Chapter 227: You Keep Knocking Me to Death

Qiao Mai glared at him, and Yuan Jiaqi quickly changed his tone.

"As long as they like it, raise them; I don't care, it's just a casual remark."

"Hmph!"

Woken by his noise, Qiao Mai didn't go back to sleep, thinking today is the first day of the New Year; she didn't linger in bed, and Yuan Jiaqi got up with her.

Now the whole backyard had only the two of them, not even a servant, and they didn't need one.

After washing up, the couple, carrying a pair of kittens, went to the old lady first.

Upon meeting, the couple first paid their respects to the old lady and wished her a Happy New Year.

Sure enough, seeing such cute little creatures, the old lady instantly fell in love, cradling them in her arms and refusing to let go.

"Did you make these especially for me?"

"Yes, this is a New Year's gift for you; do you like it?"

"No, no, even if we're older we're still peers; from now on you'll have to call me brother‑in‑law, haha!"

The fifth to arrive was Town Mayor Qian, pulling Lu Sanniang in his arms, with Xiuhong and Xiuyu behind him.

At the year's end they each received a red envelope of ten taels, and this added another ten taels, making twenty taels at once, which made the servants overjoyed.

Qiao Mai threw him a flirtatious glance, and Yuan Jiaqi instantly felt a flush spread through his body.

Qiao Mai's face darkened; she knew the old lady felt sorry for how tiny they were, fearing Ling'er wouldn't be able to care for them properly.

Good heavens, Qiao Mai clutched her forehead, unsure whether she'd done a good deed or a bad one—the old lady was already enamored with the cats.

Qiao Mai covered her mouth and laughed; just then, more people arrived at the courtyard gate, and Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai looked over, not recognizing them.

Yuan Jiaqi looked at Qiao Mai in confusion, wondering why the story changed—here it was said they were rescued, yet to the old lady it became a New Year's gift made especially for her.

"My lady, I simply cannot resist your allure!"

"It's so small, splitting them up is pitiful; why not let me keep them all? If Ling'er likes them, just bring them over to hold, and when they're grown I'll give her one to hold."

Liu Qiaoshi acted first, giving each child a big red envelope; Qiao Mai glanced inside and saw silver luo seeds.

"Haha, I've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Qiao Mai whispered to Ling'er: "Mother sees you're not that fond of the kittens; what do you like then?"

"Alright, let's have some fun together."

"Yes, Brother‑in‑law Qian, Sister Lu, Happy New Year!"

Lu Sanniang gave the children New Year's money, then followed them to the side room to eat sunflower seeds and drink tea; anyone staying home would be a fool, the Qiao household has so many good things, why let them go uneaten? Town Mayor Qian, being petty, scooped the tasty snacks from the table and placed them before Lu Sanniang.

"Hehe, tall and big, so stylish!"

The third arrivals were the Tong Shopkeeper's family; during the three years of drought they benefited a lot from the Qiao reputation, otherwise his restaurant would have had to shut down.

Who knew Ling'er, upon seeing the kittens, liked them but didn't want to keep them like the old lady, didn't clamour for them, just petted them a few times and was done.

Still, she kept her daughter's request in mind; she only wanted a big one, so what's the harm? Later she'll look for one on the Platform, raise it for fun, lest there be energy with nowhere to use it.

The second to arrive was the Qin Family's large clan; the Qin Family now also enjoys Qiao Mai's favor, and their business is thriving, not just a little.

Lu Sanniang glared at her in anger, "My sister's family, it's not like I haven't eaten before."

The old lady really adored the two kittens, constantly turning back to glance at them while eating.

The Feng Yunchuan three brothers were very fond of such cats, thinking them extremely beautiful; a cat like this is truly rare, and indeed it's the mother who brings out such precious things.

Moreover, with Yuan Jiaqi, the high‑ranking official, the two reasons combined meant that even elders would come personally to pay New Year's respects.

"Good to know."

"Envious, huh?"

He said nothing else; after all, whatever the lady says or does is right, he'll just follow her orders.

So they stayed at home waiting for them; not many came, and the first through the door were the Liu Family, who, having received their niece's great favor, cared little about seniority—whether she went or they arrived made no difference.

