Chapter 221: I, the Official, Am Not Fond of Women

When the twentieth day of the twelfth month arrived, the New Year gifts from each family were in place, and Qiao Mai also prepared return gifts, letting them take them back as well.

Prefect Wang and Madam Wang, together with Zihan, came to fetch people, bringing several carts of gifts, and also gave the year‑end bonus to Qiao Mai.

They stayed at Jixiang Yuan for one night, and Qiao Mai had the Chufang prepare a table of fine dishes.

"No wonder dad and mom don't want to go back; staying here is really comfortable, whatever you want to eat is available, and the house is so warm."

Qiao Mai waved at Zihan, who shyly came before Qiao Mai and said, "Sister!"

"Let sister check your head, okay?"

"Alright!"

Qiao Mai gently pressed her palm on his forehead, then closed her eyes and used her spiritual sense to probe his brain.

Inside it was spotless, indicating that the previous bruised blood had long dissolved; not only that, the Pill had also purified his brain.

She opened her eyes and asked, "Have you been studying lately?"

Not only did she bring items, she also brought silver—silver ingots weighing ten taels each, packed in several boxes.

The girl, being insulted, couldn't hold back and said, "You don't look good either."

"Sir, you?"

"Wife, why did you come on such a cold day?"

Qiao Mai turned and glanced at the few drivers, "Go back and settle the bill with Shopkeeper Niu."

"I, the official, serve the people with all my time devoted to the populace, while you only think of currying favor; get out at once, my Yuan family will no longer welcome you."

I wonder whether, after many years, she is still the pure little girl she once was in her eyes.

I hope that after seeing her again, I won't disappoint myself.

These all came from the mysterious Qiao Niang here, so the family's business gives her a twenty‑percent share, and Madam Wang has no objections.

I will never have three wives or four concubines, and I will always despise those who scramble to become someone's concubine; I wonder how shameless they are.

I mean, at night, isn't one's side empty?

Moreover, each time the person delivering New Year gifts returns, they have her exclusive gift, whose value is not inferior to the bonus.

Madam Wang likes the hair‑cleansing and skin‑care items she gave, and even the goat‑milk soap she gave to the old lady; she especially likes it and bought a large box for her as well.

"Sir, this is my younger sister; if you don't mind, let her make up the bed for you tonight."

"When you leave early tomorrow morning, sister will give you a set of gifts; you must study well, okay?"

"In the Keting, receiving guests."

"Hmm, where is the Wang Laoyezi?"

It's been several years, and Wang Jiaru hasn't returned; when she occasionally writes, it's just to ask for food.

"Ah, you're going to school?"

She had visited the County Magistrate's residence once; coming again by light carriage, she arrived at the doorway.

"Isn't this thinking of you? I came to bring you some New Year goods, and unexpectedly someone else also brought you New Year goods, a living creature, shall I introduce it?"

On the twenty‑sixth day of the twelfth month, the whole Wang Family left Jixiang Yuan and returned to Fucheng for the New Year.

The things she gave always made Prefect Wang look even more distinguished each year.

The brother and sister were extremely nervous; they originally wanted to ingratiate themselves with the County Magistrate, but unexpectedly ran into a gun barrel—didn't the County Magistrate's wife never come here?

Qiao Mai surveyed the man and woman in the Keting: the man was in his early twenties, the woman sixteen or seventeen; judging their looks, sixty percent bad, thirty percent bad, the remaining ten percent still bad.

"Hmm!"

"At a School in Fucheng."

"But I am a wife, a homemaker, and do not need beauty, while a concubine must serve with charm; you have no appearance at all, yet you dare to recommend yourself for the pillow; I truly don't know whether your brains have been deceived."

The man, though angry, did not dare to act, and at that moment a girl's voice sounded.

It stopped at her own doorway; the old women from her Yuanzi kept loading things onto the carts.

Yuan Jiaqi heard the sound, looked toward the doorway with pleasure, then took a few quick steps forward and grabbed Qiao Mai's hand.

