Chapter 174 - 174: Rather Be Shattered As Jade
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“He gave most of the money he embezzled to higher-ups, right?”
“Yes, but he didn’t embezzle too much with your uncle keeping an eye on him. In some areas, the county magistrate and the prefect embezzle, leaving many people in dire straits.”
“Hmph, a bunch of parasites. The emperor sits high up and can’t see these things, yet he protects his son. This kind of court will collapse sooner or later.”
“Shh, don’t say that out loud. We know it in our hearts. Otherwise, why doesn’t Zongsheng want to return to the capital? He prefers to stay here. Our Wang family doesn’t aim for great fortune and glory; we want our family to be safe.” “What if the main branch retaliates against you?”
“They dare not. We have dirt on them. If they dare to take action because we didn’t give them money, we’re not easy to mess with. We can go down together if necessary.”
“Hehe, I think the same way. It’s better to be shattered as jade than intact as pottery.”
“Look at this heavy snowfall; there might still be disasters this year.”
“Yes, I’ll make preparations in advance. Our house has a high foundation, and the base is deep. It’s designed to withstand floods and earthquakes. The structural beams are very sturdy. Unless it’s a catastrophe of epic proportions, it won’t collapse.”
“I knew it. How come you spent so much money building a house?”
“You and Old Master Wang can stay comfortably in my house without going anywhere. If my house is unreliable, then Wei City is even worse.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll enjoy my time here.”
Days passed by. The servants in the Qiao family had a whole month of rest, and they all gained some weight.
The snow on the ground remained untouched, with no sign of melting. It was almost February, and the people were getting anxious.
If the seeds were frozen, they would have to plow the fields again and could only plant one season of crops this year.
Upon learning of the disaster, Wang Zongsheng immediately submitted a report requesting the court to exempt the grain tax for the people in the Wei City area.
However, there was no response, which made Wang Zongsheng anxious. Fortunately, good news arrived from the capital.
Rul er was pregnant, already a month and a half along.
She was craving sour and sweet fruits, but they couldn’t be found in the capital at this season. So, Madam Wang asked Qiao Mai to see if she could obtain some.
Madam Wang didn’t mind the cold weather and brought Zihan to visit Lucky Garden.
She shared the good news with the grandparents, and they were overjoyed. “It’s only been a short time, and she’s already pregnant. How delightful.”
After reading Ruer’s letter, Qiao Mai couldn’t help but pout, “She thinks of me only when she wants to eat something. We’ve been back for so long, and not a single letter from her.”
“Well, the roads have been blocked due to the continuous snowfall. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Alright, since the mirrors have arrived, I’ll deliver them to her.” “Do you still have the medicine you gave Zihan last time?”
“I’ll get it for you in a moment.”
Madam Wang took a letter and a document from her pocket. “Your uncle wants to reduce the grain tax for the people of Wei City, but the report we submitted has had no response. It’s probably being held up by someone. When you go to the capital, give this document to Ru’er and ask her to present it to the prince. Get it on the emperor’s desk and urge the emperor to decide as soon as possible.”
Qiao Mai nodded and put the letter and document in her pocket.
“No problem. I’ll make preparations and leave early tomorrow morning to find sour fruits for her in the south.”
“Why don’t you and Zihan stay here for the night? We can leave together tomorrow morning. ”
“Alright, that’s fine. I’ll accompany you.”
Madam Wang hadn’t seen Qiao Mai’s skills, but she knew that Qiao Mai was skilled in martial arts. The world was becoming more chaotic, and it was better to have someone accompanying them.
Wang Zongsheng must have thought the same way, which was why he sent his wife to deliver the message. He probably felt it was more appropriate for Qiao Mai to do it than anyone else.
As expected, when he heard that Ruler was pregnant and craving sour foods, Qiao Mai immediately volunteered to deliver them herself. This way, the letter and document would surely reach Rul er’s hands.
That day, she made all the necessary arrangements at home.
On the second day, Qiao Mai released Dong Zao from her space. It seemed to have grown taller and stronger.
