Chapter 70 True Face
The emperor looked around and, noticing no one from the Pei family, frowned and asked, "Why didn't anyone from the Pei family come?"
Qin Ye looked displeased. "What are his family doing here? I don't want to see the Pei family."
The emperor clicked his tongue, "Your two families are related by marriage! Don't tell me you didn't invite the Pei family to your birthday celebration."
Qin Ye remained silent and just ate his food; he really hadn't been invited!
Qin Jinzhi said with a grin, "I had my servants send out invitations, but I angered Grand Tutor Pei so much a few days ago that he fainted. I wonder if he has recovered yet?"
The sixth prince's eyelid twitched. She actually dared to say something like "she made the old tutor faint from anger"!
If those censors find out about the impeachment memorials tomorrow, who knows how many more they'll submit!
The emperor said with a disapproving look, "Why didn't you keep him in the mansion to take care of him when he fainted? After all, if you and Pei Jinnian get married in the future, you will still have to call Grand Tutor Pei 'Grandfather'."
Qin Jinzhi shrugged. "I'm afraid he'll die in the Prince's mansion and the Pei family will try to extort money from me."
The Sixth Prince's pupils dilated in shock. Do you want to hear what you're saying?!
The emperor looked puzzled. "The Pei family has a century-old reputation; surely that's impossible!"
The sixth prince suddenly looked at the emperor.
Father, is this the important thing?! Shouldn't you check on the old tutor who fainted from anger first?
Just then, the gatekeeper called out, "Grand Tutor Pei has arrived!"
Qin Jinzhi raised her chin at the emperor, "Here they come."
Then Pei Qing and Pei Jinnian walked gracefully towards them.
Pei Qing was led to the head of the group. "This old minister greets Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and Your Highness!"
Upon seeing Pei Qing, the Emperor immediately said, "Grand Tutor Pei, please sit down. I just heard from Jinzhi that you have been unwell these past few days. I wonder how you are now?"
After taking his seat, Pei Qing said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It is normal for this old minister to be old and frail and not feeling well. Today is the birthday of the Prince of Zhenbei, and I have prepared a painting of a battle formation as a congratulatory gift. I hope Your Highness will not find it offensive."
Just as Qin Ye was about to turn his back on the table, he was kicked under the table. When he looked up, Qin Jinzhi said with a smile, "Grandfather, Grand Tutor Pei is talking to you."
After Pei Qing took his seat, only the seat next to Qin Jinzhi was empty.
Pei Jinnian had no choice but to sit down.
He watched helplessly as Qin Jinzhi kicked the Prince of Zhenbei under the table.
Qin Ye cleared his throat and said, "Thank you."
The emperor laughed heartily upon hearing this, "That's right! Once Jinzhi and Jinnian get married, you'll be in-laws, no need to be so formal!"
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Pei Jinnian couldn't help but wonder, "Does Qin Jinzhi really want to marry him?"
Today, his grandfather said he was going to attend the birthday banquet at the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, which left him completely bewildered.
He watched helplessly as Qin Jinzhi drove his grandfather to the point of fainting.
Her imposing presence was so overwhelming that even Pei Jinnian didn't dare to look her in the eye.
Pei Qing, however, acted as if nothing had happened and said to the emperor, "Speaking of marriage, since Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Prince are all here today, why don't we discuss the marriage between the Princess and Jin Nian? The eighth day of the third month is an auspicious day. I wonder what Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Prince think?"
The sixth prince looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Was Grand Tutor Pei so angry that he lost his mind?
I just made you so angry a few days ago, and today you're coming to discuss marriage.
Qin Ye wanted to overturn the table as soon as he heard about the marriage, but Qin Jinzhi kicked him under the table.
He simply stopped talking.
The emperor was in high spirits. “It’s an auspicious day, but three months is too soon! A year is too short to prepare. I’ll discuss it with the empress when I return to the palace, and then ask Grand Tutor Pei to discuss it further.”
Pei Qing remained calm, saying, "I will leave it entirely to Your Majesty and the Empress to decide."
The birthday banquet was very lively.
The event didn't end until evening.
After the emperor, empress, and princes left, everyone else also left one after another.
But someone was waiting for Qin Jinzhi.
Pei Jinnian stepped forward, looking somewhat reserved. "Grandfather has something he wants to say to the Princess. I wonder if the Princess has the time?"
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Of course, please invite Grand Tutor Pei to the study."
Pei Jinnian looked at Qin Jinzhi's smug expression, as if she had known from the beginning that her grandfather would be looking for her.
He was feeling very conflicted and didn't know how to face Qin Jinzhi.
When Grand Tutor Pei arrived at the study, he said to Pei Jinnian, "Jinnian, you may leave now."
Just as Pei Jinnian was about to leave the study, he heard Qin Jinzhi say:
“He has already passed the age of coming of age. Grand Tutor Pei has been protecting him in a castle in the air. Who will protect him after you are buried? Me? I don’t keep weaklings and cowards by my side.”
Qin Jinzhi's words were quite harsh.
In the past, Pei Qing would have definitely turned around and left.
But what happened a few days ago had already made him realize that Qin Jinzhi was a junior not to be underestimated.
No, it's not just that it shouldn't be underestimated, it's that it absolutely cannot be underestimated!
Pei Yunxiao's death is a wound in his heart that he can never heal.
It was precisely because of this guilt that he no longer had the courage to stay in the Eastern Palace.
The thought of the crown prince, whom he had personally crippled, brought to mind Pei Yunxiao's triumphant face.
The powerful clans were corrupt, and their henchmen were devouring the state of Jin!
I will purge these henchmen!
To ensure that people are no longer displaced!
May the State of Jin truly live in peace and prosperity!
Pei Yunxiao's bold words still seem to echo in my ears!
"Father! The excessive power of aristocratic families will one day become a source of disaster!"
"Father, must our family's honor be preserved only by stepping over mountains of corpses and seas of blood from the common people?!"
"This is not the world I want to see!"
It was just past the Lunar New Year, and it was snowing lightly.
Along with the sound of firecrackers came the wails of the Pei family.
Pei Qing could never reconcile the face of that soaking wet, frozen corpse with that of his most prized son.
Qin Jinzhi's words forced him to awaken his long-buried memories.
Pei Qing was silent for a moment, then said, "Jin Nian, you should stay. There are some things you need to face."
Because of Pei Yunxiao's death, Pei Qing became overprotective of Pei Jinnian.
That's why Pei Jinnian is as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.
Pei Qing looked at Qin Jinzhi, "Princess, I have a question. Is the marriage with the Pei family your idea or His Majesty's?"
Qin Jinzhi looked into Pei Qing's eyes, a smile spreading across them.
"This marriage is naturally my idea."
Pei Qing's expression was solemn. "I would like to ask the Princess, do you wish to support the Pei family or to eliminate them?"
At this moment, he could no longer treat Qin Jinzhi as an ordinary junior.
Those eyes held the pity of someone in a superior position.
Qin Jinzhi stared at Pei Qing for a moment, then laughed and casually clapped her hands.
"Grand Tutor Pei is indeed no ordinary man! Pei Yunxiao's extraordinary talent must have been inseparable from your guidance."
However, after just one conversation, Pei Qing learned about Qin Jinzhi's true intentions.
He truly deserves to be called the Imperial Tutor!
Pei Jinnian could hardly believe their conversation.
Support them, eliminate them!
Such solemn words were actually used to describe Qin Jinzhi!
She wanted to marry him, but it wasn't because she liked him after all!
Pei Jinnian even felt a little unsteady on his feet.
Is this her true face?
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