Chapter 350: All Is Trash

The Old Emperor, obediently extending his hand, let Qingfeng take his pulse.

"Hmm, your body is fine; have you been treating it lately?"

"Ha ha, try this tea; I've been drinking it constantly lately, and it feels good."

The Emperor did not comment further on the Qiao Family; Qingfeng lifted the tea bowl, smelled it, his eyes showed surprise, then took a sip and swallowed.

"This tea is good, its fragrance is fresh and aromatic; drinking it fills the whole body with a warm feeling, it nourishes the spirit and relieves fatigue, and regular drinking prolongs life."

"When you return to the mountain, I will pack some for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The two met and conversed happily; as they talked, the topic turned to the Qiao Family.

"Your Majesty, I, a humble Daoist, entered the capital and passed a Zhai called Jixiang Yuan; I wonder if Your Majesty knows of it."

This time she did not lift the Red Cloth; instead she lifted from within the Red Cloth a pot of bright red Peony.

"In the Cultivation Realm, there are Demon Beasts, Spirit Beasts, Immortal Beasts, Divine Beasts; Fierce Beasts naturally carry Demon Qi, but a Beast with Demon Qi does not necessarily eat people."

There was no other way, so Yuan Jiaqi had to take his wife and children and go.

After the Old Emperor arrived with his concubines, he said a few casual words, and then all the activities began.

"That is the home of my subject; what is improper?"

One thing they didn't know was that the Old Emperor never planned to occupy this seat until death; the Military Token he held would slowly be passed to the Eleventh Prince, the command authority would be his, and he feared no one.

"Old friend, you have traveled a long way; you must be tired. The Qingfeng Hall has been kept clean by my orders; would you like to rest a bit?"

The current Jixiang Yuan is such that even members of the Imperial Court cannot afford to offend it; the Shun Prince's family are those who wish to be on good terms.

From Peony to rose, to Chinese Peony, to Chrysanthemum, almost every kind of flower was transformed into a pot.

"I have a friend, a Daoist, who is already a hundred years old, yet his body remains vigorous, and he has much insight on the path of cultivation; he came to the capital today, happened to pass by your residence, discovered that Jixiang Yuan's Demon Qi is soaring, I do not believe it, and I wish to ask you personally."

No one is short‑sighted; why does the Old Emperor view Yuan's household that way?

What exactly is good about their family? They want military authority but have none; even if they give the Eleventh Prince the heir position, without anyone's support, can he sit for long?

"Then I will ask you directly."

"Mother‑in‑law, with so many people today and it being the thirtieth anniversary night, I am weary of these songs and dances, yet I still think your Transformation Trick is good."

The Emperor's face turned green upon hearing that, "They're so cute, how could they be demons?"

However, he does recognize value, knowing she carries a Space Treasure, but this space is not something he can claim.

The Emperor, excitedly looking at her, said, "You, are you the immortal from that night?"

"I never expected that traveling the mortal world once could find a Space Treasure; it's truly a waste on this woman."

In the corner, Qingfeng Daozhang narrowed his eyes and watched this scene.

After saying that, he quietly concealed his form.

"I have seen them eat grass, eat nuts,"

"That means her household hides a demon creature."

Only the Peony transforms in many varieties—red Peony, pink Peony, green Peony, blue Peony, ink Peony—so many that everyone's eyes were dazzled.

The Emperor was a bit uneasy, "It shouldn't be, Fu Wang's consort is powerful and would not tolerate a demon creature in the household."

"Your Majesty is advanced in age; when the Eleventh Prince can help you, there will be no trouble. Look at cultivation texts; a person who harms others is not as good as a demon; everything has its good and bad, and sometimes people are not even as good as demons."

"Wow, it really is a Peony."

The Empress herself stepped down from above, touched it with her hand, and said, "It's a real flower; this Peony blooms truly splendidly."

"Today the Empress is happy, likes my little Transformation Trick, so I shall present my humble display."

Qiao Mai rose, and the dancer all stepped back, apparently already aware of the Empress's arrangement.

She moved to the center of the stage, scanning with her eyes the hopeful gazes.

"Empress, would you like to select a flower?"

