Chapter 283: Don’t Just Have a Silver Tongue
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Mother, is it easy to sell goods in the capital?”
“As long as our products are good, they will sell well and at a higher price than here.”
“Hehe, then let the daughter handle my dowry?”
“Oh, thinking about marriage at such a young age?”
“Anyway, I’ll get married when the time comes. It’s better to be prepared early.” “Haha, my precious will be twelve years old this New Year. Well, not so little anymore.”
“Mother, I’m leaving. Will that uncle stop bothering me now?”
“Him? Did he keep staring at you when he saw you?”
“Yes!”
Qiao Mai looked at Ling’er. “Have you ever thought about finding your biological parents?”
“I have, but not too much. Even if I meet my biological parents, I won’t find anyone as good to me as you, Mother. So I’ve decided not to think about them; it’s fine the way it is.”
“I hope you’re not just saying so.”
“Mother, I swear that no matter whether I find my biological parents, I will be filial to you, respect you, and never make you angry.”
Qiao Mai raised her hand, and Ling’er quickly slapped against it. The mother and daughter made a pact with a clap.
Nanny Jin watched from the side with envy, almost shedding tears. There are many loving mothers in the world, but enlightened ones like Madam Qiao are too few, especially foster mothers.
Growing up, she had never seen someone treat adopted children so well.
The carriage moved slowly along the road. The capital wasn’t located in the southernmost region. It was situated in the central territory of the Great Ming Dynasty. This positioning allowed information to flow in from all directions.
From ice and snow to bone-chilling dampness, they endured it all.
Finally, they arrived in the capital. Ling’er was still young the last time she visited, but seeing it again, her mouth widened like a blooming flower. “Mother, the capital is magnificent and grand. So big!”
“Yes, you’ll be living here from now on. Remember that when dealing with people here, you must be cautious. The people here are pretty shrewd.”
“I understand, Mother.”
Ten cargo carriages followed them, forming a long procession. They arrived in the afternoon.
As they entered Lucky Garden, the gates opened wide. The people inside, well-disciplined, began unloading the carts.
Qiao Mai settled the accounts with the carters and rewarded them before leading Ling’er and Nanny Jin inside.
Although others didn’t know, Nanny Jin was familiar with the capital.
Seeing the mansion, she was stunned. This mansion was one of the best in the capital. For Qiao Mai to purchase it, she required significant financial resources.
After hearing about their return, Old Master Wang, Old Mistress Wang, and Chuan’er rushed out to welcome them.
Inside the hall, the steward immediately instructed servants to serve tea and ordered the kitchen to prepare a meal to welcome their mistress.
In no time, Yuan Jiaqi and the twins returned. They never socialized outside for drinks, as Qiao Mai had advised them. Business matters were discussed formally, and private discussions were discouraged to avoid suspicion.
Even if she hadn’t mentioned it, Yuan Jiaqi had instructed Fengyun. In the political arena, where colleagues schemed against each other, they needed to be cautious. After official business, they should return home promptly.
Especially for Feng’er, who was in the midst of a grand wedding. Any mishap had to be avoided.
Yun’er, now prominent, had many families eyeing him, wanting to marry their daughters to him as the principal wife.
It was crucial to choose wisely during this time. They couldn’t afford to bring in someone troublesome. Otherwise, there would be no peace in the family.
The two brothers were obedient. They returned home immediately after their official duties, conveniently arriving just after Qiao Mai.
The family sat together, chatting and laughing, surrounded by the festive atmosphere.
After dinner, Nanny Jin took Ling’er back to Xianyue Pavilion. Even young people were tired after a long journey.
Old Mistress Wang, noticing Yuan Jiaqi’s gaze on Qiao Mai, sat for a short while before leaving with the old man. The twin brothers followed suit.
With no outsiders present, Yuan Jiaqi reached out and pulled Qiao Mai.
“Wife, you’ve worked hard. Let me heat some water for you to wash up. Rest early?”
“Sure.”
The couple walked hand in hand back to Yuexian Residence. The courtyard was still void of outsiders. Yuan Jiaqi, a first-rank official, heated water in the small kitchen.
Qiao Mai sat and watched him. “Do you feel mistreated to attend to me?”
“I’m delighted. Truly.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
With a charming smile, Yuan Jiaqi spoke to her, and his expression showed the sincerity behind his words.
“I can light a fire for my wife and help her bathe, allowing us to experience the affection between an ordinary couple. Such a feeling, where the love is mutual, is something many men cannot enjoy.”
“Well, in the month I’ve been away, did anyone approach you?”
“Yes, but I sent them all away.”
“I sent them away with a stern face like they owe me money. Do you think they’ll continue bothering me?”
“Haha, your face looks warm no matter how cold.”
“Regardless, I won’t want anyone else. Just you. If you don’t want me, I’ll become a eunuch. I won’t give any woman a chance, nor will I let you down.” Hearing this, Qiao Mai’s lips curled. “Don’t just have a silver tongue.”
“I will also use actions to show you, my dear, that it’s you and only you. No one else can replace you.”
Watching Yuan Jiaqi speak so earnestly, Qiao Mai smiled. Time was the best remedy, whether it was a good or a poisonous one.
The next day was the twenty-seventh. Qiao Mai instructed the steward to send five carts unloaded yesterday to the Duke’s residence.
Although the Duchess complained, she closed her mouth upon receiving New Year gifts from her in-law’s family.
The Duke glared at her, then rushed outside to inspect the goods. He genuinely enjoyed the food made by the Qiao family, relishing every dish.
The Duchess, though delighted during the meal, didn’t utter a single word of praise.
The two often quarreled over such matters. However, as long as the Old Duke and Duchess glared at her, she dared not act recklessly.
After all, this was still a feudal society. The Old Duke and Duchess were her elders. If she dared to defy them, they could dismiss her from the family registry.
Now, the Duke’s mansion wasn’t entirely hers.
After receiving gifts from her in-laws. the Duke had alreadv DreDared their gifts, promptly sending them over.
According to etiquette, the male side had to send gifts first in a marriage alliance. If the female side had sent gifts before, it would seem as if they were trying to dominate.
Qiao Mai’s gifts arrived, and the Duke’s residence immediately prepared a table, laden with the Qiao family’s dishes.
Miss Mu was overjoyed to eat the delicious food again. The Duchess kept giving her stern glances, but everyone else happily enjoyed the feast. The Old Duke and their children all raised their glasses in a toast.
Good food paired with good wine was a heavenly enjoyment. There was no better in-law than this.
At the same time, Lucky Garden was also bustling. Two more chefs, both around thirty, were hired and started preparing for the New Year.
However, there was no rush. Many things were readily available, and with organization, everything fell into place effortlessly.
Although the South was not as convenient as the North for making dumplings, Qiao Mai had a solution.
She turned two storage rooms into ice rooms, storing all the dumplings inside. They could be cooked whenever needed, just like in Tianshui Town.
As long as the chefs faced difficulties, Qiao Mai immediately solved them.
As a housewife, the first responsibility was to ensure her family ate and drank well. Everything else was secondary.
This was their first New Year in the capital, so she needed to prepare more. If the five carts brought from home were not enough, she had a platform. Anything she lacked, she could buy.
With her increased cultivation and boldness, Qiao Mai brought out some unusual items. Besides consumption by her family, she was not afraid that others would see them..
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