Chapter 15 The Wedding is on the Agenda
That evening, Feiyan helped Qin Jinzhi bathe.
As soon as Qin Jinzhi's clothes were taken off, Feiyan covered her mouth in horror!
His back, shoulders, arms, and legs were almost all covered in scars.
Feiyan immediately burst into tears.
"Princess! How dare they treat you like this! I'm going to the Empress to seek justice for you!"
Qin Jinzhi didn't seem to care and stepped into the bathtub.
"You're making a big fuss over a minor injury? Your grandmother is old, so don't talk to her about your troubles."
Feiyan said with heartache, "Princess! You are of noble birth, how can this be a minor injury! These old bastards actually dared to attack you!"
Baique Temple was originally built as a place of quiet meditation for the female members of each family who would be accompanied by the dim light of a lamp.
The temple is built on a steep cliff, and only those with the abbot's warrant can descend the mountain.
The conditions there were harsh, and gradually it became a place of exile for female relatives of criminals.
Without the master's permission, women who commit offenses will remain at the White Sparrow Temple until they die of old age.
Each abbot of Baique Temple is selected by the previous abbot.
The candidates were chosen from among these women.
These women endured half their lives of torment, some succumbing to their fate and dying young, while those who remained were psychologically twisted.
Some people with certain rights will then take advantage of the next batch of people who come in and exploit them even more.
The cycle repeats itself.
However, those filthy women were no match for her.
Seeing Qin Jinzhi's calm expression, Feiyan became even more indignant.
"The Cui family's young lady isn't dead, so why should the princess suffer so much! It would be better to just kill her; that way, we could at least vent our anger!"
Qin Jinzhi found it somewhat amusing; Feiyan had practically grown up with her since childhood.
Obey her unconditionally and carry out her orders unconditionally.
She was just as ruthless, but her憨态 (simple and honest appearance) made everyone forget her aggressive nature.
After soaking for about half an hour, Qin Jinzhi got out of the bathtub.
After changing into her nightgown, Qin Jinzhi took out a porcelain bottle, poured out a red pill, and put it in her mouth to suppress the faint taste of blood rising in her throat.
They then went to the Empress's palace.
"Grandmother, I've arrived."
The Empress had already finished washing and dressing, and was leaning against the bed reading a book.
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow. After three years, her grandmother's hobbies have become so refined?
She looked again and saw the cold-blooded wanderer's beloved.
Sure enough, it was a storybook.
When the Empress saw Qin Jinzhi arrive, she threw the storybook aside and said, "Come up here quickly."
Qin Jinzhi climbed onto the bed and lay down close to the Empress, just like when she was a child.
Just like when she was a child, the Queen patted her while humming a little tune.
Looking up at the rising sun, I pray for peace and health.
The young child basks in the warm sun.
Cypress leaves are green, and the body is robust.
May you have peace and safety and be free from illness and injury year after year.
Playing in the courtyard, laughter echoed for a long time.
A gentle breeze accompanies me.
Fruits and vegetables taste delicious.
A balanced diet promotes good health.
Stargazing at night, entering a sweet dreamland.
Sweet dreams last a long time.
May your home be peaceful and your roads smooth.
May the years be long and free from disasters and hardships.
Traveling in all directions, filled with blessings,
They will grow into pillars of society and bring glory to their families and nation.
Qin Jinzhi hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time, and she slept soundly to the Empress's melodious tune.
But the Pei family's house was always brightly lit at night!
"What! You said Jin Nian was beaten dozens of times! And was detained in the palace while the Pei family had to use a Fire Spirit Mushroom to ransom her!"
Pei Hong never expected that he would still have to stand here and be scolded even though he was middle-aged.
"Who would have thought that Princess Jinzhi would be so audacious and reckless?"
Pei Qing looked incredulous. "So you agreed! Leaving Jin Nian alone in the palace! A junior has managed to manipulate you completely! You're really something!"
Pei Hong quickly said, "How could I possibly agree? But since His Majesty and the Empress are both backing Qin Jinzhi, I rushed home to ask my father for advice."
Pei Qing looked at him with disappointment. He had doted on his youngest son since he was a child, but who knew that not only did he not inherit any of his talents, but he also took his grandson to the palace and died there!
Pei Jinnian is the successor he has chosen as the next head of the family!
Pei Hong knew that the Fire Spirit Mushroom was a family treasure, and said, "Father, why not find another spirit mushroom to replace it? The Fire Spirit Mushroom is a treasure, and I doubt Qin Jinzhi has ever seen one before."
Pei Qing had no idea how she had raised such a son. "Do you think Qin Jinzhi is some destitute nobody from some backwater? What good things hasn't the Emperor and Empress seen growing up under their care?"
Pei Hong, however, was somewhat dismissive, saying, "Our Emperor and Empress are both of humble origins."
Pei Qing's face darkened. "Shut up! Don't let me hear you say such things again!"
Pei Hong shut his mouth, then asked, "Are you really going to give the Fire Spirit Mushroom to that bastard?!"
Pei Qing glared at him, "Are we just going to let Jin Nian be detained in the palace? What will outsiders think of my Pei family! No matter how precious the Fire Spirit Mushroom is, it's just an inanimate object. How can it compare to the next head of my Pei family!"
Pei Hong awkwardly touched his nose.
Pei Qing wasn't worried about Pei Jinnian's life.
Even if the emperor favored Qin Jinzhi, he wouldn't allow her to truly harm Jin Nian's life.
After all, Pei Jinnian is backed by a prestigious family.
However, Qin Jinzhi is too unruly and capricious. If she does something excessive, the marriage alliance with the Cui family may be in trouble.
Thinking of this, he said, "Tomorrow morning, take the Fire Spirit Mushroom to the palace and bring Jin Nian back."
Pei Hong replied, "Yes, Father."
Pei Qing thought for a moment and then said, "Go and send a message to the Prime Minister's residence to see how Miss Cui's health is and whether the marriage can be put on the agenda soon."
Pei Hong frowned. "But Jin Nian is injured, and Miss Cui's health hasn't fully recovered yet. Isn't this too hasty?"
Pei Qing said coldly, "Do you think this marriage is just a matter between the two younger generations? This is a matter between the entire Pei family and the Cui family. Once the marriage is finalized, the Pei family and the Cui family will be completely united."
Even after dynastic changes, powerful families could still maintain their independence and control over their respective territories.
Their century-old heritage has endowed them with immense wealth, and has also nurtured many exceptionally talented individuals.
Most royal families rely on powerful clans to govern the country.
Apart from the pioneers who followed His Majesty in the past, almost all the important official positions in the court were occupied by aristocratic families and prominent clans.
This also gave the aristocratic families power comparable to that of the royal family.
However, in recent years, the relationship between aristocratic families and His Majesty has gradually become more delicate.
His Majesty began to gradually appoint officials from humble backgrounds.
This made him sense something unusual.
As the head of the family, Pei Qing's profound foresight was beyond the comprehension of someone like Pei Hong.
The marriage agreement with the Cui family was finalized after discussions between him and the head of the Cui clan.
If Qin Jinzhi hadn't been so audacious as to throw Cui Ying into the water three years ago, nearly drowning her, the alliance between the Pei and Cui families would have been successfully concluded three years prior.
He had a premonition that soon, a great upheaval would occur in the imperial court!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com