Chapter 324 - Chapter 324: A Fool to Reject
Chapter 324: A Fool to Reject
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ling’er went to the cabinet and took her precious jewelry, all brand new, and placed them on the heated brick bed.
“Sister-in-law, last time we met in a hurry, but this time, I came prepared.
These are for you.”
Jiamei looked at the jewelry and couldn’t help but swallow. “These are too precious. You should keep them and use them as dowry when you get married.”
“My mother will prepare everything for me at that time. This is just a little gift from your future sister-in-law. You must accept it, okay?”
“Thank you, little sister.”
“That’s more like it. We’re going to be a family. No need to be so formal with your future sister-in-law.”
Jiamei felt embarrassed. The gifts she brought were all prepared by her mother. Nothing was specifically prepared for anyone.
Seeing her future sister-in-law treat her warmly and kindly, a sense of guilt emerged in Jiamei’s heart.
When she bid farewell to Qiao Mai, she didn’t expect so many gifts prepared for her there. Some were for her, some for her mother, and some specialty snacks from Qiao’s Small Eatery, along with various fruits—two carriages full of gifts.
“Uncle, Aunt, I’m embarrassed by so many gifts.”
“That’s because we have them. If not, we couldn’t take it out. Take them, and don’t be polite.”
Jiamei quickly paid her respects to the couple and got on the carriage, taking two carts full of gifts back to the palace.
The Royal Noble Consort was waiting for her daughter in the Auspicious Palace. She believed that with her usual teachings, Jiamei would not embarrass her.
Sure enough, when her daughter returned with two carriages of gifts, she knew that the Qiao family cared for her daughter. Otherwise, why would they send so many gifts?
“Did you have a good time with the Qiao family?”
Thinking of her future mother-in-law’s advice, Jiamei smiled at the Noble Consort.
“It’s fine. Someone, quickly bring those things into the house.”
Jiamei looked at the gifts, placing the valuable ones on the table.
“Mother, these are gifts from Aunt Qiao for you. These are for me, and the ones on the ground are snacks and fruits. She said it’s for us to taste.” “I heard that the Qiao’s Small Eatery’s snacks are popular?”
“Yes. I would have brought you to taste them, but you can’t leave the rear palace. But it’s okay. If you want to eat something, I’ll bring it back for you.”
At this moment, a voice came from outside. “Who said you can’t leave the palace? When I go out incognito next time, I’ll take your mother with me.”
It turned out that the emperor, feeling annoyed by the events of the previous night, came to the Auspicious Palace for a stroll after waking up.
“Your Majesty, why did you come?”
The mother and daughter quickly paid their respects to the emperor, who sat at the table and pointed.
“Jiamei, are these gifts from the Qiao family?”
“Yes. I went to the Qiao family this morning upon Aunt Qiao’s invitation.”
“Hmm, not bad. Madam Qiao knows how to please. She sent an invaluable set of jewelry to your mother last night, and today, she didn’t let you return empty-handed either.”
“With the frequent back and forth, how much money is involved? She even has to prepare dowry for Jiamei.”
“She has plenty of silver. After driving away those two ungrateful adopted sons, she immediately received over a million silver, not to mention her snack shop and other industries in the county, racking in money annually. She’s a wealthy woman who’s not short of silver. If she wants to give, take it. Only fools would reject.”
“Father, the Qiao family gave me many rare fruits. Shall I pick a few for you to taste?”
“Sure. You’ve tasted them at the Qiao family?”
“Yes, they are delicious.”
“If they weren’t good, would her family sell them? Haha!”
While Jiamei was picking fruits, the Noble Consort, taking advantage of the opportunity, finally asked.
“Your Majesty, I know you are troubled, and I shouldn’t ask, but I still want to know. How are the empress and Princess Heyi?”
“They are currently under treatment. It will take some time for them to recover. Do you want to manage the harem? Can you handle it?”
