Chapter 311: Returning To His Roots
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Yet you should worship at the graves of the Qiao family. Since you become a part of the Qiao family, your ghost belongs to them. What you’re doing seems a bit ungrateful.”
“But shouldn’t I remember my birth parents?”
Seeing that he still held this view, the emperor shouted at them.
“Get out!”
They left the palace dejectedly, exchanging glances. Qiao Yunfeng, or rather Jiang Yunpeng, spoke.
“I asked for a month off. It’s been five days, and I’m planning to return to pay respects to our parents. Are you coming?”
“No. I didn’t request time off. Besides, my wife is pregnant. You go ahead.”
Jiang Yunsheng walked away without even looking at him. He was left alone, walking aimlessly.
From that day on, the Qiao family no longer had the presence of the Fengyun brothers. Jixiang Courtyard became much quieter.
When Chuan’er and Ling’er heard about it, they didn’t even go to see them off or visit their new home. They severed all ties with them.
Old Master Wang was also angry; after all, his efforts went into their upbringing.
Alas, he knew Qiao Mai’s temperament. Speaking up for them was undoubtedly provoking Qiao Mai and risking her displeasure.
The Duke and the Xiao family were shocked when they learned about this. What used to be a first-ranking official as their in-laws now had become a dead couple.
How could they accept this? They rushed to the Jiang residence, where Jiang Yunpeng’s new home was.
But they were too late; he had already left with his wife and child for Tianshui Town.
So, they found Xiao Qingling. After hearing the whole story, they fell silent. Not everyone shared Qiao Mai’s perspective.
“Isn’t this a bit too much? It’s not like he’s denying her a place to retire. He just wants to pay respect to his birth parents.”
“Mom, Dad, my mother-in-law has raised them and saved their lives. After being reborn, they should forget the past and wholeheartedly serve her. However, Big Brother wants the best of both worlds, which is wrong. Besides, my mother-in-law isn’t angry; she wants them to focus. If they can’t forget their birth parents, then change their surname. Why linger between two families?”
“I heard she asked them to return all the money she spent on them for over a decade?”
“Isn’t that fair?”
“Are they going to take advantage of her? Saving them for nothing? Raising them for nothing? Holding their wedding for nothing? Do they think they can use and discard her?”
“That’s too much. They had over a decade of mother-son relationship.”
“If it truly existed, he should be wholeheartedly devoted to his adoptive mother.”
“Why are you still siding with that woman even now?”
“She did the right thing. If it were me, I’d ask for all the money back and even demand their lives. Big Brother and my husband learned martial arts from Mother-in-law. They are ungrateful wretches.”
“I heard your husband isn’t like that.”
“He couldn’t bear to stay in the Qiao family after what happened, so he left with his brother. If he were like his brother, I would have divorced him. Only Mu Rong cares about that scoundrel.” “What about the annual gifts at festivals? Won’t they stop coming now?”
“Isn’t that good? We save money.”
“How could it be comparable? You won’t be able to get what the Qiao family has even if you have money.”
Sighing, Xiao Qingling said, “Yes, we can’t. Even if we have money, we can’t buy what the Qiao family has. I can’t even enjoy the meticulous care of my mother-in-law during the postpartum period.”
“What if you and your husband just go back?”
“Go back? I have no face. They are brothers. If the elder brother changes his name and returns to his roots, how can the younger brother still stay?”
“What can we do now? You guys are fools.”
On the other side, Qiao Mai intended to rest for a while and handle Chuan’er’s marriage. Unexpectedly, matchmakers flocked to her.
Now that Chuan’er was the only legitimate son in the Qiao family, he would inherit the vast family business in the future with the thriving shop.
Most of the potential matches were from wealthy families. Even the emperor set his eyes on the Qiao family.
The main reason was his deep love for the delicacies from Qiao’s Small Eatery. After working, he asked Yubao.
“Isn’t my little princess fourteen this year?”
“Yes, she just came of age and is waiting for Your Majesty to choose a husband for her.’
“Summon her. Oh, wait, get me Minister Yuan first. I want to play matchmaker personally.”
“Yes.”
Yubao hurriedly went out to send someone to summon Yuan Jiaqi. He arrived soon.
“Your Majesty, are you looking for me?”
“I heard your son is currently discussing marriage?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How old is he?”
“Your Majesty, you don’t even know the scholar you appointed?” “With so many officials, how can I remember each one?”
“He’s seventeen.”
“Good, I have a little princess who just came of age. What do you think about the two becoming a couple?”
“My son won’t enter the royal family.”
“That doesn’t matter; my daughter can marry into your family.”
“They need to like each other. My son and I don’t appreciate forced matches.”
The emperor looked at Yuan Jiaqi with a deep gaze. This guy still harbored resentment from the time he forced him to marry Princess Heyi.
“Have him wait at home today. Tomorrow, I’ll bring Princess Jiamei to visit.
You can accompany us, and I’d also like to have a meal at your place.”
“Your Majesty, my house has simple and rough meals; I’m afraid they won’t suit your taste.”
“Nonsense. Your family’s reputation for delicious meals is well-known. I want to taste it for myself. Go and make arrangements.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the evening, Yuan Jiaqi returned home and relayed the news to Qiao Mai.
“Let him come. What’s the big deal?”
“I don’t want my wife to be too tired. After all, the emperor is the kingdom’s ruler, and there will be many things to handle when he visits. I’m afraid you will be overwhelmed.”
“Well, we can’t fulfill all the requests he makes.”
“Wife, what about the ski area?”
“Don’t worry. If he comes, I won’t let him see it.”
“Yeah, we shouldn’t show him anything too rare. Otherwise, once he asks for it, what will you say?”
“Haha, when did you become so stingy?”
“It’s not that. These are your efforts. I don’t want to give them to others.”
“Alright.”
“Should I tell the kitchen staff?”
“No need. You’ve had a tiring day. I’ll take care of it. We can discuss it tomorrow morning.”
The next day, the family had breakfast, and Yuan Jiaqi informed the elders about the emperor’s visit. Ling’er and Chuan’er had known about it since last night.
“Why didn’t you say earlier? I would have had the servants clean the house properly.”
“What’s the use of it? Our home is already clean. There’s no need to make it too exaggerated. Besides, no matter how good a minister’s home is, it can’t compare to the palace. We should treat it with a normal attitude.”
“Isn’t this disrespectful to the emperor?”
“No. Just listen to me.”
In this household where Qiao Mai was in charge, everyone trusted her words.
The servants did what they were supposed to do. Qiao Mai asked Yuan Jiaqi to take their son to the living room to await the emperor.
Ling’er was sent to the embroidery shop, and Qiao Mai asked her not to return.
She didn’t want her daughter to be seen. After all, the emperor had a history of numerous concubines, and it was better not to draw attention to her outstanding daughter.
Qiao Mai returned to Yuexian Residence. Soon, the kitchen staff arrived, carrying several baskets of ingredients from the side room.
Following her instructions, they went back to prepare the meal.
At the ski area, Qiao Mai waved her hand to set up an invisible barrier. While the rest of the house didn’t need such precautions, this place did, especially when dealing with the cunning old fox.
Rushing to visit the Qiao family today, the emperor had no mood for the morning court session. He found an excuse to leave early.
Yesterday evening, he had sent someone to inform Princess Jiamei but hadn’t mentioned the matchmaking part. He simply told her to accompany him to visit a minister’s house..
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