Pei Zhi had achieved her goal, so at the following banquet, she could relax and choose her future mother-in-law.
After tonight, Emperor Pei will also know that there is such a person as her in the harem.
At that time, she will indicate which family she wants to marry into.
As long as the other party's family isn't too powerful, Emperor Pei won't refuse.
Pei Zhi knew that in this dynasty, when a woman married, her husband's family was more important than her husband.
A mother-in-law is more important than a husband.
Emperor Pei made a brief appearance, watched a few programs, and then said he had official business to attend to and took his leave early.
With Emperor Pei gone, the ladies at the palace banquet relaxed a little.
Madam Yan brought Yan Xinyue to pay their respects to Consort Lin.
Regardless of what happened before, the imperial decree to bestow marriage upon Yan Xinyue and Pei Yuanze has already been issued.
Since the Yan family was going to marry their only daughter to Pei Yuanze, they naturally treated Consort Lin with much more courtesy and enthusiasm than before.
Consort Lin didn't embarrass them, but warmly agreed with them and praised Yan Xinyue a couple of times before they were done.
"I'll take you to meet some ladies in a bit, so behave yourself."
Pei Zhi feigned ignorance and asked, "Is she a friend of Mother Consort?"
Consort Lin didn't intend to hide it from Pei Zhi. "I've shown you a few families. You're not getting any younger, it's time to find a good family."
When Pei Zhi heard Consort Lin say "good" to someone, it was unknown whether she understood.
A good family? Can Consort Lin find her a good family?
The wife of the first Vice Minister of Revenue, whose ministry managed the national treasury.
The wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue asked Pei Zhi a couple of questions about painting, but remained silent about anything else.
Consort Lin understood that this meant she hadn't taken a liking to him.
Lin Fei said resentfully, "She gave birth to such a sickly son, and she still dares to criticize us?"
"The wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue only has one son?"
Consort Lin nodded, "She only has one legitimate child. Although her health has not been very good these past few years, if this marriage goes through, you will have an easier life after you go there."
Pei Zhi subtly reminded Consort Lin, "Father Emperor probably won't allow his daughter to marry into the Vice Minister's household, will he?"
Consort Lin disagreed with Pei Zhi's words: "As long as you agree, even your father, the Emperor, would not do anything to separate the lovers."
Pei Zhi twitched the corner of her mouth, too lazy to talk to the idiot.
Pei Yuance had just become engaged to the only daughter of the General of the Escort Banner.
If Pei Zhi were to actually marry into the household of the Vice Minister of Revenue, it would be far too conspicuous.
Emperor Pei certainly couldn't do something like forcibly separating the lovers, but he could turn the wedding into a funeral.
The second person Consort Lin took Pei Zhi to see was Lady Hou.
From listening to Consort Lin's conversation with the other party, Pei Zhi understood that the husband Consort Lin had chosen for her was the younger brother of the Marquis's wife.
Pei Zhi looked at the Lady Hou's white hair and guessed that even if the Lady Hou's younger brother was young, his age should be about the same as Emperor Pei's.
Consort Lin is truly ruthless and insane.
Unlike the wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue, who was disrespectful, Lady Hou said that she would come to the palace for a gathering when she had time.
Consort Lin left satisfied.
"Although the Lady Hou's younger brother is a bit older, he is quite wealthy. If your brother succeeds in the future, you will have to start planning for money early on."
Pei Zhi really has to thank Consort Lin.
In the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are ranked last.
Consort Lin truly disregarded everything for the sake of her son.
Pei Zhi was very curious: what would happen if Consort Lin, who had schemed so much for her son, were to be betrayed by him one day?
Consort Lin continued to take Pei Zhi to identify people, but they were all ugly and worthless.
It wasn't that Consort Lin did this on purpose.
The people that Consort Lin found for Pei Zhi were all capable of providing assistance to Pei Yuan Ce.
Otherwise, why would a perfectly good princess marry a sickly man and become an old man's second wife?
During the latter half of the Thousand Autumns Banquet, the Empress grew tired and left first.
Before leaving, he had his personal attendant call Pei Zhi over.
The Empress sat on the phoenix stand, with Pei Zhi walking behind her.
Upon arriving at Changqiu Palace, the nanny helped the Empress remove her elaborate robes, and she changed into some lighter clothes.
Pei Zhi waited outside for about half an hour before the Empress came out.
Seeing that Pei Zhi was still sitting upright with a stiff back, the Empress smiled and said, "Have you been waiting too long?"
"Your Majesty, I have nothing to do if I go back. I'll just wait."
The nanny beside the Empress couldn't help but glance at Pei Zhi.
No wonder this princess is inconspicuous in the harem; she's so honest and doesn't even know how to say flattering words.
It's not that Pei Zhi can't speak.
If needed, Pei Zhi could rattle off a whole host of compliments that weren't repeated.
However, the person in front of her was the Empress, the head of the harem. It was not a good thing for her to appear too cunning in front of her.
"I really like the painting you gave me today, so I brought you back with me."
Pei Zhi pretended not to understand and looked at the Empress.
The old woman said, "Her Majesty saw Consort Lin taking the princess to befriend those ladies and couldn't stand it, so she took you away."
Today, Pei Zhi presented the Empress with such a wonderful gift.
During the banquet, the Empress naturally paid more attention to Pei Zhi.
Seeing Consort Lin enthusiastically helping Pei Zhi to befriend the other ladies, the Empress's brows furrowed even deeper.
The Empress also has her own daughter, and no matter what, she would never marry her daughter to such a family.
Pei Zhi feigned sudden realization: "I see, thank you, Mother."
"You don't seem to have been given a title yet, do you?"
Princesses who are favored usually receive a title after birth.
Even those who are not favored will receive a title before the age of ten.
In the imperial harem, there were quite a few princesses like Pei Zhi who did not have official titles.
But most of them... lacked a mother to plan for them.
Consort Lin was, after all, a consort. If she had spoken up for Pei Zhi, Pei Zhi wouldn't still be without a title.
"yes."
"I'll think about it carefully later and come up with a title for you."
Pei Zhi was overjoyed. "Thank you, Mother."
Outside Changqiu Palace, a palace maid came in to announce that Madam Xie had arrived.
Pei Zhi stood up sensibly, "Since Your Majesty has distinguished guests here, I will take my leave now."
Just as the Empress was about to nod, a palace maid hurriedly added, "Madam Xie heard that the Princess is with the Empress and would like to come and see her."
In this way, Pei Zhi naturally couldn't leave.
A palace maid led Madam Xie in to pay her respects. Madam Xie first greeted the Empress, and then bowed to Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi returned the courtesy due to a junior, and the Empress ordered someone to offer Madam Xie a seat.
After Madam Xie sat down, she openly began to scrutinize Pei Zhi.
"Your Highness's painting today left me in awe. I have a favor to ask of Your Highness."
During the banquet just now, Pei Zhi noticed that Madam Xie was seated next to the other wives of the imperial family, so she must hold a high official position in her family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
