Chapter 171: Fooled and Getting What One Deserves

The four Yuan brothers were terrified, their lips trembling, "Old, Old Five, I, we?"

The house was fine, the poor in the family had all started drinking; feeding them ten mouths, they couldn't find any excuse to argue.

Yuan Jiaqi looked at them in disappointment, casually took ten taels of silver from his sleeve and tossed it onto the ground.

"The things you brought when you visited me before the year probably cost a few coins; today these few bags of flour, plus these ten taels of silver, will count as repayment for that day's gift. If you dare come to the Qiao family again, I'll have someone break your legs!"

Yuan Jiaqi's eyes flashed with malice as he dropped the harsh words and turned away; the four Yuan brothers tried to step forward to block him, but were scared back a few steps by Wu Zhui and Sai Xue's wild howls.

He had never been as frustrated as today; he walked faster and faster, tears ungrudgingly streaming down.

It was my own debt, my own yearning for that bit of kinship, my own blindness, my own selective hearing and belief, being deceived—deserved!

At first it was walking, then it turned into running; when he got home, he ordered the gatekeeping old woman.

"From now on, when any Yuan family member comes, regardless of who, drive them away! No need to report!"

Only after asking the reason did he learn that the Qiao family said the Liu family had basked in their daughter's favor, demanding the goods be split half.

Liu Dashan didn't mind; the peasants are hardy, a little wound can be dealt with by sprinkling ash and bandaging; as long as it's not a broken arm or leg, there's no serious problem.

Popcorn and crispy rice crust made them unable to stop eating; these items sold the fastest.

Is this using her as a ruse, preparing fish and meat for the village in vain?

He hurriedly sent two old women, took a sack of a hundred jin of white rice and ten jin of pork from home, and had them rush by cart to Liushutun to visit the Liu family.

This year winter arrived half a month early, catching Qiao Mai off guard; she hadn't had time to make pickled cabbage, spicy kimchi, or fermented vegetables.

Sometimes she also bought some from the platform; Qiao Ji Snack Puzi hadn't added any new items this winter.

"Alright, Father, let's be honest, live our lives properly, stop scheming against the girl; she hates us. Do you think, with a family like ours, having nothing, we can outfight her?"

"Master, the people here don't recognize this thing."

Then he went back to the house, fell headfirst into a pit and started crying; Qiao Mai, after learning of this, did not go to comfort him—people must face reality.

The whole family went to Liushutun like bandits; as a result, Liu Dashan and Liu Qiaoshi weren't scared at all, and family fought family, and a fight broke out.

Fortunately it was just a light snow, occasionally heavier, and the people's hearts thumped.

"Weren't there several batches of southerners arriving?"

The workers were also diligent; seeing the supply running low, they immediately began roasting.

Not to mention, Qiao Shicheng really wanted to do it.

When wealthy families came, they usually liked to buy roasted sweet potatoes, popcorn, and crispy rice crust.

I've seen shameless people, but never this shameless; their own daughter refuses to give them anything, yet they run to other houses to rob.

Still dreaming that the Yuan family could be fine—go dream on. From now on just take good care of Chuan'er and live your own life well.

So, the news here is especially well‑informed.

The Qiao family's dealings with the Liu family were hidden for a few days, but then couldn't be concealed any longer; the news finally reached Tianshui Town, with Liu Ye and Liu Hai learning it first.

The two took leave and rode an ox cart home.

She pulled this stunt, instantly sinking the foul scheme that the Qiao family had just concocted.

"My lady, I'll go with you; this time their family all came, and our family—only Hai Zi is in town—has finally suffered a loss."

They are greedy, but not stupid.

The four Yuan brothers conspired to deceive their younger brother; from this day on, Yuan Jiaqi completely cut ties with the Yuan family.

The vegetables sold fairly well, but were too pricey, the weather was bad, and they didn't drop as quickly as before.

Liu Qiaoshi disagreed, saying Qiao Mai had already severed ties with them; the Qiao family has no connection with Qiao Mai at all.

She was even too lazy to make the tasty cured sausage, garlic sausage, red sausage, or luncheon meat.

"Yes, old man, if she really wants revenge on us, I'm afraid our family will be gone in one night."

She, who had originally felt some goodwill toward Yuan Jiaqi, instantly drove that thought out of her mind.

