Chapter 163: I Won

Now, hearing that someone spends a fortune buying jewelry yet does not aid the common folk, while the Wang Family's Pang Old Lady sells jewelry to help the people, the Emperor gets angry just thinking about it.

He thought, "I am so hard to please; each of you is so wealthy yet doesn't share the burden with me, while an old woman knows to sell jewelry to help me. This contrast makes the Emperor feel extremely sorrowful."

He immediately issued an edict, summoning Wang Old Sir and Wang Old Lady to the palace.

He praised them on the spot, gave no reward—the Emperor was also poor—but asked whether Wang Old Sir was willing to return to the court?

Wang Old Sir politely declined on the spot, citing his advanced age; the Emperor did not press, and issued an edict conferring the title First-rank Life-bestowing Lady on the old lady.

The two elders recalled Qiao Mai's words that no one could speak of her affairs, and they immediately thanked the Emperor's grace, returning to Bichun Garden with the imperial decree.

Qiao Mai was still unaware of this; she had just returned and was sitting in the house, sipping tea and resting.

Wang Old Sir and the old lady came over, holding the decree for Qiao Mai to see.

"This should be your honor."

After looking at the decree, Qiao Mai handed it back to the old lady, "This belongs to you, it has nothing to do with me."

"Yes, mother, the son has taken his leave."

"I am about to be buried; why should I pretend? If I like it, I like it; if I don't, I don't. This First-Rank Imperial Mandate is something my great-granddaughter earned for me, hum!"

The old lady is just a docile donkey; the old sir's touch is precise, and as soon as the mood was right, she came over.

"Hmm, congratulations!"

At Xiangyun Yuan, the two elders rose before dawn, fearing Qiao Mai might not get up with her children, and they specifically came to her courtyard.

"Covering? I didn't see that at all."

"Hmph, that's about right."

On September 13, Wang Zongsheng arrived in Jingcheng; upon his return, he first went to Bichun Garden.

The old lady didn't even see them off; after the old man sent them back, she spat at the old man.

"But my son earns money each year, gives you three percent, and you use my son's earnings to give me gifts, sister-in-law, how can you even say that?"

"Fine then, we'll go over again that day."

"Isn't that proper? We support the Wang Family in Jingcheng, and we also back Zongsheng behind the scenes, right?"

The weather was neither cold nor hot, the stars in the sky still shone, and Qiao Mai, of course, did not forget her duties, dressing and washing the children.

"What debt? Now she's even more favored than your own daughter; your mother treats her like a beloved great-granddaughter. If not for the gap between you and Ru'er, she'd even be considered an adopted daughter. Later, you should give our family a ten‑percent profit to this Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl."

The visitors turned out to be Prime Minister Wang and his wife, who is Wang Old Sir's elder brother Wang Yue; Wang Old Sir is the third eldest in the family, named Wang Meng.

"Alright, old woman, I know you dislike the main family, but they are ultimately my own clan. I'll keep quiet if you mutter behind my back, but publicly you must at least get by, otherwise people will laugh at us."

The old lady pursed her lips, "Listen, it's my son's words that truly make me happy."

Qiao Mai slipped away, not seeing them.

"If money can solve it, why not? This is a double win; you are the late Pang Grand Preceptor's daughter, and the Emperor's bestowal upon you is well deserved. I merely gave a small push; regarding my sister-in-law's marriage, I hope you can go to the Wang Family with great splendor."

"Yes, father. As long as mother is happy, the son obeys his parents."

"Then tonight send someone to book a banquet table at Jingcheng's most famous restaurant; our whole family is hungry."

"Hmm,"

The old lady dabbed her tears, "Did you already intend to earn one for me?"

The old lady gave the old man a glance and said to Wang Zongsheng.

"Alright then, we'll go back."

"The son wishes to go over now, making arrangements in advance, just in case."

"Yes, yes, our family all benefits from the great‑granddaughter's glory."

