Chapter 374: These Shoes Are Nice

Qiao Mai didn't hum, gazing at the distant mountains and waters; the Empress, who rarely came out, had a maid bring her zither out of the boat hold.

With such fine scenery, how could there be no zither sound?

Qiao Mai closed her eyes, listening intently; the Empress's zither skill is superb, and she likely plays often.

The few people remained silent, listening quietly.

After a short while, when the Empress finished playing, Qiao Mai was the first to clap and cheer.

"Not bad, not bad,"

"Mother-in-law, can you?"

"I can't; I'm a rough person—knowing some martial arts is enough, and I also farm and do business; I'm not good at other things."

"We can complement each other's strengths; what I can't do, you can, and what you can, I can't."

"How long shall we stay here?"

Along the way, the Empress behaved like a child, and Qiao Mai constantly varied how she fed them; after more than ten days they had put on a good amount of flesh.

While talking, the carriage entered Liangzhou City.

This guesthouse is run by his family; whenever a wealthy person or high official checks in, they learn of it immediately.

The four of them drank tea, waiting for the rain outside; at noon it finally stopped, and the standing water outside had mostly receded.

"Is half a month okay?"

"Brothels are the source of disease spread, and Gambling Houses are the vile root of harming the people; if both were banned, I believe the people's lives would improve a bit."

"That guy is too rogue; I'm afraid we'll be singled out like this."

Upon reaching Liangzhou territory, as soon as they set foot ashore, their feet felt buoyant, as if stepping on cotton.

The Emperor sighed, "Things like this truly can't be eradicated; as long as they don't come openly and my Golden Dragon Guard doesn't discover them, it's fine."

This commotion didn't last long before it attracted the attention of a schemer—who? Naturally, Prefect Wu of Liangzhou City.

Qiao Mai found an unoccupied spot, rolled the carriage out, and the group rode the carriage from the dock toward Liangzhou.

Qiao Mai waved her hand, laying a Barrier over the three buildings, and only then did everyone feel at ease.

"Today it looks like we can't go out; the rain hasn't stopped yet."

The servants went out, prepared the meal, set the table for the Masters, and then left.

Qiao Mai ate well, and Yuan Jiaqi did likewise; he quickly brewed her a pot of tea. The Emperor watched with eager eyes—being attended by women, something he had never experienced before.

"Why the rush? Look first and then speak. I have a hand; dealing with him is a piece of cake. We have to stay half a month, and we must also collect all his crimes."

"After washing each morning, apply a bit to your face; look, you already have wrinkles."

The five of them put on Rain Shoes, left the guesthouse, and with the Rain Shoes on, they walked with great swagger.

Women, after all, are naturally unable to resist beauty; upon learning this thing can fight wrinkles, they became a bit impatient.

Qiao Mai wasn't the problem; the three of them were already exhausted. Although one can sleep on the boat, overall the space was small, the beds were small, and the sleep was restless.

Yuan Jiaqi glared at the Empress, "My daughter-in-law is obviously fine; no need for you to say it."

"Looking at the ordinary people, it seems they aren't being persecuted," Yuan Jiaqi said.

"Did he see the Emperor, you?"

"Probably. If the locals here start voicing grievances, then this Prefect will be at his end, and my Golden Dragon Guard will not let him go."

"Thank you, Mother-in-law, you're so kind."

"Who are they all?" the Prefect stroked his beard, gazing at the chessboard, and mused.

"We can also go out once it stops."

Qiao Mai nodded, "I suppose there are many Tea Houses, Brothels, and Gambling Houses, right?"

"Hmm"

The three looked at Qiao Mai; she chuckled, "I'll follow your arrangements; as for the amount, I'm just your provision."

"Hehe, only Mother-in-law would dare say that to me."

The Prefect's eyes darted, "Send people to keep an eye on them; if they're just tourists, that's fine, but if they're merchants coming here, report immediately."

"Liangzhou is still quite prosperous."

Qiao Mai and the others didn't know that as soon as the group entered Liangzhou, they were already being watched.

"Bribes, gifts—everything costs money."

"Indeed, these two are quick ways to make money."

