“You told me to speak to Prince Solo, and I have already done so, but Prince Solo has not reacted at all.”

Pei Yuance said anxiously, "Yan Xinyue is still very close to that fourth brother. What if they...?"

"Brother, do you think that if you say a few words to Prince Thoreau, he will dare to ask Father for Yan Xinyue in marriage?"

Pei Yuance slammed his hand on the table. "So what do you mean by this? Are you playing me for a fool?"

Pei Zhi secretly rolled her eyes. With Pei Yuance's quick temper, it would be truly a miracle if he could rise to a high position.

"What my brother did before was all preparation; now we just need to take a strong remedy."

Pei Yuance asked in confusion, "What kind of potent medicine?"

"Go and bribe the two men Prince Solo brought with him, and find out when Yan Xinyue leaves."

Pei Zhi whispered, "Have someone speak ill of General Biaoqi in front of Yan Xinyue."

"When Yan Xinyue saw that the people who spoke rudely to her father were foreigners, she would definitely have them taught a lesson."

"Presumably, things will be accomplished in time."

Although Prince Thoreau came to propose a marriage alliance, he was no fool.

They were a defeated nation, offering a high dowry to marry the princess as a peace offering.

It's simply because Emperor Pei has so many children that they're not worth much.

Otherwise, it should be the Kingdom of Solo that sends people over as hostages.

Making Prince Thoreau propose to Yan Xinyue is nothing more than an attempt to provoke a war between the two countries.

But what if Yan Xinyue provoked them first?

"At that time, brother will go and offer advice to the prince, suggesting that he propose to Yan Xinyue to scare her. The prince will then agree."

The men Prince Thoreau brought were taught a lesson by Yan Xinyue.

Being in an enemy country, Prince Thoreau could do nothing, but he was naturally filled with anger.

Pei Yuance nodded thoughtfully, "If the Yan family hears this news, they will definitely think that Prince Solo is deliberately retaliating. They will be thrown into chaos and have my mother send someone to propose marriage again. They will probably cling to me as their lifeline."

Pei Zhi nodded, her tone tinged with annoyance, "That's how it is. It's a bit unfair to you, brother, making it seem like you're always rushing to marry that Yan Xinyue."

Pei Zhi's words made Pei Yuance feel comfortable.

Pei Yuance waved his hand: "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Once she marries into this family, she will be my woman. Whatever I say will be law."

"Brother, remember this: when you discuss matters with Prince Thoreau, make sure to exclude everyone around you, lest we set things up and let others reap the benefits."

Pei Zhi had no idea whether any of the people serving Pei Yuance were planted by others.

Judging from Pei Yuance's low intelligence, even if he did have the knowledge, he probably wouldn't know it.

Pei Zhide gave a heads-up first, just in case someone else took advantage of her and Pei Yuanze, that incompetent man, came looking for trouble.

Given the current situation, Pei Zhi cannot afford to fall out with Pei Yuance and Consort Lin for the time being.

In the following days, Pei Zhi sent letters to Pei Yuance every day.

He instructed Pei Yuanze on how to do things, word by word.

Pei Zhi genuinely hoped that Pei Yuan Ce would marry Yan Xin Yue.

When Prince Solo knelt down at the banquet and asked Emperor Pei for Yan Xinyue's hand in marriage.

The general in charge of the flags who was attending the banquet was so angry that he jumped up and down. If he hadn't been without a knife, he probably would have killed Prince Thoreau on the spot.

After attending the party, Pei Yuanze, drunk, arrived at Consort Lin's palace.

Since things were mostly settled, Consort Lin and Pei Yuanze finally gave Pei Zhi a more friendly look.

“Prince Solo said that as long as the emperor agrees to let Yan Xinyue marry into the family, they are willing to provide an additional thousand fine horses every year.”

Consort Lin asked curiously, "Prince Thoreau only said that he would offer ten thousand gold pieces to marry the princess, but he didn't say that he was willing to offer a thousand fine horses every year."

Pei Yuanze looked at Pei Zhi and said, "It was my sister who suggested this. Only in this way will Father not refuse outright."

"A fine horse is precious and can be used as a warhorse. A warhorse is much more valuable than a soldier's life."

Pei Zhi added, "The General of the Escort Flag is a general, so he naturally knows how precious warhorses are. Therefore, the general must be very flustered right now."

Consort Lin couldn't help but look at Pei Zhi with newfound respect, "How did you come up with that?"

"Using warhorses as bait, so that your father won't refuse immediately, while also throwing the Yan family into a panic?"

Consort Lin was truly astonished; she had never realized her daughter was so intelligent.

“I only learned about it from books,” Pei Zhi explained. “I didn’t know before how hard my mother and brother had worked.”

"Now that I think about it, we are the only real family in the harem. Only when my brother is well can my mother and I be well."

Consort Lin nodded in satisfaction, "You're right. From now on, we'll both be relying on your brother."

"We share both prosperity and adversity."

Pei Zhi was disdainful and entrusted all her wealth to Pei Yuance.

That would be better than hanging yourself now; that would be more direct.

"Mother is right."

Pei Yuance proudly puffed out his chest, "Mother, you have no idea, tonight, the General of the Escort Flag was furious."

Consort Lin nodded in satisfaction, "Tomorrow, I will send someone to the Yan residence to propose marriage."

Pei Yuanze was about to agree when Pei Zhi stopped him.

"Mother, there's no rush."

Consort Lin asked, puzzled, "Why?"

“Let’s wait a few days until Prince Solo proposes. If we rush into it now, it will be troublesome if the Yan family discovers it’s a trap.”

"Your sister is right."

Pei Yuance, however, worried, "What if someone else beats us to it?"

Pei Zhi cursed herself for being an idiot, "Now, both my eldest and second eldest brothers are married."

"The Yan family is reluctant to let Yan Xinyue become a concubine. As for the third and fourth brothers, the Yan family is eager for them, so there is no need for them to step forward at this time."

Pei Zhi comforted Pei Yuance: "As long as you are patient, you will definitely succeed."

Consort Lin listened to Pei Zhi's analysis while nodding in agreement.

“Your sister makes a good point. We’ll listen to her and wait a few days.”

Pei Yuance drank quite a bit of wine at the banquet that evening, and after discussing the matter, he stayed in a side hall.

The place where Pei Zhi lived was just one courtyard away.

That evening, Pei Zhi heard the sounds of men and women laughing and joking coming from the neighboring courtyard.

Pei Zhi lay on the bed, silently listening to the whole thing.

Hmm, Pei Yuanze looks so young, but his body is already completely drained.

From beginning to end, it didn't even take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He really is an incompetent man.

It's useless, inside and out.

The next morning, Pei Zhi got up and strolled around in the courtyard.

The original owner's physical condition was too poor, so Pei Zhi didn't dare to start high-intensity training right away.

"Princess, Granny Chang has sent word that you should go to the Empress's palace to pay your respects."

Paying respects was a daily duty for imperial concubines, but Pei Zhi, being an insignificant princess, naturally did not need to.

Today, the Empress's sudden summons of Pei Zhi is certainly not a good thing.