Chapter 338: Not a Chance

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

If it weren’t for the soldiers protecting them, the commoners would have long thrown rotten eggs and vegetable leaves at them.

What virtue is this? A group of defeated subordinates still dares to swagger in the Ming Dynasty, showing off their might.

Relying on the fact that they were envoys from another country, they took whatever they wanted in the capital. When asked for payment, they pretended not to understand, behaving like bandits.

Even so, some court officials treated them as treasures.

They nodded and bowed to them, making the commoners furious.

In their hearts, they cursed. “These bootlickers. If you want to be a lapdog, don’t do it in the Ming Dynasty. Go to their country.”

Qiao’s Small Eatery did not escape this. The foreign envoys wanted to grab things from the shop, but they were kicked out by the guardian sheep. And Ling’er, just because she was standing at the door watching the commotion, caught the eye of one of the foreign envoys.

After inquiring, they found out she was a county princess of the Ming Dynasty. They did not dare to bully her but secretly submitted a note to the emperor, proposing marriage to Princess Tianshui.

Four foreign envoys came with four princesses and princes. The princesses would choose three princes or imperial grandsons, and the princes would choose three princesses or county princesses.

Unfortunately, Ling’er was selected by them. The old emperor wasn’t foolish, after all.

Hearing about the actions of the envoy in the capital, he immediately summoned them to the palace.

In the Grand Council Hall, the emperor looked down upon them from above.

“You are here to ease tensions between countries. Behave yourselves. This is my territory. If there is another incident of plundering the people, my Golden Dragon Guards will show no mercy. Defeated subordinates have no right to swagger in my country.”

Seeing the old emperor’s domineering demeanor despite his age, they all lowered their heads.

“Your Majesty, your words will be heeded by our envoy.”

“I hope you remember, or don’t blame me for not following the rules.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Alright. In a few days, I will host a banquet and invite the daughters and sons of third-rank officials and above.’

The envoys exchanged glances. They would bring up the matter of Princess Tianshui at that time. The emperor was still angry now.

From that day on, there were always foreign envoys peeking into the Lucky Embroidery Shop.

Ling’er was disgusted by this. Fortunately, her mother left her a guardian sheep. Otherwise, she worried about how to deal with it.

Old Master and Mistress Wang also knew about this. They would come to the shop from time to time.

Old Master Wang even left Bai Ze at Qiao’s Small Eatery during the day and let it guard Lucky Garden at night.

He was afraid that if something happened while Qiao Mai was away, they wouldn’t be able to explain.

The emperor had been waiting. For some reason, he wanted to wait until Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi returned to host the banquet.

Not to mention other things, her ability to create objects out of thin air would surely amaze the envoys.

At this moment, Qiao Mai had changed out of the village woman’s clothes. Even in such simple clothes, she was not comparable to the daughter of a county magistrate.

She prepared two meals daily at the inn, delivering one to her husband at noon and taking his subordinates to the restaurant to treat them in the evening.

Miss Sun was confined at home by the county magistrate. She had no chance at all.

After staying in Yuanshan County for five days, they finally arranged for all the displaced people. Yuan Jiaqi stretched lazily.

“We will have a good meal tonight and leave for the capital early tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, my lord.”

These days, thanks to Qiao Mai’s blessings, they ate well, slept well, and were happy. When they heard they could return to the capital, they were all overjoyed.

When Dongzhao and Dracaena were moved out of the stable the next day, they happily ran to their owner.

Qiao Mai smiled and patted their heads, feeding them a few pills.

“Wife, shall we ride horses instead of taking a carriage?”

“Sure.”

The carriage was given to some weak civil officials. The couple rode horses in front.

“Riding a horse is enjoyable.”

“Women who often ride horses can lose weight and maintain their figures.” “My wife on horseback looks particularly mighty.”

The journey seemed long when they set out, but on the way back, they felt relaxed. The six-day journey was completed in three days.

Upon entering the city gate, Yuan Jiaqi instructed his subordinates to return home.

“Hmm? Wife, why does the capital feel different?”

“You’ll find out when we get home.”

They dismounted at their doorstep, and their horses were led inside by the servants. The couple decided to visit Qiao’s Small Eatery.

They sat outside. Shopkeeper Niu rushed over when he saw them.

“Boss, you’ve finally returned!”

“What happened?”

“Foreign envoys came to visit the Ming Dynasty but were not well-behaved. They took things from the commoners without paying and were finally reprimanded by the emperor.”

“What else?”

“I feel they have ill intentions. Recently, we’ve noticed that the attendants they brought with them wander around our area without reason.”

“Alright, don’t be polite. Anyone who doesn’t follow our rules should be dealt with. Beat them until they learn their lesson.”

“Yes, Boss.’

Shopkeeper Niu went off to attend to his duties, while Yuan Jiaqi decided to go to the imperial palace immediately to report and seek an audience with the emperor.

Resting for a while at his shop, he then summoned Dracaena and rode it to the palace.

Hearing that her mother had returned, Ling’er ran over from the embroidery shop.

“Mother, you’ve finally returned!”

“Has anyone bullied you?”

“I don’t go out. Besides, the sheep is quite formidable. It won’t cause any trouble for you.”

“Good, just take the sheep with you when you go out.”

“I’ll go out when you’re home. When you’re not, I stay at the shop. We lack nothing at home, and I don’t need to buy anything.”

“Except for your sister-in-law, haven’t you made any friends?”

Ling’er sighed softly, “Mother, although they treat me well on the surface, I know they look down on me. They think I’m from a small place, ignorant of manners, and lack proper upbringing.”

“Nonsense! My daughter is the best in the world.”

“I’m not angry. Let them say what they want.”

“You’re a good girl.”

Looking at her daughter, who was obedient and sensible, Qiao Mai wished she could give her the best things in the world.

Not long after, the palace sent out invitations.

The emperor even instructed the eunuch to deliver the invitation to make sure Madam Qiao attended with her family.

Qiao Mai sneered at the idea of her daughter being used for political alliances. The emperor must be dreaming if he thought she would willingly let her daughter be married off. If they tried to force it, she wouldn’t go easy on him.

Three days later, the family of four dressed plainly and rode in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by Dongzhao and Dracaena.

The coachman was still Steward Zhang.

At the palace entrance, there was a long queue of people with invitations.

Peeking through the curtains, Qiao Mai commented, “Tsk, how many political marriages have had good results throughout history? I don’t know what to say to them dressing up nicely and eagerly delivering themselves. Are they cheap?” “Mother, did you not let me dress up because you don’t want me to marry?”

“Do you want to?”

Ling’er pouted. “No, I don’t want to leave my parents or Lucky Garden. How about I find a live-in husband instead?”

“Think it over. In the Ming Dynasty, finding a man as good as your father is almost impossible.”

Blushing, Ling’er lowered her head. “We can talk about it when the time comes. After all, I haven’t found anyone I like.”

“You should go out more to meet more people. How else will you know who’s right for you?”

The family of four disembarked and entered without showing their invitation. Jia Mei was waiting for them.

“Aunt, Uncle, Haichuan? Ling’er, you’re here!”

“Yes.”

Jiamei led them into the grand hall, arranging seats for them. To make things convenient, each family had a small square table. For those with more family members, they used round tables, each with a cushioned seat..