Chapter 319 - 319: Just Hold It

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Your Majesty, my wife saved me and my son’s lives in the past. I am willing to protect her for a lifetime, unwaveringly devoted. It goes against my principles to give up on her.”

This statement left the empress speechless. At this moment, Qiao Mai felt malicious eyes on her.

Looking up, she saw a couple at the table above her. The woman glared at her with hostile eyes.

Oh, it’s the old acquaintance, Princess Heyi. Her mother was the empress?

It seems she has regained her memory. That’s good. With Qiao Mai’s improved cultivation, she can erase memories and plans to use them on the princess.

However, at this point, she is already married and accompanied by her husband. She cannot act recklessly. Watching Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi displaying their affection, Princess Heyi’s eyes burned with envy.

Thinking back to the scene where this woman once beat her, she couldn’t help but wish to kill her.

Qiao Mai smirked at her and then turned around. Before she could speak, the empress spoke up. It seemed she had no intention of letting Qiao Mai off today.

“Madam Qiao, you’re fortunate. Mr. Yuan treats you so well.”

“I will also treat him well.”

“Madam Qiao, can you showcase your talents for us? I heard your culinary skills are excellent. Perhaps you could prepare a dish.”

Only now did the emperor realize the empress’s malicious intent. He glared at her but couldn’t scold the empress in front of the courtiers. He decided to settle the matter later.

Qiao Mai glanced at the empress and sneered. “Cooking is unnecessary. The smell of oil will ruin the ladies’ makeup.” “What talent do you want to showcase then?”

Qiao Mai walked out slowly, with Yuan Jiaqi following closely behind.

“My wife, shall I assist you?”

“Sure!”

The couple arrived at the central stage. Qiao Mai looked at the emperor and empress, who were high above.

“Please prepare a tray for me and a piece of red cloth.”

Before the empress could speak, the emperor said, “Servant, prepare a tray and a piece of red cloth for Madam Qiao.”

In no time, a eunuch brought a tray with a piece of red satin. Yuan Jiaqi took it.

“Wife, what should I do?”

“Just hold it.”

Qiao Mai looked at the empress. “Your Majesty, what fruit do you like?”

The empress was taken aback, then slowly replied, “I like oranges.”

Qiao Mai took the red cloth, spread it over the tray, and held the center of the cloth with her right hand. She slightly lifted it to create some space inside, then grabbed something from the air with her left hand and threw it onto the red cloth.

It seemed like something was thrown into the red cloth. She quickly removed it, revealing a tray full of bright oranges.

Fresh leaves were still attached, as if they were just plucked from the tree.

The emperor and empress were stunned. This couldn’t have been prepared in advance, as it was Qiao Mai’s first time attending a banquet.

In addition, she was a married woman, and the talent show was an impromptu challenge from the empress.

Yuan Jiaqi called a young eunuch to serve the oranges to the emperor and empress.

The emperor picked up an orange. Yubao was about to test it for poison, but the emperor stopped him.

This shows how much trust there is in Madam Qiao. The emperor didn’t hesitate to peel the orange and start eating.

“How sweet and delicious! This is the best orange I’ve ever had. Empress, are you satisfied now?”

The empress, grinding her teeth, forced a smile. She knew the emperor’s intentions, fearing she might frame Qiao Mai. “Madam Qiao, can you showcase something else?”

“Emperor, what fruit do you like?”

The emperor grew interested. “I want to eat the Golden Honeydew sold in your shop. Can you do that?”

“I will try.”

Once again, Qiao Mai used her spatial abilities to conjure a large Golden Honeydew. This time, the emperor was thrilled.

“Haha, quickly cut it open. Everyone, have a taste. It’s perfect to relieve my excess alcohol consumption.”

In the hall, everyone stared dumbfounded at Qiao Mai on the stage.

This couldn’t be a magic trick; those were usually pre-prepared. Qiao Mai couldn’t have known about the empress’s challenge in advance. In other words, she hadn’t hidden anything on her.

How was this possible?

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief. Qiao Mai suddenly looked at Consort Rui.

“Dear in-law, what would you like?”

“Dear in-law?”

Consort Rui hadn’t reacted yet, but the emperor chuckled.

“She didn’t call it wrong. Madam Qiao should address you as ‘dear in-law.”‘

Consort Rui finally came to her senses and replied, “I don’t have a preference. I like everything.”

“Today is our first meeting. Let me give you a gift, considering our relationship. I believe the emperor and empress won’t object.”

The emperor finished nibbling on a piece of melon and immediately wiped his mouth. “Of course. Whatever is given between the two of you is only natural.”

Qiao Mai approached the tray, exchanged a smile with Yuan Jiaqi, tossed the red cloth into the air, and revealed it again.

This time, a dazzling light emanated beneath the red cloth, instantly dimming the candlelight.

The old emperor stood up in excitement. “Madam Qiao, is this a night pearl? It’s so bright!”

“No, it’s a diamond from overseas. I believe some people in the capital are familiar with it.’

“I’ve seen concubines wearing diamonds before.”

“The diamonds they wear are small. Each of mine is ten times larger. This is a set of amethyst jewelry encrusted with platinum. Do you know what platinum

“It’s gold, right?”

“Yes, but a different color. Using platinum and amethyst makes them even more beautiful. This set of jewelry is suitable for Consort Rui. As it is our first meeting, I offer this as a gift. I hope you accept it.”

An eunuch approached with a tray and carefully presented it to Consort Rui.

“Consort Rui?”

Consort Rui looked at the emperor, who was stroking his beard.

“It’s for you; naturally, it’s yours. Why haven’t you taken it yet?”

She quickly accepted it. The beautiful and grand jewelry immediately caught her eye. The emperor could hear the sound of people swallowing around him.

He carefully examined the jewelry. “It’s beautiful, Madam Qiao. Is this set expensive?”

“Money can’t buy it.”

In the entire hall, there was a collective gasp of admiration.

The Duchess of Zhenguo rolled her eyes. “Why didn’t she give me this jewelry back then?”

The Duke glared at her. “Look at what you were like back then. Could anyone treat you well? Besides, can you compare with Consort Rui?”

“What about Madam Xiao?”

“How shameless. Everyone wants to compete with Consort Rui. Who do you think you are?”

The scolded Duchess of Zhenguo could only watch, her eyes full of envy. Jiang Yunpeng and the others could only watch, feeling bitter.

The empress was even more infuriated. She initiated this but only received a few oranges. On the other hand, Consort Rui got a priceless treasure. It was maddening; after all, she was Jiamei’s stepmother.

She also liked the set of jewelry. No, she couldn’t let this go. She had to make Madam Qiao create another set.

Yuan Jiaqi felt it was about time. “Emperor, Empress, is my wife’s performance satisfactory?”

“Wait a moment. I still want to ask Madam Qiao to transform something else.”

Qiao Mai’s eyes immediately darkened. She was about to retort when the emperor glared at the empress.

“Have you had enough?”

“Your Majesty, I just wanted to see Madam Qiao’s talents. There’s no other intention. ”

“Madam Qiao is a person, not a God. Don’t go on endlessly.”

Seeing the emperor warning her with his gaze, the empress shut up. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble she might cause.

Lady Rui knew that the empress also liked this set of jewelry. Usually, she didn’t compete with her, but she would never give up this jewelry for her..