“In a few days, it will be Princess Duanyang’s fiftieth birthday banquet. I plan to take you there to broaden your horizons.”
Pei Zhi had never heard of this name before: "Princess Duanyang is..."
Knowing that Pei Zhi had just arrived in the capital, Pei's mother patiently explained, "She is the Emperor's own sister. She lost her husband early in life and has never remarried. She has been living alone all these years."
"Does she not have any children?"
Madam Pei sighed again, "The eldest princess gave birth to two sons and two daughters, but none of them survived to this day."
How could this be?
She gave birth to four children in a row, and none of them survived?
Pei Zhi added, "So, which family did Princess Duanyang marry into?"
Princess Duanyang is the Emperor's elder sister. Having lost her sons one after another, she should be even more careful.
Although Pei's mother did not know why Pei Zhi asked this question, she replied, "The Empress Dowager's maternal family, and the驸马 (the驸马) is also the eldest princess's direct cousin."
Pei Zhi immediately understood: "I see."
The couple married close relatives, and the prince consort died young, so the quality of their offspring was probably not high.
Pei's mother asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"
Pei Zhi shook her head, "I just feel sorry for the eldest princess."
"The eldest child only lived to be eight years old, so the eldest princess has been recuperating in the royal villa."
Fearing that Pei Zhi might not understand etiquette, Pei's mother said, "At this birthday banquet, all the prominent families in the capital should be attending."
Pei Zhi understood what her mother meant; this was her first time appearing in front of everyone.
"At that time, you just need to stay properly by my side. I've hired a matron for you who will teach you some banquet etiquette. You need to study hard, understand?"
“I remember, Mother.”
Pei's mother gently stroked Pei Zhi's hair. "I don't ask you to marry into a wealthy family; I only wish for your safety."
Pei Zhi was slightly touched; she sensed her mother's loving heart.
But she had no choice but to continue serving her mother, Pei.
Otherwise, she would bring utter destruction to the Duke's mansion.
Around noon, Granny Wang returned from the Minister's residence.
They also brought back Pei Minxue and the Minister's daughter's birth certificate.
After taking it, Pei's mother said regretfully, "Why were you in such a hurry?"
With everyone gone, the marriage naturally fell through.
Madam Pei never expected that, in her grief, the Minister's wife would still think of returning the betrothal gifts.
"As I said, the Minister's wife said that it's because her daughter is not destined for marriage, so it's best not to delay my young master."
Holding the betrothal letter, Pei's mother thought of the girl to whom her son was engaged.
She was a quiet and talented girl, what a pity.
"Take this and burn it along with Minxue's, to avoid bad luck."
Granny Wang took the birth charter and said, "Yes."
For the past two weeks, apart from visiting Mr. Yuan's residence once to learn chess, Pei Zhi has been staying at home learning manners.
The rules varied from dynasty to dynasty. The nanny that Pei's mother hired was specifically to teach Pei Zhi what to pay attention to when attending banquets.
For example, before attending a banquet, eat something to line your stomach and don't drink too much water.
Foods with strong flavors should not be eaten.
When attending a banquet, one should not eat more than three bites of any of the food placed on the table.
If you really need to use the restroom, what should you do, etc.
In addition to these, he also taught Pei Zhi a series of trivial matters, such as not raising her head when bowing to the Princess and maintaining proper posture.
Pei Zhi was intelligent; she could remember these etiquette rules after being taught them only once by her nanny.
Although the rules differ from era to era, they are all roughly the same.
The old woman didn't show any interest in Pei Zhi, fearing that Pei Zhi would become arrogant.
Behind Pei Zhi's back, he praised Pei Zhi to Pei's mother.
Of all the daughters of officials she had taught, this was the first time she had seen such a bright and intelligent girl as Pei Zhi.
Hearing this, Pei's mother felt both happy and sad.
In addition, they took Pei Zhi's measurements and made her new clothes.
Pei's mother never imagined that Pei Zhi would become so dazzling.
Pei Zhi is already stunningly beautiful, so if she dresses up too much, it might attract too much attention.
However, clothes and jewelry need to be prepared in advance.
While Pei Zhi was busy with the birthday banquet, Granny Wang also had people keep a close eye on Pei Yin.
It's strange, though. Pei Yin has been staying obediently in the courtyard these days and hasn't gone to the temple.
The suspicions that had initially aroused Pei's mother gradually subsided.
At the royal villa, Xiao Chengci counted the days; it had been twenty days since he last saw Pei Zhi.
Xiao Chengci stood in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, and surprisingly, he wanted to see Pei Zhi.
I want to hold her, I want to kiss her, and I want more.
Xiao Chengci looked behind him warily: "Who's there?"
Shang Huai stepped into the pavilion, seemingly surprised to find someone there so late at night.
Just as Shang Huai was about to pay his respects, Xiao Chengci stopped him with a gesture.
"There's no one else here, Ah Huai can just call me cousin."
Shang Huai didn't stand on ceremony, "Cousin."
Xiao Chengci responded, "Why are you still up so late? Your injury has only just healed, hasn't it?"
Shang Huai shook his arm. "This little injury is nothing to worry about. I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a stroll."
This time, when it came time to bring Princess Duanyang back to the capital, Emperor Xiao specifically requested that Xiao Chengci come to receive her.
To show respect to Princess Duanyang, Shang Huai led troops to protect the safety of the Crown Prince and the Princess.
Xiao Chengci teased, "I remember you used to fall asleep as soon as you hit the bed when you were little. Why can't you sleep tonight?"
"Cousin, I'm thinking about someone."
Xiao Chengci remembered that his mother had mentioned to him that Shang Huai had someone he liked.
"The girl you want to marry?"
Shang Huai nodded generously, "I didn't notice it when I was in the capital, but I started missing her after I left the capital."
Xiao Chengci couldn't help but drift off into thought. Wasn't what Shang Huai was talking about exactly his state of mind?
"Then when you return, I will ask the Empress Dowager to grant you a marriage and bring her home as soon as possible."
Shang Huai scratched his head and chuckled, "She hasn't replied to me yet, asking if she'd like to marry me."
Xiao Chengci asked in confusion, "Didn't you reveal your identity to that girl?"
Xiao Chengci thought that once a woman knew Shang Huai's true identity, no woman in the world would refuse him.
To put it bluntly, Shang Huai's status is no less than that of a prince.
Shang Huai asked, "What does this have to do with my identity?"
Xiao Chengci simply shook his head and chuckled, "You're still too young."
“Cousin, I’m not young anymore, and I’m of marriageable age,” Shang Huai retorted somewhat reluctantly.
"I married her simply because I loved her, and she married me simply because she wanted to marry me. She is different from other women."
Xiao Chengci clearly didn't listen, only thinking that Shang Huai was too young and had been deceived.
"She is the best woman in the world. She can ride horses and hunt with me, fish quietly with me, and have picnics with me."
Unconsciously, images of Pei Zhi and the moments they shared together surfaced in Shang Huai's mind.
"She is generous and poised, not at all shy, and I really want to marry her."
Xiao Chengci was slightly moved; there was such a woman in the capital.
"Whose daughter is she?"
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