Chapter 151: Taking a Lazy Break to Save Some Effort

Each time Yuan Jiaqi returns home, he stays with the old gentleman for two days to discuss some learning.

Because of the guidance of the old gentleman and the old lady, the Qiao Family's children are very well‑behaved, not inferior to the young masters of wealthy households.

They are even far stronger than them; at the very least, they train their bodies each morning and can be called accomplished in both civil and martial arts.

The key is the three children of the Qiao Family, especially obedient and filial; as long as they are family members, despite their small size, they are very caring, leaving you with a warm feeling inside.

The strawberry seeds sown at the end of May bore fruit because Qiao Mai diligently watered them with Linghe Water.

It happened to coincide with the Moon God Festival, and as soon as it was displayed, wealthy people took notice.

The fresh, plump, tender, bright‑red strawberries were incredibly appetizing, and the Niu Shopkeeper arbitrarily set the price at Five Taels of Silver per jin.

Qiao Mai ignored him, directly picked strawberries, washed a bowl for the old lady and a large bowl for the children, as if feeding piglets.

"Come, come, eat the strawberries—freshly picked, they're so delicious."

"Sir, you are too courteous."

"Madam, you've worked hard, traveling so far to bring this to me on purpose."

"Yo, there's still my share," the gatekeeper elder said happily.

"Qiao Niang, for the Moon God Festival I won't go to the Qiao Family; could you take good care of my parents?"

The last batch was for personal consumption, richer than what we'd give any household; she prepared eight or nine kinds of fruit alone, not to mention the moon cakes.

"No problem, once it arrives I'll make you something tasty."

I truly admire the East household; they have ability and resolve, and only by following such a master can one enjoy meat.

"Thanks."

"Sister‑in‑law, you're so kind; we brothers thank you first."

Under Yuan Jiaqi's little whip's supervision, the items were moved in repeatedly by these people, and a box was constantly held in Qiao Mai's hand.

"Hurry and move; your sister‑in‑law's cooking is excellent, don't eat until it's moved for a while."

"Move, move, we still can't move, huh?"

The gift intended for Wang Zongsheng was first delivered; when Qiao Mai arrived, Wang Prefect didn't put on airs and personally came out to receive it, which gave Qiao Mai full face.

Because each year brings more relatives and friends, the New Year gifts to prepare increase as well.

"I trust you with the arrangements; when do you plan to leave?"

Wang Zongsheng sighed, saying that if the Zuofang were let to Qiao Niang to run, it would benefit the nation and the people; there's nothing for the Wang Family here, and this time the Wang Family owes Qiao Niang a huge favor.

"The gentleman told me."

"I've arranged everything at home; you can withdraw the money from the Niu Shopkeeper."

"No rush, sister‑in‑law, may we go to your house as guests?"

"Hmm, we'll still need to trouble Qiao Niang along the way."

She stepped forward and handed the gatekeeper elder, "These are the moon cakes I made; I hope you like them."

Qiao Mai watched as the items on the carriage were unloaded, paid a courtesy salute to Wang Zongsheng, then the carriage departed.

Especially those grown by the Qiao Family, exuding a buttery aroma, truly delicious.

"Don't worry, I'll look after the children; when we get there they'll see the world, nothing will happen, so you can study here with peace of mind."

The Qiao Family members and the shop's clerks and the Shopkeeper all tasted it to some degree; the East household is indeed powerful—if this were a grain crop, a mu would fetch at most six Taels of Silver, five mu thirty Taels, but this yields twenty jin, earning several times the profit of five mu of grain.

"Elder, I am a Wang Jiaru's Student from your Academy, a family member of Yuan Jiaqi, here to deliver something to him."

We kept busy until the tenth day of the new month before stopping; by then the household had already received the festival gifts.

"Naturally."

"It's perfect for sending a gift to Lord Wang; we've already sent it over. You know about our trip to Jingcheng, right?"

At this moment Qiao Mai had already unloaded the carriage's items at the doorway, and upon seeing so many people, she still offered a polite greeting.

"Alright, then we'll go over there first when the time comes."

"Then the children will say goodbye."

For the Wang Family she prepared two portions: one for the old lady here, and one for Wang Zongsheng; even though Miss Wang isn't present, he is at home, the gift still needs to be sent over.

