Song Yuanzhi said, "My husband told me that my sister robbed the Liao army of 20,000 shi of grain the other day and presented it to His Majesty. She wanted to use this as an opportunity to get closer to His Majesty. Mother, I think this will only make His Majesty hate the Zhao family."

Madam Zhao frowned and said, "Today His Majesty personally promoted your father to the rank of fourth-grade prefect."

“Mother, promotions can be made or demoted! Besides, there are plenty of third-rank prefects out there. If His Majesty really wants to promote Father, why not just go straight for him?”

Madam Zhao immediately realized that there was a serious problem. In fact, she was unwilling for Zhao Qiaoqiao to enter the palace as a concubine. If anyone should enter the palace, it should be her eldest daughter.

However, his eldest daughter was inferior to Zhao Qiaoqiao in both appearance and literary and martial arts.

"To tell you the truth, I called the princess out to play just now and asked her a lot of questions. She said she could tell fortunes and even gave me a reading."

Madam Zhao relayed Jiutian's words to Song Yuanzhi, who immediately said, "Mother, Princess Longxiang is only a five-year-old child. How could she possibly know how to tell fortunes? His Majesty is merely using her to enlighten us!"

Lady Zhao thought about Jiutian's words. Yes, if the emperor only considers beauty when choosing concubines, then he would choose the most beautiful. In the end, His Majesty is not choosing beauties, but rather those who can help the court.

Madam Zhao was anxious and said that she would definitely talk to Zhao Song immediately and that she absolutely could not let Zhao Qiaoqiao bring trouble to the Zhao family.

"Young Madam, the Eldest Miss has summoned the Princess to her own courtyard," Song Yuanzhi's maidservant reported at the door.

Madam Zhao was startled and asked Song Yuanzhi, "Are you spying on her?"

Song Yuanzhi said calmly, "When I saw her eavesdropping on His Majesty's conversation with Cuiyu, I sent people to keep an eye on her. Mother, how could His Majesty not have secret guards with him when he travels? She thinks she is very discreet, but little does she know that His Majesty's secret guards must have seen everything."

Madam Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.

Yes, His Majesty travels with only a few high-ranking men in public. And even if they were just guards, surely no one would have seen Zhao Qiaoqiao eavesdropping next door?

"Come on, let's go see what she called the princess for." Madam Zhao couldn't hold back any longer and pulled Song Yuanzhi out of the courtyard.

They were worried that Zhao Qiaoqiao might bring trouble to the Zhao family, because something big had already happened to Zhao Qiaoqiao.

Zhao Qiaoqiao returned to her room when Cuiyu suddenly rushed in, grabbed her urgently, and whispered, "Something terrible has happened! Princess Longxiang came back from outside, was thirsty, and drank that cup of tea..."

That tea has something added to it.

The princess is such a petty person, but if she drank that tea, it would be quite something. Anyone with eyes could see that His Majesty dotes on this princess to the core.

Not only is it impossible to make a marriage with His Majesty work out, but unfortunately, the Zhao family will also be implicated and their entire clan will be executed.

Zhao Qiaoqiao made a quick decision and went to the council hall again to give Jiutian a set of clay animal figurines.

Jiutian was very fond of the adorable little tiger and couldn't bear to put it down.

"Princess, I have many more places to visit. Would you like to come and take a look?" Since she was the daughter of Prefect Zhao, she no longer referred to herself as a commoner.

Jiutian happily said to Yin Jin'an, "Second Uncle, I want to see the little clay figurines."

"Go ahead, but be careful."

He knew Jiutian's abilities, and he wasn't afraid that Jiutian would break anything; at worst, he would compensate for it.

Zhao Qiaoqiao led Jiutian out of the council hall. After walking a few steps, she suddenly stepped forward without warning and lifted Jiutian's mask.

Jiutian stared at her in astonishment.

Zhao Qiaoqiao said with a grin, "This humble woman wants to see how adorable the princess is in real life."

But, what the heck? This mask looks like it's grown onto my face.

She couldn't get it off.

Jiutian said to Zhao Qiaoqiao, "Does Miss really want to see my face?"

"Mmm, I want to see."

"Do you know the price for looking at my face?"

"Huh? What's the price?"

"Prime Minister Ling Xun of Yulong Kingdom glanced at me and took out 500,000 shi of fine grain," Jiutian said. "If you want to see it, prepare 500,000 shi of fine grain, and I will let you take a look."

Zhao Qiaoqiao's captivating eyes gazed into the eyes behind the Nine Heavens Mask, and she smiled, saying, "Really? The princess's face is that expensive?"

Her tone was soft and casual, giving off an air of charm and elegance.

Jiutian looked at her; Zhao Qiaoqiao was beautiful, her every move graceful and elegant. Even though she spoke somewhat vulgar words, it didn't seem unrefined at all.

Jiutian was somewhat dazed.

"Princess, do you think your face is pretty?"

"Not as good-looking as my uncle," Jiutian answered honestly.

"How does it compare to me?" Zhao Qiaoqiao asked even more gently.

“No one in this world is more handsome than my second uncle,” Jiutian answered vaguely, a little sleepy, but his mind still honestly judged, “Both my uncle and I are more handsome than you.”

"Tch~" Zhao Qiaoqiao said angrily, "But you're a child, not a woman."

"..."