Chapter 178: Let’s Stop for Now

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Wang Zongsheng finally relaxed. “Child, thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Shall I go back now?”

Qiao Mai took her leave, and it took her half an hour to return to Tianshui Town. Her visit lasted ten days.

Yuan Jiaqi hadn’t gone to the academy yet; he said the classes would resume mid-March. During this time, he had been studying with Old Master Wang.

Mid -March? That’s not long before the imperial exam.

The weather was still cold, with snow gradually melting during the day but freezing at night.

However, this was beneficial as a sudden thaw after so much snow would lead to flooding.

In previous years, people were already working in the fields by mid-February, but this year, they were cooped up at home with no chance to grow crops.

Tianshui Town’s residents were better off as they received relief food and firewood, resulting in fewer casualties and no starvation.

In other towns and villages, the situation was less certain, and beggars from neighboring areas flocked to Tianshui Town.

Qiao Mai had a food shelter set up outside, serving porridge from dawn to night, adding vegetables and sal. Occasionally, she ordered batches of steamed buns from a bakery to support their business.

She had been spending the money earned from selling hair ornaments and hadn’t used any of the proceeds from the looted items.

However, some rare items she couldn’t sell openly were placed on the platform. She donated all the proceeds to help the townsfolk.

According to Shopkeeper Niu, the Qiao and Yuan families resumed their arrogance during her absence.

They believed Qiao Mai had softened her stance as they also received the relief package, so they spread rumors, claiming she would acknowledge them now.

As long as things are fine at home, she feels at ease. Upon returning home, she hugged Ling’er and went to rest in her room.

Being away from home, no matter how good the food and accommodation are, always keeps one on edge.

Qiao Mai slept for a day and night, and when she woke up, she went to see Old Mistress Wang and updated her on the situation in the capital.

“Will you go when Ru’er gives birth?”

“No, let her mother go. We’re getting old and can’t endure such a long journey.”

“Then I won’t go either. I’ll give the things to Madam Wang and ask her to deliver it.”

“Is the Emperor really ill?”

“Yes, that’s what the young prince said. His father and the Emperor are close brothers, so this should be true.”

“Sigh, it would be best if he recovers. If not, it will be a catastrophe.”

“It will get better.”

Upon her return, she adopted a busy schedule. Qiao Mai had sturdy elevated storage rooms built home to store the grains.

She expanded drainage around her property inside and outside, preparing for unforeseen circumstances.

She even ordered a few boats, each capable of carrying ten people.

At first, the Qins found this amusing, but after thinking it over, they decided to make a few for themselves.

The deer raised by the Qiao family are about to shed their antlers. Initially, they had one male and two females, but after a year of breeding, there are now five of them, with three shedding antlers and two still not fully grown.

Only antlers from three of the deer were collected. Since there wasn’t much, they were sold to the local medicine shop at a price lower than the county’s rate.

As for musk, it can only be collected in August. It’s not the right time yet. However, the musk deer count has also increased from three to five.

At this rate, they will have two more each year, and soon, there will be an abundance of deer antlers and musk.

Now, everyone knows that the Qiao family has added another source of income. The local medicine shops have even secured orders with her, expecting the price for deer antlers to be much higher next year, thus hoping Qiao Mai will reserve some for them.

Furthermore, knowing her capabilities, the medicine shop also hoped that Qiao Mai could help them obtain medicinal herbs.

There have been too many patients, and their current supply of herbs is insufficient.

Qiao Mai asked them to list the herbs they lacked, and she went on two trips with her carriage to gather the necessary herbs for the medicine shops.

Not only did she procure all the herbs needed, but the quality was also excellent. This led even other towns to seek her out.

It’s a waste not to make money when the opportunity arises. After receiving a deposit, she loaded her carriage with herbs and delivered them to the medicine shops, greatly relieving their stress.

Qiao Mai was considering whether to open a specialized herb store.

However, she thought better of it, as having her eatery was already attracting envy. Adding deer antlers and musk to the mix would only intensify the jealousy.

She reconsidered, thinking it might be better to teach Liu Hai a trade. With the current weather, she couldn’t guarantee anything. She might provide him with recipes, but if the heavens didn’t cooperate, it would be better to delay it now.

As a result, the four small shops in the southern area remained unrented, with their doors shut.

In March, Shopkeeper Lu became busy. Even though Ruyi married into a humble family, her dowry was the same as Ruxin’s. This way, there would be no discrimination, preventing her daughter from feeling uncomfortable.

Upon hearing about the dowry she provided for Ruyi, the Qin family clenched their teeth and managed to scrape together one thousand two hundred taels as a betrothal gift.

The betrothal gift from the Qin family was different from what the Feng family provided. Although the amounts were the same, she could tell the difference in sincerity.

One was merely putting on a show, having money but not using it, while the other was an all-out effort made by the family. It was clear at a glance.

Since Ruxin’s return to the Lu family, Qiao Mai has not visited them once. Shopkeeper Lu also visited the Qiao family less frequently, and the amount of embroidery work Qiao Mai gave her decreased.

Unknowingly, the distance between the two families seemed to grow wider.

Perhaps it was because of Ruxin, but Qiao Mai didn’t take it to heart. When others treated her well, she would repay them tenfold or a hundredfold.

As long as she treated the Lu family fairly, that would be enough.

If Lu Sanniang didn’t do anything to harm her in the future, she would continue to treat her well.

Ruxin’s business was booming. She earned a considerable amount of silver every month. As for the scum, Feng Yinshi, he had been in a slump ever since he broke his leg.

He complained about the newly-wedded beautiful concubines and kept causing trouble.

Now, he suddenly remembered how comfortable life had been when he had a wife. When he heard that Ruxin’s business was flourishing, he came to the shop several times but never saw her.

If he dared to make a scene, she would call the authorities.

Later, he shamelessly waited for her at the entrance of the Lu family and sometimes at the town’s archway.

After Mayor Qian learned of this, he sent several guards to patrol the town and beat him up whenever they encountered him. After a few times, he stopped coming.

Qiao Mai didn’t react to this news. She pretended not to know about it and never asked Lu Sanniang about it.

In mid-March, Yuan Jiaqi went to the capital.

On the twenty-first of March, Ruxin and Carpenter Qin’s son had a grand wedding. Lu Sanniang invited the entire Qiao family to attend.

Because it was nearby, Old Master and Mistress Wang decided to join in on the festivities.

Qiao Mai prepared two sets of gifts, one from herself and one from the Wang family.

Despite adding to the dowry, they attended the wedding on the Qin family’s side. As for the bride’s family, she didn’t represent them.

She had already done it once, which had hurt her heart enough. She didn’t want to go through that pain again.

Ruyi did a better job than her sister. Every season, she would send two sets of clothing without fail, handmade by her.

Her double-sided embroidery was better than Ruxin’s, and sometimes, she even came over to seek her guidance.

In the end, it was the younger sister who was more thoughtful and knew how to get along with people. Every time she visited, she would seek guidance from Qiao Mai if she was present.

Yuan Jiaqi packed up his belongings before leaving. He took everything he needed and said he didn’t need anyone to see him off for the examination; he could go on his own.

Qiao Mai gave him enough silver to use and sent him off.

Around the time of his examination, the imperial court issued a decree, granting a one-year exemption from grain taxes throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Now, the commoners were overjoyed and cheered loudly, putting a smile on Qiao Mai’s face.

In the north, the snow didn’t completely melt until mid-March. The seeds planted before the New Year had not sprouted; they had frozen to death long ago.

So, this year, the people in the north could only plant one season of crops, and they didn’t know if the heavens would throw them another curveball..

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