Chapter 121: Brother Will Support You for a Lifetime

In Ji, work hard, learn how to conduct yourself, learn how the Shopkeeper runs a business; if you do it well, I'll give you a business later.

I… I don't seem to be cut out for business.

You look down on yourself, you don't even want to get rich; who would respect you? Are you willing to spend your whole life in hardship?

I… I'll try my best.

Liu Haiya took a bite; he also knew this was a rare chance. The cousin had already opened her mouth to help the Liu Family—no matter how hard, they couldn't give up.

Qiao Mai glanced at Liu Ye and asked, "What did Shopkeeper Lu tell you?"

She said that after the New Year she'd give me a starting wage of a hundred wen per month, and when I can embroider large pieces, she'll raise the pay.

Hmm, work hard. Though you're not young, don't be impatient about marriage; learning a craft is real. Look, many women marry early, and life with their in‑laws is often worse than staying single. In the Great Ming Dynasty there's no forced marriage, so cherish this opportunity.

Yes, cousin!

After a short while, an old woman arrived carrying a large bundle, put it inside the house and waited outside the door.

The old women used this to make many dumplings: some with chives, some with cabbage and shiitake, some with fennel sprouts, some with radish, some with scallion, also with shepherd's purse, and with garlic sprouts.

Thank you, cousin!

Your cousin is really good!

Listen to your cousin's advice: learn a craft first; even if you marry, with a skill you won't lack food or clothing, and we won't fear them.

The two carried a large cloth bag and left; when they reached the Qiao Family gate, two old women pushed three big cloth sacks over with a handcart.

The weather is so cold; any house without a charcoal brazier is like a natural big refrigerator.

Several bags of stuff, is that all?

We saw your Hai Zi come back from outside?

"If you have money and don't earn it, you're a bastard," Mayor Qian blurted out in haste.

Mayor Qian had his servant deliver the New Year goods to Jixiang Yuan, carrying them all the way to Qiao Mai's Main Courtyard.

"Rice, white flour, cured meat—now our family can have a good New Year."

"Indeed, we're on holiday after working outside."

Qiao Mai looked him up and down and said, "Oh my, I really can't tell—still a lovesick man."

"Servant girl, this intestine?"

When Liu Ye heard, she cried even harder, "My sister married, but her life isn't good either."

Liu Hai patted her head, "That's because Shopkeeper Lu is good, after all."

Liu Qiaoshi hurriedly had Liu Hai stash the grain and meat, and she looked at her own husband and said.

"Alright, go ahead."

"Hmph!"

The gifts were truly many: ornaments, jewelry, and even cloth clothing.

"Sorry, when our whole family was starving to death, we didn't go to your house to borrow food. Now that we finally have something to eat, I think you shouldn't be thinking about it."

The shelves were stacked layer upon layer with dumplings; Qiao Mai had ordered them prepared in advance so everyone could rest a bit, after all the house was crowded.

With a single sentence, the driver understood and nodded repeatedly, delighted.

When those men heard this, some were skeptical and tried to push inside; Liu Dashan wore a cold expression.

Mayor Qian said apologetically, "We met by chance when we were young and fell in love at first sight, but my parents disapproved. Later she married, and I've been waiting for her ever since."

"But her husband and in‑laws are good; it's just that life is a bit hard. Your sister also married because she thought that family was decent at the time."

Not only dumplings were made, but also various buns, mantou, flower rolls, and the like; the whole house was filled with them.

"Cornmeal, and some old clothes my niece no longer wears; that's all there is left."

Just as they were speaking, someone outside the courtyard gate shouted, "Is Liu Dashan home?"

"It's cold; try to stay indoors as much as possible."

Liu Haiya and Liu Ye got onto the ox cart, both keeping their heads down and quietly wiping away tears.

Qiao Mai didn't concern herself with how the Liu Family would divide those items; the New Year goods at home were all well prepared, and the Kitchen Maids were busy in the kitchen all day.

At the ox cart, they unloaded the items, and the old woman gave instructions to the driver.

"For you, San Niang and the others have been staying at your house causing trouble."

