Chapter 240: Who Is So Kind?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the town, streets and alleys were abuzz with discussions. Fortunately, the Chen family had more than one string to their bow, including their shops and properties, not to mention relatives and friends.
Life could still go on. Cases like this were reported directly to the magistrate.
Mayor Qian was well-informed and got wind of it in the afternoon.
Well, without having to take matters into his own hands, that person has met his comeuppance.
Who was so kind-hearted to know that he wanted to take care of their family and take the initiative to resolve it? He’s thankful.
Mayor Qian wanted to have a small celebratory drink, but he remembered what Qiao Mai had told him – no alcohol for six months while taking this medicine. It was best not to drink for a year, even if they were intimate.
He had to endure it and sent someone to the embroidery shop to bring back his wife, informing her of the news.
“Sanniang, the Chen family has suffered retribution. They lost all their wealth, and Chen Kai’s… that thing is gone.”
Lu Sanniang widened her eyes. “Did he deceive more than one girl?”
“It’s possible. I can’t be sure which deity didn’t take a liking to him. I heard that when Chen Kai was preparing to be intimate with his wife, he realized it was gone when he reached for it. Haha!”
Lu Sanniang blushed and lightly scolded him, “You’re so irreverent! All you know is to tell me these things.”
“Now, I don’t even need to find someone in the capital.”
“He deserves to lose it; he brought it upon himself. This vile thing harmed my daughter’s reputation, and we’ll never know how many others have been victimized using these methods.”
“Don’t be angry. It takes two to tango. Our daughter is also responsible. Now that he has lost that thing, he won’t be able to harm others in the future.” “Let’s hope she has learned her lesson this time!”
“Don’t worry. I’ve asked the best matchmaker to propose a marriage to Ruxin.”
“Better not mess it up.”
“It absolutely won’t! ”
Although the Chen family’s trouble had spread to Tianshui Town, the issue regarding Lu Ruxin was kept strictly confidential and hadn’t caused much of a stir. People discussed it as an ordinary matter.
Qiao Mai had earned some money and was in a good mood. She had an early meal and planned to visit her shop.
As soon as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw an official riding a horse, wearing a diagonally slung red silk sash and carrying a congratulatory announcement.
“Oh, Madam Qiao, we meet again, don’t we?”
“Oh, I forgot today is the day the exam results are posted.”
“Yes, indeed. Congratulations to you, Madam Qiao. Your eldest son, Qiao
Yunfeng, and your second son, Qiao Fengyun, have passed the scholar exam!”
Qiao Mai handed him a silver note. “Take this for tea, and please wait for a moment.”
The maids quickly went off, some to invite others and some to fetch firecrackers.
Old Master Wang was teaching the three children at the time. Upon seeing the maids rush in, he was about to scold them.
“Old Master Wang, please take the young master and the second young master to see the announcement. The official said they have succeeded.”
His mouth widened into a smile, and he immediately waved his hands towards the three children.
“Let’s go. We’ll collect our result notice today, and you can have a day off.”
“Great!”
At the gate, a considerable crowd had gathered. The official saw that the main characters had arrived, pulled out the announcement, dismounted, and handed it over.
“Congratulations to Qiao Yunfeng, third place in the provincial exam, and Qiao
Fengyun, sixth place.”
“Yes, it’s a good ranking!”
Old Master Wang was very pleased. Both sons received their notices, and he took a big silver coin from his purse, handing it to the official.
“You’ve worked hard. Take this and go have some tea!”
“Congratulations. May you perform even better in the future!”
The official was delighted to receive a note of 100 taels from the Qiao family. Even Old Master and Mistress Wang added to this by giving him money. This job was indeed a good one.
As soon as the official left, the onlookers gathered around.
“Congratulations, Madam Qiao! Your family is full of good news. With Lord Yuan just becoming an official and your two sons passing the scholar exam, you’re lucky and blessed.”
“Thank you!”
The servants came out with two large trays of candy and melon seeds. “Come, have some candy today, everyone!”
