Chapter 286: A Magnanimous Young Lady

The whole family laughed; Qiao Mai looked at Ling'er and said, "Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, and you, don't think you're just a woman, but mother hopes that your future husband will devote himself entirely to you; you and he will be each other's only one. If you give him a concubine, mother will disown you; if he takes a concubine on his own, mother will kill him."

Hee‑hee, mother, rest assured, Ling'er will never seek such a stud.

Just understand, that's enough; you are all my children of Qiao Mai; remember, my children must never lose their qi integrity at any time.

Yes, mother.

Yuan Jiaqi smiled sweetly at the lady; such a happy way of teaching the children made him feel extremely admiring.

This is truly the best mentor; the children listen to the teaching and gladly accept it.

After eating, they left the private room; just as they stepped out of Wangyue Lou, they heard that annoying fly buzzing.

When Qiao Mai heard it, she immediately lifted the family members onto the carriage, leaving only Qiao Mai herself in the carriage.

She turned and looked at the fly woman, "Why is it you again?"

The woman peered toward the carriage, "Um, I wonder whether your second young master is in the carriage,"

"Is it as exaggerated as you say?"

Investigate, investigate quickly! Even during the New Year one cannot rest; as a result this investigation uncovered that the Second Prince was embezzling bribes, extorting wealth everywhere, and his scheme to pave the way for his heir was exposed.

The royal dignity was torn to shreds by Qiao Mai.

"Exactly, our lord is the Minister of War, holding real power; what is Mr. Yuan compared to that? He's a whole step down from our lord."

"Rong'er, how is your wedding dress coming along?"

Seeing the two sit properly at her feet, she had someone serve them two cups of hot milk tea.

Now Yun'er's betrothal gifts have arrived, amounting to a million taels of silver, all without her having to save any money; they came so quickly, she couldn't help but sigh.

Qiao Mai was just about to meditate and cultivate when she heard that the servant girl had brought a young lady, and she immediately understood what was happening.

If a minister covets you, he'll raze your household and annihilate your clan; see what Dizi has coveted, what will you do?

The two little sisters toured the Qiao family so meticulously, especially the back garden, which was so delightful they forgot to return home.

Oh, this time returning to Jingcheng, Qiao Mai also didn't expect one thing: the County Magistrate of Shexian is a matter under the Second Prince.

It's said that a man pursuing a woman faces a mountain, a woman pursuing a man faces a veil; if the lady is willing, the matter is already half settled.

"Hmm, shall we stay for lunch together?"

And the whole Jingcheng is covered with paper scrolls on the walls, impossible to peel off; you can say how infuriating that is.

Hee‑hee, I can't do needlework; those are Embroidery Lady's tasks, I'm just waiting for the grand wedding.

"It probably won't happen; no matter what, he still cares about face."

The woman's face flushed, she couldn't get a word out, while Qiao Mai looked at the young lady behind her.

The implication is that anyone who dares to lead wasteful spending will meet the fate of having their house confiscated; this New Year the common people are much more lively, and officials are much quieter.

Xiao Qingling listened to her exaggerated words and initially didn't believe them, but as she kept watching, her mouth wouldn't shut.

His subordinate plotted against his own estate, so she didn't intend to let the Second Prince go; on the first day of the New Year night, she added a blockade for him and completely ransacked the Second Prince's residence.

"Wow, these deer are so beautiful, the plum blossoms above are so evenly spaced."

The ministers stared eagerly, and finally the emperor demoted the Second Prince to a commoner and expelled him from the Imperial Clan Genealogy.

After the fifteenth, Chuan'er continued studying with the old master.

Old Emperor's head aches; could it be that Old Second also offended a deity?

It's not that they are selfish, but this matter is truly unmanageable; it isn't about anything else, it's Wang Jiaru's own character issue, blaming the Prince Consort's Zhai, so it can only be taken slowly.

"Country bumpkin,"

The son is important; cultivation and such are set aside.

No matter how much they nag, Qiao Mai didn't take a liking to this family at first glance.

Xiao Qingling swallowed, "It seems that's the case; if the emperor learns there's such a mansion, would he seize it?"

