Chapter 352 - Chapter 352: Whose Heart Was Plucked Out?
Chapter 352: Whose Heart Was Plucked Out?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
On the second day, the old emperor arrived with the empress. The Eleventh Prince and Jiamei came yesterday, so they didn’t join today.
Qiao Mai had prepared food early because they were coming around mealtime, hoping to get a free meal.
In the past, when the emperor visited Lucky Garden, it might have been for the food. Now, he wanted to take a good look at this Immortal and verify his thoughts.
What Qingfeng said was one thing, but he only believed it when he heard it with his ears.
As soon as they entered Lucky Garden, the emperor followed the empress’s example and held Yuan Jiaqi’s hand, but he was shaken off.
Holding hands between women might be usual, but when two men do it, people might mistake it for something else, even if it is a friendly gesture.
Even if it were a romantic relationship between men, it would be too embarrassing for it to be the emperor.
Unbeknownst to the old emperor, he was rejected!
As soon as they entered, they took their seats and started eating. The emperor, breaking his habits, drank quite a bit of alcohol. He believed that alcohol could give him the courage to ask what was on his mind.
Qiao Mai looked at Yuan Jiaqi and the empress, signaling him not to ask. However, the old emperor had to ask; otherwise, he couldn’t sleep. He already had dark circles under his eves.
“In-law?”
“I know what you want to ask, but I don’t want to answer. Qingfeng must have told you, right?”
“He did say something, but I don’t believe it.”
“What he said is true.”
“I want to see those demons. Can I?”
Qiao Mai was speechless. She used her thoughts to summon the squirrels and sheep. They all appeared in front of them.
The old emperor couldn’t believe his eyes. He rubbed them hard. “Are these the demons Qingfeng talked about?”
“Yes, I use them to guard my home.”
“Did they deal with those black-clothed people?”
Qiao Mai waved her hand, dispersing them.
“Yes, I can’t handle everything personally. With them around, even if your
Golden Dragon Guards come to my house, they will be wiped out.” “Amazing! If you wanted this country, wouldn’t it be easy?”
“Forget it. With my cultivation, I could even take over the world. But I don’t care for it. Just be a good emperor. With me here, you can enjoy yourself in secret.”
“Was it you who stopped the war at the Northern Pass?”
“Tianshui Town is not far from there. My relatives and friends are all there.
Would I watch something happen?”
“I knew it. I knew it. What about the grain that night?”
“Enough already. Why do you keep bringing it up? Be grateful that you have me living in your Ming Dynasty!”
“Thank you!”
“Teach the Crown Prince well. Otherwise, you know what will happen.”
“Of course. Haha, I’m happy today. Let’s drink. We won’t go back until we’re drunk.”
The emperor was rarely this happy, and the empress was puzzled by what she heard. However, she wasn’t foolish and could discern a few things. She merely didn’t say much.
She looked at Qiao Mai with a strange expression, understanding that with an in-law like her, the Ming Dynasty would be peaceful for the people.
She finally understood that her position as the empress was all thanks to Qiao Mai. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.
When they left, they were carried onto Qiao Mai’s carriage.
These past few days were uneventful at home. Qiao Mai informed Yuan Jiaqi and went into seclusion.
Yuan Jiaqi will handle Jiamei and Chuan’er’s marriage. She needed to be in seclusion for at least two months and had no plans to come out early.
The emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department to put the princess’s wedding on the agenda. Chuan’er’s side waited for the news from the other side, doing whatever they were told.
At this time, rumors began spreading in the capital that the Duke of Blessing’s wife was a demon, and she even raised several demonic beasts.
The rumors escalated. Many commoners were afraid to pass by Lucky Garden. Even the embroidery shop and Qiao’s Small Eatery had no customers.
Shopkeeper Niu was anxious. Since Qiao Mai was in seclusion, he went to Yuan Jiaqi.
“Master, the capital is going crazy now. What should we do?”
