Chapter 501: The Second One
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Seeing the change in his expression, both Ms. Fang and Ms. Xu became happy.
"It works! That is great, Ms. Qiao. Take it slow." "Thank you so much, Fifth Sister-in-law!"
Qiao Xuan stopped after about fifteen minutes.
She wiped the sweat on her forehead, smiling. "This is all for today. Elder Brother needs a break."
Shao Dalang smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Fifth Sister-in-law!"
The following day, Qiao Xuan conducted the treatment again on Shao Dalang, who started to feel hungry after the treatment.
Everyone from the first section of the family got really happy.
Qiao Xuan let out a sigh of relief. It was good that her superpower worked. Elder Brother's leg was definitely going to be fine. What Manager Qin had said would not happen.
By the evening of the third day, Shao Yunduan came back with a doctor and his disciple, accompanied by Qu Shan.
They had managed to get a famous doctor from the province, and they all received the person politely.
This Doctor Dong was an expert in trauma orthopedics. He was well-known, and used to being praised by others, so he naturally had a bit of a temper.
But Doctor Dong was very friendly when he came to the first section of the family.
Young Master Xie and Young Master Yuezheng had both informed him about this, and he, for the sake of those two important figures, restrained his arrogance.
Doctor Dong hurried to this place to check up Shao Dalang, knowing that they were in a hurry.
He smiled after checking his injuries.
"Don't worry, I will write a prescription and leave a portion of ointment and plaster. He should take it orally and apply it externally. You must carefully clean the wound with water every morning and night, and keep the wound clean. Also, don't let him get injured again. He should lie down and rest well. After ten days or so, he can go down to the ground and ask someone to help him walk a few steps slowly. After two or three months of proper care, he will basically recover. However, it is best not to do heavy work for half a year."
That was almost the same as what Manager Qin said. It made Ms. Fang feel very relieved. She constantly expressed her gratitude.
Shao Yunduan got really surprised inwardly since he was one of the two people who had heard the truth.
Manager Qin had not said the same thing.
Manager Qin would never have lied to him, and he should not be less capable than Doctor Dong!
Shao Yunduan sounded skeptical. "For real?"
Doctor Dong turned a little displeased when he was doubted by someone. He was used to being trusted implicitly. But he nodded and said calmly instead of showing any displeasure, "Yes. I have been working as a doctor for years and I will never make such a simple mistake."
This was just an external wound.
He could not stand it when he was not trusted.
Shao Yunduan suddenly realized that he had said something improper. He apologized. "Sorry, Doctor Dong, I am not doubting you. It is just that I feel very worried. Thanks for your efforts, Doctor Dong."
Doctor Dong relaxed after hearing his words. True, Young Master was just so worried about his Elder Brother that he could not believe what had happened. They had a great brotherhood.
Doctor Dong ignored the mistake and consoled him. "Don't worry, I can definitely help him recover!"
It was getting late. Doctor Dong and his disciple spent the night at the first section of the family.
Seeing that the situation was getting better, Qiao Xuan went to cook food with Taotao and Qi helping her.
They soon had three dishes ready. There was stir-fried smoked meat with garlic sprouts, steamed sausage, fried winter bamboo shoots, spinach and egg soup for Doctor Dong and his disciple..
The smell of smoked meat and sausages was fragrant, the winter bamboo shoots were delicious and tender, and the hot spinach and egg soup made people warm and comfortable. The food made them, who had been driving the whole day, feel so refreshed. They could not help but develop good feelings towards the Shao Family.
The meal just eased them up.
Back in the room, Shao Yunduan smiled and said that they could really be relieved after listening to the doctor's words.
Shao Yunduan could not understand the truth and Qiao Xuan found it funny.
She was not confused at all but still tried to cover it up.
She explained. "It is said that there is a specialization in surgery. Doctor Dong is good at treating trauma, so it is not surprising that he can diagnose more accurately than Manager Qin. Furthermore, the elder brother had just been injured on the day when Manager Qin came, so the doctor's diagnosis might not be so accurate at that time. After all, no one knows how well the elder brother's body can heal. Now it seems that it has something to do with the elder brother's physique. Perhaps the eldest brother himself tends to recover easily."
Shao Yunduan thought what Qiao Xuan said made sense. But something seemed amiss after pondering over it.
He might have overthought about this. Thankfully, it was all good now.
Shao Yunduan slightly relaxed and nodded with a smile. "You are right, Darling!"
Doctor Dong and his disciple left early the next morning, since the patient's situation wasn't urgent.
Qiao Xuan conducted two more days of acupuncture and after the medication from the new doctor, Shao Dalang felt much better.
His wounds still ached, and there was inflammation, but the pain did not cause him too much discomfort. It was bearable.
Shao Dalang was so grateful and kept thanking Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan.
"Oh yes, Fifth Sister-in-law, I can just stay here and rest, you can do whatever you want. Don't bother about me. I am sorry that I can't help you now…"
"That is okay!" Shao Yunduan smiled. "We can take it slow with our work. Elder Brother, just focus on your recovery."
