The carriage stopped in front of the restaurant, and Pei Zhi got off the carriage to admire the exterior of the restaurant.

"This restaurant must be the most luxurious in the capital, right?"

Pei Minxue chimed in, "Those under the prince's name naturally have to be outstanding in every way."

“The Third Prince has invested in many businesses and has sent a lot of tribute to the Crown Prince’s Palace under various pretexts in previous years, so His Highness is willing to give him face.”

The Third Prince was, after all, a prince. With his princely status, he was naturally successful in doing business.

The third prince was also a sensible person; he didn't pocket all the money he earned.

They even know to be filial to the crown prince, which means they understand who the real kings are.

The servants who had been waiting at the door immediately came forward to greet Pei Minxue and led him upstairs.

Pei Minxue and Pei Zhi arrived at the top-tier private room. Pei Zhi glanced around and saw that it was extremely luxurious.

Everything in the private room was of the highest quality.

After exchanging greetings, Xiao Chengci said, "I had them serve some of the restaurant's signature dishes."

Xiao Chengci pointed to the wine on the table, "The wine in the glass is a treasured vintage of mine. Zhizhi must drink a few more glasses later."

Before Pei Zhi even picked up her wine glass, she could smell the aroma of the wine.

Then it became clear that what Xiao Chengci said was true; the wine must have been aged for quite some time.

The servant knocked on the door to bring the dishes, each one a delicious and visually appealing feast.

"The third brother specially invited a master chef from the imperial kitchen to come out of retirement, so the taste should be quite good."

Pei Minxue, holding his chopsticks, exclaimed, "No wonder! I was wondering why I'd never seen such delicious food before!"

Xiao Chengci picked up his chopsticks and served food to Pei Zhi, saying, "Third brother has some talent in business."

Pei Zhi took a bite and raised an eyebrow slightly. "This seems to be mutton?"

Pei Minxue asked in surprise, "Is this mutton?"

This mutton was completely different from the mutton Pei Minxue had eaten before. It wasn't tough or gamey at all, and it even had a fresh taste.

"Yes, this is mutton. Doesn't it taste good?"

Pei Zhi nodded. The taste wasn't just good, it was excellent.

While we were eating, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Xiao Chengci uttered a single word, "Enter."

A tall but not thin man walked in.

Pei Zhi noticed that his eyebrows and eyes bore a resemblance to Xiao Chengci's.

The man walked in and was about to bow to Xiao Chengci.

Xiao Chengci raised his hand, "We're outside, so let's skip these formalities."

The Third Prince did not insist any further. He glanced sideways and saw another woman inside the room. After a moment of surprise, he nodded amicably to Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi stood up and returned the greeting.

The Third Prince smiled broadly: "Your Highness, is the food good? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

"I am an amateur when it comes to business, but as for dishes, the retired master chef from the palace is undoubtedly skilled."

The Third Prince quickly exclaimed, "With Your Highness's words, I can finally rest assured."

The Third Prince didn't stay long; he just came over to say hello and mentioned that there would be a performance later, which they could see by opening the window.

As the Third Prince was leaving, he suddenly added, "Your Highness, my Second Brother is here today as well."

Fearing that the Crown Prince might misunderstand, the Third Prince added to show his loyalty, "Even though I didn't invite my Second Brother, I won't drive him away."

The Second Prince was, after all, a prince, and whether it was for appearances or other reasons, the Third Prince could not expel him.

Xiao Chengci naturally didn't care about these things, "It's nothing."

"Second Brother is in the next private room. If you need anything, just call him."

Xiao Chengci responded, not taking the second brother seriously.

After the Third Prince left, Pei Minxue finally spoke, "Second Prince, are you perhaps up to something behind the scenes?"

Xiao Chengci scoffed, "Him?"

It wasn't that Xiao Chengci looked down on the second son; he was just a coward who could only lay hands on the women in his own room, and Xiao Chengci really didn't want to give him a second glance.

Pei Zhi didn't quite understand, so she didn't interrupt and just ate her food.

Pei Minxue recalled that the Second Prince had sent someone to return all of Pei Yin's dowry.

Pei Yin also sent letters to the Duke's mansion several times.

They were all addressed to Pei's mother, and the letters were all pleading for her help.

The letter was intercepted by Pei Minxue before it reached Pei's mother.

De Shun told Pei Minxue about all the despicable things Pei Yin had done.

Pei Minxue turned around and had someone deliver the letter that Pei Yin had sent back to the Second Prince.

After that, Pei Yin never sent any more letters to the mansion, and Pei Minxue had a much quieter time.

A commotion arose downstairs, and Pei Minxue, thinking it was a performance, opened the window.

Pei Minxue stood at the window, his face extremely pale.

A scantily clad woman stood on the stage, covered by a light veil.

Nevertheless, Pei Minxue recognized her at a glance as Pei Yin.

Pei Yin's attire was even more revealing than that of the women in the brothel.

Standing on the stage, striking poses, she drew cheers from the men in the audience.

Pei Zhi found herself standing behind Pei Minxue at some point, and recognized the person on the stage.

Pei Zhi was quite surprised. Pei Yin was, after all, the Second Prince's concubine. How did she end up in such a state?

As soon as the dance on stage ended, Pei Yin was pulled into the arms of a man with dark, bluish-black skin.

Pei Zhi asked softly, "Is this the Second Prince?"

Xiao Chengci snorted, "Let's go and see what he's up to."

Pei Minxue said indignantly, "Isn't the Second Prince going too far?"

Xiao Chengci reminded Pei Minxue: "She is now the second prince's concubine, and he has the right to do whatever he wants with her."

Even if Pei Yin was the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion.

Once you become someone's concubine, you are like their slave.

Even the Duke of Pei's disturbance was of no use.

Even if Pei Yin were to die, the Second Prince would not allow it, and the Duke's Mansion would not be able to interfere with where Pei Yin's body would be buried.

In those days, concubines were treated like this, having no status or position whatsoever.

Therefore, unless the family was truly struggling to make ends meet, parents who loved their daughters would never be willing to send them to become concubines.

Pei Zhi said in a slightly cold tone, "Being someone's concubine is no different from being someone's servant. She brought this upon herself."

Pei Minxue felt a pang of regret. "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let Father refuse His Majesty back then. If that were the case, Pei Yin would at least be a concubine."

Pei Zhi snorted, "A concubine, to put it nicely, is nothing more than a concubine of higher status."

Xiao Chengci, who was holding chopsticks, suddenly froze.

Xiao Chengci sensed the disdain and disgust in Pei Zhi's tone.

He had previously mentioned to Pei Zhi that he wanted her to be his concubine.

What were Pei Zhi's feelings at that time?

She couldn't get rid of him, and she couldn't refuse him either, so she could only half-heartedly give in and let him make his demands.

Perhaps, without his relentless pursuit, Pei Zhi would have truly been willing to marry Shang Huai.

Because Shang Huai will marry Pei Zhi openly and legitimately.

Unlike him, who only thought of giving Pei Zhi the status of a concubine, and even used a tone of bestowal.