“You guys have also been working hard. Take a few days off. Close the shops and wait for the mistress to come out. We have enough money; we can afford to keep you.”
Yuan Jiaqi instructed Shopkeeper Niu to close the shops, and everyone was to stay active in the courtyard. They shouldn’t leave.
Ling’er saw no customers in the shop and closed the door, keeping her people in her yard.
Lucky Garden was spacious, and they could move around as they pleased. They only couldn’t leave for their safety.
By March, the rumors had spread even more intensely. There were few pedestrians on the street during the day, and there wasn’t even a watchman at night.
Yuan Jiaqi and Chuan’er continued their official duties as usual, doing whatever was needed. They were both eagerly awaiting the moment when Qiao Mai would come out of seclusion.
The emperor soon learned of this matter. He was furious and immediately sent out the Golden Dragon Guards to investigate.
The cunning emperor thought that the whole rumor started from Taoist Qingfeng. By now, he had returned to the mountains.
It was impossible to send the Golden Dragon Guards to investigate. Qingfeng had profound internal strength, and the Golden Dragon Guards were no match for him. Moreover, many martial artists were on the mountain, each with exceptional skills.
To investigate this matter, they needed Qiao Mai. Only she could make Qingfeng feel wary or even frightened.
Even the court officials began to include this matter in political discussions. They all suggested the emperor thoroughly investigate this matter, or it might cause panic among the people.
The emperor snorted in his heart. He knew everyone was panicking as the Eleventh Prince’s legs were healed. They wanted to use the rumors to suppress the Yuan family.
The emperor readily agreed to investigate, but it would take time.
After he knew Qiao Mai went into seclusion, he decided to drag the matter. The rumors also affected Jiamei and Chuan’er’s marriage. It was delayed until the investigation was settled.
From January to April, the emperor and empress visited Lucky Garden twice but didn’t see Qiao Mai.
Jiamei and the Eleventh Prince also came many times. One comforted Chuan’er, and the other comforted Ling’er.
Surprisingly, neither of them was worried. They believed that as long as Mother came out of seclusion, this matter would be resolved.
At this time, Qiao Mai was sprinting towards the ninth stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. Two months of focused cultivation allowed her to advance by four stages. One more step, and she would finish her seclusion. Greeny fluttered its wings and flew near her. “Master.”
Qiao Mai slowly opened her eyes. “What’s the matter?” “Rumors are spreading in the capital, saying that you are a demon.”
“It must be that Taoist spreading rumors. Hmph.”
“Our two shops have closed, and almost no one is walking on the street in front of our mansion. They are afraid of demons.”
“A bunch of idiots. Even if there were demons, who had their hearts scooped out? Whose organs were eaten? Or did anything abnormal happen? Ignorant fools, blindly following others.”
“Or, you could take a look outside for a while?”
Qiao Mai looked at herself and nodded. “Not bad. After advancing through four stages, I’ll challenge the major breakthrough next time. Do you want to join in the fun?”
“Sure.”
The master and servant went out of the space. Opening the door, she didn’t see Yuan Jiaqi. He should be on duty.
She went straight to Old Master Wang. Ling’er, Nanny Jin, and others were sitting and talking.
“I wonder when Mother will come out of seclusion.
“It’s taking a bit long, but it’s not urgent. Let’s wait a bit longer. We have enough food and supplies; it can last a year or two. Put your minds at ease. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll all move to Bichun Garden.”
“No, we have to guard our home while Mother is away. They’re just afraid of us.”
“They won’t sell to us. Some even close their shops when they see our servants.”
When Qiao Mai heard this, she raised an eyebrow and walked in.
“Let them. Could they close the doors to their shop forever?”
Ling’er ran to her in surprise and threw herself into Qiao Mai’s arms. “Mother, you’re out of seclusion.”
“Yeah. You’ve all done a good job, knowing to stay put and wait for me to come out of seclusion.
“Hehe, only you can solve it. We don’t have that ability..”