High-class Spring Joy

"How can you talk such nonsense, woman?"

The King of Song immediately spoke, "Have you seen that young prince? How can you, a woman, be certain about the young prince...?"

But no one listened to him. At least the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom didn't care about such things. The spear that had been pressing against the Crown Prince's neck was now thrown aside. He rushed forward in two strides and grabbed Mango's wrist tightly.

"Is what you're saying true?! If you're lying, no one here today can save your life. You'll be charged with deceiving the emperor. Even though this isn't my Northern Frontier Kingdom's territory, I think I can still take a life. I'll tear you to pieces and make you suffer a terrible death. But if what you're saying is true, and you truly have a way to bring my son back, then gold and silver, wealth and honor, money and status—whatever you want, as long as it's not excessive, I will grant it to you! Whatever you desire, I will personally use all my power to get it for you, to the ends of the earth!"

These words were quite startling. As soon as they were spoken, everyone present changed their expressions. But when they heard the second half of the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom's words, everyone's gaze changed again. After realizing what was happening, their eyes all fell on the mango in front of them.

Anyone with a modicum of sense present could understand the meaning behind the Emperor of the Northern Frontier's words. This was not a simple act of saving a life, nor was it a simple promise. It was a promise from an emperor, and from a ruthless emperor like the Emperor of the Northern Frontier, who had spent his life conquering the world on horseback and braving countless dangers.

Such a promise is something that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of in their entire lives. Even people of certain status and position would never easily win such a promise. For example, the peace talks between the emperors of the Northern Frontier Kingdom and the Song Kingdom have been dragging on for more than a month.

First, the negotiations failed naturally because the two sides had different positions. When interests cannot be fully aligned, neither side is willing to make concessions, but neither can easily abandon the negotiations, so the situation remains entangled. Second, a mishap occurred, leading to this situation.

In other words, even the emperor of Song Kingdom could not obtain this promise from the emperor of Beijiang Kingdom.

But if the girl in front of him were to actually get her, then he would no longer be the ordinary commoner he once was. Among all the people present who were looking at Mango, the most special were the Emperor, the princes, and the Crown Prince.

Because they knew that all the breakthroughs in this situation now lay with this little girl. Some of them didn't know about Mango's existence. They were high and mighty people, and naturally rarely came into contact with ordinary people.

Two or three of them knew of Mango's existence, but their knowledge of her existence was mostly due to the Third Young Master. They knew she was connected to him and that he treated her with special affection. Therefore, their knowledge of Mango was largely based on Grape. But what if…

So, with everyone's eyes focused on Mango, they were all waiting for the answer she would give next.

In particular, the emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom stared at the mango with a deep and obsessive gaze, filled with a sharp killing intent and anxious worry.

This was an incredibly powerful killing intent and oppressive aura, forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It was genuine and tangible, unlike the killing intent and oppressive aura emanating from Apple or even these princes. They were completely incomparable. Even the occasional killing intent and oppressive aura that the Third Prince revealed was not as obsessive or frightening. Although the Third Prince's oppressive aura was not usually displayed, when it was, it sent chills down one's spine.

But the oppressive aura emanating from the emperor before him was so palpable that it made one feel as if they were in the depths of hell, their entire body chilled to the bone.

Even though Mango had grown accustomed to the oppressive aura and presence of those in power within the Marquis's mansion, she still couldn't help but feel a chill when suddenly faced with such a sharp and icy killing intent.

Mango swallowed nervously, and everyone present could feel his nervousness, with Grape being the first to notice.

Grape had no idea what Mango was planning. Ever since he learned that Mango had returned safely, he hadn't had a chance to visit him. Who would have thought that their first meeting after surviving that life-or-death ordeal would be like this, with such a tense atmosphere? It was truly unexpected.

Grape felt that it was already extremely rare for a woman like her to be able to return safely in such freezing weather. He never imagined that Mango would actually save a child. When he sent people to look for Mango, he only had one thought in his mind: as long as he found her and Mango, he dared not ask for more. He only wished for Mango to return safely.

