I'm the Farmgirl You Can't Mess With

Chapter 1384: Side Story: Qi Xiuyuan (16)

Editor: Atlas Studios

Qi Shaosheng pulled his hand out with an ugly expression and said in a low voice, “The world belongs to the Emperor. If he really hates us, it’s useless no matter where we hide. Mother, I think we should think of a way to appease his anger instead.” Nw novel chapters are publshed on novelꞁire.net

A mother knew her son best. Madam Wu stared at his face for a while before slowly sitting up straight and saying, “He indeed let me experience the greatest pain in the world.”

Since the hatred of killing his mother was irreconcilable, the only way for him to vent his anger was if she died. What was the difference between her son saying this and asking her to die?

Qi Shaosheng’s face burned. He stood up and said, “Mother, I’ve been here with Third Brother long enough. We’ll come and visit you next time.”

Qi Shaosheng dragged his dazed brother out.

Returning to their hometown was indeed a solution, but would he still be a marquis then?

Although he was only a powerless marquis now, it was equivalent to entering the noble class of Great Qi. If he returned to the countryside, he would be nothing.

Qi Shaosheng couldn’t bear to part with this noble status and wealth, even though he had to accept it with trepidation.

How could Madam Wu not see through her son’s thoughts? That was why she was even sadder.

When her son came to the palace, he did not ask how she was doing, let alone mention bringing her out. It could be seen that he had a cold nature.

Madam Wu cried and fell to the ground. Between tears and laughter, she said, “Zhu Wan, you’re really impressive, huh. Even if the son you gave birth to had no one to guide him, he turned out better than my sons who grew up pampered. Are you satisfied now? Are you satisfied? But what did I do wrong?”

“Cousin and I have already agreed on the marriage. I should have been his official wife. It was you who interfered. Otherwise, or else…”

“Otherwise, you and Qi Feng would have died long ago.” A hoarse voice sounded.

Madam Wu shivered and looked up in shock. Amidst her tears, Qi Xiuyuan walked in.

Qi Xiuyuan had drunk a lot. He lowered his head to look at Madam Wu, who had fallen to the ground, and smiled. “If Qi Feng hadn’t lied to my mother and became in-laws with the Zhu family back then, would you people have been able to reach Lin’an alive?”

He squatted in front of Madam Wu and asked expressionlessly, “Back then, you watched from the side when he lied to my mother. Why didn’t you stop him? You only had to tell my mother that you and him were already engaged. Do you think with my mother’s pride, she’d pester Qi Feng?”

Madam Wu couldn’t help but tremble. At this moment, she couldn’t treat Qi Xiuyuan as the child from back then anymore. She was afraid of him.

However, Qi Xiuyuan had already stood up and smiled at her. “I’m just here to see if you’re doing well. I’m relieved to see that you’re not doing well. There’s still a long way to go. Slowly savor this. Think about my mother and father when you have nothing to do.”

Madam Wu watched as Qi Xiuyuan walked away with a pale face. She couldn’t help but regret it. Back then, she should have died with Qi Feng or before him. At least at that time, even if she didn’t get along with Qi Xiuyuan, she was still the matriarch of the Qi Residence and Qi Feng’s wife!

Eunuch Wan supported the Emperor and said in a low voice, “Slow down. Seeing as the weather is cold, please add a cloak. The ministers are still waiting in front.”

“Get someone to keep an eye on her. Don’t let her die easily.” Qi Xiuyuan adjusted his cloak and smiled. “We’re done for the night. Tell everyone to disperse and countdown to New Year by themselves.”

Eunuch Wan agreed respectfully. Just as he was about to get someone to carry the dragon carriage over, Qi Xiuyuan waved his hand and said, “I just drank some wine and my body feels warm. Let’s walk.”

Qi Xiuyuan led the way.

Eunuch Wan knew that he had drunk a lot today, so he quickly walked forward and carefully supported him, afraid that he would fall.

Qi Xiuyuan laughed loudly. “I can handle this bit of wine. You don’t have to specially support me.”

Qi Xiuyuan was frugal and had few concubines in the harem. Hence, he sealed up many palaces that were not used and only got the servants to clean them regularly. Naturally, the street lamps were not all lit. It was only because today was New Year’s Eve that he splurged on the oil needed to light up all the street lamps on this road.

The lights were of an orangey-yellow tinge, barely illuminating the ground. However, the palace at night had a different charm.

