Qin Jinzhi's arrogant and unruly nature was greatly influenced by three people.
One was her biological grandfather, Qin Ye, Old Master Qin.
The stars in the sky, the moon in the water—as long as Qin Jinzhi asked, there was nothing he wouldn't give her.
The second was the current Empress, the Empress.
She was held in their palms for fear of falling, and kept in their mouths for fear of melting.
When Qin Jinzhi was little, even every bite of food she ate was personally fed to her by the Empress.
The third was His Majesty.
If you asked why Qin Jinzhi could be so lawless, it was because His Majesty was backing her up.
When ministers came knocking, His Majesty would simply bestow gifts to silence them.
It was not easy for Qin Jinzhi to commit such a grave mistake and finally be driven out of the capital.
Only three years passed, and these people brought her back again!
What Zhenbei Wang exchanged with his merits was just to shut Prime Minister Cui's mouth!
When Qin Jinzhi opened her eyes, she saw Qin Ye looking at her with a benevolent expression.
“Grandfather?”
Upon hearing this, Qin Ye's eyes immediately welled up with tears, “Good grandchild, have you missed Grandfather!”
“Grandfather!”
Qin Jinzhi immediately leaped off the palanquin and rushed into Qin Ye's embrace.
Qin Ye almost shed tears on the spot.
The last time Qin Ye returned to the capital was five years ago.
The Emperor cleared his throat, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
“It's good that you're back, Zhenbei Wang. You and Jin Zhi haven't seen each other for many years; now it can be considered a reunion of grandfather and grandchild.”
He said, giving Qin Jinzhi a somewhat resentful look.
She saw her biological grandfather and forgot about him, her Grandfather Emperor!
He raised her for nothing!
Hearing His Majesty's voice, Qin Jinzhi released Qin Ye and walked over to His Majesty's side.
“Grandfather Emperor, Jin Zhi is back. For the past three years, Jin Zhi has missed Grandfather Emperor very much. I wonder how Grandfather Emperor and Imperial Grandmother are doing, and if you have been eating well.”
She was so well-behaved it was unlike her usual self!
This was not her usual mischievous demeanor.
His Majesty's face unconsciously showed a gratified expression.
Look!
My good grandchild, my thoughtful little cotton jacket!
As soon as she returned, she asked if I had eaten well. Who could be as thoughtful as this little cotton jacket!
Unlike you old fellows, who constantly find ways to annoy me.
But he still deliberately put on a stern face and said, “I thought you had long forgotten about me, your Grandfather Emperor, after seeing your biological grandfather.”
Qin Jinzhi said with a giggle, “Jin Zhi misses Grandfather Emperor and Imperial Grandmother every single day.”
With just two sentences, His Majesty was coaxed into a joyful smile.
His peripheral vision caught Prime Minister Cui's face, which had turned so gloomy it looked like it might drip water, and he quickly reined in his smile.
“Do you know your mistakes after these three years?!”
Qin Jinzhi immediately said obediently, “Jin Zhi knows her mistakes. For the past three years, I have constantly reflected. Jin Zhi truly deserves ten thousand deaths for causing Grandfather Emperor to worry. Therefore, I prayed for Grandfather Emperor daily at White Sparrow Temple, wishing you health and Wuyou. Even if Jin Zhi had to stay at White Sparrow Temple for a lifetime, Jin Zhi would have no complaints.”
No wonder His Majesty doted on this Little Princess so much; she was so sweet-tongued.
Her attitude of admitting fault was frighteningly proper.
Qin Ye had always guarded the frontier and returned to the capital only a handful of times; Qin Jinzhi had grown up under His Majesty's knees during these years.
Royal family ties were thin, and having stood at the pinnacle for so long, how could one not long for the purest of emotions?
All his warmth was given to this little imp he had raised under his knees.
Therefore, Qin Jinzhi's unruly nature was not only due to Qin Ye's excessive indulgence, but His Majesty also contributed significantly.
Ministers even suspected that if Qin Jinzhi hadn't been caught in the act of committing the crime three years ago, His Majesty would have downplayed it and let it go.
Upon hearing this, His Majesty's face showed a satisfied expression, “To know one's mistakes and be able to correct them is the greatest good. Since you already know your mistakes, and you have been punished, after you return, properly show filial piety to Zhenbei Wang. For many years, Zhenbei Wang has guarded the frontiers for our Great Jin, performing meritorious deeds. You two, grandfather and grandchild, have been separated more than you've been together; let Zhenbei Wang also properly enjoy the joys of family life.”
He then glanced at Prime Minister Cui, “After you return, prepare a generous gift and apologize properly to Miss Cui. She will surely forgive you. Prime Minister Cui's daughter is renowned for her virtue, unlike you, a good-for-nothing scoundrel!”
