Chapter 270: Something's Wrong at Home?

Qiao Mai closed her eyes and sensed her two spiritual awarenesses—one inside the gate indicating the person was safe, the other right here on the battlefield.

She walked alone, gently, searching for the other spiritual awareness.

In the distance, she saw a figure beneath the Zhangan; he held the Zhangan, keeping it upright, while the person lay flat on the ground.

Qiao Mai hurried over, tugged the Zhangan twice but couldn't move it; she sighed helplessly and directly pulled the flag and the person together into the space.

The injured one was Yun'er; his body was covered with Sword wounds, and he had fainted from severe blood loss.

Fortunately, the talisman Qiao Mai gave worked, blocking a fatal wound to his chest; otherwise Yun'er would have already died.

Inside the space, Qiao Mai fetched the first‑aid kit, stitched up the gaping wounds, then gave him the Pill to swallow.

She watched his wounds heal completely in a moment, fed him some Linghe Water, then brought him out of the space.

She glanced around, clasped Yun'er with her arm, and quietly flew into Nanguan.

At this moment, wounded soldiers were everywhere, many Physicians were rescuing the injured; Qiao Mai knew Yun'er had left danger and would awaken soon.

A voice asked, startling the few people present into panic, "Y‑you, who are you?"

"The Master sent us here to get a few decent recipes from the Qiao Family Small Food Puzi; in such a rundown place, not to mention, damn, there really is good food."

"I think their pickled vegetables and sauces are quite good, especially refreshing."

"I think popcorn, rice crisps, and yogurt drink sell fastest, make the most money, and taste best."

"Take care of yourself, and it's as if you helped Mother."

"Um, to give an example, it shows how diligent we are."

"Yun'er, Yun'er?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, five or six people arrived at the doorway, the same folks who had sat together drinking at the inn last night.

"Just selling a few snacks, and they already take notice."

"Yes, Master, they may have come prepared; even the old lady can't curb their arrogance. It seems they won't stop until they get the recipes."

"Yes, we won't let Mother worry about the two of us."

"Hmm, the Shiren have arrived; give me a fierce push, preferably send them back to Jingcheng."

"You say they nest here doing trade; they'd be better off in Fucheng or Jingcheng—that would earn far more money."

"Hmm, their sausages and braised meat are good; can't sell in summer, but winter should be fine, and those two recipes are also decent."

After a night of peace, early the next morning Qiao Mai pulled back the curtains, looked outside, and saw snow half a foot deep still falling.

"No need, such a small matter, I can handle it myself."

Yun'er suddenly grabbed Feng'er's hand, "Brother, stop thinking about our parents; our current mother has given us a life‑saving rebirth, we must not become White‑eyed Wolf."

"Master, we guard every night, nap during the day; we eat grass and milk what we squeeze out."

The old man glanced at Qiao Mai, "If we can't handle it, I'll write a letter and ask the Marquis of Defense for help."

Ling'er and Chuan'er hurriedly asked, "Mother, is there anything we need to help with?"

"Hmm, you take it easy."

Fengyun, shaken, opened his eyes, "Brother, I'm fine, you don't need to rush; I just feel tired and want to nap a bit."

"Made Grandmother worry; leave this to me, tomorrow I'll go see them."

Feng'er held Yun'er and cried, Yun'er grinned, "Mother's talisman worked; I saw that Sword slash heading for my chest, and unexpectedly I was fine."

In no time, Feng'er, like a maniac, examined each wounded face, shook his head at one in disappointment, wiped tears from another, and finally spotted Yun'er, then shouted ecstatically.

He then placed him in a very conspicuous spot and vanished into midair.

The old lady sat with her for a while then left; the snow outside grew heavier, and shortly after, Shopkeeper Niu arrived.

At Yongtai Kezhan, in an Upper Room, several candles were lit, a few people drank Wine and ate dishes, their faces full of disdain.

"Master, you must be careful."