Qi Xiuyuan only felt happy. “I have no regrets in this life. I’ve built a country, have sons, and avenged my mother. My younger brother has also grown up. If in addition to that, I can do a few more things for the people of this world, I wouldn’t have lived in vain.”

Eunuch Wan hurriedly flattered, “Your Majesty is in your prime and Great Qi needs you. The heavens will definitely let you live to a hundred years old.”

Qi Xiuyuan shook his head in amusement. “I won’t live to be 100 years old. It’s already not bad if I can live to 40 years old.”

Qi Xiuyuan said this sincerely.

While everyone would want to live a long life, he knew his physical condition. Although the doctors said that he had recuperated well, he felt that there were still many hidden ailments. As such, he was already very satisfied to be able to live past 40.

No one expected him to live until he was more than 80 years old, only passing after his son abdicated the throne to his grandson.

At that moment, Qi Xiuyuan lay on the rocking chair and recalled his life. He said to his great-grandsons who had come to listen to the story, “Your ancestor made three correct decisions in his life. Firstly, he was determined to practice martial arts and make a name for himself to take back the lost territory. Secondly, he married your fourth great-grandfather to your fourth great-grandmother. Thirdly, he listened to State Preceptor Yuan Hui and rebelled.”

The mischievous great-grandsons asked in confusion, “Ancestor, why did you include the marriage of Fourth Great-Granduncle with Fourth Great-Grandaunt? What does this have to do with conquering the country?”

Qi Xiuyuan ignored them and continued, “It has a lot to do with it. In the past, I couldn’t really tell. But now that I’m standing at the back and looking forward, many things have become obvious. Many of the things I did were because of your fourth great-granduncle, and your fourth great-granduncle was egged on by your fourth great-grandaunt. The reason why Great Qi can prosper today is because of those things I did.”

“But my Father King said that it was because of your wisdom that Great Qi welcomed a flourishing era.”

Qi Xiuyuan curled his lips in disdain and said, “I was the one who built your grandfather’s empire, and I was also the one who established this foundation. If you want to call someone wise, it’d be me. Now, let me test you again. Who’s wiser? Your ancestor or your grandfather?”

Qi Wenchen happened to hear this when he came over with lunch. He looked at his father helplessly and went forward. “Of course, Royal Father is wise. Wise Royal Father, come and have lunch.”

Qi Xiuyuan looked at the food in disdain and said, “Why is it this soup again? Where’s the braised pork belly I’ve been craving?”

Qi Wenchen smiled at him ingratiatingly and said, “Fourth Uncle has already taken away all the braised pork belly. Although these dishes are a little light, I made them myself. Try them and see if they taste good. If so, I’ll make them for you again next time.”

Qi Xiuyuan took a bite in disdain and said, “Since when do I need you to cook for me personally?”

“Since I’ve already abdicated the throne, I have nothing much to do, so I spent some time honing my culinary skills. Tell me what you want to eat. I’ll make it for you after I learn it.”

Qi Xiuyuan snorted. “I don’t dare to let you cook. Otherwise, I won’t get to eat any of my favorite foods for the rest of the year.”

The older Qi Xiuyuan got, the more he liked greasy and soft foods. However, the imperial physician told him to eat more light food. In order to make Qi Xiuyuan give up on his preference, Qi Wenchen could be said to have done everything he could to personally cook for his father.

Seeing that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all gazing at him with round eyes as he fed them, Qi Wenchen gave them a friendly smile. “I made a lot of food. Do you kids want to try it too?”

The children scattered in shock. The youngest great-grandson even fell to the ground with a plop in fear. Before the nanny could come forward, he quickly got up and continued to run forward. Seeing that his older brothers and young uncles had disappeared, he chased after them with tears in his eyes. “Don’t leave me behind. I don’t want to eat the dishes made by Great-grandfather…”

In the blink of an eye, his round body immediately turned a corner and disappeared. His loud cries still echoed in their ears.

Qi Wenchen narrowed his eyes and said, “That’s Third Brother’s second son, right? How old is he this year?”

Qi Wenchen’s eunuch chief steward wiped his cold sweat and replied, “Emperor Emeritus, Young Master is only three years old this year.”

Qi Wenchen snorted. “He escaped quite quickly. The next time he comes, I’ll send him a serving of the breakfast that I personally prepare.”

The eunuch chief steward looked at Qi Xiuyuan.

Qi Xiuyuan drank his soup in silence.