“File an imperial petition? You want to petition against the Northern Ji old ministers?” Third Master was so shocked that his mind couldn’t turn around properly. He said urgently in a low voice, “This won’t work. They never showed themselves from beginning to end, and when their subordinates acted, they all wore common clothes and masks, revealing no flaws whatsoever. We have no evidence – we’re only going by analysis. How can we win such a case?”

Second Master smiled as he stroked his beard and shook his head. “Third Brother, you’re confused. Since you know we have no evidence, how could Yining sue them?”

Third Master wasn’t stupid – he had just been too shocked earlier. After thinking briefly, he understood and looked worriedly at Qin Yining.

“Yining, Third Uncle understands what you want to do. But this will damage your reputation…”

“Third Uncle, I’ve experienced many ups and downs since returning home. Speaking of reputation, it was already ruined when I followed Father to the peace negotiations. Moreover, with all those actions by Prince Zhongshun and Prince Yan, who knows how people outside are gossiping about me.”

Qin Yining smiled bitterly. “My reputation is already like this – I don’t care whether it’s ruined further. As long as our family can extract itself from these muddy waters, sacrificing me alone is nothing. The Great Zhou court is full of treacherous undercurrents and complex situations. Our family has neither foundation nor backing in Great Zhou. We can barely protect the clan, let alone have energy to participate in factional disputes.”

Simply presenting facts and reasoning to make others act according to one’s wishes often backfires.

The most efficient way to negotiate is to let the other party understand how much they can profit from what they need to do.

Being able to use tangible, obtainable benefits to guide them down the path you want is the best choice.

Sure enough, Second Master and Third Master looked at Qin Yining with deeply moved expressions.

Having Qin Yining enter the palace was for the family. Now, understanding the true situation and having her decline was also for the family.

In the end, she was the one being wronged.

“Yining, if we really do this, your future marriage prospects might be affected.” Second Master was an upright person, and since Qin Yining was his junior, he frankly told her the drawbacks of her plan.

Qin Yining smiled gratefully. “Second Uncle, I understand your concern, but when the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact? Only when the Qin family is well can I truly live well. Moreover, when Second Uncle and Third Uncle achieve success in the future, would you really let your niece remain unmarried?”

Second Master was infected by her slightly mischievous smile and couldn’t help but smile warmly. He sighed and made a promise: “Rest assured, Second Uncle knows in his heart how much you’ve done for the Qin family. This time, for the family’s safety, you’re willing to sacrifice your bright prospects, refuse to enter the palace, and tarnish your reputation. I remember your intentions. From now on, your matters are Second Uncle’s matters.”

“Right. Your Third Uncle has no other abilities, but I do have some skill in business. As long as Third Uncle has food to eat, I won’t let you suffer.” Third Master also made an emotional promise.

Not all girls can resist the temptation of wealth and glory within their grasp. There are so many examples of women who, for their own bright prospects, don’t hesitate to destroy family bonds and disregard human relations.

Thinking of this, both Second Master and Third Master sighed simultaneously.

Qin Yining knew she had successfully persuaded them to stand on the same side as her, and couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Whether for the Qin family’s future or because she had promised Pang Xiao not to leave him, she definitely couldn’t enter the palace this time. Now that she could reach consensus with Second Uncle and Third Uncle, she wouldn’t be fighting alone and misunderstood on the Qin family side. She couldn’t change the Old Madam’s and those women’s thoughts by herself, but with Second Uncle and Third Uncle there, they would eventually come around.

Having made the decision, Qin Yining discussed specific methods with Second Master and Third Master.

Finally, Qin Yining sighed and said, “Since that’s the case, Second Uncle and Third Uncle, please leave this matter to me. You shouldn’t show yourselves easily.”

If it were anyone else, Second Master and Third Master naturally wouldn’t feel at ease, but Qin Yining had always been steady in her actions. After brief consideration, both nodded.

Qin Yining rose to see them off. During this time, they again encountered the “unreasonable and domineering” mansion steward, performing the full act and making Second Master and Third Master even more certain that Qin Yining had fallen out of favor with Pang Xiao.

The two left shaking their heads and sighing.

Qin Yining then returned to Suxue Garden with Ji Yun and Bingtang, carefully reviewing today’s events in her mind and silently planning what to do next.

Pang Xiao returned very late from court today.

It wasn’t until sunset that a little maid came to tell Qin Yining, “The Prince has returned and asks Miss to come to the study to serve tea.”

Qin Yining immediately understood that Pang Xiao must have something to discuss with her, so she hurried to the outer courtyard study.

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue had just entered the study courtyard gate. After exchanging greetings, they entered the study one after another.

Pang Xiao instructed Huzi to carefully have people guard outside, then smiled and said, “Everyone sit down.”

Qin Yining’s bright eyes sparkled as she looked at Pang Xiao and smiled. “The Prince looks spirited – you must have successfully entered the cabinet.”

Seeing her smiling eyes and brows, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile too. “Thanks to your brilliant strategy.”

“So the Prince has resolved this crisis?” Xie Yue said excitedly. “Prince, please tell us what happened at today’s great court session?”

Pang Xiao was in quite a good mood today, so he smiled and recounted the day’s events.

It turned out that as soon as court began today, Li Qitian summarized Pang Xiao’s achievements in pacifying southern Great Yan, then praised him, just saying “Prince Zhongshun pacified the south, and I am greatly pleased. I hereby decree…” The reward hadn’t been spoken yet when a Northern Ji old minister suddenly interrupted loudly.

Li Qitian was in high spirits and was quite displeased to be suddenly interrupted, but he was seen by everyone as an enlightened ruler who welcomed advice, so naturally he couldn’t stop his ministers from speaking. He could only swallow his words and inquire.

That old minister was one of the mediocre members among the Northern Ji surrendered ministers faction. This time, however, he abandoned his usual caution and timidity, loudly impeaching Grand Secretary Zhou Min of Jijie Hall!

Zhou Min was the Empress’s father, Li Qitian’s father-in-law. As the national father-in-law and deputy chief of the cabinet, he was already designated as the next chief minister. As soon as the current chief minister retired, he could immediately ascend. Usually accustomed to being smug, how could he have thought that someone would dare impeach him in open court during the great session?

Zhou Min was stunned by this blow, and Li Qitian was equally bewildered.

Before the father-in-law and son-in-law could recover, those Northern Ji surrendered ministers who had learned inside information and knew that “the Emperor wants to kick all Northern Ji loyalists out of the cabinet today” banded together. One after another, they listed Zhou Min’s crimes.

They listed ten major crimes including corruption, ignoring imperial edicts, harboring treasonous intentions, and planning rebellion. Minor offenses included acting improperly in old age by forcibly taking common women as concubines and driving them to death, and even the flower patterns embroidered on his undergarments exceeding regulations were exposed.