Chapter 289: All Thanks to You

This time the sweep of the Liu family gave Qiao Mai tens of thousands of taels of silver, over two hundred thousand taels of precious medicinal herbs, and as for the prescription, Qiao Mai didn't care about it at all.

She simply tossed the prescription onto the street, and a scheming person found it, slipped it into their pocket, and ran off.

The Liu family is now truly left with neither people nor wealth; within a few years their Liu clan cannot recover.

Liu Yuyi also thought of Qiao Mai, but regarded her as just a woman; possessing a prescription isn't surprising, but emptying the Liu family's assets like this is impossible.

Plainly put, the Liu family underestimated Qiao Mai.

If Qiao Mai found out, she would surely thank them for underestimating her.

Another theft case fell apart, the Liu family could only consider themselves unlucky; every time Yuan Jiaqi and Liu Yuyi met, Liu Yuyi felt extremely guilty, while Yuan Jiaqi acted as if nothing had happened.

In mid‑April the imperial examination results were posted, and Chuan'er, as always brave, had no reservations because Yuan Jiaqi is now a First Rank Official.

He directly took first place on the provincial graduate list with outstanding results, bringing honor to the Qiao family again.

Now many distinguished ladies of the capital have set their sights on Chuan'er.

"My god, look at the horses they're riding?"

"In the emperor's eyes, exchanging gifts is bribery."

"Yes, from now on the household will be handed to the eldest son's wife; when the second son's wife moves in, the house will be managed by the two of them. I'll be traveling frequently between Tianshui Town and the capital, so the home can't be without staff."

"He doesn't look any worse than Yuan Jiaqi; if he improves his martial skills a bit more, perhaps he'll attract more ladies."

"Now the sun is bright; I wonder if tomorrow's auspicious day will have equally fine weather."

"Of course, when the son establishes a family and the daughter marries, we'll only get better."

The party left at an auspicious hour; Qiao Mai and the others were sitting in the Keting, and the elderly lady smiled sweetly at her.

"The wedding party was arranged with ten tables; those who carried the dowry each received a red envelope of ten taels—no table assignments?"

"Well, many people use birthdays, celebrations, and funerals to line their pockets, but over time it has become a custom; no one appears to find it festive at all."

"Raising children is like completing a task; once you become a parent, you'll be a bit lighter."

A lively pipa performance filled the corners of Jixiang Yuan; the main family was intoxicated, and the servants' steps became cheerful.

They were so happy they almost didn't sleep all night; Ling'er, being young, went to fetch the bride today, and Qiao Mai let her ride a winter jujube.

"Look, several young masters and the legitimate miss from their family have all come out—are they planning to go fetch the bride together?"

"Yes, I raised this child, so we must choose a good match; character is still the most important."

"This time he also passed the provincial graduate exam; he says he wants to establish a career first and postpone starting a family, and we won't force him."

"Damn, even the horse the steward rides is extraordinary—what kind of horse is that?"

"Ha ha, having a wife brings popularity; a husband is always liked, a son marrying adds members to the household, and the family will keep getting better."

"On the contrary, it's Yuan Jiaqi who's being shown off—'Madam, it seems our invitation posters are no longer needed?'"

The Zhen Guogong side was also ready; 260 dowry carriers is the first of its kind in the capital. Even if the Guogong lady is displeased, she can't change anything; she now wears a smile, entertaining the guests.

She had already claimed the winter jujube, but unfortunately the horse is too proud and ignores her. Fortunately, Qiao Mai promised to give her a horse when she gets married; otherwise Ling'er would have dragged Qiao Mai around for ages.

The gift table behind the accounting desk was piled with presents; at the Zhen Guogong residence's main gate, the flow of people was livelier than a market.

Right, since we can't see a band, the only music is celestial music.

Moreover, they had never heard this music; several large speakers were placed on the roof, and four big horns blasted in all directions.

"None."

"It seems so."

