Chapter 230: You Can’t Hold It Against Him
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the hall, only six of them remained. Governor Zhu enjoyed his meal, Mentor Liu was satisfied, and Mayor Qian accompanied Lu Sanniang in a joyful meal.
Even Qiao Mai didn’t hold a grudge against Yuan Jiaqi for what had happened before.
After they had eaten and drunk to their satisfaction, the six of them were resting in the living room when they heard a knock on the door. Qiao Mai glared at Yuan Jiaqi.
“Go and handle this. It’s your business!”
Yuan Jiaqi gave a wry smile, got up, and walked out. Governor Zhu and Mayor Qian followed him while Lu Sanniang tugged on Qiao Mai’s sleeve.
“Although it was his admirer, it’s not entirely his fault. You can’t hold it against him.”
“I just felt angry that they had to cause trouble on New Year’s Day.”
The maid saw the masters coming outside, so she opened the door. There was a horse carriage parked outside with a middle-aged couple standing at the door. They looked dark-faced and seemed hesitant when they saw Yuan Jiaqi and the others. The man bowed to Yuan Jiaqi.
“Mr. Yuan!”
“So, it’s Lord Qu and Lady Qu. Did you come here to demand an explanation for your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Before Yuan Jiaqi could speak, Qiao Mai strode forward and pointed at Lord Qu.
“Our gatekeeper had her eye on you and wanted to marry you. You should divorce your wife right away, or else…”
Lady Qu’s face turned red as she interrupted, “How can you be so shameless?
Coming here and asking my Lord to divorce his wife is outrageous! Don’t you have any shame or respect?”
“So, Lady Qu knows about shame and respect? Yet this morning, your noble daughter came to our house and said these exact words. Why, just because your family has a third-ranking official as a relative in the capital, do you think you can trample on the law and oppress the commoners?”
Lady Qu was at a loss for words. The couple looked embarrassed. Their daughter had a different story when she returned home.
“My daughter is a proper lady; she would never say such things.”
Governor Zhu smirked and stepped forward, saying, “I’m the governor of
County Yi. I can testify to the words your daughter used.”
Mayor Qian stepped forward. “I’m the Mayor of Tianshui Town. We were present when the incident happened. We can testify on behalf of Madam Qiao. Your daughter spoke rudely; she insulted Madam Qiao the moment she arrived. Is she really considered a young lady of a respectable family? The village girls are more dignified in comparison.”
The Qu couple turned red with embarrassment. “But that doesn’t justify hitting her, does it?”
Qiao Mai clenched her teeth. “I did well not to have beaten her to death. She’s shameless, bullying people with her family’s influence. It’s as if this world belongs to her, and she can have anyone she wants.”
The Qu couple shivered, about to make excuses, when Old Mistress Wang suddenly appeared behind Qiao Mai, wrapped in thick clothing.
“You’ve been wronged, my dear. Why didn’t you come to tell Grandmother?”
Qiao Mai turned quickly and supported the old lady. “Why did you come out, Grandmother?”
“Just taking a stroll, checking on my little chicks and deer.”
Old Mistress Wang stood tall, staring coldly at the Qu couple.
“You scoundrels, how dare you bully my granddaughter? Do you think my granddaughter should step aside for your daughter? Who do you think you
“You!”
“It’s only because you’ve managed to gather some wealth that you think you’re something. If you want to continue living, you’d better behave. Otherwise, I’ll make your heads roll.”
“And who are you?” The Qu couple asked nervously.
Governor Zhu spat at them. “This is a First-Class Royal Decree Lady as appointed by the current Emperor. She’s also the sister of Grand Master Pang. Do you think your third-class official relative can save you?”
Lord Qu immediately knelt in front of the old lady.
“I apologize, Old Mistress Wang. I didn’t raise my daughter well. I will reprimand her severely. We didn’t mean to cause any trouble here. We just wanted to understand the situation.”
He turned to his wife and scolded her. Stunned, Lady Qu also knelt.
“A third-ranking official’s daughter dares to threaten an imperial official? I will report this matter to the Emperor. He’s currently investigating corrupt officials, bullies, and thugs. I wonder if you fall into one of these categories.”
“Old Mistress Wang, spare us! We were wrong!”
“Get lost!”
Old Mistress Wang took Qiao Mai’s hand.
The Qu couple left, and Yuan Jiaqi looked at them.
“Good riddance, they didn’t listen to reason. Had to turn things ugly! ”
Governor Zhu extended a friendly gesture toward Yuan Jiaqi. “Brother, I’ll take my leave now. Let’s sit down properly another day?”
“Sounds good!”
Mayor Qian patted Yuan Jiaqi on the shoulder. “Families like theirs are not worth having any dealings with.”
Yuan Jiaqi nodded in agreement, watching Mayor Qian leave with Lu Sanniang.
He then turned around and walked back without glancing at the couple outside. The maid grunted with disdain, closed the courtyard gate, and barred it. “These people are so useless, yet they want to bully others!”
“Exactly! Whichever relative they bring to our house can’t compare to ours.
They only want to show off.”
Outside, Lord Qu, who had knelt on the ground, quickly got up and shouted at
Lady Qu.
“Indulge her more! Look at the trouble she’s caused.”
“She’s seeking death. What should I do? How can I bear to watch her die? She’s my daughter, conceived and born over nine months. I told her that forced love is bitter and that Governor Yuan is an efficient man who wouldn’t divorce his wife for her. But she didn’t listen and came here on her own.’
Lord Qu clenched his teeth. “I’ll go back and break her legs if she doesn’t stop.” He got on the carriage and yelled at Lady Qu, who was still in a daze.
“Get on the carriage. If she wants to die, let her die. It’s better than our whole family dying.”
On the first day of the lunar year, there were morning and afternoon celebrations. Qiao Mai and Old Mistress Wang sat on the warm bed, discussing their grievances.
Old Mistress Wang cradled the kittens in her arms. “You’re such a straightforward girl, but you can’t become petty because of this.”
“I just felt it was repulsive!”
“Don’t worry; I will definitely have Zongsheng write a letter to report this to the Emperor, submitting an official complaint against the Qu family.” “Let it go as long as she doesn’t come to create trouble in the future.”
“We can’t let them off lightly! Otherwise, everyone will think they can behave like this.”
“If she causes trouble again, I have ways to deal with her!”
Old Mistress Wang smiled warmly at her. “I know you’re capable. If my husband knew you got me two little darlings, do you think he’d be upset?” “He probably won’t. He’ll likely ask me for pets too.”
“He only likes to read books. He’s not interested in these things. But these two darlings are lovely. They have beautiful colors and are cute. When they make noises, my heart melts.”
“Grandmother, don’t be biased. You might only love them and forget about our poultry.”
“Haha, you don’t have to worry about that. I remember them as well.”
“On the second day of the lunar year, I will invite the Liu family to dinner. Will you come?”
“Of course, we’re all family. It’ll be fun to get to know each other.”
Qiao Mai took some red envelopes from her pocket and placed them on the table. “I have plenty left. You can have some. You can give them to the Liu family kids later.”
“I already have some here.”
“I know, but I prepared too many.”
The maid beside them looked at the red envelopes with envious eyes. The old lady had never been so affectionate with anyone, not even her granddaughter, Jiaru.
Qiao Mai wouldn’t let such small matters agitate her; these actions were only meant to show her as a normal person.
At night, the couple lay on the bed. Yuan Jiaqi turned his head to look at her.
“Wife, you’re not angry, are you?”
“No, I was upset at the time, but it was fine. I’m not blaming you.. Why would I be angry?”
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