei Zhen’s army pressed against the city and called for battle. Earlier, when the armies clashed, he even charged straight at you with a spear?”

Li Chanxiu quickly explained, “On the battlefield, targeting the enemy commander first is very normal. But our army suffered no losses. After withdrawing, we held firm and did not come out. After calling for battle for a while, Pei Zhen’s army had no choice and withdrew.”

Li Xuan nodded. “It seems I misjudged, Pei Zhen actually engaged our army so quickly. From now on, you need not go to the front lines. Leave it to Yan Xiaoming; you can remain in the rear to oversee.”

Li Chanxiu knew his father was worried about him. After all, in his father’s eyes, he had little experience leading troops and still needed tempering. So he obediently nodded.

The father and son chatted for a while longer. When Li Xuan was about to leave, Li Chanxiu quickly took advantage of the moment he turned around to swiftly turn and properly place the painting.

Just as he turned back, he saw Li Xuan also happen to turn back, and instantly tensed again. For some reason, it felt as though he had done something improper behind his father’s back and was afraid of being discovered.

Fortunately, he concealed it well this time, and Li Xuan noticed nothing unusual. And Li Xuan turning back was because he had suddenly remembered something else, 

“Oh right, when you left Luoyang last time, the prayer beads I gave you, I haven’t seen you wearing them. Did you lose them?” Li Xuan asked gently.

Li Chanxiu froze, then after a long moment stammered, “I… accidentally lost them.”

No, they weren’t lost, he had given them to Pei Zhen.

But how could he let his father know about this? Losing them was one thing, but giving them away… his father would certainly be saddened.

After all, that string of prayer beads had been personally polished bead by bead by his father. At that time, he had been about to fake his death and leave Luoyang, with an uncertain road ahead. Neither father nor son had known whether they would ever meet again.

Such a string of beads, carrying his father’s concern and hope for his safety, yet he had given it to Pei Er. Even though Pei Er was also very important… he still couldn’t help but feel guilty and ashamed.

Unexpectedly, Li Xuan said nothing. Instead, a smile appeared in his eyes. “I guessed as much.”

As he spoke, his slightly cool fingers suddenly grasped Li Chanxiu’s wrist. Under Li Chanxiu’s surprised gaze, he placed a string of warm white jade prayer beads onto his wrist and said gently, “Wear this set. It’s made of warm jade soaked in medicinal herbs, it will be good for your body.”

Then, gazing softly at Li Chanxiu, his expression seemed to carry a mix of sighing, reluctance, and the understanding that a fledgling eagle must eventually fly on its own. “From now on, you’ll often be on the battlefield. Wearing these beads will protect you, and will also ease my mind.”

Li Chanxiu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly hugged his father tightly, burying his head in his shoulder like when he was little, and gave a muffled “Mm.”

Li Xuan let out a soft sigh and patted his back.

Li Xuan did not stay long before returning to the prefect’s residence. He had many matters to attend to, not only military arrangements for the prefectural city, but also other regions, as well as governing more than half of Liangzhou and half of Yizhou, the people’s livelihoods and grain supplies, contacting and pacifying the various southwestern tribes, and even sending people to meet the refugee leader Dong Jian…

The next day, after a night’s rest, Li Chanxiu was much calmer upon waking.

Although the fact that Pei Zhen was Pei Er had caught him off guard and shocked him greatly, what needed to be faced would have to be faced.

After going to the prefect’s residence to eat with his father, he donned his armor, fastened a long sword at his waist, and personally ascended the city wall.

Pei Zhen had also led his army to the foot of the North City Gate early in the morning. Clad in armor, he reined in his horse at the front of the formation. At a glance, he saw the familiar figure above the city gate, graceful in bearing, with features like a painting. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted, and his cold, stern eyes filled with a smile, as if ice and snow were melting.

“Bring me a bow.” Fixing his gaze on the city wall, he extended a hand to the person beside him.

Yang Yuanyi quickly handed him a longbow. After taking it and glancing at it, Pei Zhen frowned. “Too light.”

Helpless, Yang Yuanyi handed him another, heavier bow that was harder to draw.

Pei Zhen took it again, set an arrow with a message tube tied to it onto the string, then aimed toward the city wall above. His gaze sharpened as he drew the bow and took aim.

