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Chapter 331 - 331: Dazzling the Eyes of the World

“How dare you hit the emperor’s grandson? Just wait for it.”

“Oh, I will. File a complaint. I’ll look down on you if you can’t get rid of me.”

At this moment, people snacking in Qiao’s Small Eatery came out upon hearing the commotion. Witnessing the scene, their enthusiasm ignited.

“Look, the Royal Consort beat up the ninth imperial grandson. Well done! Even better if his parents can’t recognize him.”

“Serves him right! He thinks he can flaunt his power because he’s from the royal family. Now, he’s in trouble. With the emperor’s favor towards Mr. Yuan, he’ll be scolded harshly.”

Qiao Mai overheard these comments and glanced at the onlookers. She lowered her head, looking at the group of scoundrels on the ground.

“If you disturb my daughter in the shop again, I’ll beat you up every time you show up.”

“Do you dare?”

“Try me. Get ready, sheep.”

A bleating sound followed, and the sheep charged down the steps. The group was scared off, drawing laughter from the onlookers.

“Royal Consort of Blessings, this man’s father is not easy to trifle with. Be careful.’

“If someone offends me, I’ll repay a hundredfold or a thousandfold!”

“Well said! If everyone in the capital acted like you, these arrogant aristocrats wouldn’t dare act so recklessly.”

Qiao Mai affectionately patted the sheep. “So the emperor cleaned up the ruffians and scoundrels just a few years ago, and now the capital is in chaos again?”

“You didn’t know? The emperor’s crackdown was mainly on the officials. He is reluctant to discipline the members of the royal family.”

“I see.”

Her eyes deepened, and she turned back, waving to the people in the shop. “Carry on. I’m going for a walk.”

The sheep stayed in the shop; it wasn’t afraid of causing trouble. With Qiao Mai providing support, what did it have to fear?

The customers returned to the shop. Leaning against the counter, Shopkeeper Niu peered out of the window. After a glance, he straightened his posture.

Qiao Mai never picked fights without confidence. Since she dared to beat the ninth grandson, she must be able to offend the royal family without fear.

Who exactly was the master? He was curious!

One day, she would shine brilliantly, dazzling the eyes of the world.

Speaking of that ninth grandson, after being carried back to Prince Li’s residence, the Old Prince and Princess Consort hurriedly summoned the imperial physician from the palace.

After a thorough examination, they found that three of his ribs were broken but not puncturing the lungs, which would have been fatal.

After applying medicine and dressing the wounds, the imperial physician left. He then recounted the day’s events to his parents.

His parents were initially stunned and almost furious.

“Why did you go to the embroidery shop and cause trouble? You’re not allowed to see each other. Just wait; I’ll ask your father to propose marriage later. You were caught red-handed by the Royal Consort, and there were witnesses among the commoners. How can we face the emperor with this?”

“I don’t care. You must avenge me. I’ve decided to marry that girl from their family. No, not marry, but take her as a concubine.”

“She’s a county princess. Don’t even think about it.”

“Then let’s marry her first. Once I’m better, we can take revenge a hundredfold or a thousandfold.’

“Marriage is not that simple. Aside from whether your father will agree, a royal wedding involves a lengthy process. It will take at least half a year.”

“Half a year? Then let’s seek revenge first!”

The couple exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and decided to test whether the emperor valued his grandson or the official more.

So, they had him carried to the palace. In the study, the emperor glanced at his fifth son kneeling on the ground with his ninth grandson on the stretcher. “Look at what parents you’ve become, indulging him like this.”

“Father, it was Madam Qiao who attacked him, breaking three of his ribs.”

“Who told him to act recklessly? He went to the embroidery shop to show off his might. He usually causes trouble, teasing girls on the streets, even in brothels. Now, he’s harassing the daughter of my in-laws. Does he think I’m a fool?”

“Father?”

“Get out. Go back and teach him a lesson. If I see him causing trouble again, your family will be banished to the ancestral land. Don’t stay in the capital.”

“Grandfather, I am your grandson! They are your subjects; if you order them to die, they have no choice but to die.”

“I am not a fool. I can love my people like my children, and I should take even greater care of my ministers. Get out! If there is another incident, your family will be sent back to your fiefdom. Don’t stay in the capital anymore.”

With that, the couple hurriedly had their son carried away, fearing that if they stayed longer, the emperor might find another reason to punish them.

They cherished their son, but they had no intention of returning to their fiefdom, a poor place they wouldn’t willingly go to even if forced.

Although Prince Li had been granted a title and a fief, losing his eligibility for the throne, he still had several sons. If one of them caught the emperor’s favor and was chosen as the heir, he could become the Grand Emperor.

The other princes were also harboring such ambitions.

Today, the ninth grandson could not get his revenge. Qiao Mai was confident the emperor wouldn’t blame her and leisurely strolled through the streets.

The wet ground, the spacious streets, and the sparse pedestrians created a serene atmosphere. Holding an umbrella, Qiao Mai walked while contemplating.

It had been a year, but she had only advanced a small step. Advancing to the next stage became more challenging.

Greeny appeared unnoticed, fluttering its wings above Qiao Mai’s head.

“Master, with so many things occupying your days, it’s natural that your cultivation progress is slow. With your aptitude, understanding, and the assistance you have, it’s still possible to advance one major stage every year.”

“While in the mundane world, it’s natural to prioritize worldly matters. I’m currently in the Third Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, which has a lifespan of five hundred years. It’s sufficient for me to advance to higher stages. However, for Jiaqi and the others, their lifespan is only around a hundred years. I need to spend more time with them.”

“Master, if they focus on health preservation, living up to a hundred and fifty years is not a problem. Additionally, with the life-prolonging pills you refine for them, living beyond two hundred is also achievable.”

“People are greedy. I naturally want them to be like me.”

“It’s impossible. Even Immortals have their day of decline, not to mention mortals. Don’t think about it.”

Qiao Mai rarely roamed around the capital and spent even less time alone.

“Selling flowers! Selling flowers! One copper coin for one, two copper coins for two! Selling flowers!”

A crisp voice echoed in her ears. Retrieving her thoughts, she saw a seven or eight-year-old girl holding a large bunch of peonies. She walked in the rain without an umbrella and approached Qiao Mai.

“Do you like flowers, madam? These are flowers from my family. Would you like to buy one?”

Qiao Mai crouched down, looking at the little girl who appeared thin, with sunken eyes indicative of malnutrition.

“Do you live in the capital?”

“No, in a village in the suburbs of the capital.”

“You came to the capital to sell flowers. How far did you walk?”

“I don’t know. I walked here. If I can’t sell all the flowers, I’ll sleep on the street.

The next day, I’ll continue selling.” “And if you still can’t sell them?” “I can’t go home.” “How do you eat in the capital?”

“Hungry. I’m starving.” “Are you hungry now?”

“Yes.”

“Come with me.”

For some reason, this little girl struck a chord with Qiao Mai, looking unusually pleasing to her eyes.

They arrived at a steamed bun shop. “Two vegetarian buns.”

“Alright. It’s six copper coins.”

Qiao Mai took six coins from her purse, received two buns, and handed them to the girl. However, the girl didn’t take them.

“Madam, I don’t have money to give you.”

“You are likable to me. This is a gift for you. No need to pay me.”

“I can’t take this for nothing.”

“Heh, not bad! You understand that?”