Chapter 384 Annulment Letter
The Imperial Study in the Imperial Palace.
Lu Yi knelt on the ground.
The emperor's face showed a hint of anger.
"Lord Lu, you should know the affection I have for the Lu family."
Now, the prince consort whom I personally betrothed has actually kept a mistress, trampling the dignity of a princess underfoot.
Back then, this marriage was discussed between you and me. If the Lu family was unwilling, they could have refused from the beginning.
Now, how will the world view me, and how will they view Congyun?
Lu Yi kowtowed to the ground.
"Your Majesty, this matter is a failure of my Lu family, and I am ashamed to have failed the Emperor's grace."
"It's all my fault for disciplining him; please punish me severely, Your Majesty."
The emperor looked at Lu Yi and said, "It is the father's fault if the son is not taught properly. Lu Zian is hereby suspended from his post and made to reflect on his actions at home."
Lu Yi quickly said, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."
Lu Zian was Lu Yi's third son and the father of the deceased imperial son-in-law.
Both of them looked worried.
Both of them knew that now was the time to restore royal dignity.
For the sake of the royal family's reputation, the Lu family will not be given important positions for the time being.
The road that Lu Yi had painstakingly paved for his descendants had been cut off.
The emperor's anger also stemmed largely from the fact that the court now needed some established aristocratic families as pillars of support.
The Lu family was chosen by him personally, yet it became a useless pawn because of a lustful descendant of the Lu family.
Lu Yi left the palace with a solemn expression.
After he got into the carriage, he said to the servant outside, "Call Pei Qing here."
The news that the Prince Consort of the Lu family had died on the bed in the outer chamber spread throughout the entire capital.
The Pei family naturally heard the news as well.
Upon hearing the news, Pei Qing also became serious.
The Lu family's route to the capital was cut off.
Therefore, Pei Qing was not surprised when Lu Yi sent someone to the Pei residence.
He arrived at the Lu residence by carriage, and the imperial edict accompanied him inside.
Lu Zian accepted the imperial edict with great gratitude.
Wait until the messenger leaves.
The Lu family was filled with sorrow.
His Majesty only ordered him to stay home and reflect on his actions, but did not specify the duration.
His political career is unlikely to be restarted.
Upon seeing Pei Qing enter, Lu Zian went to greet him, "Uncle."
Pei Qing patted his shoulder, "Where is your father?"
Lu Zian extended his hand, "Uncle, please come with me."
Pei Qing entered the Lu family study.
Lu Yi is writing something.
Pei Qing sat down to the side.
A moment later, Lu Yi got up and handed what he had written to Pei Qing.
Pei Qing frowned slightly when he saw what was in his hand. "A letter announcing the annulment of the engagement?"
Lu Yi said with a serious expression:
"The Xie family wanted to return to the capital, which is why they arranged a marriage with my Lu family. Now that this has happened, it is my Lu family's fault. We should not make enemies through marriage, and my Lu family cannot delay the Xie family."
You should personally go to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion again to invite the princess.
The Lu and Xie families were brought together by His Majesty and the Princess, and the Lu family should apologize to the Princess.
Having the princess as a witness to the annulment of the engagement between the Lu and Xie families would minimize the damage to their reputations.
"Send this letter of annulment to the Xie family, and I will personally visit them to apologize."
Pei Qing put the post aside. "Things haven't gotten that serious yet. His Majesty suspended Zi'an but didn't impose any substantial punishment, which means His Majesty still wants to continue using the Lu family."
Lu Yi stood with his hands behind his back, "It is precisely because we understand His Majesty's kindness that our Lu family must not give anyone cause for criticism, so as to preserve His Majesty's face and leave some good impression on His Majesty."
After hearing this, Pei Qing put the invitation away. "Don't rush into annulment. Let me go to the Prince's residence to see the Princess first before we discuss it further."
Lu Yi was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright."
