Chapter 79

"Ru'er, am I seeing things? I actually see southern seafood in a small town in the north?"

Wang Jiaru also hadn't expected Lady Qiao to make such dishes. She swallowed her saliva and said.

"I haven't eaten this in a long time; it's so fragrant."

Among these dishes, the children had only eaten one; they hadn't even seen the others.

Qiao Mai wiped her hands clean and came to the living room, "Feng'er, you all go set the bowls and chopsticks. I'm opening a jar of grain liquor. You can't eat fruit or drink fruit juice while eating this; it will cause stomach upset, and in serious cases, it can be life-threatening."

"Yes, in the south, they usually pair this with rice wine."

"Grain liquor is the same."

The fresh aroma of seafood swirled around the living room, and everyone sat down involuntarily.

After the bowls and chopsticks were brought up, Qiao Mai filled Old Master Wang's wine first.

"That's true. When you're apart for a long time, you can stand it, but your husband can't."

"You decide what to do. I can't eat dry rations anymore; how about something to fill the gaps?"

Over these days, he had already become accustomed to her, grown fond of her cooking, and grown fond of talking to her.

"What would everyone like to eat for a staple food?"

"No, it's better to come back once a month. What does it look like if my sons don't come home? Besides, I still have to set up a stall here to make money."

She took out four money bags, gave the largest one to Yuan Jiaqi, and gave a small one to each of the three children.

"Really?"

He pointed at the quail and said, "Can this little thing be eaten?"

Qiao Mai held Ling'er and returned to the room. Yuan Jiaqi looked at the door of her bedroom, and his eyes couldn't help but turn red.

Each had a large box containing the clothes they usually wore, as well as brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Although it was said that things would be prepared over there, it wasn't good to always use other people's things, especially since they hadn't even paid any tuition.

Wang Jiaru's hand reached toward the large lobster, and Wang Zihan's hand reached toward the oysters. The children were dumbfounded, not knowing how to eat them. Yuan Jiaqi was the same, holding his chopsticks and staring blankly.

He might not want to owe other people's favors, but hers—he didn't know why, but he felt that the more he owed, the better, so much so that he would be willing to spend his whole life repaying it.

Qiao Mai couldn't help but think of a few words: The devils have entered the village!

"Can the ones outside be eaten?"

"Please speak?"

"Alright!"

They were all ready-made dishes. Even the crabs were already processed, and the large lobster was already shelled; one just needed to pick out the meat inside to eat.

"There is some broken silver here; take it for emergencies."

The four of them were equivalent to going to school, just with room and board included.

"That's right. In the future, talk less about those empty things and do more practical things."

"Thank you. If it weren't for you, Chuan'er and I wouldn't have had this opportunity in this life. In the future..."

"I have an idea, see if it works?"

Old Master Wang glared at her, "You girl, you hold a grudge for every little thing. I'm at my age; as long as I eat well, drink well, and sleep well, where is it different? Unlike you young people who separate, missing each other after not seeing each other for a while."

"This is for self-defense. I know you don't have much left."

"Wait until my house is built, you come to my house to teach, and I'll make you a seafood dish every day."

The old gentleman was extremely satisfied with this meal; all twelve dishes were eaten clean.

Seeing the quails, the puppy, and the winter jujubes in the house, he remarked that the Qiao family was suitable for raising pigs, as even the little birds were so plump.

"Your house is too small. I feel like I can't breathe staying here."

And the quails, Wu Zhui, Sai Xue, and Winter Jujube at home—it would be a long time before he could see them.

"I won't let them go out. Even if they want to go out, I'll hire a carriage and let them look at the outside from the carriage."

The people were finally sent off, and the matter of the teacher was settled, so the stone in her heart finally fell.

"You've worked hard."

Yuan Jiaqi didn't make a sound. It cost one hundred taels of silver to move the household registration and one hundred taels of silver to give to the two Yuan elders. He didn't have much left; Lady Qiao saw through him completely.

Qiao Mai returned to the kitchen. This time, she made it herself. She took a few crabs from the space and made a pot of crab roe egg drop soup. The taste was truly delicious.