Some mischievous children, unable to sleep in the heat, came to splash water for fun; the carriage whizzed past them, splashing them all over with water.

"Then you go back and review the Memorial."

"Mother-in-law, what do you think about me dealing with this Prefect?"

"We are now near the Western Pass; with the Four Nations visiting and no war, I have opened Bian Guan trade. All foreign goods must pass through Liangzhou; sometimes the foreign goods arriving here are completely bought up by local merchants, then resold inland."

"There are two couples, one slightly younger and one slightly older, twenty guards, and a few maidservants."

However, if one's own woman were as powerful as Qiao Mai, this Emperor would also be willing to serve her.

"Shall Mother-in-law act?"

"Stop calling me 'Your Majesty'—just hearing it tells me who you are; change the address."

"Then I'll go try it right now?"

She saw a fine line at the Empress's eye corner, then flipped her hand and took out an exquisite Jade Box.

After drifting on the boat for over ten days, once they entered the guesthouse, everyone couldn't even bother to eat; they first took a wonderful nap.

"This fragrance is wonderful; is it Moisturizing Cream?"

"Is it too heavy?"

Qiao Mai ignored him; had he not persisted in going out, would she let him be such a bothersome country bumpkin?

Yubao is also extremely precious; when he goes out he usually stays beside the Old Emperor, the maid brings nothing, and with Qiao Mai accompanying, it is safety beyond measure.

The Old Emperor snorted coldly, "A clever corrupt official stealthily siphons off the silver."

"Fourth Rank officials naturally have the chance to enter the palace and see me."

"Master, they have booked the entire floor of the Heavenly Character Room; one room costs fifty taels per day, twenty rooms a thousand taels per day, and they're said to stay for half a month."

"But I haven't prohibited them from trading; which of their women doesn't have a dozen shops or inns, isn't that enough?"

"Used to it."

The Old Emperor put them on, happily splashed around in the water once, then returned, took off the shoes and examined his feet.

"Yes, sir."

He entered the cabin briefly and came out, "Mother-in-law, your Moisturizing Cream really works; I found the wrinkles instantly lightened."

Qiao Mai feels very fond of this mother-in-law; gentle without being overbearing, her words always hit the heart, not only harmless but also make people feel warm and comfortable.

"Almost there,"

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi ignored him and ate on their own.

But there was still water; the Old Emperor couldn't stay seated and insisted on going out, so Qiao Mai had to buy a few pairs of Rain Shoes from the Platform.

The carriage stopped at the largest guesthouse in Liangzhou; Eunuch Yu booked all the Heavenly Character Rooms of the guesthouse, the whole floor, truly a grand gesture.

The guards that arrived took turns on duty; at the third‑floor entrance not even a mosquito could get in.

"Haha, they're not wet; these shoes are good."

"Bringing these guards to deal with him is improper; we'll be at a loss."

"Few officials are not corrupt; after all, how can the court's salary make an entire family prosperous without greed?"

Before dawn, they couldn't sleep; each one perched by the window watching the rain outside.

"So does that mean the Governor of Liangzhou is clever?"

They slept until night; lightning flashed, thunder roared, gale winds rose and heavy rain fell, the window shutters seemed about to be ripped off.

"Frequent use yields better results."

Ancient cities, though not as advanced as modern ones, still had drainage ditches; the water beneath was nearly flooding the shops, yet the flow direction could still be seen with the naked eye.

The Empress immediately tossed aside the qin, took the Jade Box, opened it, and a burst of fragrance filled the air.

The Old Emperor and Empress rarely eat alone; they prefer to sit with Qiao Mai, first because they don't need Yubao to taste, and second because the meal feels reassuring.

Laughter and curses rose and fell in turn.

"The bright becomes hidden; even royal members run brothels—how can they be prohibited?"

The Empress was also extremely delighted; Qiao Mai chose a pair of blue Rain Shoes for her, she liked them very much, walking while looking down at the shoes.

The two walked hand in hand, followed by three men.

"Shall we have lunch first?"

"Sure, let's not eat dishes that take too much time; let's have some local specialties, and after that we can wander around."

(End of chapter)