Therefore, when faced with this situation, the grape's first reaction was naturally to protect the mango behind it:

"Your Majesty, my family acted rashly and was only found by my men today. They have likely suffered from the cold in this freezing weather and may be ill, dizzy, or even rambling. It is possible my family was genuinely worried about me and feared severe punishment from Your Majesty, which led them to this foolish and deceitful scheme in their haste. Such a method is a betrayal of Your Majesty's grace and is indeed deceitful; it is absolutely unacceptable and, in principle, should be severely punished." Punishment is the only way to deter others; otherwise, how can we quell the anger of the two rulers, who are already adding to the stress of the situation? Yes. My family member was simply overly worried about me. She is kind, naive, and innocent, and doesn't understand the consequences of her careless words. It is truly my fault; I failed to keep a close eye on her. If she is guilty, I beg you to punish her for both crimes and fulfill your wishes, even if it means beating or killing her. No matter what, I have no complaints; I only beg you two rulers not to take your anger out on my family!

Grape's voice wasn't loud, but it was steady and powerful, and everyone present could hear it clearly. Even when facing these two kings, Grape's words, though humble, showed no sign of fear.

Even under the pressure and scrutiny of the two monarchs, in this tense situation, Grape remained unfazed, her voice firm and calm. When it came to matters of great importance, her words were clear and unequivocal.

"If I am guilty, I am willing to bear the full responsibility!"

Just then, Mango became extremely anxious and tried to stop Grape in front of her, but Grape grabbed her other wrist. Grape didn't use much force, so it wouldn't pinch Mango's wrist too tightly or hurt her, but it made it difficult for Mango to break free. This action made Mango realize Grape's attitude.

"Young master..."

Mango still wanted to speak, but was interrupted by other voices—

"You don't need to fight anymore. I'm fine, nothing's wrong, I'm alive and well, Father!"

As everyone's eyes and attention were focused on these people, a figure appeared from the doorway.

All eyes immediately turned to that direction, and sure enough, they found that the person standing at the door was none other than the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom.

She looked a little thinner than before, but you couldn't mistake her face.

"tangerine!!"

A cry of surprise rang out as the Emperor of Beijiang dropped his spear to the ground. He rushed forward, knelt down on one knee, and embraced the oranges by the door, holding them tightly. Even this iron-blooded emperor, when holding his only son whom he had lost and found again, had tears welling up in his sharp and terrifying eyes. Even such an iron-blooded emperor, even one who had taken countless lives and quelled countless wars, was, in the face of his son, simply a father who had just regained what he had lost.

"Where did you run off to? Why can't we find you? You have no idea how worried your father is about you!"

The emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom no longer exuded the same terrifying oppressive aura as before.

Sold into the Prime Minister's mansion as a slave for ten years, Qingyuan took on a job to produce an heir for a death row inmate in order to redeem herself.

"Miss, please read the contents of this booklet carefully. Remember the tips for serving men. I'll also take this opportunity to talk to you about the rules."

"My young master is aloof and arrogant. No matter how he reacts, you don't need to concern yourself with it. Just do your best to serve him well."

"Just spend one night with the young master and you will receive one hundred taels of silver. If you can truly bear a child for my young master, you will receive one thousand taels of gold."

"..."

After reciting a long list of rules, Granny Jiang's gaze fell on Qing Yuan in front of her.

Qingyuan was chosen by Granny Jiang from a dozen or so girls with innocent backgrounds.

Her appearance could only be described as that of a girl from a modest family, but she was delicate in the right places and had a full figure in the right places, making her look like she was good at bearing children.

Most importantly, she has a personality that allows her to go all out.

Qingyuan responded with a "yes," then looked down at the booklet in her hand, which was filled with drawings of bedroom scenes.

Her pretty face flushed red, and even her fingertips turned red as she looked at it, but her gaze never left her, as she wanted to write down as much as possible.

Soon, night fell.

Qingyuan was taken to the prison with her face covered. Only after she was pushed through the door were the black cloths pulled off her face.

Inside the cell, only a single, finger-thick white candle burned, making it very dim. In the corner, a broad figure sat in the shadows.

Before Qingyuan could even stand still, a cold, deep voice came from the corner—

"go out."

Being kicked out as soon as you enter is really not a good start.

Qingyuan wouldn't leave easily without paying that hundred taels of silver.

Qingyuan, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, moved a little closer to the corner. Although she still couldn't make out the face clearly, she should be able to hear the voice:

"Young master, please don't misunderstand, I am not a bad person."

The tall figure in the corner remained silent, and the cell fell into complete silence.

That's a bit awkward.

After a long silence, Qingyuan touched her nose and sat down on the ground next to her. It wasn't the cold stone slab she had imagined; it was just the right firmness and not cold at all.

