Chapter 325: Why, though?

His wife is upright and kind, and her heart always leans toward the Qiao Family; otherwise she wouldn't have used her dowry and betrothal gifts to cover the debts owed to the Qiao Family.

If it were him, he certainly wouldn't give the Qiao Family that much silver.

He has grievances against Murong, but she is a princess and he is only a Fourth Rank official, so he must be cautious before her and cannot say everything.

There are also younger siblings; he also gets angry with her, his own daughter‑in‑law Fan Sha, she also acts foolishly, covering the betrothal gifts and dowry, and doesn't even say to keep any; truly wasteful.

If he had such family wealth, he could spend some silver on the court, and perhaps his official rank would be promoted again.

Thinking of the emperor's hurdle, he can only sigh helplessly.

Why bother bringing something home to sweep the graves of his biological parents; just go back quietly, why tell her?

When Jiang Yuan Peng is idle, he sits and stares blankly, annoyed at his own foolishness.

Jiang Yuansheng is different; he lives calmly and steadily, grateful to his adoptive parents, for without them he wouldn't be who he is now, so he strongly supports Xiao Qingling's giving the dowry and betrothal gifts to his adoptive mother.

It is the palace's Guifei Niangniang, Princess Jiamei, and the emperor who have sent gifts.

He dares not urge his wife; now she has finally taken action, and he is extremely pleased.

The young eunuch receives it from Yuan Jiaqi, still wearing a flattering expression; now the entire court of civil and military officials, including royal members, all show him favor.

The emperor obtained a new rice seed and was delighted; thinking that Lady Qiao is only a First-rank Life-bestowing Lady and seems mismatched with a non‑surname prince, he issued an edict promoting Qiao Mai to First‑rank Princess Consort.

Yuan Jiaqi, during the Morning Court, waited until the emperor and ministers finished discussing state affairs, then stepped forward holding the bag of rice seeds in both hands.

"By the way, speaking of this, do you know the rumors outside?"

The Old Emperor smiled sweetly at Yuan Jiaqi, "Your family contributes money and effort to the nation; I am very pleased. This time your wife achieved great merit—how shall I reward you?"

"This time we have Guifei Niangniang and Princess Jiamei."

This time Qiao Mai specifically asked the two elders whether to join, and they shook their heads outright.

After the court adjourned and everyone resumed their duties, unexpectedly the imperial edict went to the Qiao Family again that afternoon; in such a short time the Qiao Family received so many edicts, all bestowing honors.

As long as one steps into the Qiao Family's door, men become high officials, women receive high titles—what gives them that right?

Qiao Mai is just like that: if you are good to me, I am good to you; the emperor granted the daughter the title of princess, and she will not betray the emperor.

"We won't go; just host us well. We're already this old, accustomed to being free and unrestrained."

"Yes, finish Chuan'er and Ling'er's marriage matters, plus their daughters‑in‑law, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren—so many affairs; she has no leisure, and even when she finds a spare moment she must go to volunteer clinics."

Unless there's an imperial decree, going there yields nothing good; you see how infuriating that is.

The emperor obtained the new rice seed and promptly summoned the director of the Agricultural Bureau.

Regarding the successive joyous events at Jixiang Yuan, the two elders were very pleased.

"Great, how much does this rice seed yield per mu?"

"I heard that Jingcheng has a mysterious Divine Physician who often offers free clinics on the street of Mingren Yi Guan; diseases the medical hall cannot cure are healed by that doctor—could it be Qiao Yatou?"

"The southern soil is fertile; it should yield at least a thousand jin per mu."

They refused once more; even they know entertaining distinguished guests is troublesome, let alone Qiao Mai.

"Send people to plant quickly; if feasible, within three years let the southern populace all use the new rice seed."

"Ha ha, then go back and thank your wife on my behalf?"

Now his wife has given him a son; guarding his wife and child, he lives very contentedly, with no other thoughts.

When his rank was low, he still dared to subtly mock him; now that he's a Prince, who would dare?

This director is a farming expert, scholarly and fond of agriculture, very attentive to farming, personally selected by the emperor.

