Yun Qian and Zhao Yuebei exchanged glances before departing in quick succession, knowing their cues.
Only Shao He and Pei Huaian remained in the courtyard.
After a long pause, it was Shao He who broke the silence first, "Could it be that Pei Chengye wants to turn the tables on us?"
Pei Huaian, eyes slightly squinted, looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, and asked, "Not likely, Pei Chengye isn't that clever, it must be the handiwork of the Zheng Family."
Shao He pursed her lips tightly, lifting her head to meet Pei Huaian's gaze, her speech calm yet laced with a touch of urgency, "Why would the Zheng Family do such a thing?"
"The Zheng Family is the Empress's maiden family; their actions are most likely intertwined with the Empress. However, this gives me a good opportunity to weaken the Zheng Family's power," Pei Huaian said methodically, his expression composed, clearly prepared."