Seeing that Shao Dalang was doing well, Qiao Xuan and the others went into the mountains to cut the creeping figs.
Qiao Xuan did not allow Shao Yunduan to tag along.
He was not needed for the remaining work.
It should turn out well.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Sanlang, Yang Xiaoni, Taotao and Qi spent three days gathering enough creeping figs.
Then, their work would be sorting flower fields, digging the soil and removing weeds. They hired Shao Dali and a few others from the village for help, together with Young Xiaoni, Qi and Taotao who supervised the work.
They only hired people with sealed lips. The hired workers saw a house inside the flower field and got curious, but they stopped prying when Taotao said that it was a place for them to take a break and appreciate flowers.
No one saw the whole set of tools of lipsticks inside, thus saying nothing.
The whole village soon learned about the hiring.
Qiao Xuan hired three families including Shao Dali, who were paid 30 Wen each. It was a great deal.
Everyone in the village got really jealous about it.
The second and third section of the family were furious. But they thougth of how they owed them the free labor. They gave up making a fuss since they did not want to work for the first section of the family for no payment.
Moreover, Ms. Fang was not in a good mood these days due to Shao Dalang's accident. So, the other sections of the family did not dare to cause any trouble..
Ms. Zhang still tried to make a fuss, sneering in front of Ms. Yan. "Aren't you visiting the first section of the family every day and sucking up to them? I thought they were nice to you. But look, you are nothing in their eyes!"
Ms. Yan chuckled. "I am not sure what you mean, Second Sister-in-law. They treat me nicely. We are relatives, but I never thought about getting any benefits from them. So, you are worrying unnecessarily."
Ms. Zhang snorted, sounding disdainful.
She believed that it was Ms. Yan who didn't want to admit it.
Ms. Yan did not want to argue with Ms. Zhang over this point. She had no interest in explaining it any further to Ms. Zhang.
She did not care what Ms. Zhang thought about her relationship with the first section of the family. It was none of her business anyway.
Ms. Yan still visited the first section of the family every day, sometimes the visit was a little longer, sometimes a little shorter.
But… she was always there.
The cutting of the creeping figs was completed within two days. Qiao Xuan went to visit the Zhang Village again.
Accompanied by Ding Erzhu and his wife, they went to survey the field of the creeping figs as well as the tea forest.
She claimed that she wanted to see how the creeping figs and the trees were growing whilst in fact, she was trying to put her superpower into the plants.
Otherwise, the trees were withering and the creeping figs might not survive.
Qiao Xuan pretended to be tired and took a break, during which time, she silently exerted her superpower, bringing vitality to the plants. Qiao Xuan could sense that the trees that had been running out of water were already growing back at a very high speed.
The creeping figs had full buds and found roots underground…
That made Qiao Xuan feel assured.
She was going to exert one more burst of her superpower, so the plants should grow better.
Back at home, she ran into Ms. Yan, Ms. Fang and Ms. Xu having a nice conversation.
Qiao Xuan walked in and greeted them, as she turned to the backyard to wash hands.
"Fifth Sister-in-law…
Ms. Yan followed up.
Qiao Xuan looked up at her, smiling. "Hi, Second Sister-in-law!"
Ms. Yan looked hesitant. But she lowered her voice. "I need to tell you something…
Qiao Xuan was surprised.
Ms. Yan was a cautious person. She must have been bothered by something when she hesitated with her words.
"Come to my place." Qiao Xuan led Ms. Yan to the east-wing of her yard.
Ms. Yan let out a big sigh as if she were making a big decision.
She said to Qiao Xuan in a low voice, "I bumped into Land Officer Ding and Widow Sun talking in the bamboo forest near Widow Sun's garden. I was close by, but they did not notice me…"
Ms. Yan happened to be in the neighborhood area near Widow Sun's home yesterday afternoon, when she was picking vegetables.
Ms. Yan saw some winter bamboos in the forest, thus hoping to try some luck.
Unexpectedly… her luck wasn't with her.
She did not find the winter bamboos, but accidentally ran into the affairs of Land Officer Ding and Widow Sun.
Ms. Yan got so frightened.
But the thick, tall bush in the forest sheltered her. She collapsed and her hands covered her chest tightly, holding back her breath.
She was a newcomer to the village. She should not reveal this to anyone else, even if she saw that..
She would find herself in trouble if she spilled the beans to anyone.
But she overheard their conversation.
They were talking about Shao Dalang's injuries.
It was not an accident. Land Officer Ding made this happen just to flatter Widow Sun.
Widow Sun kept cursing the first section of the Shao Family, especially Ms. Fang, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan. She cursed at them so fiercely as if they were her worst enemies.
Widow Son kept blaming the Land Officer for not being able to do this well. She said that he should have ruined Shao Dalang's legs, rather than leave him any chance to recover.
Widow Sun hated them so deeply. She wanted to take revenge upon Shao
Yunduan and Qiao Xuan, but she had no chance with one of them being the Cultivated Talent and the other the daughter of the County Magistrate.
She did not dare to offend them, after all.
But she did not want the first section of the family to have a good time. So, she had eyes upon the most down-to-earth man in the family, Shao Dalang.