"I, a humble Daoist, observe that the household's Demon Qi soars to the heavens."

"Your Majesty, what do you understand as a demon?"

"Mother‑in‑law…"

The Emperor furrowed his brows, "Demon Qi? How could that be? I have sent people to investigate that family; the couple are both from the countryside, climbing step by step to today, which is truly difficult, and the children they raised are of upright character."

"So why are you still worried, Your Majesty?"

"Very well, then I will withdraw for now."

The Emperor and Empress both rose excitedly, unable to believe as they looked at the stage filled with all sorts of fresh flowers.

"Then may I ask, Your Majesty, has our Ming Empire ever had any incidents that harmed people that are known?"

Qiao Mai turned her head away, no longer paying him attention, implying 'you can guess.' Their conversation was whispered, and with songs and dances still in the great hall, almost no one heard them.

Qiao Mai let out a cold snort toward him, realizing that this old fool was not good either, having taken an interest in her space.

The Old Emperor swallowed, appearing to watch the performances, but his mind was like boiling water.

He was so heated that he wanted to go outside to catch a breeze and cool down.

Originally Qiao Mai's family did not intend to attend the palace banquet, but the Emperor ordered someone to send a request to their home, making their family obliged to attend.

She had the palace staff fetch several bamboo rods, tying them into a simple frame; the Flower Transformation, unlike the Fruit Transformation, had a grand aim.

"As long as it does not harm people, I am at ease, at ease."

As an Emperor, he hardly reads these books; governing the nation involves so many affairs that there is no time to read such things.

"Beasts that eat people, harm people, bring disaster to people."

As she was daydreaming, the Empress looked at Qiao Mai and spoke.

The Empress returned to her seat, and only then did Qiao Mai begin the Transformation Tricks, almost one per minute.

"As long as I can answer your…"

Where?

Today is different from before; no one dares to look down on Jixiang Yuan any more. When they see the Yuan Family, especially when they see Qiao Mai, their eyes are filled with caution, fearing that provoking this woman will bring a bad end.

Then let's start with the Peony.

What is the Empress thinking?

A rare wise ruler.

He thought for a moment, let the idea brew, looked at Yuan Jiaqi on his left and Qiao Mai, and whispered.

Qiao Mai smiled, and glanced in one direction.

Flowers? I like all flowers.

Not to mention, even their seats are right next to the Emperor, and for this banquet, the Eleventh Prince, Hai Chuan, Ling'er, and Jia Mei are seated together.

Not really, but the Emperor is also worried.

the Emperor?

Hiss— Has the mother-in-law ever seen a demon?

Give it to the Empress.

She communicated with Xiao Qing by thought, then covered the frame with a piece of Red Cloth.

Servants, quickly bring it back to my chambers.

Well, we're not outsiders either; what do you think of me, the Emperor?

We're not immortals; you claim there's a Cultivation Realm? How would we know about Demon Beasts and such?

But, like some ancient myths, he does know a few things.

Is she really an immortal? Oh dear, hanging onto him like this is too uncomfortable.

You've also seen it, haven't you?

Qingfeng Daozhang saw the Emperor overly protective of that family, wanted to speak but held back, thinking it wasn't urgent.

When the person left, the Emperor originally wanted Yu Bao to announce Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai's entry into the palace, but thought better of it, deciding to wait until the evening banquet.

Those songs and dances, compared with her Transformation Trick, are all trash.

My family, you know, those three goats and the six hopping baby squirrels on the tree.

Your Majesty, you are a wise ruler; friends are fine, but you should have your own judgment—what's trustworthy, what isn't. Do not blindly pursue Long Life Immortality, for even immortals can die.

I, the humble Daoist, do not know, but if Demon Beasts are not eliminated, they may harm the mortal world.

After finishing the Transformation Trick, the Emperor did not ask her to do anything else, and the ministers had no right to demand Consort Fu Wang, so Qiao Mai returned to her seat.

The Eleventh Prince finally got his wish and saw the incredible Transformation Trick.

Pots of real flowers were arranged beautifully like this; as long as one isn't foolish, no one will call it a trick.

It's not a trick—then what is it?

(End of Chapter)