Chapter 265: You

Yuan Jiaqi was just about to head home, and Chuan'er was clutching a pile of food, chewing on it.

"Father, why did you come back at this hour?"

"How did the exam go?"

"The scholar exam should be fine."

"Still eating, you've turned into a pig."

"Mother said I've been thin these days and told me to replenish properly."

"When dad is away, has anything happened at home?"

"You ask me, better ask Grandmother; Dizi has been focusing on the imperial exam, deaf to anything outside the window."

So Yuan Jiaqi went to the old lady, first to pay respects, second to ask about family matters.

The old lady naturally didn't hide anything, and told him what had happened; Yuan Jiaqi wiped the sweat from his forehead.

After seeing his son‑in‑law, the Zhen Guo Prince was pleased, and on the spot examined Yunfeng's Martial Arts, which he truly liked from the bottom of his heart.

"It's still like that, can't move, but Qiao Niang said it will improve in a year; I believe her."

Seeing his son‑in‑law placed fifth, Wang Laoyezi Guogong was overjoyed and hurriedly sent someone to prepare a gift and deliver it.

"Your lady is too willful; for that little thing, she flirted with the other's son."

"We as a couple are one; what's yours is mine. Besides, I'm just a woman—why claim the credit? As long as you're well, our whole family will be well."

Both are old acquaintances, and after meeting, their conversation is not awkward.

"Young master should be back now, right?"

"Madam, I think some of those pine trees can be tapped for oil."

Qiao Mai took a few sips of tea, and the two walked side by side back to the courtyard to sit.

Qiao Mai was on the training ground now, in a good mood; she was twirling a spear, and Yuan Jiaqi watched her silhouette from afar.

Yuan Jiaqi took it and asked, "Honghua Oil?"

The Zhen Guo Prince's mind was sharp, "Really?"

"Her?"

"Thank you."

"Can only understand it intuitively."

If he and his daughter could truly be together, he would later want to take Yunfeng as a son‑in‑law.

"Then assign people to tap the oil; didn't we already teach them the oil‑tapping technique?"

"Hmm, after I return, I'll arrange it; what shall we do with the oil that's been tapped?"

"Someone should also look after her."

"I don't want you, in your official duties, to forget the past; people say one should look far ahead, but past experiences and lessons must not be forgotten."

"When did you return?"

He didn't disturb her, just kept watching; actually Qiao Mai had already seen him, she sheathed her spear and waved at him.

The Zhen Guo Prince gave a wry smile, "I've already seen it; I'm truly afraid of her now—she can at any moment threaten to wipe out my entire clan. In this world, only she would dare say that."

On the fifteenth of April, the old master took Feng'er and his brother to the Zhen Guo Prince's house to bid farewell; Wang Laoyezi Guogong had people prepare two carts of gifts.

"Have you seen Chuan'er?"

They came especially to see the grandson‑in‑law; upon meeting him, they were especially satisfied.

The old master read his thoughts, glared at him, "Wang Laoyezi Guogong, drop that idea; guard Qiao Niang. Who would dare set their sights on her son's affairs? This mother tiger of hers would devour you."

"Hmm, first assign him as a minor leader, and decide later once he's familiar."

The old master couldn't hold back; in a low voice he said, "Marry into the Qiao family, your household won't lose out; listening to my words is correct, right?"

"I will try my best."

"Even if I say it, it only adds to your worries."

"Madam, rest assured, your husband will not forget the past."

"Hmm, the shampoo can be consigned at the general store, and the lacquer can be placed in the Woodworking Shop; I'll later send someone to inquire about the price."

"Is there any manpower?"

"Yes, yes, it was my wife who did it wrong first."

"Right, pine oil has anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects; mixed with some herbs to make Honghua Oil, it works wonders on bruises and injuries."

At this moment, the Yunfeng brothers were resting in Bichun Garden, while the old master was feeding Bai Yangyang tender green fresh grass.

"Alas, I'm grateful now that I have such a formidable mother‑in‑law; otherwise, with a mother like mine, no one could control her."

"That's because you first used force and pressure, sending people to assassinate Yunfeng; otherwise would she say that? It's just retaliation."

"Isn't it because your mouth isn't tight, you didn't keep the secret, and the old master and madam uncovered it with a simple check?"

