Chapter 349: It Has Nothing to Do with How Much Money There Is

"Chuan'er, are you going?"

"He has no time for his duties; the round trip would take a month."

"You aren't thinking of sending Ling'er and Jia Mei, are you?"

"Is that not allowed? The carriage is a new model, the road isn't bumpy; we can assign a goat to each person, add a few guards, and treat it as a mountain‑tour. At her age she should train a bit; how can a woman stay at home forever and become dull?"

"They're all like the lady, true tomboys."

"That way they won't be bullied; later I'll make them a talisman, and everything will be fine."

"All the New Year gifts that should be given have been sent, and those that should be received have been collected; only Mu Junzhu and County Wang Laoyezi Xiao have each sent someone with New Year gifts, and I want to wait for the lady to decide."

"Just accept them; if the two have any matters later, I'll handle what I can. Both are fine, good kids."

"Lady?"

"Hmm?"

When this was brought up, Jia Ju was a bit at a loss, "Ru'er is scared,"

Just as Daozhang Qingfeng entered the hall, the Old Emperor greeted him.

"Mm‑hm, tomorrow you return to the gate; be sure to do what Grandmother taught you."

"Sigh, when there's more money there are more women; every household has them."

"Let Wang Zongsheng and Wang Zihan and the others work a bit harder; Jixiang Yuan is fully prepared, just waiting for the New Year."

The two took their seats as host and guest; Yubao personally poured tea for them, while a young boy stood behind the Daozhang, pursing his lips, ready to speak up at the slightest disagreement.

"Hmph, I didn't expect demons to be in the capital; I don't know how many years it's been. Had I known, I should have left the mountains earlier."

"Haha, Qingfeng, long time no see,"

A proper man and a cold‑blooded woman were doing something lewd in the room, and even the moon hid behind the clouds.

"Alright, alright, we've been friends for years; no need for these formalities, sit quickly, sit."

"Her father already sent someone; you don't need to worry about that."

"That's really great; I was worried that the Shun Prince's Mansion would have to bring her back for the New Year. Little Prince no longer likes her; if he sees this, they'll surely reconcile."

"No, that red cat was given to Grandmother by your sworn sister; it's a rarity in the world, not to be shown publicly. After you go back, don't tell anyone."

"Yeah, otherwise how would you think you could stay at her house."

At that moment, an old Daoist arrived at the gate of Jixiang Yuan's main courtyard; his white hair fluttered, he held a dust‑sweeping staff, frowned at the mansion, and a boy of about thirteen or fourteen followed him.

"Going back to how things were is impossible, but it's true that the Prince can treat her better; after all his harem already has several women."

Qiao Mai thought of something and took a jade bottle from her sleeve.

"If it doesn't eat humans, can it still be a demon?"

"Your Majesty, Daozhang Qingfeng has arrived."

"Even at thirty, still cheeky,"

Qiao Mai looked at the old madam, "Eat it; this is my first time refining it, I don't know the effect yet, but rest assured, there's no Dan poison."

"Now so obedient, learns whatever is taught, well‑read and courteous, just lost the previous playfulness."

"Then let's be cute, haha."

"Grandmother, how is she?"

Little Prince came to fetch her himself; he had long wanted to visit Jixiang Yuan, and with such a good chance, how could he not come?

The old master and old lady also gave her no courtesy; Qiao Mai left, and Jia Ju watched her back.

The old madam, excited, grabbed the jade bottle, "Is it very expensive?"

"Grandmother, this is a Beauty Pill; give it to her. I hope that after Little Prince brings her back to the mansion, she will still be favored, and the children will still love her."

"Then what should we do?"

The old lady looked at the few kittens playing in the house, her mouth couldn't stop smiling; these cute little animals always bring joy and happiness.

"Her Ru'er should also treat her well in the future."

"Let's go, first go to the Imperial Palace to see His Majesty the Emperor."

It pleased the old Princess Consort immensely; she even held her hand, asking after her health, which made Jia Ju instantly relax, as if she were back home.

"Alright, then the granddaughter will return as soon as possible."

"It's not all; he's indeed a good man, but without a formidable woman like me, he would have been taken advantage of many times."

Jia Ju obediently walked up to the old madam, "Grandmother,"

"I, the humble Daoist, have seen His Majesty the Emperor."

