Chapter 347 - 347: Unresigned

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

With nothing to do, the two girls would ride horses and stroll around the small town, becoming a beautiful scenery in Tianshui Town.

The Yuan, Qiao, and Tian families would fall silent for a long time when they learned that Qiao Mai had returned to her hometown.

Regret was no use. Fortunately, Qiao Mai did not report them to the authorities. Before leaving, Yuan Jiaqi arranged jobs for the men of both families, providing decent pay.

In these years, they behaved well, fearing to lose their jobs. They watched their elderly family members and refrained from causing trouble in the town.

They couldn’t afford to stir trouble as Qiao Mai and her family had moved to the capital.

Every year, news about Qiao Mai’s family would reach them. When they heard it, they regretted it deeply. If only they had treated the couple better, would they now live in Lucky Garden, being addressed as Old Master and Old Mistress by the servants?

There are consequences for one’s actions; if they had been good in the past, they wouldn’t be facing these issues now.

After checking the accounts in Tianshui Town, Qiao Mai went to County She. The workshops were expanding every year, and the number of workers increased.

Products like pine nuts, shampoo, and laundry detergent found their market in the north, gaining popularity among wealthy households. The business thrived year by year.

Similar products were available in the capital but were rare and not popularized yet.

During this visit, Qiao Mai instructed the managers in County She to send some goods to the capital after the New Year, delivering them directly to Qiao’s Small Eatery.

Pine nuts would be sold at the shop in the capital, while shampoo and laundry detergent would be placed in the embroidery shop.

After inspecting the shops, she returned to Lucky Garden and hosted a banquet, inviting old friends to gather at her home.

Mayor Qian’s son had grown up, and the Liu family had added a few more children. Qiao Mai prepared gifts for them, all precious items. She never let her friends feel disadvantaged when meeting her.

Mayor Qian looked at Qiao Mai. “Sister-in-law, you still look so young. Do you have some secret to staying youthful?”

“In a good mood, food tastes better. That’s the secret to eternal youth.”

“Haha.”

“Don’t worry. I’m keeping an eye on them. Everything will be fine.”

“Sister, I…”

“There’s no need to say it. After so many years of friendship, do you think I don’t know you?”

“Do you know Ruxin is also in the capital?”

“No need to bring it up!”

“Sigh…”

Everyone had questions, and Qiao Mai patiently answered all of them. “Madam Qiao, are you still planning to come back?”

“Yes, this is my true home with my husband. After I arrange things for the children, my husband and I will return to retire.”

“How many years will that take?”

“Time flies. Not long ago, Ling’er was still a baby. Look now, she’s about to get married.” “Ah, who is she marrying?”

“A prince.”

“Gasp… She’s becoming a royal consort?”

Seeing her mother-in-law silent, Jiamei smiled sweetly, “It’s my youngest brother, the eleventh prince, who is now the crown Prince.”

“Oh my, to become the crown prince’s consort? Isn’t that the empress in the future?”

“Yes, just as you imagine.”

“So, will we have some advantages in the future?”

“Hmph, if anyone dares to act wrongly, it won’t be tolerated, no matter how close they are.”

“Haha.”

The gathering was joyful. When they left, Qiao Mai also sent many gifts to each family. Afterward, she entered seclusion.

Only Jiamei and Ling’er remained in Lucky Garden. When they had nothing to do, they would enjoy delicious food in the house or go hand in hand to the front of Qiao’s Small Eatery, watching the carriages and horses coming from the south to the north, experiencing the charm of the northern small town.

At this moment, a carriage came from the south to the north. Ling’er recognized the person driving the carriage as Tian Sanzhuang.

Tian Sanzhuang also recognized Ling’er. He hadn’t seen her in several years, and now she had grown into such a beautiful young lady.

He had been keeping an eye on her affairs, so he involuntarily urged the carriage to stop in front of Qiao’s Small Eatery.

His wife and son were in the carriage. They had returned to visit their hometown, as Old Tian’s health had not been good after the New Year.

Entering the snack shop with his wife and son, he ordered warm milk tea and snacks. Seizing the opportunity, he stepped out.

“Miss Ling’er?”

Ling’er took a deep breath as he resembled her biological father. Although they both felt a sense of familiarity due to their similar appearance, Ling’er couldn’t acknowledge him.

Once she acknowledged him, she would be betraying her mother. Ling’er had no emotional connection with him. She just nodded at him.

“Yes.”

“Are you still leaving after this family visit?”

“Yes.”

Tian Sanzhuang opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. Just then, his family called for him, so he had to go back inside the shop.

Jiamei furrowed her brows and asked softly, “Ling’er, why do you look so much like him?”

“It’s a coincidence. Because of this, he even came to my house to do a blood test for paternity three times. I have no relationship with him.”

Although Ling’er said this, her gaze went towards the shop.

The plump woman was now his current wife. The seven or eight-year-old child was her half-brother.

Suddenly, she wanted to return to Peach Blossom Village and see. Would those villagers who were once indifferent to her mother act as if nothing happened while holding the relief grain her mother provided? Did their hearts ache or not?

She also wanted to visit the Tian family. Why couldn’t they treat the woman who raised their children better?

She also wanted to go to the Qiao family. Why do some families cherish their daughters while others treat them like grass?

Doesn’t it hurt their hearts? After all, that’s their flesh and blood. Sigh…

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing. ”

Ling’er wanted to come back this time for a few reasons. First, she wanted to show Jiamei the northern scenery. Second, she wanted to see Tian Sanzhuang again. Lastly, she wanted to seek justice for her mother.

Unfortunately, justice was something she couldn’t seek, as her mother didn’t want her identity to be exposed.

When Tian Sanzhuang came out with his wife and child, Jiamei and Ling’er had already left. He sighed lightly.

He was still fantasizing that Ling’er was his daughter. As an official, he knew everything that happened in the capital. He wanted nothing more than to become a county princess’s father.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find an opportunity even now. That woman handled everything flawlessly.

He had a feeling Ling’er was his daughter, but why? Why? He couldn’t figure it out.

“Help us onto the carriage. What are you standing there for?”

The plump woman chattered non-stop. Tian Sanzhuang returned to his senses, quickly helping them onto the carriage. Then, he urged the coachman to return to Peach Blossom Village.

At home, Old Tian lay on the bed, accompanied by a middle-aged woman who kept wiping away tears.

When Tian Sanzhuang entered the room, he saw his father lying with closed eyes. If he hadn’t noticed the slight movement in his chest, he would have thought he had passed away.

“How’s my father?”

“He hasn’t eaten for two days, occasionally muttering in his sleep.”

“What about my brother and the others?”

“They just left a while ago.”

The plump woman entered the room with her son, glanced at the bed, and sat on the side.

Tian Sanzhuang gently shook Old Tian. “Father, Father, Sanzhuang is back. Can you open your eyes and look at your son?”

When he was about to give up, Old Tian opened his cloudy eyes.

“Sanzhuang, you’re back?”

“Father, your son took leave to come and see you.”

“Father is about to leave, but there’s an unfulfilled wish. I can’t bear to leave.

“What do you want to say?”

“Qiao Mai should have been our daughter-in-law, bringing prosperity to our family. It’s our fault that we treated her poorly, lost her, and let her bring prosperity to others. I can’t bear it.”

“Father, if she stayed in our family, she would have faced a dead end.”

“Isn’t that better than her bringing prosperity to others? Are you content with that?”

“I’ve come to terms with it.”

“No, I’m not. I want to become the Old Master of the Qiao family. The Qiao family should have been mine..”