Chapter 457: Make the Min family's descendants change their surname to Qiao!
So she quickly switched to the role of a pitiful old mother, and said with a mournful face, "Your Majesty is merciful, but I am not the kind of person who is ungrateful and takes advantage of others."
"The fate of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion and the fate of the Min family should be decided by His Majesty."
"However, those unfilial descendants of the Marquis of Xuanping still have half of my blood in them."
"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to allow the Min family descendants who are willing to change their surname to mine to move into the Qinghe Lady's residence with me."
"From this day forward, they are members of the Qiao family! They have nothing to do with the Min family!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiaozhao nearly choked on his own saliva.
This old lady really dares to think outside the box!
That's really ruthless!
Of course, it's really infuriating!
Look, even with her head down, Min Pan'er can't hide her anger.
Her jaw was clenched, her face was ashen, her whole body trembled slightly, and her fists were tightly clenched... she was full of openings.
Even a young maid who had some connection with Min Ji reacted this way upon hearing Min Qiao's words.
I wonder if Min Ji will be so angry he'll die when he finds out!
Hehe, I'm afraid even if he's not furious to death, he won't be able to resist jumping out to settle scores with Madam Min, right?
Thinking of this, Emperor Xiaozhao readily said, "Since Lady Qinghe has the courage to start a new family genealogy, I naturally have the magnanimity to help her achieve her goal."
"At this time tomorrow, I will publicly expose the crimes of the Min family and issue an edict to execute them."
"I will give you one day. Any Min family descendants who are willing to change their surname and move with you will be allowed to leave with you."
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude: "I thank Your Majesty again for your great kindness! Long live the Emperor!"
This time, Madam Min really couldn't hold back anymore, and her old face wrinkled up like a chrysanthemum as she laughed.
There was nothing she could do! His Majesty was just so understanding; whatever she said, His Majesty would agree to!
King Li Chengming of Chu and Princess Li Sanqi, who were standing to the side, couldn't help but widen their eyes.
They looked at each other and saw joy in each other's eyes.
Father seems unusually easy to talk to today!
Having finished speaking about Lady Min, Emperor Xiaozhao finally turned his attention to his two children.
"Xiao Qi, you have suffered in the matter of the marriage alliance. I intend to confer upon you the title of Princess Huaiyang and grant you a princess's residence in advance, allowing you the right to freely enter and leave the palace."
Emperor Xiaozhao looked at his beloved youngest daughter, and when Li Sanqi looked at him, a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.
Li Sanqi only glanced at Emperor Xiaozhao briefly before quickly looking away.
Is Father Emperor feeling guilty?
No! Emperor Xiaozhao was simply letting her know that he felt guilty!
When Li Sanqi looked up at Emperor Xiaozhao again, tears were already glistening in his eyes.
She said with tears of gratitude, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness! However, these are not what I desire."
Emperor Xiaozhao frowned almost imperceptibly, but asked with a kind expression, "What does Xiaoqi want? Tell me."
Li Sanqi kowtowed and said in a tearful voice, "Your son's reputation has already been damaged by his earlier annulment of the engagement with Lu Ming."
"Now, after the failed marriage alliance, I've fled back to the country in a sorry state. I'm afraid everyone in the capital is saying that I'll never be able to get married!"
Emperor Xiaozhao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Who dares to speak ill of my daughter?"
"Don't be afraid, Xiaoqi. You're still young. It's not too late to talk about marriage in a couple of years."
"By then, when things have calmed down, I will arrange a good marriage for you."
Li Sanqi shook his head and said, "Father, after these two marriages, I am disheartened and do not want to marry again."
"I humbly request that Your Majesty grant my request!"
Emperor Xiaozhao's face turned cold. "Do you know what you're saying? What princess doesn't get married?"
Li Sanqi reached out and touched his left cheek, tears welling up in his eyes, but he said nothing.
