Chapter 120: Just Want to Come See You

Qiao Mai also knows they don't want to return, but she can't say she's trying to keep them; in a twelve‑month year the old couple only go back for two months, the other ten months they stay at home.

People also have sons and daughters; during festivals they have to get together.

On the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month she steamed red sausages and garlic‑flavored sausages, and while hot carried them to the old gentleman's place.

It happened to be lunchtime; when they saw her arrive, they hurriedly moved over on the kang.

"Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, come, eat together?"

"I've brought you something tasty; try it. If it's good, take some when you leave. I made a portion for you; if it's not good I won't bring you any."

"Tasty, definitely tasty."

Qiao Mai smiled and took the sausages out of the food box; they were already sliced, neatly arranged in pieces on the plate.

"What's this?"

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month the four brothers of the Yuan Family arrived, carrying things in their hands, waiting at the door for the matriarch to go inside and report.

"If you have plans to make a good match, it's best to tell your mother and see whether she is willing to accept this side of the family."

After saying what needed to be said, the four brothers took their leave and left. Yuan Jiaqi escorted them to the doorway, watched them walk away, then turned and went back.

She reached out and opened on the kang table, and it turned out to be a complete set of ruby head ornaments.

"Since you look pleasing to me, you got a cheap deal by being obedient; don't be pretentious and keep it—bring it for the New Year."

After Qiao Mai learned of this, she didn't mind; however, she gave Yuan Jiaqi a point of praise for his character.

"Is it that you can't get food at your house anymore?"

The two elders smiled at each other, "This Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, being with her just feels comfortable."

"Mm, is it a holiday?"

"Dad, do you want to make peace with them?"

"Wait a moment."

"Thanks, the house lacks nothing; you should still take it back for the children to eat."

"Old Fifth, although father and mother are at fault, we are still brothers; it's been a year since we split the family, and we all wanted to come see you."

Yuan Jiaqi felt a slight stir inside, but outwardly remained the same as before.

"Dad, what's that?"

The four brothers waved their hands hurriedly, "We're not here for your return gift. Back then you were tormented by father and mother; we brothers just watched and never helped you. Now we regret it, but brothers are still brothers. We are your elder brothers; if you need anything later, remember to call us, even if you have no money to contribute."

"Do you have anything you need me to handle?"

The two ate the sausages with relish while asking about the New Year goods she had given them.

The arriving servant girl and matriarch were forced to help her onto the cart; several freight carts followed, tightly wrapped in blankets, fearing they would freeze on the road.

The two picked a piece with chopsticks and ate, "Oh, tasty, a bit like that luncheon meat you made."

"Sit, then."

He carried the items back to his courtyard; Chuan'er, after seeing those things, put down his book and asked.

"Younger cousin, elder cousin."

"It's more delicate than that meat, and has more seasoning."

"Then little brother… thank you."

"Anything else?"

"Hurry and take it and leave."

"Anything else you want to bring for us?"

Yuan Jiaqi was startled by what he heard, had the matriarch invite them to the living room, and he put down his book and also went to the living room.

As they spoke, they placed the items in their hands onto the table, then sat on the guest chairs.

"Mm, as long as they're fine, that's all."

"My sausages, eat them first; as soon as I mention them you lose your appetite."

"Born without bringing it, die without taking it away; I give my things only to those I find pleasing. Do you believe it? The two of us will live out our old age at her house, and she won't utter a single complaint—what a good woman."

"Not bad, not bad,"

"Your eldest uncle, second uncle, third uncle, fourth uncle came to see what we bought."

"Ah, without any binding obligations, yet we still get such fine head ornaments for free; is there really such a wonderful thing under the heavens?"

The other side sent a cartload; she has to send back two carts.

Although no smile showed on his face, his voice revealed he was in a good mood.

Old Mrs. Wang twisted and took a delicate gift box from the kang cabinet.

"Take it; this is for you to wear during the New Year. You've become the master of a great household, you can't scrimp any more; you must dress yourself beautifully, understand?"

