Chapter 289: It’s All of Your Hard Work
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In this raid on the Liu Family, Qiao Mai gained several hundred thousand taels of silver. There were over two hundred thousand taels worth of precious medicinal herbs, but as for the prescriptions, Qiao Mai didn’t care at all.
She threw the prescriptions on the street, and someone who noticed them picked them up and ran away.
The Liu family was now left with nothing. Within a few years, they wouldn’t be able to recover.
Royal Physician Liu had considered Qiao Mai, but he thought she was just a woman. Having prescriptions was not surprising. However, emptying the Liu family was impossible.
In short, the Liu family underestimated Qiao Mai.
If Qiao Mai knew, she would thank them for underestimating her.
Another theft case was left unresolved. Whenever Yuan Jiaqi and Royal Physician Liu met, the latter felt guilty while Yuan Jiaqi acted as if nothing happened.
In mid-April, the results of the imperial examination were released. As usual, Chuan’er performed exceptionally well. Since Yuan Jiaqi was now a high-ranking official, there was nothing to worry about.
He secured the top spot on the list of successful candidates, bringing honor to the Qiao family once again.
Many prestigious young ladies in the capital set their sights on Chuan’er now.
Feng’er was taken, Yun’er was taken, and now, only Chuan’er was left. Ling’er was still young, only twelve years old, while Chuan’er was sixteen.
Chuan’er was not inferior in looks to Yuan Jiaqi. If he improved his martial arts skills, he might be more appealing to the girls.
Even so, a continuous stream of people came to propose marriage. Qiao Mai declined them all, stating they wouldn’t discuss marriage until Chuan’er became a Tribute Scholar.
Many matchmakers secretly thought the Yuan family was too picky, but what could be done?
Soon, the joyous day of Yunfeng and Mu Rong arrived. The Duke sent out invitations, inviting almost everyone reachable in the capital.
Yuan Jiaqi teased, “Wife, it seems our invitations here are useless?”
“Then let’s not send them. We can have our main family and servants dine together during the ceremony. With fewer people, it will be more peaceful.”
“We’ve arranged ten tables, and each person from the escorting party will receive ten taels of silver as a red packet. Shall we skip assigning seating? “Sure, ten tables on our side will be enough. I won’t be able to manage more than twenty.”
“Well, that’s fine. As officials, we can avoid exchanging gifts and go to our in-laws’ place; it’s better.”
“In the Emperor’s eyes, the exchange of gifts is considered bribery.”
“Yes. Many people use birthdays, happy events, and funerals to achieve their hidden goals. However, it has evolved into a custom. No one cares whether it brings joy or not.”
Qiao Mai raised her eyebrows, “Are you saying our family is not popular?” “Hehe, there will always be popularity with a lady like you. I like it, however it is. When our son gets married and our family grows, our home will get better and better.”
“Of course. When our children get married, our family will only improve.”
Hand in hand, the couple toured the house while the steward and his team were busy arranging everything. The weather in May could change rapidly.
Even though it was sunny now, there was no guarantee it would be the same tomorrow.
The next day, the whole family dressed neatly, everyone beaming with joy. Yunfeng wore the wedding clothes prepared by his mother and led the bridal party chosen from the household servants to the courtyard.
After Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai finished checking, the matchmaker followed and completed the formation.
Today was the first time the family hosted a joyous event, so it had to be perfect. The residence seemed to be filled with ethereal music.
Unable to hire a music band, they settled for celestial music.
Even though they hadn’t heard this music before, several loudspeakers were placed on the roof, blasting the lively tunes in all directions.
The cheerful sounds of pipa playing filled every corner of Lucky Garden. The family listened with delight, and the servants moved with joyful steps.
Sitting in a corner, Old Master Wang pulled Old Mistress Wang to sit next to him. “Have you seen a music band?”
“This girl is always mysterious. But it sounds good.”
