Chapter 334: Think About It

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the imperial study, the emperor glared at him with a dark expression.

“Speak. What immoral things have you been up to recently?”

“Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged!”

“Do you want me to list all the unethical things you’ve done over the years?”

“I haven’t done anything!”

“You must confess truthfully, or I’ll depose you.”

“Father, I haven’t offended anyone.”

“Think about it.”

Prince Li recalled painfully. In these recent days, he had been honest and well-behaved. He hadn’t done anything wrong or offended anyone.

As he pondered, he suddenly remembered something and looked at the emperor strangely.

“Father, I sent someone on a job, but I’m not sure if it’s bad.”

“Spill it out!”

“I sent someone to investigate Minister Yuan’s background. I found out Princess Tianshui was adopted and thought of hiring a couple to act as her birth parents. However, it didn’t succeed.”

“Why did you do so?”

“You know that my son is interested in her. Madam Qiao refused, so I thought perhaps her birth parents could decide her marriage. Even if the recognition failed, it might trouble Madam Qiao.”

“You fool! What kind of person is your son? He dares to think about Princess

Tianshui. I’d rather send my best grandson to marry her. Your useless playboy wants to marry a precious pearl like her? What are you?”

If Prince Li hadn’t been injured, the emperor wanted to use the inkstone on the table to smash him.

“Father, I was foolish. Even if my son is terrible, he is still your grandson. As his father, I couldn’t ignore my son’s injury. I should seek revenge on his behalf.

“Have you avenged him? No? If you don’t discipline him properly, do you see what happened today? Such incidents have occurred many times in the capital. Who found out? Just because you are royal, does it give you the right to do as you please? Talented individuals are as numerous as hairs on an ox.”

“Father, what should I do?”

“Your wife has many properties. You won’t starve. Figure it out yourself and be honest from now on. Get out!”

The emperor didn’t say more and had him sent back. He wanted to find a breakthrough by bringing his fifth son here.

Sitting at the dragon desk, he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.

He had investigated Madam Qiao, who had skills and connections but wasn’t powerful enough to steal from Prince Li’s residence entirely.

The likelihood of her breaking the Fifth Prince’s legs isn’t very high because Prince Li has skilled individuals by his side. The idea of someone silently breaking the couple’s legs is something he couldn’t fathom.

Could it be that mysterious figure from that night, the one dressed in black and wearing a hat?

Was it him? He had been staying in the capital, observing the royal family.

Otherwise, how could several of his imperial sons be consecutively robbed? He wouldn’t know what they had done if not for these cases.

Was that person intervening to discipline his sons on his behalf? Or perhaps, was that person displeased with them? Had his sons offended that mysterious individual?

The emperor couldn’t help but speculate in his mind. Thinking of the person who conjured up so much food out of thin air, it was undoubtedly the work of that divine being.

Could that person be Madam Qiao? The emperor tried to overlap the images of the two in his mind but couldn’t be sure.

“Yubao!”

“Your Majesty, I am here!”

“Summon Madam Qiao into the palace.”

“Yes.”

“No, invite Madam Qiao to the palace.”

Yubao hesitated, then took the order and left.

When he arrived at the Qiao residence, Qiao Mai had just woken up. Wearing her nightgown, she was drinking cold tea. Yubao stood outside her bedroom.

The emperor used a polite tone, employing the term of invitation rather than a command, to discuss the matter amicably. Therefore, Yubao dared not act presumptuously.

“Madam Qiao, His Majesty invites you to the palace.” “Would you prefer to return first or wait for me?”

“I’ll wait for you.”

Qiao Mai changed into a new outfit, combed her hair, and tied it up casually. She followed Yubao into the palace.

In the study, the emperor welcomed her with a smile, asking her to sit and serve tea.

“As in-laws, let’s speak frankly.”

“Your Majesty, please go ahead.”

The crafty emperor carefully observed Qiao Mai, trying to glean something from her.

“Last night, Prince Li and his wife were attacked. Their wealth was stolen. This matter…”

Qiao Mai chuckled, “That’s great. Haha.”

“Madam Qiao has a straightforward nature. It seems you harbor a deep hatred for Prince Li.”

“As a member of the royal family, he should restrain his children, setting an example for the people and officials. But he indulges his children in their misdeeds. They even dare to harass the wives and daughters of ministers. My daughter has been humiliated. If I had the ability, I wouldn’t have only crippled their legs. Hmph!”

The old emperor blushed at Qiao Mai’s words. “I have already reprimanded them.”

“Your Majesty, are you speaking as the emperor or an in-law?”

“Naturally, as your in-law.”

“In that case, let me speak plainly. As a wise ruler, why only punish officials?

Why not clean up the pests in the royal family?”

“You!”

“Who has been repeatedly indulging them? Is it Prince Li? No, it’s you. You, the emperor who showers favor on the royal family, allow them to act recklessly. They think of how to drain the people’s blood or how to devour the people’s flesh. You’ve witnessed such incidents many times when you’ve roamed the streets in disguise. Have you intervened?”

Qiao Mai’s words hit the emperor hard. Before he could get mad, she continued.

“Are you angry now? I only speak the truth. What about the commoners? They live being fried in a pot of oil.”

“Do you want to infuriate me to death?”

“Your Majesty, I speak as your in-law to tell you the truth.”

“How bold of you!”

“Your Majesty, although you rule the world, there are many formidable individuals you can’t afford to offend. Lead by example, and your kingdom will be secure.”

“You!”

“You summoned me, suspecting that I might be the culprit.”

“What do you say?”

“Accumulate goodness, and the people will love you; accumulate evil, and the people will remove you!”

“You admitted it?”

“As the emperor, you can determine any conviction.”

Qiao Mai stared directly at the emperor. The emperor, confronted with her gaze, had never felt so unsure. At this moment, Consort Rui arrived.

Her entrance broke the subtle confrontation between the two. It wasn’t really a confrontation; Qiao Mai merely didn’t want to expose herself.

Dealing with the old emperor would be a matter of minutes. Consort Rui came in, gave the emperor a bow, and then warmly approached Qiao Mai, pulling her hand and starting a lively conversation. “I heard you came, so I rushed over in joy.” “The emperor was asking about my husband.”

“Yes, yes, I am inquiring about Minister Yuan.”

“Today, you mustn’t slip away. Come to my palace. I’ll have the chef prepare some of their specialties.”

“Sure.”

The emperor watched the two women walk away hand in hand and wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead.

Qiao Mai was not simple. He had always known that. He didn’t expect her to dare to offend the emperor.

People like her were either insane or straightforward or had immense confidence, not fearing the royal family.

In this confrontation with Qiao Mai, the old emperor classified her as a person of unpredictable depth.

He summoned two Golden Dragon Guards. “Secretly observe Madam Qiao from a distance. Don’t let her notice you. Report immediately if anything unusual happens..”

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