Chapter 63: Confer Jinniang the Title of County Mistress

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Xie Yun smiled and said, “Do I smell jealousy?”

Fulu looked at Xie Yun curiously. Wasn’t she said to be the future crown princess? She was really tolerant. How could she be in the mood for jokes? Was she really not afraid of her status being threatened?

After all, Duke Anyuan was very powerful.

Qiao Jinniang looked at Lu Chen angrily and said, “You’ve done enough disgusting things. Don’t disgust me again.”

If Lu Chen was a scum, then Prince Mediocre was even worse than a scum in Qiao Jinniang’s eyes.

The rumors outside were groundless, and Qiao Jinniang wouldn’t allow such rumors to spread.

It was not that she cared about her reputation, but that she just hated her name being tied together with Prince Mediocre.

…

In the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor had a headache dealing with memorials in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Although the country was in its prime, the territory was vast and there were a lot of things to deal with.

Emperor Huilin took a sip of water, feeling unbearably hot. It was useless although the hall was filled with ice.

Eunuch Quan standing next to Emperor Huilin cautiously said, “Your Majesty, there is a rumor widely circulating recently…”

“Yes?”

Eunuch Quan said, “It is said outside that Miss Qiao canceled the engagement with Li Yun because of His Highness Prince Mediocre. It is also rumored that Miss Qiao loves His Highness Prince Mediocre and that she has an affair with him…”

Emperor Huilin snorted coldly and said, “I’ve just conferred the title of Grand Mentor of the Crown Prince to Duke Anyuan and some people are already unable to sit still!”

Emperor Huilin who felt very hot was immediately annoyed.

“Your Majesty, Junior Duke Rong asks to see you.”

Emperor Huilin frowned and said, “What is he doing here? Let him in.”

Junior Duke Rong held a plate of Magnolia Tofu and placed it in front of Emperor Huilin like he was offering a treasure. “Imperial Uncle, this is the most popular summer dessert in Chang’an. I tasted it, and I just couldn’t wait to bring it for you to taste.”

Emperor Huilin glanced at him. “Great.”

“The painting on this plate seemed to be made by Chen’er. Is this dessert from the Tasty Pavilion?”

“Imperial Uncle, you’re really wise. Yes, this is from the Tasty Pavilion.”

After waiting for Eunuch Quan to test if it was poisonous, Emperor Huilin tasted a bit of it and immediately smiled. “What is the name of this thing?”

“Magnolia Tofu.”

Emperor Huilin said, “This dessert is refreshing and tender, sweet and cool. Qiao Jinniang is really good at cooking.”

“Eunuch Quan, pass on my imperial decree to bestow Qiao Jinniang as County Mistress Jia’an.”

Junior Duke Rong: “???”

It was him who presented this dessert to the Emperor. Shouldn’t he be the one to be that was rewarded? He was even more filial to the Emperor than the Crown Prince, his own son!

Why did His Majesty reward Qiao Jinniang for no reason?

Seeing the shock in Junior Duke Rong’s eyes, Emperor Huilin said, “I know you’re a good kid. Today, the Southwest presented lychees as tribute, and I will give you a box of it.”

Junior Duke Rong’s wounded heart was healed a little bit, and he said, “Thank you, Imperial Uncle.”

…

When Qiao Jinniang and Qiao Ruoyi returned to the Duke Mansion, they were called by the Duke into his study.

Duke Anyuan said to Qiao Jinniang with a frown, “Is the rumor about you and Prince Mediocre true?”

“Even if you don’t want to marry a scholar, you can tell your mother. It’s not difficult for you to marry into a powerful family.”

“But don’t even think about marrying Prince Mediocre. Our family is currently at our prime, and many people are waiting to see us collapse.”

“Although Prince Mediocre has some abilities and a good reputation, he will never become the next emperor, and I won’t help him get the throne. If you want to marry him, I can only disown you!”

