Chapter 266: These Words Are Really Shameless
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The matchmakers were easy to deal with, but the Fengyun brothers’ previous clansmen were not so easily convinced.
If they weren’t allowed inside, they would wait outside the gate. They didn’t make a scene, merely standing there on both sides.
Since they want to try this tactic with the Qiao family, so be it. Regardless, Qiao Mai had ordered that the Fengyun brothers would not see anyone.
If they wanted to go to court, Qiao Mai was unafraid, whether done softly or forcefully.
Seeing the situation, the Yuan family head decided to join in the commotion. He brought his clan members to the Qiao family’s doorstep. Even the Qiao family’s old couple came.
Causing a commotion within the crowd, Qiao Mai sent someone to deliver a message to the Yuan Jiaqi. He took the Yuan and Qiao brothers with him, instructing them to bring their respective parents back home.
Upon seeing Yuan Jiaqi, the Yuan family head immediately knelt before him.
“Jiaqi, you are a member of our Yuan family. You can’t abandon your clan members.”
Yuan Jiaqi replied with a stern face, “Back then, they didn’t care when they saw me and my child suffering. Now that I’ve prospered, why should I care for them?”
“That’s different. In the past, it was your family matter. But now, you’ve become prominent, and it’s a matter of the entire clan.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve already been disowned by the clan. I have no desire to return to that cold-blooded family.”
“We can change. As long as you return, we can change.”
“Family head, if you lead your clan members back now, I’ll think of the Yuan family whenever there’s work in the county. If you continue to make a fuss, aside from not having work in the future, I’ll not provide you relief when disasters come. Think it over.”
Yuan Jiaqi said nothing more to them and walked to the Jiang family.
“I know that you and the Yuan family members are the same. If you want the two brothers to return, return all the expenses we’ve paid for them over the years, not a cent less. Otherwise, even if it means going to the capital to report it officially, I’ll entertain you.”
“They’re our children. Why don’t you give them back to us?”
Qiao Mai stepped out from the entrance of the courtyard. “You’re shameless. When you wanted to sell them, I saved them, giving them plenty to eat and providing them with the best education. Do you think you can pick up where you left off like scavengers?”
Seeing Qiao Mai, they all shivered, thinking of what had happened to the Tian family.
They were afraid this woman would send someone to kill them.
“We just want to get our children back.”
“A few years ago, I said that they could return, provided that you pay me all the expenses I spent on them. You haven’t. Whose fault is it?”
“We don’t have that much.”
“Then don’t come. Come when you have it. I can’t just let my money go to waste, right?”
“You’re so wealthy. What’s the harm in spending a little on them?”
“Ha, you’re shameless. My money didn’t fall from the sky. I spend on them because they call me Mother. If they don’t, why should I spend money on them?”
“In that case, let them continue calling you ‘mother.’ But you must be their Godmother. The children are still mine.”
Qiao Mai’s face turned cold. “Since you’re disregarded your shame, we can only take this to the court. Your presence here affects my life. I can report you for that.”
“Why? We’re just at the entrance. It doesn’t interfere with your business.”
“This entrance area belongs to me, Qiao Mai. Without my permission, you can’t stay on my territory. Your presence here affects my life. Someone, go to the County She office to report the case.”
“Yes.”
The maids shouted, and someone went to fetch a horse.
The Jiang family members, thinking of obstructing the servants from passing, did not anticipate that Qiao Mai, standing with her hands behind her back, was on the platform.
Two maids came out of the side door and mounted their horses. They didn’t know why, but the Jiang family members gave them wide-eyed looks and cleared a path for them.
They intended to block the Qiao family servants from passing. How did they end up clearing a path?
Seeing the maids mount their horses and head south, their hearts were filled with fear. Someone wanted to flee.
Unexpectedly, everyone’s bodies became paralyzed as if they were possessed, and their legs felt extremely heavy.
Yuan Jiaqi stood on the steps shoulder to shoulder with his wife. “My dear, what’s happening to them?”
“I acupunctured them. Before the officials arrived, none of them could leave. They are a bunch of shameless scoundrels. When the children were young, they bullied him. Now that he’s grown up and made something of himself, they all attached themselves to him like flies. If I let them go today, it would be unfair to all the effort they put into finding him.”
“These people are despicable and must be severely punished.”
In the courtyard, the children had set up a ladder by the gate to peek. Miss Mu was also there. She hadn’t seen Feng’er for a long time.
Unexpectedly, they met under these circumstances this time. Both of them blushed and nodded at each other.
Ling’er leaned against the wall and waved to them. “Brother, look, Mom is amazing. They seem unable to move.”
“That’s acupressure.” “Brother, can you do it?”
“Yes.”
Chuan’er pouted. “I’m still young. I’ll learn it in a few years.”
“Mom said you’re not cut out for martial arts. Even in a dozen years, you won’t learn it.”
“Don’t underestimate your third brother.”
Miss Mu also set up a ladder on the wall and saw her future mother-in-law standing on the steps calmly. She admired her greatly.
This was the kind of mother-in-law she had hoped for – elegant, composed, and skilled. As she watched, she became excited and wanted to cheer for Qiao Mai.
But she still restrained herself.
Ling’er tilted her head and asked, “Sister Mu, is my mom amazing?
“Yes, she’s amazing.”
An hour later, County Governor Zhu arrived in person. He brought twenty officials from the court. Among them was Tian Sanzhuang.
After rehabilitation, his legs and arms had somewhat recovered. County Governor Zhu called him over and scolded him. To keep his current job, he had surprisingly been well-behaved.
Upon arriving at the Qiao family’s gate, County Governor Zhu immediately ordered the officials to bind the people at the front, load them onto horse-drawn carriages, and take them away.
He bowed to Yuan Jiaqi. “Mr. Yuan!”
“Mr. Zhu!”
“I’ve heard the story from your people. They are a group of troublemakers. I will make sure to deal with such shameless people properly.”
“Thank you.”
The bound individuals were just coming to their senses and started crying out on the carriages.
“Please spare us. We won’t do it again.”
“Hmph, Madam Qiao has spared you multiple times, yet you’re not reformed.
You are scoundrels trying to take advantage. Take them away.”
County Governor Zhu mounted his horse and waved to the officials. They escorted the prisoners and headed south.
The rest of the Jiang family members scattered and returned home. To get their loved ones out of official custody, they needed money. Otherwise, they would have to spend at least a month in jail.
Jail was not a pleasant place, and those who went in came out like they had been drained of blood.
The next day, County Governor Zhu sent someone to give each person twenty lashes. A month in jail could be shortened by paying ten taels of silver.
Altogether, they had arrested about twenty people. This trip earned the imperial treasury about two hundred taels of silver.
The Jiang family thought their little comedy had ended, but it had come at the cost of losing money.
In May, Lucky Star Academy finally opened, but this time, it wasn’t the Qiao family teaching. Two scholars came to apply for teaching positions, and Qiao Mai found them promising. She hired them for five taels of silver.
They taught one class in the morning and one in the afternoon. If they didn’t teach well, they would be fired.
They usually received only two taels when teaching at the school. Given the generous offer from the Qiao family, they naturally gave it their all..
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