As soon as the carriage arrived outside the city gate, people were waiting to greet it at the city gate.
Pei Zhi got off the carriage and saw the big idiot Pei Yuan Ce standing at the front.
When Pei Yuanze saw Pei Zhi get off the carriage, he immediately rushed to Pei Zhi's side.
Pei Yuance grabbed Pei Zhi's arms, looked her up and down, and then held her tightly in his arms.
"Little sister, I'm so glad you're alright. You scared me to death."
Pei Yuanze held Pei Zhi in his arms and put on a show of deep brotherly and sisterly affection in front of a group of ministers behind him.
Even Pei Zhi, a veteran of countless battles, was taken aback by Pei Yuan Ce's actions.
After Pei Zhi finished dealing with Pei Yuan Ce, he was welcomed into the city by the ministers.
Many people lined the streets to welcome them, throwing flowers, handkerchiefs, and sachets.
Pei Yuanze stood beside Pei Zhi, his chest puffed out, as if he were the one being praised.
Pei Zhi, without changing his expression, was welcomed into the palace by the ministers to meet Emperor Pei.
Pei Yuance was guarding outside the Imperial Study, where Pei Zhi, Qin Xiangyang, and Yuan Chengyu were.
Emperor Pei asked Yuan Chengyu a couple of questions and praised him a couple of times before letting Yuan Chengyu leave first, leaving Pei Zhi and his wife behind.
Emperor Pei exclaimed, "Chang Le, you have truly impressed your father this time. Your father is very proud of you."
Pei Zhi hurriedly said in a panic, "Your subject has this courage because you think that Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and with the Son of Heaven's protection, nothing will happen to you."
Emperor Pei found Pei Zhi's words pleasing.
"Regardless, you have accomplished a great feat this time, and I have decided to increase your fief by three thousand."
Pei Zhi hurriedly said, "Thank you for the reward, Father Emperor."
Emperor Pei looked at Qin Xiangyang and said, "You have accomplished a great feat this time. Would you be willing to serve as an official in the court?"
Qin Xiangyang said with difficulty, "I don't know many characters. If I were to become an official in the court, I'm afraid I would disgrace Father and Princess. Father, please don't make things difficult for me."
Emperor Pei remembered the letter that Qin Xiangyang had sent back.
That handwriting was indeed ugly, and there were even some mistakes.
It would indeed be difficult for him to be appointed to an official position in the imperial court.
"In that case, I will bestow a plaque upon the Qin family as a reward."
The Qin family contributed a considerable amount of money to the earthquake in the north.
If Qin Xiangyang were willing to enter the court as an official, Emperor Pei would have to give him a high-ranking position.
But Qin Xiangyang refused, so Emperor Pei could only write a plaque himself as a reward.
Pei Zhi sighed inwardly: A plaque sold for hundreds of thousands of taels of silver; this deal was a bargain.
After leaving the Imperial Study, Pei Yuanze stood guard outside for Pei Zhi.
Pei Yuance stopped Pei Zhi, saying, "Zhizhi, Mother is waiting for us to pay our respects."
“Okay.” Pei Zhi nodded in agreement, and Qin Xiangyang followed behind her.
Pei Yuance glanced at Qin Xiangyang, "The prince consort doesn't need to go. My sister and I will go."
Qin Xiangyang was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I will escort the princess there and wait outside the palace."
Pei Yuance snorted, "Whatever."
Before Pei Zhi could say anything, Pei Yuance grabbed her sleeve and said, "Let's go quickly, Mother is already waiting."
Pei Yuance looked at Qin Xiangyang with utter disdain.
Pei Yuanze, however, did not consider that Qin Xiangyang was, after all, Pei Zhi's husband.
Disrespecting Qin Xiangyang is tantamount to disrespecting Pei Zhi.
Upon arriving at Changqiu Palace, Pei Zhi paid his respects, and then the Empress personally helped him up.
"You've lost weight." The Empress gently stroked Pei Zhi's face.
Pei Zhi shuddered slightly, feeling a bit awkward; the enthusiasm was making her uncomfortable.
The Empress feigned concern, saying, "You child, you are far too reckless. You have truly worried your mother for a long time."
Before Pei Zhi could speak, Pei Yuance interjected, "Yes, it made my brother sick with worry, and my mother was so worried that she couldn't eat for several days."
Pei Zhi rolled her eyes inwardly, but on the surface she still had to put on an act with them.
"It's Chang Le's fault for making Mother and Brother worry."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." The Empress gently patted Pei Zhi's hand.
After the pleasantries were over, Pei Zhi sat down next to the Empress, and the nanny served some pastries.
"I had considered that since your elder brother has been adopted into my family, you are no different from my own daughter."
"But," the Empress changed the subject, "after careful consideration, if you were adopted into my family, you would be my legitimate daughter, and your status would be different. Would you be willing?"
Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly. She really hadn't expected that the Empress could be so shameless.
She was a princess, and before her marriage, she was merely adopted and given a noble status.
Now that she's married, what's the point of telling her that becoming a legitimate daughter will give her a more prestigious status?
“My sister naturally agreed. From now on, we will all be Mother’s children.”
Pei Zhi glanced at Pei Yuance and finally nodded slightly.
The Empress laughed heartily, "Very good, with sons and daughters by my side, I have nothing to worry about now."
Pei Yuance hurriedly replied, "Mother, rest assured, your son will definitely work with my younger sister to be even more filial to you in the future."
"Yes, I know that you are all filial."
It would be a waste if they didn't go into acting, given how well they sing and act together.
It was about an hour later when they came out of Changqiu Palace.
If Pei Zhi hadn't asked to leave, the Empress could have kept her chatting.
Pei Yuanze followed behind Pei Zhi, "Now that my royal sister is back, why don't we go visit my royal brother's residence later?"
"I went to the palace as soon as I arrived in the capital, but I still need to go home first to pay my respects to my parents-in-law."
Pei Yuance said indifferently, "The Qin family reeks of money. You are a princess, why should you be like this?"
Pei Zhi insisted, "Your Majesty, propriety must not be disregarded."
"Alright, then I'll visit you at the Qin residence tomorrow."
"No." Pei Zhi refused without even thinking.
It goes without saying what Pei Yuance will be like at the Qin residence.
He looks down on everyone and acts arrogantly towards everyone he meets.
"My elder brother is the eldest, so it should be me who goes to the residence."
“Alright, then come to my residence as a guest tomorrow.” Pei Yuance thought for a moment and added, “You can come alone. Don’t bring your consort. I have nothing to say to him.”
“I have remembered what my elder brother said.”
After finally parting ways with Pei Yuance, Pei Zhi sighed deeply.
Pei Zhi and Qin Xiangyang met up and returned to the princess's residence together. The Qin family members were already waiting for them there.
The Qin family first bowed to Pei Zhi, then offered their greetings, and Pei Zhi received many gifts in return.
While both showed concern, the Qin family did a better job than Pei Yuanze and the Empress.
Knowing that Pei Zhi had traveled a long way, the Qin family did not stay long, and after exchanging a few words of concern, they all took their leave.
After the guests left, Pei Zhi said, "From now on, you will live with me in the Princess's residence. If you feel unwell, please feel free to mention it."
Qin Xiangyang smiled and said, "Being able to serve the princess makes me feel no discomfort."
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