Chapter 219: I Don

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, Tianshui Town saw paper‑sized snowflakes drifting down.

The second winter snow arrived, and people joyfully welcomed its coming.

The drought‑fearing villagers would rather have more snow than suffer further hardship from lack of water.

Yuan Jiaqi's county, sparsely populated, saw almost no disputes in winter, and with the free time he slipped home every now and then.

When he returned, he stayed close with his wife; she read, he brewed tea for her, watching her read.

Whenever there was a household matter, he never let her lift a finger, handling everything himself.

He naturally assumed the role of a five‑good Xianggong, which Qiao Mai found very satisfying; naturally, when a man had needs at night, she would fulfill them.

Afterward, Yuan Jiaqi kept wanting to beat himself, claiming he'd sworn off women, yet marital intimacy is normal; the moment he approached his wife, he couldn't control himself.

He didn't realize he had already sunk.

The Qiao Family handed the gift box in their arms to Liu Qiaoshi, "This is a set of crimson‑gold headpieces; I think they're fine. Use them as dowry for Yezi—this isn't just adornment."

"Indeed, marrying just for family background isn't enough; character matters too. Fine, since you've set your eyes on the Dong Family, I'll gladly match the two families. Do you have any requests?"

Just as they spoke, Qiao Mai called out from the doorway.

"I sensed it early; any household that deals with my cousin's family will aid the common folk."

Liu Ye's face flushed red, and Liu Qiaoshi hurriedly snapped the gift box lid shut.

"Life‑saving medicine—only I possess it in this world. Do you think it should be expensive?"

During the day, watching her read earnestly, he couldn't help recalling that incident.

Qiao Mai sat only briefly before leaving, and the old woman departed shortly after; Liu Qiaoshi happily handed the gift box to Liu Ye.

"Qiao Niang, greetings."

"Hello, have a seat. Is this the dowry for my younger sister?"

By mid‑twelfth month, Mayor Qian's illness had nearly recovered; to thank Qiao Mai, he prepared many gifts and came to Jixiang Yuan in person.

"Cousin is truly kind to our family."

After seeing Mayor Qian off, Qiao Mai had the gifts moved into her own house.

"When you're healed, I'll give you another hundred thousand taels of silver."

"Then wait a moment!"

She selected some gifts, sent them to the elderly lady, tossed others into the space for Xiao Qing to manage, kept a set of crimson‑gold headpieces, and instructed the steward to store the rest in the warehouse.

"If you have business, just have someone tell me; you came out in such cold weather."

Look at the hundred‑thousand‑tael silver in my hand; wait for Yuan Jiaqi to return and give it to him.

"In Tianhe Town, there's a family named Dong. They run a general store; the brothers and a sister live there. He is Old Second, of upright character, educated, literate. The sister isn't married yet, but soon will be. The brothers get along harmoniously; the elder brother runs the shop, and he works as the accountant. The family has never quarreled, always easy to negotiate."

"When our family buys a house and isn't short of money, we'll set up a Zhou Peng too. Remember to keep closer ties with your cousin, let her give you more advice; never be headstrong like the eldest of the Lu family."

Zhang Meipo saw Qiao Mai and instantly blossomed into a smile.

"Almost sixty."

"It must be done; I've waited for her all these years."

Liu Qiaoshi pursed her lips, "If we were like your uncle's family, she would have cut ties with us long ago. Mother saw it; she only associates with kind families. You've been in the small town so long, didn't notice?"

"You just prepare the gifts, and later come to drink the wedding wine."

She returned to her room, flashed into the space, refined several batches of such pills, packed them into the Jade Box, and came back to hand them to him.

"Need a humming voice!"

"My elder brother, like me, after the funeral is done, his affairs are almost finished. My brother and I are very close; he is the head of our Qian Family, and we cannot be without him."

"Hmm, I'll come over and see—have we found a family we're interested in?"

"As long as their family sincerely seeks marriage, our family will have no objections."

"Are you sure it's the same as you?"