As long as everything turned messy in the first section of the Shao Family, she would be really pleased.
When she heard that Shao Dalang had been hit on the legs and passed out, and that his legs might get ruined, Widow Sun felt so pleased.
But soon the pleasure was gone after one day.
Hence, she became really furious.
Seeing Land Officer Ding, she started to complain.
Land Officer Ding had intended to visit her the day before, but she did not open the door. Still, he caught her when she came to the vegetable garden today by pretending as if he were passing by, after seeing that no one was around.
Ms. Yan accidentally ran into this conversation.
did not even have the strength to get up until they two left.
She wondered what on earth was the grudge between Widow Sun and the first section of the family that she hated them so much. She wondered if she should reveal this secret.
If she kept the secret, she would feel very uncomfortable in heart but if she told the first section of the family about it, she would be doing them a huge favor, which she did not want to waste so easily.
She had no evidence. Nor did she want to get involved with this thing.
She was a newcomer and if she was involved, her reputation might be ruined.
After thinking for a long while, Ms. Yan finally decided to tell Qiao Xuan about it first.
She believed that Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were calm people who would know what to do with this matter properly.
If she told this to Ms. Fang and Ms. Xu, Ms. Yan would not be able to imagine what might happen.
Qiao Xuan was shocked.
"Are… are you sure, Second Sister-in-law? For real?"
Widow Sun had never had a good reputation, and Qiao Xuan heard some gossip about her too. But Qiao Xuan never believed those groundless rumors.
Widows were always the topic of gossip for some people.
But Widow Sun was over the top!
Ms. Yan felt relieved after telling her. She nodded. "I am not mistaken. I saw through the cracks. It was them!"
Qiao Xuan,
She felt fury arising inside her heart.
"'l'nat IS disgusting!"
"Fifth Sister-in-law, please calm down." Ms. Yan felt her heart throbbing. "Fifth Sister-in-law, should you speak with Fifth Brother about this first? Don't tell Eldest Aunt right now. She might..
She might rush into Widow Sun and the Land Officer's homes to make a fuss about it.
If that happened, things would get worse.
Qiao Xuan took a deep breath. "Second Sister-in-law, don't worry. I will talk about this with my husband first, and we will never tell anyone else, including Mom, about it. We have no evidence at the moment, after all..
"Also, I will never mention your name, either."
Ms. Yan let out a sigh of relief, but felt her legs getting weak. She said gratefully, "Thanks, Fifth Sister-in-law, for your kindness…"
Qiao Xuan smiled. "I should thank you for telling me this."
Ms. Yan did not have to get involved in this. If she kept this to herself, no one would know about it ever.
Ms. Yan smiled. "I would feel uneasy in my heart if I kept it to myself…' That was true.
Qiao Xuan asked a few more questions about this, and Ms. Yan gave her as many details as she could. Then, she left when there was nothing else to share.
The moment she left, Qiao Xuan went to Shao Yunduan.
She needed to tell Shao Yunduan about this as early as possible.
Shao Yunduan got so furious that he struck his hand hard on the table, looking lethal and cold.
Qiao Xuan's heart throbbed. She shivered. She had never seen Shao Yunduan getting angry like this.
Even on the wedding night when she almost killed herself… he had not been this angry.
"You…" She tugged Shao Yunduan's sleeves with some hesitation. "Darling, don't be too angry. Elder Brother is getting better, right? Anyways, what do you intend to do about it?"
Shao Yunduan was not going to let it go so easily. Qiao Xuan could tell that from his expressions.
Unfortunately, there was no evidence, and the Land Officer as well as the widow were two special status people, very difficult to deal with.
Shao Yunduan calmed himself down and turned to look at Qiao Xuan gently. "I have my own thoughts about this. You should pretend as if you never heard about this. Be sure not to tell Mom and Elder Sister-in-law."
He did not want this to spoil her ears. Mom was impulsive and she should not learn about this. The Elder Sister-in-law was pregnant and she must be kept away from this as well.
He should be the one who should take revenge.
Seeing Shao Yunduan's look, Qiao Xuan understood that her husband planned to do it in secret. After all, there was no open method that could be used for revenge.
"But you should be careful not to get involved."
He had a promising future, and he should not bet on it. If lost, he might lose big!
Shao Yunduan nodded gently. "I know my limit. Don't worry."
Qiao Xuan smiled but again asked in confusion. "Do we have any grudge with
Widow Sun for her to do something like this?"
What made her so angry that Window Sun would combine forces with the Land Officer to set up her family? Shao Dalang was the victim this time, what about next time?
If she dared to do that once, what would stop her from doing it again?
The threat should be removed, or they will never have a peaceful life.
Qiao Xuan did not think that the grudge would have originated from the time when she argued with her along with mother-in-law, a while back.
Villagers always had disputes with each other, and they would still talk normally after a few quarrels. They even hung out normally. Nobody became each other's worst enemy.
Shao Yunduan had been studying at the college in the town and was devoted to examinations. He knew nothing!
Hearing her question, he got confused too.
Qiao Xuan said, "I can ask Mom or Elder Sister-in-law about this implicitly.