"Wrong. Your cousin saw that our family isn't like Uncle's, so she treated us this way. If we were like those beasts, my cousin would just watch us die and wouldn't lend a hand."

"I also want to marry into a good family."

"It's either fried or boiled, or else it's wrapped."

Liu Qiaoshi took that bundle of clothes out again and placed it on the kang, distributing them to the daughter‑in‑law and daughter, and kept two pieces intending to give them to Liu Mei.

"Got it."

Liu Dashan went to open the door; several men were standing at the entrance, and Liu Dashan, blocking the doorway, asked.

"What did you buy, and could you lend us some grain?"

"After you insult me, I won't sell you the formula again."

"Don't think about it, I won't sell."

"Who says a lovesick person has to be a woman?"

"Just study well there; even though I'm the only brother in our family, when you get married, if you're mistreated, I'll risk my life to protect you. At worst we won't have to endure abuse in the in‑law's house; learn from your cousin returning to her natal home—I'll support you for a lifetime."

Liu Haiya and Liu Ye's eyes reddened instantly; they placed the cloth bag on top and silently led the way ahead.

Liu Qiaoshi hurriedly locked the wages in the kang cabinet, then went down and opened the cloth bag one by one, watching.

It must be said, under Qiao Mai's guidance, everyone in Jixiang Yuan became a foodie; they always keep the food well stocked.

"Thank you, cousin!"

"It's New Year, I don't have much for you; these are clothes that have been through a wash or two, not old—just wear what fits."

Bread, pastries, various fried snacks, and they took up another room.

"When Ruyi gets married, she'll be alone; then, should we turn raw rice into cooked rice? Shall I help you?"

"Also, the leftovers from the restaurant—the owner's unwanted dishes, the remaining buns and such."

"Anyway, cousin is a good person; Lu Shopkeeper's family once rescued cousin, and out of gratitude cousin let their whole family stay at her house, they need nothing from her."

They also set aside two strips of cured pork, ten jin of white rice, and ten jin of white flour.

"These are relatives of our Qiao Niang; don't give them the transport fee. Return to the Qiao Ji Snack Shop and settle with Niu Shopkeeper; you won't be shortchanged."

"Yuan family members, Tian family members, and the Qiao family from Lihua Village are really fools."

"Anything?"

The men snorted coldly, "Isn't it just finding a job, with a rich niece, pfft, who cares!"

"Ah, I was wrong, sorry, that just slipped out of my mouth."

Liu Hai handed the wages to Liu Qiaoshi, "Mother, those three cloth bags of food and this big bundle of clothes were all given by cousin."

"Alright, I've received your New Year gift, thank you!"

Elder Qian Zhen's face flushed, "I want her to willingly marry me; otherwise I'll wait until death."

"Don't be fooled by Biao sister's cold speech; her heart is warm."

Elder Qian Zhen's gift was delivered on the morning of the twenty‑nine.

The brother and sister returned home; the Liu family, seeing so many items, were overjoyed beyond measure,

Only after the others left did she begin to inspect.

After Qiao Mai delivered the New Year gift and was about to leave, Elder Qian Zhen hurriedly had someone lift the New Year gifts he had prepared up.

Of course, some ingredients were provided by Qiao Mai; they aren't available on the market, only the Qiao family can eat them.

"My Master said, since it's New Year, here are fifty jin of white rice and fifty jin of white flour for the Liu family, plus some meat for you to take. Put the big bundle on top; we'll deliver it to the ox cart for you."

"His father, borrowing a few jin of rice or flour is fine, but borrowing money isn't; if you ask the niece to do something, she'll refuse. You know what kind of temper my niece has."

Qiao Mai asked curiously, "What's your relationship with her?"

They cursed and left; Liu Dashan, after watching them walk away, quickly slammed the door shut.

It was still Qiao Mai who delivered them herself; seeing the braised meat and sausage, Elder Qian Zhen's mind was stirred again.

She picked out a few good ones and took them to Lu Shopkeeper.

The mother and daughter were stitching clothes; when they saw her arrive, they quickly made room for her, clearing a spot by the heated table.

"Sit"

"Making clothes?"

(End of chapter)