The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 75 The King Returns

On the day the king returned from his inspection tour, Qiao Xiao got up early to do her morning makeup.

Qiao Xiao was dressed in a gorgeous robe, embroidered with exquisite patterns that shimmered with dazzling light.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, neatly combed and adorned with magnificent jewels. These jewels sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, perfectly complementing her makeup.

Her face was as white as snow, her eyes were like autumn water, her nose was straight, and her lips were red and full, painted with bright lipstick, like a blooming rose.

She wore a pair of pearl earrings, a diamond necklace, and a ruby ​​ring, all of which shimmered brilliantly on her.

She was wearing a pair of high heels, the surface of which was studded with diamonds and gemstones, making her figure appear even taller.

Someone was knocking on the door, knock knock knock.

"Mother, are you ready? We should head to the city gate to greet Father."

Qiao Xiao: "Alright, come in, Shi Bozi."

Daisy opened the door, and as soon as she looked up, Bob saw Qiao Xiao's stunning beauty. At that moment, time seemed to stand still. He was deeply shocked by her beauty and stood there, unable to take his eyes off her.

Upon seeing Shi Bozi, Qiao Xiao couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Why didn't you take care of Shi Bozi?"

He was no different from usual, except that he was dressed more formally.

But Spitz possesses stunning beauty.

Her emerald green eyes, like clear lake water, her thick and long eyelashes, and her smooth, golden hair—it's no exaggeration to say she was born beautiful.

Qiao Xiao muttered to herself, "She has a face that even girls would be jealous of."

She slowly walked towards Schubert and found him standing there, stunned.

Qiao Xiao asked a few more times, "Sipoz? Sipoz?"

Spoelstra then came to her senses and said, “You are absolutely gorgeous, Mother.”

Qiao Xiao: "Yes, beauty comes at a price. I'm getting sleepy."

Spartz offered his gloved hands. "Let's go, Mother."

Qiao Xiao naturally took his arm. "Okay, let's go."

On the day the king returned from his inspection tour, the entire country was immersed in jubilation.

People gathered early in the square in front of the palace, eagerly awaiting the king's return.

As the king's carriage slowly entered the square, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd.

The king smiled and waved to the people, his eyes filled with relief and excitement.

Qiao Xiao and Shi Bozi also arrived at the square. They stood in the crowd, welcoming the king's return.

When the king appeared at the entrance to the square, Spohr's face darkened. He gripped his sword tightly, his eyes filled with hostility and unease.

"What's going on? Why do I have this feeling about my father..." Spoelstra muttered to himself, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

He felt that although the person in front of him looked exactly like his father, he exuded a strange and dangerous aura.

Qiao Xiao noticed the change in Shi Bozi. She frowned and asked softly, "What's wrong, Shi Bozi?"

Spoelstra lowered his voice and replied, "Mother, Father seems a little off." His gaze never left the approaching figure, and his hand unconsciously tightened around the hilt of his sword.

Qiao Xiao nodded, indicating that she understood what Spartz meant. She looked up at the King, a hint of doubt and wariness flashing in her eyes. But she did not show any panic; instead, she calmly considered how to deal with the situation.

Just then, Shi Bozi suddenly stepped forward and blocked Qiao Xiao's way.

He lowered his head and said to Qiao Xiao in a deep voice, "Mother, let me protect you. If Father really has any problems, I will not let him harm you."

Qiao Xiao didn't want him to take any risks, so she gently patted Spitz on the shoulder: "Thank you, Spitz. But you're still too young, leave this to me. You step back and don't do anything rash."

Spohr hesitated for a moment, but ultimately obeyed Qiao Xiao's advice. He slowly took a few steps back, nervously watching the king's every move.

The king slowly approached them, opened his arms, and said in a gentle voice, “Oh, my children, how are you? Thank you so much for taking such good care of the kingdom during my absence.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiao and Shi Bozi couldn't help but gasp, and they exchanged a quick glance without realizing it.

