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.