Chapter 229: The Tigress Is Too Scary
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Miss Qu was hurt by her words. After days of lovesickness and her weak physical condition, she coughed up blood and fainted.
Mayor Qian and others gulped but didn’t intervene.
Qiao Mai pointed at the door. “Take your mistress away. If you dare to show up at my home again and engage in such behavior, I’ll treat her as a bandit and deal with her.”
The two maids, one carrying Miss Qu and the other assisting, left the courtyard and quickly departed in a horse-drawn carriage.
Qiao Mai shouted, “Close the door. If she dares to come again, give her a good beating. What a shameless person, daring to ruin my day during the New Year.”
Mayor Qian and County Governor Zhu witnessed Qiao Mai’s fierceness and spoke with trembling voices, realizing a tigress like her was truly fearsome.
“What happened?”
“Humph, what happened? Ask him!”
Qiao Mai was irritated and went to the kitchen, leaving Yuan Jiaqi to explain the situation.
“Brother Yuan, it seems your romantic life is quite lively.”
“It’s because she saw my potential. I hold an official position now. When I was a poor guy with a child, girls from wealthy families like her wouldn’t even glance at me.”
“That lady has quite the courage to break into the lion’s den for you.”
“Stop teasing me. My wife is upset!” “Your wife is indeed something.”
“I like her the way she is, feisty and adorable.”
When Yuan Jiaqi mentioned this, the others almost choked, and it was only now that Lu Sanniang realized what true formidable was.
This made her develop a deeper understanding of Qiao Mai, and they all sat down to ask more about her.
“Who is that young lady?”
Yuan Jiaqi sighed, “She’s a famous young lady from the local gentry in She
County.”
“Just a businessperson, nothing special.”
“She has a relative in the capital, a third-ranking official.”
Governor Zhu chuckled, “The capital is teeming with officials. There’s a saying – what was it again? In the capital, influential people, big and small, are as common as dirt.”
“Haha, Brother Zhu, you’re quite humorous!”
“My family is from the capital too. I naturally know.”
“Do you have high-ranking officials in your family?”
“Of course, my father, a Grand Academician in the Imperial Academy. Impressive, right? He keeps a low profile in the capital. But this Qu family dares to flaunt their power as a third-ranking official in this remote area. They even wanted to snatch a man, which is unacceptable. I’ll write a letter to have my father investigate this.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you had such a family background.”
“Well, don’t all of you? Just look at Mayor Qian here; his older brother is a prominent figure in the capital. And you, County Governor Yuan, don’t think I don’t know. The old lady in your house here holds a first-rank noble title, and her maternal family, the Pang clan, is powerful.”
“I serve the people with all my heart. I don’t care about background.”
“Nonsense. I’m telling you, good officials won’t last without influence. You need connections to do actual good for the people and the country. Otherwise, it’s all talk.” “I mean not to abuse power. Influence? Of course, it’s necessary.”
“Wise move!”
As they conversed, the maids started arranging dishes in the main hall. Governor Zhu got up and stood at the doorway, watching them with hungry eyes.
“I have to say, Brother Yuan, your family’s food is amazing. You can’t find these dishes in the north.”
“Of course, our cook was trained by my wife. If you want to eat, Brother Zhu, drop by. But don’t come empty-handed.”
Governor Zhu smiled. “Haha, don’t worry. I have some manners. I won’t accept a free meal.
“Hehe, my family can enjoy a free meal,” Mayor Qian teased.
Governor Zhu glared, “You think I don’t know how much you have secretly given to Madam Qiao?”
Mayor Qian was afraid Lu Sanniang would misunderstand. “It’s a token of gratitude since Madam Qiao saved my life.”
“She seemed to have saved your big brother’s life too, didn’t she? I heard he was sick at home for a long time. You sent medicine that helped him recover, right?”
“Your sources are quite reliable.”
