Chapter 247: They Were Not Just Friends
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After leaving the space, she wandered around the house with three sheep following her.
She first went to report to Old Mistress Wang. Old Master Wang quickly noticed the difference in Qiao Mai.
“Girl, it’s been several days since we last saw you. What have you been busy with?”
“I’ve been researching something. Is everything fine at home?”
“Don’t worry. We’re looking after things here. That boy, Jiaqi, hasn’t been back for a while.’
Qiao Mai sat by the bed, and Old Mistress Wang cheerfully poured her a cup of tea.
“If he’s not coming back, won’t you go to see him?”
“Home is so comfortable; I don’t want to move.’
“Haha, we feel the same way. We’ve gotten used to being here. We don’t want to go anywhere.”
“Are you not returning to the capital this year?”
“We’re not going back. We’re getting old and don’t want to make the trip back and forth. We’ll spend the New Year here. We’ve talked to Zongsheng. If there’s no heavy snow this year, he’ll come here for the New Year.”
“That’s good. More people make it livelier.”
Old Mistress Wang looked at Qiao Mai with gratitude. “Thanks to you, Zihan has recovered. He’s preparing to sit for the exam next year.”
“That’s great! He’s eighteen now, right?”
“Eighteen years old. Although he started late, the teacher said he has potential.”
“Of course. Look at who Zihan is; whose son he is.
Old Master and Mistress Wang were pleased and laughed heartily.
While talking, a servant reported from outside, “Old Master, Old Mistress, there’s a letter from the capital.”
“Bring it in.”
The servant came in and handed the letter to Old Master Wang. After reading it, his face went from cheerful to heavy. Old Mistress Wang asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong, old man?”
“Jiaru is coming with her children.”
The old lady was delighted. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Let’s pack up and go home quickly. It’s been many years since I’ve seen my Ruler.”
“Do you know why she came back?”
“Has something happened in the capital?”
“What could happen in the capital? It’s because Li Longji took a new concubine, not just one, but two. Her in-laws have complained that she hasn’t borne them any children in recent years. They want to expand the Li family, so Jiaru made a scene, took her two kids, and returned to her maternal home.”
Upon hearing this, the old lady tell silent.
“Trying to stop the Li family from taking in concubines is impossible. They’ve been patient with Jiaru for many years, which is a good thing. Which noble family doesn’t have women like flies?”
“This marriage was her choice and agreement. No one forced her. Causing a fuss like this now is of no benefit.’
“She can come and go as she pleases. Zongsheng’s wife will advise her.”
Qiao Mai listened without saying a word. Wang Jiaru had married into a noble family, and she should be prepared for such situations.
With the weather so cold, what if something happened on the way when she brought her children home? She would regret it for the rest of her life. It was impulsive.
But why didn’t Qiao Mai ask anything about Wang Jiaru? The reason was simple. For several years, she had written a few letters to her family, mostly asking for this or that.
After that, there was no more communication. Qiao Mai regarded her as a friend, and anytime she needed help, she would provide it.
But it seemed like Wang Jiaru only wanted something from her.
At the time of her marriage, Qiao Mai had given her many precious gifts and even saved her once.
She didn’t know if Wang Jiaru considered her a friend.
Old Master Wang noticed that Qiao Mai hadn’t said a word. He looked at her as she remained silent.
“Girl, your grandmother and I want to go back to the capital.”
“You won’t be back before the New Year, I assume?”
“If Jiaru is celebrating the New Year at home, we probably won’t be coming back. ”
“Alright, I’ll prepare some New Year’s goods for you.”
She didn’t mention Wang Jiaru at all. Old Master Wang sighed inwardly, fearing that Ruler had hurt her. They weren’t just friends; they had sworn oaths to each other.
It had gone to such an extent. When they met Ru’er, they would have to have a good talk with her.
On the same afternoon, Qiao Mai prepared the New Year’s goods for them, five carts in total. Old Master and Mistress Wang also packed their belongings and left the next morning after having breakfast.
From start to finish, she never mentioned Wang Jiaru.
The old couple, with five carts of New Year’s goods, left Tianshui Town and took half a day to return to the Wang residence in the capital.
The purpose of Wang Zongsheng’s letter was to ask the old couple to return.
When they arrived home, they rested in their courtyard. After all, they were getting older, and the bumpy ride in a wooden cart all day was pretty tiring.
Wang Zongsheng and his wife sent someone to call Wang Jiaru while the two served the old couple.
“Dad, Mom, you returned so quickly.”
“We received your letter, and Madam Qiao prepared New Year’s goods right away. We won’t be leaving this time. We’ll spend the New Year with Rul er before leaving.”
Mentioning Rul er made the couple feel uneasy. “Dad, Mom, what do you think we should do?”
“What can we do? It’s a matter of the royal family. Can we resist it?” Madam Wang wiped away her tears. “Dad, Mom, but Ru’er is very sad.”
“We told her a long time ago. She knew what she was getting into. What’s the use of being sad now? Instead of feeling sad, why doesn’t she think about how to manage the household and prevent those fox spirits from entrancing the prince?”
“Mom, I heard the women who entered the mansion are all incredibly beautiful. How can Ruler compete with them?”
“Beauty won’t last. After all, she was the prince’s first love. It’s a case of love at first sight.’
The conversation in the room continued for a long time. Finally, Wang Jiaru brought her children over.
As soon as she entered the room, she greeted Old Master and Mistress Wang with a bow but didn’t act as affectionate as before.
The old couple thought she was feeling sad and didn’t mind. Her two children were like lovely porcelain dolls.
Worried that the children might get cold, they had them take off their shoes and sit around the heated brick bed. The family sat around the low table and enjoyed hot tea.
Old Mistress Wang sized up Wang Jiaru and said, “Ru’er, you haven’t changed a bit; you’re just the same as before.”
“Even if I’m the same as before, the prince doesn’t love me anymore. What should I do?”
She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief while saying this. The old lady glared at her.
“You should have known when you married into his family. What’s the use of crying and sobbing?”
“What should I do then?”
“Go back. Once you leave, you’ll give your place to those vixens. Over time, will the prince still recognize you?”
“Isn’t there any other way?
“What do you suggest? We’ll do as you say. Should we report to the emperor or send someone to kill the concubines?”
Old Mistress Wang didn’t want to talk to her anymore. In the years since she had gotten married, she felt that Wang Jiaru had distanced herself from them and wasn’t as close as before. Instead of learning how to become a gracious consort, she had become more petty.
She ordered her maidservants to give the snacks she had brought for the children. But unexpectedly, Wang Jiaru stopped them.
“Grandmother, we can’t let the children eat these things casually. What if they get sick? They are the future prince and princess.”
Old Mistress Wang glared at her. “Have you ever gotten sick from eating these?”
“I don’t know, but the children can’t eat these.”
Old Master Wang had been silently observing the situation for a while before finally asking, “These are from your sister’s home. You used to write letters to ask for them.’
“That was in the past. The food in the mansion is exquisite, and the children have been eating it since they were born.”
“Are you suggesting that your sister’s home has rougher food?”
“Grandfather, I didn’t mean it that way. I just think the children are too young.”
“They’re quite precious. Your sister’s Ling’er has been eating these since she was young.”
“She’s used to it, but my children aren’t.”
Old Master Wang rolled his eyes. “Then don’t eat them; we’ll keep them ourselves.”
Seeing her grandparents stop speaking, Wang Jiaru secretly sighed in relief..
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