Chapter 318: How Many Eyes Does the Prince of Horses Have

"Madam, don't be anxious; isn't everything fine now? It's the New Year, we shouldn't invite that bad luck."

"Hopefully nothing happens."

When this came up, she thought of the Liu family; after returning home tonight, she must make a trip.

If they don't get a bloody lesson, they won't stop; they don't know how many eyes this Prince has.

At today's banquet, Liu Yuyi came with his family; Yuan Jiaqi's household was at its peak, having become a non‑surname Prince, which made him feel a bit offended.

He thought that if he sent people to act again and they failed, his whole family would be truly ruined.

Before, he had that courage; now, a non‑surname Prince, a First‑rank Imperial Edict Lady, a Prince Consort, or a Princess—any of them could crush him.

Since the Emperor values the Qiao Family so much and is kin to her family, how could he act against this woman?

Liu Yuyi and Lady Liu looked at Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai; both sighed simultaneously, glanced at each other, and saw retreat in each other's eyes.

But they lacked the ability to retract the swung sword; the Liu clan's maternal family already knew who the murderer was, yet without evidence they couldn't file a complaint, so they could only investigate in secret and assassinate Qiao Mai.

"Who dares to harm Chuan'er?"

Chuan'er immediately bowed to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this palace maid accidentally spilled wine on Your Majesty's body. As a man, and in winter, a little wine on the body is nothing; I, your servant, don't mind. However, the maid kept urging me to go to the side hall to change clothes. I didn't punish her, told her to leave, but she persisted, so I kicked her."

Qiao Mai only then slowly stood up, bowed to the Empress, "Empress, are you calling my wife?"

At that moment, the Emperor arrived with the Empress and several consorts.

Qiao Mai occasionally glanced upward, and saw the Old Emperor staring at their table, his gaze seeming to say, "See how my family's dishes compare to yours."

Since the son and the Princess were betrothed, Rui Fei had never announced her entry into the palace; she respected the in‑law family, knew the mother‑in‑law disliked socializing and was cold‑tempered, so she never announced her, and this was their first meeting.

Thinking of the prescription in her hand, Qiao Mai curled her lip and smiled.

"I don't know; now's not the time to investigate, we'll catch the opportunity later and talk then."

Wine drenched Chuan'er; Qiao Mai's eyes turned cold—finally, it arrived!

Yuan Jiaqi was deeply moved; being her child is truly a blessing, so attentive, fearing the child might suffer.

"How hateful that as a husband I can only watch, unable to do anything."

Momo slipped away quietly, and even the Emperor ordered his trusted aides to go investigate.

The palace maid knelt beside Chuan'er, bowed her head in apology, trying to lead Chuan'er to the side hall to change clothes.

Soon the palace staff bustled about, serving the dishes; Qiao Mai watched the imperial chef's food, and Yuan Jiaqi quickly grabbed chopsticks to serve her.

This now drew the attention of Jia Mei, the Emperor, and Yuan Jiaqi.

"I'm here, don't worry; sooner or later I'll make those who plotted against Chuan'er pay punishment."

She still had many chances to discuss conditions with the Emperor, and was just thinking when the Empress waved her hand, ordering the dancers to withdraw.

"Servant, servant."

"Drag her down, beat her to death!"

This trick had been indoctrinated by Qiao Mai when Chuan'er was ten, and she could spot the hidden trick at a glance.

Next was the performance of the court families' daughters offering their arts; Qiao Mai frowned, this wasn't a performance, it was clearly a matchmaking, providing an opportunity for the men and women present.

He was about to get up and look when Qiao Mai stopped him, "Sit down, Chuan'er will handle it herself."

"Madam, you already knew?"

The scene was indeed lively, but Qiao Mai merely performed a show, her gaze always on the children.

Whatever the former is doing, the Emperor would certainly know.

Qiao Mai made no sound, and the Empress called again, "Lady Yuan?"

The Emperor smiled warmly and ordered the court officials to stand, she glanced at Yuan Jiaqi, said an inspiring speech, then with a grand gesture, the singing, dancing, and music began.

