NOVEL NEXT Chapter 395 - 395: Be Careful Of Getting Him Into Trouble
Chapter 395: Be Careful Of Getting Him Into Trouble
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In recent years, the Liu family has developed quite well. They have managed their shop without expanding but have accumulated a considerable family fortune.
They have acquired real estate in the town, leading a stable life.
Last year, the Qian couple became grandparents. With their wealth, they are preparing to become great-grandparents this year, as their daughter-in-law is expecting.
Shopkeeper Tong of Jingtai Restaurant also invested in real estate and handed over the restaurant to his son as he aged.
The emperor and empress, considering themselves guests, actively host guests.
Except for Mayor Qian, no one else knew their true identities.
In a few years, this couple managed to lure the emperor and empress back home for the New Year, a feat unimaginable to others.
On the second day of the New Year, Qiao Mai entertained the Liu family. On the third day, Madam Qiao Lu from Lihua Village passed away.
The news was reported to Qiao Mai by the head of the Qiao family. Instead of going there herself, she sent someone to handle the arrangements. She settled the accounts and paid respects to Madam Qiao Lu at the memorial table.
Given her current status, no one dared to gossip.
Speaking of which, it’s also a case of reaping what they sowed.
Perhaps it was the awakening of the old Yuan couple’s conscience or their past relations.
Surprisingly, they heard about it and hired a carriage to Lihua Village to pay their respects to Madam Qiao Lu.
Although Qiao Mai did not acknowledge them, they still treated the Qiao and
Yuan families as in-laws. The couple didn’t say anything upon hearing about it.
On the sixth day, Qiao Mai went into seclusion, leaving the affairs at home to Yuan Jiaqi.
The old emperor and the empress had a great time. When Qiao Mai was about to enter seclusion, she prepared a set of sleds for them.
Pulled by majestic reindeer. the sleds were remarkably stable. She also
arranged plenty of food and drinks. The couple immersed themselves in their own world.
Soon, the fifteenth day of the New Year arrived, and it was time for them to return to the capital.
They planned to travel by water, intending to wait for Qiao Mai to finish her seclusion. However, with no news from her, they heard she had arranged for Blackie to escort them back. Feeling assured, they set off by boat from the west side of Tianshui Town.
Though this journey was not as perilous as departing, it would not be entirely peaceful either.
The emperor and empress safely returned to the capital in March. They stayed in the palace for a few days before moving to Lucky Garden and bringing Ling’er along.
She has over a month left before giving birth, and the entire palace only has the crown prince managing the court affairs. It does seem a bit lonesome to watch.
The emperor was pleased to see that the court was efficiently managed by the crown prince.
The only downside was that once Ling’er returned to Lucky Garden, there were no female attendants around the crown prince. There were only eunuchs.
Although he feels sorry for his son, the fact remains that the Qiao family is too strong, and one cannot have the best of both worlds.
All the women in the harem have been dismissed by the emperor, leaving it silent.
Fearing that the crown prince might feel lonely, Ling’er dragged her heavy body back to the palace. The empress also had to bring the emperor along to take care of her.
On April 16th, Ling’er experienced something. Qiao Mai, who was in seclusion, suddenly opened her eyes.
She walked out and found Yuan Jiaqi in the backyard.
“Ling’er is giving birth soon. Are you coming?”
“Our daughter is giving birth. Of course, I am.”
The couple left without taking anything. Qiao Mai took Yuan Jiaqi’s arm, quickly arriving at the palace.
Yuan Jiaqi was amazed. “Wife, this is too fast. Did you fly?”
As soon as the people in the palace saw the two, they bowed in respect. The emperor and empress came forward to welcome them.
“We thought you might not come.”
“How could that be?”
Qiao Mai entered without hesitation, leaving the four of them waiting outside.
Inside, she saw several people surrounding Ling’er, some wiping tears, others feeding her medicine, and some urging her to push.
Seeing someone entering, the midwife wanted to scold them but shut her mouth upon seeing Qiao Mai.
She looked at the two midwives. “How long has she been in labor?”
“Half- half an hour.’