On the city wall, seeing the enemy army stop without making any move for a long while, and then Pei Zhen suddenly nocking an arrow and aiming in Li Chanxiu’s direction, Yan Xiaoming’s heart tightened at once. He hurriedly stepped in front of Li Chanxiu and said, “Your Highness, standing here is too dangerous. You should move into the tower, it’s safer.”

Seeing someone block his view of Li Chanxiu, a trace of displeasure appeared in Pei Zhen’s eyes. However, Lu Zhi beside him did not step forward to block, which made him somewhat more satisfied, but then he frowned again.

Since Lu Zhi was the princess’s subordinate, at such a moment he actually didn’t step forward to protect her?

The princess had, to some extent, chosen the wrong person.

Pei Zhen narrowed his eyes, and the tip of his arrow shifted an inch toward Lu Zhi.

In fact, it wasn’t that Lu Zhi wasn’t concerned about Li Chanxiu’s safety. Rather, after returning yesterday, he had recalled Pei Zhen’s behavior on the battlefield, as well as what happened later when he called for battle beneath the city gate, and felt that Pei Zhen probably did not intend to kill Li Chanxiu.

Moreover, his eyesight was extremely sharp. He had already seen that a message tube was tied to Pei Zhen’s arrow, and guessed that he wasn’t aiming to shoot anyone. However, when he saw Pei Zhen suddenly shift the arrow’s tip toward his direction, Lu Zhi was still somewhat surprised.

Li Chanxiu had also noticed the letter tied to Pei Zhen’s arrow and did not think the other intended to shoot him. Just as he was about to explain to Yan Xiaoming, suddenly…

Pei Zhen’s fingers hooked on the bowstring abruptly loosened. The sharp arrow cut through the air, seeming to carry a piercing whistle, and shot straight toward the weapon held by a general standing beside Lu Zhi.

The general was holding a long-handled broadsword. At the point where the blade met the handle, two iron rings hung. The rings weren’t large, about half the size of an adult man’s fist.

The arrow shot through the air and actually passed through the iron ring, embedding itself with a “thud” into the wooden pillar behind, its fletching vibrating with a humming sound.

Lu Zhi was surprised, then praised, “What excellent archery!”

Yan Xiaoming and the others were equally astonished; only Li Chanxiu was not surprised. After all, Pei Zhen’s archery was famously superb. Back when he had been Pei Er, Li Chanxiu had already witnessed it. Still, the corner of his brow couldn’t help but lift slightly, carrying a hint of indescribable pride.

Below the city wall, Pei Zhen neatly lowered his bow, raised his brow slightly, and continued looking toward the wall.

Beside him, Yang Yuanyi couldn’t help but press his forehead. Though he didn’t want to admit it, wasn’t Pei Zhen deliberately showing off in front of the princess? It was practically like a peacock spreading its tail, truly frightening.

On the city wall, Yu Xingfan quickly retrieved the arrow and respectfully presented it to Li Chanxiu.

Li Chanxiu glanced at Pei Zhen below, then quickly removed the message tube, took out the letter, and read it for a while. His brows knit slightly, then gradually relaxed.

Seeing his reaction, Yan Xiaoming hesitated before asking, “Your Highness, what did he say in the letter?”

“Nothing much.” Li Chanxiu immediately put the letter away and said thoughtfully, “He asked to meet me this evening, outside the prefectural city, at Songshui Lake.”

Yan Xiaoming, Zhou Kai, and the others immediately objected upon hearing this.

“Your Highness, this may be a trap, you must not go.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Though Pei Zhen has always had a good reputation, yesterday he agreed to meet before the battle yet seized the chance to attack you, which does not match the rumors. He may not be a gentleman,” Zhou Kai also advised.

Li Chanxiu’s expression stiffened slightly upon hearing this, and he couldn’t help but explain on Pei Zhen’s behalf, “It wasn’t a sneak attack, but… he and I can be considered old acquaintances. He must have been somewhat surprised upon seeing me yesterday.”

“This…” Yan Xiaoming and Zhou Kai exchanged a glance, not having expected that he had prior ties with Pei Zhen.

Without waiting for them to speak further, Li Chanxiu said, “No need to say more. My mind is made up. Send a reply to Pei Zhen, say that I agree.”

“But…”

Yan Xiaoming still wanted to dissuade him, but at that moment Lu Zhi spoke with a smile, “Indeed, I also think Your Highness should go. Pei Zhen’s army is pressing against the city, yet he neither calls for battle nor attacks. Meeting him will reveal what he intends to do.”

