Chapter 248: I Must Get The Things
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Is Sister doing well?”
“Do you remember to ask now?”
“She’s been good to you and our family all these years. Whenever you asked for something, she’d get it for you.”
“But didn’t Father give her a hundred thousand taels of silver every year?”
“That’s because she cured your brother’s illness. Should we consider money given to someone who saved a family member as yours too?”
Wang Jiaru was left speechless. Madam Wang let out a sigh.
“Father, Mother, let’s not talk about this. Madam Qiao is not a petty person.”
Old Master Wang clenched his teeth but didn’t say anything further. He no longer paid any attention to Wang Jiaru.
In the evening, the family gathered for dinner, and most of the dishes on the table were provided by Qiao Mai. Wang Jiaru attempted to serve herself but was stopped by Old Master Wang.
“These dishes are what ordinary folks like us eat. You and your children should eat more coarsely. If you can’t get used to our family’s food, you can return to your prince’s mansion.”
“Grandfather, why are you talking to me like this? I am a princess.”
Old Master Wang put down his chopsticks. “What? Are you trying to assert your status as a princess? Should I bow to you?”
“Grandfather, I wouldn’t dare.’
“Your action says otherwise. After being married for several years, you’ve changed so much that I hardly recognize you anymore.”
“Grandfather, she’s just a commoner’s daughter. How can you favor her so much? I am the princess.”
Old Master Wang stood up, suppressing his anger. “Back then, my grandfather was a commoner too, just like you, a descendant of farmers. Let’s not talk about this for now. Think back to the vows you made when you became sworn sisters. She fulfilled them. Did you?”
“I never expected that the innocent and lovable Jiaru would change so much after not seeing you for a few years. You’ve disappointed me.”
“Grandfather, I…
“If you look down on her so much, stop using the things she gave you. The jewelry you wear, the clothes you have, many of them are from her, right?”
“Hmph, our Wang family lives quietly in the capital. We have no desire for promotions and want to live in peace. From now on, you can be a princess, and we’ll live our ordinary lives. Different waters shouldn’t mix. We hope you’ll behave accordingly.”
Old Master Wang left. Old Mistress Wang also stood up, looking at Wang Jiaru with a disappointed expression.
She shook her head, sighed, and silently walked away.
Wang Zongsheng’s face was stern. “What have I been giving you 150,000 taels of silver each year for?”
“It went into the mansion’s expenses.”
“The prince’s mansion doesn’t lack silver. Why do they need your support?”
“Father, don’t just look at the grand appearance. We have to support so many people, and I…”
“Enough. Will the people in the prince’s mansion die without that silver?
Starting from next year, I won’t give you any more silver.”
“Father…”
“Don’t treat me like a fool. Whenever you have silver, you squander it everywhere, on food and clothing. Everything must be the finest. Am I right?”
“Father, are you investigating me?”
“Yes, I am. Consider it an investigation. Do you know that Madam Qiao hasn’t spent a single coin of it on herself? Apart from helping the commoners, she’s supported hundreds of impoverished people and disabled soldiers for her husband. She bought all the barren land in County She and planted trees on it.
She and her husband have sacrificed so much. And what about you?”
“You squander money on indulgence. Don’t forget what made your husband take notice of you. If you continue this way, you might lose your position as his wife. You married up, and there’s nothing we can do. If you’re only a child who cries to her parents when hurt, then we’ll listen. Finish complaining about your grievances. It’s time to return to the imperial city. You should grow up and be mature.”
With that, Wang Zongsheng left the room. The table was left with Madam Wang, Wang Jiaru, and two children.
Madam Wang didn’t know what to say. “Jiaru, your grandfather and father are right. You’re already a mother of two children. You can’t think about eating, drinking, and having fun every day. You need to understand that if you don’t change, your children might be demoted from legitimate to illegitimate status, and you might gradually disappear from the mansion. Such things are common in the imperial city. After all, our family is only a fourth-rank official, and we can’t protect you. Don’t act like a child anymore.”
The family dispersed in anger. Madam Wang, who was concerned about her daughter, was now disappointed.
From that day on, Old Master and Mistress Wang stayed in their room every day, while Wang Zongsheng had to go to the government office, and Madam Wang had to manage the family’s business. Zihan had to go to school. Everyone was occupied with their tasks.
Wang Jiaru was left at home with her two children, feeling quite bored. However, the thought of Li Longji keeping concubines kept her going.
When she thought of Qiao Mai, she believed that Qiao Mai should come with her grandfather to visit her upon hearing her return.
No matter what, she is now a royal consort. Qiao Mai should come and visit. She won’t gain or lose much, so why fuss over it?
She wrote a letter and invited Qiao Mai to visit their family in the capital.
Qiao Mai glanced at the letter and said, “Tell your mistress that due to some family matters, I can’t go.”
The messenger relayed Qiao Mai’s message, which infuriated Wang Jiaru. She smashed her teacup.
“She is so ungrateful. If I didn’t have something I wanted from her, I wouldn’t bother with her.”
Frustrated, she wrote another letter and sent someone to deliver it.
This time, Yuan Jiaqi happened to be at home. The two were in the warm shed, harvesting vegetables. Around the New Year, vegetables sold quickly. Many well-off households didn’t come out to buy vegetables during the holiday season, so they would stock up a lot at home.
The three tenant farmers made good profits this year because they were willing to invest and learn, not minding their pride.
The prices for their vegetables varied, but Shopkeeper Niu kept accounts for them. They trusted the Qiao family, giving them what they asked for without much discussion.
Qiao Mai came out of the warm shed, took the letter from the messenger, and burst into laughter upon reading its contents.
Yuan Jiaqi took a look as well. “Is she asking you for things again?
“Yes, she always asks for things for free, but I haven’t had any of those for years. I don’t have a single one.”
Qiao Mai looked at the messenger. “Tell your mistress that the things she’s asking for have been out of stock for three years. There’s been no supply.” “How do I explain this to my mistress? She insisted on getting those items.”
“I don’t have them here. I can’t magically produce them. Someone, please show this messenger out.”
And so, the messenger was ushered out of the house in a roundabout way. When Wang Jiaru found out, she was furious.
She was about to scold someone when Madam Wang rushed over, and she swallowed her words.
“Mother, why are you here?”
“I heard that you got angry again. What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? What about sending someone to the Qiao family to deliver a letter to Madam Qiao?”
“I’m just asking for some things from her.”
“What? Did you dare to ask her for things again? Over these years, you’ve taken more from her than our share of dividends.’
“Mother, it’s a sign of respect for a princess to ask her for a few things.”
Madam Wang looked at Wang Jiaru in shock. Was this really her daughter? How had she changed so much over five years? She couldn’t believe it.
“What did you ask her for?”
“Just a few sets of shiny jewelry, a couple of horse-faced skirts, and her double-sided embroidery.”
“Do you know that one of her small hair ornaments can sell for ten thousand taels of silver in the capital? How much do your jewelry sets cost?”
“Mother, can you please stop talking about it? If she doesn’t give them, it’s fine.
Why make a big deal out of it?”
Madam Wang was taken aback by her daughter’s words and took a few steps back, tears in her eyes. “I have truly raised a fine daughter.” With that, she turned and left..
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