Maybe the Elder Sister-in-law knows something."
Shao Yunduan thought for a while and nodded in agreement.
He was curious, too.
"Don't rush into it. Ask when you have the chance, otherwise they might sense something to be amiss."
Qiao Xuan chuckled. "I know.. I am good at it!"
When Ms. Yan visited them again, Qiao Xuan greeted her happily as if nothing had happened. That made Ms. Yan feel less worried.
She knew that Qiao Xuan had lived up to her promise.
Qiao Xuan started to sort out one mu in the garden for cultivating tea tree buds.
When the land was sorted well, the tea seeds could be buried. With the help of her superpower, she could make the transplantation happen by early April.
At that time, the tea trees would grow to a certain height.
They would be trimmed in autumn, and harvested for the next year.
She could also put some superpower into the tea tree buds and the creeping figs so they could grow faster and better. No one had any prior knowledge about it, so even if it grew fast, people might assume that it should be like this.
Then, she would work on mushrooms, wooden ears and snow fungus.
This batch of white fungus grew quite a lot. The snow-white fungus once bloomed like clouds and flowers. They were thick and beautiful. They were carefully picked one by one and spread out in a dustpan to dry.
Qiao Xuan told Shao Yunduan that when the mushrooms and snow fungus were sundried, they would visit the province to buy some laborers as well as lotus root, water chestnuts and so on to plant in the pond.
Shao Yunduan nodded in agreement.
Hearing about Widow Sun and Land Officer Ding's conspiracy, Shao Yunduan went out every night. He even asked Qiao Xuan to sleep first instead of waiting for him to return.
Qiao Xuan had no idea what was going on, but by the third night, Qiao Xuan understood the situation.
He was watching over at Widow Sun's door.
He was doing everything he could for his Elder Brother.
Qiao Xuan was surprised, but found his behavior reasonable too.
Catching them on the spot was the only method.
If his plan was to catch them red-handed, the best method was to be the most patient hunter who guarded their prey until they came to the trap.
He did not want her to know about his plan, but Qiao Xuan did not ask him either. They both knew what was happening.
Shao Yunduan was not in a hurry. He guarded the place for seven days in a row until he finally, on the eighth night, saw Land Officer Ding sneaking into Widow Sun's yard.
Shao Yunduan waited and did not leave until half an hour later.
Suddenly, fire broke out in Widow Sun's home that night, and almost half of the village went to help put out the fire.
Land Officer Ding got so anxious that he wanted to leave directly, but the windows and doors were all shut from outside, and he could not leave at all.
So, everyone who came to help put out the fire got shocked seeing Land Officer Ding sneaking out of Widow Sun's room.
What was going on?
They understood immediately that Land Officer Ding was not in Window Sun's room for 'a friendly chat'.
They were doing something indecent.
Land Officer Ding realized that he had been set up and became furious. He wished that he could disappear from there out of shame, when everyone was teasing him.
He knew that he was done this time.
Luckily, his wife and two sons were not here to put out the fire, otherwise he would be so humiliated!
Widow Sun was shocked too. She flushed deeply but soon, she understood what she should do.
She took hold of Land Officer Ding suddenly and glanced at the crowd. "I am remarrying Brother Ding as his concubine.. We are not doing anything wrong!"
The Land Officer was startled, but recovered quickly. "Yeah… that is true!"
"Then, why not share it earlier and instead do it on the sly? But for the fire tonight, you would not have said this to us!"
"True. It is a terrible excuse! You think we are all fools?"
"Shame on you!'
"We are not going to have such a shameless Land Officer here!"
"True!"
All of those who countered the Land Officer had the family name of Shao.
Those surnamed Ding understood what was going on, and thus did not help the Land Officer.
Widow Sun did not care. She kept arguing with the others, saying that she was the Land Officer's concubine. So, they were not wrong in their conduct.
In the end, when this news was spread to the clan, they both retreated. Land Officer quit his position as the Land Officer, whilst it was time for someone with a family name of Shao to take over the position. The clan did not go any further with this. Also, from that moment on, Widow Sun became Ding Jiahao, the former Land Officer's concubine
Widow Sun let out a sigh of relief, and gave in.
She was just defending herself. It did not depend on her whether she became the concubine. It was not announced so she could not be counted as one, no matter what. When Ding Jiahao went out of her house deep at night, it was already a very bad situation.
She was very afraid that Ding Jiahao would blame her for this affair, saying that she seduced him, when they were caught on the spot. It was a big problem.
So, she came up with the idea of dragging him down.
A concubine was the last choice but they could at least survive in this way.
The Land Officer had some feelings towards her, and if she could work on him well, she would lead a good life.
As for those with a family name of Shao, they had never liked Land Officer Ding in the first place since he always favored those surnamed Ding. So, they took this chance to push him down.
They were in the same village and they could not drive away the entire Ding clan. Hence, they forced him to give up the position of Land Officer and have someone with the family name of Shao take it up. In this way, the whole thing was over.
Also, they promised not to spread the rumor.
The Ding families let out a sigh of relief.