At that moment, the Emperor spoke.

The palace maid was so frightened she fainted on the spot; the guards came and dragged her away, the scene returned to normal, and everyone continued watching the girls' performances.

Someone nearby suggested, "Yuan Daren, perhaps you should go change?"

"Hai Chuan, what's wrong over there?"

The Emperor's eyes twitched; these conspiracies and tricks had accompanied his growth.

"No, my husband entered my family as a son‑in‑law, so I am Lady Qiao, not Lady Yuan."

"I see."

Tonight Qiao Mai's gaze was entirely on the children, naturally not on them, which made the two feel a bit safer.

The Empress wasn't angry, "Lady Qiao, it's said throughout Jingcheng that your abilities are great."

Qiao Mai had a good impression of her, so she responded.

"Yuan Daren, shall I, your servant, take you to change?"

"From that palace maid deliberately spilling on Chuan'er I knew; I've told the children since they were young, but this is their first time encountering such a thing; Chuan'er reacted quickly, not wasting my words."

Rui Fei also saw it, she pursed her lips, made no sound, but turned and whispered a few words to the Momo who attended her closely.

The Empress looked at Qiao Mai, "Lady Yuan?"

Several men in black mysteriously disappeared in Tianshui Town; they then learned Qiao Mai's background—she has the ability to kill the Alliance Leader—so they are gathering forces, believing many assassins will soon be sent to kill Qiao Mai.

The dishes were set, the fine wine was brought out, the court officials poured wine, and together toasted the Emperor and Empress.

The Empress wasn't angry, because Rui Fei had no prince by her side and didn't contest her for harem control, so the Empress's expression remained pleasant.

"If we don't go, then we don't go; are you suggesting you want the Emperor to intervene and make me change clothes?"

Yuan Jiaqi also nodded at Rui Fei, "Our mother‑in‑law is quite good."

Fortunately Ling'er was protected by Jia Mei; suddenly Qiao Mai thought she should give her daughter a title as well, otherwise how could she mingle with the upper circles of Jingcheng.

"Don't go; as a man, what's it called to have a little wine on you,"

Qiao Mai lifted her cup and gulped a drink; she had no interest in their performance, which was just dancing, playing the zither, painting—very clichéd.

The colleagues beside her fell silent; the kneeling palace maid tried to persuade again, and Yuan Haichuan stood up, kicking the maid to the ground with a single foot.

Does this affect your image again?

Get out!

It's just a rumor; my wife would only be doing some food trade.

But at the thought of Qiao Mai's skill, the two couldn't help but feel a chill run through their bodies.

Yuan Jiaqi let out a long sigh and asked softly.

Yuan Haichuan's face darkened. "Did you not hear me tell you to get out?"

Hmm, a mother raises a daughter just like herself; through Jia Mei you can see her mother.

Of course, aren't you Lady Yuan?

If she were to learn that the Liu family hired an assassin, what would she do?

Both of them lost interest in attending the banquet; they wanted to get home quickly, inform the martial artists staying at their house, and see if the assassination could be called off.

Beside them, Rui Fei smiled at her, and Qiao Mai gave her a nod.

The couple, seeing that Dizi was fine, turned their heads toward Jia Mei; Ling'er seemed to have discerned something, constantly explaining at Jia Mei's ear, while Jia Mei wore a sullen expression.

Gradually, the girls' performances were all nearly finished, one after another.

Now, the mother-in-law, because the Princess was betrothed to our family, has been granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort by the emperor; her rank has only risen a notch above the Empress.

Just as they were bored, a palace maid passed by Chuan'er, tilted her body, and the wine jar on the tray fell onto Chuan'er.

The court officials quickly knelt and paid their respects; Qiao Mai merely crouched symbolically on the ground, and since she was wearing a large skirt, it was not apparent from the outside.

Probably not?

Is merely knowing a few overseas merchants considered a skill?

Then why is Lord Yuan so devoted to you?

Qiao Mai hadn't spoken yet when Yuan Jiaqi immediately stood up, reasoning that a wife shouldn't sit while the husband sits.

(End of chapter)