Chapter 194: Only This One Family, No Other Branch

Not only did the Qiao Family's kitchen maid scold from afar, but even the students' parents also shouted, and the townsfolk joined in the cursing.

Mr. Lin, lying on the kang, heard the insults, spurted a mouthful of old blood, and the Lin family hurriedly called a Daifu.

His illness had been nearly cured, but now it worsened again.

Serves him right; he brought it on himself.

The weather was fine, but because of the previous rainy season, the crop harvest was poor.

Qiao Mai ignored other families, directly waived the rent for the two tenant families; those families were overjoyed, not knowing how to thank Qiao Mai, they brought their whole families to the gate of Jixiang Yuan, knelt three times and bowed, then left.

The incident instantly caused a sensation throughout the town; looking at the families who leased land outward, none were like Qiao Mai, daring to wave a big hand and waive the tenants' rent—those were sixty mu of land!

Only this family, no other branch.

Even Mayor Qian had to admit, this is what generosity looks like; the Qian Family is indeed wealthy, but in generosity they truly can't match Qiao Niang.

"Qiao Niang's aunt, what's the matter?"

She was happy, but someone else was not.

When Lu Ruxin heard it, her complexion changed immediately.

"What's wrong? Is it that only her relatives are allowed to open here, and I cannot?"

On the way home, she saw a Liangpi shop by the roadside.

She frowned, and upon returning she impatiently asked Lu Sanniang.

"At first, Mother spent only Ten Taels of Silver, yet earned tens of thousands of taels from her, which allowed you and Ruyi to marry splendidly. Mother's wishes are fulfilled, she has no further desires; she doesn't want to keep incurring more debt. You should also know when to stop," she said.

"Do you really want to be that White-eyed Wolf?"

"Sir, someone in the shop is looking for you."

"Cousin?"

Qiao Mai took a long breath, seeming that the Lu family had no intention of making peace with her.

"Mother, our Small Town also has many people,"

"Then you should open elsewhere; don't open in this town."

In just two months she earned dozens of taels of silver; Liu Qiaoshi couldn't stop bragging, constantly praising her niece to everyone.

She has opened shops in several counties within Weicheng's jurisdiction, even in Fucheng she has a Liangpi shop; business is excellent, netting three to four thousand taels a month without issue.

Qiao Mai looked at the endless blue sky, somewhat worried; the flood had just passed, but she hoped drought wouldn't follow. If this scorching sun kept shining, this winter would certainly not be cold.

"If you have the ability, speak to me; on what grounds do you treat my people like that?"

Qiao Mai naturally wasn't worried about food; she had abundant space—if she needed rice, she had rice; if she needed corn, she had corn; wheat was no issue, and she also stocked millet, soybeans, mung beans, and Five Grains in plenty.

"I went to the Lu family to call the Shopkeeper, and saw her arguing with Lu Ruxin; inexplicably, Sister Ruxin gave me a scolding."

"She only lets relatives run a small business in her shop to make a living, never intending to open a shop elsewhere."

She had been opening shops outside, teaching apprentices the Liangpi technique, staying busy all day round.

"Mother, what White-eyed Wolf? I'm just being factual; the recipe was given to me, and she gave it to her relatives—doesn't that plainly aim to steal my business?"

"Mother, I also want to open a Liangpi shop in the town."

"If you make Mother do something she doesn't want, are you still my daughter?"

"Fine, go to the Lu family, pack your luggage, and move to your parents' place. Your Yishu has improved nicely; I won't teach you anymore—take on Embroidery Work yourself."

Lu Sanniang looked at Lu Ruxin, somewhat incredulous.

At Liu Hai's small shop, she ordered a bowl of hot and sour noodles, ate while watching his family's business.

"But you profit using her recipe; if you have ambition, don't use her recipe. I think you've fallen into the eyes of money now."

Lu Sanniang, angry, stood up, trembling, and pointed at her.

