On that day, Pei Zhi and Emperor Pei finalized Pei Zhi's marriage.
Emperor Pei said that he would announce Pei Zhi's marriage to the world when Pei Zhi came of age.
It's only a few months until Pei Zhi comes of age.
Before that, the fourth prince's wedding date was set.
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau set a date, saying that there would be an auspicious day in February.
Although he was in a hurry, Emperor Pei couldn't resist Consort Gao's pleading, so he agreed.
The Empress was not to be outdone and urged the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious day for Pei Yuance.
It seems that Pei Yuanze's wedding was set for April, mainly for the purpose of competing with others.
The fourth prince's wedding was a grand affair, and Pei Yuance is now the empress's legitimate son.
For the sake of her reputation, the Empress could not allow Pei Yuanze to fall behind.
Time flies, and after two weddings, Pei Zhi's coming-of-age ceremony is just around the corner.
That day, after paying his respects to the Empress, Pei Yuanze walked outside with Pei Zhi.
Pei Yuance handed Pei Zhi a letter, saying, "This was asked by Yuan Chengyu to be given to you."
"Yuan Chengyu?"
Pei Zhi was puzzled. She didn't seem to have any connection with this Yuan Chengyu, did she?
Pei Yuanze was also very interested in the contents of the letter, "It turns out that Cheng Yu is the only son of King Cheng."
Pei Yuance lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Father Emperor plans to arrange your engagement with Yuan Chengyu."
Before Pei Zhi could speak, Pei Yuance continued, "Although Prince Cheng is crippled now, all of his former subordinates are now officials in the court, and their positions are not low. If you marry Yuan Chengyu, it wouldn't be bad."
Pei Yuance pondered that if Pei Zhi married Yuan Chengyu, wouldn't all of Prince Cheng's connections be his?
Pei Zhi ignored Pei Yuanze and opened the letter herself.
The letter contained only one sentence, which made Pei Zhi laugh.
"I have no intention of getting married, and I hope the princess will find someone else!"
Pei Yuance leaned closer, and after reading the contents of the letter, he angrily exclaimed, "How dare he look down on my sister?"
Pei Yuance added, "If Father Emperor wants to bestow a marriage, there's nothing he can do even if he disagrees."
"Who said I was going to marry him?" Pei Zhi put away the letter.
"Isn't that so? But some people in the court are saying that Father Emperor did this to repay a debt of gratitude..."
"My father has arranged my marriage, but he said he would marry me into the Qin family."
Pei Zhi will soon be of marriageable age, so there's no point in hiding it.
"The Qin family?" Pei Yuance frowned. "I don't recall any ministers in the court with the surname Qin. Could they be from some minor, insignificant family?"
Pei Zhi explained, "The Qin family are imperial merchants, and none of them hold official positions in the court."
Pei Yuance asked in astonishment, "Your father wants you to marry a merchant?"
"You are a princess, how could your father treat you like this?"
Pei Yuance said urgently, "No, you must come with me to the Empress Dowager now and let her think of a solution."
Pei Yuanze also planned to use Pei Zhi's marriage to his advantage.
At the very least, we need to help him build some connections.
If Pei Zhi were to marry a wealthy businessman, he would have a wealthy businessman as a brother-in-law, which would be incredibly shameful.
Pei Zhi stumbled as Pei Yuance pulled her along. "Brother, Father has already drafted the decree. Even if the Empress speaks up, it will be useless."
Enraged, Pei Yuance raised his hand to strike Pei Zhi, but Pei Zhi immediately took two steps back.
"I am your elder brother, how could you not tell me about such a big matter beforehand?"
Pei Yuanze had been thinking that Pei Zhi's marriage should not be rushed.
He only has one younger sister, so of course he has to bring her the greatest benefit.
Pei Zhi sighed, "Brother, how dare I speak ill of Father's decisions?"
Pei Zhi added, "I was busy with my wedding the other day, so I didn't have a chance to tell you about it."
Pei Yuance, furious, stood with his hands on his hips, pacing back and forth in front of Pei Zhi.
Pei Yuance poked Pei Zhi's forehead with his finger without any politeness: "In the end, it's still because you're useless and can't please your father and mother. Otherwise, why would they marry you off to the son of a wealthy merchant?"
Pei Zhi was reprimanded by Pei Yuance, so she lowered her head and dared not utter a single word.
Pei Yuance was angry, but there was nothing he could do.
Pei Zhi is right. Once the Emperor has made his decision, how can they change it?
"Useless thing!" Pei Yuance cursed angrily before turning and leaving.
Pei Zhi lowered her head and tidied the hem of her skirt, which was covered in some dust.
Pei Yuanze hoped that she would marry Yuan Chengyu, the son of King Cheng.
Firstly, he wanted to leverage King Cheng's connections; secondly, King Cheng's leg was injured because he saved Emperor Pei.
Pei Zhi could easily understand Pei Yuan Ce's shallow thoughts.
But Pei Yuanze never considered why Yuan Chengyu, the only son of King Cheng, had not yet entered the court to serve as an official.
To the outside world, he has always presented a cynical and irreverent image.
They might even send Pei Yuanze a letter like this.
Everyone was saying that something was amiss.
Even without Yuan Chengyu's letter, Pei Zhi never considered marrying him.
Although the Qin family was a wealthy merchant family, Pei Zhi was quite satisfied.
No one from the Qin family held an official position in the imperial court. After Pei Zhi married into the family, the Qin family became her most powerful family.
She doesn't need to show respect to her mother-in-law or treat her sister-in-law well.
All she needs is to feel good herself.
Pei Zhi's coming-of-age ceremony was arranged by the Empress's palace servants.
The Empress learned of Pei Zhi's marriage, and Pei Zhi was no longer of any use to her.
For an unmarried woman, the coming-of-age ceremony is a very important day.
On this day, Pei Yuanze, her own brother, did not come to give Pei Zhi any gifts.
Only a few concubines and princesses watched Pei Zhi's coming-of-age ceremony.
Pei Zhi didn't care about any of that and was led through the entire journey by the palace servants.
Upon returning to the palace, Pei Zhi asked Chunhua to help her change her clothes.
Chunhua, her eyes red, helped Pei Zhi undress.
Pei Zhi said gently, "Why are you crying on such a beautiful day?"
Upon hearing this, Chunhua immediately turned around and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.
"This servant is a little angry. Today is the princess's coming-of-age ceremony, and it's one thing for her to wear clothes that another princess used."
"Even the Fifth Prince didn't show up."
Pei Yuanze's actions are a disgrace to me, Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi asked, puzzled, "Why do we need him to come?"
"The Fifth Prince is the Princess's own brother. Logically speaking, you two should be the closest of relatives."
Pei Zhi took the handkerchief and handed it to Chunhua, saying, "There is no such thing as 'should' in this world."
"But the princess's marriage is already arranged. If the fifth prince shows such disrespect to the princess, who will she turn to for help if she suffers any grievances in the future?"
Chunhua didn't understand much; all she knew was that the Fifth Prince was the princess's support.
Now that the Fifth Prince isn't even attending the Princess's coming-of-age ceremony, how can he possibly support her in the future?
Pei Zhi took off her ill-fitting clothes. "Alright, stop crying. Go wash your face and sort out the gifts you received today."
The concubines who came to witness the ceremony today all gave Pei Zhi gifts.
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