Gu Zhan Ting looked meaningfully at Pei Qing Yan, who had the appearance of a good father.

We are all ancient foxes, what kind of play are we acting? Political struggle is inherently a life-and-death situation. No matter who gains power, how could the other side possibly have a good outcome? The saying “not die, not rest” has long been the reality, there’s no difference in saying it or not. It’s just that given their status and identity, they wouldn’t express it so directly.

And the biggest meaning in saying it is just to win Lu Xing Zhou’s favor, responding to Lu Xing Zhou’s previous “you still haven’t thought it through.” It signifies a decision has been made. Appearing upright in front of the emperor, because of favor and emotion intertwined, not forming private factions.

Of course, saying so is not entirely empty talk, it also has a substantial effect.

The conflict between the Pei and Huo families is still within a decent range, not truly escalating into a full-blown fight. But with his words placed here, if Lu Xing Zhou truly encounters trouble, the Pei family would be ridiculed if they did nothing. So, if the Huo family genuinely wanted to kill Lu Xing Zhou, they would either have to do it cleanly and neatly, or else truly be prepared to go to war with the Pei family. This decision might not be easy to make.

Although it cannot truly be considered a protective talisman, it genuinely adds a few points of guarantee and significantly raises Lu Xing Zhou’s status.

There’s also a side effect: from now on, Lu Xing Zhou is heavily branded with the Pei family’s mark. From this perspective, it also forces Lu Xing Zhou to passively take a side, even if he himself is unwilling, it’s too late.

Gu Zhan Ting remained silent for a moment, somewhat wanting to know how Lu Xing Zhou would handle this scene.

Generally, a young person receiving such favor from the Pei family would definitely be flattered… would Lu Xing Zhou be?

Yet, Lu Xing Zhou amiably cupped his hands in salute: “Pei Xiang is too kind… This junior was separated from flesh and blood since childhood, and especially cannot bear to see this kind of matter. Helping your daughter find relatives is also to accumulate blessings for myself. Pei Xiang can truly obtain a title and grace for your daughter, this junior is also happy on behalf of Miss Pei. As for anything else… With His Majesty making the decision, commoners would naturally not suffer loss. Of course, Pei Xiang’s kind intention, this junior is still very grateful.”

Pei Qing Yan was stunned for a moment. Everyone present inwardly felt a slight jolt, secretly finding it interesting.

Gu Zhan Ting even continuously called it interesting in his heart. He had to admit that Lu Xing Zhou’s words struck a chord with him. It is also true: with him, Gu Zhan Ting, making the decision, what does the Huo family need to worry about that would turn to you, Pei Qing Yan?

Gu Zhan Ting was in a rather good mood, finally laughing heartily: “Pei Xiang’s heartfelt love for his daughter, I know. Hmm… What is your daughter’s name?”

Pei Qing Yan’s mind calmed down from the surprise regarding Lu Xing Zhou. He respectfully replied: “Her name is Chu Yun.”

Pei Chu Yun had just made her debut, and her name had not yet spread among those in the same path. Even Yan Luo Hall had to investigate to find out, the outside world basically didn’t know. Even if someone heard a similar name, no one would dare imagine that the Pei family of He Dong would actually recognize a He Huan demoness as family. Pei Qing Yan was full of confidence, her name didn’t even need to be changed.

Gu Zhan Ting laughed: “Good, first grant grace and have her enter Tai Xue, and then discuss rewards based on her performance at Tai Xue, how about that?”

Women in this world can be officials. Gua Mei has been an official for several years now. Entering Tai Xue is basically a prerequisite for becoming a civil official. For someone with a “wandering in jianghu” background, this counts as a very good act of grace, basically guaranteeing her an official position.

As for directly enfeoffing her as a county princess and other female-frequency YY, one might as well forget about it.

Pei Qing Yan was also quite satisfied: “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

“When will the ceremony for recognizing her ancestors and returning to the clan be held?” Gu Zhan Ting laughed: “If I have time, perhaps I can also go and watch the ceremony.”

