Pei Minxue informed Duke Pei of the news he had received from the Crown Prince.

Duke Pei tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, pondering Pei Yin's marriage.

Duke Pei was thinking of hardening his heart and making Pei Yin a concubine.

He explained the reason to Pei Yin, and Pei Yin would understand.

Given Pei Yin's current status, being able to become a concubine of the Second Prince is already considered a great favor.

If the marriage falls through, not only will all the efforts of the Duke's family over the years be in vain, but the rumors and gossip from the outside world will also be extremely unpleasant.

However, Duke Pei dreamt of Pei Yin when she was a child.

Pei Yin was the first daughter of Duke Pei. When Pei Yin was still an infant, Duke Pei held her many times.

Even Pei Minxue, the eldest son of Duke Pei, was never held by Duke Pei.

After waking from the dream, Duke Pei couldn't bear it in the end; if the marriage couldn't be arranged, so be it.

Ultimately, it ruined Pei Yin's life.

Given Consort Shu's personality, and the fact that Pei Yin was previously considered the Second Prince's primary wife, it's clear that...

If Pei Yin really enters the Second Prince's residence and becomes a concubine, how can she have a good life?

Although she wasn't his biological daughter, he had watched her grow up from a young age, so Duke Pei still changed into his court robes and went to the palace.

They proactively informed His Majesty and cancelled the marriage.

Emperor Xiao felt somewhat guilty, after all, the marriage was initiated by the royal family.

Everything was agreed upon, and we were just about to finalize it when this unexpected problem arose.

Duke Pei asked his mother to set up a banquet in the hall that evening so that the whole family could have a meal together.

Although they were supposed to be a family, only Pei's mother and her two siblings, Pei Zhi and Pei Zhi, were qualified to be seated at the table.

Tonight is a family banquet; the concubines of Duke Pei, as well as his illegitimate sons and daughters, are not entitled to be seated at the table.

Pei Yin came with her mother, and Pei Yin did needlework for her mother.

Pei's mother smiled and said, "Your father suddenly held a family banquet today, I reckon he has some good news to announce."

Pei Yin blushed with embarrassment. What other happy events could there be in the family recently besides Pei Yin's wedding?

Pei Yin's heart was practically leaping out of her mouth as she thought about how she was about to become a prince's consort.

"Yinyin, you'd better be more respectful when you're out in public. You represent more than just our Duke's Mansion."

Pei Yin quickly replied, "Mother, don't worry, I understand."

Mrs. Pei nodded in satisfaction; she was pleased with the daughter she had personally raised.

Pei Yin was a renowned talented woman in the capital, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her every word and action was praised by others.

All of this is inseparable from the fact that Pei's mother had been taught by servants since childhood.

The only regret is that Pei Yin's looks are average.

Thinking of this, Pei's mother also felt deep regret.

If Zhizhi had grown up in her presence since childhood, then thanks to Zhizhi's looks...

Furthermore, the Duke's relationship with the Emperor and the position of Crown Princess are not entirely out of the question.

That's what you call immense wealth and luxury.

While pondering, he arrived at the hall and bumped into Pei Zhi, who was coming from the courtyard.

Pei Zhi quickly bowed to her mother, and then bowed to Pei Yin.

After exchanging greetings, Pei's mother beckoned to Pei Zhi, signaling her to come to her side.

Pei's mother patted Pei Zhi's hand and asked, "You stay in the courtyard all day long, why don't you come and sit here with your mother?"

Pei Zhi confessed honestly: "I went to the bookstore today."

Although Pei's mother had never been there, she had heard of it: "Is it the Xingzhi Bookstore in the capital?"

"Yes, Mr. Yuan said that his daughter should read more books in her spare time to broaden her horizons."

Mrs. Pei nodded in satisfaction, "Mr. Yuan is right. It's always good to read more books."

Pei Yin quickly added, "When you go to the bookstore, do you recognize all the words?"

Pei Yin's words made both her mother and Pei Zhi turn to look at her.

Pei's mother's face turned pale. Pei Yin's words sounded as if she were mocking Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi didn't want to embarrass Pei Yin: "If there's anything I don't understand, I'll definitely come and ask you for advice, sister."

Madam Pei gave a soft snort, her expression somewhat displeased. "Go inside."

Pei Yin pursed her lips and frowned inwardly. How could she say such a thing?

Pei Yin admitted that she was a little carried away by her father's upcoming announcement of her marriage and hadn't thought things through before speaking.

But it doesn't matter anymore. Anyway, after tonight, no one in the manor will dare to offend her.

Thinking this, Pei Yin curled her lips, lifted her skirt, and followed her mother into the hall.

The maidservant first served some pastries, and then Duke Pei and Pei Minxue came over from the front courtyard together.

Pei Zhi stood up again, bowed to Duke Pei, and then bowed to his elder brother.

After exchanging greetings, the parents sat down first, and only then could Pei Zhi and the other younger relatives sit down.

The maids began serving the hot dishes. Once the dishes were laid out, Duke Pei waved his hand and said, "You may all leave now."

The maids and servants received the order, bowed, and then retreated to wait outside the hall.

Pei Yin held the handkerchief in her hand, feeling both nervous and excited.

"Today, I went to the palace to meet His Majesty."

Pei Zhi sat up straight, her eyes fixed on the dishes on the table. The Eight Treasure Pastry looked good, and the Dongpo Pork looked good too.

After Duke Pei finished speaking, he fell silent.

Pei Yin stared longingly, too embarrassed to ask.

But Pei's mother couldn't hold back any longer, "Why don't you continue? Why are you only telling me half of what you want to say?"

Duke Pei suddenly sighed; he found it difficult to bring himself to say this.

Pei's mother said anxiously, "Why are you sighing?"

For some reason, Pei Yin suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Father, let me say it."

Duke Pei nodded hastily, as if he had just gotten rid of a hot potato.

Pei Minxue slowly said, "Today, Father went to see His Majesty and brought up the matter of annulling the engagement."

Pei's mother suddenly raised her voice: "What?"

Pei Yin didn't say anything, but the bowl and chopsticks in front of her accidentally fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

Pei's mother asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Why did they give up after all these years of planning, just when Pei Yin was about to marry into the royal family?

Duke Pei sighed, "When Consort Shu learned about Yin Yin's background, she had her family prepare a flower-viewing banquet and invited many young girls."

Madam Pei asked anxiously, "Doesn't the Second Prince's maternal family also have eligible young men? Why weren't they chosen for them?"

Pei Minxue interjected, "My son learned from His Highness that Consort Shu personally went to the Emperor to plead her case, expressing her unwillingness to arrange the marriage. At most, she will give Yin Yin the position of a concubine."

Mother Pei never expected there to be such a reason.

But upon closer reflection, if it were her, she wouldn't be happy either.

Since the marriage hasn't been finalized yet, it's just a verbal promise, so it's naturally subject to change.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Pei added, "If it's a concubine, it's not impossible..."

"That's enough," Duke Pei stopped his mother from continuing.

Duke Pei looked at Pei Yin and said, "Yin Yin, you should know that I am doing this for your own good."

Pei Yin pursed her lips, her eyes red-rimmed, feeling unwilling, but she could only nod and say, "Daughter understands."