Its fur was thick and could withstand the northern cold.
After putting a saddle on Dong Zao, she led it to the front yard. Old Mistress Wang let Zihan take away the boxes Qiao Mai had given her before.
Zihan didn’t cry or act stubborn; he had become obedient and sensible. Old Mistress Wang and Madam Wang wrote letters and entrusted Qiao Mai to deliver them to Ru’er.
Qiao Mai placed the letter in her bosom, mounted her horse, and followed behind the carriage as she left the town of Tianshui.
Along the way, Madam Wang spoke to Qiao Mai through the carriage window for quite some time, offering her many admonitions. Qiao Mai nodded in agreement throughout the conversation.
Finally, she arrived at the city gates and was no longer subjected to Madam Wang’s naggings. Qiao Mai promptly bid her farewell, whipped the reins, and raced towards the capital.
During her journey, Qiao Mai encountered refugees fleeing south due to the disaster. She didn’t have time to buy food to aid them, but whenever she came across a family, she would bestow twenty taels of silver upon them, allowing them to fend for themselves.
Due to her role as a benefactor, she didn’t reach the capital as quickly as she could have.
With Dong Zao’s speed, the journey should have taken only three days. However, Qiao Mai assisted the commoners along the way, so she didn’t arrive at the north gate until the sixth day.
Qiao Mai took the carriage from her space and harnessed it to Dong Zao.
The carriage was already stocked with two baskets of bright orange sour apricots, waxberries, plums, and some commonly seen fruits.
Whether in size or freshness, these fruits were beyond compare with those in
the market.
Additionally, there were two dressing mirrors and six makeup mirrors.
After a quick inspection to ensure everything was in order, she drove the carriage into the capital.
Upon arriving at the outer part of Prince Shunqin’s mansion, Qiao Mai noticed guards standing on either side. She bowed to them.
“I am the princess’ sister, bearing a letter from her family from Wei City.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“No, but I was the one who stood guard for the princess during her wedding night. Your steward should recognize me.”
“Please wait a moment.”
One of the guards hurried inside, and after a short while, the steward emerged. As soon as he saw Qiao Mai, he greeted her with a bow.
“Madam, I offer my respects.”
“I’ve heard my sister is pregnant, so I’ve brought her some sour items.” “Please follow me,” The steward said, opening a side gate.
Qiao Mai led her carriage into the mansion and went directly to the Zijing Pavilion, where Ru’er resided.
At this moment, the young prince was accompanying her, and her cravings were causing quite a stir. She had hardly eaten anything since yesterday.
Qiao Mai sat in the carriage, raised her voice, and called out,
“Ru’er, your sister is here to see you!”
As soon as Jiaru heard the voice, she jumped up in excitement, making the young prince hurry to hold her back.
“You can’t run. Be careful of your health!”
“I know, I know. Let’s go. My sister is here, and she brought delicious food!”
With one dragging and the other pulling, they arrived at the courtyard gate like two rivals. Qiao Mai saw that Jiaru had lost a lot of weight.
“Oh, how did it come to this?”
“I can’t eat!”
“Hurry, let someone unload the cart. They’re all sour and sweet fruits. I guarantee you’ll love them.”
“Sister, get off the cart quickly and let them do it.”
Jiaru held her hand, and Qiao Mai jumped off the cart with a smile. “The mirrors are inside. Please be careful when handling them.”
“Oh, you brought mirrors for me too?”
“I got them before the new year, but our place has been hit by continuous snowfall. I couldn’t come to deliver them.’
The two sisters walked hand in hand into the living room, ignoring the young prince, who followed behind them with a dejected look.
The maids busied themselves serving tea. “Are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring food right away!”
Qiao Mai was not polite either. She drank tea and watched the servants bring things into the living room.
Jiaru’s eyes were fixed on the fruits, and she couldn’t help but salivate. “Wow, they’re so fresh, and there’s frost on them. Were they just picked?”
“Yes. Feel free to take some. No need to wash them; they’re all clean..”
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