The Empress took her seat, and Princess Duanyang bowed slightly to her.
"Sister, there's no need to be so polite."
As the mother of the nation, the Empress naturally sat in the main seat.
After the Empress was seated, the others knelt down to pay their respects.
The Empress said softly, "Rise, all of you."
The Empress glanced at the female members of the family present, first looking at the daughter of a cabinet minister.
The Empress nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "Is the wife of the Duke of Pei here?"
Pei's mother had already sat down, but upon hearing this, she immediately stood up again.
"This humble woman is here."
The Empress asked again, "Has your second daughter, Pei Zhi, arrived?"
Although Pei's mother was puzzled as to why the Empress would ask about Pei Zhi, she still waved to Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi lifted her skirt and stood up to greet the Empress.
"Come to me and let me take a good look at you."
Pei's mother looked at Pei Zhi with suspicion. Was there something unusual about Pei Zhi today?
Why do both the Princess and the Empress treat Pei Zhi differently?
Pei's mother deliberately dressed Pei Zhi in a simple and plain style today, so why is she still so eye-catching?
Just because Pei Zhi has a beautiful face doesn't mean she gets so much attention.
Pei Zhi felt uneasy, and her steps slowed down.
Sensing that the Empress's face held no malice, Pei Zhi walked up to the Empress and knelt down slightly.
"What a beautiful girl!" the Empress exclaimed repeatedly. "She shouldn't be engaged yet, right?"
Using the same excuse, Madam Pei said, "My daughter just returned from my parents' home. I'd like to keep her here for another two years."
The Empress nodded in satisfaction. "How about I arrange a marriage for her?"
Upon hearing the Empress's words, the wives of several cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister's wife could no longer remain seated.
What does Your Majesty mean by this?
Could it be that they intend to force Pei Zhi into the Eastern Palace?
The second daughter of the Pei family was indeed born with a beautiful appearance.
If the Empress feels sorry for her son, she might grant him the position of a concubine; it's hard to say.
But if the second daughter of the Pei family occupies the position of a concubine, wouldn't the competition among the remaining girls become even more intense?
Pei's mother was stunned for a moment, then realized what she meant and was about to refuse.
No matter who the Empress decides to marry Zhizhi to, the marriage will definitely be mismatched.
“I have a nephew who, in fact, has quite a connection with your family.”
The Empress gently patted Pei Zhi's shoulder, signaling her to stand up.
"The second young lady is learning chess from Mr. Yuan. My nephew's aunt happens to be Mr. Yuan's wife."
The Empress smiled and said, "Tell me, isn't this a coincidence?"
The crowd below naturally nodded in agreement; it was truly a coincidence.
In fact, almost everyone in half of the capital city is related by blood or marriage.
There are so many cousins, aunts, cousins, it's all a mess.
“My nephew lost his mother at a young age, and no one has arranged a marriage for him all these years. His father, the General of the Northern Garrison, is a rough and uncultured man who doesn’t care about such things.”
As she spoke, the Empress pretended to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief.
Everyone offered words of comfort, saying, "It's a blessing for General Shang to have an aunt like you."
"The General of the North's family has guarded the north for generations, and His Majesty often praises their merits."
The Empress nodded. "So, today I'll swallow my pride and arrange a marriage for this nephew. What do you think, Madam Pei?"
What could Madam Pei say? The Empress had already spoken; how could she dare to refuse?
Pei Zhi clutched the handkerchief, her mind a jumble of emotions.
Didn't she just tell Shang Huai that even if they were to propose marriage, it would have to be a month or two later?
Madam Pei hesitated and said, "The marriage proposed by Her Majesty the Empress is naturally excellent, but I am worried that General Shang might not be happy about it."
The Empress, however, chuckled and said, "I found him such a beautiful wife, and he's still not happy?"
Pei Zhi realized that today's arranged marriage must have been a whim of the Empress.
The Empress had heard Shang Huai mention her before, and after seeing her today, she suddenly decided to arrange a marriage between them.
In a world ruled by royalty, those in power can naturally do as they please.
Pei Zhi had indeed guessed the Empress's thoughts correctly.
The Empress came today only to celebrate the Princess's birthday.
Emperor Xiao was the emperor, and it was inconvenient for him to leave the palace.
Incidentally, the Empress also wanted to meet Pei Zhi, the person her nephew liked.
Upon seeing the person, the Empress wanted to immediately arrange the engagement.
This girl is so beautiful. Her delicate face truly embodies the phrase "the moon hides its face and the flowers blush with shame." Her eyes are so expressive.
With so many people attending the banquet today, she hasn't made a decision for Shang Huai yet.
What if another lady beats her to it?
Pei's mother was still hesitant; this status was too high, and she was afraid that Pei Zhi was not good enough for him.
"What, does Madam Pei look down on my nephew?"
The Empress was somewhat displeased that Pei's mother hesitated for too long.
Since the Empress treats Shang Huai like her own son, he naturally cannot be disliked by others.
Madam Pei immediately knelt down, "This humble woman dares not, but my daughter didn't grow up by my side from a young age, so it's inevitable that she has some... temperamental flaws..."
The Empress understood what Pei's mother was saying. "Don't worry, I know all this. From now on, I will treat her even better than my own daughter-in-law."
The Empress has already put it this way, leaving Pei's mother no room to refuse.
Pei's mother could only kowtow and express her gratitude.
"Then it's settled. I'll go back and immediately ask His Majesty to grant us this marriage." The Empress smiled and looked at Pei Zhi. "You sit here and keep me company."
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