If the news was spread, not only the Land Officer himself, but everyone with the family name of Ding would be humiliated.
A Land Officer slept with the wife of a distant cousin… that sounded ridiculous!
Although they could not completely stop it from spreading, it was enough when the rumor was limited within a certain range.
There was nothing more they could do about it.
After all, many people witnessed the scene the other night.
Soon, a new Land Officer was elected from the Shao families, namely the Second Grandpa of Shao, Shao Dali's father.
He was always just and fair, a highly respected, elderly man in the village. So, he made for a very convincing Land Officer.
Shao Yunduan, who actually overturned the table, was never found out except by Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan guessed that it was her husband who did it. But she needed to verify this after being driven by curiosity. She asked Shao Yunduan carefully that same night. "You did it, didn't you?
Shao Yunduan laughed, seeing her careful look. He turned to her and nodded with a look of profoundness. "Yeah."
Qiao Xuan felt satisfied and smiled. "Welldone. Thanks for your help, Darling." Shao Yunduan smiled. "This is what I should do."
"And…" He added.. "If anyone gives you a hard time, I will defend you and take revenge for you as well!"
Qiao Xuan was startled, and then felt warm by his words. She chuckled and nodded.
She suddenly thought that he could be a scholar who would be imposing and brimming with unique ideas.
On the other hand, it was a very lively scene at Ding Jiahao's home.
Since Widow Sun became Ding Jiahao's concubine, she was not allowed to live outside with Ding Qingqing, her daughter.
Widow Sun tried to keep things the way they were, saying that she and her daughter could live in their old house. But Ding Jiahao's wife, Ms. Qiu did not want this to happen.
She wondered when this bitch seduced her husband and forced herself to become his concubine, costing her husband's position as Land Officer, and causing her to be laughed at by the whole village. So, she was not going to let this bitch do whatever she wanted.
Ms. Qiu said, 'You are my husband's concubine, so you have to move in with us, in case someone spreads a rumor about you being mistreated. We can't afford to have our reputation ruined, and you can't let others talk, right?"
When this was said, Ding Jiahao started to hesitate, even though Widow Sun had whispered so many things into his ears.
If she lived alone outside, she might hook up with someone else, and that would be a huge humiliation for him!
Widow Sun had to bite the bullet and she moved into Ding Jiahao's home, after being stared at by the whole Ding family.
Ms. Qiu took her two sons and two daughter-in-laws to help her move and they scraped away every worthy penny from her.
Widow Sun wanted to make a fuss about it, but Ms. Qiu sneered. "You are just a concubine and you have no rights to counter me! Are you trying to set up rules for yourself? You are under my charge, and everything of yours is mine!"
Ms. Qiu's son and daughter-in-law had terrible expressions on their faces. Widow Sun felt so annoyed but did not dare to counter her.
She was Ding Jiahao's concubine, and Ms. Qiu could do whatever she wanted with her, like how mother-in-law did.
Her mother-in-law would try to keep the reputation when dealing with her daughter-in-law, but when the wife was dealing with a concubine… she could even get her killed.
Widow Sun felt so miserable.
Only now did she realize what her 'clever trick had cost her.
A big trap, it was!
But if she did not jump into the trap, she might have been ruined by Ding Jiahao. They had hooked up because both of them felt like it, and they were in deep love when they had no conflict of interest. But when their interests clashed, they would understand exactly what they ought to do individually.
Unfortunately, she had no other choice.
She also knew that Ms. Qiu was angry, and that her sons and daughters-in-law must hate her. So, Widow Sun had no choice but to tolerate Ms. Qiu's torment.
As for Ding Qingqing… She moved into Ding Jiahao's home as well and called Ms. Qiu as the Mother, and addressed Widow Sun as Auntie Mother.
She would be lectured if addressing her wrongly, and so would Widow Sun.
Ding Qingqing had been so shocked by what had happened, and was uneasy every single day after that.
Widow Sun had not expected her daughter to suffer, though she herself suffered from Ms. Qiu's torment. But when she tried to defend Ding Qingqing, sneered. "Don't you dare forget who will have the say about this girl's marriage eventually!"
That threw Widow Sun deep into the bottom of the valley and they did not dare to say one thing. She even privately told Ding Qingqing to work hard, so that Ms. Qiu would not be pissed.
This incident would become a fun topic in town, let alone in the village where people craved gossip as entertainment in the days to come..
Everyone was watching Ding Jiahao's family and the show between Widow Sun and Ms. Qiu, which was spread across the whole village and had become a good pastime between teas and meals.
Yang Xiaoni was always out to hear gossip, so the first section of the family learned about the matter as well.
Qiao Xuan felt so happy to hear about the bad experience of Widow Sun. She deserved to be punished by someone like Ms. Qiu.
As for how it was for Ding Qingqing… well, she was suffering because of what her mother did, and no one was going to offer any help.
So, one should be moral and have conscience.
Otherwise the punishment would come on either her or her children, and nobody would feel sorry for that.
Ms. Yan was almost sure that what happened between Widow Sun and Ding
Jiahao might have something to do with Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan. But she did not dare ask a thing.