"So we won't invite them; then our own main family and servants can sit together, fewer people means peace."

"This girl is just so rare, not to mention, it's really pleasant to hear."

The next day the family dressed neatly, all smiling broadly; Yunfeng wore the wedding attire prepared by his mother, and he led the bridal party chosen yesterday from the household staff into the courtyard.

"Look, look, that groom!"

When the groom arrived to fetch the bride, the Zhen Guogong's firecrackers started, lasting about half an hour before stopping.

Feng'er was snatched early, Yun'er also taken, leaving only Chuan'er; Ling'er is still young, only twelve, while Chuan'er is sixteen after the New Year.

"Haha, I love this."

"Mm, that's also fine; later as officials we won't need to exchange gifts, we can just go to the in‑laws, which is great."

Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, "Do you mean our family has no popularity?"

"Wow, so handsome!"

Today is the first celebration the family has held, so everyone must be delighted; the whole residence, from somewhere, seemed to be filled with celestial music.

Yunfeng and a few others rode horses, firing cannons, making a ruckus all the way to the front of the Zhen Guogong residence.

"Zihan's age isn't small either, right?"

"Yes, it's really pleasant; I truly don't know if there's anything more astonishing than this."

"My god, are your eyes blind? That's a Ferghana Horse; wow, we saw six of them at once—how rich Lord Yuan's family is, each person has a horse."

"I'm old now, can't help you much."

The old master pulled the elderly lady into a corner and asked, "Have you ever seen a band?"

"Sure there is, just look."

Behind them came the marching band, further back was an eight‑person sedan chair, and at the end some soldiers, to prevent any disorder.

Many matchmakers whispered that Lord Yuan's family is too overbearing, ah, overbearing—what can you do?

Soon the grand wedding day of Yunfeng and Murong arrived; the Zhen Guogong family sent out invitations, practically inviting everyone in the capital who could be reached.

Even so, people proposing marriage kept arriving one after another; Qiao Mai simply replied that before she passes the Jinshi exam, she won't talk about marriage.

"I heard this is Minister of Personnel Yuan's residence; that person must be the eldest son of his family."

"Fine, ten tables are enough on our side; we've already got twenty tables total—any more and I won't attend."

"That family is all accomplished; the second son is a Fourth‑rank military general, the third son is now a provincial graduate, though still young, he'll surely achieve great things in the future."

The townsfolk gathered to watch; seeing the decorations, they all knew a wedding was being held at this household.

"I heard he's a Fourth‑rank military general."

Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai finished their inspection, and the matchmaker arrived shortly thereafter.

Their eyes were not mistaken; indeed, the two brothers each had a snow‑white Ferghana Horse, which Qiao Mai had just gifted them yesterday.

Four brothers, plus the Steward and a household servant, made six people clearing the way ahead.

The couple held hands, inspecting the manor everywhere; the Steward led people in setting things up, and in the May weather, a change of face came in an instant.

"Who said the little animals at home aren't all thanks to you?"

When the auspicious hour arrived, firecrackers roared in unison, and at the gate of Jixiang Yuan, Honghong's firecrackers had paved a red carpet.

"Promising—already Fourth Rank at such a young age; surely you'll become a Great General in the future."

The bride's side, who were carrying the dowry, had already taken care of everything, so no further preparations were needed here.

The officiant gave a loud shout; Wang Jiaru's Wang Jiaru's Groom led his party down from the horse, proceeding toward the Duke Zhen Guogong while undergoing the duke's examination.

"Wow, wow," the guests gathered to watch; without mentioning literary or martial prowess, his dignified bearing alone won everyone over.

And that smile—how many maidens were left staring, how many beautiful women blushed.

And Yun'er, Chuan'er, Ling'er—whichever is presented, they are dragons and phoenixes among people; the noble young masters and mistresses of Jingcheng, upon seeing them, each sighs in self‑pity.

(End of Chapter)