My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Empress Dowager Jiang did not sleep well that night, as her son and a young girl were sharing a room in her Cining Palace wing.

She spoke lightly to the head nanny, saying that her son would benefit and wouldn't suffer any loss, but there were still many things to consider, such as whether Pei Ji was seen by anyone when he arrived. Wei's sister was the Crown Princess, yet she had an affair with him, who was the Imperial Uncle. If this got out, it would be bad for Pei Ji's reputation.

In short, I tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.

When she woke up again, the head nanny was already waiting beside her. She drank a cup of bird's nest soup, cleared her throat, and said, "Speak."

The head maid dismissed the palace maids in the room and shook her head: "We've had people watching over it the whole time, but the doors and windows are still tightly closed, and the Regent hasn't come out yet."

Empress Dowager Jiang was relieved to hear this, as it had been an hour or two and things should be done by now.

It seems that this girl is nothing special to Pei Ji. It's just a fling, and at most he'll reward her with some things and take her as a concubine. It seems she's overthinking things.

Just as she was about to give the order, someone came to announce, "Your Majesty, the Regent has arrived."

With a speed beyond her years, Empress Dowager Jiang suddenly sat up: "Quickly help me change my clothes."

In less than a quarter of an hour, the most honored woman of the Great Yan was seen tidying her clothes as she walked towards the warm pavilion. Upon seeing the broad back of the man sitting on the couch, she quickened her pace even further.

The palace maid lifted the curtain, and Empress Dowager Jiang slowed her pace. Instead of speaking to her son, she stared at him intently.

Just now she was thinking that if things went well, there was no need to worry.

Seeing her son's solemn expression and neat clothes, her heart gradually calmed down.

This doesn't look like he's done anything right at all; he clearly has the air of someone troubled by love. This really is the worst of all possibilities.

What woman could possibly make a dignified regent resist touching her, and even be troubled by her presence?

She sighed deeply in her heart, and only then did Pei Ji spare a moment to look at her.

"Why does Mother look at me like that?"

"I have never seen my son with such an expression before. It is quite novel, and I want to take a closer look."

Pei Ji lifted the teacup, blew on it gently, and said indifferently, "Then there are many things you haven't seen."

Empress Dowager Jiang was speechless, but she didn't think much of it. After all, she had indeed neglected her duties to this son, and what he said was all true.

She didn't rush to ask him about his relationship with the girl; instead, she sat down opposite him and suddenly burst out laughing.

"I should thank this Miss Wei properly."

Pei Ji heard Wei Nanxun's voice and finally raised his eyelids, but said nothing.

Empress Dowager Jiang continued speaking to herself, "If she hadn't come to the palace today, I'm afraid it would have been difficult for me to even see you."

From the time mother and son first met until now, she has sent people to deliver tonics and nourishing soups almost every day, and she has also had people invite him over. He receives gifts about five out of ten times, but this person has never appeared.

She benefited from Wei Nanxun's fame.

Pei Ji didn't speak, but only frowned slightly.

Empress Dowager Jiang, fearing he would be displeased, shook her head with a wry smile: "Let's not talk about these things. This child is good-looking and comes from the Duke's mansion. Although his status is a bit low, if you like him, these things are not a problem. However, I should also understand your thoughts. What status do you intend to give this child?"

"Given the Wei family's background, she is certainly qualified to be a concubine."

"Now that you have an idea, I can get started on it."

Pei Ji set down his teacup, making a crisp sound, and his expression hardened: "I have my own plans for these matters, so there's no need for Mother to worry."

Even a clay figure would get angry at his cold attitude, let alone his mother.

Empress Dowager Jiang finally couldn't hold back and sighed softly, saying with a hint of reproach, "Since you have plans for everything, why did you even scheme against me?"

"They used me as a raft, and now they're abandoning me after they've crossed the river."

"I know you want to see that child, but you don't want her to be criticized. I don't mind being a shield for her. Over the years, I've been choosing people from all sides, not for any other reason than that you are far away on the border, and that you have someone you can trust by your side to keep you company and talk to you. But you always misunderstand my intentions."

"I don't intend to make decisions for you or interfere with your plans today. I just thought that if I were to issue an imperial decree, everything would be handled properly, and it would also save face for that child."

"I'm doing all this for your own good."

This was probably the first time in many years that the mother and son had been alone together. She couldn't hold back her grievances and blurted out all her thoughts.

Her words were somewhat from Pei Ji's perspective, and while they didn't offend him, they were completely contrary to his plans.

Wei Nanxun disliked being forced, otherwise she wouldn't have faced the Crown Prince and chosen to flee the capital.

If the Empress Dowager were to issue an imperial decree to grant them marriage, their relationship would likely come to an end.

Pei Ji knew that the Empress Dowager meant well for him, but the long-standing mother-son relationship could not be eased overnight.

His expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm as he said, "It's still far from certain, Mother, your refrain from interfering is already a great help to your son."

Empress Dowager Jiang nearly choked on her own breath, about to be driven mad by this brat, but for some reason she remembered the expression on Pei Ji's face when she came in earlier.

She seemed to understand something. Her son's so-called "eight-point" was still far from being confirmed. Could it be true?

"Shouzhuo, you didn't manage to win over that girl, did you?"

Pei Ji: ...

Empress Dowager Jiang had never seen her son so embarrassed before, and she felt a surge of satisfaction. That Wei woman was quite capable.

Pei Ji was already annoyed, and when the Empress Dowager pointed this out, his face darkened even more. He stood up and said, "I just came to tell Mother that you should not get involved in this matter."

"Also, the concubine has been treated too unfairly."

He left with a single sentence, then strode away without looking back.

Empress Dowager Jiang was still secretly pleased to have witnessed her son's embarrassing moment, and before she could recover, the man left in anger.

After a while, she belatedly realized what he had said.

The concubines are all wronged. Is he planning to marry this Wei woman as his principal wife?

She took a deep breath and took back her previous words. This Wei woman wasn't just capable, she was incredibly capable!