Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 285: All I Ask Is for Peaceful Years

Chapter 285: Chapter 285: All I Ask Is for Peaceful Years

Chang E and Mrs. Chang both remained silent.

Mrs. Chang regretted forcing her daughter; she shouldn’t have pressured her. Now she actually says she really likes Cao Xiao and wants to devote herself to him...

Her daughter, a Chang Family daughter, wants to marry a brute? How can this be?

Even if a Chang Family daughter doesn’t marry a Prince, she should marry the son of an important minister. But who is Cao Xiao? The youngest son of Cao Yin, whose father holds military power, but he’s a wastrel. How can this be?

Cao Yin has two other sons, both of whom are more outstanding than Cao Xiao. Even if someone were to inherit the Great General’s position in the future, it would be the eldest son, Cao Jing. When would it ever be his turn?

Even considering the worst-case scenario, soldiers like Su guarding the borders always face the risk of losing their lives. The Chang family only has this precious daughter; how could they bear for her to become widowed so soon?

"Ridiculous!" Chang E scoffed, feeling a bit exasperated. "Madam, we’ll go to the General Mansion to express our gratitude later, but don’t mention anything else!"

This directly crushed Chang Lexi’s dream!

Chang Lexi looked at her stern-faced parents, their determined eyes, and stomped her foot intensely: "I don’t care, I just like him. In this lifetime, I won’t marry anyone but him! Hmph!"

She ran off angrily to her small building, and Chang E and Mrs. Chang helplessly shook their heads.

"This troublesome girl, spoiled rotten. What if she’s really bewitched by that Cao Family boy? How would that work?"

"What’s the big deal? Girls are always impulsive; she’ll get over it soon, isn’t that how everyone gets through it?"

Chang E was worried, but Mrs. Chang was calm, thinking her daughter was just temporarily bewildered and would calm down in a few days.

Chang E frowned tightly: "I hope so!"

"Alright, children’s matters are trivial. The upcoming Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is what matters. Although the Empress Dowager is not the Emperor’s birth mother, her family, the Xue Family, is a major clan with endless wealth. If we can win Empress Dowager Xue’s favor and gain the Xue Family’s support, the Third Prince’s grand enterprise can succeed!"

Currently, the Chang Family’s fate is tied to the Third Prince. If he succeeds, they will be the next major clan. If he fails, they’ll need to find another patron.

The Xue Family, Empress Dowager Xue’s family, isn’t just a noble lineage; they are wealthy merchants controlling vast fortune, as rich as nations. Gaining their support means half of the success. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

So, even though Empress Dowager Xue isn’t on close terms with the Emperor, there are still many who wish to curry favor with her.

"Indeed, the Xue Family is incredibly wealthy. If it weren’t for the Emperor holding military control back then, directly attacking the Xue Family, causing heads to roll, Empress Dowager Xue might have truly usurped power."}

Chang E sighed lightly. This incident happened more than thirty years ago, yet thinking back still sends chills.

This Emperor is a tough character, not playing by the rules. Back then, his struggle with Empress Dowager Xue was actually a battle between the court and those noble clans.

Any other Emperor would have employed the examination system to promote individuals from humble backgrounds, slowly dismantling the noble clan’s power, progressing step by step. But this Emperor was too unconventional, directly sending Cao Yin with thirty thousand Iron Armor Army troops into the Xue Family, initiating a massacre!

The reason was the Xue Family’s treason!

This was entirely a fabricated charge, sparking widespread denunciations from both court and populace. Many vested interests submitted memorials to impeach this matter. Reasonably, a young Emperor should have been somewhat restrained facing such widespread impeachment, right?

But he wasn’t; instead, he executed those opposing ministers in public...

Thunderous measures and swift action, though accompanied by a series of adverse consequences, suppressed the court and secured victory. Empress Dowager Xue left in dismay for Da Xiangguo Temple, returning rarely.

This year marks her sixtieth birthday. By all means, she should return.

"The Emperor’s mind is like a needle in the sea. Let’s keep this talk among ourselves; spreading it outside could invite death. Moreover, while we aim to ally with Empress Dowager Xue, we shouldn’t be too blatant, avoiding the Emperor’s displeasure."

Chang E seriously advised.

"I understand."

"Is the birthday gift for the Empress Dowager ready?"

"Yes, everything is settled moderately— not too flashy, yet not too ordinary, pleasing both sides without offending."

"Good!"

...

The sky gradually darkened, candles twinkled across Jinming Lake, and a painted boat slowly sailed towards the lake’s center. As the boat approached, ethereal music gently floated in the air.

Long Yue leaned against Li Qingmu’s chest, sitting on a small boat, not paddling but gently drifting with the flow.

Before her were reflections of the scenery, dazzling lights, and shadows crowded together.

A lotus lamp gently floated nearby, with a piece of paper upon it.

Long Yue reached out, lightly stirred the lake water, guiding the lotus lamp her way.

The paper reads: I wish to be with the one I love.

It’s a lovestruck young girl’s wish!

Long Yue chuckled softly, released the lotus lamp, then nestled back into Li Qingmu’s embrace.

In truth, she didn’t know what feelings she had for the man beside her.

When she was reborn, she knew he was a powerful ally she had to hold tightly onto, so she constantly mended the cracks between them. But somehow later, it seemed she truly fell in love with him.

Loved him deeply!

Was this love born out of time, or something else? It couldn’t be discerned anymore, but it didn’t matter now.

The evening breeze lifted a strand of hair, bringing a chill from the lake. Li Qingmu took off his outer robe and gently draped it over her shoulders.

"Aren’t you cold?"

Long Yue slowly opened her eyes, her big eyes glowing like stars, curiously gazing at him.

Li Qingmu shook his head: "Not cold, holding you keeps me warm!"

Long Yue chuckled, nestled tightly into his embrace: "Then hold me tighter."

"Alright!"

These were the words Li Qingmu loved to hear; he revealed a gratified smile.

Today was fulfilling— spending the happiest festival with her. This was the first, but definitely not the last. Every festival in the future, he would joyfully accompany her, until eternity!

In the distance, a crescent moon arose, casting shallow moonlight, surrounded by a sky full of brilliant stars; scattered like chess pieces across a board, flickering with uncertain light.

The starlight was faint, yet still conspicuous.

"Whoosh—"

Suddenly, shooting across the distant horizon was a streak of light, a very bright shooting star.

"Look, there’s a shooting star! Make a wish, quickly!"

Youths by the shore pointed at the passing shooting star, shouting, then closed their eyes, hands clasped, making wishes.

Long Yue saw the shooting star, gently nudged the man beside her with her elbow: "Let’s make a wish too!"

"Alright!"

Li Qingmu looked up, eyes deep, gazing at the starry sky. Make a wish? He had no grand desires, simply wishing for a peaceful life!

No aspirations for wealth or glory, just hoping for a tranquil life with his wife, a serene journey through time!