Chapter 362: Do You Dare?

Jia Mei selected twenty loads from her own dowry, bringing the total to four hundred and fifty loads.

The palace consort and the royal relatives sent twenty more loads, making it four hundred and seventy loads.

That number still isn't auspicious; when no one else sent any, Qiao Mai rounded it up to a neat five hundred loads, not counting the living creatures.

It took up two entire mansions to store, truly unprecedented in the world.

Just the dowry list needed several people to bear; it was so abundant that even a ten‑li bridal procession couldn't capture it.

The grand wedding was set for the first day of the third month next year; the Emperor is commissioning the Crown Prince's residence, so the ceremony will not be held in the palace but directly in the Crown Prince's residence, and the Emperor and Empress will attend.

Originally the Emperor wanted to invite the mother‑in‑law to come over and remodel some areas to make them like Jixiang Yuan.

But thinking that Eleven and Ling'er would eventually enjoy palace life, he abandoned the idea; at worst he could retire a few years early and then ask the mother‑in‑law to remodel the palace, not extensively, just the quarters where he and the Empress live and the quarters of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

He would also add a bathroom or something; even if the mother‑in‑law isn't concerned for them, she should at least care for her own daughter.

Qiao Mai not only dotes on her own daughter but also feels great concern for Jia Mei, her daughter‑in‑law; since Jia Mei became pregnant, she has secretly renovated the courtyard where they live.

That creature behaves like a gentleman every day; if Qiao Mai doesn't summon it, it won't appear.

"You don't eat meat?"

"Yes, it's called Flame Lion, a kind of fierce beast,"

"Alright,"

"I'm telling Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, why did you bring the fierce beast back here? Our courtyard is full of women; if something happens, who could control it?"

"Master, this dog is very obedient."

Jin Mama and a group of Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls leaned at the doorway to watch; indeed it doesn't eat people. Despite its huge, fierce‑looking head, in front of Ling'er it's like a little lamb.

Within three days, the news that Jixiang Yuan had raised a tiger‑like animal spread, and now Qiao Mai has nothing left to hide.

"Get out"

"Flame, can you take me for a walk?"

"Mother, you have something for your daughter?"

"Hehe, I understand, Mother"

Just a symbolic visit for inspection; the flying demon mouse on the tree also rolled its tiny eyes, looking down disdainfully at the big brute inside the house.

Ling'er stroked its fur affectionately, "From now on I'll just call it Flame,"

In Jingcheng's summer, rain comes whenever it pleases; the bustling scene here can't stop pedestrians with umbrellas and horse‑drawn carriages from heading out.

That night, Ling'er led the lion back into the courtyard; it didn't frighten the few Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls to death, and Jin Mama was so scared she could barely speak.

Qiao Mai waved a hand, and a stylish big lion appeared beside Ling'er, startling her.

Jin Mama, leading a group of Embroidery Ladies, was hurriedly making the Crown Princess's wedding dress, and Jixiang Embroidery Shop was temporarily not taking outside commissions.

"Hmm, this oath is well spoken; my Crown Princess has noted it."

Qiao Mai gave Eleven a slightly meaningful glance and said leisurely, "Besides this lion, there are also two Ferghana Horses and two carriages,"

Ling'er giggled foolishly, boldly stepped forward to pat the lion's head; it responded by nudging her, then opened its mouth wide and roared at her.

The children: you watch me, I watch you; about the boat, it's all a fog. The Old Emperor gave no explanation, and the mother‑in‑law reminded him that some matters are better kept from the children.

Ling'er didn't restrain Flame, letting it go wherever it wanted, as long as it stayed within Jixiang Yuan's gates.

Flame nodded at Qiao Mai, and Ling'er excitedly climbed onto its back.

It was like a bird; when idle it perched on the roof, looking proud. Qiao Mai looked up at Heizi.

Flame bit her arm and shook it; Ling'er asked in confusion.

Flame licked a bag on its neck; Ling'er suddenly understood, "Alright, tell me when you're hungry."

At night, the Old Emperor came with the Empress and Eleven, just to see Ling'er's pet.