Seeing this, before Emperor Xiaozhao could say anything, Li Chengming couldn't help but hurriedly speak up: "Father, Seventh Sister has suffered one great misfortune after another, and now her appearance has been damaged. I'm afraid she must be feeling wronged and terrified."
"Father has always doted on Seventh Sister. Rather than promising her a good marriage in the future, it would be better to grant her the right to choose her own husband."
"In this way, when to choose a consort and who to choose will be entirely up to Seventh Sister. Naturally, Seventh Sister will no longer be afraid of getting married."
"At that time, even if Father doesn't interfere, Seventh Sister's marriage will naturally fall into place."
"What is Father Emperor's opinion?"
Emperor Xiaozhao looked at Li Sanqi, then at Li Chengming, and said, "You seem to be on her side."
Li Chengming quickly stated, "It was all my fault for not being cautious enough and for not taking adequate precautions, which allowed the traitors to successfully raid the marriage procession, causing Seventh Sister to suffer hardship and damage to her appearance."
"It's all my fault!"
"Your subject is willing to accept punishment!"
"I only ask that Father Emperor take pity on the suffering that Seventh Sister has endured and allow her to choose her own husband."
Looking at Li Chengming, who was full of sincerity and self-reproach, Emperor Xiaozhao smiled. This was probably the only innocent and pure child he had.
He sighed and conceded, "Alright, I agree."
After saying that, he looked at Li Sanqi and said, "Whether you want to get married or not, I will not force you anymore."
"Your son kowtows to express his gratitude for the Emperor's great kindness!"
Li Sanqi kowtowed repeatedly, tears of joy streaming down his face. After finishing, he cast a grateful glance at Li Chengming.
Just then, Li Chengming spoke again: "Father, will you still give Seventh Sister the title and residence you promised?"
With just a glance from his youngest daughter, his foolish son would once again be charging into battle for her.
Thinking about it, it really is... a deep bond between siblings!
Emperor Xiaozhao suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and said calmly, "A ruler's word is law. I will naturally grant your seventh sister her title and residence."
"However, you've been back in the capital for many days, and all you've done is plead for others or speak on behalf of your seventh sister. What, don't you want to do anything for yourself?"
"For example, a job? Or a marriage?"
"Now that you are a prince with your own residence, it's time to put your marriage and official duties on the agenda."
"Don't you have anything you want to ask of me?"
Li Chengming shook his head, "Everything is up to Father Emperor to decide. Your son has no objections."
Emperor Xiaozhao smiled and said, "Your eldest brother is assisting in the Ministry of Personnel, and your third brother has gone to the Ministry of War. These are both good positions."
"As for you, you messed up your first mission, so I'll send you to the Court of State Ceremonial."
Do you have anything to say?
Compared to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, the Court of State Ceremonies was simply a place that couldn't be brought to the table.
Any prince with ambition would not want to serve in the Court of State Ceremonial.
Unexpectedly, Li Chengming readily agreed: "The Court of State Ceremonial is very good. Your son thanks Your Majesty!"
Emperor Xiaozhao finally couldn't help but glare at his dim-witted son, and waved his hand impatiently, "Then it's settled. All of you, leave."
"Your subject/Your subject/I submit/This humble woman takes her leave!"
The four of them responded in unison and stood up to leave.
But after taking only two steps, Madam Min Qiao stopped and turned back.
Emperor Xiaozhao asked her impatiently, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Madam Min Qiao's lips twitched. "I want to ask His Majesty for two people."
Emperor Xiaozhao frowned. "Who is it?"
With a smirk, Madam Min Qiao said, "I want two bodyguards to protect me closely."
"I've always been hated, and I'll only be hated more in the future. If I don't have a bodyguard by my side, I'm afraid I won't live to see the day when I can relieve His Majesty's worries and expose Min Ji."
"Perfect timing. Didn't His Majesty arrange for people to protect me in secret? Why don't His Majesty hand them over to me? That way, they'll have a legitimate identity to appear by my side openly and legitimately."
What does Your Majesty think?
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