“I am willing to share the burden with Your Majesty, but as you know, I have never interfered in harem affairs. I am unfamiliar with it. If someone in the palace is capable, it is better to entrust the responsibility to that person.” “Your temperament is always like this, not competing or snatching.” “I only hope Jiamei can marry into a good family and live a peaceful life.”
“Me too, but being in the imperial family, how can there be a peaceful life?”
At this moment, Jiamei had brought the fruits. “Father, try this one. It’s mango; sweet and not sour. This one is mangosteen, with snow-white flesh inside, even sweeter than mango…”
The old emperor stopped talking to the Noble Consort and happily accepted the fruits handed over by his daughter.
“Father, you promoted Mr. Yuan and Yuan Haichuan, and Aunt Qiao has been granted a title. Last night, Aunt Qiao gave a valuable gift to Mother, and today, I brought back two carriages of gifts. What do you think?”
“Do you want to ask something for the Qiao family?”
“Father, there is still a daughter in the Qiao family. All the men have been promoted, but what about their daughter?”
The emperor was taken aback. “Look, I forgot about this matter. She is your younger sister. If you take her out, it will be a laughingstock.”
Jiamei was overjoyed when she heard this. “Father, why not grant Qiao
Wanling a title?”
“What title do you suggest?”
“Since Uncle Yuan is an honorary prince, should the title be hereditary? “Of course. Your future husband will be a prince, which befits your status.” “Then my future sister-in-law should be a county princess, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s give her a title to confirm her identity as a county princess.”
“You didn’t eat the Qiao family’s food in vain. You have a conscience. Alright, I’ll grant her the title of Princess Tianshui. How about that?”
“Their family used to be in Tianshui Town. Using the town name as the title is good. So, Princess Tianshui it is. Thank you, Father.”
“Haha, I’ll issue a decree soon. Tomorrow, I’ll send Eunuch Yu to the Qiao family to deliver the decree and add the hereditary title of Honorary Prince to them. Are you reassured now?”
Mother and daughter knelt together to express their gratitude. The emperor’s mood suddenly improved.
“In a few days, I will take you both to Qiao’s Small Eatery. There are many things I haven’t tasted yet.’
“Father, you have no idea. When I went to the Qiao family today, there were many dishes you haven’t tasted.”
“What’s the big deal? With you around, I have many reasons to go to their house for a free meal. Haha!”
On the sixth day, the imperial decree arrived at the Qiao residence. It was received by Yuan Jiaqi and Ling’er, as Qiao Mai had never accepted such decrees. Whenever an imperial order arrived at the Qiao residence, she would always be absent.
This incident caused a slight surprise among the people but didn’t escalate further. After all, the emperor favored the Qiao family, bestowing titles upon them openly. The young princess and prince were inevitable.
It was a pity, however, that the two adopted sons had left. If they had stayed, they could have benefited from the imperial favor.
Even if they couldn’t inherit the title, the emperor would have elevated their ranks. But now, they remained as fourth-ranked military officers. Despite the efforts of their in-laws, the emperor’s obstruction made it impossible for them to advance.
Why did the emperor hinder them? It was clear enough.
He disliked the two and wanted to vent his anger. Yet, he wouldn’t demote them; he merely blocked their promotions.
Jiang Yunpeng was unaware of this matter initially, as he was often away from home. It was the Duke of Zhenguo who informed him.
Upon hearing the news, he remained silent, watching as the Qiao family prospered while he and his brother were left behind.
He couldn’t accept it. He and his brother had risked their lives on the battlefield, yet they were not as successful as a mere scholar.
By now, he had distanced himself from the Qiao family, referring to Yuan Jiaqi and Yuan Haichuan as mere scholars.
He was no longer the obedient young boy from the Qiao family. In private, he often cursed the Qiao family, especially Qiao Mai, for being too ruthless. She had a narrow heart that couldn’t accommodate the memory of his deceased biological parents.
These thoughts were confined to his heart. He dared not express them openly, for if someone found out, the first person to deal with him would be Mu Rong..