Pei Zhi knew this day would come sooner or later, so she wasn't too surprised.
After Chunhua helped her dress up a bit, Pei Zhi followed the palace maid to the Empress's residence, Changqiu Palace.
The Empress has a son and a daughter. Her son is the Third Prince, and her daughter got married two years ago and is no longer in the capital.
After entering Changqiu Palace, Pei Zhi silently looked around first, and then bowed respectfully.
Inside Changqiu Palace, besides the Empress and Consort Lin, there were no other princesses.
The Empress beckoned to Pei Zhi, signaling her to come closer.
The Empress smiled and looked Pei Zhi up and down. "When did Zhi Zhi grow up so much?"
"Consort Lin, you really are something, hiding your daughter so well, unwilling to bring her out for me to see."
Consort Lin quickly apologized, "It's my fault. The main problem is that this child has been in poor health since he was little and doesn't like to talk much."
How old is this child this year?
Consort Lin replied, "After the New Year, she will reach the age of marriage in February."
"She is at the prime of her life. When she comes of age, I will hold a grand celebration for her."
The Empress did not mention the marriage alliance to Pei Zhi. She only praised Pei Zhi a couple of times, gave her some gifts, and then let Pei Zhi go back first, leaving Consort Lin behind.
Once Pei Zhi left, the Empress spoke frankly: "Yesterday, His Majesty told me to keep an eye out for any princesses of marriageable age in the harem."
"After looking around, I think only Zhizhi is the right age. I wonder what Consort Lin means by this?"
In the past, Consort Lin would have agreed without even thinking.
It was clear that Pei Zhi was about to facilitate the marriage between Pei Yuance and Yan Xinyue.
Consort Lin saw value in Pei Zhi and hesitated for a moment.
"I know that you only have one princess, Zhizhi, and you must be reluctant to send her away for a political marriage."
"But you should know that this time we have helped His Majesty out of a critical situation, and His Majesty and I will remember it."
Consort Lin knew that this was an opportunity to show her face to the Emperor.
"This matter is of great importance. I hope Your Majesty will grant me a few days to properly counsel the princess."
Consort Lin feigned a sigh and said, "After all, once she gets married, it will be difficult for my daughter and me to see each other again."
The Empress nodded, "Consort Lin should carefully analyze the pros and cons with the princess."
In reality, the Empress was merely informing Consort Lin.
The Emperor and the Empress have already taken a liking to Pei Zhi, so even if Pei Zhi is unwilling, it will be useless.
Sending Consort Lin to counsel Pei Zhi was to prevent Pei Zhi from doing anything rash or embarrassing.
Pei Zhi would never agree to a marriage alliance.
If she doesn't go, then she'll find a scapegoat to go in her place.
In the past few days, Pei Zhi has already formed a rough plan in her mind.
In the harem, although the Empress held absolute power, there was also a Noble Consort who rivaled her.
The Imperial Concubine also has a son and a daughter. Her son is the Fourth Prince, and her daughter, Princess Dekang, is not yet married.
Princess Dekang was born to a concubine and was given a title at birth.
Unlike Pei Zhi, who is almost of marriageable age but has no official title.
Princess Dekang never bullied the original owner of this body. In Princess Dekang's eyes, the original owner of this body was not even as good as a palace maid.
In the original owner's memory, she was slapped twice by Dekang's personal maid.
Princess Dekang has come of age, and Consort Gao is currently arranging marriages for her.
In that case, wouldn't it be perfect to send her out for a political marriage?
After Consort Lin returned, she mentioned that Pei Zhi should prepare for the marriage alliance.
Pei Zhi had no expectations of Consort Lin, so she was not surprised.
The Empress is the head of the harem, and only the Empress can decide on the selection of the heirs.
If the Empress insists on sending Princess Dekang for a political marriage, even if the Consort breaks off all relations, it will be to no avail.
The only one who can anger the Empress right now is the Third Prince.
Consort Lin had previously assigned some people to Pei Zhi so that she wouldn't be without anyone to rely on in the harem.
On the third day after Pei Zhi returned from the Empress's palace, Consort Lin sent someone to the Yan residence to invite Madam Yan to the palace for a reunion.
This time, Consort Lin and Lady Yan had a very pleasant conversation.
No sooner had Lady Yan returned to her residence than Consort Lin brought soup to request an audience with His Majesty.
Consort Lin told Emperor Pei that Yan Xinyue and Pei Yuanze were in love with each other.
We also hope that Your Majesty will grant this perfect match to this couple and issue an imperial decree to bestow their marriage upon them.
Emperor Pei was surprised that the Yan family would marry Yan Xinyue to the fifth son.
But for Emperor Pei, this is a good thing.
The general of the镖旗 (镖旗大将军) only has one daughter. If she marries the third or fourth son...
The third and fourth brothers have far too many powerful allies.
The fifth son's maternal family offered little support, so even though he married the daughter of a great general, it didn't amount to much.
Perfect, it also allows me to refuse Prince Thoreau's request—a win-win situation.
The following day, Emperor Pei issued an edict bestowing the marriage upon them.
Pei Yuanze and Yan Xinyue's marriage was settled, and Consort Lin ate a little more than usual that evening.
He also became much more amiable towards Pei Zhi.
It's a bit of a pity that such a smart daughter is going to be sent away for a political marriage.
The day after Pei Yuanze was betrothed, he went to his study for a lesson and encountered his teacher, Xie Qi, on the way.
Speaking of Xie Qi, he was a famous handsome man in the capital.
Born into a prominent family, Xie Qi's father is now the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and Xie Qi became the top scholar in the imperial examination at a young age.
Currently, in addition to instructing the princes every few days, he also holds the position of Censor of the Censorate in the capital.
When Xie Qi saw Pei Yuance approaching, he was the first to greet him.
Pei Yuanze returned the courtesy of a student.
"Having heard that Your Highness's happy occasion is approaching, I, Xie, would like to offer my congratulations."
Pei Yuance couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you, sir. You must come and have a drink at our wedding."
Xie Qi said with doubt, "Your Highness has kept this a secret so well that no one in the capital knows. Your Highness and Miss Yan have long been in love."
Pei Yuance's expression stiffened slightly, and he could only explain, "Xinyue is a woman. If this gets out, it will damage her reputation."
Xie Qi suddenly realized and said, "So it was Your Highness who was concerned about the reputation of Miss Yan. How thoughtful of you."
Pei Yuance teased, "After all, not every woman is as passionate and unrestrained in expressing her feelings as Dekang."
When Princess Dekang was mentioned, Xie Qi frowned slightly, a rare sight.
"I have no relation to the princess, and I hope Your Highness will not say anything more."
Pei Yuanze saw Xie Qi's headache when he mentioned Dekang's name and shook his head with a smile.
Princess Dekang's affections for Xie Qi are known to all in the capital.
Although our dynasty does not have the concept of marrying a princess, Xie Qi was born into a prestigious family and is a member of the upright officials in the court. He really has no need to marry a princess to serve him.
Once Xie Qi marries Princess Dekang, he will effectively become a member of the Fourth Prince's faction.
Even if the Xie family declares their neutrality, it will depend on whether Emperor Pei believes them.
Therefore, Xie Qi always avoided De Kang like the plague.
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