The Empress, still somewhat unsure, asked, "Are you sure the information is accurate?"

"Father has already drafted the decree, and it should be spread throughout the court and the harem in a few days."

After hearing Pei Zhi's words, the Empress was completely convinced.

Seeing that the Empress's expression was not right, Pei Zhi quickly got up to show her concern.

"Your Majesty's complexion is not good. Should we summon the imperial physician?"

The personal maid said, "There are many trivial matters in the harem today. Your Highness must be tired. Princess, please take your leave first."

Pei Zhi obediently bowed to the Empress and then left.

The Empress leaned on the table, saying, "If this marriage is settled, I wonder how arrogant Consort Gao will become."

The old woman added, "Therefore, Your Highness, you must make a decision soon."

"Eleven is still so young. If I adopt him, how will he help me fight in the arena?"

The personal maidservant replied, "Isn't there one readily available right now?"

"The fifth prince was willing to murder his own mother in order to curry favor with me. Consort Lin has gone to great lengths for him."

The Empress hesitated to give Pei Yuance a definite answer, simply because she believed that Pei Yuance was too ruthless.

How could the Empress dare to adopt someone who could even harm his own mother?

"Your Majesty, in the court and the harem, how can one rise to a high position if one is not ruthless?"

The Empress still hesitated somewhat, "I cannot trust a man like him."

The personal maidservant didn't say anything more and told the palace maid to bring some hot soup to warm the Empress up.

The following day, Emperor Pei asked Lin Tongzheng about the matter of the Gao family in the main hall.

These were all trivial matters, but when Emperor Pei personally inquired about them, the matter became serious.

In the inner palace, Consort Gao was overjoyed about the marriage arrangements she had made.

Upon hearing the news, he smashed a vase.

Consort Gao said angrily, "This fifth prince is really going out of his way to make me unhappy!"

Consort Gao was able to bring down even the Empress's own son, the Third Prince, let alone Pei Yuan Ce.

"Your Majesty, you must think twice. The Fourth Prince's marriage has just been settled. If we make a move against the Fifth Prince now, we might anger His Majesty."

Consort Gao said unhappily, "Am I to simply endure this humiliation?"

Consort Gao also understood that the Third Prince had completely lost any hope of vying for the throne.

Her fourth prince had just arranged such a good marriage; if she were to take action against Pei Yuance again...

Inevitably, Emperor Pei harbored resentment.

"If we can't deal with the Fifth Prince for now, can't we at least deal with a princess?"

Consort Gao realized what was happening and decided to make an example of someone.

Pei Zhi was arranging flowers in the courtyard when she couldn't help but sneeze.

When the news reached the Empress's palace, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The Empress truly hadn't expected Pei Yuanze to be so honest.

To openly allow Lin Tongzheng to impeach the Gao family is truly audacious.

"Granny, I've changed my mind."

The Empress put down her pen. "Since the Fifth Prince is so eager to pledge his loyalty to me, I will give him a chance."

“I will adopt him into my family and use him to compete with the Fourth Prince. If it works, I won’t lose anything.”

The Empress wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "If he dies at the hands of Consort Gao, it won't be a big deal for me to adopt another prince."

Pei Yuanze's recklessness has truly impressed even the Empress.

Since that's the case, the Empress is willing to help Pei Yuance.

Adopting a prince is no small matter.

This matter naturally required Emperor Pei's approval. Emperor Pei didn't say much, only telling the Empress to make the decision herself.

Pei Yuanze was overjoyed when he heard the news.

After waiting for so long, we've finally received this good news.

From now on, he will be the legitimate son of the Empress, and everyone who sees him will have to treat him with utmost respect.

Pei Yuanze knelt at the Empress's feet and kowtowed three times.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely take good care of you in the future."

The Empress waved her hand, "Get up. You kowtowed quite hard. Is your head alright?"

Pei Yuance said solicitously, "It's alright. Even if I had to kowtow a hundred times, I would be willing."

The Empress covered her smile with a handkerchief. "From now on, we will be like mother and son. There is no need for such formalities between you and me."

Pei Yuance hurriedly replied, "Your subject will obey Mother."

"That's right. I'll designate a few people for you to take back when you return to your residence."

The Empress then pointed to the person kneeling to the side, "This is Steward Wang. From now on, she will be in charge of all affairs in your household."

Pei Yuance was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting that the Empress would want to control everything in his household.

"What, you don't want to?"

Pei Yuance immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern. My household is currently in need of a steward."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. "From now on, you will be my son. I am doing this so that you will not make any mistakes."

Pei Yuance nodded blankly, then said, "Mother, I think that Zhizhi is not young anymore, so why not let her marry back into the Zhong family?"

If Pei Zhi marries the eldest son of the Zhong family, the connection between Pei Yuance and the Empress will become even closer.

The Empress naturally understood Pei Yuanze's meaning, but she would not allow her nephew to marry Pei Zhi.

The Empress looked Pei Yuanze up and down; he didn't seem like someone who could ascend to the throne.

The Empress dared not gamble with the marriage of the eldest son of the Zhong family.

“You are now my son, and Pei Zhi is like my own daughter.”

The Empress smiled and said, "She is not yet of marriageable age, so I would like to keep her here a little longer."

Pei Yuanze understood; the Empress was unhappy that Pei Zhi was marrying into the Zhong family.

"I remember that when Consort Lin was alive, she arranged a marriage for you with the Yan family. The choice of a concubine has not yet been made?"

Pei Yuance nodded, "Your Majesty is my son, and now your marriage should be decided by Your Majesty."

The Empress said with satisfaction, "The Yan family is quite good. My mother's family has a niece who, although not born of the principal wife, is very beautiful. How about making her your concubine?"

Pei Yuance paused slightly, then immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty."

The Empress chatted with Pei Yuance for a few more minutes before sending him away.

Pei Yuance was overjoyed and turned to tell Pei Zhi the good news.

Upon seeing Pei Yuance, Pei Zhi immediately bowed to him, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, your wish has come true."

Pei Yuance was overjoyed. "My mother also said that she wants to make me her concubine, a daughter of the Zhong family."

"Although I am a concubine's daughter, it is clear that my mother treats me sincerely."

Pei Zhi also smiled and said, "Then, since my sister is here, I really must offer my congratulations to my royal brother."

If the Empress truly cared for Pei Yuanze, she wouldn't have given him a concubine's daughter.

Instead, marrying Pei Zhi back into the Zhong family would truly tie them to the same boat.

Giving Pei Yuanze his illegitimate daughter as a concubine is an act of fooling a fool.

Only Pei Yuance, that big fool, could be so happy.