Chapter 204: Unwilling to Leave the Qiao Family

"Then you'd better think it through—once you go back, it'll be even harder to get out later; the Yuan Family never gave you any help and will only hold you back, and I won't let Yuan people point fingers and interfere. When the day comes that you decide to go back, that will be the day you leave my family."

"Does it have to be this way?"

"Yes, that's my principle. I don't like your parents, I don't like the Yuan Clan, and I certainly don't want to get involved."

"I won't go back."

Yuan Jiaqi seemed to have made up his mind; if Qiao Mai were to loosen her mouth, perhaps he would have a moment of softening.

But when forced to choose between Qiao Mai and the family, he chose Qiao Mai.

He came this time also to hear Qiao Mai's thoughts; since she refuses, he would never acknowledge the Yuan Clan even in death.

The next day, Yuan Jiaqi rejected the Yuan Clan Head, and, fuming, asked:

"Why? We have already bowed to you like this; why are you still unwilling?"

"Because I don't want to leave the Qiao Family."

"Did Qiao Niang say something?"

The Jiang Clan Head was left speechless by Qiao Mai's words, and she let out a cold snort.

"If you have something to say, speak up; otherwise don't blame me for being rude."

"You remember what you said, to help as appropriate?"

"You all—sigh!"

"Then what do you suggest? We'll follow you, as long as you come back."

"You promised, why are you backing out?"

"How much, how many?"

"Mother, we're not going back. We are your sons. The Jiang Family has more than just my father's one son, and there are more than just me and Yun'er as grandchildren. Our leaving doesn't affect them much. My parents are buried in the Jiang ancestral tomb; my brother and I sneak back each year to add soil and burn paper for them. We want to be your sons."

The Yuan Clan Head stormed off, but before leaving he turned back to look at Yuan Jiaqi.

"How did I back out? I only said I'd do it if my wife agreed, but with my wife saying this, how could I possibly agree?"

"No, I would never, even in death, leave the Qiao Family."

"Then may I ask, it's been four years, why have you delayed coming until now?"

At this moment, the Jiang Clan Head stepped out from behind and saluted Qiao Mai.

Finally dismissed, Yuan Jiaqi took a deep breath; Qiao Mai watched the scene from afar, shook her head—he still wasn't ruthless enough, still indecisive.

Just as she was dazed, the gate of Jixiang Yuan was knocked again.

Qiao Mai kept a composed face, walked straight over, and blocked them at the courtyard gate, not letting them in.

It's been four years; having raised them, we've grown attached. Moreover, after returning, whether these two will be sent to the School or be treated well is uncertain. No matter how good it is over there, it can't compare to the Qiao Family.

"So you mean you want them to go back?"

"Ugh, I practice charity, but I'm not stupid; my money didn't just blow in with a great wind. I do good deeds, helping the poor, not you scheming scoundrels."

The Yuan Clan Head stepped back a few paces; not to mention ten thousand taels, they can't even produce a thousand.

"My wife raised me, spending countless silver taels to make me what I am now. If you let me go back, I'll go back; not only would she feel uneasy, I also don't want to be this White-eyed Wolf. You may leave; if any matters arise in the clan later, I can help as appropriate."

"What?"

Qiao Mai approached the Fengyun brothers and said, "People from the Jiang family of Qingzhu Village have arrived; they want to take you back, claiming that your parents—just the two of you—are the sons they want to showcase for the family's glory. Mother respects your opinion; if you wish to return, Mother won't make it hard for them. If you don't want to go, they'll come again; you can tell them yourselves?"

"Without three thousand taels of silver, you're just dreaming of taking people! I tell you, the later it gets, the more silver there will be, hum!"

But Qiao Mai didn't return to the back courtyard; she went to find the Fengyun brothers.

Immediately she frowned; it turned out to be people from the Jiang family of Qingzhu Village. What are they here for? Yuan Jiaqi passed the imperial examination, what does that have to do with them?

Are they here to forge ties? Or also to call the Fengyun brothers back?

Just think how furious she'll be; what kind of people are her mother's?

When they were poor, they seized other people's houses, sold others' children; now that there's profit, they shamelessly come back to curry favor.

"Mainly because the children are still young; if they return, they can't work."

"Of course I won't forget."

"Qiao Niang, we're here today not of our own accord, but at the behest of our Jiang Clan Head."

"So this is using me for having raised them for four years?"

"Alright, Mother."

They were in class at that moment; when Qiao Mai entered, the elder teacher made them all stop their reading.

"Each of the two children receives a yearly tuition of two hundred taels, so four years totals one thousand."

"Alright then, give back everything I've eaten, used, spent at her house over these years, and I'll go with you."

"You, you!"

Qiao Mai turned and left; the matron glared at them fiercely, slammed the gate shut, and muttered a low insult.

"Over ten thousand taels, then."

"That doesn't count as exploitation, does it?"

Qiao Mai stood in an inconspicuous spot watching, while the matron, a bit impatient, opened the door.

"Good children, since you've made up your minds, if they come again later, just tell them."

Qiao Mai glanced at the people behind them and said, "I'll leave a condition: if you want to take your clan's children away, you must repay the silver I spent on them over these four years, and also see whether the children are willing. As long as they refuse, even if you have the money you can't take them; if it comes to a lawsuit, I'll see it through to the end!"

"She dislikes the Yuan Family and doesn't want to host any of them in the future; if I go back, I won't be able to return to the Qiao Family."

Qiao Mai stepped out of the room; the elder teacher let them continue studying, and she asked.

The Jiang Clan Head turned pale, saying, "Qiao Niang, you're such a charitable good person; how can you be so calculating?"

Since Yuan Jiaqi topped the list and passed the imperial examination, this door has never been quiet; people knock every day.

"Shameless, brainless scoundrels."

"You are the Clan Head, and since you are doing what's best for the two children, why didn't you take them back to your own home earlier, and why keep them in my house for four years?"

"Then I'll go find her."

The Yuan Clan Head wanted to go find Qiao Mai to discuss, but Yuan Jiaqi stopped him.

"I'm already an imperial scholar now; do I still have to rely on your support?"

"If the Jiang Family is sincere and brings silver, I'll let them go; using silver to settle the matter also lets me see the Jiang Family's attitude—after all, they are the Jiang bloodline, and their parents are gone. My stubbornness in not letting them return isn't reasonable either; what do you think?"

"Then it's perfect to return to our village; our Yuan Clan will collectively support your schooling."

Yuan Jiaqi stayed in the Keting and didn't leave, watching the whole scene. It seemed the lady was constantly fussing over money, but in fact she didn't want the two children to go back and was using this as an excuse to make things difficult for them.

"I am the Jiang Clan Head. I only learned later that the two children's inheritance was seized and sold by their own paternal uncles. I originally wanted to speak up for the children, but I heard they prefer staying here with you, so I let that thought go. Nevertheless, my Jiang Family has already punished the children's grandfather and uncles, and we have kept the property deeds for them. As the clan head, I still hope they will return to their roots."

"I, Wang Jiaru's Old Servant, have been watching. For four years you've treated them as if they were your own children, even better than your own, and now you intend to let them go—can you bear that?"

"Let's first see the Jiang Family's attitude."

"I plan to have the Fengyun brothers meet their fate next year; they aren't as clever as Jiaqi and are still young. If they don't leave your home, I want them to sit for an exam once a year."

"Hmm, sir, you decide; I have no objection."

(End of chapter)