Chapter 140 Conferring of a Kingship
Qin Jinzhi's eyes remained calm and indifferent. "What's the difference?"
Wei Cha sighed, "After all, he is His Majesty's son."
Qin Jinzhi chuckled softly, "Old man, you're getting old."
Wei Cha stepped forward and said, “I know your ambitions, but if you harm the prince, His Majesty will surely develop a grudge against you.”
For the first time, Qin Jinzhi didn't act mischievously towards Wei Cha. "I said you're old, and you really are old. If you're scared, then hurry up and resign and go home to retire."
With that, she left.
Although Wei Cha's ambitions have not been fulfilled over the years, he has come to understand many things.
Back then, he was too upright. When His Majesty ascended the throne, he was supported by aristocratic families, so it was inevitable that daughters of aristocratic families would enter the palace. However, he was too young at the time, and he resigned from his post and returned home in a fit of anger because the Empress was critically ill.
But wasn't that also a challenge to imperial power?
The powerful clans rivaled the imperial power, and the emperor's desire to eliminate these clans was a way of concentrating imperial power.
The truly wise hide in the city, the lesser wise hide in the forest.
Qin Jinzhi is a knife that the emperor hid in the bustling city.
Even if someone loves knives, they will still have reservations if they hurt someone close to them.
He has grown old. Twenty years ago, he was devoted solely to the country.
Now, he's starting to think about all the intricacies of officialdom.
Qin Jinzhi summoned the people from the Censorate today to expose all the sordid matters to the public.
This matter cannot be left unresolved.
Having hidden himself for so many years, the Second Prince would never be as powerless to resist as the Crown Prince.
If Qin Jinzhi wins, the Second Prince will definitely not survive.
Even with a heart as deep as an abyss, he dared not gamble on the true extent of the emperor's affection for Qin Jinzhi.
The next day, the Censorate jointly submitted a memorial regarding the Zheng family's affairs. The emperor was furious and ordered the matter to be jointly tried by the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate.
Many officials in the court were implicated, and everyone felt insecure.
Qin Jinzhi saw this person behind the scenes in the court today, a sight she hadn't seen in a long time.
The emperor looked at the second prince with satisfaction, "Second Prince, you have rendered meritorious service in this salt inspection. I will certainly reward you handsomely."
“Your Majesty, this is merely my duty. For so many years I have been traveling and enjoying the scenery without contributing anything to the State of Jin. I only feel guilty about this salt inspection, so how could I dare to ask for any reward?”
The emperor laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Of all my sons, you are the least like me. You love to travel and enjoy the scenery every day. Your service as the salt inspector was invaluable. Now that you have reached the age of thirty, Hong Dequan has drafted an edict to confer the title of Prince Ming upon the Second Prince Xiao Yin and grant him the fief of Liangzhou."
Xiao Yin's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, "Thank you, Father Emperor!"
Liangzhou is a prosperous land. The Second Prince dislikes the court and politics. His Majesty wants the Second Prince, now the Prince of Ming, to be a wealthy and leisurely prince.
No one expected that the second prince would be the first prince to be granted the title of king.
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Second Prince's smile, which didn't reach his eyes.
Once a king is appointed, he must go to his fiefdom.
His Majesty wants to protect the Second Prince.
But the second prince doesn't seem to think so.
Going to one's fiefdom means leaving the capital, and one may not return to the capital without being summoned.
This means he has lost his ticket to the struggle for the throne.
The emperor looked at the Prince of Ming and said with a smile, "Next month is the Empress's birthday. After celebrating the Empress's birthday, you can set off for your fiefdom."
The Ming King respectfully replied, "I will follow Father's arrangements."
The scene of fatherly love and filial piety was vividly displayed.
Although the Ming king did not want to leave the capital, the current situation was unfavorable to him.
It's good to lay low for a while.
After the court session, the officials congratulated the second prince on being granted the title of king.
Qin Jinzhi left the main hall directly.
A moment later, someone called out from behind, "Jinzhi!"
Qin Jinzhi turned around and saw Ming Wang walking quickly toward her.
The King smiled and said, "My second uncle didn't have a chance to catch up with you in court just now. You've grown into a beautiful young woman in just a few years."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated Second Imperial Uncle on being enfeoffed as a king yet. Liangzhou is a great place. With your carefree nature, you won't have to go to the capital to listen to your grandfather's nagging for several years."
Ming Wang's smile widened. "Yes, I never expected that I would be the first among my brothers to be granted the title of king. Look what your second uncle brought you."
He pulled a box of pastries from his sleeve. “These are the plum blossom cakes you loved to eat when you were little. You cried a lot when the master who made these cakes passed away. I happened to find some for sale when I went to the salt inspection area, so I invited the master back to the capital. If you still crave them, just come to your second uncle’s house.”
Qin Jinzhi accepted the pastries with a smile and said, "Thank you, Second Imperial Uncle."
King Ming laughed and said, "You've really grown up. You're not as mischievous as you were when you were little. Are you going to the Empress Dowager's palace? I'm going to pay my respects there. Shall we go together?"
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Second Imperial Uncle, please."
Along the way, King Ming talked about his experiences, and there were no two delicious or fun things he had encountered.
Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, King Ming went to pay his respects to the Empress.
Qin Jinzhi did not follow her in. "Second Imperial Uncle, you go in by yourself. I'm going to change my clothes."
King Ming smiled and replied, "Go then."
As he disappeared, the smile on Qin Jinzhi's face vanished as well.
Feiyan walked over with a grin and said, "Princess, what delicious treats have you brought me this time?"
Qin Jinzhi handed her the pastry, saying, "Throw it away."
Feiyan took the pastry and said, "Oh."
Although she didn't know why, she did whatever the princess told her to do.
He then threw the pastry into the trash can.
Qin Jinzhi lay down on the swing next to her, put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes.
Feiyan ran to Qin Jinzhi's side, "Princess, what's wrong? You don't seem very happy today."
Qin Jinzhi said quietly, "The people who want to kill you are a bit troublesome."
Feiyan sat down to the side and massaged Qin Jinzhi's legs while saying, "I believe in the princess!"
Qin Jinzhi opened her eyes and smiled, "What do you believe in me?"
Feiyan said proudly, "I believe in the princess; she will definitely kill whoever she wants to kill!"
Her princess is exceptionally intelligent; there's no one she can't kill!
Qin Jinzhi laughed out loud, then nodded, "Our Feiyan is right."
Feiyan suddenly remembered, "Oh, right, Princess, Shen Liuying sent a message to the palace. She wants to see you."
Qin Jinzhi nodded.
A storm is brewing.
In the afternoon, Qin Jinzhi left the palace and returned to the Thousand Birds Bureau.
Two fighting roosters could be seen from a distance at the entrance.
Cui Ying asked angrily, "What are you doing here?"
Pei Jinnian was also very vigilant. "I've come to see the princess about something."
Cui Ying scoffed, "She's not here."
Pei Jinnian remained calm. "I know, I'm waiting for her here."
As soon as Qin Jinzhi's horse arrived at the door, the two men walked quickly to Qin Jinzhi as if afraid that the other would overtake them.
Qin Jinzhi was also somewhat surprised to see Pei Jinnian. "What are you doing here?"
Cui Ying immediately seemed to have found an ally, standing behind Qin Jinzhi and looking at him arrogantly.
See? We're on the same side.
Pei Jinnian ignored her and stepped forward. "Princess, I will be going to Jiangnan with the disaster relief team tomorrow. Do you have any instructions for me?"
Cui Ying was speechless. "She's not your father!"
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