"Bustling crowds, tangled identities, factions large and small." Li Xizhou spoke as she looked ahead. "Once there are enough people, they cannot possibly remain a single slab of iron, flourishing together. While the sun is up, all is well; rotten wood and damp moss cannot raise their heads and can only hide in the shadows. But once the sun falls, everything collapses together. The most loyal followers die, and though the rest live on, no trace remains of what they were... When Yu Sicheng became chief superintendent of the palace attendants, Wei Qingju was also on the throne. Without her approval, how could he have risen to that position? Yet isn't he our enemy now?"
"...So Your Highness knows so much about the past." Pei Ye paused, then added, "Your Highness's breadth of knowledge commands my admiration."
"Of course I had to learn about those years," Li Xizhou said evenly. "It is something I have done since childhood."
"Then, may I ask Your Highness whether there is anything else you can tell me about Guo You and Ziliang?"
"I had heard the name Guo You, but before you found him, I did not know his whereabouts," Li Xizhou said. "As for 'Ziliang,' this is actually the first time I have heard that name. Since Guo You said he died, it stands to reason that there would be no news of him."
With that, the woman glanced back at him and said evenly, "See, you can be perfectly well-behaved. Why must you always look so proud and defiant? Once we leave, you must not show Hall Master Xu any less respect, either."
"...Yes."
Pei Ye lowered his eyes and cupped his fist, opened [Knowing Intent] in his mind, and sent, "Xu Chuo, this princess is sick in the head."
Li Xizhou's