“Yes, it does. I wonder if there’s anything more amazing than this.”
“There must be; just wait and see.”
At the auspicious time, firecrackers crackled, and the entrance of Lucky Garden was laid with a carpet made of red firecrackers.
The commoners gathered around to watch. Seeing the decorations, they knew this family was about to celebrate a joyous occasion.
“Look, look, the bridegroom!”
“Wow, so handsome.”
“I heard this is the residence of Yuan Jiaqi, the Minister of Personnel. That must be his eldest son.”
“I heard he’s also a fourth-ranked military officer.”
“He’s promising. At such a young age, he’s already a fourth-ranked military officer. He’ll surely become a great general in the future.”
“The whole family has promising individuals. The second son is also a fourth-ranked officer, and the third son is a Recommended Scholar. Although he’s young, he’s bound to be successful.”
“Look, their eldest son, second son, and legitimate daughter are out. Are they planning to greet the bride together?”
“It seems so.”
“Oh my God, look at the horses they’re riding!”
“I can’t believe it. Even the steward is riding an extraordinary horse. What kind of horse is that?”
“God, are you all blind? Those are sweat-blooded Arabian horses. Wow, there are six of them! How wealthy is the Yuan family to have one for each person?”
Their eyes were not deceiving them; indeed, the two brothers were riding pure white Arabian horses, a gift from Qiao Mai the day before.
Delighted, they almost couldn’t sleep the whole night. Since Ling’er was still young and would fetch the bride today, Qiao Mai let her ride Dong Zhao.
Unfortunately, Dong Zhao was too proud and didn’t pay much attention to her. Fortunately, Qiao Mai promised to accompany her with a horse when she married. Otherwise, Ling’er would have insisted on coaxing Qiao Mai for the whole day.
The four brothers, along with the steward and a servant, formed a party of six leading the way.
Following them were musicians playing instruments, and further back were eight sedan carriers, with soldiers at the rear to prevent chaos.
The bride’s family, responsible for carrying the dowry, had already coordinated everything, so there was no need for additional preparations on their end.
They proceeded at the auspicious time. Meanwhile, inside the house, Qiao Mai and the others sat in the living room. Old Mistress Wang smiled at her.
“Raising children is like completing a mission. Now that he’s married, you’ll have less to worry about.”
“Yes, I’ll leave the household to Rong’er. When my second daughter-in-law enters, the household will be handed over to them. As for me, I need to travel between Tianshui Town and the capital. Our family can’t do without help.” “I’m old and can’t help you much.”
“Who said that? All the little animals in the house are your hard work.”
“Haha, I love hearing that.”
“Isn’t Zihan growing up too?”
“He also passed the imperial examination. He said he wants to establish his career first, so we’re not pushing him to get married.”
“Yeah, this child has grown up under my watch. He must choose well; personality is the most important.”
On the other side, the Duke’s mansion was also well-prepared. The 260 dowry carriages were the first of their kind in the capital. Even if the Duchess wasn’t pleased, she couldn’t change anything. At this moment, she wore a smiling face, entertaining the guests.
Behind the account table, the gifting platform was filled with presents. At the entrance of the Duke’s mansion was a lively stream of people, even busier than a marketplace.
Yunfeng and the others rode horses and set off fireworks, arriving at the Duke’s mansion.
Seeing the groom come to greet the bride, the Duke’s fireworks began, lasting about two-quarters of an hour before stopping.
With a loud shout from the ceremonial official, the groom, accompanied by his men, dismounted and walked towards the Duke, simultaneously undergoing the Duke’s examination.
The guests were watching. In both literary or martial aspects, this groom’s dignified appearance impressed everyone.
Not to mention his smile, which had left countless young ladies astonished and many beautiful women embarrassed.
Moreover, Yun’er, Chuan’er, and Ling’er were like phoenixes and dragons among people. When the young masters and misses of the noble families in the capital saw this, they couldn’t help but feel inferior..
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