Chapter 318: Underestimated Her
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Wife, don’t worry. Everything is fine now. It’s the New Year; let’s not look for trouble.”
“I hope nothing will happen.”
Thinking about this, she remembered the Liu family. After tonight’s banquet, she must make a trip.
Without giving the Liu family a lesson, they wouldn’t stop. They didn’t know her capabilities yet.
Tonight, Royal Physician Liu came with his family. Mr. Yuan’s family was thriving, unexpectedly becoming like a royal family, which made him somewhat envious.
If he sent someone to act now, and it failed, his family would be in real trouble.
In the past, he might have had the courage, but now, any of them could crush him.
With the emperor valuing the Qiao family and forming a relationship with them, how could he dare to act against this woman?
Royal Physician Liu and Madam Liu looked at Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai. They sighed simultaneously, seeing hesitation in each other’s eyes.
However, once the knives were out, they couldn’t be retrieved. The Liu family knew who the murderer was, but without evidence, they couldn’t file a complaint. They could only investigate privately and attempt to assassinate Qiao Mai.
Several men in black mysteriously disappeared in Tianshui Town, and they knew Qiao Mai’s background. She could kill the alliance leader, so they assembled a group of assassins, believing they would soon send a crowd to kill Qiao Mai.
Tonight, Qiao Mai’s attention was on her children, naturally ignoring them. This made the two feel a bit safer.
But when they thought about Qiao Mai’s skills, a chill ran down their spines.
If she found out the Liu family had hired assassins, what would she do?
Neither had the mood to attend the banquet. They wanted to quickly return home and inform the martial artists living with them, hoping to cancel the assassination.
Just then, the emperor, accompanied by the empress and a few consorts, arrived.
The officers quickly knelt and paid their respects. Qiao Mai only symbolically squatted on the ground; after all, she wore a dress. It wasn’t noticeable.
The emperor smiled and asked the officers to rise. He glanced in Mr. Yuan’s direction, spoke encouraging words, then waved his hand, and the music and dance resumed.
Next, palace attendants shuttled around serving dishes. Qiao Mai watched the food prepared by the royal chef. Yuan Jiaqi quickly picked up his chopsticks to help her.
Occasionally, Qiao Mai glanced at the higher tiers and saw the emperor staring at their table as if saying, ‘Look at how our food compares to yours.’
Consort Rui smiled at her, and Qiao Mai nodded in response.
Since her son and the princess were engaged, Consort Rui had never invited her to the palace. She respected her in-laws, knowing Qiao Mai disliked socializing and had a cold temperament. She never extended an invitation. This was their first meeting.
Qiao Mai had a good impression of her, so she responded.
Yuan Jiaqi also nodded to Consort Rui. “Our in-law is not bad.”
“Yes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. We can see her mother through
Jiamei.”
“Due to the engagement between Jiamei and Chuan’er, she has been titled the Royal Noble Consort by the emperor, just a step below the empress.”
The empress did not show any displeasure because Consort Rui did not have a prince by her side and did not vie for management power. Her expression was still good.
The dishes were served, and the wine was brought in. Officials raised their cups together to toast the emperor and empress.
The scene was lively, but Qiao Mai only made superficial efforts. Her gaze was always on her children.
Yuan Jiaqi was moved. It was fortunate to be her child. She cared so much, fearing her children would suffer.
Luckily, Ling’er had Jiamei to protect her. Suddenly, Qiao Mai thought she should give her daughter a title. Otherwise, how could she mix with these upper-class figures in the capital?
Thinking of the formulas in her hand, Qiao Mai smirked.
She still had many opportunities to negotiate with the emperor. Suddenly, the empress signaled, and the dancing was stopped.
Next was the appreciation of the talents of the officials’ daughters. Qiao Mai frowned; this wasn’t appreciation but a matchmaking event. It provided an opportunity for the men and women present to interact.
Qiao Mai lifted her cup and took a sip. She wasn’t interested in their performances; they were dancing, playing musical instruments, or painting— it was cliché.
While she was bored, a palace maid passing by Chuan’er tilted her body slightly, and the tray with the wine pot spilled on him.
Chuan’er’s clothes were stained with wine. Qiao Mai’s eyes went cold. Finally!
The palace maid kneeled next to Chuan’er, bowing and apologizing, suggesting to lead Chuan’er to a side hall to change clothes.
Qiao Mai had instilled these tricks in Chuan’er since he was ten years old. He could easily see through the underhanded tactics.
“Get lost!”
“Mr. Yuan, shall this servant take you to change?”
Yuan Haichuan’s face sank. “I told you to get lost. Didn’t you hear?”
“This servant…”
Someone nearby advised, “Mr. Yuan, why not go change? It won’t hurt your image, will it?”
“No. What’s wrong with a man having a bit of wine on him?”
“Doesn’t it affect your image?”
“No means no. Do you want to ask the emperor to make me change?”
His colleagues beside him didn’t say a word. The kneeling palace maid tried to persuade him again, but Yuan Haichuan stood up and kicked her to the ground.
This caught the attention of Jiamei, the emperor, and even Yuan Jiaqi.
He was about to get up and check, but Qiao Mai held him back. “Sit down; Chuan’er will handle it himself.’
At this moment, the emperor spoke.
“Haichuan, what happened there?”
Chuan’er immediately bowed to the emperor. “Your Majesty, this maid accidentally spilled wine on me. As a man, and it being winter, a bit of wine on me doesn’t matter. I told her to leave, but she wouldn’t give up. So, I kicked her.”
The emperor squinted; he had grown up surrounded by such conspiracies.
He understood.
“Drag her down and flog her to death!”
The maid was frightened and fainted on the spot. The guards dragged her away, and the situation returned to normal. Everyone continued to watch the talent show.
Yuan Jiaqi breathed a sigh of relief and asked quietly.
“Wife, did you already know?”
“Since that maid intentionally spilled wine on Chuan’er, I knew. I’ve told the children about these tricks since they were young. Although it’s their first time encountering this situation, Chuan’er reacted quickly, not wasting my teachings. ”
“Who would dare to harm Chuan’er?”
“I don’t know. It’s not the time to investigate now. We’ll seize the opportunity later.”
“It’s frustrating that I can only watch and do nothing.”
“You have me. Don’t worry; I will make those who plotted against Chuan’er receive their punishment sooner or later.”
The couple looked at their son, safe and sound. Then they turned to Jiamei’s side, where Ling’er seemed to have sensed something. She explained something to Jiamei, who looked grim.
Consort Rui also noticed. She pursed her lips, refraining from speaking. But she turned to the servant who attended to her and whispered a few words.
The servant quietly withdrew. Even the emperor instructed his confidant to investigate.
Gradually, the talents of the courtier’s daughters finished their performances.
The empress looked at Qiao Mai. “Madam Yuan?”
Qiao Mai did not respond. The empress called again, “Madam Yuan?”
Only then did Qiao Mai slowly stand up, bowing to the empress. “Is the empress calling this humble woman?”
“Of course. Aren’t you Madam Yuan?”
“No. My husband is married into my family, so I am Madam Qiao, not Madam
Yuan.”
“I see.”
The empress was not angry. “Madam Qiao, rumors have been circulating in the capital about your great abilities.” “It’s just gossip. I manage food business.”
“Is that all?”
“Does knowing a few overseas merchants also count as a skill?”
“Why is Mr. Yuan so devoted to you then?”
Before Qiao Mai could speak, Yuan Jiaqi immediately stood up.. How could he let his wife stand while he sat?
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