Chapter 282: Already Been Dismissed

Qiao Mai listened to their shameless conversation, sneered, "Fine, you drove away a shameless First Prince, and now a dog‑head‑faced Second Prince shows up, relying on being royalty to casually seize a minister's family business. Not bad, you've given yourself an excuse to plunder their wealth."

Since you don't want me to live, I don't need to leave any breathing room for you.

Everyone here today, I'm sorry, you must die, she said, a pressure wave surging over the table.

Mere ordinary people can't stand it; one by one they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Then, seizing the moment, she swept away the homes of everyone present; though none matched the First Prince's estate, even a mosquito is meat when small.

Especially that master, who dared send people to burn her forest; she unleashed a Wind Blade, sending that master's head packing.

Thus, the newly appointed County Magistrate, who hadn't been in office long, handed over the lives of the whole table.

For such a big matter, Prefect Wang received the report and immediately went over with his men.

At once he delivered a verdict: this County Magistrate colluded with local wealthy gentry, plotting something unknown, and was discovered, so a senior official executed him.

Wang Zongsheng was so worried, wondering why he didn't come back for the New Year—maybe things over there are better than here.

Thinking of the house in Tianshui Town, if it were better than over there, what would it be like?

The three‑person family decided to spend the New Year in the capital, at least they'd see the new residence and also check on their unpromising daughter.

Like those corrupt officials, he'd rather keep them under his watchful eye; that way they won't act rashly and can still work for him properly.

When there's nothing going on, she even asked Shopkeeper Niu.

These aren't something a scholar like Yuan Jiaqi could produce; it's said he is devoted to his wife, so his wife must be an extraordinary person.

He also sent people to inquire and learned that that night someone set fire to the forest, and after asking the workshop people again, discovered the County Magistrate wanted to get a share without putting in any capital.

The people of Jixiang Yuan in Tianshui Town are very self‑aware; when the month arrives they know what to do, and under Shopkeeper Niu's leadership, Qiao Ji Snack Shop has always been bustling.

He went in the morning, and by afternoon he closed the case, directly concluding that the County Magistrate provoked the jianghu figures and was assassinated.

The first snowfall of the northern winter fell on November 28.

Shopkeeper Niu was startled, "Master, I truly have nothing you want. At my age I don't wish to remarry; if someone could support my old age, that would be fine."

Why is the emperor so decisive? He paints black as white, plainly indicating bribery; otherwise who would act like this?

"Then I have nothing to ask for. Today I follow you, eat well, stay warm, no one bullies me, and I'm happy every day—that's all I've ever wanted."

When the twelfth month began, the Shexian administrator came to settle accounts; Qiao Mai carefully reviewed the books, instructed the administrator, arranged everyone, saying the New Year is coming, give out red packets, give rewards, don't be stingy, let everyone have a good year.

Is it that the older the ginger, the hotter? Things others can't see, the Old Emperor actually thought of this, truly not easy.

For example, his family's daily‑profit small food shop, his family's workshop, and the new wheat.

So Old Princess sent people to place her under house arrest; this time they said, until she's reformed, otherwise she'll be locked in the Wangfu for life.

"Retirement matters needn't be spoken of; you've done so much for the Qiao Family, I'll naturally provide for your retirement."

Mayor Qian knew she would return to the capital for the New Year, so he prepared the New Year gifts early; other families did the same, fearing they'd lose face.

Such an official, should we keep him? Just like that, because of Qiao Mai, northern officials were once again purged, truly a delight.

The emperor actually always knew, that Wang Zongsheng was decent, but the capital's officials are overcrowded; a good official like him should go down to do real work for the people.

Just as at the start, when Yuan Jiaqi achieved merit, he only raised his rank, didn't transfer him to the capital; the grassroots need good officials.

Otherwise, without investigation, people die, arbitrarily labeled, fearing it would implicate themselves.

At the same time, several prefects from the various prefectural cities along the route from the capital to Tianshui Town also received memorials.

"You work so hard, making my shop so successful, want anything?"

Yuan Jiaqi and his family live comfortably here; the old master and old lady also sent a letter to their son, saying they'll live in the capital from now on.

When this New Year comes, go over and see, have a good talk with Jiaru.

That senior official? Prefect Wang couldn't help but think of Qiao Mai.

"Yes, Master."

Knowing it's useless yet still angry, better not go; they've finally understood—people have fate, let them wreak havoc as they wish.

When the emperor saw the memorial, his brow furrowed, he immediately summoned the Golden Dragon Guard, ordering them to strictly investigate the Second Prince, to determine whether someone is exploiting his power or he ordered subordinates to seize estates, and to get to the bottom of it.

Actually they had a good plan, but they knew it was impossible; otherwise the old master and old lady would have stayed in the capital longer, yet they never went, and even if they went it would be in vain and just cause a fuss.

The sky grew colder, and in the capital's Jixiang Yuan, under Qiao Mai's talismans, the whole residence was fresh and pleasant, the heated kang warm, never any insects or ants.

She was truly infuriating, making even the magnanimous Old Prince and Old Princess unable to tolerate her.

As for the jianghu figures, there are too many; whoever wants to investigate can try, but they can't find anything.

Qiao Mai also smiled and accepted them; she didn't take any money, prepared return gifts one by one.

The result of coming back made him especially angry; he tried to steal someone's horse, failed, got kicked to death by the horse, yet claimed the victim killed him in broad daylight—a bunch of incompetent officials.

The administrator laughed, and all Qiao Family staff were delighted.

It was said someone slaughtered innocents in broad daylight, and the emperor also sent the Golden Dragon Guard to investigate.

If it weren't for the Wang Family sending silver each year to honor the old Prince, Wang Jiaru would have been abolished long ago.

"I am here."

Immediately the Prefect's beard twitched in anger; damn, a tiny County Magistrate, backed by a prince, dares to covet others' property, even sets fire to forests as warning, never thinking whose property it is.

The Old Emperor didn't seem foolish either; however, by pulling things apart he could still see the differences in the Yuan Jiaqi family.

Although she hasn't been abolished as a princess yet, she is still under house arrest.

After so many deaths, Prefect Wang still dares this; clearly he's truly angry.

Old Prince and his entourage could do nothing; Wang Jiaru behaved honestly for a while, was released, but still indulged in debauchery, eating, drinking, dressing lavishly.

Working for the Qiao Family is truly a blessing!

He thought having a prince's backing made him arrogant? He should know the Qiao Family has the Wang Family, Qian Family, Zhen Guo Gong Zhai behind them, and most importantly, the real power lies with Qiao Niang.

At once he dismissed those prefects who had submitted memorials, stripping them of office and immediately sending replacements.

That bastard, he'll only cause trouble on his own ground, deserving death.

"Hmm, if one day you need anything, just tell me, as long as I can do it."

He directly wrote a Memorial, reporting this matter verbatim to the emperor, and let Wang Jiaru's Old Servant look over it and decide.

"Old ox"

It was huge, urgent, and fell like a sheet of paper.

Prefect Wang was wealthy, powerful, and devoted to the people; no matter what others did, he remained steadfast in his position.

This time returning to Jingcheng, she brought five old women and two Kitchen Maids from home, people she was accustomed to, not wanting to replace them with others.

Jin Mama and Ling'er also, in the middle of the twelfth lunar month, packed up all their belongings.

On the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, they set out, with two passenger carriages and ten freight wagons, all heading toward Jingcheng.

The old women sat in the rear carriage, while Jin Mama, Ling'er, and Qiao Mai shared a carriage.

(End of chapter)