Chapter 313: What? How?

I of course like it. So if I want some tea, must I also get your wife's consent?

Yuan Jiaqi nodded reluctantly, and at that moment the Emperor realized that he still hadn't met the lady of the house.

Where is she? Didn't you say she was in the kitchen? I just went there and didn't see her. Could it be that she dislikes me and doesn't want to see me?

No, she must be busy with something; when you arrived, everyone in my house was extremely nervous.

The Emperor didn't believe his nonsense; he usually seemed honest, never expecting such slick talk.

Hurry, go fetch your wife; I also want to taste some fruit.

The Old Emperor plopped down at the table and said, "You continue; I'll stay here and taste the fruit."

Yuan Jiaqi got up helplessly and went to Yuexian Pavilion to summon his own wife.

The Old Emperor watched Chuan'er make introductions; for each person he introduced, the Emperor tasted something, focusing on things he hadn't tried before.

Soon, Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi arrived side by side at the front hall.

Moreover, in the future she would have to serve her parents; with such poor character, how could she truly care for the elderly?

"They're all quite good, truly a dragon and phoenix among people."

"Of course, even money can't buy these."

"My wife has met the Emperor."

"Your family is beautiful, Aunt is also wonderful, especially the food; even the palace can't match yours."

"Yes."

"Shall I consider? No, I won't consider. As long as the prescription you give me is appropriate, I will immediately issue an edict to confer the title Fu Wang on Yuan Jiaqi."

Had she known it would be like this, she wouldn't have spoken so much; today she saw many rare things and asked many questions, and she doesn't know whether that baby will reject her.

Jia Mei let out a light sigh, "Father Emperor is like that, always thinking of state affairs; today the meal is so delicious, yet he eats it so blandly."

"Oh, it's fine. Whenever you're not busy, when Aunt returns, I'll come again."

"Hmm, thank you Aunt for the warm hospitality; Jia Mei takes her leave."

"Do you have a prescription?"

Chuan'er glanced at her, then bowed his head slightly; he was still quite satisfied with his performance toward the Princess today.

The Old Emperor sighed, "I want the nation strong and the people prosperous."

"It is several times sharper than iron; iron weapons are no match before it."

He says that, but when the servant serves the meal, he zones out while eating.

"I guess so."

Qiao Mai offered only a shallow bow, yet the Old Emperor felt a cold sweat break out; the pressure she exuded made him scrutinize her closely.

"I saw them, and today it was he who introduced me to his family."

Jia Mei quickly stood, supporting her bowing hand with the other, "Aunt, although I am a Princess, you are my elder, I have met Lady Qiao."

"Of course."

"Hmm, they all look quite good."

"There will be such a day."

"Sss~"

"Jia Mei, have you seen Lord Yuan's son?"

Meanwhile, when Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi saw Chuan'er return, they called him to Yuexian Pavilion.

"That's good, that's good."

"If it's to make a weapon, what would it be?"

"How could it not be? It definitely is. If you don't believe it, just wait and see."

"Then your parents will decide for you?"

"I am the ruler of a nation."

The more fond he feels, the less he wants to give a bad impression to his future parents-in-law.

"Huh?"

"You don't want to?"

"Stand up, I appreciate your effort hosting me at your home this time."

His face flushed, "It's fine; I didn't look closely at his appearance, but his character should be passable."

"Alright, let Chuan'er escort you back."

"Mother, what's wrong with you today?"

Qiao Mai stopped humming; the Old Emperor stared seriously at the paper. He no longer had any appetite for the meal, wishing he could return at once and send someone from the Ministry of Works over to conduct experiments right in the palace.

The Old Emperor wholeheartedly promoted this marriage; if Father sees it and objects, he certainly won't stop until he bestows the marriage.

"Your kitchen utensils seem especially different."

"Chuan'er, what impression do you have of that servant girl?"

The Old Emperor had lunch, then told the Princess to stay longer at the Qiao Family; before the palace gates were locked at night, he had Chuan'er escort her back, and then he hurried away with Fish Baby.