At this moment, the attendant standing to the side quickly reminded him, "I'm sorry, the King is tired from his journey and has spoken incoherently. I think he needs to rest now, doesn't he, Your Majesty?"

Qiao Xiao spoke first: "May I ask who you are?"

“I am the king’s new personal attendant, my name is To.”

Qiao Xiao nodded: "Alright, now take the king to his palace and let him rest well."

Then, the guards who were following behind stepped forward and led the "king" toward the palace.

Qiao Xiao and Shi Bozi followed closely behind them, and the large group of people, amidst flowers and praises, slowly returned to the palace.

Upon arriving at the king's palace, everyone stood at attention.

Qiao Xiao said, "I'll stay and take care of the King."

Upon hearing this, Shi Bozi tensed up and took a few steps forward, seemingly trying to stop Qiao Xiao's actions.

Qiao Xiao shook her head slightly, indicating that her mind was made up.

At this moment, To spoke up: "I think you can't stay here."

Standing behind Qiao Xiao, Daisy frowned and asked rudely, "Why? Who do you think you are?"

Tuo scratched his face with his large fingers, his eyes darting around as if he were thinking about something.

After a while, he said bluntly, "The king just whispered that he wanted me to pass on a message to you, and you should just do as he says. Why all the fuss? Look, the king hasn't said anything yet!"

His tone was arrogant, which made people feel very uncomfortable.

Qiao Xiao couldn't stand seeing Daisy being taken advantage of, so she decided to stand up for her.

Qiao Xiao straightened her back, her face expressionless. She looked at Tuo and said coldly, "We are the King's closest people. We know best how to treat the King's health. Please, Your Excellency, discuss this with the King in detail."

At this moment, Toh's demeanor was completely unlike that of a court attendant; he seemed more like an unruly commoner. How could he have become one of the king's men? The maids and guards around him were all puzzled, and the ministers who had just entered the palace for an audience were even more baffled.

However, To was clearly not a fool. Seeing Qiao Xiao's firm stance, he immediately changed his attitude, bowing and scraping, saying, "The King remembers, but Your Highness..."

At that moment, Daisy suddenly interrupted him: "What are you saying? This is the Queen!"

Upon hearing this, To was stunned. He looked flustered and stammered, "What? Your...Queen!"

His eyes widened as he stared at the young and beautiful face before him, his heart filled with shock and disbelief. He simply couldn't believe that this young woman was their queen.

He hurriedly knelt down and said respectfully, "I apologize, Your Majesty, I did not know you were so young. I have offended you. Please forgive me." After saying this, his body immediately became obsequious.

However, at that moment, the king, who had been lying in bed, suddenly sprang up as if stimulated by something, his face showing a look of surprise, and shouted loudly, "Queen? My Queen!"

The king's eyes widened, and two thin, curved slits appeared on his already chubby face, making him look quite comical.

Qiao Xiaoren found it hard to believe that the king before her could have fathered such a handsome prince. This suggested that the former queen must have been an exceptionally beautiful woman.

Qiao Xiaowei took a step back and said coldly, "Your Majesty, I still have a year before I come of age."

The king felt embarrassed upon hearing this. He rubbed the sweat from his hands and explained, "I know, Your Majesty, I just...missed you too much." His expression was somewhat unnatural, and he seemed to realize that his behavior was inappropriate.

Qiao Xiao smiled faintly, "I roughly understand your situation. You really need to rest well so you can remember some important things. We'll leave now so as not to disturb your rest."

She raised her hand and waved, and the crowd slowly dispersed.

In the end, only Qiao Xiao and Shi Bozi remained.

Qiao Xiao gave Shi Bozi a look, and the two nodded to each other before leaving the dormitory.

Inside the palace, To suddenly cried out in a frenzy, "We almost got exposed, damn it!"

Guan anxiously looked for a mirror to confirm, and said in a silly manner, "I haven't changed at all, Tuo."

Tuo grabbed his collar and shook his head. "What are you talking about, Guan? It's that queen! We've got her identity wrong. She's actually the queen?"

