Chapter 356 - Chapter 356: Becoming the Owner of This Place
Chapter 356: Becoming the Owner of This Place
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
It made him depressed with a restless mood. He frequently throws things around, almost bordering on being maniacal.
Princess Mu and her close friend Miss Xiao have always wanted to visit Lucky Garden to see Qiao Mai but lacked the courage to do so together.
With Princess Jiamei and Haichuan’s wedding around the corner, they finally decided to go.
Thinking that her husband was on duty that day, the two secretly discussed and planned to go together.
The joyous events at Lucky Garden made the court officials happy again. Shamelessly, they supported the princes against the Qiao family while eyeing their food.
Unfortunately for them, their plan went awry. While Lucky Garden indeed hosted the celebration, they no longer invited guests.
Want to eat? Go to the emperor’s place.
The emperor was delighted to have a connection with the Immortal’s family. He had long forgotten about the Seventh Prince’s matter. It was true that the royal family was heartless.
As a result, Princess Mu and Miss Xiao’s plan fell through.
On the day of the grand wedding, Princess Jiamei and Haichuan would have the ceremony in the palace, then be sent to the Qiao family, followed by another ceremony.
After realizing this, the court officials felt it was a pity. Some of those who supported the Seventh Prince had been dealt with, and the others, trying to please Yuan Jiaqi, found themselves rejected.
They were puzzled, wondering how the Seventh Prince fell so suddenly.
They heard that Madam Qiao went to the Investigation Bureau with a dog and solved the case. They had planned for it for so long!
Could it be that the heavens were blessing the Qiao family? Was the purple-golden aura real? It lingered around Lucky Garden for over ten days.
All the men on the Seventh Prince’s side who escaped this disaster secretly wiped their sweat. The court officials attending the banquet were noticeably fewer, thanks to the emperor not wiping them all out; otherwise, there would be even fewer.
Even so, the other princes’ factions remained unyielding. They continued to support a prince without assurance. Once the prince they supported ascended, Yuan Jiaqi would still be a mere official with no substantial influence.
Look at Yuan Jiaqi, neutral and supporting the current emperor—how glorious is he?
No matter who became the emperor in the future, he would still support the one sitting on the dragon throne. That was the vision of a farsighted person.
The more involved in private affairs, the more tragic the outcome because the first thing the one sitting on the throne does is to suppress the most influential powers.
Princess Jiamei finally married into Lucky Garden. It was a dream come true for her.
She used to be a guest here, but from this day forward, she became the mistress. Sitting in the bridal chamber, she chuckled happily.
She had a good impression of Haichuan and vice versa. They liked each other, and her parents-in-law were good. Before leaving, the empress even repeatedly reminded her.
After married, she should serve her parents, treat her younger sister-in-law well, and avoid putting on air. The empress told her that her mother-in-law was not ordinary; even the emperor respected her greatly.
Princess Jiamei wasn’t foolish. With a good upbringing since childhood and a clever mind, she naturally understood that her mother-in-law was formidable.
As she had no social obligations, she served tea to her in-laws on the very day, receiving a generous red envelope from them. Since the Qiao family had few relatives, she didn’t need to go through the hassle.
At noon, Qiao Mai handed the household to her and gave her all the account books and keys after having lunch.
Every time Ling’er saw her mother relieved, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.
“Mom, you are throwing your responsibilities away happily.”
“Don’t laugh. This year, you and your sister-in-law will go to County She to settle the accounts.”
“Ah? Mom, you’re even letting go of this?”
“As I’m getting older, it’s unsuitable to keep running around. You two are still young and like to travel, right?”
“Hehe, that’s true. My sister-in-law and I love to see the snow. We’ll have a great time over there for over a month.”
“Remember, don’t associate with the Tian family.”
“Got it, Mother.”
Hearing that she was going north with Ling’er, Jiamei was also overjoyed. But she didn’t express it as joyously as Ling’er did.
Three days later, Princess Jiamei and Haichuan set off for the imperial palace with carts of gifts.
The old emperor was delighted and instructed the royal kitchen to prepare many dishes. He summoned the Eleventh Prince, and the three of them accompanied the couple for a meal.
During the meal, the old emperor and the empress inquired about Jiamei’s situation in her in-laws’ house.
“Father, Mother, rest assured. On the day I entered, Mother handed over everything to me. She even wants me and Ling’er to settle the accounts in Tianshui Town.”
“Just you two young girls?”
“Mother arranged three stable carriages for us. Three sheep from home will come along.”
After thinking, the old emperor said, “When a princess goes out, she can’t bring only three sheep. Fetch a squad of Imperial Guards. No, when you leave, take them directly. They will be the guards for Lucky Garden in the future.”
“Thank you, Father.”
The Eleventh Prince took a deep breath. “Father, this son has never been out before. How about giving my brother-in-law a break, and we will accompany them?”
“Haha, that’s good. After all, they are newlyweds. When are you leaving?” “It might be at the end of November.”
“Then I will give you a month’s leave. You two can travel together. Eleven, you can cultivate your relationship with Ling’er on the way.”
The Eleventh Prince blushed and nodded, “Yes, Father.”
The sweet days flew by. In a blink, it was the end of November. Jiamei and Ling’er packed their bags. This time, each of them brought two maids.
As there were three carriages and ample space, they carried a lot of luggage.
When they set off, three sheep climbed onto one of the three carriages.
Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai stood at the main gate, waving their hands to them.
“Come back before the New Year, and enjoy your journey. Don’t worry about saving money.” “Yes, Mother.”
“Let’s go.”
From the moment they arrested the Seventh Prince after exposing the plot, the capital had been calm, but there were still hidden waves beneath the surface.
Once Ling’er and the others left the city, someone followed them.
The Eleventh Prince was skilled in martial arts but not particularly formidable. The people following them were cautious, keeping a distance, looking like a caravan.
But the sheep sensed the ill intentions behind them. They yelled a few times, prompting Haichuan and the Eleventh Prince to look back.
There was a squad of Imperial Guards consisting of twenty people. Although it seemed like a considerable number, they were ineffective against martial artists.
“Are they targeting us, brother-in-law?”
“Should we stay overnight if needed? We have the sheep; what are we afraid of? You haven’t seen my family’s sheep. Each one could fight ten at the same time.”
“So powerful?”
“Absolutely.”
The Eleventh Prince couldn’t help but reach out and pat the sheep’s head. What they didn’t know was that a teacup-sized dog was sleeping on the roof.
Qiao Mai was worried about these youngsters and secretly sent Blackie to accompany them.
When it was getting dark, they arrived in a small town and stayed in the only inn.
The merchant group also stayed there. Rather than looking like traveling merchants, they resembled guards transporting goods. Haichuan might not be skilled in martial arts, but his observations were meticulous. He and the Eleventh Prince looked down from the window. “The goods have no weight; the wheels haven’t sunk.”
“It’s empty.”
“Yes, just to track us. After the last incident didn’t harm my mother, they probably want to capture us this time. Then, they can use us to threaten the emperor and my mother. These people are despicable.”
The Eleventh Prince sighed, “I’m afraid it’s related to me again.”
“You can’t escape. My mother said the root cause was you. Ling’er is about to marry you. My family will be your in-laws. Who doesn’t know that our family business is making a fortune? In the future, it will be your other treasury.”
Haichuan’s straightforwardness made the Eleventh Prince feel unusually comfortable. He chuckled.
“Then, what’s the annual income for this brother-in-law of mine?”
“I don’t have any. It’s my mother’s. Even my father doesn’t have it. These are all your mother-in-law’s.”
“Do you have one million taels?”