Bad character, no matter how good-looking, won't do; after all, a family will later be handed over to the wife, and if the character fails, the household will collapse because of her.

"Five people sat around the table."

Princess Jia Mei told her mother and consort that the stainless steel matter wasn't important; she chose to listen with one ear and speak with the other.

Jia Mei then became flustered, trying hard to recall today's events; honestly, she still has a fondness for Chuan'er.

"This might be inconvenient; my family and I are busy and not home during the day. My mother is about to return to Tianshui Town to inspect her estates, and won't be back until the end of the year."

Immediately, Qiao Mai gave her an eighty-point rating; with that modest, gentle, sensible demeanor, she already passed.

"Hmm, then it's settled."

"No, I'll also return to the palace; it's been almost a day since I went out, and I'm afraid Mother Consort will be worrying."

"This is my youngest daughter, Princess Jiamei."

"Since Your Majesty has arrived, just eat a meal at ease; the things on this paper won't fly away again."

The princess slices fruit for Rui Fei to eat, and the mother and daughter sit at the table chatting.

"Silly servant girl, what do you think your Father Emperor took you out for?"

"Princess, would you like to go to Keren to rest for a while?"

"It should be given to him after he finishes his meal."

Because she knows the Father Emperor dislikes loquacious people, especially those from the harem, she didn't even tell her Mother Consort, standing entirely on the Emperor's side.

"Hmm."

"I am a merchant; Your Majesty must understand, I can give the money I earn to my husband to aid the people, but my prescription won't be given away for free."

"Visiting Master Yuan's household as a guest?"

"He, how is he?"

"My son has no other thoughts; everything is decided by his parents."

"Is it just about character and appearance?"

The Emperor swallows, "What do you want?"

Outside, several carts of gifts had already been prepared, and Chuan'er rode in the same carriage with her.

Sure enough, the Old Emperor, while occupied with Stainless Steel matters, took a moment to go to Xiangrui Palace to ask Princess Jiamei about her thoughts.

"May I come to your home as a guest often in the future?"

"Why not present it?"

"I'm just a woman; what's the use of this?"

"Mother Consort, the food from her household is delicious, everything is fresh; fortunately, it's cold, so it can be stored for a few days. When you are free, just try some."

Qiao Mai smiles, "Of course."

"What, how is it?"

"That's called Stainless Steel; it's iron combined with other metals, harder than iron and more ductile."

Jiamei's face reddens, "No way?"

"Thank you for the Princess's praise."

Rui Fei finally lets out a sigh of relief; she didn't expect the Emperor could arrange such a good marriage prospect for his daughter.

The Old Emperor, while eating, says, "Mrs. Qiao, are all these items imported from overseas?"

Yubao, who is tasting the dishes beside him, knows the Emperor best, "Your Majesty, we've endured all these years, there's no rush for this day; since you finally managed to leave the palace, why not indulge yourself fully this once?"

He, like Yuan Jiaqi, does not value appearance, only character.

"That was for a matchmaking; I was afraid you two wouldn't be compatible, so I didn't make it clear."

"When the Father Emperor asks, I won't blame the aunt."

The Old Emperor, after hearing, had a flash of insight, and the food in his mouth lost its flavor.

"Alright."

"Your servant wife has seen the Princess."

"Why does this look so familiar? I can't recall where I've seen it."

"How about granting my man the title of Opposite Sex Prince?"

The Princess returns to the palace with several carts of gifts, having the palace staff move everything into the house and inspect them one by one, just as Mother Consort does.

Qiao Mai pulls a stack of papers from her sleeve and hands them to the Emperor, "Remember not to misspeak, okay?"

He also summons Yuan Jiaqi, asks about Chuan'er's opinion, and upon hearing that both sides have no objections, immediately issues an edict granting the marriage.

Since Jiamei has just come of age, the Emperor is not in a hurry and sets the marriage for a year later, when Jiamei is sixteen.

This way, the young lovers can mingle more and get to know each other better.

The Emperor also has his own selfish motives; this time he didn't have a good meal, and with this pretext, he can later legitimately go to the in‑laws' place to eat for free.

(End of chapter)