Pei Qing Yan was instead asked with a little embarrassment: “This still needs to be discussed with my little daughter, she may not want to make too much of a fuss.”

“Haha, this kind of talk, so typical of a daughter-slave, truly doesn’t sound like the Pei Xiang I know.” Gu Zhan Ting didn’t mind, in a very good mood he stood up and left: “Let’s leave it at this for now.”

The crowd respectfully sent the emperor off. Pei Qing Yan looked at Lu Xing Zhou, wanting to speak but stopping, finally losing his smile and shaking his head, turning to leave.

Lu Xing Zhou smiled, his gaze falling on the Huo family father and son. The Huo family father and son were also looking at him.

There was a bit of complexity in the eyes of both sides, the meaning difficult to understand.

Yet ultimately, no words were exchanged. Lu Xing Zhou withdrew his gaze and calmly said: “Yuan Yao, let’s go.”

Sheng Yuan Yao waved to her old dad on his seat and, with a face full of having eaten her fill of melon, happily pushed Lu Xing Zhou and quickly left.

Sheng Qing Feng’s face was dark. Do you know what your performance looks like? Like a silly happy maid!

But then again, today Lu Xing Zhou really will become famous in the capital… His performance exceeded everyone’s expectations, and most importantly, it left a particularly good impression on His Majesty!

It’s truly strange, is he really the same age as Yuan Yao?

“Are you really the same age as me?” Sheng Yuan Yao sent Lu Xing Zhou back to the inn. On the way, she couldn’t resist, stopping in front of him to pinch his face, trying to see if it was a human skin mask: “You’re not an old monster pretending, are you? Those words you used to deal with Pei Xiang, is that something a young person can say on the spot?”

Lu Xing Zhou let her pinch him, mumbling unclearly: “Stop teasing me.”

Sheng Yuan Yao simply ignored him. Originally pinching with one hand, she simply rubbed it vigorously with both hands for a while, finally saying disdainfully: “Not as good to rub as A Nuo, it’s indeed old skin.”

Lu Xing Zhou could neither cry nor laugh.

He hadn’t expected that a martial cultivator who plays with knives, Gua Mei, would have such tender hands.

Sheng Yuan Yao pushed the wheelchair from behind again, saying with great interest: “Hey, looking at the attitude of Yan Luo Hall towards you, are you really retired or not? How do I feel they are super afraid of you? Some even knelt.”

“Afraid of me?” Lu Xing Zhou shook his head: “Many in the capital branch are actually from Ye Wu Feng’s line. They weren’t afraid of me originally… It’s just that this time Ye Wu Feng was killed and still had to be expelled… They are afraid of Yan Jun, just acting according to the wind.”

“So, Yan Jun is very good to you? Did he stand up for you this time?”

Lu Xing Zhou was silent for a moment, and said faintly: “Ye Wu Feng had too much desire for performance, leading him to act without much consideration for the consequences. This is detrimental to the organization. When I was here before, I had disagreements with them precisely because of these matters. At that time, they still thought I was targeting him, but I truly wasn’t targeting their personal leisure. This time, Yan Jun… Should be considered to have made the correct choice, shifting the hatred between Zhen Mo Si and Huan Hua Sword Sect away.”

“Yes, yes, yes, Judge adult is of course completely impartial, completely impartial towards Tian Xing Sword Sect as well.”

“What do you mean by that sarcastic tone?”

Sheng Yuan Yao hummed twice and didn’t speak.

Who told you to say Shen Tang is your lover, saying it so readily?

Lu Xing Zhou said: “I am truly most impartial towards Tian Xing Sword Sect… Last night’s fight was out of personal feeling.”

Sheng Yuan Yao directly changed the topic: “… What are your plans next? Dealing with Huo Heng?”

Lu Xing Zhou scoffed: “Weak and loves to act up again.”

“Less nonsense.” Sheng Yuan Yao was annoyed, embarrassed, and angry: “I’m asking what your next step is.”

