Chapter 252 Muddy Waters
Pei Qing's wife, Fangming Lu Fengxi, was Lu Yi's younger sister.
She was so popular that even the once-unrivaled Grand Tutor Pei personally sought her hand in marriage.
One can imagine how outstanding they are.
After marrying Pei Qingcheng, she managed the household affairs and raised their children.
She maintained good relations with the lady in the capital and was meticulous in protecting Pei Qing's relationships.
Pei Yunxiao's extraordinary talent is also inseparable from Madam Lu's guidance.
However, after Pei Yunxiao's death, Pei Qing withdrew from the court.
Madam Lu also stopped showing up in the capital.
Compared to Pei Yunxiao, Pei Hong was somewhat dull-witted, so Madam Lu chose a gentle and considerate wife for Pei Hong from a collateral branch of the Lu family.
The Pei family never took concubines, so Pei Hong's wife only needed to manage the household affairs and take good care of Pei Hong and his son.
If Pei Hong were to marry a wife who was too intelligent...
Pei Hong's mind is likely to be in grave danger.
It would have been impossible for Lu Yin to agree to the marriage alliance with the Xie family without the advice of Madam Lu.
However, the Lu siblings were both somewhat shocked after Qin Jinzhi spoke.
Madam Lu had a very refined appearance as she picked up the wine glass in front of her.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Princess."
Lu Yi smiled and looked at the two of them.
Qin Jinzhi is only 29 years old now.
Such a perspective is truly rare.
No wonder he has the appearance of an emperor.
The meal was enjoyed by both the host and guests.
When Qin Jinzhi left the Pei residence, Pei Jinnian was carrying a cloak.
“Princess, it’s windy tonight. This is a cloak my mother made by hand. I hope you won’t find it offensive.”
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Thank you for your mother's kindness, but I don't need a cloak."
Pei Jinnian followed Qin Jinzhi's gaze and looked outside the mansion.
Yun Que, Yun Ge, and Yun Shan each held a cloak and stood outside the mansion.
He quickly walked over as soon as he saw Qin Jinzhi.
Yun Que walked the fastest and draped the cloak in her hand over Qin Jinzhi.
Yun Ge explained to Pei Jinnian, "Pei Shaoqing, please don't be offended. The princess is delicate, and the fabric of her upper body is specially made. Thank you for your kindness."
Pei Jinnian was not surprised. "It was Jinnian who was abrupt."
Qin Jinzhi looked up at the moon, which was half-hidden by clouds.
"They're gone."
Everyone at the banquet got what they wanted.
The atmosphere in the Pei residence also became joyful.
But the other side is a different story.
Prime Minister Cui slammed the teacup in his hand to the ground.
"That old scoundrel Lu Yi actually dared to play me!"
Cui Hao was also very angry. "Has Lu Yi lost his mind? He actually sided with Qin Jinzhi!"
Prime Minister Cui's face darkened. "I underestimated that Lady Lu."
He knew about the marriage alliances between prominent families, including the Pei and Lu families.
Now that the Zheng and Chen families have fallen from power, the Lu family wants to gain a foothold in the capital.
A marriage alliance with the Cui family would be the best option.
After all, the Cui family's reputation as the foremost clan in the capital was well-deserved.
With the help of the Cui family, the Lu family was able to gain a foothold in the capital.
The Pei family had already declined.
Even if they are related by marriage, it's all worthless in the face of power, status, and a greater family glory.
He never expected that the Lu family would abandon the Cui family and side with the Pei family.
Pei Qing really did become Qin Jinzhi's loyal dog.
Although Lu Yi had not attended court for many years.
But under his strategic planning, the Lu family steadily and gradually rose in status.
It operated rapidly after the downfall of the Zheng and Chen families.
This is also why he wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Lu family.
He now knew what Qin Jinzhi was planning.
Aside from their personal grudges against Qin Jinzhi.
The five powerful families in the capital controlled the government.
Your Majesty's use of people from humble backgrounds has had little effect.
Qin Jinzhi intends to support a new aristocratic family to counter the aristocratic families in the capital.
Once both sides are severely weakened, His Majesty and Qin Jinzhi's plan can be implemented smoothly.
His Majesty has truly raised a fine sword.
It was originally intended to prevent the Cui family from getting involved in royal power struggles.
No relatives of the Cui family entered the palace.
But now the reckoning has fallen on the Cui family.
Since Qin Jinzhi has already muddied the waters in the capital, he doesn't mind if the waters become even muddier.
Cui Hao looked furious. "Father, what should we do now?"
Prime Minister Cui's expression returned to normal. "Grind the ink for your father."
Prime Minister Cui wrote five letters at once.
"Send all these letters out."
Cui Hao said in disbelief, "Father, our Cui family has always maintained neutrality. Are you going to get involved in political affairs?"
Prime Minister Cui's eyes were cold. "Since Qin Jinzhi wants to incite the aristocratic families to fight each other, then I will drag His Majesty's sons into this battle."
Cui Hao frowned deeply. "You want His Majesty to stop Qin Jinzhi?"
Prime Minister Cui snorted coldly, "Tell me, if the knife and the person wielding it have opposite intentions, does the person wielding the knife subdue it, or does the knife injure the person wielding it?"
Cui Hao was silent for a moment, "But His Majesty's attitude towards the Second Prince's death is unclear."
Prime Minister Cui put his hands behind his back and said, "If one son isn't enough, then two; if two aren't enough, then ten. As long as the stakes are high enough, nothing is unshakeable."
Upon hearing this, Cui Hao immediately said, "I'll take care of it right away."
"etc."
Cui Hao stopped when he heard Prime Minister Cui's voice. "Father, is there anything else you need?"
Prime Minister Cui sighed, "Bring your mother back later."
Cui Hao nodded.
After drinking Liu Yiyi's medicine, Madam Li in the Thousand Birds Bureau received several acupuncture treatments from Liu Yiyi, and her condition improved considerably.
Lady Li's maid was also brought to the Thousand Birds Bureau by Cui Ying.
After Madam Cui recovered, the first thing she did was to have her maids decorate Cui Ying's room.
"This bed is too hard, the quilt material is too rough, and there isn't even a decent tea set in this room. Take this list and go get a new one for the young lady."
When Cui Ying returned to her residence after her shift, the room had completely changed.
As soon as Madam Cui saw Cui Ying return, she said, "Look, this is what your mother has prepared for you. The bright and colorful brocades don't quite suit your current status as a deputy envoy. I specially chose some more subdued fabrics for you."
Cui Ying quickly said, "Mother, I'm used to it, there's no need to waste money."
Unexpectedly, Madam Li said, "This is all my own money. Not a single penny of the Cui family's money was spent. What's wrong with spending money on my own daughter?"
She knew her daughter well, and she wouldn't let her daughter worry about such trivial matters.
Cui Ying smiled and asked, "Is Mother feeling better? How are you feeling?"
Madam Li sighed, "I've never seen a female doctor in all these years. This Physician Liu is truly a miracle worker. I'm almost cured after just a few doses of medicine."
Seeing that Madam Li's condition had improved, Cui Ying took Madam Li's hand.
"Mother, you must never do anything foolish again."
After hearing this, Madam Li smiled gently and said, "It was my fault. I will never do such a thing again."
She was filled with remorse during her recovery, if only she had died.
Can Ah Ying, burdened by her own life, truly walk the path she wants to take?
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Cui Ying opened the door, and a guard on duty, known as the Thousand Bird Guard, said, "Vice Envoy, Governor Cui requests an audience."
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