“Sister Nana, look at this! Wow, it’s so beautiful!”
Qiao Weiwei, like a country bumpkin experiencing the Grand View Garden for the first time, with the joy of someone unacquainted with the world, pulled Tao Na to look at Jin Quan Guo’s collection.
These were treasures treasured by the Jin Quan royal family for generations. Not only had Qiao Weiwei never seen them, but even the world’s top tycoons had never seen their true forms.
Yet, to young Jin Quan, these rare treasures were like garbage.
“You like it? It’s yours.” Young Jin Quan stood behind the two ladies, smiling confidently and gentlemanly.
“Then I won’t be polite!”
Qiao Weiwei reached out to take a delicate small sculpture, but Tao Na slapped her small hand.
“Weiwei, be more reserved, this isn’t your home,” Tao Na reminded her in a low voice.
Qiao Weiwei pouted and grumbled softly, “He said it’s for me…”
Li Fang walked over from behind, laughing heartily, “Oh, this is simple, Weiwei! If you marry young brother Jin Quan, all of this will be yours! Hahaha!”
Qiao Weiwei’s face instantly turned red!
Tao Na’s face turned red with anger. She clenched her fists, turned around, and kicked Li Fang hard in the thigh.
In pain, Li Fang doubled over and cried out.
“If your foul mouth speaks nonsense again, I’ll sew it shut!”
“Hahaha!” Jin Quan Ao Tian laughed generously, “Brother Li Fang’s joking skills are getting more and more profound.”
With this simple sentence, he dissolved everyone’s awkwardness.
“Let’s go, Father is waiting for us.”
More than ten minutes later, everyone arrived at the backyard of the Jin Quan royal palace.
In the royal library, they found the King of Jin Quan Guo, who was in a meeting.
Young Jin Quan was practically a younger replica of the old king. At first glance, it was obvious they were father and son.
The same confident, gentlemanly smile, but the old king exuded more maturity and composure.
After dismissing the civil and military officials present, only Tao Na and her group remained.
The old king personally rose to greet them.
“You heroes have worked hard to escort my son back home. I have been swamped with official duties, coupled with intense border skirmishes, so I truly haven’t had time to welcome you,” the old king said with a kind smile.
Upon seeing his father, Jin Quan Ao Tian’s demeanor changed instantly, becoming like a mischievous child. He naturally hopped onto the conference table and began folding a classified document into a paper airplane.
The old king continued, “If my son has been lacking in his hospitality, please tell me directly, hahaha! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me!”
Tao Na, being the most composed and sensible of the three, bowed slightly and replied calmly, “May your reign be peaceful, Your Majesty. To be frank, we have another important matter to discuss on this visit.”
“To win you and Jin Quan Guo over to join the Anti-Black Star Alliance.”
Upon hearing this, the old king’s face immediately turned serious.
He looked up at the window, pondered for a few seconds, and then looked back at them, saying, “Heroes, please forgive my directness.”
“Our country was originally a vassal state of the Black Star Empire. However, the new Great Commander of the Black Star holds a deep-seated enmity towards our nation. I absolutely cannot lead my people to submit to an enemy.”
“Our country’s defection from the Black Star Empire was a decision made with the full preparedness for ultimate sacrifice, even if it meant the destruction of our nation.”
“Currently, the entire country is working at full capacity to produce weapons and prepare for war with the Black Star Empire.”
“If you are here to seek support at this moment…” The old king shook his head and said softly, “I regret to say our country is powerless to help!”
“Oh, Father, have you become senile?” Young Jin Quan shouted, “Sister Tao Na is here to support us!”
Tao Na nodded with a confident smile and calmly stated, “That’s right, Your Majesty. We have brought intelligence and funds from Gu Ya, and have specifically come to support Jin Quan Guo in resisting the Black Star.”
“Oh? Is that so?” The old king’s expression instantly changed as if he had found a savior.
Without regard for royal dignity, he affectionately grasped Tao Na’s wrist and pulled her towards the conference table.
Once they were seated,
Tao Na, with a very pertinent tone and diplomatic language, explained Gu Ya’s plan in detail.
She then presented all the military intelligence regarding the Black Star forces in Jin Quan Guo, along with the funds, with a respectful bow.