"Look, look, I told you, if you're willing to do so, I say, to live in such a mansion in this life, you must have burned incense for eight lifetimes in your past life."

After returning home, everyone went back to their own courtyards; any requests from households were declined with stated reasons.

Her good sister is the legitimate daughter of the Commander of the Western Pass, who guards the Western Pass; the Commander has three legitimate daughters, and this one is the youngest, the older two already married.

She does not hold private gatherings, does not run personal affairs; she doesn't host any banquets nor attend others', which pleases the emperor greatly.

"Hmm, sit."

During this period, besides being busy with her own marriage matters, she kept thinking about Yun'er; she plans to introduce her good sister to Yun'er.

The woman snorted coldly, flicked her handkerchief, "Hmph, what is that? My lady only looks up to a good family's son because she respects him."

There is also a younger brother who is not yet married, sixteen this year, not as pretty as Mu Guniang, but has practiced martial arts since childhood, speaks straightforwardly, and is a generous young lady.

"Not here, we should go back. By the way, don't go out pretending to be the Minister of War's wife; be careful, if the real wife finds out, a concubine impersonating the wife would be punished under the Great Ming Law."

"Qingling, let's go. You have no idea how wonderful the Qiao family is; in this life I have no other wish but to marry into the Qiao family, to eat well, drink well, and live well."

In past years the palace would hold banquets, but in recent years there's been war and river‑channel repairs; the emperor has repeatedly ordered, and who dares to indulge in lavish drinking, better to donate to help the people.

The emperor is angry, investigating ministers, and didn't expect that his own son was the most greedy.

"Then you take Qingling and tour the Qiao family; I have other matters, shall we come at noon to eat together with you?"

Mu Guniang told her this, and her face instantly flushed, because she had previously seen Yun'er from afar on the street and had a very good impression of him.

"Alright, it's rare that Aunt has time."

"I guarantee it will knock out your big tooth; I tell you, only a handful of people have ever set foot in this mansion."

This was a huge embarrassment; even though the emperor cares about face, Qiao Mai wouldn't let him off. During the New Year, she posted the crimes of the First Prince and the Second Prince publicly.

"Regardless of whether you are legitimate or illegitimate, you must walk the right path; the more you act like this, the more people will look down on you."

"Mm‑mm."

Fireworks, the Gambling Zhai's business has also become much quieter.

The girl's face turned bright red with shame; when they looked up, Qiao Mai had already gotten onto the carriage, taking her family away.

Qingling has met Aunt Qiao.

Damn it, don't just stare at other people's scandals; first look at your own royal family. When there's a scandal, you cover it up; now see where you'll cover it up.

Occasionally Miss Mu comes over to see her, but she doesn't appear; that's how it is in Tianshui Town normally, and Princess Mu has gotten used to it.

She received them in the Keting, "Auntie, this is my good sister, Xiao Qingling, hehe."

Qiao Mai found an excuse and left, letting her truly bring her good sister to tour the Qiao Family.

Especially the not‑so‑picky Yun'er; immediately, Mu Guniang took her good sister and went to the Qiao Family.

Wang Zongsheng and his party left on the fifth day of the new year; after they left, even the old master and the old lady felt the air become smooth.

Jin Mama took Ling'er around Jingcheng looking for a shop, planning to set up another one; Qiao Mai stayed indoors all day, with nothing to do she spent the time in Meditation Cultivation.

However, the task Qiao Mai gave her she still kept in her heart.

After this was done, which was the fifteenth day of the new year, having passed this year, Qiao Mai was rather happy.

"Wh‑what is that?"

In the Hua Yuan they saw three sheep; Mu Guniang pursed her lips, "Those are sheep, they also have them at their homes in Tianshui Town. These sheep are beautiful, without a single stray hair, like clouds, and they walk lightly as if floating. I really like them."

While speaking, Mu Guniang gestured toward them; the three sheep were proud, not just anyone could make them move.

Seeing her gesture, they immediately flung their little hooves and ran far away.

"Hehe, only Auntie can make them move."