Chapter 242: Now It Is Greatly Renowned

In the blink of an eye May arrived, and the weather in the north is both dry and hot.

Qiao Ji Snack Puzi's two drinks, Passionfruit Ice Juice and Yogurt‑Sour Milk with Ice Fruit Bits, sell like hotcakes every day.

Customers stream in daily to drink these two beverages, and selling a cup of Yogurt‑Sour Milk makes more profit than selling several pounds of fruit; gradually, Yogurt‑Sour Milk became the synonym for Qiao Ji Snack Puzi.

Whenever Qiao Ji Snack Puzi is mentioned, people naturally think of that drink.

Whenever that drink is mentioned, everyone also thinks of Qiao Ji Snack Puzi.

Since May began, the shop's daily revenue has exceeded several hundred taels of silver; many young masters and mistresses from wealthy families rush by carriage to have a cup or two.

Because of this drink, Qiao Ji Snack Puzi has become famous throughout the Weicheng region.

It was once somewhat known; now it is widely renowned.

Each time Yuan Jiaqi returns and passes the shop's entrance, he feels that his wife is extremely shrewd in business; one small shop yields the profit of dozens of others.

This time, he will stay at home for a few days and have the officials escort the saplings back.

"What is it?"

Yuan Jiaqi pretended she was consoling herself, saying that anyone who can be a general has fought countless battles and has superb martial skill; his daughter‑in‑law's martial arts are also excellent, but after all she is not the best in the world.

At that moment, Qian Town Mayor and Lu Sanniang were called away by the household servants; besides, without entertaining guests, there are a few tables of visitors at home, otherwise no one would bring a dowry, and their faces look dull.

"Did you give (it)?"

Thinking of the Chen Family in Fucheng, she couldn't help but think of the Qu Family in Shexian.

"Don't buy wasteland anymore!" she said after a brief pause.

"No longer inviting, I'm getting old, Sanniang is not young either, I don't want the hassle; helping deliver some dowry for her is better than anything."

Yuan Jiaqi's face flushed, "Let nature take its course."

"Rest assured, with me there, at worst we go to the enemy camp and cut off the enemy commander's head; I won't let anything happen to you."

"There's none left; they only ever had one daughter who married me. Since that daughter died in a difficult birth, they've been ill ever since and have kept passing away."

The two sit like that, watching the groom's wedding procession arrive, taking away Lu Ruxin, with the dowry pulled on a dozen or so carts.

"A few of my brothers went to Shexian looking for me, wanting a job."

He hurriedly closed his eyes, "Sleep now,"

Qiao Mai shot them both a glance, "Even without giving birth, I have more children than yours."

"Yes, but I set a condition: you must not say you have any connection with me, otherwise I'll quit them. Also, your two brothers have also come looking for me."

"Time really flies; Fengyun is already fourteen. In the village, at that age one should be talking about marriage, right?"

"Marry?"

"Of course, don't just talk about us; what about you? Any news yet?"

"Girl, I'm sorry, I didn't have anyone arrange this for you, afraid you'd be unhappy."

At the end of March, Lu Sanniang had just gotten married, not even a year ago, and Lu Ruxin already left the Qian Family to marry away; it really feels like a dream.

The rainy season in Tianshui Town is approaching; the crops have already sprouted tall, so a little rain would be perfect, sparing the villagers from having to irrigate.

"A few days ago Feng'er and Yun'er's in‑laws came over; what about Chuan'er's in‑law?"

Qian Town Mayor chuckled, "Absolutely fine. That man, though widowed, is good‑looking, educated, comes from a respectable family, and has a good relationship with my Qian family."

"Hmph!"

A line of stalls belonging to Qiao Ji Snack Puzi, along with the School's cool pavilion, attract many people seeking shelter from the rain.

"Although I, as your husband, am an imperial official, I can't claim all soldiers are good; you should understand, wife."

"Mm, understood,"

"I get it, how is the person Lu Ruxin married to?"

Just then Liu Hai came out to serve noodles to the customers, saw Qiao Mai, and said, "Cousin, brother‑in‑law, good morning!"

"Have a few more children; after all your family has the money to raise them."

The next day, a rare idle moment for the couple, after eating they went out for a walk, just as they stepped out of the doorway.

