Chapter 391 - Chapter 391: I Don ‘t Want My Face Anymore
Chapter 391: I Don ‘t Want My Face Anymore
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After the incident, they returned to Suzhou in the afternoon. The group was received by Magistrate Gao at his residence instead of the inn.
Fortunately, his family members were not present. Otherwise, Qiao Mai wouldn’t have stayed there.
Over the next few days, they eradicated all the evil forces in the city with the cooperation of the newly appointed commander. Merchants colluding with them were also exposed and dealt with accordingly.
Yuan Jiaqi held Qiao Mai’s hand as they strolled around the Gao family’s residence.
“Wife, there’s trouble wherever we go. If that commander succeeds, it will endanger the emperor and the crown prince in the capital.”
“With me here, there’s no danger.”
Qiao Mai caught a maple leaf in her hand. “The weather is getting cooler; the leaves are falling. Did you broaden your horizons coming out with me this time?”
“Yeah. The scenery is similar to what’s described in books.” “I want to return to Tianshui Town now and rest for a few days. I’m tired.”
“Let’s return to the room. I’ll give you a full-body massage.”
“I’d rather not; I’m afraid you’ll devour me completely.”
While the couple walked and exchanged affectionate words, a woman nearby watched them with deep emotions, wiped away her tears, and walked away. Qiao Mai sensed this and glanced back, then looked at Yuan Jiaqi.
“Seems like you’ve incurred some love debts again. Why does this keep happening wherever we go?”
Once all the matters were settled, Magistrate Gao hosted a banquet, inviting the emperor and others.
As he didn’t have family members with him, Magistrate Gao brought his only concubine to the feast.
When the concubine appeared in elaborate attire, Qiao Mai recognized her as the woman behind them that day.
After introductions, the emperor and empress were not courteous to such a woman.
Qiao Mai ignored her, but the concubine seemed excited when she saw Yuan Jiaqi.
“Mr. Yuan, do you remember me?”
Yuan Jiaqi glanced at her and shook his head. “I’m from Apricot Blossom
Village too. My name is Yuan Limei. We’re from the same family tree.”
Yuan Jiaqi only made a faint acknowledgment, and the conversation went no further.
Magistrate Gao was surprised. “I didn’t expect my concubine and Mr. Yuan to be from the same village.”
“Yes. We’re distant relatives, but considering our seniority, I should address Mr. Yuan as Fifth Brother.’
Yuan Jiaqi’s face darkened. “I’m no longer part of the Yuan family. I’ve severed family ties and married into the Qiao family. Since you’re from there, you should know about it. Don’t bring it up again.”
Yuan Limei turned pale. “Yes, Mr. Yuan.”
After being scolded by Yuan Jiaqi, she behaved herself. Qiao Mai looked at Magistrate Gao.
“How did you two meet?”
“I saved her on my way to the office, and…”
“I see.”
She glanced at Yuan Limei, sensing that she had some connection with Yuan Jiaqi in the past.
After the meal, Qiao Mai grabbed Yuan Jiaqi’s ear in their room.
“Tell me, what’s the deal with Yuan Limei?”
Yuan Jiaqi looked puzzled. “Wife, she’s just a villager. I don’t know her, and we have no connection.”
“But I could see the way she looked at you.”
“Wife, I was a young man, and many young ladies admired me. Their liking me is their business; I never paid much attention to them.”
Qiao Mai burst into laughter, releasing his ear. “I’m just teasing you.” “Wife, you scared me.”
“I believe you have another secret admirer. Being good-looking has its advantages in this regard.”
“Wife, you can scratch my face. I don’t want it anymore.”
“Go away.”
Just as the couple was about to rest, Yuan Limei appeared, accompanied by a servant holding a bundle.
She entered and immediately paid her respects to the couple. “Limei greets the Duke of Blessings and the Royal Consort.”
“Is there something you need?”
“Limei hasn’t been home for a long time. Now that my parents are still alive, could you help me bring some things home to Tianshui Town?”
“That can be arranged.”
Her maid placed a package on the table. Yuan Jiaqi opened it without hesitation, examined its contents, and made a note, ensuring no misunderstandings later.
“All set. You can leave now.”
“Fifth Brother?”
“If you don’t leave, don’t blame me for being harsh.” Yuan Limei’s eyes turned red, and she quickly left.
“Tsk, you do not pity beauty.”
“I only pity you, who I see as worthy of cherishing. No one else can compare.”
Qiao Mai waved her hand, storing the bundle in her space. Just as she did, Greeny suddenly appeared, startling Yuan Jiaqi.
“What is this?”
Qiao Mai rubbed her forehead. “This is my spiritual pet, Greeny.”
“Hello, Master’s husband.”
After a brief greeting, Greeny stared at Qiao Mai. “There are poisonous medicines and tracking powder in that bundle. Master, you didn’t even check before storing it. Do you think you’re invincible in this world?”
“Oh? What of it?”
“That substance is volatile. Over time, it could poison and kill.”
Yuan Jiaqi suddenly grabbed Qiao Mai’s hand. “If we send it back to the village, and the entire village dies, won’t we be held responsible?”
Qiao Mai touched her chin, vanished from sight, and returned half an hour later.
“I checked her soul. She joined a mysterious organization.” “Is she dead?”
“Of course. If she intended to harm, would I keep her alive?” “Master, what about the poison?”
“You handle it,” Qiao Mai said, and Greeny disappeared.
“It seems those people are determined to eliminate us. They are using all available means, including manpower, resources, and methods.”
“Is everything alright with the emperor?”
“He’s fine. That woman is the only usable chess piece in the Gao family. The others don’t fit into their plans.”
“That’s good.”
The next day, upon learning of Yuan Limei’s death, Magistrate Gao didn’t make it public and quietly had her buried.
Three days later, Qiao Mai and her group set out on the official road heading east with the affairs in Suzhou settled.
Their destination was in the east, but there was a slight northern direction. It was already November, and the weather felt gloomy as if it was about to snow.
The horse carriage moved forward, covering dozens of miles from Suzhou. Snowflakes started falling from the sky.
The empress extended her arm, catching snowflakes with her hand. “Finally, we can see the snow.”
“Wait until we reach the north; that’s when you’ll see real snow.”
“This is nice too.”
Before long, the surroundings turned into a curtain of snow, making the distant scenery blurry.
Qiao Mai had been scanning with her spiritual power because they were about to pass through a critical area.
Forests appeared on both sides of the official road, and high mountains loomed in the distance.
Qiao Mai informed her guards mentally to be on high alert and focus on self-preservation, leaving the rest to her.
The carriage moved slowly, and Qiao Mai’s ears twitched. Her hand lifted slightly, and all the carriages came to a stop.
Qiao Mai stepped out of the carriage and turned back to look at them. “No one is allowed to move.”
Jumping down from the carriage, she removed the coverings from Dongzhao and Dracaena. Blackie also sat beside her.
“Master, don’t worry. They are just ordinary mortals with physical bodies.”
“There are many of them.”
Qiao Mai squinted her eyes, looking around. In the woods, many people dressed in snow-colored clothes were crawling forward, gradually approaching the carriages.
Greeny popped out from her space. “Hehe, I am free. Let’s do this together.” With both hands gripping a meteor hammer, Greeny swung it back and forth.
“Good, you four will guard one side each. Leave the rest to me.”
“Wow, Master is going to make a move?”
“I’ll only deal with the escapees.”
“Master is bad!”
Dong Zhao and Dracaena charged in different directions, and Greeny and Blackie went in opposite directions as well.
The guards raised their swords, staying vigilant..