Chapter 202: I

Qin Yide was uneasy; Ruyi didn't want to return to her natal family nor to her husband's family, and even if there were a servant girl and an old woman, living alone in the School still left Qin Yide uneasy.

So Qiao Mai took her to live in her own courtyard, and by keeping watch over her, she was finally at ease.

She spent each day in the courtyard, basking in the sun while doing Embroidery Work, or strolling back and forth, checking the vegetable garden and the livestock in the back yard, and sometimes going to the Playground to watch the children play for a while.

It was more comfortable than either her husband's family or her natal family, and under Qiao Mai's care she had never been shortchanged in food.

Every day there was a table full of snacks; whatever she wanted to eat was available, all of which were foods beneficial to her and the baby.

She kept her pregnancy a secret, not telling Mrs. Lu San nor her husband's family.

She planned to wait until the months grew larger before mentioning it; she felt that living in Jixiang Yuan, she didn't want her master constantly disturbed, and if she kept silent, no one would come to see her, allowing her to quietly nurture the fetus.

When Qin Yide returned, her fetus would be more stable, and when she went back to the School, it would be convenient for her mother and mother‑in‑law to visit her again.

On the Platform, Qiao Mai selected ten sets of baby clothes, and also bought small blankets and small quilts, all pure‑cotton printed, with designs that were extremely kawaii.

In addition, she bought several packs of toilet paper, a few packs of facial tissue, and also sanitary napkins, all prepared for Ruyi's childbirth.

The Qin Family were delighted to see Qin Yide, and upon hearing that she had passed the imperial examination, they wanted to beat drums and gongs in celebration.

When Yuehong and Yuexia heard this, they felt displeased; Ling'er had been raised by them personally, and apart from the Master, no one had the right to do this, and the two instantly puffed out their chests.

However, as long as her health was fine, she could skip it; she had no plans to have more children, and she was content with these few babies.

Qiao Mai glanced at his hand, nodded, "Fine."

When the Qiao Family heard, they truly felt uneasy, now truly regretting, wishing they had been better to their maiden, and kept showing affection.

Ah

Ling'er was already five years old; she had just celebrated her fourth birthday.

Yes!

Especially the toilet paper, facial tissue, and sanitary napkins—she had never seen them before, and they were far more convenient and practical than what she used.

Later they learned that Yuan Jiaqi had taken first place but did not celebrate, so they let go of their thoughts.

So perhaps feeling that the hero finally had a place to wield his sword, Yuan Jiaqi was especially happy, wanting to bounce as he walked.

However, when she thought of the Tian Family, a cloud of gloom covered her face.

"We will, just like the shrew in the village; if she dares to come up, the two of us—one protects Ling'er, the other goes up and starts fighting, digging at their faces, scratching, pulling their hair hard; if we can't beat them, we shout for others to join the fight."

This can also be counted as a gift from her, as a master, to her disciple and child.

The couple entered the courtyard; Yuan Jiaqi hurried a few steps to the gentleman's side and knelt on both knees.

How could this be? Heaven is so unfair, why does a lowly thing have this kind of life now, why?

Tian Laotou grew angrier as he thought, and a mouthful of old blood actually spurted out, frightening the Tian family who hurriedly had the sons call a doctor.

Then quickly take Ruyi back to report the good news.

By mid‑April, Yuan Jiaqi and Qin Yide had been rushing to the exam for a month; Ruyi was nagging with Qiao Mai in the courtyard, when footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate.

Ha ha, how's that Qin family youngster?

Qiao Mai laughed and said, "Let's just have a family gathering; the harvest is poor, we don't know if the drought will continue. I'll set a table of dishes myself, a little merriment will do; the saved money we can use to help the common folk, that would also be a way for the family to accumulate virtue, right?"

However, the two had passed the examination, and the townsfolk each had their own thoughts.

Speaking of this, Qiao Mai suddenly realized that since arriving here, she had never had her period.

The two looked at them and shouted together, "Madam!"

"Later I'll give you the land deed; you go to the Xian Ya yourself and register it."

