Chapter 341: If I Don

They were all stating a fact to the emperor: although they married foreign girls, they had no intention of colluding with the enemy.

This point the emperor didn't mind; in the future their offspring, aside from being barred from the throne and from wielding military power, could still hold ordinary offices.

The royal bloodline demands purity; as a royal descendant, once one marries a foreign princess, one loses the right to inherit the throne.

Such cases are numerous in history; even when an emperor takes a foreign princess into the palace, she is only made a consort, and no matter how outstanding the son she bears, he will never be made emperor.

This Old Emperor still cares about these matters; the court officials all understand this, and drawing the boundaries early has its benefits, at least it lets the emperor feel at ease.

Qiao Mai learned from Yuan Jiaqi's mouth that the Qin Envoy Corps set out from the Western Pass, and they were not in a hurry to act, waiting until they left the pass before moving.

The Second Prince's actions had already angered her; just as they entered Qin territory, the remaining fifty were slaughtered by her at a relay station.

The Qin Emperor was furious; although this son was not especially favored, he was still of his own bloodline. What a pity he died on his own land; otherwise, he would have had to be put to good use.

After the Old Emperor learned this, he shivered all over; Madam Qiao was so capable, actually chasing onto someone else's territory to brandish a blade.

Impressive, truly too impressive.

"I heard she's extremely beautiful; our daughter likes good looks, and a daughter knows beauty best from her mother."

"At worst, I'll remodel the place in the Imperial Palace where she lives, so she won't feel wronged."

"Maybe it's fate; my health has always been fine, being unable to conceive is just unavoidable, I'm not in a hurry; as long as you have the Hai Chuan bloodline, this place will belong to him in the future."

"When my husband and Hai Chuan take a rest?"

Hearing this, the emperor became excited, as if he saw hope.

"As long as my Ling'er approves, and he has only her as a wife for his whole life, treats my daughter well forever, fulfilling these three conditions is enough."

"Let each side argue among themselves; at your house you argue among yourselves, and here at the Imperial Palace we argue here."

"Fine."

"Too chaotic, not allowed!"

He asked with a forced smile, "Madam Qiao, did you eliminate the Second Prince?"

In the Imperial Palace, the emperor walked with heavy steps into the most remote northern palace, where his beloved son lived.

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

"Isn't that just attracting all sorts of attention?"

The emperor looked at her with an unusual gaze, "I never imagined the world concealed someone as formidable as you."

"Hehe, she is more beautiful than his mother consort; his mother consort passed away, he has lived in the palace all his life, is eighteen this year, and because of a leg issue has never taken a wife, ranked eleventh."

"Mother‑in‑law, you know so much!"

"Your Majesty, this Madam Qiao?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seat can only be occupied by one person; why so many women? Why bear so many children? Do brothers kill each other?"

Qiao Mai returned home and told Yuan Jiaqi about this.

"If you disagree, just don't form a marriage alliance; what's so hard about it, first heal his leg."

"Fortunately it's on their territory; otherwise I'd be in trouble."

"Ling'er even said she wants to take a son‑in‑law."

"He intends to form a marriage alliance with our family, yet insists on introducing the imperial grandson to Ling'er; doesn't that cross generations?"

"Don't bring your imperial grandson, just bring him here."

"Imperial grandson?"

But this woman, he kept feeling she wasn't ordinary, so he let it go.

Living here was his son's request; the emperor, when idle, would come to see him. The father and son would sit for a while and chat.

"After the New Year, shall I send someone to arrange Jia Mei and Hai Chuan's marriage?"

The Old Emperor licked his lips, "Hehe, it's been a long time since I dined at your house; make a few good dishes?"

"You shameless one, scheming against my daughter; if you don't kill him, who will you kill?"

The emperor swallowed, "I'm not afraid; the Ministry of War is rushing production day and night. Soldiers already wield sharp steel swords and pointed spears; the enemy's armor can be cut through with a slash, and their heart‑protecting mirrors pierced with a spear."