"Wow, that's so cool,"

Qiao Mai looked at Eleven and asked, "Do you dare?"

"It can both protect you and serve as your mount; you must treat it as a partner, understand?"

A light snort, one day I'll replace you, sending you to howl in the void.

But she instantly regained composure, "Is this a gift from mother to daughter?"

The next day, at daybreak, Ling'er rode Flame around the house.

"No, without me there, you should behave; if the boat breaks and falls, no one will rescue it."

The elderly lady, knowing Jia Mei liked small animals and after inquiring with Qiao Mai, gave her a red cat when it was confirmed the cat wouldn't affect her health.

At night, Qiao Mai sent someone to Xian Yue Ge to summon Ling'er.

"Of course there's a reason; haven't you always wanted a cool fierce beast as a pet?"

Yuan Jiaqi had seen Flame early on; he wasn't scared to death and thought it was a tiger descending the mountain, not expecting it to be a lion.

The Old Emperor, thinking of that boat, grew restless, "Mother‑in‑law, can that boat be…?"

The more things he saw in Jixiang Yuan, the more satisfied the Old Emperor was with this marriage, and the deeper his heartfelt respect for Qiao Mai grew.

"Sleep here for now; once I'm married, I'll build a beautiful nest in your courtyard, hehe."

Heizi, being clever yet resentful, looked down at his master and quickly used telepathy to contact Qiao Mai.

"If Eleven dares, let it eat Eleven."

Seeing his daughter treat it as a mount, he was extremely envious.

Although it sits below the lion in the food chain, it's under the same owner, and Yang Laoda isn't afraid of it.

"Are you afraid Eleven will later bully Ling'er?"

"Hmm, as long as you like it."

Ling'er patted Flame's head, "This is a dowry gift from mother; it doesn't eat people, don't worry. You all go to the Chufang and order some meat,"

The entire courtyard brimmed with Spiritual Energy; a single breath felt incredibly soothing. Raising a fetus here is extremely beneficial for the child.

So he also didn't dare to speak much, fearing the mother‑in‑law would be displeased.

Ling'er was extremely eager, led it into the house, and even laid a mat on the floor for it.

"Yes."

On the roof, Heizi rolled his eyes disdainfully, "Hah, don't act big; you're not even at my rank yet, what arrogance? One of me can beat ten of you."

The food and drink were all kept close to her, lest she make a mistake.

When they saw the flames nearly two meters high and four or five meters long, they all opened their mouths in shock.

Whoever wants to say something, say it; it's up to them.

"Hey, I'll roll away now, alright?"

This kind of animal isn't owned by Great Ming; they hadn't seen it before, but Qiao Mai explained it to them, and they felt at ease.

"Dear, is this for Ling'er?"

Ling'er watched the lion swallow, "So majestic, taller than Nü'er, Nü'er really likes it."

It made Jia Mei overjoyed; she loves cute, adorable little critters, which is the opposite of Ling'er.

"Take it away at the wedding; consider it part of your dowry,"

Qiao Mai glanced at the flames, then handed it a Storage Pouch to hang around its neck, "Stay close to the little master,"

Qiao Mai sent a sheep and a mouse over to protect her.

"Right here in the Yuanzi, going out would scare them."

At that moment, Yang Laoda rushed in, rolled his eyes at the flames, and hurriedly ran out.

Fortunately, the servants of Jixiang Yuan have undergone many spiritual trials; though frightened, they believe the fierce Beast won't eat people.

"Yes, she's long wanted a cool pet; I sent people overseas, captured one in a very hot place, raised it from childhood, already trained, doesn't bite or eat people; normally just feed it pork, beef, lamb, etc., as long as it's meat it eats anything, and occasionally some fruit."

At the Cheng Men, a large convoy of carriages and horses arrived.

After passing the inspection of the city guard, they entered the city, and the entourage majestically halted before a grand mansion gate.

One after another, many people came down, men and women, old and young, dozens of households, truly lively.

"Father, mother, we finally returned!"

(End of chapter)