The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1200 - 277: A Promised Opportunity

Pei Qin was so angry that smoke seemed to be billowing from her head, her face dark as the bottom of a pot, "Does the Grand Empress Dowager think that I supported Prince Yongle’s rise to power just for fun?"

When Mo Heng raised an army in rebellion, everyone initially believed it was to use and discard Xiao Guangzhao, to trap and kill Pei Qin. But after Prince Yong’an, Xiao Guangjun, ascended the throne and Xiao Yong’s identity was revealed, people couldn’t help but speculate—since they had supported Prince Yong’an, Xiao Guangjun before, why did they let Xiao Guangzhao occupy the throne for half a year!?

Although the Grand Empress Dowager was advanced in years, she was far from senile. Pei Qin would never have forcibly supported Xiao Guangzhao’s claim to the throne if he hadn’t taken her daughter hostage. Now that she could no longer bear children, she treasured her daughter as her life itself and, by extension, would go to great lengths to protect her son-in-law. That’s why she had entrusted Prince Xi’an to her and Mo Heng.

Since Xiao Yong was raised by her, once he took the throne in the future, she could prevent anyone from inciting Prince Xi’an to seize power and ensure that both parties remained unharmed. While Xiao Guangjun was in power, he wouldn’t harbor murderous intentions toward Prince Xi’an due to the close relationship between him and her.

Knowing this, the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to arrange a marriage, entrusting Prince Xi’an to her.

"I have lived for so long, seen and heard so much in this world, and experienced too much. All I want is peace and prosperity!"

"Heh, I too wish for world peace!" Pei Qin sneered sardonically, "You old hag! Threaten me and try to play both hard and soft tactics? I, Pei Qin, have never given into such manipulations!"

An aged maid knelt suddenly, her eyes reddening as she said, "General Pei! The Grand Empress Dowager only wishes to ensure Prince Xi’an’s safety, not truly to coerce you into marrying off your daughter. If she had really wanted to coerce the General, she wouldn’t have asked beforehand and would have directly decreed the marriage! You’ve had little contact with Prince Xi’an, General, but once you meet him, you will like the child too!"

"Heh... heh..." You all think I like raising other people’s children, don’t you?" As Pei Qin spoke, the smoke above her head turned into blazing flames.

"General Pei..." The old maid saw her anger flare and wanted to continue.

"Shut up!" Pei Qin shouted furiously.

The old maid, frightened, clammed up.

Pei Qin looked at them coldly, "If the Grand Empress Dowager wants to protect Prince Xi’an, she just has to ask, there is no need to offer my daughter in return!"

"Just meet with the child!" Seeing her stubborn defiance, the Grand Empress Dowager prepared to take a circuitous approach.

Outside, Prince Xi’an requested an audience.

Hearing footsteps, Pei Qin folded her arms and watched coldly; all pretenses of respect had vanished.

Xiao Chonghua entered the grand hall, first paying his respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, and once he was called to rise, he then greeted Pei Qin with New Year’s salutations, "General Pei! I apologize for the trouble my great-grandmother’s decree has caused you."

Pei Qin huffed disdainfully, "Nonsense! If Prince Xi’an were really capable, he wouldn’t be able to keep his life in this peaceful world unless he wished death upon himself, seeking his own ruin!" If he didn’t revolt, Xiao Yong was supremely confident and authoritarian, and wouldn’t bother with a prince who posed no significant threat. As for Xiao Guangjun, he wasn’t that foolish.

Despite knowing her language was always blunt and venomous, the Grand Empress Dowager still frowned slightly at her straightforwardness. Were these really the children she had raised?

Prince Xi’an was taken aback; raised in the royal family, he had seen countless hypocrites. He had heard his father mention Pei Qin many times, saying that if he grew up, he would be handed over to her care, but fate had intended for him to live carefree as a prince, so he was never brought to meet her.

He had always been curious about this legendary deity general and had snuck out to see her, only to be scolded by his father. He understood, his father was protecting him. Pei Qin held great merit and power, and as his father’s beloved prince, he was not to approach her.

But now, he needed to seek her protection.

"Pei Qin!" The Grand Empress Dowager was also furious with rage. Although Prince Xi’an was still young and his future unclear, as long as he was allowed to grow up, he would surely become a wise prince to support the emperor!

Xiao Chonghua supported her arm, "Great-grandmother!" trying to calm her. He knew the Grand Empress Dowager was old and wanted to arrange his future before she passed away, but pressuring Pei Qin too much would be no good for him either. Furthermore, his brother, Pei Wendong, was to marry Xi Yun, and they had already aligned with the eldest brother of the king through marriage. If he pressed the issue of the marriage decree, things could turn problematic...

Although the Grand Empress Dowager wasn’t confused about this, she believed it was the very last and most important thing she had to accomplish before her death, and she was determined to see it through. She had already spoken to Pei Qin about it, and whether Pei Qin agreed or not, she was going to issue the imperial marriage decree!