Chapter 324: Refusing Makes You a Fool

Ling'er went to the cabinet, took out a few pieces of jewelry she had treasured, all brand‑new, and placed them on the kang table.

"Sister‑in‑law, our last meeting was rushed; this time I've prepared something, a gift for you."

Jia Mei stared at the jewelry, swallowing helplessly, "These are too precious; you should keep them as a dowry later, right?"

"My mother will prepare them for me later; this is a little token from my sister‑in‑law, you must accept it, okay?"

"Th‑then, thank you, sister‑in‑law."

"That's right; from now on we're family, no need to always be formal with my sister‑in‑law."

Jia Mei felt a bit embarrassed; the gifts she brought were all prepared by the mother‑consort, everything was there, not made especially for anyone.

Seeing her future sister‑in‑law treat her so kindly and so well made her feel a pang of guilt.

When she said goodbye to Qiao Mai, she didn't expect that this side had also prepared a heap of gifts—some just for her, some for her mother‑consort, some specialty snacks from Qiao Ji Small Food Shop, various fruits—a full two carts of presents.

"Uncle, aunt, with so many gifts I'm embarrassed."

Inside Xiangrui Palace, Guifei Niangniang was waiting for her daughter; she trusted that, given her usual guidance of the children, Jia Mei would never embarrass her.

"Father, the Qiao Family brought many rare fruits; may I pick a few for you to taste?"

"I have something from my home to bring you; if you weren't here I couldn't have taken it out, so take it, don't be formal."

"Your Majesty, why have you come?"

"It's just a pity; if those two adopted sons didn't leave, they could also bask in the glory."

"So my future sister‑in‑law will be a princess, then?"

"It's fine, bring them in quickly, move those things into the house."

"Even if Lord Yuan is a different‑surname Prince, is it hereditary?"

"Yes, they're all very tasty."

At this moment Jia Mei had already brought the fruit up: "Father Emperor, try this; it's mango, very sweet and not sour. This is mangosteen, its flesh is snow‑white, sweeter than the mango."

"If it's not tasty, how could her family sell it? Haha!"

"Jia Mei, were all these sent by the Qiao Family?"

"Mother‑consort, this is what Aunt asked me to give you; these are for the daughter, the snacks and various fruits on the ground are said to let us sample the fresh."

"Haha, when I return I'll issue an edict; tomorrow I'll have Eunuch Yu go to the Qiao Family to deliver the decree, and also note the hereditary status of the different‑surname Prince. Are you reassured?"

"Father Emperor, you don't know—I went to the Qiao Family today; there were many dishes you've never tasted."

"I, as a consort, am naturally willing to share the burden with Your Majesty, but you know I never involve myself in harem affairs; I'm not familiar with managing the harem. If someone in the palace has that ability, it's better to entrust it to them."

"I've heard the foods from Qiao Ji Small Food Shop are very popular?"

"Yes, I, the son‑minister, was invited by Aunt Qiao, and went to the Qiao Family this morning."

"What's the big deal? With you, I now have plenty of reasons to drop by his house for food and drink, haha!"

"I only hope Jia Mei marries a good family and lives out this life peacefully."

"What title are you talking about conferring?"

"Is it okay to go to the Qiao Family?"

"Sure, have you already tasted at the Qiao Family?"

The Old Emperor stopped speaking with the Guifei, happily took the fruit the daughter handed over and began eating.

"Father Emperor, you forgot—the Qiao Family still has a daughter; those who should be promoted have been, but their daughter is still nothing."

It turned out that after the Emperor woke up, he thought about last night's matter and felt annoyed, so he strolled over to Xiangrui Palace.

"From what you say, you want to ask something on behalf of the Qiao Family?"

"I have thought the same, but being in the imperial family, there is no such thing as true peace and safety."

"Hmm, not to mention, this Qiao lady is very resourceful; last night she gave your mother‑consort a priceless set of jewelry, and today when you went, you didn't return empty‑handed."

"In a few days I'll take you all to Qiao Ji Small Food Shop; there are many things I haven't tasted yet."

"Your Majesty, I know you're uneasy; I shouldn't ask but I still want to—how are the Empress and Princess Yihe?"

At that moment a voice came from outside: "Who says we can't leave the palace? Next time I go incognito, I'll definitely bring your mother along."

