Chapter 221: I Am Not Lustful
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In late December, all the families had their New Year’s gifts ready. Qiao Mai also prepared her return gifts for them to take back.
When Magistrate Wang, his wife, and Zihan came to pick the old couple up, they brought several carriages filled with gifts and gave Qiao Mai her year-end bonus.
They stayed at Lucky Garden for one night, where Qiao Mai had prepared a table full of delicious dishes.
“No wonder my parents didn’t want to go back. It’s so comfortable here. We can have anything we want to eat, and it’s so warm inside the house.”
Qiao Mai waved to Zihan, and he shyly came over to her. “Big sister!”
“Let me check if your head is okay.”
“Okay!”
Qiao Mai gently placed her hand on his forehead and closed her eyes, using her spiritual awareness to examine his brain.
She found it clean, indicating the blood stasis had dissipated, and the elixir had purified his brain.
“Have you been studying lately?”
“I’ve been attending school in the county.”
“Wow, you’re going to school?”
“Yes.”
“Tomorrow morning, when we leave, I’ll give you a set of gifts. Make sure to study hard.”
Madam Wang watched this scene with a smile. Thanks to Qiao Mai, her son had returned to normal.
Although he started school late, his teacher said he was intelligent and predicted he would shine within three years.
All of this was thanks to the mysterious Qiao Mai. So, their family business gave her a 20% share, and Madam Wang had no objections.
Every year, when they brought their New Year’s gifts, Qiao Mai received a separate gift of comparable value to their year-end bonus.
Like his father, Wang Zongsheng didn’t see Qiao Mai as his junior. She was too mysterious. He was willing to befriend, protect, and respect her, even if she were younger than him.
The family enjoyed a satisfying meal at Lucky Garden and went to rest early.
Yuan Jiaqi didn’t return home, so she could practice in the space at night and prepare the return gifts.
While Zihan was at the dining table, he mentioned many snacks. Qiao Mai bought all of them on the platform, such as canned luncheon meat, canned peaches, ham, spicy deboned chicken feet, egg tarts, and sushi.
She also bought a set of expensive inkstones, brushes, ink, ink sticks, and ten excellent sheets of paper for Zihan.
Since Magistrate Wang loved meat, she packed a box of homemade cured meats, sausages, preserved meat, and a cured ham leg.
Madam Wang liked the hair care and skin care products she provided, including the goat milk soap she gave to Old Mistress Wang. She purchased a large box of these items for her.
She had already sent the annual gifts to Old Master and Mistress Wang, which they would take when they left.
Of course, she also filled the gift boxes with many fruits from her space.
The family of three came together, drawn by the rare treasures available at her place.
Her gifts always brought joy to Magistrate Wang.
As the year-end approached, her house had everything others didn’t, and whatever others had, they weren’t interested.
Over the past few years, Wang Jiaru had not returned. Her occasional letters were mainly requests for food.
After so many years, was she still the same innocent girl?
Qiao Mai hoped not to be disappointed when she saw her again. On December 26th, the Wang family, having spent time together at Lucky Garden, headed back to the county to celebrate the New Year.
Thinking about the upcoming New Year, Yuan Jiaqi would be busy. After seeing off the Wang family, Qiao Mai immediately hired several mule carts.
The carts were parked in front of her house, and the maids kept loading them with goods.
She wanted to visit Yuan Jiaqi and bring some local products to his subordinates. It had been a year. She couldn’t let the people who followed Yuan Jiaqi feel disappointed.
In addition to the goods, she also brought silver ingots, each weighing ten taels, which she packed in several boxes.
She called Dong Zhao from her space and, riding her horse, led the way with the five carts following behind.
In the town, people were willing to work for the Qiao family. They paid well, and as long as you did a good job, you’d even get a little extra.
Within one hour, they had reached a hundred miles.
Qiao Mai had been to the county governor’s residence once before. She found her way to the entrance without difficulty.
The gate was open, and the gatekeeper saw her coming. He quickly ran over.
“Madam, you’re here.”
“Mm, where’s the master?”
“He’s receiving guests in the hall.”
“Tell the servants to start unloading the cart and place everything in the front yard near the hall.”
Qiao Mai turned to look at the cart drivers and said, “Go back and settle the bill with Shopkeeper Niu.”
“Okay!”
Qiao Mai got off her horse, leading Dong Zhao inside. The servants didn’t go in to announce her arrival; there was no need for the lady of the house to announce herself in her husband’s home.
She patted the horse’s butt and said, “Go play by yourself for a while. We’ll return shortly.”
Afterward, she headed for the living room. Before reaching the living room, she heard a man speaking inside.
“Mr. Yuan, I heard your wife has never come to the county. With no woman around, isn’t that inconvenient?”
Yuan Jiaqi looked at the man at the bottom and frowned.
“This is my family affair. Besides, the county is only a hundred miles from my house. I can return in a hurry if I need to. It’s not inconvenient at all.”
“I meant at night. Isn’t it lonely without a woman?”
“I’m fully committed to serving the people. After working all day, I only want a good night’s sleep. Besides, I am not a lustful man. If you have anything to say, please speak up. If not, please leave. I have other matters to attend to.”
“Mr. Yuan, my little sister is here. If you don’t mind, she can warm your bed at night.”
Yuan Jiaqi thought, “Do they want me to die?” His expression darkened, and he pointed to the door.
“Get out!”
“I am dedicated to serving the people. I spend all my time on the welfare of the citizens while you only seek to curry favor. Leave immediately. My home will not welcome you in the future.”
The man, though angry, dared not react. At that moment, a girl’s voice chimed in.
“Sir, my brother meant well. After all, which man doesn’t have multiple wives or concubines?”
“I will never have multiple wives or concubines. I hold those who eagerly offer themselves to others in contempt. They have no shame.”
“How could my man have multiple wives or concubines? If he dares, I’ll give him a hard time.”
The girl’s face turned pale, and she anxiously glanced at her brother.
The couple’s voices resonated simultaneously. Upon hearing Qiao Mai, Yuan Jiaqi looked joyfully towards the entrance, taking a few steps forward to hold her hand.
“Wife, why did you come in such cold weather?”
“Isn’t it because I missed you? I came to bring you some New Year’s gifts. I didn’t expect someone else to bring you gifts, and it’s a living creature.
Shouldn’t you introduce them?”
“Introduce what? I don’t want to see them at all. I thought they came with official matters, but they came to deliver a woman. I have no interest in women. My only love is my wife.”
Qiao Mai assessed the young man and woman in the living room. The young man appeared to be in his twenties, while the girl was about sixteen or seventeen. Based on their appearances, they looked like villains.
The siblings were extremely nervous. They had intended to flatter the county governor but ended up facing his wrath. Wasn’t it said that the county governor’s wife never visited this place?
“Hmph, they didn’t even deliver a good gift. Even if my husband doesn’t need it, it could still be pleasing to the eye. This gift isn’t up to standard.”
The girl, feeling insulted, couldn’t hold back and retorted, “You’re not good -looking either.”
“But I’m a wife, the one who manages the household. I don’t need to be beautiful. On the other hand, concubines must use their looks to serve. You don’t even have looks; how could you dare to offer yourself for such a purpose? I wonder if your brains have been kicked.”
Yuan Jiaqi held Qiao Mai’s hand and said, “My wife, let’s not talk to these idiots. ”
Qiao Mai glared at him, resembling a mother tiger protecting her cubs. “If you dare to take a concubine, I’ll break your legs.”
“I wouldn’t dare. I only want you as my wife. I won’t want anyone else, no matter how good they are..”
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