“Of course, a county governor must have good information. In my jurisdiction, I know everything about people’s secrets. Know thyself, know the enemy, and win a hundred battles.”
Yuan Jiaqi smiled, “I’ve learned something!”
Just as they chatted, Qiao Mai arrived, “Please be seated, everyone.”
Governor Zhu immediately said, “Yes, yes, please be seated. Let’s eat. The food is incredibly delicious; I can’t resist.”
Seeing him salivating, the others couldn’t help but tease him.
Governor Zhu was quite adaptable and didn’t mind. He took a seat at the table and picked up the wine jug, passing it to Mentor Liu.
“You’re catching a break by following me. You’re in charge of pouring the wine!”
“Of course, my lord!”
Mentor Liu felt he was catching a significant break, as such a grand feast was rare even in the capital city.
While pouring the wine, the aroma wafted toward him, almost causing him to drool into the wine cup. Governor Zhu looked at him disdainfully. He quickly wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
Dishes were served, glasses were filled, and Governor Zhu asked, “Where is Old Mistress Wang?”
Qiao Mai waved and said, “She’s decided not to come for lunch and will have it sent to her from the kitchen.
“Right, when you get old, you don’t like mixing with the younger generation.”
Mayor Qian scolded, “Mind your words!”
“Haha, I forgot about you. You’re still young and not old at all.”
Xiu Hong and Xiu Yu ate in the kitchen. At the dining table were Governor Zhu and his mentor, Mayor Qian and Lu Sanniang, and six members of the Qiao family.
There were ten people and sixteen dishes. Seafood, meat, and vegetables were artfully presented, with red representing seafood, green for vegetables, and golden dishes for meat.
Governor Zhu was so engrossed in his meal that he barely had time to clink glasses with others.
He used his chopsticks deftly and efficiently, eating quickly while still
maintaining an air of elegance.
On one side, Mayor Qian peeled shrimps and crabs for Lu Sanniang. On the other side, Yuan Jiaqi did the same for Qiao Mai. Governor Zhu observed this scene and decided to bring his wife next time.
But it was his wife serving him, a task he had never done before. He used to think that men serving women was beneath him, but now, looking at the affection between these couples, there was nothing crude about it. In fact, it made their love even more apparent.
As Governor Zhu continued to enjoy his meal, he couldn’t help but express his admiration, “Sister, your family’s food is not available to the public, is it?”
“It’s unavailable to the public; we keep it for ourselves. The recipes have already been sold to the Wang family, so don’t think about it.”
“No wonder the Wang family is making so much money; They’ve benefited from your recipes.”
Qiao Mai smiled without commenting. Governor Zhu, tilting his head, posed a question to Mayor Qian.
“What about the pastry recipes from your family? Did you get some from her as well?”
“Aren’t you asking too many questions? Eat your food, or you can leave if that’s how it’s going to be!”
Mayor Qian rolled his eyes. Governor Zhu chuckled, quickly stuffing his mouth with food. Then, he loudly slurped white wine.
“This wine is fragrant, my dear friend. How about giving me two bottles when we leave?”
“Then I’ll give you a five-pound jar, but I might wonder if it’s considered bribery or corruption for my fine wine?”
“I can’t just buy it?” “A thousand taels per jar!”
“Are you trying to rob me?”
“If you don’t buy it, forget it!”
“I’ll buy. I can’t believe how generous you are.”
Mayor Qian gave him a disdainful look, “You should be content; the price of her wine is fifteen hundred taels. Selling it to you for a thousand taels is a great deal. ”
“Really?”
“Humph!”
As the children silently ate their food, they cast glances at the county governor, who seemed like a country bumpkin. They quickly finished the food in their bowls.
“Mother, Father, we’re full.’ “Go play by yourselves!”
“Okay!”
As the children left, they glanced at the county governor with a look that left
him uneasy.
He immediately slowed his pace, signaling he had seen much more in life and didn’t need their sympathy..
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