Chapter 433 - 427 - _1
"This palace knows all of these things; however, I cannot let that peasant woman off the hook. The Zhang Family was not easily won over by my royal brother and, though they are now in decline and pale in comparison to the Jiang Family, they are still of significant use to my brother. This is their first request since their allegiance, and it’s merely for me to get rid of a minor peasant woman. If I can’t fulfill such a small matter, how could they be expected to serve my brother with unswerving loyalty? Therefore, this matter must be accomplished, even if the peasant woman has the protection of the Third Princess, it will not stop me."
The Fourth Princess massaged her temples and said, if not for the Zhang Family needing a favor, she, a princess of Dazhou Country, would not have lowered herself to trouble a peasant woman. It was only in such dire circumstances that a family as small as Zhang could compel her to act. Once her royal brother’s plans come to fruition, she swore she’d thoroughly vent the resentment festering in her heart.
In the main hall of the Zhang Family estate, the Zhang Family Head and several senior uncles with authority all looked sternly at Zhang Peilan, expecting her to explain such an unwise action: using the family’s name to request a princess to dispose of a simple peasant woman.
"Peilan, you are a legitimate daughter of our Zhang Family. We have high hopes for you, which is why you were granted such power. It was meant for you to leverage your position to strengthen relationships within and beyond the palace, to expand our network, not to pursue personal vendettas. Look at what you’ve done; out of personal spite against that peasant woman, you’ve involved the Fourth Princess. Do you understand the loss this means for our Zhang Family? Such a favor wasted on something so frivolous has truly disappointed us."
"That’s right, Peilan, you acted too impulsively. If that peasant woman offended you and you can’t handle it yourself, you could have sought help from us, your uncles. Who wouldn’t stand up for you and set things right? But instead, you went over our heads and pulled strings within the palace, and even involved the Fourth Princess! I used to think you were sensible. It seems I’ve overestimated you. In the end, you’re just a shortsighted girl who hasn’t lived up to our expectations."
Everyone shared a common sentiment towards Zhang Peilan’s decision to contact the princess without the family’s consent—a unanimous frustration and disapproval. Their every word was a rebuke, leaving no room for Zhang Peilan to argue, and there were even calls to strip her of the powers she currently wielded.
Zhang Peilan had anticipated this scene from the moment she sent the message to the palace and was naturally prepared. She stood silently, not displaying panic as her relatives scolded her, waiting for them to exhaust their anger before she started to give her prepared explanation.
"Elders, Grandfather, Great Uncles, Uncles, Peilan knows that what she did was impulsive, and she should not have taken such action without your consent. However, my actions were not driven by personal grudge. You may not fully understand the identity of that peasant woman—her ties with the Jiang Family are extraordinary. Even the Jiang Family Head, Jiang Ziqi, favors her and has used the Ministry of Household’s influence to help her purchase a large residence. Do you know who previously lived in the house that the peasant woman now occupies?" Zhang Peilan said, scanning the room with her gaze, about to reveal a significant piece of information.