This was the first time that Qiao Jinniang was a little disappointed with her father. “Father, am I such a stupid and greedy person in your eyes?”

When Duke Anyuan saw the sadness in Qiao Jinniang’s eyes, he suddenly felt guilty.

When Qiao Jinniang was born, he was only seventeen. At that time, his playmates were all young men, and he needed an heir to show his maturity when he inherited the position of Duke.

At that time, he had not yet had the sense of responsibility of being a father, nor did he know that his childhood sweetheart he grew up with would hurt his daughter like that.

When he saw Qiao Jinniang again, he was so full of guilt that he didn’t dare to face her.

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, the Duke felt even more guilty. “I’m sorry, Jinniang, I should have trusted you. I’ll definitely find out who spread this rumor.”

Qiao Jinniang saluted. “Thank you, Father.”

Seeing Qiao Jinniang leave, Qiao Ruoyi wanted to follow, but then she hesitated and said to the Duke, “Dad, Second Sister has suffered a lot of grievances. Sister Ruoyun often says that she is to blame for the suffering of Second Sister, but I think you’re the one to blame for that!”

Duke Anyuan wanted to refute, but couldn’t find a word to refute.

After Qiao Ruoyi said that, she followed Qiao Jinniang to comfort her.

They met Qiao Ruoshui on the way to the Jin Garden.

Qiao Jinniang thought she would hear Qiao Ruoshui’s sarcasm, but she didn’t.

Qiao Ruoshui just looked at her with sympathy.

Qiao Jinniang frowned, feeling surprised. It was strange that Qiao Ruoshui didn’t take the chance to taunt her when she had such a big scandal.

“Second Miss, Fourth Miss, Fifth Miss, an imperial decree has arrived. Madam told you to quickly change clothes to receive the decree.”

Hearing it, Qiao Jinniang frowned. Was it the imperial decree about making her Lu Chen’s concubine?

If so, would her family be executed if she refused to accept the imperial decree?

…

In Prince Mediocre Mansion.

Qiao Ruofeng looked at the handsome man in front of her with blushing cheeks and said, “Your Highness, I’ve already spread the news that Qiao Jinniang seduced you according to your instructions, and everyone is talking about this news now.”

Prince Mediocre smiled with satisfaction. No matter how stupid Qiao Ruofeng was, she could still help him.

This rumor was spread by the family of Qiao Jinniang’s second uncle, so the public would definitely believe that Qiao Jinniang had seduced him. By now Qiao Jinniang’s reputation had been ruined, so Duke Anyuan would definitely agree to marry Qiao Jinniang off to him as his concubine.

Otherwise, which man in Chang’an would marry a woman whose reputation had been ruined?

Although Qiao Ruoyi would be a concubine of the crown prince, she was no match for Xie Yun and would be of no use to Duke Anyuan.

But Qiao Jinniang was born by the Duchess and was very favored by her.

As long as Qiao Jinniang gave birth to his eldest son, Duke Anyuan would definitely be his helper in the court.

“Ruofeng, you did a great job.”

Qiao Ruofeng looked up at the prince who was nine years older than her. This was the man she had fallen in love with ever since she was thirteen years old.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I’m already an adult. Now my parents want to find me a husband. I wonder when you will…”

Prince Mediocre said to Qiao Ruofeng, “I’ve always treated you as my younger sister. I’ll find a good husband for you. Don’t worry.”

“Sister?” When Qiao Ruofeng heard this word, she felt as if being doused with a basin of cold water.

“Your Highness, do you forget that you said you would marry me as your wife in Luoyang? Are our affection over the years fake?”

Prince Mediocre said, “Ruofeng, I did want to marry you as my concubine, but now your family has been separated from Duke Anyuan Mansion. You are no longer a noble, so how can I marry you? What makes you think you’re worthy of being my concubine?”

Qiao Ruofeng felt a pain in her heart and almost blacked out in anger.