She subconsciously started to respect and feel scared of Qiao Xuan and Shao
Yunduan.
That was a… scary couple!
She made up her mind never to offend them or the first section of the family. Her in-laws did not get punished by Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan because they were relatives, who were just kicked away or ignored by the couple whenever they made a fuss with the family.
If they really wanted to teach them a lesson, they would surely not have a good ending…
Ms. Yan felt very nervous about the disputes that her in-laws kept creating with the first section of the family.
Ms. Yan suddenly lost interest in getting angry when Ms. Zhang kept causing trouble.
If Ms. Zhang did not stop, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan would teach her a good lesson sooner or later.
But would Ms. Zhang know that she should stop someday? That seemed nearly impossible.
So, what she needed to do was to watch and learn.
When mushrooms, wooden ears and snow fungus were dried, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan picked a day to visit the province.
The mushrooms were ready to be sold to Yuezheng Xiao, as they had promised earlier.
After this, they would buy some laborers and get ready for the spring plow.
There was enough work headed their way including seedlings, making rakes, planting corn, taro, soybeans, planting vegetables, cleaning bamboo mountains…
Once the spring warmed up, the farmers tended to get very busy.
Around that time, the tea saplings will grow taller and it would be time to transplant them. The flowers in the flower field were about to bloom, and needed to be made into lipsticks.
Qiao Xuan and everyone else would get much busier than before.
once they returned from the province, peach and apricot flowers should De In bloom. There were not many, but they would also be enough to make some lipsticks. After that, roses, and Chinese roses and pomegranate flowers would follow, keeping them busy for half a year.
Ms. Xu was pregnant, so she could only be of a little help, whilst Shao Dalang needed to recoup his injury. Shao Yunduan was focusing on his studies, which reduced the number of people contributing to the tasks by a large degree.
As a result, they had to buy some helpers.
This time when they came to the province, they didn't stay at the hostel, but headed directly to the Yuezheng Family.
The doctor whom Shao Yunduan had hired was living in the Yuezheng
Mansion.
Old Master and First Madame moved back to the mansion during the Chinese New Year, and a capable person like First Madame had already taken over the affairs in the mansion whilst Old Master focused on the business.
It all worked out well.
Ms. Mi Junior was so annoyed that she almost passed out. She tried to cause some trouble but got pushed away by First Madame, failing to do anything else.
First Madame treated Qiao Xuan as their savior, so she would be really hurt, if Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan did not come to live in the mansion when they were in province.
Days got longer after the New Year, and when Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan came to the Yuezheng Family, it was still bright outside..
The housekeeper recognized Shao Yunduan immediately and when he saw both of them coming, he invited them in passionately. He rushed to inform the
First Madame and Old Master as well as the Third Young Master of their arrival.
Although he had no idea what the relationship between Young Master Shao and Old Master was, he knew that Old Master and First Madame considered them as very important figures.
Shao Yunduan had mentioned on the day when he came over to ask for the doctor that he would come and visit them soon. So, their arrival was not very sudden. Yuezheng Xiao came to greet them personally and they laughed, and talked happily.
Qiao Xuan had carried mushrooms, wooden ears and snow fungus with them. Yuezheng Xiao asked his men to carry them all into his yard and started to check them out.
Yuezheng Xiao's eyes sparkled when he saw what was in front of him. He patted Shao Yunduan's shoulders., "Brother Shao, these are wonderful snow fungus! And these mushrooms, wooden ears are all in great form. Oh my, your village is great, and it has everything!'
Shao Yunduan. '
Qiao Xuan chuckled.
Yuezheng Xiao asked about the weight of those things and informed them about the market price. Then, he bought them all with a price twice more than that in the market.
The first-class dried snow fungus weighed 36 liang for half a kilo, and sundried mushrooms and wooden ears were priced at 100 wen and 60 wen for half a kilo respectively.
This amounted to more than 700 liang in total.
Qiao Xuan had not expected that the snow fungus and mushrooms, as well as wooden ears would have different pricing, when she started to plant them. She had thought that they would simply be measured by weight.
She was planning to plant enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms, and tea tree mushrooms in the future. It seemed that all kinds of mushrooms could be sold for money.
Then she learned that snow fungus was not easily planted, and the price was very high. In comparison, the other mushrooms were much cheaper.
But they had already planted mushrooms and wooden ears, so she would reduce the amount and plant more snow fungus next time.
She was going to start by having a few mu of snow fungus at the Zhang Village in the near future.
Then, she was going to expand the scale slowly.
She would have to add a few more categories of mushrooms. All of them could earn money, which was what mattered above all.
Soon, Yuezheng Xiao dealt with the things they had got and took them to the guest room.
"You can stay here for a few more days. The weather is getting warmer. There are many beautiful sites outside the city to visit."
Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan exchanged a look and said with a smile, "Let's see. We will be here before the autumn examination. Please don't think we are annoying by that time, Brother Yuezheng!'
Yuezheng Xiao patted his head and chuckled. "I almost forgot about that! Do remember to come early at that time!"
