Chapter 252 - 252: A Freeloader Complaining

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The news of the Qiao family’s three sons passing the imperial examination spread like wildfire and reached the surrounding villages on the same day.

Some people were delighted, while others were worried. The Jiang family, seeing their glory slip away from them, felt distressed. If it were in the past, they could have mobilized their entire family’s efforts to bring the brothers back.

However, the longer they waited, the higher the price Qiao Mai would demand. They couldn’t afford it.

Upon hearing the news, the Fengyun brothers’ maternal relatives visited once again. Unfortunately, they weren’t even allowed inside the gate. These women ended up causing a scene at the Qiao family’s doorstep.

Qiao Mai couldn’t bother to deal with these people, so she instructed her servant to report it to the authorities.

Mayor Qian’s guards immediately arrested them and took them to County Governor Zhu’s office, where they were pretty adamant. “Sir, we are Fengyun’s maternal relative. Can’t we see them?”

“Maternal relatives?”

“Yes.”

“Madam Qiao’s family no longer exists. How would her son have maternal relatives?”

“But we are their true maternal family.”

“Presumptuous! According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, the Fengyun brothers are no longer part of the Jiang family; they are now Madam Qiao’s sons. Their maternal family should be the same as hers.”

“But, Sir, blood ties can’t be changed.”

“Are you disregarding the law?”

“Sir, you and the Qiao family are in cahoots. You’re biased.”

County Governor Zhu was furious. He thought, “I tried to explain this to them out of goodwill, yet they dared to insult me.” He ordered that each of these women be given twenty lashes and thrown into prison.

Their heads must have been filled with water to utter such nonsense in the courtroom.

At the end of April, Qin Yide returned. He was assigned to Wei City, serving under Magistrate Wang.

In May, he took Ruyi and the children to the city. Lucky Star Academy was taken over by Feng’er and Yun’er. They taught while studying under their teacher.

After hearing that his sons had all passed the examination, Yuan Jiaqi paid a visit from County She. He celebrated with them briefly and then left.

Before leaving, Qiao Mai gave him 50,000 taels of silver notes to start constructing the workshop.

With Yuan Jiaqi’s four consecutive championships, the results of his sons didn’t garner much attention.

However, things were different outside.

The Jiang family sent a group of women who tried to trouble them. However, this group was quickly dealt with. The Tian family couldn’t get Ling’er, so they had no reason to cause trouble.

As for the Yuan family, Yuan Jiaqi alone would arouse their jealousy.

They didn’t anticipate that at the age of eleven, Chuan’er ranked second in the children’s examination. In fact, if not for Old Master Wang deliberately holding him back, he would have passed even earlier.

The father and son were so dazzling that they ate and slept poorly.

The most uncomfortable ones were the matchmakers. After all, the New Year had passed, and the Fengyun brothers had turned fifteen. Good men were in demand, and competition was fierce.

But Qiao Mai was firm, insisting on waiting until they were eighteen.

Can you believe it? The Fengshui at Lucky Garden is remarkable. Not only did they have a fifth-ranked official, but their sons were all so accomplished.

Some people are going mad with jealousy. However, the fact that the brothers are teaching at the school has provided an opportunity for certain individuals, but that’s a story for another time.

Before, Qin Yi used to teach here, and he had quite a reputation. Many families sent their children to him because he was a renowned scholar. However, when they had to switch to two children, some parents were unhappy about it.

They kept their kids away from school for several days in protest.

They neither asked for leave nor provided any reasons. They simply stopped coming. Qiao Mai heard about this incident from Feng’er.

“Mother, what should we do?”

“They’re complaining while getting education for free. Skipping a meal can save us a lot of grain in a year. Let’s expel them, and we won’t accept them even if they want to return.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Can you and Yun’er teach?”

“Yes. Whatever Old Master Wang taught us, we’ll teach those children the same way.”

Qiao Mai nodded. “What do you and Yun’er think about marriage?”

Feng’er blushed immediately and said, “I think Mother is right. It’s better to establish a career before getting married. I don’t want to be tied down at such a young age.”

“Well, it’s best that you both think this way. With your current achievements, you might only be able to marry the daughter of a scholar. At best, someone from a family with a Recommended Scholar. But if you want to marry the daughters of well-educated and high-ranking families, it might be a bit more challenging.”

“I don’t think it matters much whether they come from a high-ranking family. It’s all about the connection, personality, and character. Even if they come from a prestigious background, it won’t work if their character is flawed.” “Good. As you grow up, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Go ahead and take good care of the school. Consider it part of your learning experience.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The families who didn’t send their children to school regretted it not long afterward and wanted to return. However, the school refused to accept them.

Some wanted to cause trouble, but Mayor Qian’s guards were waiting at the school gate.

When they saw the guards, they all hurried back home. This goes to show that people are never satisfied. They rejected free education at Lucky School just because the teacher wasn’t a Recommended Scholar. As a result, they lost out.

At the same time, Nanny Jin and Ling’er’s shop had also been decorated.

However, they were short of inventory. The teacher and apprentice had to figure out a solution.

“Mother.”

“Oh, my dear Ling’er, you rarely find time to come to the backyard.”

“Hehe, I’ve been busy lately. I have to attend classes and manage the shop. My teacher and I have been working tirelessly.” “Speak up, clever one. What brings you to me?” “Nothing escapes Mother’s watchful eye.”

“You chatterbox. Get to the point.”

“We’re running low on inventory for the shop. I was wondering if Mother could help us get some items related to embroidery. It would help us stock the store.”

Qiao Mai smiled and glanced at Nanny Jin. “You two make a list for me first.”

Nanny Jin quickly produced a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Qiao Mai. “It’s all here.”

Qiao Mai took the list and examined it carefully. “Alright, come to my place to pick up the items in three days.”

“Mother, I noticed the exquisite embroidered screens in your room. How about letting me move them to the shop? I’ll use them for display and not sell them.”

“Go ahead.”

“I remember you have a few palace fans you don’t use. Why not give them to

Qiao Mai playfully rubbed her nose and said, “You greedy little devil. If you take all of these, it would cost a fortune.’

“I won’t sell them. Mother embroidered all of these. I can’t bear to part with them.”

“Alright, choose whatever you like.”

Nanny Jin only realized at that moment that the double-sided embroidery in Qiao Mai’s room was her work. Who exactly was the mistress of this house?

She was proficient in both literary and martial arts, excelled in needlework, and was remarkable.

That evening, Qiao Mai entered her space and bought many palace fans, screens, ornaments, handkerchiefs. embroideries. clothing, and more, filling several boxes.

Greeny watched and blinked. “Master, will these items earn us money?”

“I bought them for her. If they bring in money, that’s great. If not, it’s good practice. I’m not short of money.”

“That’s true. As a Golden Core Realm cultivator with Level 5 elixirs, a single vial could buy the entire Ming Dynasty.”

“Remember to buy some high-level spiritual herbs from the platform.”

“Yes, Master.”

“In your free time, sell some Level 1 to 5 spiritual herbs. After all, our space can duplicate them infinitely.”

“Oh. ”

Before, Qiao Mai used to work diligently in her space, but ever since she had Greeny, she has become lazier. Even when she came in to cultivate, she rarely interacted with Greeny.

They were each busy with their activities.

Three days later, Nanny Jin and Ling’er came to collect the items. When they opened the boxes and saw the exquisite things inside, they were overjoyed. “Everything is so beautifully crafted; we can’t bear to sell them.” “Nanny Jin, you have a broad knowledge of the market. Please set the prices.”

“I’d like to set them high, but can our small town afford it?” “Good things should not be sold cheaply. Use your discretion..”