Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After lunch, the wives sat together and played Leaf Cards j).
As the host, Han Qiaoâs participation was not needed for the game, so she served tea and poured water for her guests.
She gave them random pointers and entertained them from time to time.
The madams were overjoyed.
Originally, it started as a small game, something to entertain themselves, but slowly the wives grew more comfortable around each other.
âNext time, letâs invite a troupe to listen to while we play,â Feng Xinru suggested.
She was living a carefree life now.
She didnât have to deal with annoying mother-in-laws or difficult and unreasonable sister-in-laws.
She had money in her hands, her sons were doing well, and her daughters were well-raised. She was beautiful and looked even younger with the stress out of her hair.
It wasnât that no one hadnât asked matchmakers to come and propose a marriage for her hand.
She just had no intention of remarrying. It was meaningless to her.
âAh-Qiao, please,â Feng Xinru added.
Han Qiao laughed, âFine, fine. Iâll treat you. The raspberries in the mountains are almost ripe. When the time comes, weâll have raspberry sauce buns, glutinous rice balls, snacks, and raspberry wine.â
âCome over and bring the children as well,â Han Qiao said.
Everyone knew that Heng Yi had done a great job in raiding the bandits, so his promotion was just a matter of time.
As for what rank he would be promoted to, that would depend on the Emperor.
After lunch, everyone left and went home.
Han Qiao sent them to the entrance.
Li Zhao and Li Mi were the last to leave. Han Chi personally sent them off.
Not knowing what got Han Chi to say that to him, Li Zhao punched Han Chi in the face.
âYouâre a toad lusting after swan meat.â
Li Mi quickly went to pull her brother back.
She was annoyed and anxious at the situation.
Han Chi covered his nose and chuckled, âIf 1 donât want to eat swan meat, am 1 still a toad?â
âYouâ¦!â
If they really wanted to bicker, Li Zhao was no match for Han Chi.
âDonât even think about it. I donât agree,â After Li Zhao finished speaking, he pulled Li Mi away.
Li Mi turned around and looked at Han Chi.
She wanted to say something, but in the end, couldnât say anything.
Han Qiao stood not far away and watched Han Chi rub his nose.
He was in so much pain that he stomped his feet.
She smiled lightly, âAh-Chi, come here.â
âMother.â
Han Qiao noticed that his nose was bleeding.
She asked him, âWhy did the prince hit you?â
âI asked him if 1 could marry his sister.â
Han Qiao was stunned.
How old was this child?
He was only thirteen, yet he already wanted to get married?
âNo. Youâre still young. But are you certain?â
âYes.â Han Chi nodded solemnly.
âMother, if 1 didnât rank first, 1 wouldnât have mentioned it because I wasnât qualified. But now that Iâve passed the exam, Iâ¦â
âAre you sincere or just thinking about the resources in the Imperial Residence?â Han Qiao asked.
âIf you are sincere, you can do whatever you want. The princess is not only beautiful but also gentle and kind. Sheâs also a good girl, you donât meet many like her. Itâs your blessing to be able to marry the princess.â
âIf you are blinded by greed for the imperialâs resources, donât even talk about Consort Fei, even I will look down on you.â
Han Qiaoâs words were very harsh.
She didnât want Han Chi to bet his entire lifeâs happiness on greed.
A good girl like Li Mi deserved to be treated sincerely. She was lucky to be happy and carefree.
âMother, of course Iâm sincere. If I hadnât ranked first this time, 1 wouldnât have said anything, but I will study hard and wait until the next exam in autumn.â âDonât worry, 1 wonât bet my lifelong happiness for money. If I like someone, it means I like that someone. If 1 donât like her, then I donât like her. I wouldnât mistreat myself, and I wouldnât harm other girls.â
Han Qiao was speechless for a moment.
She wanted to say that he was only thirteen years old and knew nothing about love.
But Han Chi had experienced a lot in his childhood.
He had always known what he wanted.
âBut itâs not easy for you to marry Miâer.â
âAt most, Iâll be beaten up by him a few more times,â Han Chi said casually.
He wasnât panicking at all.
However, he understood that he had to show some sincerity when pursuing a girl-
Han Qiao felt that she could not understand this little brat.
However, she still knew that there were some things that she had to tell Han Chi.
âNo matter what, you must abide by etiquette. You must be clear about what you should and should not do. Donât ruin the princessâs reputation and make her sad. This is the most basic quality of a suitor. If she likes you, you can pursue her. If she doesnât like you, donât pester her or embarrass her. Do you understand?â
âDonât worry, Mother. 1 understand.â
He understood propriety, righteousness, and shame.
On the carriage back to the Princeâs mansion, Li Zhao exhaled softly.
Li Mi blushed and didnât speak.
After a long while, Li Zhao said, âYou have to be careful. Donât let him get you that easily. Feelings that are too easy to get wonât be cherished.â
Then he paused for a moment before adding, âI donât know about other guys, but I trust Han Chi.â
Li Mi looked at her brother in surprise.
âBrotherâ¦â
âYouâre the princess of the royal family, youâre of noble birth, you donât have to lower yourself to accommodate him. However, I also believe that he must have thought of this proposal for a long time before asking my permission. He only dared to flirt with you because he ranked first in the exam.â
Li Miâs face instantly turned red as she explained in a low voice, â1 wonât.â
Was there somebody with eyes like Li Zhao?
He could not trust anybody, but Han Chiâ¦
He believed that Han Chi would not let his sister suffer.
He just felt a little uncomfortable when he thought that his baby sister was going to be pursued by a boy.
That little punch wasnât enough.
When the sun set, it was almost dinner time in the Heng Manor.
A horse carriage was parked at the entrance, accompanied by Zhu Cong, Zhang Zhao, and Qin Song.
âMadam, Master has returned!â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Han Qiao stood up. Something wasnât right.
If Heng Yi came back, there would be no need for the gatekeeper to come inside to report.
She stumbled out and watched as Heng Yi was being carried into the house.
Han Qiaoâs body instantly went limp.
Duan Yue hurriedly supported her.
âFind a doctor! Somebody, quickly get a doctor!â
Han Qiao did her best to hold back her tears.
âMadam, you donât have to worry. Master is fine. He just fainted from exhaustion.â
Han Qiao quickly checked Heng Yiâs breathing.
His breathing was even, but his forehead was a little hot.
âHurry and carry him into his room!â
Heng Yi was carefully placed on the bed.
His injury was on his back, and it had already been bandaged.
Most of them were infected wounds.
Heng Yi had already taken medicine, and as long as the fever subsided and he woke up, he would be fine.
Han Qiaoâs hands trembled.
Pucao carried Ah-Yao away from the room.
The children wanted to come to take a look at their father, and Han Qiao gently told them to eat first.
She sat by the bed, feeling a little anxious.
She held Heng Yiâs hand.
His hands were also burning hot.
âGo⦠Go get the wine. The strongest wine.â
They took turns to wipe Heng Yiâs palms, feet, and armpits.
By the time the candle burned out, his fever finally subsided.
Han Qiao also fell back into her chair and exhaled softly.
His fever was gone.
In her current situation, what she was most afraid of was not being able to lower his body temperature, but they succeeded.
The people taking care of Heng Yi also heaved a sigh of relief.
When dawn arrived, the first thing Han Qiao did was to post a notice, âHeng Manor is looking for a doctor. As long as he has good medical skills, he will be provided food, accommodation, and clothes for the four seasons. The monthly salary will be ten taelsâ¦â