When Consort Gao learned that the Empress had adopted the Fifth Prince, she naturally understood why the Lin family had suddenly impeached her maternal family.

So, they're using the Gao family as a stepping stone? How clever.

That day, Pei Zhi accompanied Yan Xinyue as they spoke before the Empress.

Pei Yuanze was adopted by the Empress, so it was perfectly normal for Yan Xinyue, as Pei Yuanze's future wife, to come to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress.

This time, Yan Xinyue was exceptionally respectful, and even showed some courtesy to Pei Zhi.

Pei Yuanze became the Empress's legitimate son, a status that was naturally very different from his previous one.

After chatting with Yan Xinyue for a few moments, the Empress asked Pei Zhi to take Yan Xinyue for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.

“Sister, there’s a rouge that’s been selling very well outside the palace lately. I’ll bring you some next time I go to the palace.”

"Then I thank you very much, sister-in-law."

Whether it was Pei Zhi's doing or not, the two of them walked back to the pond they had been at before.

"Sister-in-law, how are the lotus flowers blooming in the pond?"

Yan Xinyue looked somewhat embarrassed, but smiled and said, "The flowers in the palace are naturally in excellent bloom."

Pei Zhi took two steps toward the pond, and Yan Xinyue hurriedly said, "Sister, you should come a little further back, be careful not to fall in."

"It's nothing. I fell once before, has your sister-in-law forgotten?"

At this point, Yan Xinyue fell completely silent.

It was only because of Pei Yuanze's status that Yan Xinyue was allowed to have a few words with Pei Zhiping.

It's absolutely impossible for Yan Xinyue to apologize to Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi pretended to look down at the lotus flowers in the pond when suddenly a force pushed her from behind.

Without thinking, Pei Zhi grabbed Yan Xinyue who was standing next to her.

Caught off guard, Yan Xinyue was pulled by Pei Zhi, who turned around and kicked the palace maid who pushed her into the pool, and then pushed Yan Xinyue in as well.

In the past few days, Pei Zhi has occasionally been ordered by the Empress to run errands outside Changqiu Palace.

Then they noticed that she was followed by some unfamiliar people.

Pei Zhi thought for a moment and then understood what was going on.

The Lin family implicated the Gao family, how could Consort Gao not be angry?

Pei Yuance was adopted by the Empress, so Consort Gao could not act rashly for the time being.

And she, an insignificant princess, naturally became the target of Consort Gao's anger.

Even if she dies, it's just the death of a princess; no one will care.

Pei Zhi made up her mind and decided to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

Yan Xinyue's arrival today is perfect, giving Pei Zhi a chance to go out.

Yan Xinyue shouted loudly in the water, while Pei Zhi shouted anxiously from the shore.

For a time, the Imperial Garden was bustling with activity.

Yan Xinyue was rescued, and the palace maid was also pulled up with her.

Yan Xinyue was placed in Changqiu Palace, and Pei Zhi, standing beside the Empress, tearfully recounted what had happened.

"Your subject was admiring the flowers when that palace maid suddenly came and pushed him. Your subject instinctively grabbed Xinyue."

Pei Zhi wiped away her tears and continued, "Xin Yue lost her balance and grabbed the palace maid, and the two of them fell down together."

The Empress feigned anger and said, "How dare she! In the harem, she openly lay a hand on a princess. I think she has a death wish."

The Empress instructed her maid to investigate the background of that palace maid.

"Zhizhi, don't worry, I will punish you severely for what happened today and give you an explanation."

Pei Zhi wiped away his tears feigning concern and said, "With Mother's words, I can finally rest assured."

Meanwhile, Yan Xinyue, who was drinking ginger soup inside, cursed Pei Zhi in her heart.

Things happened so fast that Yan Xinyue didn't even know what was going on.

She only felt Pei Zhi pull her, and then she was pushed and fell into the pond.

The pond was planted with lotus flowers. The water wasn't deep, but it smelled terrible. Yan Xinyue was yelling and screaming, and her mouth got full of mud.

Yan Xinyue gritted her teeth and said, "That bitch must have done it on purpose!"

Yan Xinyue understood immediately; how could such a coincidence happen?

Just then, she fell into the same pond that Pei Zhi had fallen into before?

Yan Xinyue's personal maid said, "Miss, this is the palace. We have no evidence, so it's best not to speak recklessly!"

The maid gestured for Yan Xinyue to look around, for this was Changqiu Palace.

Yan Xinyue gulped down the ginger soup. "There's plenty of time in the future... I'll definitely teach her a lesson."

The palace maid investigated thoroughly but found no connection to Mingyue Palace.

She was just a newly arrived palace maid. Under interrogation, the maid only said that she had tripped and then pushed Pei Zhi.

The palace maid refused to admit it, and all kinds of torture were useless. The empress had no choice but to leave her body intact, and the matter was dropped.

Pei Zhi, on the other hand, was ordered by the Empress to feign illness for several days.

The Empress also mentioned it to Emperor Pei, saying that she was an incompetent empress.

The princess was almost murdered in the palace, and even the empress couldn't find the mastermind behind it.

Pei Zhi worried that if she continued to live in the palace, she would eventually become cannon fodder between the Empress and Consort Gao.

Coincidentally, on this day, Pei Zhi went to deliver a painting to Emperor Pei, and Emperor Pei brought up the matter of marriage with Pei Zhi again.

This time, Emperor Pei came with his chosen representatives.

“I have an old friend who injured his leg saving me, and as a result, he has only one son all these years.”

Emperor Pei continued, "Although that child is not good enough, he should become much more sensible after marriage."

Pei Zhi immediately understood who Emperor Pei was referring to.

Pei Zhi pretended not to know: "Who is Father Emperor referring to?"

“The son of King Cheng, Yuan Chengyu, is also a handsome man, and he is a good match for you.”

Pei Zhi recalled the day of the hunt, and the man whose expression changed drastically after she introduced herself.

She agreed, but Yuan Chengyu probably still wouldn't want to marry her, right?

"And the last one?"

"His name is Qin Xiangyang, and there are no men in his family who serve as officials in the imperial court."

Emperor Pei smiled and said, "But his grandfather Qin was once kind to me. His family has been in business for generations and is truly wealthy enough to rival a country. If you marry into the Qin family, you won't have a hard life."

Although it is said that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are at the bottom of the social hierarchy, merchants are at the very bottom.

However, Emperor Pei was short of money when he was plotting to seize the throne.

The Qin family, with their keen insight, helped Emperor Pei resolve his worries.

After Emperor Pei ascended the throne, the Qin family became imperial merchants.

Emperor Pei did intend to promote the Qin family, but unfortunately, none of the men in the Qin family were literate.

Emperor Pei also knew that one of them was the only son of King Cheng.

Given that Pei Zhi is merely the eldest son of a wealthy merchant, it's obvious what he will choose.

"My daughter will choose Qin Xiangyang."

Emperor Pei raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Pei Zhi firmly replied, "Your subject is certain."

Emperor Pei laughed heartily, "Then tell me, why did you choose the Qin family? You must know, Yuan Chengyu is the only son of Prince Cheng!"

Pei Zhi confidently replied, "My daughter is still the Emperor's child. In terms of status, she is even more noble than him."

"So, my daughter just wants to find a rich man and live a life of luxury and ease."