Prime Minister Cui snorted in his heart, *Your Majesty, do you take me for a human being?! Your favoritism has gone too far!*
Did he really think I was a fool, unable to understand that those words were meant for me?
These thoughts, of course, could not be spoken in front of the Emperor, but he also couldn't put on a good face.
Qin Jinzhi showed a smile that could even be described as sweet, “Understood, Grandfather Emperor. I will definitely prepare a generous gift and personally visit to apologize to Miss Cui.”
After speaking, her gaze turned towards Prime Minister Cui, filled with playfulness, provocation, and nonchalance, but no sign of remorse.
“Prime Minister Cui, what do you think?”
Prime Minister Cui's face was gloomy, but since His Majesty had spoken, he could say no more, “Everything is at His Majesty's discretion.”
His daughter had almost lost her life back then, and His Majesty had so lightly let Qin Jinzhi off the hook.
It seemed His Majesty was truly getting old and beginning to become muddled.
The Emperor, however, was very satisfied, “That will be all for today; we will discuss it tomorrow. Zhenbei Wang, stay. Everyone else may withdraw.”
“Your subjects respectfully withdraw.”
Prime Minister Cui was the first to flick his sleeves and leave.
After everyone left, Qin Jinzhi stretched and stood up.
Qin Ye rolled his eyes and walked over to the Emperor, snorting, “You said you treated my good grandchild as your own grandchild! Is White Sparrow Temple a place my good grandchild can stay! Look at my good grandchild, how thin she's become!”
The Emperor immediately glared, “You old rascal are truly heartless! I treat Jin Zhi like my own heart, many times better than you old rascal!”
Qin Ye scoffed, “If the frontier wasn't so harsh, do you think I'd be eager to entrust Jin Zhi to you? I would have kept Jin Zhi by my side long ago.”
The Emperor immediately stood up, “Hey, you old rascal, are you looking for a fight?!”
“Oh, stop bickering. You're both so old, why are you still so temperamental?”
Qin Jinzhi poured a cup of tea for each of the two most powerful old men in Jin.
The Emperor grew even angrier upon hearing this, slapping Qin Jinzhi on the head, “How dare you, you rascal, say that! You carelessly threw someone's daughter into the lake, and you don't even know to do bad things in secret. Do you care about your reputation or not?”
Qin Jinzhi chuckled, “Grandfather Emperor, that's called being open and aboveboard. Besides, I don't have a reputation anyway.”
Upon hearing this, His Majesty immediately wished he could give her a good beating!
Qin Ye snorted, “Why are you hitting my good grandchild? Do you really think she's from your family?!”
His Majesty said with a look of course, “Of course! Jin Zhi was raised by me with great hardship. Jin Zhi can still call you Grandfather, so you should be secretly happy.”
Qin Ye said with a look of disdain, “Stop taking credit! If anyone worked hard, it was the Empress. Jin Zhi, come, let's go home with Grandfather!”
His Majesty immediately said, “No, that won't do. That old woman is already waiting. If you take her home, what will my old woman do?!”
Qin Jinzhi quickly interrupted the two; if they argued any longer, they'd start fighting.
Qin Jinzhi walked behind Qin Ye and massaged his shoulders, “Grandfather, today I'll accompany Imperial Grandmother first. Tomorrow, I'll return to the manor and keep you good company!”
Qin Ye squinted at the Emperor, “Really?”
The Emperor huffed angrily, “Am I going to detain this rascal and not let her go home?”
Qin Ye pouted, “Who knows?!”
The Emperor scoffed, “You old rascal are truly petty. Once you leave, Jin Zhi will have plenty of time to accompany me, this old man. Who cares to argue with you?”
Qin Jinzhi gave a thumbs-up, “Grandfather Emperor is broad-minded!”
Qin Ye immediately asked, “What about me?!”
Qin Jinzhi immediately turned her head, “You are magnanimous!”
“That's more like it.”
The Emperor said with a smile, “Alright, this mischievous monkey is good at coaxing people. Your grandfather and I still have things to discuss. Hurry to your Imperial Grandmother's place; if you're late, she'll come over and scold us again.”
Qin Jinzhi replied with a giggle, “Then Jin Zhi will take her leave first.”
With that, she walked towards Jiaofang Palace.
Just as she turned a corner in a corridor, she heard her name.
She heard a sweet voice say, “Brother Pei, Qin Jinzhi is back. What if she asks Father Emperor to bestow a marriage upon you two? You know, Father Emperor always grants her wishes. What if Father Emperor really agrees?!”
Another chattering voice immediately followed, “Back then, it was because Sister Cui had an engagement with you that she actually threw Sister Cui into the lake. Sister Cui almost lost her life, causing her to be bedridden to this day and unable to see anyone!”
The air was silent for a few seconds, then a gentle, jade-like voice came, “I will not marry a woman with a heart like a snake.”