Yuan Jiaqi didn't feel good either. They were strangers who met by chance; she saved him and his son, and they lived with mutual respect, living a life even closer than a family.

When Feng'er and the others sat down, Old Master Wang didn't even drink his wine and reached for the large crab.

She was fine, but the children cried while clinging to the window. A whole month! Not being able to eat the food their mother made—how uncomfortable that must be.

She held Ling'er and saw them off at the courtyard gate.

"I have some here."

Qiao Mai rolled her eyes, "I bought land and am preparing to build a house."

Mother was alone taking care of the younger sister without anyone to help; how hard that was. Thinking of this, the three children cried in the carriage.

"I, the old man, have remembered your words. Then build the house as soon as possible; I also want to come to your house to teach sooner."

"It's a deal. For the sake of this food, I'll take them in. There's no need for tuition; a table of such food once a month will be considered as payment."

"If it's not sincere, you don't have to teach them?"

"No emotional attachment, no psychological burden when eating."

Qiao Mai held the child and said, "It's edible, but I don't eat the ones raised at home. Watching them from an egg until now, I have feelings for them, and I can't bear to eat them."

"Hmm, everyone is tired today. I won't cook dinner tonight; I'll take Ling'er to rest."

They left just like that. If it weren't for the fact that there was only one carriage and it couldn't hold so many things, this grandfather and his sons would have emptied the Qiao house.

It wasn't a long journey; they would be back soon, so there was no need to be reluctant to part.

"When is the class?"

"You little woman are quite interesting."

Returning to the living room, Yuan Jiaqi bowed deeply to her.

"Yuan will do his best!"

First time is strange, second time is familiar; you'll learn after eating a few more times.

The old gentleman drank three bowls and finally was so full that he strolled around the courtyard several times.

"Hmm, hmm, I'll give you three days off later, so you can also enjoy the feeling of being together less and apart more."

"Teacher, you are truly a straightforward scholar."

"Why not let them come to my mansion? I'll cover their food and lodging, and they can come back for three days every month. I'll come along, and it just so happens you can make me a meal like this, or you can come to my mansion and make me a meal in my kitchen?"

Yuan Jiaqi blushed and didn't interrupt. Qiao Mai rolled her eyes again, thinking to herself that this old guy was quite something.

After everything was prepared, she called them into the room and gave them instructions.

"You all prepare. I'll send a carriage to pick them up the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll have someone clean up a courtyard specifically for them to live in. There's no need to bring bedding or anything; I'll have everything prepared over there. Just bring your personal clothes and yourselves."

Sure enough, the Wang mansion's carriage really arrived on the agreed day. Qiao Mai hired a carriage in town, loaded it with things, and followed the Wang mansion's carriage.

"Yes, from now on, Yuan will listen to Lady Qiao's instructions."

Qiao Mai wasn't in a hurry to draw the blueprints. After resting, she packed their luggage for them.

"Forget about the future. I bought one hundred mu of land. You must pass the provincial exam for me. Paying public grain every year and every season is too troublesome."

"Teacher, I, Qiao Mai, promise that as long as you take in my husband and children and teach them to read, in the future, I will let you eat food like this once a month."

"The prefecture city is big and there are many human traffickers; try not to go out."

"Mmm, if you don't want to go, don't go. No need to add trouble for yourself. Alright, it's freezing cold, I have to hurry back to get warm."

He owed too many favors; even if he sold his life now, it wouldn't be enough to repay her.

Wang Jiaru tugged at his arm from behind, "Grandfather, it's about time, let's go home?"

Even though the separation was short, he felt a small part of his heart was empty.

"Don't cry. If you feel your mother is working hard, then study well and insist on exercising every morning. You must practice the boxing your mother taught you well; you cannot let your mother down."

"Yes, Father, we will definitely not let Mother down."

"That's right. Your mother and sister are women, and we are men. We must become strong and practice both literature and martial arts so we can protect Mother and Sister. What do you say?"

(End of chapter)