Yuan Jiaqi took a deep breath, "Fine, I won't see you off then."

She also harvested many fruits in the space: the Mayor's House contributed five kinds of fruit, each a basket of ten jin; three boxes of moon cakes she made and three boxes she bought; the Lu Family, the Wang Family of Fucheng, the carpenter Qin Family each gave one portion, and Yuan Jiaqi's side prepared a large portion, as they have many people, so they prepared more.

She also prepared a few extra portions, fearing that if anyone sent gifts during the festival without a return gift, it would be embarrassing.

Now she began preparing the items needed for the festival; fortunately she has a preservation space, so making them in advance ensures they'll be as fresh as just out of the oven, otherwise bringing them later would surely exhaust her.

The two exchanged words, and after Qiao Mai left, the gatekeeper elder smiled brightly at Yuan Jiaqi.

The gatekeeper elder knew about this; Yuan Jiaqi had given advance notice.

"We'll depart on the eighteenth, arrive in the capital at the beginning of the month, stay for over half a month, and return; we might not be home until the end of September."

On August thirteenth, Qiao Mai hurried the carriage, loaded with a full load of gifts, and went to Fucheng.

"Hello, everyone?"

She makes at least three batches of moon cakes daily; after they cool, she packs them into the custom Wooden Boxes and tosses them into the space.

"Yo, you're the sister‑in‑law, hello!"

The old lady loved them immensely, guarding a large bowl of strawberries alone and devouring nearly half a bowl in one go.

"Sure, the Xianggong's friends are my friends; everyone is welcome to sit as guests at my home."

Qiao Mai is now relaxed, having completed Foundation Building, and can now refine Second‑grade Elixir; the space's farmland spans over ten million mu, approaching twenty million mu.

The side gate closed, and shortly after, Yuan Jiaqi arrived, followed by a few scholars slightly younger than him.

Ling'er held one in each hand; strawberries, as a fruit, are like the princess of the fruit‑and‑vegetable world, and no one dislikes them.

"When the New Year comes we'll definitely go over; you can't reject our bustling presence."

"I'll go, but not with you; I ride fast on horseback, otherwise I'd delay a month's official duties."

The old lady was thrilled with these gifts, and she was being way too greedy.

Shopkeeper Niu stocked two baskets—each ten jin, twenty jin total—and received a hundred taels of silver; that's pure profit.

"You wait, I'll go call him."

"Move the stuff; first bring these back to the dormitory, and later I'll distribute them."

She also bought ice‑skin moon cakes, crystal moon cakes, and crispy moon cakes from the Platform—every kind she found both tasty and pretty—and purchased several of each.

The rest she gave to Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl who attended her; that's the only good thing about the Qiao Family—whatever the master eats, the servants get to share.

The carpenter's family sent two boxes of moon cakes and a basket of eggs; the Lu Family also sent many gifts; even Mayor Qian sent some. They wanted to deliver early, fearing her festival gifts would be too heavy and that sending back a light one would be embarrassing.

The next day, she sent people to deliver the festival gifts to each household.

A few dormitory friends stared at Qiao Mai; Yuan Jiaqi, seeing this, gave each of them a little something.

At the entrance of Fenglin Shuyuan, Qiao Mai stepped out of the carriage and opened the school side gate.

"Miss Wang's wedding—are you going?"

Looking at the assorted moon cakes, her mouth couldn't close; those fruits were even more to her liking, making her happier than any gold, silver, or jewels.

So this year she plans to make part of the moon cakes herself, and buy the rest from the Platform, slacking off a bit to save effort.

An elder took it, and Yuan Jiaqi thought everything she did was meticulous and flawless; whenever he saw her, his heart was filled with a warm sense of happiness.

July 31, Yuan Jiaqi left; on August 5, Qiao Mai began making moon cakes.

Yuan Jiaqi saw their shabby demeanor and lifted his foot to kick.

"What a loving couple, they've been talking for so long."

Yuan Jiaqi's face flushed; he does want affection, but Miss Qiao doesn't give him a chance, and besides, he doesn't know any sweet words.

The two met and spoke in a measured, orderly way; after finishing, they each went their separate ways.

He also worries—who will teach him?

(End of chapter)