Chapter 496 Rectification

In Weiyang Palace, the Third Prince was talking with Consort Shen.

Xiao Yuanyi burst in, "Third Brother, I really can marry Brother Jinnian!"

The Third Prince smiled and said, "This matter still needs to be discussed. However, Yuanyi, as the Ninth Princess of the current dynasty, you must be proper in your etiquette. The Pei family is a century-old family with very strict family education. If we really marry into the Pei family, they may not be happy. The nanny I have hired for you has already arrived at your palace. I hope that you will be graceful and dignified when you get married."

Xiao Yuanyi was overjoyed and immediately said, "I'll go back to the palace to learn right away! Mother, I'll head back now!"

After she left, both mother and son became expressionless.

Consort Shen said with disdain, "She's not my biological daughter after all. She's stupid and clumsy. If she weren't useful, I would have sent her away long ago."

The Third Prince took a sip of tea. “Mother, don’t be angry. Rest assured, the nanny I hired is very skilled at teaching. Ninth Sister has been spoiled all these years and it’s time for her to suffer a bit. Otherwise, if a princess behaves like this, wouldn’t people laugh at Mother for failing to raise her daughter properly?”

Consort Shen leaned against the soft couch, "I originally thought that I would spoil her and make her a bit more spoiled, so that she could bring some bad luck to the Empress. Who would have thought that such a devil as Qin Jinzhi would come? And who would have thought that we would be nothing more than playthings in the hands of that couple in the harem?"

The Third Prince smiled slightly and put down his teacup.

“Mother, there is no need to worry. Qin Jinzhi will not live much longer, and Father and Empress are getting old. The Crown Prince is only two years old. What right does he have to compete with me?”

Consort Shen straightened up. "I've heard that Qin Jinzhi is very fond of Consort Fang's child and has made many plans for him. Do you think she might have other ideas?"

The Third Prince chuckled lightly, "Wasn't that a smokescreen Qin Jinzhi set up for the Crown Prince after leaving the capital? If those fools in the palace were to make a move against Consort Fang's child, that would suit me perfectly. Fangfei Pavilion is currently enjoying great favor, and if she offends Father, how can she compete with me?"

Consort Shen smiled and nodded after hearing this, but she quickly frowned again. "Zhuo'er, do you think that little devil is really dead? Could she have faked her death like last time?"

The Third Prince raised an eyebrow. "Mother, do you know why the Chu Kingdom offered the orchid herb in exchange for the Jin Kingdom withdrawing its troops? Would my wise and mighty father agree to that?"

Consort Shen snorted coldly, "Qin Jinzhi has been raised by them since she was a child, and is no different from their own granddaughter. Naturally, it's because they love her dearly."

The Third Prince nodded, "That's right, it's heartbreaking. Because Father and Empress know that the Orchid Grass in Chu is indeed the only Orchid Grass in the world. If they can't get it, even the Golden Immortal Qin Jinzhi will be beyond saving."

Consort Shen frowned. "Is this orchid grass really so hard to find?"

The Third Prince's eyes darkened, for Xiao Chengqian had burned all the orchids in the land to the ground. If orchids hadn't been a treasure of the Chu Kingdom, Qin Jinzhi wouldn't have even had a chance to live.

Consort Shen immediately sat up, "The Crown Prince?"

The Third Prince smiled and looked at Consort Shen, "Qin Jinzhi left the capital with the intention of dying."

Xiao Zhuo investigated the assassination attempt at the Eastern Palace for two years.

By piecing things together, he guessed a shocking secret.

This secret was enough to alienate Qin Jinzhi from the Emperor and Empress.

She was poisoned and her time was running out.

Now that Qin Ye has passed away, Qin Jinzhi will never return.

Consort Shen looked at Xiao Zhuozhi's determined expression, her ambition reignited on her face.

"Then Mother Consort, we await your ascension to the throne, to become the most honored woman in the world!"

The Third Prince smiled and said, "No rush, Mother. We have plenty of time. What you just said has given me a hint. We will continue to plan in secret, but if we want to bring this matter into the open, we will have to see Qin Jinzhi's body first."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

But outside the door, someone was covering their mouth tightly.

Xiao Yuanyi, who had returned, stood outside the door in disbelief.

Because she heard that her third brother wanted her to marry Pei Jinnian.

In his joy, he forgot to give away the embroidered purses he had prepared for his mother and third brother.

She had just arrived at the door when she heard Consort Shen's words.

Is she actually not Consort Shen's biological daughter?!

Seeing the palace servants approaching, Xiao Yuanyi quickly ran away.

No wonder, she doesn't look like her father or mother at all.

I've heard many people say that my father was a handsome man when he was young.

Her mother was a renowned beauty throughout the country.

She actually has such an ordinary appearance.

If she isn't their biological child, then who are her biological parents?

In the imperial study, a prince knelt below.

"Father, Mother, this is a divine physician I specially sought out from Miao territory for Jinzhi. I personally witnessed him save a patient who was on the verge of death. Moreover, Miao people are skilled in poisons, so he may have a better chance of saving Jinzhi than other doctors. Jinzhi is suffering from a severe poison, and I, as her uncle, was completely unaware of it. I will send him to the border immediately."

The Emperor and Empress's eyes lit up. "Is what you say true?"

The thirteenth prince, Xiao Ji, said sincerely, "I am not lying. The palace maid Liu is currently with the army. If there is any problem, the two of them can discuss it together."

The emperor immediately replied, "Very well! As long as you can cure Jinzhi's poison, I will grant you anything, whether it be thousands of acres of fertile land, gold and silver, or promotion and titles!"

The Miao doctor replied, "Yes."

Looking up, I saw a handsome young man.

Xiao Ji spoke again: "I know that Father and Mother are worried about the affairs of state and Jinzhi's health. They are working hard. I specially found this Crimson Blood Lotus to nourish Father and Mother. After the imperial physician examines it, I will send it to the Imperial Kitchen."

Eunuch Hong took the brocade box from Xiao Ji's hand.

The emperor said, "Ji'er, you are very kind. Your mother and I accept it. Please get up."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Xiao Ji stood up and looked up at the Emperor and Empress.

"Father, Mother, I have one more thing to ask."

The emperor looked at him and said, "Speak."

Xiao Ji took out a memorial from his sleeve.

"I have heard rumors circulating in the court that Jinzhi is amassing troops in her fiefdom to assert her power."

When they fought against the State of Chu, Jinzhi was willing to give up her life for the sake of the soldiers and people of Jin, which moved me deeply.

Therefore, I felt that someone must be slandering me, so I sent someone to Chengdu Prefecture, Jinzhi's fiefdom, to find out the truth.

Jinzhi truly lives up to her reputation as a descendant of the Qin family; she has no intention of stationing troops.

Those soldiers were all wounded veterans who had retired from the battlefield.

The Golden Bough is supporting them with its own fiefdom.

Such a noble cause has been slandered as an act of arrogance by those who hoard troops for personal gain!

Your son wishes to ask the Emperor and Empress Dowager to grant Jinzhi her due name!

Give Jinzhi justice! A loyal minister should not be unjustly accused!

Xiao Ji's impassioned words nearly brought tears to the eyes of the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor spoke slowly, "Jinzhi is always like this, quietly doing everything to relieve us of any worries!"

Xiao Ji lowered his head, awaiting the emperor's words.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.