They sat in the living room only a short while before leaving, because more guests kept arriving and they couldn't keep the niece waiting; Qiao Mai didn't stop them and let them go.

"My lady, I'm not Town Mayor Qian, and he isn't me, so I'm not envious; we have our own way of getting along."

"I love it, love it so much; this kind of cat, it's my first time seeing one."

The adults on both sides gave the children New Year's money, the atmosphere lively; after chatting for a while, they saw guests arriving and then took their leave.

"Mm‑mm, your skill is so great, make another pair for her."

How to put it, she wants to hug Qiao Mai, thanking her for bringing the two little ones; the gift fits her heart perfectly.

"Don't even think it, if you knock me dead again, you're dreaming; the winter jujubes are hers, not for you."

Following past customs, everyone first ate breakfast, then went to the living room to wish the Master a Happy New Year; this year was no exception.

"Haha, it's Brother Yuan, younger sibling perhaps, first meeting, didn't expect it to be on the first day of the New Year."

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi didn't act aloof; they rose and exchanged New Year's greetings with them.

Don't let the old master come back later, see this scene, and feel compelled to fight with them.

Because it's the first year after the drought, they wanted celebration; this year's red envelopes were especially large, each containing a gold ingot of ten taels.

When Qiao Mai mentioned that one of the two was for Ling'er, the old lady felt pity.

The fourth to arrive was Qiu Guanshi of Yahang, who ordered a toast and left.

"Like winter jujubes, I absolutely love them; if Mother could give winter jujubes to the daughter, the daughter would come every day to kowtow to Mother."

"Alright, then you keep them; later I'll get her another pair."

Just after the greetings, Jin Mama arrived with Ling'er, and another round of salutations followed.

This year, she's lazy and doesn't want to go.

"Yo, you're shortchanging us, and calling me 'old man'? Clearly you're saying you're older than us."

Qiao Mai shook her head, meeting Yuan Jiaqi's gaze, and let out a giggle.

Liu Qiaoshi finally let Liu Bao accept it; Liu Sunshi on the side was moved beyond words; Qiao Mai gave her a glance—this sister‑in‑law is a good person, diligent and soft‑spoken, and knows how to read the room; after the New Year she'll pick a piece of jewelry to give her.

We have several children at home, they only have one precious little one, so of course we can't let them be shortchanged.

"Really can't resist the temptation?"

After the household chores were finished, the Dameng of Jixiang Yuan opened, Steward Xi led the old women to set off a few firecrackers at the doorway, and more people came to pay New Year greetings.

"Your family's matters, your socializing, I won't go; I want to stay with my little cutie."

"During the New Year, the red‑envelope money is for celebration; by pushing it you're pushing away blessings."

It seems the old lady really likes it a lot, protecting it like a treasure.

My goodness, a six‑year‑old kid, and already so violent!

"Eat, everything from her family is fine, keep the body healthy, give birth!"

Brother Feng Yunchuan arrived shortly after, and the three of them paid New Year respects to the old lady, then also to their parents.

So the two of them rose and greeted them, "Who are you?"

Most were Wang Jiaru's Acquaintance from the Town, and Qiao Mai had previously only paid New Year respects to the County Magistrate.

Everyone had breakfast, no one dispersed, and they planned to go to the front Keting to receive guests; the old lady stubbornly refused to go, she waved her hand at them.

"For example?"

Qiao Mai instantly produced a silver note worth one hundred liang, handed it to Liu Bao, leaving Liu Qiaoshi utterly startled, who hurriedly tried to make excuses.

"Ha ha, Happy New Year, Happy New Year, we're here and won't leave until noon today."

Lu Sanniang's face turned red, she gently gave him a little twist, and he let out an 'aiyo' and went up; what a pair of lively treasures!

Zhu Xianling bowed to the two, "Yi County Magistrate, Zhu Zhengfang, you should have come to pay respects long ago."

"Yo, so a local magistrate has arrived, my apologies, my apologies, please come inside!"

"No need to be polite, Yuan Laodi, you are also a local magistrate; we're mutual, mutual!"

Master followed behind Zhu Xianling, and the group went straight to the Keting; Zhu Xianling also introduced the couple to them.

(End of chapter)