When Pei Qing arrived with the annulment notice, Qin Jinzhi, Yun Que, and Yun Jin were squatting in the yard waiting for Xiao Saijin's roasted sweet potatoes.
Qin Jinzhi returned to Qianniao Division from the palace.
As soon as it was time for him to finish his shift, Xiao Saijin sent someone to pick him up.
Yun Jin's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, even though they're all the same sweet potatoes, why do yours taste so good?"
Xiao Saijin watched with a smile as he added firewood to the fire.
A maid announced from outside the door, "Princess, Grand Tutor Pei requests an audience."
Qin Jinzhi looked up and said, "Please invite Grand Tutor Pei in."
Xiao Saijin said with a stern face, "What is this old geezer doing here so late!"
Nowadays, everyone who comes to the Prince's mansion is here to discuss official business with Qin Jinzhi.
Qin Jinzhi clapped her hands, stood up, and looked at Yun Que, "Don't let Yun Jin eat my share too."
Yun Jin pouted. Why didn't the princess believe her?
Qin Jinzhi arrived at the main hall, where Pei Qing was already waiting.
Upon seeing Qin Jinzhi enter, he hurriedly rose to greet her.
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand, "Grand Tutor Pei, there's no need for such formalities."
Pei Qing performed a simple greeting and then sat down.
He took out the letter of annulment. "Princess, this was written by my elder brother today. The Lu family's incident has damaged the royal family's reputation. The Xie family's desire to make a comeback has nothing to do with the Lu family. My elder brother believes that this matter, which started with the Lu family, should also end with the Lu family. He would like to ask if the princess has any instructions. If not, he will personally go to apologize."
Looking at the words on the post, Qin Jinzhi thought, "This Old Lu does have some sense of responsibility."
His words were sincere and he did not shirk responsibility.
No wonder the Emperor chose the Lu family.
Qin Jinzhi closed the invitation. "There's no rush to break off the engagement. We can discuss it after the cause of death of the Lu family's son-in-law is determined."
Pei Qing was taken aback. "Does the princess mean that the Lu family's consort was murdered?"
Qin Jinzhi placed the invitation on the table. "It is true that he kept a mistress, and he was not innocent in his death. However, the news of his death spread too quickly in the capital. I have to find the person behind this. I have already sent a letter to the Xie family today."
Pei Qing nodded, "The princess is indeed very thoughtful."
Thinking of this, he got up.
"There is one more thing, Pei Qing needs to apologize to the princess."
Since Yunxiao's death, I have kept Jinnian by my side. Once bitten, twice shy, I have protected him like a blank sheet of paper.
But his loyalty to the princess is evident.
The servant had been by his side since childhood, which made him soften his heart for a moment.
"I beg Your Highness to punish this old man."
Qin Jinzhi took a sip of tea. "I'm glad that Grand Tutor Pei doesn't blame me for punishing him. Pei Jinnian has made progress, but it's not fast enough. Grand Tutor Pei should understand what I mean."
Pei Qing said, "I understand."
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand again, "Grand Tutor Pei, please sit. Has the Crown Prince contacted you privately recently?"
Pei Qing immediately replied, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has contacted me privately several times, all wanting me to return to the Eastern Palace to assist him."
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "You are the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Tutor. It's understandable that the Crown Prince wants you to assist him again. Why doesn't Grand Tutor Pei agree?"
Pei Qing looked at Qin Jinzhi and said, "A servant cannot serve two masters. The Pei family knows its place, and Pei Qing dares not forget how the Pei family got everything it has today."
Qin Jinzhi chuckled after hearing this, "I am very pleased with what you said, Grand Tutor Pei. In that case, I will tell you some good news. His Majesty will soon dissolve my engagement with Pei Jinnian. The Pei family should make preparations as soon as possible."
Pei Qing was taken aback. "Is there something about the Pei family that displeases the princess?"
Qin Jinzhi chuckled, "Does Grand Tutor Pei really want me to marry Pei Jinnian?"
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