Of course, that was the surface reasoning. In truth, he could tell there was likely some misunderstanding between the two, and it would be better for them to meet and clarify things. But such words were not suitable to say in front of everyone.

Li Chanxiu knew he was helping him, and couldn’t help but nod in thanks. Then he gave the order again: “Send the reply.”

Seeing he could not be persuaded, Yan Xiaoming said, “Then please allow me and the others to accompany you.”

But Li Chanxiu shook his head again. It wasn’t that he didn’t intend to bring people, but, 

“General Yan, the city’s defenses still rely on you. I’ll take others along.”

“But…”

“In that case, I will accompany Your Highness.” Seeing Yan Xiaoming hesitate again, Lu Zhi stepped in to smooth things over.

Yan Xiaoming had no choice but to concede, but still said, “Then please bring more people. Take Zhou Kai and Yu Xingfan as well. Otherwise, I will have no way to answer to our lord and will have to report this matter truthfully at once.”

The corner of Li Chanxiu’s mouth twitched. If this were reported to Li Xuan, would he still be allowed to go? So he could only nod in agreement.

Soon, an arrow carrying a message tube was shot toward the enemy formation.

Pei Zhen drew his blade, easily knocked the arrow down, then quickly removed the message tube. After reading the letter for a moment, his handsome brows lifted slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. He raised his hand and ordered, “Withdraw. Return to camp.”

Yang Yuanyi: “…” Wait, you brought us here just for this?

***

Back at the military camp, Pei Zhen strode into the tent and began rummaging through things.

When Yang Yuanyi entered and saw him turning several sets of regular clothes upside down, he asked curiously, “What are you doing?”

Pei Zhen frowned. “I didn’t bring enough clothes on this campaign.” There weren’t many decent ones.

Yang Yuanyi: “…”

He glanced at the scattered clothes on the couch and thought: Didn’t you always bring this few before?

“Forget it.” After frowning for a while, Pei Zhen decided it was better to wear his armor.

His black armor was quite striking, and he looked imposing in it. The princess had once said she admired Pei Zhen, she would surely prefer him looking like a proper general. Those somewhat scholarly outfits could be set aside.

However, this armor had just been worn in battle yesterday and was stained with blood and dust, not quite clean.

Thinking this, Pei Zhen had someone bring water and personally cleaned it bit by bit.

Yang Yuanyi: “…”

“You’re doing this… to go see the princess?” he asked in a complicated tone.

Pei Zhen responded with a simple “Mm,” continuing to wipe it. “After all, she is a princess. It would be improper to be discourteous.”

“Isn’t she also your wife?” Yang Yuanyi probed.

Pei Zhen: “But she is also a princess. Proper etiquette cannot be neglected.”

Yang Yuanyi: “…” If you want to show off, just say so, why come up with so many excuses?

Pei Zhen quickly finished cleaning the armor, stood up, looked at him, and asked, “By the way… do you know what the princess is called?”

Yang Yuanyi hesitated. “I think it’s Li… something Chan?”

“Li Chan?” Pei Zhen silently repeated it once, then said, “I’ll go meet the princess shortly. Guard the camp well.”

Yang Yuanyi was surprised. “You’re going to meet the princess and you’re still worrying about the camp?”

Pei Zhen paused in his movements and turned to look at him.

Yang Yuanyi froze, quickly realizing his words sounded ambiguous, and hurriedly explained, “No, I mean, if the commanders of both armies are meeting, will there still be fighting?”

Pei Zhen frowned. “We must not be careless.”

Hearing this, Yang Yuanyi hesitated. “You mean, the princess might take the opportunity to…”

“The princess naturally would not,” Pei Zhen said, then glanced at him. “But in case there are petty people by her side stirring trouble.”

Yang Yuanyi: “…” Complicated. His feelings were extremely complicated. So the bad ones are always other people, right?

“Also, it’s not just the rebel army we need to watch. There’s also Liang Xingrong of the Liangzhou army, remember to guard against him,” Pei Zhen added in a low voice.

Yang Yuanyi nodded with mixed feelings. He understood the reasoning, but… he had already started calling them the righteous army now? Not rebels?

If the Emperor found out about this, well, never mind. It was only said in front of him; he certainly wouldn’t report it.

“Also, my going to meet the princess, aside from personal matters, part of it is for official business. Don’t overthink it,” Pei Zhen added at the end.

Yang Yuanyi: “…” Complicated.