"Chuan'er is eleven, Ling'er is seven; in a flash they're that big. In a few years we'll be grandparents, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Too many are hard to manage!"

"No births; probably the premature delivery damaged the foundation, maybe they won't be able to have children anymore."

"By the end of June it'll be about right."

"What I, as husband, want to say is that this year the grain price may rise, the grain tax will increase accordingly, the court will reinforce troops at Beiguan, and they'll come along this Guan Dao; you should have the shop's people be extra cautious."

"We're on it, we're obeying everything you told us."

"No more buying; the whole county's large wastelands are almost all in our hands."

"Now Sister Lu can be at ease; have you two taken the medicine?"

"Qu Guniang, are you alright?" he casually blurted.

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi held hands and sat in front of their own shop, and the clerk served them two cups of Yogurt‑Sour Milk.

"Having children is just to fend off old age; the few kids we have at home are enough. When they happen, when they count, matters of fate cannot be forced."

A muffled thunder rolled, and raindrops fell.

"It's fine; even if we never have children, I, as husband, will remain as devoted as now, being good to you all my life."

"Good morning, what's this at Qian Town Mayor's house?"

He saw fireworks being set off at Qian Town Mayor's doorway, with celebratory red silk hung, and asked, "What's this?"

"The boys are fine; later, let them first establish a career before marrying, and then pick a good one."

Feng'er and the others have all grown up; recalling those two, Yuan Jiaqi said.

"Did you also give (it)?"

Yuan Jiaqi glanced at her belly, "Madam, did you take the birth‑preventing medicine? Why hasn't there been any sign yet?"

"Madam, rest assured I've already divided them into portions for the workers; they're all close to home, so it'll be easy to manage later."

Yuan Jiaqi was startled, "As your husband I didn't know; I really don't care about her, she has so many tasks every day. By the way, there's something very important; I came back specifically to discuss this."

Mayor Qian and his wife came out to greet, and Lu San‑niang was crying messily; when she saw Qiao Mai, she immediately wiped away her tears, pulled her husband, and walked over.

At night, after the couple finished exercising, they talked about Chuan'er's in‑laws.

"The Hedao has just been dug up to our side; once war breaks out, the court will focus on the Hedao. If the north falls, Shexian will become dangerous, and the common folk will just manage to get by a little."

At least she won't have to endure the ten‑month pregnancy again, the excruciating pain of childbirth, or the Hard Work of raising a child.

Yuan Jiaqi thought of her whole life, that she never even had a biological child, and, feeling pained, pulled her into his arms.

"The north may go to war; supplies are passing through Shexian in the middle of the night."

Qiao Mai let out a long sigh, "As long as no one comes looking from your side, it's fine."

Yuan Jiaqi, though he had a slight regret, thought it was fine that the two of them had no child.

"Really, you've let it go?"

Qiao Mai kept listening and couldn't help but think of the upcoming troubles—arranged meetings, Betrothal, mother‑in‑law relations—and just the thought gave her a headache.

"They only want to earn money with their own hands; as long as they're not trying to profit from your fame without effort, helping other families—why not help them."

"Hmm, why does a daughter's marriage mean the household doesn't entertain guests?"

On the road, pedestrians were running around in a panic; fortunately the rain wasn't heavy, and Ruxin's chosen wedding day today was truly perfect.

"How much longer does it still need to be cultivated?"

Qiao Mai stopped humming, hoping Yuan Jiaqi's kindness would be rewarded, for not everyone is grateful.

"Hmm, hmm."

Yuan Jiaqi has tasted it and likes it very much.

Liu Hai whispered, "It's Ruxin's wedding; the famous matchmaker Bao's match, I heard he's from a prominent family in the twin cities of Nantian, has good relations with the Qian Family, and is even an imperial scholar. Not long ago his primary wife fell ill and passed away, so …"

"Got it. With me at home, you can rest assured."

"This war is turning into a war of attrition; the imperial treasury was already not abundant, sigh~"

Qiao Mai patted his shoulder, "Do your best as County Magistrate; you're neither a general nor a strategist. Just ensure the people of your county remain safe and sound, and don't let the enemy cause chaos before your own camp does."

"Hearing my lady say that makes me feel so reassured!"

(End of chapter)