"I will work hard; when I find time I'll put the family's land under my name, so the authorities won't have to come to our house to collect taxes."

"Fine, well said, I'll go with that!"

Qiao Mai and Ruyi rose, "Seeing you like this, you probably passed the exam, right?"

After the young couple left, Yuan Jiaqi looked at Qiao Mai with deep affection, "Madam, I won again!"

"The Tian family? The old pair who argued with you today?"

A few years later, when these children grew up, Jixiang Yuan would have a matchmaker visit; thinking that she was only in her early twenties and would become a mother‑in‑law, she laughed out loud.

The two turned their heads simultaneously and saw Yuan Jiaqi and Qin Yide walking in with beaming smiles.

Good!

Don't be arrogant; aim for next year, and we'll take a top scholar in one go.

The elderly gentleman nodded happily, took the official document and examined it carefully.

Mr. Lin, upon hearing this, became even more ill, nearly choking.

The Yuan Clan members, after hearing, felt both joy and sorrow; they were glad that although others didn't acknowledge them, the bloodline was still theirs and had achieved success.

Yuan Jiaqi was three years older than her, having passed twenty‑four years of age.

Well, everyone perceives things differently and will have their own views; you can't say it's right or wrong, you must absorb what is useful for you.

Feng'er, Yun'er came here when they were seven; now four years have passed, they are eleven, and with her generous food and drink, both children are already 1.6 meters tall.

Well, Master, rest assured; we will certainly look after the young Master.

Not bad, keep it up; my goal is to become a Jinshi.

Jiaqi, fortunately did not disgrace the teacher's command, seized the top spot; this is the official document from the authorities, please review it, sir.

"Servant girl, your husband has taken first place again; shall we celebrate?"

"The ranking is also good, thirty‑sixth; we have been sparring with each other all the way, and the student has benefited greatly."

"Shall I teach you how to do it?"

She also taught her how to use it; Ruyi loved every single thing immensely.

He couldn't help but be unashamed, grabbed Qiao Mai's hand, "Come with me to report the good news to the gentleman?"

"Yes, they thought Ling'er was their granddaughter, so they tried to take her away,"

Returning to the back yard, she summoned Yuehong and Yuexia.

"Haha, the master took the top spot again, still the national first, I'm far behind, only thirty‑sixth place."

Chuan'er is eight years old, already 1.3 meters tall; he and Ling'er were both premature babies.

"Yes, sir!"

"From now on, whenever Ling'er goes out, you must protect her. When you meet Tian family members, show the ferocity of a mother tiger, understand?"

Qiao Mai let out a burst of laughter, "Right, just like that. As long as you don't kill them, if anything goes wrong I'll cover you, and if needed let the guards step in."

The sir and the matron had already received a report from the servants that the uncle had returned to the residence, and were waiting in the courtyard.

"Hmm, when you return, first come to you to receive Ruyi."

My body is perfectly fine, I've even cleansed my marrow and cut the meridians, why doesn't this thing appear?

The Original Host never had this thing, yet gave birth to Ling'er—my heavens, what a strange matter.

Qiao Mai is now twenty years old, and in the modern world she's still just a little girl.

The Tian Family, upon hearing this, was so angry they felt like spitting blood. Why? That Qiao Shi—on what grounds? Not only did she earn silver and become rich, but she even became an imperial scholar's wife. She is a servant of the Tian Family; her whole life should be to serve the Tian Family with labor and resentment.

"Not bad, not bad, Qin Yide, you still haven't gone home?"

"Master, rest assured, we would stake our lives to keep her from approaching the little master."

No matter what others think, Qiao Mai has always been low‑key here; we live however we must.

After Qin Yide returned, he rested at home for two days, then opened the School's Dameng and resumed teaching.

In the blink of an eye it was May; although it hadn't rained, the drought wasn't severe yet, and the wheat managed a modest harvest.

As the weather grew hotter, the sun scorched the earth, moisture continuously evaporated, and the drought only then began to show its first signs.

(End of chapter)