Madam Wang smiled at the scene; thanks to Qiao Niang, her Dizi recovered to normal.

She also bought Zihan a set of especially expensive inkstones, brushes, ink, ink sticks, and ten Sword very good paper.

She had already sent the New Year gifts to the old lady and the Wang Laoyezi; when leaving, she just took them away together.

She summoned winter jujubes from a space, rode them ahead to lead the way, with five freight carts following.

Yuan Jiaqi looked at the man below, his brows furrowing.

"Sir, my brother's intentions are good; which man in this world doesn't have three wives and four concubines?"

A hundred li away, it takes about an hour.

The family ate a satisfying meal at Jixiang Yuan and went to rest early.

"Mistress, you have arrived."

"Yes, yes!"

"Get out!"

When the year ends, others don't have it, her family does; what others have, his family simply doesn't desire.

Of course, the fruits in her space also packed quite a few for them.

"Hmph, you don't even send something good; even if my Xianggong doesn't use it, just having it to look at is enough, such goods are really not that great."

A family of three being able to come together is also because they are after the rare goods here.

"Introduce what? As a husband I really don't want to see them; I thought it was for the people's matters to call me, but it turned out to be just to deliver a woman. I, the official, am not fond of women; at most I have only my wife as a woman."

When Zihan was at the dining table, she mentioned several foods, so she bought a lot on the Platform as well: canned luncheon meat, canned yellow peaches, ham, spicy sour boneless chicken feet, egg tarts, sushi, and some snacks, buying a large box of each.

"This is my official family matter; besides, Shexian is only a hundred li from my home, so riding a fast horse back reaches it quickly—how could it be inconvenient?"

Thinking that the New Year is approaching, Yuan Jiaqi will certainly be busy; after sending off the Wang family, she immediately hired several mule‑drawn carts in the Town.

Prefect Wang loves meat; the cured pork, cured sausage, marinated meat, and pickled pork leg were all packed into a box.

Today Yuan Jiaqi didn't return home, so she can practice cultivation in the space tonight and also prepare a return gift.

She wants to go see Yuan Jiaqi, and also bring some of the family's specialties, so that he can distribute them to his subordinates; a whole year has passed, and she can't let the people who follow him feel disheartened.

"I, the official, care about the common people; after a day's toil I only want a good night's sleep. Moreover, I do not favor women; if you have business, speak up, otherwise you may return. I still have matters to attend to."

"Wang Laoyezi Yuan, I have heard that your lady has not come to Shexian for a long time, and you have no woman to look after you. Isn't that rather inconvenient?"

After speaking, she headed straight for the Keting, and before she reached the doorway, she heard a man speaking inside.

Qiao Mai patted the horse's rear and said, "Go have some fun on your own; we'll be back shortly."

Although he entered school late, the teacher said he is extremely clever; with proper cultivation, he will surely shine within three years.

Qiao Mai dismounted and led Dongzao inside; the servants did not go in to report. What would the matriarch report? This is the Master's house, and also the matriarch's house.

"Send someone to unload the carriage and first unload it into the courtyard in front of the Keting door."

The Dameng was open; the gatekeeper saw it and hurriedly ran up close.

Wang Zongsheng, like his father, never regarded Qiao Niang as a junior; she is too mysterious. He is willing to befriend her, protect her, revere her, even though she appears to be his junior.

The people of the Small Town are all willing to do the Qiao Family's work; the pay is high, the money is given generously, and if the work is done well, they will give even more.

"How could my man possibly have three wives and four concubines? If he dares to have them, I dare to do four to him."

The girl's complexion turned pale in an instant; she anxiously glanced at her brother several times.

Yuan Jiaqi thought, 'You want me dead,' his face darkened, and he pointed at the doorway.

Yuan Jiaqi grabbed Qiao Mai's hand and said, "Madam, we won't talk with a brainless person."

Qiao Mai glared at him fiercely, like a wild tigress.

"If you dare to take a concubine, I will break your leg!"

"I would not dare; I only need you as my one woman; any other, no matter how good, would not interest me."

(End of Chapter)