Chapter 110 - 110: She Had a Poor Life Too

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Those are raised by her sister delicately. They’re only allowed to eat eggs; not a single animal can be slaughtered. If they want to eat chicken, they have to purchase it. But the way her sister-in-law behaves, it’s clear she wants a few.

“Dad, Mom, there are no outsiders here, so I’ll tell you the truth.”

“What’s going on? Is there something else here?”

“This house belongs to Madam Qiao, not me.”

“What? It’s not yours?”

“Yes.”

On the side, Madam Lu Guo sneered. “Is this because you’re afraid we’ll ask you for things when we leave?”

“If you don’t believe it, you can ask the Mayor.”

“What’s going on?”

“It’s like this.”

Lu Sanniang briefly explained Qiao Mai’s situation, and the members of the Lu family finally understood. They realized their granddaughter’s splendid marriage today was all thanks to Madam Qiao.

“She’s had a hard life too.

“Yes, but she has a kind heart. Even with money, she doesn’t forget me. She took in Ruxin and Ruyi as apprentices and taught them double-sided embroidery. Since my house is small, she let us move in, saying she wanted Ruxin to marry in style from here. Our family freeloads on her, and even this wedding feast is provided by her. She does it willingly. Dad, Mom, please don’t mention anything else in the future.”

“No, no, you’ve made it clear. We won’t be so oblivious to right and wrong.”

“Humph, no matter how good she is, you’re her benefactor. Without you, could she have what she has today?”

“Sister-in-law, don’t speak so harshly. Without me, someone else might have saved her. With her skills, someone else would have saved her. At that time, the one who became wealthy would be someone else, and I’m fortunate to bask in her glory.”

“You’re such a fool!”

Lu Sanniang didn’t want to bother with her. “Dad, Mom, big brother, now that you know about this matter, please keep it to yourselves. It’s better not to talk about it outside. She doesn’t want to be entangled with her blood relatives and in-laws who are like vampires.”

“Don’t worry. We won’t say anything.”

All three assured Lu Sanniang, except for Madam Lu Guo, who gave a cold snort.

Although she didn’t like her sister-in-law, Lu Sanniang didn’t let them leave empty-handed. She brought many gifts for them, including many items from Qiao Mai’s shop.

These were all prepared in advance by Qiao Mai as return gifts. Today’s wedding guests wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Especially for the Lu family, who received the most and heaviest gifts.

Old Mister Wang lay comfortably on the bed, and his wife sat on the side, drinking hot water.

“Lu Sanniang’s family is good, but her eldest sister-in-law is difficult to get along with.”

“Do you see that?”

“Yes. Don’t be fooled by her appearance. She may look kind, but her eyes are cold, and she exudes a sense of cruelness. It’s obvious she’s not easy to deal with. ”

“It’s not a problem. Shopkeeper Lu lives in the Qiao family, not her own. Her sister-in-law has parents-in-law and a husband. She wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.”

“Yeah, they have Mayor Qian backing them up. They won’t dare to do anything.”

“I heard her brother is a scholar.”

“Scholars are everywhere in the county town. What’s so special about a scholar?”

Old Mister Wang didn’t think much of scholars, and Old Mistress Wang snorted.

“You don’t care about scholars because of your status, but in the eyes of the commoners here, scholars have official positions. Most people won’t dare to provoke them.”

“Don’t worry. The Qiao family has me backing them up.”

“True. Madam Qiao is great. She not only has a kind heart but also a good temper. If you treat her well, she’ll treat you ten times and a hundred times better. During the time I lived in her house, I felt so comfortable, even more so than at home. You know my temperament. There aren’t many people who get along with me.”

“Yeah, she’s not nosy at all. She treats us like family, and everything in her house is at your disposal. She never interferes. If she does say something, it’s probably because she wants to make you something delicious.”

“That’s right. Look at how well she’s kept the house. It’s full of flowers and plants and clean everywhere. As long as it’s visible, there’s no clutter. It’s so comfortable.”

“I didn’t expect you to take a liking to her. If you have time, pay more attention to her. Don’t just look at her skills. There are all kinds of humans in the society.

It’s easy to make others jealous. Even if we protect her, it’s hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Be cautious, even with us backing her.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. If your family isn’t enough, you have me. My family isn’t one to be trifled with.

“Hehe. You’re so old, yet still talking about your maternal family.”

“Hmph, don’t forget that my parents are still alive. My brothers send gifts every year. They care about their sister. Unlike your Wang family, who claims to be harmonious on the outside but always trying to profit from the sidelines.”

“Alright, they’re the main family, and we’re a branch. We can only thrive as long as they don’t fall.”

“I just don’t like them.”

“If you don’t like them, say less. Just keep it in your heart.”

Old Mistress Wang glared at him and even hit him with her hand. She wasn’t afraid of him. After all, she used to be a fierce woman.

She only began to calm down when she got older. Now, she likes to plant flowers and look after animals in Qiao Mai’s house.

She adores Wu Zhui and Sai Xue. She always goes out to buy meat and cooks a pot for them in her kitchen.

As for the son-in-law from the Feng family returning home in three days, Qiao Mai left it to Shopkeeper Lu to handle.

She had a lot of other things to take care of, especially this season when she needed to stock up on goods for the winter.

She had ordered many large jars from the craftsmen and placed them along the wall, one by one. They looked nice.

Each jar came with a matching sealed lid, and Shopkeeper Niu had written a sign at the shop entrance, stating that they would purchase cabbage, radishes, and other vegetables. As long as the quality was good, the price was not an issue.

Every day, farmers who came to her shop to sell vegetables lined up. Qiao Mai and the maids would clean and drain the cabbage at home, then divide it into portions.

Some were used to make sour cabbage, some spicy cabbage, some spicy dried radish, and some to make a mixed pickle.

The mixed pickle included cabbage, radishes, ginger, and long green beans, all stored in her space.

Up to now, she hadn’t had time to plant vegetables. All of her land was planted with rare medicinal herbs. Once she sold this batch of herbs, she would make a lot of money, which she could exchange for spirit stones.

With spirit stones, she could cultivate and also buy things like cultivation manuals from the platform.

After finishing the external affairs, she would have time to tidy up her space and plan again.

After this round of planning, some of the land would no longer be used.

When Ruxin returned home three days later, Shopkeeper Lu and Ruyi welcomed them at the door.

Seeing the couple holding hands as they got off the carriage, looking sweet and shy, it was clear they were deeply in love.

The maids carried many gifts, which they brought back directly to the yard where Shopkeeper Lu lived.

In the living room, Shopkeeper Lu held Xin’er’s hand, and Feng Yinshi sat at the bottom, bowing his head slightly in a respectful manner. There was no one else in the room, and Xin’er felt a bit apologetic.

“Mother, I’ve already talked to Yinshi about Master and our family.” Lu Sanniang looked at her son-in-law and said, “I can’t agree to it because that man is the grandfather of my sister’s friend, not a real teacher. He takes students based on his preferences.”

“That’s alright. Later, I’ll go with Xin’er to see him. If it works, it works; if it doesn’t, we won’t force it.

“Alright, don’t go empty-handed. Even though the teacher doesn’t value your things, courtesy is important.”

“Yes, Mother!”

Watching the two holding hands as they walked out of the living room, Lu Sanniang sighed. This was their purpose of visiting, and there was no escaping it.

She also wanted the best for her son-in-law, but since it was said to be inappropriate, trying it out would be a bit unkind.

Qiao Mai was busy putting cabbage into jars when the maids came over to talk to her about this matter.

“Well, I understand. You can go do your work.”

“Okay..”