Why is the Emperor blocking them? Isn't it obvious?

He just finds the two unpleasant, wants to vent his anger on the in‑laws, but won't demote them; instead he blocks them, refusing them promotion.

"It's necessary."

"Yes, it's just that you can't leave the palace; otherwise, the daughter would definitely take you to sample. But it's fine—when the daughter goes out, whatever you want to eat, I'll bring it back."

Jiang Yuan Peng originally didn't know about this; he went out early and returned late every day, and it was the Lord of the State who told him.

Mother and daughter quickly paid their respects to the Emperor; the Emperor sat at the table and pointed with his hand.

"She has plenty of silver; after she drove away those two heartless adopted sons, she instantly refunded her over a million silver pieces, not to mention her snack shop and the Shexian holdings, which bring in several hundred thousand taels of silver a year. She's a wealthy woman, never short of money—give it if you want, refuse and you're a fool."

"Tianshui—her family used to be in Tianshui Town; using the town's name as a title is fine, so she'll be Tianshui Princess. I, the son‑minister, thank the Father Emperor on behalf of Ling'er."

Jia Mei quickly paid her respects to the two, then boarded a carriage and returned to the palace with two carts of gifts.

While Jia Mei was handling the fruit, Guifei Niangniang opened her mouth and finally asked.

Even if they ultimately can't inherit the throne, the Emperor would still promote them; but now they remain Fourth‑rank military generals. No matter how hard the Yue Family works for them, the Emperor's blockage leaves the Yue Family powerless.

"You, you—haven't you eaten Qiao Family's food for free? You do have a conscience. Fine, how about I confer upon her the title of Tianshui Princess?"

"You, your temperament is always like this, never fighting or grabbing."

"Father Emperor, look—you promoted Lord Yuan's position, then promoted Yuan Haichuan's position, also gave Lady Qiao a rank; last night Lady Qiao gave the mother‑consort such valuable gifts, and today you had me bring back two carts of presents. What do you think?"

The Emperor was taken aback, "Father Emperor, you've forgotten—she's your sister‑in‑law; whatever you send her out with isn't a proper start, it just makes people laugh."

Remembering her future mother‑in‑law's admonition, she smiled at the Guifei.

Jia Mei looked at the gifts, having the valuable ones moved onto the table.

"Of course, your future husband will be a Prince; that matches your status."

Sure enough, when the daughter returned with two carts of gifts, she realized that the Qiao Family was very fond of the daughter; otherwise, why would they bring so many gifts.

"Then just give her a title, cementing her status as a county princess, that'll be fine."

Jia Mei, upon hearing, was overjoyed, "Father Emperor, why not also grant Qiao Wan Ling a rank?"

"I'm currently treating (them), and I estimate it won't be cured in a short time; I'm here also to ask you, how would you feel about taking charge of the harem?"

The mother and daughter knelt together before her to give thanks, and the Emperor's mood instantly improved.

This incident only caused a slight surprise among the people of Jingcheng, and nothing else followed, since the Emperor favored the Qiao Family; after all, the overt positions had all been given to the non‑surname Wang families. The little county princess and the Little Prince were bound to exist.

"How much money does all this back‑and‑forth cost? She still has to prepare Betrothal Gifts for Jia Mei."

On the sixth, the imperial edict arrived at the Qiao Family; Yuan Jiaqi and Ling'er received the edict, and Qiao Mai had never received an edict before. Whenever an edict was issued to the Qiao Family, she would not be at home.

He listened with a composed expression and then fell silent, watching the Qiao Family thrive, yet he and his younger brother had reached a dead end.

He truly couldn't bear it; he and his younger brother had risked their lives, tearing through the Battlefield, so how could they be no better than a mere scholar?

Now, he has long separated himself from the Qiao Family, referring to Yuan Jiaqi and Yuan Haichuan as scholars.

He has long ceased to be the obedient boy he once was in the Qiao Family; behind the scenes he often silently curses the Qiao Family in his heart, berates Qiao Mai for being too ruthless, and his petty mind cannot tolerate his deceased biological parents.

These thoughts he can only keep in his heart, daring not to expose them openly; if anyone were to find out, the first who would not let him off is Murong.

(End of Chapter)