The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1201 - 277: Making an Appointment for an Opportunity_2

Xiao Chonghua saw the determination in her eyes and knew she was resolved. He clasped his hands in a salute and gave Pei Qin a deep bow, "General Pei! Although I may be untalented, I am still moldable. The arranged marriage is too hasty, and I will persuade the Grand Empress Dowager to retract her decree, but please also give me a chance. Because... I too wish to marry someone of my own choosing, the one who delights my heart, regardless of background or appearance."

Pei Qin narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, "Brat! Are you saying I have neither background nor appearance?"

"No... General Pei, you misunderstand. I ask you for a chance; if there is no affection between your ward and me, then this marriage arrangement shall be considered void!" Xiao Chonghua still wanted to fight for it. Without a birth mother and being in this cutthroat palace, as well as being the Emperor’s favorite, he would have lost his life long ago had it not been for the Grand Empress Dowager. Such an opportunity would put her mind at ease.

Pei Qin’s gaze was piercing as it shot straight into his eyes.

Xiao Chonghua met her gaze calmly, a smile playing on his lips.

Pei Qin did not respond to him and casually folded her hands towards the Grand Empress Dowager, "This concubine still needs to take the two little ones to wish the Empress a happy new year, so I shall take my leave now." After speaking, she turned and left directly.

Jiujiu had been holding Xixi’s hand, standing at the entrance to the side hall. Hearing Pei Qin come to call them, they quickly came out with Xixi saying, "Mother!" They carefully observed her expression to see if she was angry or wronged.

Pei Qin responded expressionlessly.

Xiao Chonghua smiled and shook his head at the Grand Empress Dowager who looked ready to erupt, then went out to see off Pei Qin.

Seeing Xiao Chonghua follow them out, Pei Qin said to Jiujiu and Xixi, "This is your Uncle Yong’s uncle, call him Grand Uncle!"

Jiujiu’s eyes flickered quickly, and she greeted Xiao Chonghua with Jiujiu, "Happy New Year, Grand Uncle!"

Xiao Chonghua was stunned for a moment, his complexion changing several times. Suddenly, he felt that he should give them New Year’s money... Luckily, as an elder in the palace, he carried some with him, and took out two jade-carved gold ingots to give them both, "Just call me ’Brother’ will do."

"You’ve got the generations mixed up," Xixi kindly reminded her. Even if he looked younger than Uncle Yong, if her mother said he was Uncle Yong’s uncle, then he was an elder generation to them.

Xiao Chonghua’s face immediately flushed red.

Pei Qin scoffed coldly, "Farewell!" You dare elevate yourself to the status of a grandfather, see if you dare to make a move on the grandchild!

Jiujiu, holding Xixi’s hand, also hurriedly followed her away. The Royal Family’s radishes, apart from Uncle Yong, were all rotten radishes!

Xiao Chonghua watched the mother and daughters leave, caught in his tangled and gloomy thoughts.

Pei Qin no longer had the mood to pay a new year visit to the Empress, but since she had already said she would and was still within the inner palace, there was no running away; she took her two daughters to see the Empress.

However, the Empress was quite amiable. At first, she missed her son and had been jealous, feeling like her son had been stolen from her. But now that Xiao Guangjing had become the Emperor, and she had become the Empress, that thought had faded. If it hadn’t been for her son, they probably wouldn’t have suddenly used their military might to pull Xiao Guangzhao from the throne and help Xiao Guangjing ascend.

The Empress’s palace was very warm. As Pei Qin entered, she was arranged to sit not far from the stove, while Jiujiu and Xixi had all kinds of pastries and snacks laid out before them. A few Palace Maids oversaw the two Little Radishes eating. Meanwhile, she and Pei Qin talked about family matters over tea.

Pei Qin did not have much to say to the Empress. When asked about Pei Wendong marrying Xi Yun’s progress, she simply reported on it. When asked about her health, she replied she was taking medicine. When asked about the two Little Radishes, she said they were like children in any other family.

She was not one to be reserved; the Empress quickly realized the perfunctory tone beneath her respect and, thinking of the marriage proposal mentioned by the Grand Empress Dowager, her eyes flickered as she spoke plainly, "Prince Xi’an is father’s youngest son, and the Grand Empress Dowager is particularly fond of Prince Xi’an. We used to reside in our own territory, but these days, watching him, I find him to be a good child." She didn’t want Pei Qin to end up with another Royal Family son-in-law. She had no son, and the mastery of firearms manufacturing might have to be passed on to her son-in-law. But since the Grand Empress Dowager had already spoken to the Emperor about the matter and he had given her the decision to make, she could not intervene.

If Pei Qin could refuse the marriage proposal herself, that would be best. After all, with her and Mo Heng’s remarkable achievements, her personality would make it justifiable to go against the Royal Family. Then she could step in to mediate and find a suitable marriage for Prince Xi’an.

"The child is still too young; let’s wait until he grows up and knows better before we discuss major life matters!" Pei Qin smiled as she said.

Seeing her unrevealing attitude, the Empress thought of sending Xiao Yong to speak with her to find out her intentions.

Just as she thought of Xiao Yong, he arrived, "Mother!"