Huo Heng, the third son of the Huo family. His strength is at the lower level of the fourth rank, relatively easy to say… What’s a bit more troublesome is that he has an official position in the Ministry of Works.

The second son, Huo Zhang, is in the army in the north, not in the capital. His strength might be the strongest… Although many in the army are just things who leech off the soldiers, Lu Xing Zhou still thinks that having seen blood, they should be stronger than the capital dandies.

Plus the eldest son, Huo Qi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. These are the remaining three direct sons of the Huo family. Only two of them are in the capital…

“Not dealing with it in the short term, doing it too urgently will be like pulling teeth, and His Majesty will also have an opinion.” Lu Xing Zhou said leisurely: “My next step is of course to go to school, consolidating myself is the hard truth.”

Sheng Yuan Yao’s tone was cool: “I think it’s because Pei Chu Yun is going to school, you also want to join in the fun.”

“Hey, my coming to Dan College was decided long ago. Uh, wait, you know who Pei Chu Yun is? Why is your tone so strange?”

“You think I’m silly just because of A Lü, that tea-like girl of yours? I also investigate cases!” Sheng Yuan Yao said disdainfully: “I can’t believe the Pei family’s daughter is so flirtatious, look at her worthless appearance.”

Lu Xing Zhou: “…”

While speaking, they had already arrived at the small courtyard of the inn.

The courtyard door was not closed. A Nuo was just crouching by the door, peering inside, looking like she was watching a show. Sheng Yuan Yao immediately shut her mouth, slipped behind A Nuo, and peered in together.

Pei Qing Yan’s voice came from inside: “With His Majesty’s grace, entering Tai Xue to study, no one will say you are an illegitimate child, and the family will also shut up. So, can you come home?”

Pei Chu Yun said: “I need to discuss it with Lu Xing Zhou.”

Pei Qing Yan’s voice was a little hesitant: “You and Lu Xing Zhou… What kind of relationship do you two have exactly?”

Pei Chu Yun smiled: “Very important?”

Pei Qing Yan was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: “This child is not an ordinary person. If you truly like him, as a father, I can directly propose marriage for you, but if you cling to that sect’s way of thinking… I fear you will suffer a loss.”

“Suffering a loss is no more than following in my mother’s footsteps. You are the one who is least qualified to say these words.”

Pei Qing Yan calmly said: “No one stood up for your mother. But you and she are not the same, you have a father.”

Lu Xing Zhou blinked his eyes. He himself was a little touched by this sentence, fearing that the little demoness with a literary heart would suffer a heavy blow.

In fact, with Pei Qing Yan’s cultivation, it was impossible for him not to sense the crowd of people outside the door watching the show. He said these words for Lu Xing Zhou to hear as well. The warning was more significant than anything else.

No matter how he thought about Lu Xing Zhou’s matter… at least his guilt towards his daughter and his intention to compensate should be true.

Lu Xing Zhou didn’t listen any further. He proactively wheeled his chair to the door: “In the public hall, many thanks for Pei Xiang’s protection.”

Pei Qing Yan smiled a bit: “I think you are quite scared by my ‘protection’.”

Lu Xing Zhou laughed: “How can that be… Protection is protection in the end.”

“Heh…” Pei Qing Yan didn’t say much either, and said directly: “Since Yun Er wants to discuss with you, this old man will not force her. Whatever result you discuss, whatever requests you have, just send someone to say so.”

Watching Pei Qing Yan stride away, Pei Chu Yun’s expression was complex. After a long while, she just asked: “What do you think?”

Lu Xing Zhou smiled: “Go for it. At least for now, he is sincere.”

Pei Chu Yun said in a low voice: “The more sincere he is, the more it falls within my master’s calculations. I… I’m a little hesitant.”

“You say you are so kind, why be a demoness?” Lu Xing Zhou rubbed her head: “No matter what others are like, you also have your desires, this is natural… Don’t leave yourself with regrets. What does anyone else’s business have to do with you?”