"That's not like your style; is something wrong?"

Liu Qiaoshi gladly took it, "Maimai, thank you."

Liu Qiaoshi opened the box, almost drooling; a whole set of crimson‑gold headpieces, glittering with golden light.

"Yes, yes!"

Mayor Qian chuckled, pulled out a few sheets of paper from his sleeve and handed them over; Qiao Mai glanced at him, then took a look.

"The pills you gave me that day, I need two boxes—do you have them?"

Hearing Qiao Mai's voice, Liu Qiaoshi ran out joyfully, grabbed her hand, and led her inside.

"No need for politeness; our two families have had a good relationship for years. You being the town mayor here is better than anyone else taking the post, so I truly don't want you to die!"

"I mentioned the Zhang family; you spoke of that Dong household—I've inquired, they look upright and have good character; my daughter also nodded."

That's why I kept finding excuses to go out and help her, fearing I'd turn into a tiger, devouring endlessly.

"Hmph, you talk about money lightly; your hundred‑thousand‑tael silver isn't even enough for a single pill. If I didn't consider you a friend, I wouldn't give you this medicine."

"Qiao Niang, I truly must thank you this time!"

"Did you personally go to inquire?"

"Cousin!"

"Wrap up your matters soon; that way Third Lady won't be alone at home and the house won't feel empty."

"Got it, mother!"

"That family is the worst among the few I mentioned; why did you set your sights on them?"

"You're welcome, you're welcome!"

At that moment Liu Ye entered, heard Qiao Mai's voice, and as soon as she stepped into the Keting, she warmly embraced her arm.

She was scared because of Lu Ruxin's affair; she said a few extra words, and in the end it turned out that way, not realizing it was her fault.

Besides, I want a peaceful life and don't want outsiders to know about this medicine.

Good character, huh.

Your cousin gave it to you as a dowry, saying the extra adornment is counted separately; this set of headgear is worth quite a bit, keep it as a hidden reserve.

Then just give it a try; after all, it won't kill you, only benefits, no drawbacks.

How old is he?

Idle with nothing to do, go out for a walk.

Aunt, are you inside?

Take it, are you still being polite to me?

Haha, borrowing your good words, even I must live to eighty.

I don't meddle in your family's affairs; as long as you think it's good, that's fine.

Isn't this too valuable?

Yo, a silver note worth ten thousand taels, ten at a time, what do you want?

Take a look, are you satisfied?

She took the set of headgear, threw on her coat, and went to the shop ahead; at that moment Liu Qiaoshi was sitting and talking with a matchmaker.

Mayor Qian inhaled a cold gasp, "Is this medicine so expensive?"

I understand, I understand, rest assured, I only save my elder brother; as long as the illness is cured, that's enough, I won't say anything no matter how they question me.

Hmm!

Should be expensive, should be expensive.

Confirmed!

Yo, elder sister‑in‑law, is this the one you have your eye on?

Just like your beloved pet, once you like it, you can't help but kiss it again and again, as if you wish to mash it into your very bones.

When you like it, love it, that's why you can't help but keep demanding it over and over.

Consider yourself mature.

Who is it for to eat?

A certain woman sees through it without exposing it, always waiting until he runs away before she smiles foolishly.

Yes,

Qiao Mai glanced at the gifts piled in the Keting, pointed and said.

Lu Ruxin hasn't shown up for a long time; since she left the Lu family, she bought a Zhai in Fucheng.

During three years of drought, her small shop's business wasn't great; water in the city was exorbitantly expensive, and each of her shops used a lot of water, so the cost of buying water rose. If the cold noodles didn't increase in price, profits were low, but not a loss; the problem was she raised the price of the cold noodles.

Consequently, the clientele dwindled; at that time water was scarce, who would still eat cold noodles?

Those who could afford it were only the wealthy families; now water is no longer scarce, and her cold noodles have returned to the original price.

Business is somewhat better than before, but not as good as it once was; still profitable, just not as much as before.

(End of chapter)