Pei Zhi followed behind her mother, greeting her and paying her respects along the way.

With her two daughters in tow, Pei's mother walked further in and, after being announced, finally met Princess Duanyang.

The old woman had taught Pei Zhi etiquette before, so Pei Zhi didn't dare to look around and followed her mother's lead in bowing.

Princess Duanyang said, "No need for formalities, young ladies. Raise your heads so I can see you."

Pei Zhi raised her head slightly, but did not look directly at the princess.

Princess Duanyang had heard about the Pei family before.

"This is your second daughter?"

Holding Pei Zhi's hand, Pei's mother smiled and introduced, "Yes, when she was first born, she was weak and sickly, so we left her at my parents' house. The scenery there is beautiful."

Princess Duanyang nodded. "She's such a lovable girl."

Princess Duanyang beckoned to Pei Zhi, "Come here, come closer to me, let me take a closer look."

The eldest princess is getting old, and her eyesight is failing.

Pei Zhi looked at her mother, who nodded. Only then did Pei Zhi lift her skirt and walk towards the princess.

Taking two steps closer, the princess, still not satisfied, reached out her hand to Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and took the princess's hand.

Princess Duanyang sat in the main seat and had Pei Zhi stand in front of her.

Pei Zhi bent down slightly so that the princess wouldn't have to crane her neck to look at her.

Princess Duanyang smiled and said, "Today, you are truly the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."

With just one sentence, Pei Zhi instantly felt a lot of attention on her.

After saying that, Princess Duanyang took the bracelet from her hand and placed it in Pei Zhi's palm.

Pei Zhi was unsure whether she should take it or not, and wanted to turn back to look at her mother.

Princess Duanyang patted Pei Zhi's hand, "I'm giving this to you, so take it. This is a coming-of-age gift that my father gave me when he was alive. This is the second time I'm wearing it today. It suits you, so take it."

Pei Zhi looked at the jade bracelet in her hand and was surprised to find that it was so valuable.

Madam Pei hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this is absolutely not right. My daughter cannot accept such a precious reward."

“I said I would give it, so I gave it.” Princess Duanyang didn’t care about all that. “I’m getting old, and I just like to see young girls dressed up nicely.”

Princess Duanyang complained, "Look at your daughter, she's so beautiful, but you've dressed her up too plainly."

Pei's mother truly had unspeakable bitterness in her heart.

Today, Pei Zhi wore a pink and white dress, and her hair accessories were also very simple.

Pei's mother only wanted to bring Pei Zhi out to the public; she didn't intend for Pei Zhi to attract too much attention.

“The eldest princess is right.”

Princess Duanyang nodded and then had someone deliver a gift to Pei Yin.

Pei's mother, along with Pei Zhi and Pei Yin, sat down to the side.

After sitting down, Pei Zhi took a look around and realized that there were quite a few women present today.

Moreover, many of them were dressed up, dazzling and beautiful, like flowers.

"What you're looking at are the daughters of the cabinet ministers."

Pei Zhi looked at Pei Yin, who had spoken, and nodded to indicate that she understood.

Pei Yin gestured for Pei Zhi to look at the two girls seated above them, "They are the daughters of the Left Prime Minister and the Right Prime Minister."

"Today is the most formal I've ever seen them dressed up in all the years I've known them."

Pei Zhi didn't want Pei Yin to keep talking to herself, so she said, "They probably know that the Princess likes girls who dress up nicely."

Pei Yin chuckled softly, "Today, His Highness the Crown Prince will be representing His Majesty to celebrate the Princess's birthday. They've dressed up for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Pei Zhi feigned sudden realization, "I see."

"The future Crown Princess and concubines will all be among this group of people."

Pei Zhi looked at the girl dressed like a beautiful flower and felt a little regretful.

These women were all of the highest caliber in appearance, character, and education.

If they hadn't been born in this era, they would have achieved great things.

In this era, they could only be chosen by men, and then a group of women would serve one man.

And for this man, she has to get pregnant, give birth, fight for him, and waste her youth.

Pei Zhi sighed regretfully. What a pity.

Pei Yin frowned: "Why are you sighing?"

Pei Zhi rubbed her lower back. "I'm a little tired."

Pei Yin moved aside, too lazy to pay attention to Pei Zhi.

Atao quietly slipped to Pei Yin's side and whispered a few words in Pei Yin's ear. Pei Yin's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she couldn't hide the joy on her face.

"Mother, my sisters have asked me to go to the garden to talk."

Pei's mother nodded. "Zhizhi, do you want to go?"

“My daughter doesn’t want to go.” Pei Zhi didn’t want to listen to Pei Yin chatting with her girlfriends.

Pei's mother instructed, "Alright, go ahead, but be careful and don't wander off."

Atao helped Pei Yin to her feet, and the two left.

While Pei's mother was chatting with people at the tables to her left and right, Pei Zhi stayed quietly beside her mother, not looking around.

Pei Zhi didn't plan to go outside for a stroll. There were too many accidents at such a large banquet, so she decided to stay put.

If she were to run into Xiao Chengci or Shang Huai, it would be troublesome for her.

"Madam Pei, your daughter is so beautiful, even more so than you were when you were young."

Upon hearing this, Pei's mother covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed, "This child, who has been learning chess from Mr. Yuan, is quiet and doesn't like crowds."

"No wonder, he truly deserves to be Mr. Yuan's outstanding student."

When the ladies heard Mr. Yuan's name, their gazes toward Pei Zhi changed.

Previously, I thought that Duke Pei's second daughter was a bit dull.

Now this is Juanhao Jingxiu, gentle and quiet.

With such outstanding looks, if she were also more flamboyant, she would be truly remarkable.

This quietness is just perfect.

One of the ladies of the Marquis's household said with some interest, "Madam Pei, your daughter has just been brought back from her parents' home, so you haven't had her looked at yet, have you?"

Madam Pei raised her voice slightly, "She just returned from my parents' home. She hasn't been by my side since she was a child, so I'm not in a hurry for her to get married."

Although Madam Pei said outwardly that the marriage was not in a hurry, she made it clear that Pei Zhi was not engaged yet.

The reason why Madam Pei brought Pei Zhi out today is to let all the ladies know that her family has a second daughter who is beautiful, gentle and quiet.

Lady Hou's face immediately lit up with joy. "I have a younger son who isn't married yet. How about we arrange for them to meet another day?"

Madam Pei's thoughts stirred slightly. She remembered that her youngest son from the Marquis's mansion had caused quite a stir before because of a woman from a brothel.

Her daughter should not marry a man like that.

Pei's mother politely declined, saying, "She's still too young; I don't plan to have her look at potential partners for the time being."

Just as everyone was gathered together chatting, a notice suddenly came from outside.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stood up, including Princess Duanyang.

The Empress herself actually attended Princess Duanyang's birthday banquet?