After exchanging a few more words, Yuezheng Xiao waited for Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan to put away their stuff, and came to greet Old Master and First Madame together.
Yuezheng Xiao's Elder Brother, Yuezheng Hong was at home too. Yuezheng Hong and his wife were heading towards their parents to meet Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan.
The first section of the Yuezheng Family were all so thankful towards Qiao
Xuan and Shao Yunduan.
But for Qiao Xuan, they would still be in a very bad situation.
First Madame liked Qiao Xuan very much. She treated her as her daughter, which she did not have.
It was getting very late, so they did not visit Madame Yuezheng. But they sent a messenger to tell Madame Yuezheng that they had guests.
Learning that it was a poor couple visiting, Ms. Mi Junior felt annoyed and remained indifferent..
Ms. Mi Junior sneered and told her maid that the first section of the family always hung out with filthy, lowly people.
A Cultivated Talent was not that great or worthy enough to spend so many efforts on.
The first section of the family arranged a nice, simple treatment for Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan in the main hall.
It was a lovely evening.
Hearing that Qiao Xuan was here to buy laborers, First Madame said that she could help. She would go along so that the agencies don't cheat them.
That was exactly what Qiao Xuan hoped to ask her for. She thanked her gratefully.
Agencies were always very tricky. They had all kinds of ideas going on in their minds.
An agency would probably sell them bad quality people seeing that Qiao Xuan was not a local resident and the laborers could not be refunded once purchased.
With First Madame keeping her company, things would be different. No agency would dare lie to the First Madame of the Yuezheng Family!
Early next morning, First Madame was about to take Shao Yunduan and Qiao
Xuan to greet Madame Yuezheng, but Madame Yuezheng turned her down. The meeting was canceled.
First Madame asked the maid. "Did Second Mrs. Yuezheng visit Madame Yuezheng this morning?
The maid nodded, without concealing a thing.
First Madame snorted and understood what was going on.
This sister-in-law of hers spared no efforts to give her trouble.
Nevermind, she didn't care. They could treat their own guests well enough. First Madame sent her men to pass on messages to the agencies she was familiar with, setting up an appointment that they were going to buy good laborers.
She took Qiao Xuan around during the next two days.
As for Shao Yunduan… he was hanging out with Yuezheng Xiao and Xie
Jingrong. The three of them headed elsewhere.
At this time, the plum blossoms in the Fuyu Temple outside the city were in full bloom. It was a good time to appreciate plum blossoms.
First Madame said to Qiao Xuan with a smile, "The plum blossoms in Fuyu Temple are a must-see site in the province. You guys came here just in time. It would be a pity if you didn't go and see them. Especially those green plums… they are the most authentic. There is the oldest green plum tree in the plum grove, which is said to be hundreds of years old. It is said that it is the mother of all green plums in the world. All the green plums in other places are born from this plant."
Qiao Xuan's eyes sparkled and she asked with a smile. "Is that true? Then it must be a very precious plant!"
She loved precious plants!
First Madame didn't know the inside story, but she could see that Qiao Xuan was very happy to hear this. When Qiao Xuan was happy, it meant that she had done a good job as the host, so she was also glad.
She nodded with a smile. "That's naturally precious, it's a treasure in the temple! Let's go today, it's the perfect time. We can just buy a few sticks of incense, and come back after having a fasting meal in the temple. The temple food in Fuyu Temple is a must-have, and the scenery in the temple is also good. It is worth the trip."
Qiao Xuan was looking forward to it already.
First Madame arranged the wagon and they went out together.
The plums were blooming and it was very lively inside the temple.
There were two patches of plum trees in the temple.
There was a large area of plum forests without any marked boundary in the back mountain, which was open to all pilgrims, and everyone could go to enjoy the flowers.
There were all kinds of red, white, pink, and green plums, and they were in full bloom. They were beautiful and very lively.
There was another more exquisite plum garden, which was spread across ten mu. It was built around the rare green plum that had been around for hundreds of years. This place was far more exquisite, whether it was the shape of the tree, the color of the tree, or the matching scenery. It contained various different pavilions.
But it was not open to the public. Only people with considerable status, or those who had donated a large sum of incense money to the temple were eligible to go inside..
Some scholars were also allowed in who gathered there to brew tea, make poetry and do paintings.
The place where the First Madame took Qiao Xuan to was this small plum garden.
"The large patch of plum is more lively, located in the back mountains. Let's walk around here and then head to the back mountain!"
Qiao Xuan nodded with a smile.
The plum garden was in a very beautiful location. The trees were full of flowers and branches were full of plum blossoms, the clouds were misty and seemed to have descended to earth, which created a wonderful scene.
First Madame had not appreciated flowers for years. This year also, she had almost missed the chance to see the plums. So, when she saw the scene, she became very emotional at this time. But for Qiao Xuan who healed her husband, she would not have the time to visit this place full of beautiful flowers in her entire life.
As she thought about this, she threw an even more gentle look at Qiao Xuan. First Madame led Qiao Xuan to look at the flowers, as they headed towards the ancient green plum tree.
When the tree appeared in front of her eyes, Qiao Xuan's eyes turned bright. She felt that the whole scene turned so clear.