This is a home invasion robbery; it wouldn't be excessive for the Village Head to have them bound and sent to the authorities.

"This white‑eyed wolf leaves us no chance of survival at all."

We don't even know his surname, even if we let him take a hit.

The father and son have, up to now, been eating hers, wearing hers, drinking hers, without even starting the accounts, yet they still think about that side, still think of using their own stuff to support that side?

Qiao Ji Snack Puzi, still like in previous years, provides passing merchants with water in summer days and fragrant, spicy meat soup in winter.

The Qiao family, unable to bask in Qiao Mai's favor, turned their attention to the Liu family.

If the village head of Liushutun hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable, after all the Liu side is somewhat weaker.

Qiao Mai, upon learning, let out a cold snort, thinking the Qiao Shicheng family were all fools, still daring to cause trouble at someone else's door—truly insane!

"She dares, she dares, I am her father!"

Next are the candied hawthorn skewers, sunflower seeds, peanuts, chestnuts, five‑spice tea‑leaf eggs, five‑spice quail eggs, and persimmon cakes, which have been taken off the shelf; none were made this year.

However, the bamboo shoots that had been piled in a corner of the storage, she cleared them out, placed them in the shop for them to sell.

They were all free, just so they could rest a foot in the small town, warm themselves, and of course pick up some snacks.

But northerners had never eaten this thing, so it never sold; the ox shopkeeper came with a sour face to see Qiao Mai.

Seeing her own man injured made Liu Qiaoshi weep continuously in anger; just as the family was a bit better off, the Qiao family came causing a ruckus.

The Qiao family of Shēngmíng Town declares they are not related to the Qiao family of Lihua Village and do not know each other; if they ever again dare to bully others, they will handle it themselves, and the Qiao family of the town will not intervene in any matter.

When Qiao Mai posted a notice about this incident, Qiao Shicheng was so angry he nearly vomited blood.

The Qiao family, seeing the situation turn bad, fled in a hasty, shameful retreat, taking nothing.

The Qiao family's roasted sweet potatoes were superb—crisp skin, fluffy, oily interior, golden and very sweet.

Gradually, Qiao Ji Snack Puzi became like a relay station, always gathering many people from north and south, who liked to rest their feet there, chat, and stay a short while.

"Should we tell my niece about this?"

No one gained much fame; the fight was brutal, but fortunately no lives were lost.

A sapling that isn't trimmed won't become timber; he's still far from his own standards.

"Better not to be there."

At this time, Qiao Shicheng still thought of himself as Qiao Mai's father, even taking himself as Qiao Mai's dad.

The Village Head understood, immediately grasped what was happening, and was about to send someone to report to the authorities.

At the same time, a notice was posted at the entrance of his own shop.

When cravings hit, he took the stored goods out of the space to satisfy everyone's appetite.

The fruit juice was also taken off the shelves, but the hot milk tea continued to sell well and was very popular.

Hmph, Qiao Mai let out a cold snort, truly not knowing how many liang she weighed.

"Daughter‑in‑law, don't be angry; next time they come again, I'll draw my Sword and cut them down, and we won't be breaking any law."

"Enough, don't spread everything over there; it's just annoying, and we have no big matters at home."

He, a man, thought a lot; now that he has Chuan'er, he can eat and drink his fill and study, and should be content.

On the fifth day of the twelfth month, snowflakes began to fall again; people were truly afraid of more snow. If another blizzard came, the crops in the fields would be ruined.

The Qiao Family, the Yuan Family, and the Tian Family are fundamentally bad at their roots; pointing to them to improve is impossible, so he should never have harbored hope.

Fruit was also bought; most buyers were from wealthy families, who, lacking appetite, sent people to purchase some, and it was truly expensive.

"How could they have money to buy at our shop?"

"That's right, how about this: have someone move the large idle jar by the courtyard wall to your side, clean it, bring it inside, and I'll teach you how to pickle Sour Bamboo Shoots. The pickled shoots make delicious soup and stir‑fry."

Shopkeeper Niu left; thinking there's still more than half a month left, he must stock the shop with something fresh to sell.

This year she doesn't make sausages, doesn't make cured meat, and even the meat shop's business has dwindled considerably.

(End of Chapter)