She reached out and touched it, only to find that it was padded with a thin, soft cushion.

When Qingyuan was a child, she went to prison with her mother to visit her father who had been sentenced to prison. She remembered that the prison was dark and gloomy, with the smell of blood mixed with various rotten and damp odors.

It was completely different from what she saw before her.

In this world, the rich and powerful even have to go to jail in such an unusual way.

As Qingyuan was thinking, that cold, sharp voice rang in her ear again: "Get out!"

Qingyuan snapped out of her daze and looked at the corner: "I was sent here to carry on the young master's lineage. I can't leave until my mission is completed."

The person in the corner seemed taken aback by her directness, their tone tinged with surprise: "You?"

Qingyuan continued to look at him, seemingly unconcerned: "Did I say something wrong?"

The man was silent for a moment, his tone still cold and somewhat unnatural: "You... how can a young lady who hasn't even married yet... how can you so casually utter those four words?"

Which four characters?

Qingyuan paused for a moment before realizing that he meant the phrase "to carry on the family line".

She not only has to talk about it, but she also has to do it later.

She didn't argue with him: "If you don't like it, young master, I won't say anything."

As a maid, you should talk less and do more; just do your job well and get paid.

The man seemed to sense her disapproval: "You seem to have an objection?"

"I dare not."

I dare not…

The woman's gentle and soft voice reached Chu Jingxian's ears, and he effortlessly caught the numbness and calmness in those three words.

He muttered, "Speak if you have any objections."

Qingyuan: ...Is it important to talk now?

Seeing that she didn't speak, his voice turned colder: "Speak."

Unable to resist, Qingyuan finally spoke up: "Why can't we talk about carrying on the family line? In this city of Hangzhou, from lowly servants and commoners like myself to all the young masters and ladies, even you, sir, of noble status, are all carrying on the family line. It's a very common thing, and I've never said it in public. Since I've taken on this job, I naturally have to make it clear to my employer. I don't think there's anything I can't say."

After she finished speaking, Qingyuan noticed that the corner had fallen silent, and she couldn't tell what their reaction was.

That's perfect, she wasn't just there to keep people company.

The contents of the pamphlet she had just read came to her mind like a flood.

Since she had accepted the job, she had to do her best to live up to the money the client had given her. Qingyuan naturally understood this principle.

Ultimately, it was the first time this young woman had ever been in a sedan chair.

Qingyuan cautiously turned around and looked at that corner, bit her lip, and moved towards it step by step.

Before she even reached him, just as she touched the hem of his clothes, her hand was suddenly gone, brushed back by someone.

Qingyuan tried to remind him, "Young master, this is my job..."

The man seemed to scoff, "A fine job... for money?"

Qingyuan thought to herself, what else could it be for?

I may think about it, but I won't say it outright.

"What you say is true, young master." Qingyuan moved two steps closer to him and tugged at his clothes, even harder than before.

The next moment, he was pulled away again.

She was clearly just going through the motions, and he threatened, "If you don't tell me, I'll throw you out like a thief."

Qingyuan's hands were empty: "I work for money, and I take on jobs for money too."

"You don't shy away from it at all."

Chu Jingxian snorted coldly. The women who had been sent in before were full of admiration and willingness, but she was a little more frank.

Qingyuan stared straight ahead, but her hands didn't touch the pizza. She grabbed the hem of her shirt again and tried to touch it little by little: "A taboo? What's there to be taboo about? In this world, how many people, rich or poor, can remain unmoved by money? The rich may be rich, but they are also thinking about how to earn more money. Human desires are endless. The poor work, farm, or do all sorts of jobs, repeating the same routine day and night, year after year, all just to earn some money to make a living. I am no exception. I need money, I want money. I earn money through my own legitimate means, and there's nothing shameful about it."

The woman's voice remained soft and gentle, her tone calm and composed, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance, like a still stream, flowing gently and quietly.

These words were somewhat unexpected for Chu Jingxian.

He was surprised by her argument; he hadn't expected this woman to have her own insights, which was quite rare.

Chu Jingxian was stunned. He felt someone tugging at his sleeve. He instinctively tried to brush it away, but his palm felt cold. He touched a piece of cool, delicate skin, like a woman's hand.

Qingyuan noticed it too, her hand trembled, and just as she was about to grasp it, the warm hand became even hotter, as if it had been burned by fire, and she hurriedly withdrew it!

How come he shrank back faster than her?