Chapter 330: Thinking Too Much

After Qiao Mai's family went back, they heard about it and all gave a thumbs‑up.

"Those with ambition will each receive a hard‑work fee of twenty taels of silver; you can cook whatever you want, first fill your stomach and then we'll talk."

Yuan Jiaqi sighed, "That Lady Wang really disappoints; our people worked for her all day and didn't even get a reward."

"Yes, I'm increasingly disappointed with her. Fine, let's leave it at that."

The people who went to help were overjoyed; no wonder the Princess Consort is generous—following her gives confidence in everything she does.

A few days later, the Emperor learned of it, summoned Senior Secretary Gao to the palace, berated him harshly from the start, and only then let him go.

When he got home, Senior Secretary Gao gave Madam Gao a severe beating.

It's not just about the dowry deduction; from this one can see the family's character issues.

This served as a warning to families with concubine daughters; after returning home they all warned the matriarch not to mistreat the concubine daughters.

There's a shop that's busy every day, hardly any time for leisure.

That day, after finishing her cultivation, she opened her eyes, looked at the light drizzle outside the window, got up, grabbed an umbrella and walked out.

Qiao Mai gave Yang Lao'er a single command, "Just kick them out."

Ling'er nodded, and Qiao Mai frowned, "From now on, don't be polite about this."

This matter kept the capital's people talking for a long time.

But when the Emperor was pleased, he thought of the Qiao Family going to mooch a meal.

Men came, women came, and many mothers‑in‑law watched their daughters‑in‑law.

Jin Mama's complexion turned pale, yet she showed no sign of weakness on her lips.

Inside, trying to talk to Ling'er, Jin Mama, Yuehong and Yuexia stood in front of her, looking displeased.

Jin Mama, Ling'er, Yuehong, and Yuexia opened their little mouths and went "oh" for a while.

The Qiao Family's daughters do not marry into the royal house, do not take part in the princes' power struggles, and without Yuan Jiaqi's statement, the head of the household simply refused.

"Mother, this little goat is so fierce!"

Yuan Jiaqi was not at home; the old master was reading, and the elderly lady carefully instructed Wang Jiaru.

If cultivation does not advance, it regresses; lingering in secular time truly causes decline. She must constantly put in effort into cultivation to have a chance to leave this place.

Prefect Wang also gave Madam Wang a severe beating; the three elderly ladies ignored it, and after drinking daughter‑in‑law tea the next day they returned to Jixiang Yuan.

Just then Qiao Mai walked in, "Not leaving?"

The two servants behind laughed slyly, looking like trouble, and their master was twisted as if he were a person.

Yang Lao'er's rear faced them, and with a light kick of his hind hooves, the person was sent flying out of the shop.

"You."

Regardless of low or high birth, everyone comes to the shop hoping Ling'er will favor them.

At the same time, Zihan, through misfortune turned fortune, was soon promoted by the Emperor; now he is a Fourth Rank capital official, the same rank as Prefect Wang, and with Yuan Jiaqi's backing, Zihan's position will only rise, never fall.

"Hey, if you don't buy, you can't come?"

Those of poor background hope to climb the tree and become a 'phoenix man'; those of good background hope to fall in love at first sight with this princess.

"Hah, as a Ming Dynasty official, all under heaven is the king's land. Refuse? You dare? Xiao Wang, I'll invite the father king into the palace, ask the emperor to grant marriage; this matter is not up to you."

Zihan's affair was over, and the rainy season arrived; the heavens would occasionally send a rain, making people irritable.

She didn't know why, no matter how much effort she put in, she never felt a sense of belonging here; even when busy, it was only to pass the time.

Qiao Mai summoned Yang Lao'er with a thought; when Ling'er saw Yang Lao'er, she happily stroked him with her hand.

"Xiao Wang?"

Ling'er is beautiful; thanks to Qiao Mai's occasional body conditioning, anyone who gets close feels completely comfortable. Her lively aura attracts those vigorous young men.

