Chapter 132 The Pledge of Allegiance
Her name is Lang Mingyue.
My father was a fifth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy.
With her family background, she could never marry into a powerful or wealthy family.
In the capital, there was a clear hierarchy.
Fortunately, she was quite learned, and many upright officials and scholars were very fond of her.
Her mother eventually chose the son of a great Confucian scholar for her to consider.
Although she holds no official position, her family background is impeccable, and marrying into the family will not bury her talents.
But things didn't go as planned.
On their way to Xiangguo Temple, they encountered bandits.
Just when my life was in danger, a handsome young man saved me.
Before I could even thank him, the young man rode away.
From that moment on, I secretly fell in love with him, but I also knew that I might never see him again in this lifetime.
The family that was interested in me was very pleased with me, and the two families agreed to set the wedding date for the eighth day of the second month of the following year.
I miss that boy, but I know it's impossible to change things.
Before the wedding, my maternal grandfather fell seriously ill, so my parents and I went back to Yangzhou to visit him.
I never expected to see that boy again.
While praying for her maternal grandfather, she encountered local thugs and ruffians.
The boy appeared out of nowhere.
"Girl, why are you always so unlucky? But I'm lucky, I'll share some with you."
The boy's radiant smile drifted into her heart.
From that moment on, her heart beat only for him.
Heaven has been kind to me; that young man actually fell in love with me.
But I can't let my parents be ashamed.
I sent a farewell letter and went home to await my wedding.
However, what awaited them was the family's annulment of the engagement and an imperial edict.
Her lover turned out to be the second prince.
He disliked the imperial court and preferred to travel the world.
The first time he used his identity as a prince was to ask for her hand in marriage.
This incredible happiness had descended upon her.
From then on, the two lived in perfect harmony, their love unwavering.
They are deeply in love and trust each other, hahaha.
What a terrible joke, yet she believed it for so many years.
Her beloved gave her a drug that would prevent her from having children as soon as they got married.
Because the daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank is not worthy of bearing imperial offspring.
But she became his best shield in public.
No one would doubt that the Second Prince, who seemed so gentle and loving towards his wife, actually harbored malicious intentions all along.
They are just waiting for the right opportunity to stir up trouble.
All it takes is the life of a minor official's daughter!
Qin Jinzhi just looked at her without saying anything.
A woman's love is great, and her hatred is just as mad.
The Second Prince's wife is very clever; she can connect all the clues with just one clue.
So men, never underestimate women.
Love can forge a golden body for you, but once love is gone, can you withstand the boundless hatred that follows?
Seeing that Qin Jinzhi seemed to be considering, the Second Prince's wife continued, "I know the Princess has some concerns, but I will offer my pledge of loyalty."
Qin Jinzhi finally smiled, "Alright, as long as you satisfy me, I will not only have Liu Yiyi treat you, but I can also help improve your father's official position."
The Second Prince's wife stood up. "Please wait for my good news, Princess."
A palace maid came to call the two to have their meal.
At the dinner table, the Second Prince's Consort had returned to her usual self, standing beside the Empress and the Emperor to serve the dishes.
After lunch, Qin Jinzhi left the palace.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Thousand Birds Bureau, several Chu envoys had been waiting for half a day.
As soon as they saw Qin Jinzhi, they surrounded her.
"Princess Jinzhi!"
These people had all personally witnessed how Qin Jinzhi threw the fourteenth prince off his horse and how she insulted the Chu prisoners after entering the city.
They were furious, and learned that this princess was actually the only grandson of Qin Ye, with whom they had fought for many years.
Raised under the patronage of the Great Jin Emperor since childhood, no wonder he is so arrogant.
Before they could even go to the palace to file a complaint, the Jin people actually delivered the heads of the Seventh Princess's guards to the post station.
This is a warning; if they dare to disobey, she will not show any mercy.
If it were someone else, they might have some reservations.
However, all the men of the Qin family died on the battlefield against the State of Chu.
Qin Jinzhi was probably worried about not being able to kill a few Chu people to vent her anger.
When the Fourteenth Prince heard that the Seventh Princess had been captured, he actually wanted to pay a ransom to get her released.
They smashed the post station to pieces!
They had no choice but to leave the fourteenth prince at the post station.
If a conflict were to break out, this princess would show no mercy!
“Princess Jinzhi, we have brought the ransom. May we take the Seventh Princess back with us?”
Qin Jinzhi accepted the 100,000 taels of silver from the Chu envoy.
She pointed to the stone lions at the entrance.
"Gentlemen, these stone lions are my most prized possessions. Your princess actually spat blood on them. Do you think 100,000 taels is enough?"
Another envoy quickly pulled out another 100,000 taels from his sleeve. "Princess, 100,000 taels for one more. Let's exchange both of them."
He had inquired and learned that this princess was most willing to engage in business where the price was inflated.
Fortunately, he was prepared.
Qin Jinzhi accepted it with great satisfaction, "You're really clever. If you can't make it in Chu in the future, remember to come to Jin and seek refuge with me."
The envoy was so angry he almost fainted, and then he dug a pit for him!
Qin Jinzhi said to the Thousand Bird Guards at the door, "The Seventh Princess of Chu has been brought out; they've come to ransom her."
A short while later, Huangfu Dai, clutching her chest, was carried out.
Huangfu Dai glared at Qin Jinzhi with resentment, "You just wait and see."
Qin Jinzhi glanced back at her, "Oh, no need to wait."
He then strode towards Chidori Tsukasa.
Huangfu Dai felt even more pain in her broken sternum from anger.
She must tear her to pieces!
Qin Jinzhi returned to her office, and Cui Ying walked over with a cheerful expression.
"Did you get anything out of them?"
Cui Ying shook her head. "This deputy envoy is extremely intelligent. How could I not get the answer?"
Qin Jinzhi looked up at her.
Cui Ying said mysteriously, "That idiot is actually a member of the Chu royal family!"
Qin Jinzhi immediately became interested.
"He is the son of the eldest princess of Chu and the nephew of the emperor of Chu. However, his biological father is unknown, so he took his mother's surname. His name is Huangfu Nanlin."
Qin Jinzhi burst out laughing. No wonder he could mobilize the hidden agents but wasn't their leader.
Huangfu Nanfeng wants her to be his tool.
No wonder he wrote the list so readily.
The eldest princess of Chu was a supporter of the eldest prince of Chu.
They are not on the same side as Huangfu Nanfeng.
She had never met Huangfu Nanlin, but as far as she knew, this eldest princess of Chu only had this one son.
Qin Jinzhi looked at Cui Ying with some surprise, "You found all of this out by asking?"
Cui Ying looked smug.
"Of course not, I felt something was wrong last night."
He looked like someone who had grown up in a pampered environment; his hands only had faint calluses, which were obviously recently formed.
I looked through the list of the Chu royal family and some important officials, as well as some historical records of Chu, and there was no one with the surname Nan at all.
So I tricked him a little, calling out "Huangfu Nanlin." He didn't answer, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
It wasn't a simple trick; she had someone find a bunch of rats, put them in a sack in front of Huangfu Nanlin, and then stuffed his feet inside.
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