Consort Lin spoke insincerely, and Lady Hou also offered a few words of flattery.

"If I weren't worried that she would be bullied by her husband's family in the future, that's why I wanted her to marry down."

The smile on Lady Hou's face froze for a moment.

For a princess to become her brother's second wife is naturally a marriage of convenience.

But everyone should understand these words in their hearts, while Consort Lin said them openly and honestly.

“Your Majesty is right. My younger brother is already over forty years old. It would be a disservice to her to have the princess marry into the family.”

Lady Hou added, "Therefore, we will absolutely not mistreat the princess in terms of betrothal gifts. Your Majesty can rest assured on this point."

Consort Lin nodded, "Then I can rest assured. However, I have been living in the inner palace for a long time, so I will need your help to arrange the princess's dowry, Madam."

The smile on Lady Hou's face vanished instantly, and in the end, she gritted her teeth and nodded.

Since ancient times, the betrothal gifts have naturally been prepared by the groom's family.

The dowry is prepared by the bride's family.

Lady Hou never expected that Consort Lin would be so shameless.

Tell her directly and openly that she can take care of her dowry.

When a family marries off their daughter, they will give a dowry based on the amount of betrothal gifts the groom's family sends.

Families that dote on their daughters will give them a larger dowry than a betrothal gift, hoping that their daughters will have some financial security after marriage.

Some families with financial difficulties would contribute less and use the betrothal gifts as part of the daughter's dowry.

Some even withhold part of the betrothal gifts, leaving the rest for their daughter to take back to her husband's family. Such people are already quite rare.

After attending the Celebration Banquet that day, Lady Hou realized something was amiss.

So, Consort Lin was waiting here.

At that time, Consort Lin can accept all the betrothal gifts without having to contribute a single penny of dowry. She really... has a brilliant plan.

Pei Zhi silently lowered her head and straightened her clothes, as if the marriage being discussed was not her concern.

Lady Hou sized up Pei Zhi. After all, she was a princess with such outstanding looks. Spending more money was fine, but it wouldn't make a big difference.

Lady Hou was thinking and was about to speak when she suddenly saw something, and her expression changed slightly.

"Where did the princess get this jade pendant?"

After hearing what the Lady of the Marquis said, Consort Lin also looked at Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi picked up the jade pendant, looking completely innocent. "Is this the one the Lady Marquis is referring to?"

Lady Hou leaned closer to take a look, and then immediately knelt on the ground.

Consort Lin asked, puzzled, "Madam, what's wrong?"

"This is a jade pendant that the late emperor carried with him for more than twenty years. The late emperor gave this jade pendant to Master Xie so that he could assist His Majesty. The late emperor decreed that seeing this jade pendant is as if seeing him."

Upon hearing this, Consort Lin's face also turned pale. "Where did you get this thing from?"

Consort Lin said worriedly, "Could it be that you obtained it through some unorthodox means? You're trying to kill me!"

Pei Zhi held the jade pendant in her hand. "I went to the Xie family today. It was given to me by Old Master Xie."

Pei Zhi was somewhat surprised to receive this jade pendant today.

Why would the old man give her the late emperor's jade pendant as a thank-you gift?

The gift was genuine; on one hand, the old man wanted to get rid of this hot potato.

The old man is getting on in years, and it would be inappropriate for him to leave this jade pendant with the Xie family, or with anyone else.

Due to their differing stances, the Xie family would never give it to a prince.

Today, with the right time, place, and people, the jade pendant has been returned.

Pei Zhi is a princess, a member of the royal family, so naturally she has the right to take it.

Consort Lin knew the gravity of the matter, so she didn't say anything more to Lady Hou and took Pei Zhi to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with His Majesty.

Pei Zhi knelt before Emperor Pei and told him everything that had happened that day.

After listening, Emperor Pei simply smiled and said, "It seems that you are still a bit confused, otherwise why would you give such an important jade pendant as a thank-you gift?"

Pei Zhi immediately said respectfully, "The jade pendant is too precious for me to accept. Please give it to Father Emperor for safekeeping."

"Since it was given to you by the master, keep it safe and don't take it out casually."

Emperor Pei would naturally not ask for the jade pendant back, otherwise he would seem too petty.

Emperor Pei looked at Pei Zhi, pondered for a moment, and said, "Your name is..."

"Your son's name is Pei Zhi, Zhi as in 'orchid and jade tree'."

Emperor Pei nodded. "A good name. Did your mother choose it for you?"

Consort Lin hurriedly replied, "How could I possibly have such an ability? Zhizhi's name was bestowed upon me by His Majesty."

At that time, Consort Lin was still considered a favorite.

She gave birth to a prince first, and then a princess, so she could be considered to have both a son and a daughter.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Pei rebuked Consort Lin, saying, "When you have nothing to do, take the children out for a walk more often. I don't even have a chance to see her."

Consort Lin nodded in agreement. Emperor Pei gave a few instructions and then sent the person away.

On the way back, Consort Lin held Pei Zhi's hand the whole time, "My good daughter, you went to the Xie residence, such a big thing, why didn't you tell your mother?"

Pei Zhi cautiously replied, "It was the Empress who instructed me to do so. I dare not say anything more, for fear of causing trouble."

Consort Lin didn't dwell on these trivial matters, saying, "Today, your father will remember you."

Consort Lin looked Pei Zhi up and down. "You've become sensible a little too late. If you had been like this earlier, your father would definitely have liked such a capable daughter as you."

Pei Zhi obediently replied, "It's my fault."

After the two returned from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they learned that Lady Hou had left a message saying that her younger brother had fallen seriously ill and the marriage might not be possible.

Before Lady Hou entered the palace, she did not mention that her younger brother was ill.

How could someone sitting comfortably in the palace know that their younger brother had fallen seriously ill?

Lady Hou originally thought that Pei Zhi was an unfavored princess.

Although it cost a lot of money, it made me look good.

Her brother, a widower in his forties, was able to marry a princess legitimately; it was a source of pride for him.

But when Lady Hou saw the jade pendant on Pei Zhi's body, all her thoughts vanished.

A princess who always carried the late emperor's jade pendant became her younger brother's second wife?

After Consort Lin understood what had happened, although she felt a little regretful, she thought that Pei Zhi had been remembered by the Emperor, so she didn't think much of it.

Even if the Hou family is gone, there will still be other ladies.

Consort Lin suddenly thought of something: "When you went to the Xie family today, was Madam Xie easy to get along with?"

"It's quite nice, except that he's accompanied by a beautiful woman. I heard she's Mr. Xie's fiancée."

As soon as Consort Lin stuck out her buttocks, Pei Zhi knew what she was about to say.

Why are you asking Madam Xie if she's easy to talk to?

All I was thinking about was whether I could get my hands on the Xie family.

If Pei Zhi were to marry into the Xie family, Pei Yuance would immediately become a top candidate for heir apparent.

Consort Lin asked in confusion, "Fiancée? How come I haven't heard a word about it?"

"My mother has been living in the deep palace for a long time, and the Xie family has always kept a low profile. I suppose they will only announce it to the public when the wedding is close."

Consort Lin did not doubt the truthfulness of Pei Zhi's words, but simply said it was a pity.