Chapter 222: If Something

The brother and sister in the Keting could truly no longer stand each other; no wonder they're a married couple—both equally annoying, and when they speak, both wound each other.

Leaving the County Magistrate's residence, a careless step on the lower platform made me fall flat.

Qiao Mai rolled her eyes, "Just became a junior County Magistrate, and someone's already throwing themselves into your arms?"

Wife, I can keep it under control; you relax.

Don't blame me for not warning you; in the past, if you fancied another woman, I would have let you go. Now you're sleeping with me, you can only be mine. I have a cleanliness obsession; if you touch another woman even once, whether voluntarily or not, I won't forgive you.

Wife, I swear that from now on, no matter which woman I encounter, I'll keep at least three meters distance from her, except you.

Swearing? Plans can't keep up with change; your oath is useless. If someone wants to cling to you, there are plenty of ways to make you submit.

Not afraid; I have the medicine my wife gave me—if anything goes wrong, I'll take it.

Qiao Mai pursed her lips, "The New Year goods outside are what I brought for you; distribute them to your subordinates and go count them?"

Yuan Jiaqi held her hand, "Wife, you are the best thing to me in this world; in this lifetime I cannot repay you; your husband is deeply moved."

Remember what you said.

Qiao Mai blew a Whistle, and Dongzao arrived with a rhythmic clip‑clop of hooves.

Don't forget to give them a reward.

Yes, Madam, we will certainly follow the adult's instructions and work hard.

Qiao Mai was in a good mood; the servants opened the side door, she rode out on a horse, tilted her head and saw that young lady staring blankly at the Dameng, like Daiyu, frail, her eyes still red.

What to do when I'm so moved? The Lord and his wife are so approachable; I've never seen a County Magistrate like this.

Thank you, Lord!

They each had two apples, two pears, five oranges, half a bunch of bananas, and Ten Taels of Silver.

Seeing that the items were almost all selected, Yuan Jiaqi had someone send them to the storage.

He even hummed, "Indeed, my Xianggong is handsome, talented, and crucially the head of a county; many women admire him, but they can only admire."

Ah, Lord, this is from the Madam.

The servants were almost kneeling before Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai; these days in Shexian, finding a job is hard, let alone receiving such a reward, and encountering such a Main Family is even rarer, so they cherish it greatly.

Yuan Jiaqi glared at them, "Otherwise, my official salary is so low it can't even buy these things."

Putting aside looks, his entire bearing is beyond what she can compare to.

"Being devoted to me, sharing a lifetime together, is the best repayment."

When does the County Magistrate's Office have a holiday?

Qiao Niang smiled, "I suppose everyone knows the Jixiang Yuan in Tianshui Town?"

Eh, eh

Close the door, close the door; from now on, if any woman shows up, say I'm not here; unless it's official business, drive them away and have them take their official matters to the County Magistrate's Office.

So you tell me to get lost? I finally get to be with my wife, and you can't see my goodness? Single lads you don't want, you chase married men—have you lost any sense of shame?

Mm, this year you did well; next year do even better, my wife will still issue rewards.

Everyone, go be busy.

If I'm unclean, I'll end myself.

She flipped onto the horse; Yuan Jiaqi watched his wife's graceful figure, enviously beyond words.

Yuan Jiaqi ordered the household servants, "Buy dozens of Baskets, each person gets five apples, five pears, twenty oranges, a bunch of bananas, a honeydew, a piece of cured meat, five intestines, and then another Twenty Taels of Silver."

Whether eating, drinking, or staying, everything is extremely enjoyable.

Yuan Jiaqi almost burst into tears, "Wife, I am wronged; the legs are on them, I can't just break them, can I?"

Wife, stay tonight.

Just as he was about to speak, people arrived at the doorway; Yuan Jiaqi's face darkened and he roared.

Hehe, yes,

Twenty County Magistrate's Office guards and six clerks stood in perfect order at the doorway.

Watching Qiao Mai spur her horse and ride away, Yuan Jiaqi glared fiercely at the girl in the doorway, then rose and walked toward the County Magistrate's Office.

"Take your own Basket, put whatever you like in it; each gets a hundred Taels of Silver; fetch it yourself from the chest; you've toiled for over half a year."

"Yes, the six guards the gentleman gave me have stayed by my side without leaving."

Qiao Mai patted Dongzao's head, "Let's go, let's return home; home is still comfortable, no trouble."

Do you have a crush on Lord Yuan?

Is there any escort?

These items are quite valuable, thank you, Madam!

Hearing that the Lord actually arranged New Year goods for them, they shouted excitedly one after another.

Haha!

Qiao Mai smiled, glanced back at the doorway at Yuan Jiaqi.

Lord, this is what we ought to do.

Qiao Mai pursed her mouth, "Why didn't I notice before how eloquent you are?"

"It's, it's not that I want the wife happy, I learned some from the books."

"Wife? Can we stop mentioning them? As your husband tells you, the Jiutian Xuannü has arrived, and my eyes only see the wife."

"I grant you to admire my husband; people like beautiful things, but love must keep its virtue. My husband and I are affectionate; don't interfere, otherwise I'll bear a grudge and will cut off the surrounding peach blossoms for you."

It is worth noting that Shexian is very poor, unable to support a county deputy or a so‑called County Defender; therefore, Yuan Jiaqi here doesn't need to consult anyone—he decides alone.

The two waited for the Steward and the accountant to tally these items; after Yuan Jiaqi reviewed them, he ordered someone to summon all the County Magistrate's Office officials here.

Qiao Mai rode up to her, "Girl, is there a lover now?"

"Thirty is a holiday, the twenty‑ninth afternoon I will return; if nothing, after the fifth day of the new year I will leave."

The officials cheerfully carried the Basket away, then the servants of the residence followed, and Yuan Jiaqi gave another round of gratuities.

The two left the Keting together and saw the mountain‑like piles of goods in the Yuanzi, promptly ordering the Steward and the accountant to bring people to tally them.

He turned around sharply, "Do you have a grievance to report?"

The girl shook her head, "Then are you going to lodge a complaint?" The girl shook her head again.

"Follow my lord's orders properly; I won't mistreat you any longer. You're welcome to visit my home during the New Year."

Qiao Mai sneered and chuckled, "Your romantic prospects are really flourishing, aren't they?"

Finally the guards arrived, and Qiao Mai pointed at the remaining heap of items.

The girl chased after him, "Sir, sir?"

"They think I'm a fake, but they truly respect my status as County Magistrate."

The girl looked up, shocked, and examined her.

"I really can't get used to this place; if you let me stay, I won't be able to sleep a single night."

The girl's face flushed red, she quickly lowered her head and made no sound.

"Very well, then; I will try to return as early as possible."

"Go get it. Whatever you want to eat, tell me after we're back in Tianshui Town, and I'll arrange it for you."

"I want to go back."

"Next time you come, I don't want to encounter this again."

"Madam, that one?"

"Who said that? That Princess is actually the one who has her eye on you."

"Wow, so the lady is the matriarch of that family. My god, we all knew, and even secretly bought things; your household's snacks are truly delicious."

These guards have been following Yuan Jiaqi; they all love Jixiang Yuan, and every time they return it feels as if they've entered heaven.

"There will be."

After Yuan Jiaqi finished shouting, he finally felt less troubled in his heart.

He glanced at the girl, "Are you mute?"

The girl shook her head, "Sir, I truly admire you sincerely."

Yuan Jiaqi took a deep breath, "I love my wife very much; in this lifetime I will only be good to her, I will never take concubines, even if she dies I will remain chaste for her, understand? Ah, pfft pfft pfft, my wife will never die."

(End of chapter)