Chapter 105: What Are They Up To?

If it were like this, she's both talented and beautiful—a match made in heaven.

The group was about to go home when the voices of the old Yuan couple came from the doorway.

"Old man, Old Five…"

Yuan Jiaqi felt uneasy upon hearing it; while others are delighted by their parents' voices, he was utterly disgusted.

He was about to ignore it when another voice came.

"Mai, ah, mother's Mai…"

Both stopped in their tracks, turned around, and saw one was Qiao Mai's mother, the other the parents of Yuan Jiaqi.

They arrived together; what do they want?

Qiao Mai waved at the children, "Go back to study; after an hour you may play freely."

"Yes, Mother!"

Shopkeeper Lu also sent Ruxin and Ruyi to the shop; she stood beside Qiao Mai, glaring at the opposite side like a tiger.

Qiao Lvshi pursed her lips, "What can you do? You're not unaware of that Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl's temperament."

"Mai, what are you saying? We're not the elders any more, but they're still your parents; that's an unchangeable fact."

Seeing her rush back in a panic, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Get lost. Even if you admit you're wrong, the damage is done; I'll never forgive you, never acknowledge you."

"Mother was wrong, I shouldn't have treated you that way, but in the village, in the town, no matter the family, women at home are not respected; I came over at that time."

"Huh?"

"If you don't leave now, we'll report to the officials; when they come, you'll see what happens."

That couple is blunt, directly demanding things.

"She still dares to write the Qiao ledger; that's our shop, the Qiao family's name."

The old women retreated to Jixiang Yuan; after the Yuan couple went home, they cursed angrily.

"Don't worry, someday that shop will be in our hands."

"Mai, please forgive us elders; it's not easy for us either—taking silver from you is only because life is hard."

Shopkeeper Lu took Qiao Mai's hand to the Keting; Yuan Jiaqi led the children to the back to study.

The old woman guarding Jixiang Yuan's gate shouted at the sight.

"Alas~"

The old women chased a few steps and spat at them.

"Every household has its own difficult sutra; even if you say you've escaped them, they still won't let go of you, the money‑tree."

After Qiao Lvshi ran off, Qiao Shicheng waited for her at the archway north of the town.

"If she cared about the world's scorn, she wouldn't treat us like this; you didn't see she adopted those children, wearing and bearing enough to feed our family for a year—this dead servant girl, with a sneer, crooked elbows, would rather raise others' children than help her poor parents."

"In a few days we'll come again; I won't believe it if the parents admit fault, speak soft words, and she still won't; if that fails, we'll make her kneel and let the world judge."

"Even if they have a thousand clever schemes, I have my own unyielding rule: ignore them and give no money."

"Just jealousy."

The Yuan family and the Qiao family stepped forward together, but Qiao Mai's cold voice made them halt.

Qiao Shicheng's eyes flashed with vicious light, "When we coax her back, I'll definitely not let her go; then her shop will go to the Jianghe brothers, and our family will surely prosper."

"I hold no grudge; we're settled financially, understand?"

"Don't listen to them; these two families are no good, sucking children's blood, eating their flesh, wishing them dead; after selling our master and cutting ties, now that our master is better off, they want reconciliation, but our children don't owe them anything."

"Do you really want to be this ruthless?"

"I… isn't this me finally realizing I was wrong?"

"Exactly, we're her mother‑in‑law."

They weren't satisfied with that; after all, their ten mu of land was rented out, they had nothing to do, so the two discussed.

The old Yuan couple, seeing the Qiao family finish their quarrel, approached Yuan Jiaqi; Yuan Jiaqi stepped back a few paces.

"Let's settle first; the rest can be discussed later. This wonderful house in Jixiang Yuan must be lived in."

"Much better than your home; my parents love me, my brother loves me, but my sister‑in‑law… I don't know why she always looks at me with disdain. Even when I bring many gifts during festivals, she never treats me well, always pressing her cold butt against my warm face."

Qiao Mai glanced at her, "So your family also has a difficult sutra?"

The old women, carrying sticks and a few others, rushed at them, scaring the Yuan couple and Qiao Lvshi, who immediately scrambled up and fled.

Planning to go to Jixiang Yuan whenever there's nothing else, they'd cajole Yuan Jiaqi, insisting they must persuade this son to return.

"Seeing the shop's business thriving, even if she just shows a fingertip, our family will be far stronger than before."

"What's that, a cowardly brat!"

"Now none, never any, forever none."

"Old man?"

"Hey, everyone look, this black‑hearted couple, they don't recognize their parents, and when life gets good they abandon us."

"Of course!"

"If you keep harassing me, do you believe I'll go to the Yamen and have you detained for months?"

Qiao Mai didn't hear the couple's words; had she heard, she'd have slapped them hard—truly shameless.

"Mai?"

Yuan Jiaqi couldn't utter the "get lost" word, twisted and entered the courtyard; knowing this wasn't the Qiao house, they dared not force entry, and imitated Qiao Lvshi, sitting at the gate and crying.

The old woman snorted coldly, "Ah, spit, you shameless one; our master doesn't recognize you, yet you come crawling; had you known then why bother now? If you'd treated our master well, would she treat you like this?"

"Son, our family split; your older brother and others treated us poorly; now you're doing well, can't you at least help us old couple a bit?"

"We've heard it long ago; they're at fault, we're just watching the spectacle; Qiao Niang and her Xianggong are good, we don't believe those three villains."

You dare, I am Qiao Niang's mother.

After saying that, she grabbed Shopkeeper Lu's hand and walked into Jixiang Yuan; Qiao Lvshi tried to follow, but an old woman at the gate stopped her. Seeing them carrying sticks, the woman was so frightened she began crying outside.

Pah, you think this is your home? Even if we reconcile, it's still not your home. Get out, get out.

Hmph, I won't be heartless; you can try.

You servant, after we reconcile, we'll have someone tear your mouth to shreds.

So you think you can just watch me suffer? Watch me sell myself? Watch me being bullied by the Tian Family? Where is your heart? Do you have conscience? Look at other people's mother and father, who will do anything to protect their child. Look at you, only thinking of squeezing silver from the child. Are you still human?

If my family had been as poor as before, I guess you wouldn't even come. You come three or five times, only to try to get benefits from us.

Yuan, like my wife, will not recognize kin; please both of you return, and stop causing trouble.

Yuehong and two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls held Ling'er and went to the Playground behind; the two sisters sat together drinking tea and chatting.

Looking at the villagers gathered outside her courtyard, the old woman shouted to everyone.

Exactly, my lady of the house fell into trouble, and those who act as parents are kicking her when she's down. Remember this: never mention the Qiao Family of Lihua Village, nor the Yuan Family of Xinghua Village; both families are scum.

Think about it: your parents love you, your brother loves you, the whole family loves you, and she is a woman too, naturally wanting affection. The family loves you, but gives her less care.

To be honest, my parents treat her well; as a girl, I haven't been back for a long time, so I must be enthusiastic. She stays by my parents all day, always enthusiastic, just like an outsider.

If she understands these, she won't reject you. By the way, I made Moon Cakes this time; there's a portion for you and one for your maternal family.

Your etiquette is truly thoughtful; I thank you on behalf of my parents!

(End of chapter)