Chapter 286: A Spirited Girl
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The family burst into laughter. Qiao Mai looked at Ling’er and said, “This includes you. Although you’re a girl, I hope your future husband will be devoted to you. Both of you should be each other’s only one. If you let him take concubines, I won’t acknowledge you, and if he actively takes concubines, I’ll deal with him.”
“Mother, don’t worry. Ling’er will never find such a womanizer.”
“Good. You need to understand. All of you are my children. Remember to maintain your integrity at all times.”
“Yes, Mother.”
With a smiling face, Yuan Jiaqi looked at his wife. He admired her for providing such delightful guidance to their children.
This was the best teaching method, and the children happily accepted it.
After the meal, they heard that annoying buzzing sound again as they exited the restaurant.
Qiao Mai immediately ushered her family onto the carriage and confronted the woman responsible for the disturbance.
“How come it’s you again?”
The woman looked towards the carriage, “Um, I wonder if your second son is on the carriage?”
“No, we’re heading back. By the way, it’s advisable not to impersonate the wife of the Minister of War. When the real lady of the house finds out, your punishment could be severe.”
The woman blushed and couldn’t say a word. Qiao Mai then turned her attention to the girl behind her.
“Regardless of your status, you must follow the right path. The more you act like this, the more people look down on you.”
The girl blushed in embarrassment. When they finally looked up, Qiao Mai and her family had already boarded the carriage and left.
The woman coldly snorted, waving her handkerchief. “Humph, who do they think they are? It’s an honor that my daughter has set her sights on him.”
“That’s right. Our lord is the Minister of War, holding real power. What’s Mr.
Yuan compared to him? He’s far inferior.”
No matter how they complained, Qiao Mai had no interest in this family.
After returning home, they returned to their respective courtyard.
They declined any invitations, not hosting or attending any banquets. This pleased the Emperor.
In previous years, there used to be grand banquets in the palace. However, with ongoing wars and river restoration projects, the Emperor had repeatedly decreed that no one should indulge in extravagant spending. Instead, they were encouraged to donate their resources to help the commoners.
The implicit message was clear: anyone daring to be lavish would face the consequence of having their assets confiscated. This Lunar New Year, the atmosphere among the commoners was much livelier, while government officials refrained from extravagant celebrations.
Fireworks displays and the business at gambling establishments also experienced a significant decline.
Qiao Mai didn’t forget an important matter. The new county governor was under the Second Prince’s jurisdiction.
His subordinates plotted against her properties, so she didn’t intend to let the Second Prince off. On New Year’s night, she gave him some trouble and looted his mansion, leaving it empty.
The old Emperor was truly troubled. Had his second son also offended some
Investigate immediately! Even during the New Year, there was no time for rest. The investigation revealed that the Second Prince was involved in corruption and bribery, accumulating wealth everywhere to pave the way for his heir.
The Emperor was furious. He never expected his son to be the most corrupt.
This was a major embarrassment. Despite the Emperor’s face-saving efforts,
Qiao Mai spared no mercy. She exposed the crimes of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, posting them all over the city walls.
The entire capital was abuzz with the scandal, and the posters were so firmly affixed that they couldn’t be taken down. It was infuriating.
The dignity of the royal family was torn apart by Qiao Mai.
They couldn’t just focus on the faults of others; now, they had to deal with their disgrace.
When officials were corrupt, the punishment was to seize their assets and exterminate their families. Now, the Emperor faced the predicament of dealing with his son’s corruption.
In the end, the Emperor demoted the Second Prince to a commoner, expelling him from the royal family records.
After this incident was resolved, it was already the fifteenth day of the New Year. Qiao Mai was quite happy with the turn of events.
Yun’er’s betrothal gifts were settled, amounting to a million taels of silver. She didn’t need to save money; everything came so quickly.
Wang Zongsheng and his family left on the fifth day. Once they left, even Old Master and Mistress Wang felt a sense of relief.
They were not selfish, but the situation was beyond their control. The problem lay with Wang Jiaru’s character, and they could only deal with it slowly.
After the fifteenth day, Chuan’er continued studying with Old Master Wang.
Nanny Jin took Ling’er around the capital to look for a shop, planning to open another one. Qiao Mai stayed at home all day, focusing on practicing her cultivation.
She occasionally received visits from Miss Mu but rejected her. Miss Mu had gotten used to this routine in Tianshui Town.
However, she still held the task entrusted to her by Qiao Mai deep in her heart.
Besides managing her wedding affairs, she often thought about Yun’er’s marriage. She decided to introduce one of her best friends to him.
Her friend was the legitimate daughter of General West Gate, the youngest of the three daughters. The other two had already married, leaving behind an unmarried younger brother.
She was sixteen this year, not as beautiful as Miss Mu, but she had practiced martial arts since childhood. She spoke straightforwardly and was a spirited girl.
Miss Mu mentioned this matter to her, and she blushed immediately. She had seen Yun’er from a distance on the street and had an excellent impression of him.
When a man pursues a woman, there’s a mountain between them. But when a woman pursues a man, there’s only a thin layer of silk. If the girl is willing, half of the matter is already settled.
This goes for someone like Yun’er, who wasn’t too picky. Right away, Miss Mu brought her best friend to the Qiao family.
Qiao Mai was about to meditate and cultivate when she heard Miss Mu brought a friend to the Qiao family. She understood what was happening.
Her son was more important. Cultivating could wait.
She received them in the living room. “Aunt, this is my good friend, Xiao
Qingling.”
“Qingling greets Aunt.”
“Please have a seat.”
Watching the two sitting properly under her, Qiao Mai had people serve two cups of hot milk tea.
“Rong’er, how’s your wedding dress coming along?”
“Hehe, I’m not good at needlework; those are all matters for the embroiderers.
I’m waiting eagerly for the wedding.” “Alright. How about staying for lunch?”
“Sure! Aunt rarely has free time.”
“Take Qingling around the mansion. I still have something to do. Come over for lunch later?”
“Okay.”
Qiao Mai found an excuse and left. She let them explore the Qiao family while she dealt with her affairs.
“Qingling, let’s go. You don’t know how amazing the Qiao family is. I’ve never wished for anything else in my life. I only want to marry into the Qiao family and live a good life.”
“Is it as exaggerated as you say?”
“I guarantee to astonish you! I’m telling you, the number of people who have had the chance to visit this mansion is few and far between.’
Xiao Qingling was a bit skeptical at first, but as she looked around, her mouth couldn’t close.
“See? I told you so. You must think the same. Being able to live in such a mansion is worth burning incense for eight lifetimes.”
Xiao Qingling gulped. “It seems like that’s the case. If the Emperor knew about this mansion, would he seize it?”
“He probably won’t. No matter what, he still cares about his reputation.”
The two friends carefully toured the Qiao family, especially the back garden, where they lingered and enjoyed themselves.
“Wow, these deer are so beautiful. The plum blossoms on them are evenly distributed.” “You country bumpkin.”
“What’s that?”
They saw three sheep in the back garden. Miss Mu pouted, “Those are sheep. We also have them in Tianshui Town. These sheep are so beautiful; not a single strand of stray hair, just like clouds. When they walk, it’s light and ethereal. I like them.”
As she spoke, Miss Mu gestured towards the sheep. These three sheep were quite proud; not just anyone could summon them.
Seeing her gesture, they immediately scattered, running far away.
“Hehe, only Aunt can call them..”
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