Chapter 280: All Killed by Winter Jujube

On the day of the engagement ceremony, Feng'er, together with Steward Guo Yun, left Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi never to get ahead again.

What a spectacular sight—hundreds of people carried the betrothal gifts, and Feng'er led his soldiers escorting them all the way to the Duke of Zhen Guo's residence.

The townsfolk lining the street couldn't see inside the box; just by looking at the box they knew the betrothal gifts were substantial.

Because the gift boxes were made of sandalwood, they emitted a lingering fragrant aroma; a single sniff told you it was fine wood.

As the matriarch of the household, the duchess naturally had to bring people to receive them into storage.

Feng'er knew this mother‑in‑law didn't favor him; he said little, only had the Steward hand the gift list to the duchess, then went to keep the Duke of Zhen Guo company.

When the betrothal gifts were inspected in person, the Duke of Zhen Guo treated the son‑in‑law to a meal; he genuinely liked the youngster.

When no one was around, behind the scenes they always praised Feng'er, joking that if there were another daughter, she must marry Guo Yun.

The duchess also often rebuked him, "You've already jumped into the fire pit, and you still want your own people to jump in again? No way."

The Duke of Zhen Guo, not to be outdone, said, "Go out and ask around which family's maiden doesn't want to jump into this pit? It's only you. Let me tell you, even the royal princess has her eyes on Qiao Fengyun, and you still look down on it? Who do you think you are?"

"Fine then, wife, you're a woman of opinions; just remember for your husband to keep the empty room day and night."

She can fly; a journey that takes an hour, she wants to ride a horse and brandish the reins once.

"Little miss, your horse is fine; I fancy it. What price do you ask?"

"Heh, there's nothing in this world I can't buy; honestly, if you behave, I might give you three heads and two taels, but if you don't…"

Winter Jujube, hearing the master's praise, lifted its front hoof and let out a loud whinny.

The Playboys waved his hand from behind, "Come on, take the horse for me."

This is an outright robbery; Qiao Mai also moved, looking at Winter Jujube, "Jujube, someone's trying to snatch you from my side. Where to go? You handle it yourself."

After finishing a bowl of noodles and a pot of wine, the people the Playboys brought all ended up lying on the ground.

Winter Jujube's heart burned: "You bunch of scumbags, what are you, worthy of snatching me? Tagging along with my master has any future? You're nothing but trash!"

This matter is truly hard to handle; robbery makes you a bandit, and bandits are to be executed by all, as Great Ming Law states, and there were too many onlookers.

"Long time no see, old pal, your hair has become even more fiery, denser, and more imposing?"

We can't let mother and father be apart this long; it harms feelings and isn't good for pregnancy—so young, thinking too much.

Chuan'er watched silently; he decided to spend another two years to become a Jinshi, then secure a leisurely minor official post in the court to help his mother assess external estates, so she wouldn't have to work so hard.

Now they needn't rush; seeing the husband and son on the right path, Qiao Mai plans to return for a look.

"Hmph, they're all blind."

The couple tangled together like glue all night; the next day, Yuan Jiaqi attended court, and Qiao Mai summoned Winter Jujube, mounted, and left Jixiang Yuan.

Upon hearing the master's words, it flared up, twisted its body, not only kept people away but also kicked wildly.

"Ah, that's quieter. Besides, I'm returning to handle affairs, not for pleasure or play."

The old master and old lady live happily here, so they don't mention returning, but there's a pile of household matters and the Shexian workshop; she can't ignore them.

One sentence scared the duchess into silence, because the princess and duchess of the royal clan who coveted Guo Yun would consider calling someone blind an insult to royalty.

The scene turned bloody for a while; the onlookers all kept their distance, daring not to look closely.

Fearing the horse might go berserk, even daring to kick and bite them.

Winter Jujube's spatial mutation made its speed two to three times faster than usual; passing a carriage, it was like a gust of wind lifting a swirl of yellow dust that vanished.

It's October, and the capital's climate has become a bit crisp; she fastened a cloak, clamped the horse's belly, and Winter Jujube kicked off its four hooves and took off.

Still alone, she felt carefree, reaching out to pat Winter Jujube.

This matter is neither too big nor too small; if the emperor decides to punish you, it becomes a massive crime of family confiscation and exile.

Qiao Mai laughed, "Of course I'll remember, but you also must remember I'm not easy to provoke; if you dare to bring me trouble, I'll not only uproot the flowers but also cleanse you."

The whole family is reluctant, but even so the matters over there must be dealt with; if others can't, she must go.

She pulled the reins, then flipped onto the horse without even glancing at the people below; a slap on the horse's rear sent Winter Jujube kicking up a cloud of yellow dust, obscuring the horse's silhouette.

On the groom's side they only await the approaching date, book the cooks, set the banquet, redecorate the house, and arrange the staff.

Those it kicked either died or were maimed, especially the Playboys, whose belly was split by Winter Jujube's kick.

Resignedly they arranged the household and planned to return to Tianshui Town the next day.

Leaving the capital, Qiao Mai felt a wave of relief; worldly affairs were so many they suffocated her.

Qiao Mai gulped the wine, gave a sideways glance at the Playboys scion, "Get lost, this horse is priceless, you can't afford it."

Yuan Jiaqi, of course, was even more reluctant for her to leave, "Wife, I cannot be with you by day, but at night I can."

When the town mayor arrived with people, she had already vanished; no one knew who, only that it was a woman.

Otherwise when could she give birth to a child for father? He didn't see that the duchess secretly said the lady couldn't bear children; he got angry after hearing it.

Don't think Winter Jujube only kicks; it's now a demon beast that also bites.

Qiao Mai narrowed her eyes, "I want to see what happens if you don't behave."

"Be careful, disaster comes from the mouth."

Now the betrothal gifts are settled, awaiting the wedding day.

Now chaos reigns; Qiao Mai sips a small drink, eats some noodles, and watches the commotion.

"Your husband never dares to forget a moment."

Precisely because of Winter Jujube's mutation, when she stopped to rest in a small town, she was coveted by others.

"Well done; if anyone dares to scheme against you again, they'll be beaten to death."

No matter how mixed the duchess is, she knows this.

Now, what's left to be afraid of? If anyone dares to plot against Winter Jujube and attempts an outright robbery, don't blame her for being rude.

No one disturbed anyone, no one said anything, yet everyone knew.

"I see you have a lot at night; I'm not here, so focus on your duties. I've arranged the household; I'll definitely return before the New Year to celebrate together. Besides, Ling'er is also taken care of; she'll live here so no one keeps worrying about her."

Others couldn't tell what was happening, but she rode the horse away, feeling extremely exhilarated.

After asking the common folk, we learned that they had tried to steal someone's horse, and the Ma'er kicked them all to death.

"Then if you go back later, wouldn't you be the only one left at home?"

In short, the whole family feared the Duchess of the State causing trouble, each kept a tight watch on her, and even her Dizi have now changed their original opinions; Feng'er, in particular, holds her in high regard.

Qiao Mai stood up, slapped a silver coin onto a corner of the table, and stepped forward to pat the winter jujube.

These days are the busiest for the Zhen Guo Gong Residence; they must prepare the dowry and have someone make wedding dresses for the young ladies.

The town mayor ran into a difficulty, so he had to report upward first, letting the matter be settled.

In such matters, if Qiao Mai pauses, disaster follows; it's all because the winter jujube is too handsome, exposing the greed of those covetous people.

There are incidents like today's, and also ones that wait for her to enter the inn at night to strike.

Without exception, they were all kicked to death by the winter jujube.

(End of chapter)