The Old Emperor still wore a flattering smile, and Qiao Mai smiled.

"Talkative, my affairs have limits, hm!"

Now he dared not underestimate this mother‑in‑law; after being emperor for so many years, his ability to read people still remains.

"Hm!"

Yubao was so frightened he no longer dared to hum; he couldn't see any difference in Madam Qiao—just that her cooking was better and she could perform a Transformation Trick, so why would the emperor be so concerned?

"Hmm, his leg is crippled; I'll examine him, and if he recovers, he could become the next ruler."

"Hmm, perhaps I have a way to heal him."

"Ah, can't?"

Yuan Jiaqi didn't mind that a little girl had been added to the courtyard; his wife kindly took her in, so they'll raise her.

"Another day shall I bring the imperial grandson to your house?"

"Haha, good, good, um, I think your Ling'er is truly fine; I have a grandson whose age is similar to yours, so let's become a double in‑law family."

"Your Majesty, are you about to appoint a Crown Prince?"

"When? How about tomorrow then?"

"When idle with nothing to do, I like reading books; military texts aren't only for men to read."

"With me, as long as my daughter likes it, that's enough. My daughter is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting; with me as her backing, she surpasses ten‑thousand troops, who dares to bully her? Even the emperor, I would kill him likewise."

"What? The emperor wants to bring the Eleventh Prince to our house?"

"Light rain, brew a pot of tea."

"When will the two of us have a child?"

"Huh?"

As for me, I have never seen that Eleventh Prince.

The two still have feelings, and the Emperor, looking at the handsome Wu Tao's son, spoke with regret.

How old is he, and is he good‑looking?

Made by the Kitchen Maid; eat it if you like, or not.

I have that idea, but we still need to see; if my son's leg can be healed, I would be very pleased to make him the Crown Prince.

Yu Bao had been attending beside him, and he carefully glanced at the Emperor.

That's still early; tomorrow I will grant them leave and take Eleven over.

What of it? I don't mind at all.

The Emperor, thinking his ears were bad and having misheard, said, "You show him the leg?"

Qiao Mai got up and left, leaving the sulking Emperor behind; of course he wasn't truly angry, just temporarily unable to adjust to someone speaking to him like that.

Yes, Princess.

The Old Emperor sighed lightly, wondering why this woman dared to say anything; if it were another court official, he would certainly sentence them.

On the day he received this news, he sent someone to invite Qiao Mai to the palace.

Why did the Emperor bring this up now?

In the end, are you the Emperor, or am I the Emperor?

Then how do we discuss this generation?

Either way, I have already prepared the dowry on my side, ready to discuss marriage at any time.

In‑laws, rest assured, I have everything under control.

He wanted to gamble, placing the bet on this woman; he wagered that she was connected to a deity—if not a deity herself, then at least a relative of one.

Anything else?

This is still that lofty, awe‑inspiring master who commands respect without anger; why does he become like this the moment he sees Qiao Furen?

The Emperor frowned, "One wife? That's a bit difficult."

First, don't talk about family matters; when he arrives, I'll first show him the leg.

Our family married a Princess, and now we are to produce an Empress?

Yes.

Qiao Mai tilted her head, looking at the little girl she had bought.

Hmm, not only that, there's also a training unit of elite soldiers for ambushes, and at the same time we need the Ministry of War to develop large weapons, whose killing power is exceptionally strong.

Who has a mother like you? Truly you must have burned high incense in a past life.

Did the Emperor agree to the several conditions you, my lady, put forward?

The steel has been produced; we must quickly forge weapons, equip the army, otherwise be careful of the Four Nations sending troops simultaneously.

Xian'er?

Your son, I have seen the Father Emperor!

What book have you been reading lately?

Reading some miscellaneous notes, Father Emperor, please have a seat.

Tomorrow I will go out with the Father Emperor, and the Father Emperor has found you a Divine Physician who can examine the stubborn illness in your leg.