"Master,"

"Milk goat?"

"Hmm, my luck was bad; I ran into an enemy general, but he wasn't doing well either, so I cut off his leg."

"Then tonight we'll give her a taste of color; I heard the matriarch can use techniques, so we'll test her. If she refuses, we'll destroy her."

"Which food recipe caught your eye?"

Qiao Mai smiled, ate a few bites casually, then got up and went to the shop ahead.

"It's fine if nothing's wrong, it's fine; if something happens, even if brother dies, we have no face before our parents."

"Their roasted snacks are good too; Jingcheng doesn't have as many varieties as their house."

When she returned home, night had fallen; she sat cross‑legged on the kang, brewed herself a pot of hot tea, took a sip, and the old lady arrived.

As soon as she entered the room, she shouted, "Has the east family arrived?"

"Brother is just thinking, not trying to be a White‑eyed Wolf; rest assured, even if we die, we can't be ungrateful and immoral."

"Went out for a walk, something happened at home?"

"Hmm, the old lady trusts you,"

When Qiao Mai entered the shop, the clerk quickly poured a cup of caramel milk tea and placed it before her, then went to work.

After Shopkeeper Niu left, Qiao Mai sipped tea and used her spiritual power to scan the only inn in Tianshui Town.

"You're just this popular in a small town in Beifang; if the recipes were nationwide, people would naturally be envious."

"Yes, Master"

"Yes, Master!"

"Hmm, then bring all the homemade food recipes from their house home, and present them to the Prince; the old man will surely be delighted."

"Several people came to the shop today, saying they wanted to do business with you; Shopkeeper Niu sent someone to invite you, but found you absent, so those people stayed inside refusing to leave, insisting on seeing you. So I stepped in; if it weren't for my First‑rank Life‑bestowing Lady Signboard, they'd have tried to bully us. They have a big backing; even I wasn't scared—behind them must be either a First‑rank official or someone from the royal family."

"Hmph, it shouldn't be just the recipes that simple,"

He touched his chest and laughed foolishly, Feng'er nodded, "Mother's things are all good; when we go out to battle later, don't charge forward foolishly—life is the most important."

The voice seemed magical, and a person with poor self‑control blurted out, "My family's Prince is the emperor's eldest son, called the Steady Prince."

She got up and went to the old lady's side; Ling'er was there, Chuan'er was there too; on a snowy day, they probably all wanted to crowd together and enjoy the bustle.

Qiao Mai asked from a distance, "Zhujia, who is your family's Prince?"

Shopkeeper came to her side and sat down, "Master,"

"Guard the Zhaiyuan well tonight; if the Shiren gets a hold, see how I'll deal with you."

"Who is your family's Prince? Answer me first?"

"Brother, well done."

Qiao Mai took a sip of milk tea, "It's me!" She didn't even stand up.

"Hmm, you've been tired all day; go back and rest early."

"What if she doesn't give it?"

Qiao Mai withdrew her spiritual power and immediately ordered the three little sheep, Bai Yangyang, Mianyangyang, Ruanyangyang.

"Then we won't know; I heard, apparently after hearing someone's bedside whispers, let's see."

"How did he know about this place?"

"Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, where did you go today?"

"Hmm"

In midair, Qiao Mai let out a soft sigh, and after re‑projecting her divine consciousness onto the two brothers, she slowly flew toward Tianshui Town.

"Hmm, I've heard about today's events; after those people arrive tomorrow, you should immediately send someone to report to me."

The workers had just cleared the snow from the storefront, stocked the goods that needed stocking, and the workers in the back, who were out of stock, were currently preparing more.

A few people saw her, gave her a quick appraisal, then rudely pushed aside the Shopkeeper and sat opposite Qiao Mai.

Qiao Mai signaled the Shopkeeper to get busy, and the few people stared at Qiao Mai.

"You are the owner of this shop?"

"If you have something, just say it?"

(End of Chapter)