Wenren Xue sometimes found it puzzling where Qiao Shan's confidence came from, acting as if she could conquer the heavens every day.
What nonsense about being the protagonist?
Didn't she herself have wandering eyes and desire to latch onto a phoenix?
Of course, Wenren Xue wouldn't voice these thoughts, as he still had to play along in the Qiao manor.
As he pondered how to retort to her with words that would satisfy him while she remained oblivious to his insults, Qiao Wen arrived in a flurry.
Upon arrival, she slapped Qiao Shan across the face, knocking her precariously loose front tooth down her throat, which Qiao Shan instinctively swallowed.
"Mother!" Qiao Shan looked at Qiao Wen with shock and displeasure. Had she gone mad from drinking at the pleasure houses, acting so erratic at night?
"You still have the audacity to call me Mother! Why didn't you tell me Qiao Ci won the martial arts tournament for marriage? Why didn't you tell me about the great news of Qiao Ci being betrothed to the young prince?" It was unforgivable that she had been embarrassed in front of her colleagues.
"Qiao Ci already publicly disassociated herself from you, so why should her affairs be told to you? What, Mother, are you regretting choosing me over her?" Qiao Shan was already furious about the matter with Lin Ziang, and seeing Qiao Wen's condescending demeanor again, she couldn't help but speak with barbs.
"Insolent!" Seeing her talk back, Qiao Wen couldn't resist slapping her again. "Is this how you speak to your mother?"
Wenren Xue, standing by, remained an uninvolved spectator, watching the drama unfold.
Qiao Shan's wings hadn't hardened yet, so she dared not retort further to Qiao Wen. She could only accept the humiliation and apologize, "Mother, your daughter knows she was wrong. Your daughter was just afraid you would abandon her..."
After all, she was her daughter whom she had raised for nearly twenty years. Qiao Wen felt her actions had been a bit excessive. As someone who always strived for perfection, she couldn't back down, and only stated sternly, "Let this be the last time."
Everyone knew the news, yet she didn't. Clearly, someone had misled her, and that person was none other than Qiao Shan.
"Mother, what are you worried about? The imperial decree clearly states that Qiao Ci will have no part in officialdom for the rest of her life. What can she do to fight us?" Qiao Shan was also surprised when she learned the content of the decree, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
"Heh, you are still too short-sighted. Danqing is so favored; even if Qiao Ci holds no official position, no one would dare to provoke her." Qiao Wen glared at her, having thought she was astute, but it seemed she had overestimated her.
Although Qiao Shan was dismissive, she still considered Qiao Ci to be the greatest threat.
There was already one transmigrator, her, in this world. Qiao Ci might as well die.
Looking at Wenren Xue, who had lost all his martial arts skills and was as useless as a cripple, unable to help her in the slightest, Qiao Shan frowned.
It seemed she needed to expand her harem...
After returning to the palace, Danqing went to find his father, the Empress Consort.
He wasn't sure of his father's exact stance, so it was better to probe his intentions.
"Father Consort." After paying his respects to Xu Qingfeng, Danqing sat obediently to the side.
"You went to Qiao Ci's residence today?" Xu Qingfeng seemed to have anticipated his visit. He observed his younger son's expression discreetly before sighing and speaking.
"Mmm," Danqing replied in a low voice.
"Why are you so dejected?" Xu Qingfeng sighed. "You blame Father Consort for issuing that imperial decree, don't you?"
"Your son would not dare. It's just that it feels unfair to her, as there has never been such a precedent before." Danqing didn't hide anything.
"Her martial prowess is too high; it's an unstable factor for the imperial family. I believe it's sufficient for her to manage the household and raise children at home. What, she's not satisfied even with my son?" Xu Qingfeng's face was filled with a smile, but his words were far from amusing.
Danqing dejectedly lowered his gaze. His father Consort had his own position, and he didn't blame him, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
In the future, would he also be categorized as a threat to his mother Consort's position, constantly being guarded against by his father Consort?
Xu Qingfeng took Danqing's hand. "Father Consort is also doing this for your own good. Qiao Ci is too outstanding; it's easier for you to control her if she has no official position. Father Consort may have indeed caused her some embarrassment, but Father Consort has his own difficulties. Arranging your marriage to her is already the limit..."
Danqing lowered his eyebrows and nodded, "Thank you, Father Consort, for fulfilling this."
"Alas." Xu Qingfeng looked at his most beloved youngest son and stroked his temples.
As the saying goes, when sons grow up, they leave the nest.
"Father Consort, Ah Ci will not disappoint you." Danqing looked up into Xu Qingfeng's eyes and said with utmost seriousness.
"As long as she treats you well for the rest of her life, Father Consort has no other wishes." Xu Qingfeng remained noncommittal about Danqing's words. No one knew the future, and people's hearts were even more complex.
When a person possesses supreme ability, they will crave equal power; this is human nature.
Soon, it was the day of their grand wedding.
The entire imperial capital of the Dan Kingdom was bustling with excitement.
The Empress granted Danqing a residence, but their marital home remained Qiao Ci's new mansion. Xu Qingfeng had no objections; ultimately, it was their life to live, and they could reside wherever they pleased.
The wedding was magnificent, attended by almost everyone of consequence in the Dan Kingdom. Even Qiao Wen, who had not received an invitation, shamelessly arrived at the scene.
The Empress and the Emperor Consort appeared as the esteemed elders for the day.
Danqing, dressed in a beautiful wedding gown, walked towards Qiao Ci. His face, incomparably beautiful, was complemented by a shy and demure smile, causing Qiao Ci to momentarily feel dazed.
"First bow to heaven and earth."
"Second bow to the honored elders."
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
"Escort to the bridal chamber."
After the wedding ceremony, Qiao Ci personally escorted Danqing back to the bridal chamber.
Qiao Ci settled Danqing in the bridal chamber and was then urged by the crowd to join the banquet.
The First Prince Dan Yue also came to witness the ceremony. Looking at the beautiful and heroic Qiao Ci, he couldn't help but recall what Qiao Shan had told him a few days ago.
"You and Qiao Ci are destined for each other."
"You were her only husband."
"She will dote on you for your entire life."
Clutching his rapidly beating heart, Dan Yue felt a loss of control.
Seeing the dazed Dan Yue, Dan Rong nudged him, "Daydreaming about love?"
Dan Rong generally disliked this younger brother, finding him too calculating. Now, he was staring at Qiao Ci without blinking. Could he be thinking of competing with his own brother for a wife?
Not far away, Qiao Shan saw that Dan Yue had indeed taken the bait, and a smile curved her lips.
Originally, she had intended to take the First Prince into her harem. However, after meeting him a few times, Dan Yue was completely uninterested in her.
So, she whispered some ambiguous words into his ear.
Wasn't a rivalry between two men for one woman also quite amusing? Especially since these two men were from the royal family.
They say that a beauty's favor is the hardest to bear. She wanted to see if Qiao Ci would stumble over these two. If she truly broke the heart of Dan Qing, the universally adored, the royal family would not let her off.
After all, resorting to direct action was the lowest form of tactics; using a borrowed knife to kill was the true way! She would simply sit back and watch the tigers fight.
Watching Qiao Ci surrounded by everyone, Qiao Shan smiled sinisterly.
Qiao Ci, are you ready?