Qiao Mai snapped the lid shut, lifted the box and left, humming a happy tune as she walked.

"Yes, we came to tell you; my mother said that if the younger cousin doesn't return to her natal home by the second day of the New Year, she can come to Liushutun. Though we have little to offer, my mother's corn pancakes are delicious, and the sweet potato porridge she stews is especially fragrant."

"No, we just wanted to come see you."

"Look at your money‑obsessed look."

"Sorry, you brought gifts but I can't return them; being a Matrilocal Husband who lives with the woman's family, I eat their food, spend their money, and I can't shamelessly take more from them."

"If it's a gift from the old lady, I'll keep it; a plate of sausages earned a whole set of fine head ornaments—what a big profit."

Having taken the Prefect's father as his teacher, he is neither arrogant nor restless, studies diligently, and does not become complacent just because he now has money and influence; his dealings with people and matters remain as before, keeping his original heart—truly rare.

Qiao Mai glanced at Old Mrs. Wang and saw her attention fixed on the sausages, not even looking at the box; the old gentleman was the same.

As she kept speaking, she felt embarrassed to continue.

"Alright then, you eat; I'm going back."

"Money can only be saved by a money‑obsessed person; those who aren't are like monks, idle spenders."

After the split, each of our families' lives have become better; this is bought for you and Chuan'er.

On the morning of the twenty‑eighth day of the first month, the Wang Family sent people to fetch them; the two elders still didn't want to leave.

"You all wait a moment."

"Please thank my aunt for me; I won't go on the second day of the new year; how will you later return to the village?"

I just don't know; after becoming an official, with beautiful women and Cainü like clouds around him, will he still be this calm?

Qiao Jiaqi was startled, then replied, "That's for sure; father cannot chill your mother's heart."

"There are also twenty strips of marinated meat, a sauce‑flavored Cured Sausage, which is a bit tastier than regular Cured Sausage."

"Did you notice? Qiao Jiaqi didn't live with her, making an excuse that Chuan'er is small, was frightened as a child, can't be away from people at night, and needs him to stay with her."

"That depends on their behavior; your grandfather and grandmother can't do it, but they aren't bad, they just can't afford to offend your grandparents and dare not act to help father."

"We noticed early; as for their matter, let's not get involved. Anyway they get along quite well. Whether they're born or adopted, there are four children; whether they sleep or not doesn't matter. Perhaps Qiao Jiaqi cannot follow the Human Path? Or some other reason? We're already this old, we don't worry about that."

"I just like you, Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl; you're really thoughtful in handling things."

"Fruits, marinated Pig Trotters, pickled cabbage, kimchi, everything— a whole cart of goods. When the time comes I'll hire a carriage to deliver them together to the Wangfu."

"Alright, I'm leaving; we're of the same group, so I won't thank you."

"This is indeed your best thing kept at the bottom of the chest."

That day, Miss Wang sent people from Fucheng to bring the New Year gifts, a whole cart of good things.

"It's already been arranged with the other party's ox cart."

"When leaving, I'll bring it to you; you can eat it when you get home."

Upon seeing the four elder brothers, he was not surprised, but wore a calm expression.

"There's also a kind of sausage; it wasn't dried long enough so it wasn't brought over. I've steamed both kinds; when you eat, just heat them in the pot. That sausage, the Cured Sausage, after drying must be steamed for half an hour."

Qiao Mai sighed, accepted it, seeming that this time the gift can't be omitted; let's bring another cart of those free‑of‑charge fruits from the area.

The two elders couldn't hold back, and burst out laughing with a "pfft".

On the afternoon of the twenty‑eighth, Liu Hai and Liu Ye came to see Qiao Mai.

She placed it on the table, gave a signal with her eyes, and pursed her lips.

Qiao Mai glanced at the old woman outside, "Go to my courtyard to find Yuehong, have her give you the things I prepared, then bring them here."

"Yes, Master."

Qiao Mai pointed at the guest chair, "You two sit."

"Aye, aye."

(End of chapter)