Pei Zhi learned today that the Empress did not require the concubines to pay their respects.
Based on speculation, it's highly unlikely that the marriage alliance will fall to her.
But the performance still needs to be performed.
"I will always remember my mother's teachings. It's just a pity that I will not be able to be by my mother's side to fulfill my filial duties in the future."
Pei Zhi's tone was full of regret, "If possible, I would like to marry someone in the capital, so that if my mother and brother encounter any difficulties, I can offer some advice."
Consort Lin felt a little regretful, as she had just realized that her daughter was exceptionally intelligent.
As a result, the daughter was to be sent away for a political marriage.
Unfortunately, it was of no use. Consort Lin would never argue with the Empress for Pei Zhi's sake.
Ultimately, Pei Zhi's value in Consort Lin's heart hadn't reached that level.
On the day of the palace banquet, Pei Zhi sat in front of the bronze mirror, letting the palace maids do her makeup.
The makeup artist who dressed her today was specially assigned by Consort Lin. Her skills were excellent, and the makeup she did was beautiful.
After Pei Zhi transmigrated, the original body's appearance gradually changed, resembling Pei Zhi's original appearance.
Pei Zhi has an innocent and delicate appearance; with light makeup, she looks like a fairy, and with heavy makeup, she is extremely beautiful.
Pei Zhi's current identity is that of an unmarried girl, and when the palace maids dressed her up, they didn't put on heavy makeup.
She wore a cream-colored brocade dress and her hair was carefully styled.
Consort Lin looked at her daughter, dressed in magnificent clothes, and almost couldn't recognize her.
Consort Lin had a plain appearance and was not particularly outstanding in the harem.
She always thought that her daughter's appearance was the same as hers, and not particularly outstanding.
Looking at Pei Zhi, who was dressed up so meticulously today, Consort Lin realized that she had been wrong.
With Pei Zhi's looks, if she could stay by her side, she might be able to find a prestigious family in the capital in the future.
At that time, it will be able to provide even more assistance to the prince.
"It's because your mother hasn't looked at you closely. You used to look like a child, but now you've grown so beautiful."
Looking at Pei Zhi, who looked like a fairy, Consort Lin almost didn't recognize her.
When did her daughter grow up to be so outstanding?
Pei Zhi fawned, "My daughter's appearance is inherited from my mother, but she is too busy with trivial matters to dress herself up."
Lin Fei smiled and shook her head. "Let's go, it's getting late, we shouldn't be late."
Not many people will attend today's palace banquet.
Besides the princes, there were several favored concubines and princesses, as well as Pei Zhi's intended marriage partner.
Otherwise, Consort Lin would not have been qualified to attend such a palace banquet.
Besides members of the royal family, there were also some high-ranking officials and ministers, as well as princes from the royal family.
After all, it was a farewell banquet for Prince Thoreau, so it couldn't be too shabby.
Consort Lin instructed, "In a moment, just sit quietly and don't say a word. After your father chooses you for the marriage alliance, you can simply accept the decree and express your gratitude."
“My daughter knows.”
Pei Zhi helped Consort Lin walk towards the palace banquet, but when they reached the outer edge of the banquet, they were stopped outside.
"How dare you! I brought the princess to the palace banquet, and you dare to stop me?"
"His Majesty has decreed that no one may enter; those who disobey will be executed!"
As the imperial guards spoke, they drew their swords and pointed them at Consort Lin.
Consort Lin, a concubine in the harem, had never had a knife pointed at her before, and was immediately frightened so much that her legs went weak.
Pei Zhi reacted quickly and helped Consort Lin up. "Mother, shall we wait over there?"
Consort Lin quickly nodded, her initial arrogance gone.
As night fell and darkness descended, the number of people stuck outside increased.
The concubines, princesses, princes, and royal princes were all discussing what had happened inside.
Inside, Dekang was kneeling on the ground, soaking wet and with tears streaming down his face, sobbing.
Consort Gao also knelt at Emperor Pei's feet, begging him to forgive Dekang this time.
The Empress sat high on a chair to the side, her face indifferent.
Emperor Pei glared angrily at Dekang, "Tell me, what can I possibly say about you?"
Before the palace banquet even began, Emperor Pei was invited over by the Empress, who said it was for important business.
As soon as he entered, Emperor Pei saw that Dekang was holding Prince Solo in disheveled clothes, calling out Xie Qi's name.
Prince Solo was impeccably dressed, while Dekang uttered some vulgarities, saying that he had long admired Xie Qi.
The Empress produced evidence proving that Dekang originally intended to drug Xie Qi today.
It turned out to be a wonderful thing for both of them, but who knew that something unexpected would happen and Dekang would take the medicine himself.
The fact that Dekang was relentlessly pursuing Xie Qi was known throughout the court.
No one would be surprised if Dekang did something like this.
Despite his physical discomfort, Dekang grabbed Emperor Pei's robe and said, "Father, you must believe me. I did not do it. I have been wronged."
Emperor Pei kicked Dekang impatiently, "Your personal maid has already confessed, and you're still here trying to defend yourself?"
After reprimanding Dekang, Emperor Pei turned to Consort Gao and said, "And you, you have failed to educate your daughter properly, you fool."
Emperor Pei believed that Consort Gao must have been behind De Kang's actions.
As long as Xie Qi and De Kang are caught red-handed, De Kang will be the princess.
Even if Emperor Pei wanted to save face for the royal family and was unwilling to let the Xie family marry the princess, he still had to force the Xie family to agree to the marriage for the sake of the emperor's reputation.
Consort Gao quickly shook her head, "Your Majesty, you must see the truth! Your Majesty and Dekang have been wronged. There must be something fishy going on."
Consort Gao cried out, "Someone must have framed me and Dekang."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Pei looked at the Empress.
The Empress rose. "The Third Prince has been suffering from a cold these past few days, with a persistent high fever. I have been watching him closely, not daring to even blink."
"If the palace servants hadn't come to report this, I wouldn't have attended the palace banquet."
Emperor Pei understood; the Empress had already sent someone to apologize to him, saying that she could not attend today's palace banquet.
"Now, Your Majesty should consider how to handle this matter."
The Empress said in a low voice, "Should we grant Dekang's wish and let the Xie family reluctantly marry him... or..."
Emperor Pei was an emperor, so naturally he was suspicious.
If this matter succeeds, the Xie family will become part of Consort Gao's lineage.
The Xie family was the head of the clan, and Xie Qi was the only legitimate son of Grand Secretary Xie.
Emperor Pei's eyes were unfathomable. After sliding the ring on his finger, Emperor Pei made a decision.
It is true that Emperor Pei favored Dekang, because Dekang bore a striking resemblance to Emperor Pei.
Dekang would always whine that he looked like his father, the emperor, and was too majestic, so he would never find a handsome husband.
No matter how much she was favored, Dekang was still just a princess.
Even without this scandal, Emperor Pei would never have allowed Dekang to marry into the Xie family.
"Prince Thoreau came to propose to the princess, hoping to achieve peace between the two countries."
Emperor Pei looked at Prince Solo and said, "I am willing to send my most beloved daughter to the Kingdom of Solo."
Dekang's eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head frantically.
"Father, I refuse to be married off in a political alliance. I would rather die than go to that barbaric land!"
Prince Thoreau's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing this.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
