After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

No matter how the noble ladies tried to pull him away, Xiao Sha resolutely finished searching everything.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if it's just guards or palace maids, as long as he keeps an eye on things.

The noble ladies just grumbled and cursed.

Who would dare to confront Pei Heng over such a trivial matter? In many people's eyes, Pei Heng is no different from a ghost.

Only Jing Yuyan was particularly frightened, shouting that she wouldn't let Xiao Sha search her belongings: "How dare you peek at a woman's personal clothing? I had no idea that His Majesty had such a lewd guard by his side."

Xiao Sha was pulled several times, but Jing Yuyan was strong and he couldn't fight back.

After a few more visits, his expression turned cold: "His Majesty is injured, and we are acting on imperial orders. Are you going to disobey them, young lady?"

The charge of disobeying the imperial decree fell upon Jing Yuyan, who bit her lip and dared not speak.

She could only comfort herself, telling herself that it was alright, that His Majesty was looking for an assassin.

What's there to be afraid of? It wasn't her who harmed His Majesty. She only killed a horse. Does killing a beast mean that a rich young lady like herself has to pay with her life?

"Commander, we've found him!"

The guard brought over the wrapped medicine powder.

Xiao Sha also knew some medical skills. He picked it up, examined it, and immediately said, "Arrest this woman."

Jing Yuyan panicked: "No, you can't arrest me! I am the legitimate daughter of the Jing family. My father works diligently for His Majesty, contributing so much money to the Great Wei treasury every year. What right do you have to arrest me!"

"Hmph, save those words for when you say them to His Majesty."

Xiao was ruthless and didn't say much; he simply ordered his men to take her away.

Jing Yuyan hurriedly turned her head and saw Shen Tingjiao taking a step back in the crowd. Her eyes lit up with surprise.

Before she could even speak, Shen Tingjiao shouted, "Sister Jing, are you confused? I've told you not to do such a life-threatening thing, why won't you listen?"

"...Now that things have come to this, even your sister can't help you."

After she finished speaking, she sadly wiped the corner of her eye, looking pitiful, which garnered her another wave of sympathy.

Everyone says that Shen Tingjiao made a bad choice in her friends.

Jing Yuyan was devastated and wanted nothing more than to rush up and tear Shen Tingjiao's face apart. The guards almost couldn't hold her back: "Shen Tingjiao, how could you... You were the one who said it, it was you!"

"What did I say?" Shen Tingjiao put down the handkerchief, raised her eyes weakly, "I just poured out my grievances to you."

Jing Yuyan was utterly astonished.

Only at this moment did she realize Shen Tingjiao's true colors, and felt even more that she had been pitifully foolish to have believed her!

How could anyone think Shen Tingjiao is easier to talk to than Shen Lingyi!

That's enough.

Xu Yanqing shielded Shen Tingjiao behind him. Seeing her tearful eyes, he was momentarily stunned, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Anyone dares to accuse Jiaojiao. Why don't you take her to His Majesty for questioning?"

Shen Lingyi and Pei Heng waited in the tent for a while, and then heard a noise outside. Xiao Sha then brought the person in and presented him with the used arsenic.

"My subordinates found this in her baggage; it was the poison that killed the horses."

Shen Lingyi suddenly stood up.

The moment she saw it was Jing Yuyan, she knew why the former had poisoned her horse, but she still asked, "Why did you poison my horse?"

Perhaps sensing her suppressed anger, Jing Yuyan chuckled, "You think I don't want to poison you, Shen Lingyi? You deserve to die the most!"

"If you hadn't blocked my way, I wouldn't be in this situation!"

Pei Heng frowned: "Noisy."

Upon receiving the signal, the palace servants went up and slapped Jing Yuyan several times, causing her fair cheeks to swell up immediately.

Such swift and decisive action is enough to instill fear in anyone who witnesses it.

Jing Yuyan lay on the ground, her face swollen, her hair disheveled, looking utterly wretched. Originally, she cared most about her appearance and only wanted to marry into a good family with her beautiful face. Now that she was out there, who would dare to marry her?

Pei Heng narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on you as if it weighed a ton: "If you don't say something useful soon, you can go to the Censorate when we get back to the capital."

Upon hearing the name of the Department of Cautious Punishment, Jing Yuyan was more terrified than if she were to die. She hurriedly said, "I...I'll tell you. I bought the arsenic. It's easy for the Jing family to get some poison."

He glanced at Shen Lingyi and added, "But... the idea wasn't mine."

For some reason, Jing Yuyan hated Shen Lingyi, who was now high and mighty, even more than Shen Tingjiao's betrayal.

Therefore, when she talked about Shen Tingjiao wanting to harm her own younger sister, a hint of pleasure involuntarily flashed in her eyes. Look, even your own sister wants you dead.

Shen Lingyi saw the hint of mockery in Jing Yuyan's eyes and immediately understood.

It seems that Shen Tingjiao is involved again.

After Jing Yuyan finished explaining her situation, Pei Heng ordered her to be dragged away. She would be taken back to the palace, where she would face either imprisonment or death.

Upon learning of Pei Heng's plans for her, Jing Yuyan exclaimed in disbelief, "Your Majesty, our Jing family is utterly loyal to you!"

"My father has never betrayed you. The Jing family was actually promoted by you. And we..."

The salt and silk of the Great Wei were monopolized by the government. They would be distributed to imperial merchants to help sell them in shops across the country. In the end, the salt and silk were split 20/80, with 80% going to the national treasury.

The Jing family didn't care about the money; what they wanted was the title of imperial merchant.

It can be said that without the Jing family, at least several commercial routes would be temporarily paralyzed.

Even Shen Lingyi looked at Pei Heng.

Pei Heng, however, did not care at all: "There are hundreds or even thousands of merchants in the Great Wei. Without the Jing family, the Chen family, the Zhao family, and the Li family, it is not because of you that the national treasury exists. It's just that I have given you this face."

So taking it back is just a matter of saying a few words.

The guard exerted force again, but this time Jing Yuyan did not struggle, perhaps because she no longer had the strength to struggle.

Shen Lingyi was still in a daze. To be honest, she didn't expect Pei Heng to be so decisive.

Pei Heng then asked, "Is your maternal grandfather willing to come to the capital? If so, it would be good to have the Jiang family take over the Jing family's trade routes."

Shen Lingyi paused, then thought for a moment, still reluctant to refuse this windfall: "...I have to ask my maternal grandfather."

Jiang Wenhai had said years ago that he had no intention of developing his career in Beijing, but if she persuaded him, he might change his mind.

After all, who would turn down money?

Pei Heng saw that her greedy expression was written all over her face, and she was still unaware of it, so he couldn't help but smile: "Liangzhou is a long way away. After you get your maternal grandfather's approval, tell me and I will send someone to pick you up."

"Is His Majesty being too kind to me?"

"Is that all?" Pei Heng asked rhetorically.

"Calculate."

Shen Lingyi smiled and kissed the man on the cheek, the sound loud enough to make anyone blush. Her smile was somewhat teasing. "I have no other way to repay Your Majesty's kindness, so this is the only way I can do it."

Did she think she could just get rid of him like that? Pei Heng showed her through his actions what was impossible.

The man pulled her into his arms, panting as he kissed her delicate lips repeatedly, his large hands kneading her slender waist, turning her into a pool of spring water.