During Yuan Jiaqi's early Morning Court, she handed him a bag of rice seeds and said calmly.

The ministers finally breathed a sigh of relief; better not to receive rewards, otherwise they'd die of jealousy.

"Ask the Kitchen Maid; just have her prepare a few ready‑made dishes, no need for such trouble."

The elder lord and lady returned to Jixiang Yuan on the sixth day of the month; after returning they lived as before, saying nothing at all about the Wang Family's affairs.

"This is a new rice seed; the north has wheat, so the south's grain should be improved as well!"

She also casually attached a pamphlet, "Here is how to cultivate the new rice variety; give it to the emperor together."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"It seems the servant girl knows the art of changing appearance, right?"

The old man inhaled a cold breath, "Her medical skill has already reached such a divine level?"

Having received the gift, the Old Emperor now has a reason to drop by her house for a meal.

You ask where they get so many formulas; they once made a new wheat seed formula, then a steel formula, and now a rice seed formula.

"I'm old, don't want to worry about outside matters—what rumors?"

"Just about himself?"

Others want to give, but the Qiao Family doesn't accept; only the three who sent, the Qiao Family would be forced to receive.

"Then it's no different—it's Qiao Yatou; you say she runs the household and also does free clinics outside—so many tasks, how exhausting!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Wife, your husband trusts you."

"Who can stand an old man coming to eat for free?"

Behind his back, people call him the Iron Rooster; the latrine stones are smelly, hard, and clunky—ha ha!

They just won't accept it; he has so much money, never treats anyone to a meal, and doesn't attend any family's weddings or funerals.

"Your Majesty, my wife said there's no need for a reward; as a subject of the Ming Emperor, we ought to think of the nation and the people."

It never ends; otherwise, send someone overseas yourself to see if you can bring back some formulas?

That non‑surname lord of his got his position through formulas; despise him, hum!

"Your Majesty, the minister's wife obtained a bag of rice seeds from overseas merchants, cultivated them at home for a season, yielding about a thousand jin per mu, and specially presents them to you on the minister's behalf."

"I don't know; I only suspect, having heard that the person is a middle‑aged man."

Knowing Qiao Mai doesn't like socializing, they instructed the kitchen to prepare a large table of fine dishes, set out good wine, and the family sat together to celebrate briefly.

Even so, they remained consistent, exactly the same as before.

"Fine, for the sake of the two of them, let's treat him properly this once."

The two brothers' thoughts were completely different: one was annoyed, the other calm.

The emperor widened his eyes and hurriedly waved at him, "Quick, bring it to me so I can have a look."

Yuan Jiaqi looked at the bag of rice seeds, his eyes sparkling; he had long wanted to ask his wife to also think of solutions for the people of Nanfang.

When Yuan Jiaqi mentioned this to Qiao Mai, she furrowed her brows, as if with a headache.

Being very loyal to the Old Emperor, he took the rice seeds and left impatiently.

That night, many people couldn't sleep; what is this? Is the feng shui of Jixiang Yuan really that good?

"Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl is a hard‑working fate; earlier she worried about those two children, later she grew up, became an official and married a wife, wanting to claim her ancestral roots. Now, having become in‑laws with the emperor, she's still a glutton, doesn't count her own eating, and brings her whole family to mooch food and drink. Qiao Yatou is a meticulous person, will never let Yuan Jiaqi lose face, and will definitely make everything look proper."

"The capable bear more work; she knows martial arts, and if she's tired she won't act beyond her limits. We shouldn't worry so much; with age, even if she has the will but lacks strength, we can't help her much—just ensure she has a good family."

"The daughter‑in‑law also has grievances toward the two of us, staying at her own home without waiting, and living at other people's place."

"She should thank Qiao Yatou; since we're not there, she has no pressure and is freer, yet she doesn't eat her meals. The servant girl is taking care of our retirement for her, an ungrateful thing; if it doesn't change, I will really have Zongsheng dismiss her."

"Look at this time, in a little over a month will be Zihan's grand wedding; I gave her two hundred thousand taels of silver."

(End of chapter)