"Madam, you're too formidable; even the Zhen Guo Prince's residence dares to offend you."

The Zhen Guo Prince grinned, "Yes, she's been spoiled by our family. How is she now?"

On the day the results were posted, the Mu family even sent people to check the list; the brothers performed exceptionally—Feng'er placed fifth, Yun'er ninth, and he never did as well as his older brother.

Yuan Jiaqi held a teapot, poured her a cup of tea and sent it over, saying, "Just arrived home."

"Understood, madam; their temperament is beyond repair, they should just do ordinary work."

"Liu Mei's Xianggong?"

It wasn't for them; it was for Qiao Niang, hoping the two families can turn swords into silk.

"Yes, I've already cultivated them in advance; one of them is your cousin‑in‑law."

"He's still angry with me; we had agreed that I'd wait for him in Jingcheng for the exam."

Qiao Mai took two sheets of paper from her sleeve and handed them to him, "These are two formulas; send people to follow what's written."

"You should stay out of this matter; focus solely on handling the Wheat Seed business and get your official rank promoted quickly, otherwise when Yunfeng gets married, people will mock our family and will mock the daughter‑in‑law's family. These recent affairs are nothing but issues between families. Now that you have your daughter‑in‑law's support, hurry and plant the wheat well so you can earn the Emperor's favor early."

"This formula is really good; it can be entrusted to a pharmacy for sale. What is the one below?"

"Under Qiao Niang's care, they're as obedient as little lambs. How is your lady?"

"This time you offered the new Wheat Seed to the court; the credit is yours."

"Here, Chuan'er's good news has arrived as well—ha, fellow, the Qiao Family: one fifth‑rank official, two provincial graduates, one scholar, and they've caused a stir again."

"Shampoo, mixed according to the proportions above, produces a very harmonious shampoo‑conditioner; pine oil can also serve as varnish and is commonly used by carpenters."

"Wow, my father‑in‑law looks so young, and he's so good‑looking; mother‑in‑law is truly fortunate."

"His servant girl hurriedly gave an explanation, 'Princess, Master Yuan is just thirty this year, and I hear many girls are pursuing him. If, in the eyes of your future father‑in‑law, only Qiao Niang matters...'"

"Now everyone connected to the Qiao Family can't stay seated; seeing the Qiao Family rise, why don't they go soak up some of the spotlight?"

"At noon, the Wang Laoyezi of the State treated them to a meal and personally joined; even the Old Duke and Old Lady Defender Duke were present."

"Otherwise, how could my old wife and I keep staying at her house? I can only say this much; you'll understand later."

"The old master finally stroked his beard and laughed; it seems the marriage between the Wang Laoyezi of the State and the Qiao Family has a chance—so long as the Wang Laoyezi of the State likes this son‑in‑law, there's no problem."

"Of course, my mother‑in‑law is so formidable; if anyone dares to be another, my mother‑in‑law would tear them apart."

"Don't worry, she's very good and very obedient; she never lacks food or drink each day."

"Hmm, Hard Work wife, such a big incident happened and you didn't tell me."

"Even his three sons cannot defeat Yunfeng, becoming defeated generals under him."

"Yuan Jiaqi stayed at home for two days; once he returns, he will follow behind Qiao Mai, and Mu Junzhu also sees her future father‑in‑law for the first time."

"Yesterday the Wang Laoyezi of the State also invited him to the mansion for a chat; he went there with Yunfeng. During the New Year, the Wang Laoyezi of the State made a trip to Tianshui Town, yet didn't even meet the future son‑in‑law, so they should meet each other."

"Let me state first, the four brothers in your family and the two brothers in my family cannot be given important positions."

"Especially those matchmakers, they're about to trample the Qiao Family's gate to pieces."

"Even now Qiao Mai still doesn't loosen his tongue; the child must have prospects—whether only sixteen or seventeen, even twenty‑six or twenty‑seven, he can still marry a good lady."

"Didn't you see those old men, with three wives and four concubines, even a golden‑flower maiden can be found; let alone his own son. Why the hurry? The two brothers are just sixteen."

"In her eyes, they are still children; regarding romantic matters between men and women, it's still too early for them to be involved now."

(End of Chapter)