Chapter 22 Arrogance
Pei Qing listened with a solemn expression as his servant reported that the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was nowhere to be found. He sent people to the Court of Judicial Review, but the Vice Minister did not come out to meet him, dismissing them with the excuse that he was busy with official business.
"How dare you be so arrogant! A mere Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review dares to turn my Pei family away."
The servant quickly replied, "The Prime Minister's residence also sent people over, but they didn't see that junior official either."
Pei Qing snorted coldly, "He's just a minor official, yet he acts all high and mighty. Why do I have to come to his door in person?"
His arrogant tone was innate; in his eyes, even a high-ranking official of the imperial court was not as noble as a servant in his household.
Pei Jinnian was helped in. "Grandfather, let me go instead."
Pei Qing frowned. "What face does a mere junior official have to make a direct descendant of the Pei family personally come to see him!"
Pei Jinnian said calmly:
"This matter has been taken into custody by the Dali Temple."
Lord Yuan has suddenly fallen seriously ill, and now this Junior Minister is in full charge of the matter.
I looked into this junior official's past. He dared to risk his life to go to the capital to expose corruption, so he must be brave and upright!
It's understandable that he might be a little arrogant, given that His Majesty personally promoted him exceptionally.
"Now that the palace has completely blocked all information, if our Pei family doesn't take the initiative, we'll be put on the defensive. Grandfather, this is definitely not a good start."
Pei Qing's expression grew even more displeased. Now, even a mere junior official dared to embarrass the Pei family!
"But you still have injuries."
Pei Jinnian immediately said, "My injury is nothing serious. Princess Jinzhi must have had someone hold back. My injury only looks scary, but it doesn't involve any serious injuries."
Pei Qing let out a heavy sigh, "Then go and come back quickly. If you feel unwell, don't push yourself."
Pei Jinnian nodded and then instructed the servant who was supporting him to prepare the carriage.
As soon as the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Dali Temple, it happened to meet the Junior Minister who was about to mount his horse and leave.
The servant boy from the Pei family immediately stepped forward and said, "Is this Lord Zhao Wuji, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"
Zhao Wuji swiftly mounted his horse and asked, "Who are you?"
The servant immediately said, "I am a gatekeeper of the Pei family. My young master has important matters to discuss with Lord Zhao."
Zhao Wuji's expression remained unchanged. "And who is your young master?"
The servant boy from the Pei family said arrogantly, "My young master is the most outstanding young man in the capital, Pei Jinnian, the eldest son of the Pei family."
Zhao Wuji seemed to recall something, "Pei Jinnian, the Pei family's prodigy, I have heard of him before. However, I have no personal relationship with the Pei family, so what urgent matter could it be? I have official duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave!"
He then rode away without even speeding up; he simply spurred the horse's belly and slowly rode off.
Even as he left, he caught a fleeting glance at Pei Jinnian, who was lifting the carriage curtain, before leaving openly and honestly.
The servant immediately said angrily, "Young master! This Zhao Wuji is too arrogant! You came to see him in person, and he still puts on such airs! Isn't this a disgrace to the Pei family! He's just a nobody who got into the capital with imperial favor, and he really thinks he's something!"
"Kemin, you mustn't be rude."
Pei Jinnian did not get out of the carriage, but said, "Let's go back to the manor."
Kemin immediately drove off in a huff.
Zhao Wuji's public disrespect to the Pei family not only shows that he doesn't take them seriously, but also demonstrates his stance.
Zhao Wuji will not consider the Pei family when investigating this matter.
Pei Jinnian's worries deepened, and he didn't know why things had developed this way.
"Stop the car, we're heading to the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion."
The servant was completely bewildered. "Young master, what are you going to the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion for?"
"The one who tied the knot must untie it. No matter what, since the princess is poisoned and unconscious, I should go and visit her."
The servant was even more puzzled. "Shouldn't we go to the palace to visit them?"
“I have no official position and am not allowed to enter the palace without being summoned. Now the palace is blocking the flow of information, so I can no longer openly seek an audience with the princess. The Prince of Zhenbei’s mansion will definitely send someone to communicate with the palace, so we will go to the Prince of Zhenbei’s mansion.”
The servant looked enlightened and said, "The princess will definitely summon you. After all, she dreams of marrying you. If you go to visit her, she will be overjoyed."
Happy? Really?
Even those around him wondered if Qin Jinzhi had fallen so deeply in love with him.
Was it because his father, Qin Jinzhi, was poisoned?
Upon arriving at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, the Prince of Zhenbei indeed entered the palace.
Pei Jinnian respectfully got out of the car, even though the journey had nearly made him faint.
The servants of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion immediately turned sour upon hearing that it was someone from the Pei family.
It wasn't that they knew about Qin Jinzhi's poisoning.
It was because their princess had taken a liking to Pei Jinnian, but Pei Jinnian often treated the princess with disdain.
Instead, he became engaged to the daughter of Prime Minister Cui.
In terms of beauty and family background, their princess is far superior to that Miss Cui.
No taste, no appreciation for quality!
Pei Jinnian, his face pale, said, "Pei Jinnian has important business to discuss with the Princess. Please inform her on my behalf."
The servant immediately said in an annoyed tone, "What a rare guest! It's really unfortunate that the eldest son of the Pei family would take the initiative to request an audience with the princess. The princess is not in the manor. Please come another day."
Kemin immediately roared, "What kind of attitude is that! How dare you speak to our young master like that!"
The servant, however, was unimpressed. "Don't try to act tough with me. Look carefully, this is the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, not your Pei family's!"
Kemin immediately retorted, "It's not like your princess is chasing after my young master. What's with the attitude now!"
The servant immediately shouted angrily, "How dare you! How dare you discuss the princess like that? Guards, seize her!"
The guard at the door immediately kicked Kemin in the leg.
Kemin immediately knelt on the ground, and the servant stepped forward and slapped him.
"This slap is on behalf of the princess. If you show any more disrespect, I'll break your leg!"
He then kicked Kemin down the steps.
Pei Jinnian and his servant never expected that the servants of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion would be so arrogant and attack without warning!
The servant immediately said, "Close the door!"
Pei Jinnian quickly said, "Please forgive me for my poor discipline. My relationship with the princess is not casual. I really have something important to discuss with her. This is my jade pendant. If the princess wishes to see me, she can take this jade pendant to the Pei family."
Kemin was kicked and couldn't speak. When he heard his young master say that he had a serious relationship with Qin Jinzhi, he felt like he was about to faint.
Their young master is being far too submissive!
They actually forced their young master to say such things!
The servant knew that Qin Jinzhi was fond of Pei Jinnian.
I only took action because Pei Jinnian's servant dared to disrespect the princess.
Don't let this really interfere with the princess's business.
So he stepped forward, took the jade pendant, and said, "I will inform the princess!"
He then closed the door.
Pei Jinnian turned pale and, unable to hold on any longer, fainted!
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