For some reason, many diners think Tianshui Town's Liangpi tastes better than that of the County Town and other places.

Liu Ye felt aggrieved; she turned and left the Lu family, didn't return to the shop, and went straight to look for Qiao Mai.

Lu Sanniang looked at her, somewhat displeased, "What, can only you use it?"

She also withdrew her thoughts, no longer daydreaming about romantic affairs, focusing solely on making silver.

"She gave the Liangpi recipe to others?"

"She never signed any documents; she gives her recipe to whomever she wishes, even if she gives it away for free. How can you challenge her?"

"Mother, I beg you?"

"I—"

"Ugh, if you have the face, go yourself; I have no face to go."

"Did something happen to the Lu family?"

"Liangpi can be stir‑fried in winter; the garlic and chili oil aroma becomes even more fragrant after the fry."

"What are you doing at my house? Your cousin always does this—places an idle person in my home, feeds you, drinks you, even gives you a wage. Get out, get out of my Lu family."

"After a while she will collect a batch, keep some space, store some at home, just for contingencies; she…"

"You say your cousin placed me there, meaning they want the Lu family to keep you, feeding you for free, taking their silver—something like that. I can't quite grasp it, but they even call me a servant of their house."

"Mother, why are you siding with the master? The recipe was given to me; isn't it mine?"

"The daughter has none."

"Who? You'd never expect, it's actually Lu Sanniang's eldest daughter, Lu Ruxin."

Lu Sanniang coldly looked at her, "Have you thought it through? She's your master."

"She no longer acknowledges me."

"This is only now; who can say what the future holds?"

"Your master acts with restraint; I hope you do the same. Don't provoke her, even at the cost of Mother's face. When the recipe spreads, many will compete for business with you…"

Liu Ye couldn't believe Lu Ruxin would say such words; she turned to look at Lu Shopkeeper.

At this moment, Lu Ruxin, still angry, shouted at Liu Ye.

"Fine, you're fine, she did it voluntarily, so I ask you, she gave you the recipe—did she sign any documents with you?"

"Mother, thank you for reminding me; will you now go to the Qiao Family and buy that cold‑noodle recipe from her?"

"Mother, whose cold‑noodle shop is it in our town?"

"Girl, you've changed."

"If you want to make money, you can go to another Fucheng, or to the County Town under their jurisdiction, or open a shop in another town; don't even think about Tianshui Town."

"You actually want to compete for business with your master's relatives?"

Usually we'd let it pass, but this year we only planted one season and the yield is low, so let them off this time.

Anyone who has tried Liu Ji Cold Noodles will occasionally come here for a bowl, and the tangy, refreshing sour‑spicy noodles and the spicy mixed noodles are all beloved by diners.

"She did it voluntarily; I never forced her to give me the recipe."

"You, you really have gone astray."

"Tell me the exact words."

Seeing her eyes all red, you can tell she just cried.

"This~"

People in light jackets were basking in the sun, chatting away, and Qiao Mai would occasionally appear.

Lu Ruxin covered her face, sobbing as she ran back to her room, and Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl hurried after her.

Lu San Niang was stunned; she hadn't expected the girl to say such a thing, and she went up and slapped her hard.

The mother and daughter began arguing over this, and just then Liu Ye arrived.

"Mother, how can you treat me like this? She's just a worker in our shop; what's the difference from a servant?"

"You—"

"Mother, how could you do this? Are you still my mother?"

The crops were harvested, the fields plowed, the seeds sown, the weather remained fine, and people finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His business here is good every single day.

She really guessed right; it's already November, and the weather is still warm.

"Got it, cousin; what if the Shopkeeper asks about it?"

"Then just tell me what made her come to me with it."

"Yes, cousin!"

Liu Ye wiped away her tears and left; she returned to the Lu residence, packed her belongings, went to the shop, and waited until Lu Shopkeeper finished speaking with a customer before she hummed.

(End of chapter)