Xiao Chengci cupped his hands towards the Empress, as if he wanted to say something.
The Empress waved her hand and shouted sternly, "Guards, take His Highness the Crown Prince away!"
The Empress was afraid that if Xiao Chengci continued speaking, the situation would truly spiral out of control.
Upon hearing the order, the people guarding the door rushed in and surrounded Xiao Chengci.
Xiao Chengci waved his sleeve, his face darkening, and said, "Who dares to touch me?"
When the palace servants saw that His Highness the Crown Prince was angry, they immediately knelt down.
If it weren't for the Empress's orders, who would dare to lay a hand on His Highness the Crown Prince?
The Empress stood up. "I order you to leave. What, does Your Highness require me to do it personally?"
Everyone stood up and then knelt in a row.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Princess Duanyang never expected that her birthday banquet would turn into a quarrel between the mother and son.
Xiao Chengci raised his lips and said, "Alright, Aunt, I feel unwell today, so I'll take my leave."
Princess Duanyang nodded quickly, "Since you're not feeling well, you should go back first."
Xiao Chengci flicked his sleeves, snorted coldly, and left with a dark face.
After watching Xiao Chengci's figure disappear, the Empress leaned on her chair, so angry that her vision blurred.
The palace maids nearby quickly helped her up, afraid that the empress might fall.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. His Highness the Crown Prince probably thinks that my background is suspicious and that I am not good enough for General Shang, which is why he argued so strongly."
Pei Zhi's words eased the tension.
His Highness the Crown Prince's aggressive behavior just now was rather suspicious.
But no one could see where the problem was.
Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince is deliberately going against the Empress?
They are a mother and son, why would they do this?
Pei Zhi's explanation made everyone nod in agreement.
"Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince values General Shang."
"Yes, yes, His Highness the Crown Prince only speaks so much because he considers General Shang one of his own."
The Empress sighed and rubbed her forehead. "You may all rise and take your seats."
Shang Huai helped Pei Zhi up, and Pei Zhi returned to sit down next to her mother.
The man from outside came to pay his respects to the princess, but unexpectedly witnessed a farce.
After His Highness the Crown Prince left, Shang Huai led everyone away as well.
As soon as Pei Zhi sat down, his mother asked, "Did you and His Highness the Crown Prince know each other before?"
Pei Zhi feigned ignorance: "Mother, what makes you say that?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is not one to meddle in the affairs of his subjects' families. Today is truly... suspicious."
His Highness the Crown Prince has directly torn away the fig leaf from the Duke Pei's mansion, letting everyone know.
The Duke's two daughters were switched at birth.
Pei Zhi is doing better; she was betrothed to Shang Huai today.
Then Pei Yin will face even greater difficulties in marriage in the future.
"Perhaps Your Highness believes that I am not worthy of Shang Huai."
Madam Pei sighed and gently patted Pei Zhi's shoulder, "It's alright. Since the Empress has spoken, the marriage is now a done deal."
If it weren't for His Highness the Crown Prince causing trouble, Madam Pei would be laughing in her sleep today.
Pei Zhi was betrothed by the Empress to a man as outstanding as Shang Huai. How could Pei's mother not be happy?
Pei Zhi nodded slightly, indicating that she understood.
The banquet began, and the palace servants served dishes one after another.
Mother Pei glanced around and said, "The banquet has already started, why hasn't your sister returned yet?"
After finishing her words, Madam Pei whispered something to the nanny, instructing her to go out and find someone.
Wang Mama understood and walked outside, while Pei Zhi continued to play the role of a puppet.
However, this time, no one was willing to let Pei Zhi be the puppet.
A woman dressed in a bright red dress approached Pei Zhi with a cup in her hand.
"Sister Pei, today you are blessed with a marriage by the Empress. I offer water instead of wine to congratulate you on your good match."
Pei Zhi remembered that this should belong to one of the daughters of a cabinet minister.
Pei Zhi stood up, raised her glass, and said, "Thank you."
"In the future, I will send an invitation to Sister Pei. Sister Pei, would you do me the honor of coming to my residence for a gathering?"
Pei Zhi said calmly, "Definitely."
After the woman in the light red dress left, several other girls came over to talk to Pei Zhi.
For a time, Pei Zhi's table was bustling with activity.
Pei's mother was talking to the ministers' wives while also observing Pei Zhi.
If Pei Zhi does anything wrong, her mother will immediately help her.
Pei Zhi handled the group of girls with ease and without any stage fright.
Pei Zhi did not appear timid or hesitant when facing the daughters of these high-ranking officials.
After the banquet began, Pei's mother asked, "Do you know why they suddenly want to befriend you?"
"It must be because the Empress bestowed the marriage upon them, and Shang Huai is the Empress's nephew, her son-in-law. That's why they're trying to curry favor with me."
Pei Zhi spoke directly, even using the word "flattery".
Pei's mother's lips twitched. "Some things don't need to be said so directly."
It's obvious to everyone that the Empress values her nephew, Shang Huai.
Previously unable to approach or ingratiate themselves with Pei Zhi, now that Pei Zhi has become a bridge, they are naturally willing to get closer to her.
"Don't worry, Mother. I know their purpose and I won't let them take advantage of me."
Pei's mother stared at Pei Zhi, and finally could only sigh softly.
Pei's mother had no idea how many times she had lamented how wonderful it would have been if Pei Zhi had grown up by her side since childhood.
What a bright and gifted child!
Granny Wang quietly entered from outside the palace. "Madam, this old servant has searched everywhere, but I still can't find the eldest young lady."
Mother Pei exclaimed in surprise, "How could this be?"
Granny Wang was also anxious. "I've searched everywhere, from the changing room to the garden, and even the backyard. I haven't found Atao, who is by the young lady's side."
Pei Zhi was sitting next to Pei's mother, so she naturally heard what the mistress and servant were saying.
Wang Mama was somewhat worried. "Should we inform the Princess and ask them to send some people to look for it?"
“No way.” Mother Pei immediately refused. “A-Yin has been to such occasions before. She’s probably tired from shopping and is resting in a corner. She’ll come back on her own in a little while.”
Granny Wang hesitated and said, "I saw that several daughters of officials who were familiar with the eldest young lady have all returned, but the eldest young lady is nowhere to be seen."
Madam Pei looked at Granny Wang, "What do you want to say?"
"Young lady, could you have secretly run off to the front yard?"
Granny Wang searched the entire backyard, but when the banquet was about to begin, there was no one outside.
Now that the young lady has seen it, she should come back on her own.
If it's not inside the hall and not outside, then it can only be in the front yard.
Pei's mother retorted, "What is she doing in the front yard, a young lady like her?"
Granny Wang patted her mouth. "This old servant is overthinking it. I reckon the eldest young lady is just tired and will be back in a while."
However, Madam Pei was somewhat uneasy, as Granny Wang had been her old servant for many years.
Granny Wang is always meticulous in her work. How could she not find Pei Yin in the backyard?
For no apparent reason, Pei's mother had a bad feeling.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