Ling'er put down the needle and thread, "If you can summon him, go ahead; don't waste words here. I don't want to be friends with you, so leave!"

Even the self‑styled Xiao Wang didn't give her a proper look, "Yeah, Xiao Wang won't leave. What can you do to me?"

While it's not busy, she wants to focus on cultivation.

Even the imperial grandchildren joined the fun; and indeed, the Emperor hoped to further cement ties with the Qiao Family, but alas, when Qiao Mai heard the matchmaker mention the royal family, she immediately declined.

"Mother, why did you summon it?"

With a mental sweep, six squirrels hid in various corners to avoid the rain, and three goats trotted into the hallway, quietly nibbling fresh grass.

Qiao Mai walked up to him, raised her hand and flung him out, then with two more strikes sent his servants flying as well.

At that moment, several unsightly figures entered; they were protecting that Xiao Wang, having been guarding outside.

Qiao Mai didn't want her to marry too early, so she never rushed the matter; Ling'er herself was also unhurried.

Ling'er hurried to Qiao Mai's side, clutched her arm, "Mother, I've caused you trouble."

The three fell to the ground, and three cries of anguish caused them to pass out on the spot.

"Kick them."

"He comes every day to bother you?"

"Hmph, she's just a daughter of a different‑surname king, while Xiao Wang is of the legitimate royal line."

"Haha, Mother, are you joking? Can it even be kicked?"

"Xiao Wang came over to see if he could befriend Miss Ling'er."

Everything at home was fine, so she went to Qiao Ji Snack Puzi; because of the rain there were fewer diners, but the shop was still almost full.

Later Zihan, with his wife, went to Jixiang Yuan; Qiao Mai gave them a welcome gift and let the couple stay for a meal.

Even Qiao Mai was too lazy to set up a stall for free consultations; she stayed home cultivating daily, but as soon as the weather cleared, matchmakers would nearly trample her house's door down.

The old Emperor felt some regret upon hearing, but was more pleased; it seemed his support for Yuan Jiaqi had not been in vain.

Although his relationship with Madam Wang was poor, Zihan was a good kid, and for the sake of the old master's face, this connection still needed to be maintained.

In any case, they tried to keep him from going; as for Jia Mei, she would go two or three times a month, and Qiao Mai didn't sit with her, instead assigning the task either to Chuan'er or to Ling'er.

If Qiao Mai found out, she'd definitely tease him for overthinking; she doesn't want Ling'er to marry into the royal family, she just doesn't want her daughter to marry a stallion.

"Young master, if you're buying Embroidery Goods, come this way; if not, leave!"

Not taking a side, not joining the throne struggle, only loyal to him alone—good, really good!

"So what? You're a king, and our lady is still a princess,"

The old master sees through everything; the Emperor does this to save face for Yuan Jiaqi and Shun Prince.

Ling'er is almost fourteen; once she reaches the capping ceremony, she can marry.

She didn't go inside, and instead went straight to the Embroidery Goods shop; when she reached the doorway she saw a man, with two Servants behind him.

"Yes, master."

Seeing the Old Emperor was truly hungry, he led him to the Wang Family's restaurant and brought a whole jar of fine Wine.

In the past, only women came to the shop; now those young men without Betrothal occasionally find excuses to come to the shop to see her.

Every time this happens, Yuan Jiaqi pretends to be crazy and act foolish, sometimes saying "the lady did this," other times "the lady did that," which infuriates the Old Emperor to the point of speechlessness.

"Little Wang just won't leave; what can you do to Little Wang?"

"Indeed, Little Wang is the legitimate second son of His Majesty the Emperor's fifth son, that is, the legitimate second son of Li Wang's manor—so? Are you scared?"

"My family's princess has publicly declared that our lady will not marry into the royal family."

"Hmm, let it protect you from now on?"

"Hmm, thank you, mother. My dear, this adorable little fellow is so fierce; I love it dearly. How about it, mother—when I get married, could you take it away?"

"When you get married, I'll give you another stylish one."

"Hehe, mother still understands her daughter best."

(End of chapter)