Crying, Ling’er looked at Qiao Mai. “Mother, you’re here. I feel relieved now.”
“With me here, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Qiao Mai checked her pulse, then felt her abdomen and coldly stared at the two midwives.
“She’s not ready to give birth yet, but you’re already doing this. What are your intentions?”
“Royal Consort, the crown princess is having contractions.”
“Contractions should come in waves. Are you trying to fool me? If she expends all her energy now, what will happen when it’s time to give birth?”
The two midwives, feeling guilty, cowered by the bedside. Qiao Mai waved her sleeve, sweeping them aside and rendering them unable to move.
After rechecking the herbal soup Ling’er had consumed, Qiao Mai assured her, “You’re fine for now. Don’t exert yourself; save your strength. Listen to your mother later.”
“It hurts. I didn’t realize giving birth could be so painful.”
Qiao Mai gently stroked her hair. “That’s why people say mothers are the greatest in the world. We must respect and filial piety to our mothers.” “But they always look down on women. The world is unfair to women.”
“You will be the mother of the kingdom, a model for all women. The status of women in the world depends on you.”
“What does Mother mean?”
“Amend the laws, provide more protection for women, and grant them some rights.”
“Mother, are you asking me to participate in politics?”
“No, you’re just elevating the status of women. We don’t need to rush now; this matter requires careful consideration. Since we’ve come this far, we must leave something behind.”
As Qiao Mai spoke to her, it diverted some of Ling’er’s attention, and she didn’t feel too uncomfortable.
When it seemed right, Qiao Mai put a pill into Ling’er’s mouth.
“Daughter, it’s time to give birth. Come.”
Qiao Mai personally assisted in delivering Ling’er’s child. The process was quick, sparing her from much suffering.
She had someone clean up the delivery room and walked out. “She gave birth to a boy.”
“Oh, let me see.”
The old emperor took the baby. At first glance, he liked him. “This is the natural look of an emperor!”
“You can like him however you want, but don’t talk nonsense. Be careful not to bring trouble to him.”
Yuan Jiaqi and the crown prince smiled. “He’s exquisite and delicate with a pair of lively eyes. This child must be clever.”
Thinking of the two midwives in the delivery room, Qiao Mai said, “Let the Golden Dragon Guard arrest those two midwives and interrogate them thoroughly!” “What happened?”
“They’re not normal.”
These three words summarized everything. The emperor immediately sent palace maids to take the two midwives away and handed them to the Golden Dragon Guards.
Watching them being taken away, Qiao Mai gave the crown prince a meaningful look.
“Have you had any unusual people around you recently?”
“During our journey, we encountered people from the Holy Dark Temple. There was an extremely beautiful woman, but that wasn’t her real face. Don’t be deceived by her beauty.”
“Understood, mother-in-law.”
Just at that moment, Blackie rushed in from outside. As soon as it entered, it vigorously sniffed around the crown prince. “Master, there’s a familiar smell on him.’
“A man or a woman’s?”
“A woman’s. Not only that, it seems to have the smell of venomous worms.”
Qiao Mai frowned and stepped forward. With a touch, she immobilized the crown prince. The emperor and empress, holding the baby, were frightened and huddled to the side.
“In-law, what’s happening to him?”
“The Holy Dark Temple didn’t take my words seriously. Blackie smelled venomous worms on the crown prince.”
“What? Venomous worms? Those are things only found in the southern regions of the Great Qin Dynasty.”
“Even dogs have to deal with this thing. It’s annoying.”
Qiao Mai slapped the crown prince on the back, and his clothes exploded, leaving only a pair of inner pants.
Then she waved her hand, and a red light entered the crown prince’s body. The emperor swallowed, trusting Qiao Mai not to harm the crown prince.
The red light moved around the crown prince’s body, eerie and mysterious. Finally, it stopped at his heart.
The crown prince’s face turned purple. Then, he spat out a pool of black blood.
The red light chased out, burning away the black blood, then returned to Qiao Mai’s body.
She looked at the crown prince with a cold expression. “Speak. Have you had contact with anyone unusual recently?”
“No. All of them are people I usually associate with..”