"Don't be afraid; I'll have Aunt Chang follow you. If anything goes wrong, ask her. After the New Year, when you want to return, report to your mother‑in‑law; then you can come back. Just say you haven't mastered some things; Grandmother has already told her, and she'll let you go."

"Then how to proceed? Since you're leaving our residence, I'll arrange it right away, and let the Prince's Mansion also taste our food."

"Hehe, old lady, give the granddaughter something to eat now."

This New Year, the old master and old lady don't plan to go anywhere; they're old now and don't want to hustle around.

The master and disciple arrived at the Imperial Palace gate; the old Daoist held a jade token, and the Imperial Guard, upon seeing it, immediately led the Daoist and his disciple into the palace.

"When there's more money, some have only one woman; this is character, it's humanity, and has nothing to do with having more or less money."

"Yes, Grandmother, when the granddaughter returns, could she bring Little Red back?"

"Demon Qi, this house's Demon Qi is surprisingly heavy."

On the twenty‑eighth day of the twelfth month, Wang Jiaru returned to the Shun Prince's Mansion, departing with three carts of New Year gifts.

"Grandmother, Ru'er feels as if she knows her."

Not only were the people taken away smoothly, they also took several carts of delicacies; especially when they saw Jia Ju, it was as if they returned to their first meeting, Jia Ju's face turned shy, and Little Prince was stunned.

"Is that so?"

"Thank you, Sister Qiao."

"Eat it, this is your Qiao sister's goodwill."

Moreover, with Jia Qi and Qiao Mai's status, it is still inappropriate to go to Bichun Garden to pay New Year's respects to them.

The Old Emperor was resting in his own sleeping hall, and a palace attendant came in and said a few words in front of Yubao's ear.

"Ha ha, you actually used that word, ha ha, are you thinking of me too intensely?"

"What do you understand? Your delicate nature is hidden too deep; your cultivation is shallow, so naturally you can't see it."

"It's not expensive, I made it myself; eat it, at least it can make her ten years younger."

"Mm hm."

One second, two seconds, and at the third second, Jiaru's face seemed to burst with vitality; her skin gradually turned whiter, more tender, and in no time became as icy as snow, better than the eighteen‑ or nineteen‑year‑old Wang Jiaru.

"Of course you know her; she's your sworn sister. Back then you were truly the best of friends."

The old master and the old lady rubbed their eyes, steadied themselves, and then realized this was not a dream.

Thirty, affix the correct seal to me, set off firecrackers, and welcome the New Year with joyous festivity.

The old master put down the book in his hand, stared at the Jade Bottle, and solemnly said, "Servant Wang Jiaru's Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, thank you."

Yubao hurried to his side and whispered to the Old Emperor.

The Old Emperor sprang up, excitedly saying, "Quickly, quickly, brew a pot of tea from the leaves we obtained from the Qiao Family for me."

"Me me da bu?"

"Ha ha, your grandfather too; when he was young, how many times was he schemed by women, but his fate was good, and he always managed to avoid them."

The old madam waved to Jiaru, "Servant Wang Jiaru's Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, come."

"But the disciple didn't see it; instead, he saw a cluster of Auspicious Sign."

"Then use it, then."

Back at Wangfu, the children gathered on both sides, with Momo's guidance, Jiaru at this moment resembled a refined lady of the household.

"From now on, say thank you less to me; if you keep saying that, it loses its value."

"Tomorrow, Jiaru, will you return to Wangfu to prepare the New Year gifts?"

On the early morning of the twenty‑eighth day of the twelfth month, Qiao Mai went to Penglai Pavilion and discussed the matters of Tianshui Town with the old master and the old madam; she glanced at Jiaru, who was staring at her.

Jiaru took the Pill, put it in her mouth, and it melted instantly; a fragrant aroma wafted from her mouth, causing the old couple to involuntarily swallow saliva.

"Master, the Great Ming Dynasty is thriving now, and there have been no incidents of demons or monsters devouring people."

"Indeed, just like Jia Qi, he's a good man."

"Today is the thirtieth day of the year; why did you come at this time?"

"I had just emerged from the sect, wanted to descend the mountain for a walk, so I came here."

"Have you gone wandering among the clouds again?"

"I came especially to see you; here, extend your hand, let this humble monk take your pulse and examine your health."

(End of chapter)