"You always say you can't hold your head high in the Wang Family, that they suppress you, but now it's different; you are a First-rank Imperial Edict Lady, and in Jingcheng, First‑rank ladies are few; now you…"

Today Qiao Mai took a tour of South City; the disaster victims who had received Jingjie supplies had all left, leaving the outskirts empty.

"You decide about your matters; I'll tell Zongsheng that henceforth, the Wang Family's business should set aside ten percent for our great‑granddaughter."

"Father, mother, the son sends his respects to you both!"

Here Ling'er also got ready, just like her three brothers, only the girl dressed more beautifully.

She then went to North City for a look, the same situation; at least she did something for the people, yet she didn't touch a single cent of the silver that came from the Fu Family. She spent the journey cracking sunflower seeds, pondering this matter.

"You child, you just handed this honor to me like that?"

"Alright, you two, don't argue as soon as you meet. Elder brother thanks you and sister-in-law for coming. We're not young anymore; it's just an empty title, nothing to celebrate. Has everything been prepared on Ru'er's side?"

"Hmm, Qiao Niang, using your mother's name, you rescued the disaster victims outside the city; the Emperor granted your mother a First-rank Imperial Edict Lady title."

"That wasn't sending you five carts of good stuff, nor did it short‑change you," the Prime Minister's wife said disdainfully.

Upon seeing the two elders, they immediately bowed, stepped forward, and helped them sit.

Wang Old Sir glanced at his own elder brother; his eyes held disbelief, yet his mouth gave assent.

"Stay here tonight, and go over again early tomorrow morning?"

"What is this? It's not a sincere congratulation at all, not even a gift."

Just as the family chatted lively, members of the Wang Family arrived.

"Tomorrow Zongsheng will return; you all should go over together, okay?"

"No need, we're not young, we dislike crowds; we'll go over before dawn on the day of Ru'er's grand wedding."

"You, the older you get, the more childlike your temper becomes."

"Father, rest assured, Li Longji is a tempting delicacy that everyone wants a bite of, yet he set his sights on our foolish maiden; as a father, I must watch closely and protect her."

"Hmph, my son's good deed—didn't it elevate you to the Prime Minister position?"

"Hmm, Ru'er's side has three days left before the grand wedding; you must dispatch enough staff to ensure the Wang Family's restless ones don't exploit any loopholes."

"Child, thank you!"

Each was dressed impeccably, slinging a delicate cloth bag, the three handsome youths were like finely carved jade—both obedient and sweet‑mouthed.

I can't just let my granddaughter both spend money and labor for free; later, in my dowry, I'll set aside some good items for her.

Your older brother, that Prime Minister, was also earned by my granddaughter.

Wang Zongsheng laughed, "Our son heard about it as soon as he entered Jingcheng; mother is blessed, our Wang Family owes Qiao Niang a huge favor."

Today Qiao Mai and Ling'er both wore no sparkling hair ornaments, simply because they didn't want to encounter someone like Miss Fu of the Fu Family again. She wasn't afraid; rather, on Ru'er's day of great joy, she didn't want any trouble.

Yes, yes, yes—I'm the only one in the family who's not good, I'm at fault; even if I'm not wrong, is that still not enough?

Haha, good, good—it's essential!

Upon meeting, Prime Minister Wang and his wife first congratulated Madam Pang Lao.

Third brother, rest assured, it definitely won't go wrong.

Three days flew by in an instant! At Bichun Garden, before daybreak, they started bustling.

You younger sibling, I didn't expect your good deed to earn the emperor's favor, and even grant you a First-Rank Imperial Mandate—truly a cause for joy and congratulations.

When Wang Zongsheng left, the two elders grew somewhat anxious, fearing something might happen at the granddaughter's wedding; after all, they've seen many sordid matters within the great household.

Pfft, I won't act, nor do I want to; I speak just like this, they can do whatever they like.

So Ling'er's accessory is a pearl flower; she tied her hair back, wore a single hairpin, and a pair of silver pearl ear cups.

She wore a deep‑blue outfit, overall very elegant and not vulgar.

She, like the children, slung a cloth bag across her shoulder; even Yuehong and Yuexia did the same.

What else are you still carrying in your bags?

(End of chapter)