With her large pregnant belly sticking out, she strode back and forth with big steps, exclaiming, "Yes, I can't believe how big this place is!"

Tuo was furious: "You've got the focus wrong again, Mind!"

Guan: "Sorry, sorry, sir, it's just that the reflection in the mirror is too realistic. I can't accept it right now."

Tuo calmed down and stroked his newly sprouted beard: "The potion they gave us was actually effective; I didn't expect it to work."

Guan: "Yes, just thinking about having such a beautiful queen makes me incredibly happy, Tuo." A lewd smile appeared on his fat face, as if he was already immersed in a wonderful fantasy.

To continued stroking his seemingly invisible beard, a smile spreading across his face: "Heh heh, indeed, especially the short-haired princess beside her, ah, she's the most beautiful person I've ever seen." A hint of greed and longing shone in his eyes, as if he had a special interest in the short-haired princess.

After leaving the palace, Qiao Xiao had a private chat with Shi Bozi.

Spartz: "They're imposters, what about Father?!"

Qiao Xiao: "Don't rush. We need some evidence. I wonder how the King is doing now?"

Spoelstra: "Ask the magic mirror, it might know something."

The two approached the magic mirror, and Spitz took out a small glass bottle containing a red liquid. The red liquid swayed slightly in the bottle, as if it were dancing.

Qiao Xiao looked at the bottle in Shi Bozi's hand and asked curiously, "What is this?"

"This is a special potion that can awaken the magic mirror," said Spitz softly. "Only my mother clan knows how to make it."

Then, Spitz placed a drop of the potion on the magic mirror and gently called out, "Magic mirror, magic mirror, wake up, we need your help."

The magic mirror began to shimmer, as if awakening from a slumber. The mirror responded in a deep, authoritative voice: "What questions do you have, Your Highness and Queen?"

Spoelstra said, "I want to know about my father."

After a moment of silence, the magic mirror replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Let me see... Well, my poor prince, the king has already been murdered."

Spoelstra: "Who did this?!"

Magic Mirror: "I can't explain it, but I'm certain that he was poisoned by a special magical potion."

Qiao Xiao: "Then who is impersonating the king now?"

The Magic Mirror replied regretfully, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot detect anything unusual about them. Perhaps someone with even greater magic is assisting them."

Stepping out of the dark room, Spitz's steps became heavy, and a complex emotion that was difficult to describe filled his heart.

Although he did not have a deep affection for his father, he was still shocked and heartbroken to learn of his death.

He lost a guardian of the kingdom, a steadfast support. He was not a good father, but he was a competent king.

Now, only a mirage remains.

Qiao Xiao appeared particularly calm. The king's death did not cause her any sadness. The Kingdom of Sotoa was on the verge of collapse, leaving only her and Shi Bozi. They became the last pillar to prevent the collapse.

Qiao Xiao comforted her, "Tomorrow is the day of the knight selection. You should rest well and conserve your energy. Once you are selected and become a knight, don't think about anything else."

Spitz: "I know, Mother."

Qiao Xiao: "I wish you well, my Shiboz. Only when you become stronger can you protect this kingdom."

Spartz: "I swear, Mother, I will protect this country and fulfill my duty to protect it and you in place of Father."

Qiao Xiao: "Well done, Spitz, well done."

The night was deep and all was quiet, but three lamps in the palace remained lit all night.

Qiao Xiao adjusted the lights alone, just the two of them, leaning against the wall, stroking the Marigold in her hand. It was quiet, so peaceful, so beautiful.

Schubert gazed intently at the hanging knight's armor and sword, his eyes burning with intensity. Before him lay his lifelong dream: to become the first knight king. His tall, graceful figure appeared so perfect in the candlelight; he was simply a child of art.

To and Guan were sitting on the bed, To standing by the window, his shadow small and distorted in the darkness. He was gesturing wildly as he described his plan, while Guan, enjoying the freshly served food, sat happily listening to To's speech.