The townspeople enjoyed the candy and melon seeds while asking questions. “Madam Qiao, congratulations. Both of your sons passed the exam. Are you going to host a banquet?”
“No. I want them to focus on their studies. Becoming a scholar is just one step on their journey.”
“Oh, it seems like Madam Qiao has high expectations for them.” “Of course. My sons can’t be inferior. They have to become Tribute Scholars.”
Qiao Mai chuckled happily. “You can all disperse now. Go home.”
Just then, firecrackers went off across the street. The townspeople hurried to see, snacking on the candy and melon seeds while discussing the Qiao family’s joyful events.
Qiao Mai turned to her two sons. “Don’t get too proud. Study hard and aim for the top in the provincial exams next year.”
“Yes, Mother!”
Despite her advice, she still rewarded her sons. Each received a silver note of 100 taels. Chuan’er blinked.
“Mother, if I pass the exam next year, will there be a reward too?” “Of course. If you study diligently, you’ll receive rewards from me.”
“Wow, thank you, Mother!”
“Off you go. Do what you need to do. For lunch, I’ll have the kitchen prepare something special for you.”
Old Master Wang led the three children away, leaving Qiao Mai and Old Mistress Wang.
“Come, let’s sit in front of the shop for a while.”
“All right.”
Although it was morning, there was a continuous stream of people on the main road. Qiao Mai and Old Mistress Wang sat in front of the shop.
A shop assistant came closer and asked, “Boss, would you like something to drink?”
“Would you like something to drink, Grandmother?”
“Don’t we have any fresh drinks?”
“At the moment, we only have milk tea. Passion fruit won’t be available until May, but let me think.”
Qiao Mai considered all the fruit juices she could offer, like mango and coconut. Mango with milk was excellent; it was suitable for people of all ages and had a rich, creamy taste.
“Grandmother, please wait a moment.”
She hurried back to Lucky Garden, entered her space, and purchased one hundred boxes of mango milk.
She then took a clean jar and filled it with mango milk, bringing it to the front of the shop.
“Did you go back to prepare some drinks?”
“Yes.”
She asked the shop assistant to bring two clean cups and straws.
Using a spoon, she scooped the drink from the jar into the two cups. Old Mistress Wang swallowed.
“It looks like milk, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Give it a try; I guarantee it tastes nothing like milk tea.” She took a sip, her eyes lighting up. “It has fruit bits inside?”
“Yes, there are mango bits, coconut bits, and other fruit bits.”
“Yeah, it’s delicious. The milk combined with these fruit bits is surprisingly good. Why haven’t you made this before?”
“You didn’t ask, did you?”
Old Mistress Wang enjoyed the drink so much that she finished a whole cup and asked for another one.
Unbeknownst to them, more than a dozen people around them were also salivating.
With a big smile, Shopkeeper Niu walked out and curried favor with Qiao Mai. “Boss, do we have a new product to offer in our shop?”
Qiao Mai was taken aback. “Aren’t you guys busy enough? Do we need a new product now? Maybe we can consider it in a couple of years?”
“No, no, it’s not a problem. It’s just some extra work in the background. We’re not busy at all.”
Qiao Mai rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what he meant.
“Get a cup for each person and let them taste it.”
“Hehe, thank you, Boss, thank you!”
As soon as they had a chance to taste this new creation, they all got excited and approached Qiao Mai, each holding a cup.
She had no choice but to use a spoon to scoop and distribute the fruit bits of yogurt from the jar to each of them.
Taking a sip of such a delicious beverage, Shopkeeper Niu felt like he was on cloud nine.
“Master, I can assure you that if we have this in our shop, we can make a fortune year-round.”
Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, thinking, “I knew you’d say that. This is a good drink suitable for people of all ages.”
“How much do you think we should sell it for?”
“Five hundred coins a cup?”
Shopkeeper Niu hesitated, and Qiao Mai pondered for a moment. “Well, that price seems fair for now. Once I write down the recipe and test if it can be produced, we can reassess.”
“Sure!”
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