After listening to Tao Na, the old king laughed heartily, “Haha!” He immediately stood up and unceremoniously accepted the “gifts.”
“Ah, it is truly fortunate that Jin Quan Guo has heroes like you!”
Immediately afterward, the old king summoned his personal adjutant and ordered the intelligence to be disseminated.
“Tell the Grand General to conduct reconnaissance and military deployment according to the intelligence! Launch a counterattack for me as soon as possible!”
“Yes, sir!”
Watching the adjutant depart, the old king could no longer suppress his excitement.
He tightly grasped Tao Na’s hand, looking at the beautiful girl with excitement and reverence, and asked eagerly, “Young lady, what is your age? Where are you from? Are you married?”
“What do you think of my son, young Jin Quan?”
“Be my daughter-in-law!”
Young Jin Quan’s face darkened. He coldly explained, “Father! Sister Tao Na has a boyfriend, it’s Brother Li Fang behind her!”
The old king turned his head to look at Li Fang, nodded with an awkward smile, then turned back to Tao Na and whispered, “I don’t think your boyfriend is as good as my son. Come with my son!”
Li Fang instantly stood up, pulled away the old king’s hand, and shouted angrily, “Hey, you old man…”
Tao Na quickly got up and covered Li Fang’s mouth, fearing he would say something inappropriate!
After all, he was a king, and she had to give him some face. Besides, he had no malicious intent!
Young Jin Quan quickly tried to salvage the situation. He walked quickly to Qiao Weiwei, took her hand, and said, “Father, this is the person I brought back for you!”
Qiao Weiwei was startled. Just as she was gathering her courage to retort,
Young Jin Quan quickly whispered, “Help me out. Father has a terminal illness. He’s always wanted me to bring a daughter-in-law home.”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Weiwei immediately understood. She straightened her chest, tilted her head back, and acted with elegance and grace, “That’s right, I am your future daughter-in-law, the future Queen of Jin Quan Guo.”
Qiao Weiwei’s performance was so convincing, she appeared like a young lady of noble birth with excellent upbringing.
This was not an act, but an innate confidence and aura.
Even though her family had fallen on hard times, her upbringing was impeccable.
Even Tao Na and Li Fang were pleasantly surprised by her transformation, secretly giving her a thumbs-up!
The old king immediately left Tao Na aside, his eyes fixed on Qiao Weiwei. He stood up and walked towards her.
Grasping Qiao Weiwei’s hand, the old king was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes!
“My daughter, your father has finally waited for you!!”
“Without delay! Prepare the wedding immediately, and tomorrow we will announce to the world that my son will inherit the throne!!”
The crowd was caught off guard by the old king. Before they could even rejoice, they became nervous again!
Young Jin Quan quickly grabbed his father’s hand and advised, “Hey, Father, in Xian Xia, women under 20 years of age are not allowed to marry. We are a land of etiquette; we must follow the customs of other countries!”
“Besides, I’ve already brought Weiwei back. What more are you worried about!”
The old king, in his excitement, was about to say something else, but as the words reached his lips, he suddenly started coughing!
A mouthful of blood was directly spat onto young Jin Quan and Qiao Weiwei!
“Father? Father!!”
“Uncle!”
Both of them rushed to support the old king.
The old king smiled weakly and said to Qiao Weiwei, “You should call me Father…”
At this, both of them became awkward. They had intended to lie their way out of the situation, but they hadn’t expected the old king to be so eager for a daughter-in-law that he became agitated.
Young Jin Quan slowly turned his head, his eyes hesitantly looking at Qiao Weiwei.
For some reason, tears welled up in Qiao Weiwei’s eyes.
The word “Dad” awakened a deep, long-yearned-for familial affection within her.
She hadn’t called anyone “Dad” for a very, very long time,
And she had never thought she would have the chance to call someone “Father” one day.
The atmosphere at this moment was eerily quiet, with everyone waiting for Qiao Weiwei’s response.
Qiao Weiwei’s tears flowed down her cheeks, dripping onto the back of the old king’s hand.
“Dad… Dad…”
“Ah, I hear you…” The old king smiled slightly, took a long breath, and then tilted his head, falling unconscious.