So, the space wanted it as well…
The ancient green plum was very thick, and the dark branches were vigorous and simple, revealing the vicissitudes of time. But the tree was full of vitality and blooming flowers.
They could smell the wonderful scent even from far away.
The plum blossom stamens were really dark, and the color gradually became lighter when it spread outwards. When it reached the end of the petals, it turned very pale. It almost looked white from a distance. But when you looked closely, you could see a faint trace of greenery…
There was not only this green plum in this garden. All the way here, Qiao Xuan had seen many green plums. But they were not as beautiful, elegant and noble as the one in front of her.
Also, the flowers were not so pure or crystal clear.
She understood the matter in her heart. No wonder it was said to be a mother tree. It was naturally different from the others. Whether it was grafted or bred, the green plum next to it had not completely copied and inherited the beautiful color of the mother tree.
No wonder her space had this strong reaction towards this very green plum.
"This is the ancient green plum tree? How beautiful?!"
Qiao Xuan approached it, looking excited.
First Madame smiled. "Yeah! Everyone loves it!"
The plum tree was very big, First Madame and her servant were also admiring the plum blossoms. Qiao Xuan turned her back to her a little further away, gently raised her hand to stroke the flower branch, and with a little force, quickly snapped off a two-inch long flower branch. She quickly put the flower branch into the space.
She felt slightly apologetic.
She raised her hands and put her hand on the branch, silently putting the superpower into the ancient green plums so as to inject her magical energy into it.
She said quietly, "I will give you magical energy after taking one branch from you. We are even now!"
She could have never got a branch of the green plum tree, which was regarded as a treasure by Fuyu Temple, if she asked for it from the monks. So, she had to deal with the ancient green plum directly.
With the green plum in hand, Qiao Xuan was in a good mood and walked around with First Madame.
They went to a few other places in the temple, and it was lunchtime.
Every table in Fuyu Temple's vegetarian restaurant had twelve dishes and one soup. They entered the private room, and the vegetarian dishes served in white porcelain bowls were quickly served.
Each dish seemed great and had a beautiful name, looking delicious..
For example, Chinese cabbage with mushrooms and bamboo shoots were called Double Winter and White Snow. Tofu soup was called Cloud and Wall. Vegetables, winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms, tofu, and gluten were carefully cooked together, and the taste was as delicious as that of meat dishes.
Later, Qiao Xuan learned that the vegetarian banquet cost 100 liang for one table, since they were such precious dishes.
In the afternoon, First Madame kept Qiao Xuan company to pay a visit to the plum forest in the back mountains, where the flowers were growing freely. There were many visitors there and they were all chatting, which was a starkly different scene compared to that from the quiet, small, plum garden.
The two of them had a good time and were very happy when they went home.
First Madame smiled. "Let's go shopping tomorrow. It is getting very warm and there are many new garments and ornaments as well as cosmetics in the market these days. You are young and you should dress up well. I am sure that we will get some suitable ones for you to wear even at home!"
Every woman loved to go shopping. Also, it was much more convenient to have someone like First Madame with her.
Qiao Xuan smiled brightly.
Satisfied, First Madame smiled again. "Just tell me whenever you spot something great. I am willing to buy everything for you!'
Qiao Xuan smiled. "I will definitely tell you!'
First Madame laughed. 'Great!"
The two of them returned to the mansion and heard the message from
Yuezheng Xiao that they were not coming back for dinner.
First Madame did not care. She asked the kitchen to get some small dishes prepared since only she and Qiao Xuan would be there for dinner.
But before dinner, Ms. Mi Junior and Yuezheng Ting showed up.
'Elder Sister-in-law!"
"Hey, Elder Aunt!"
Both of them greeted First Madame but ignored Qiao Xuan, who was sitting next to her. They did not even want to have a look at her.
Ms. Mi Junior passed an invitation to the First Madame. "This is Madame Jia's invitation, asking us to attend a flower feast in a couple of days. Madame Jia and we are in a good relationship. I am sure that you won't turn her down for no reason, right? Elder Sister-in-law?"
She finally glanced at Qiao Xuan and smiled. "Mrs. Shao, you are in a good relationship with the Elder Sister-in-law, and I mentioned that to Madame Jia, who said that Mrs. Shao could tag along too, so everyone could see what kind of excellent woman has befriended the Elder Sister-in-law. Also, Mrs. Shao, you can meet some noble ladies from the province, so you can build some more contacts, since you are a businesswoman, right?"
First Madame did not like what Ms. Mi Junior said. She was looking down at Qiao Xuan blatantly.
She was about to say something, when Yuezheng Ting blinked and smiled as if she were totally innocent. "Yeah, Mrs. Shao, come and join us. Aunt Jia's invitation to you is nothing less than an honor, and you can go and open your horizons a little, right? Or are you afraid of going there?"
"Ting!" First Madame snapped at her. "Do you have any moralities?
Yuezheng Ting flushed. "Elder Aunt, we are all a family and I am just being honest, saying things straightforwardly!"
Ms. Mi Junior sneered too.. "Elder Sister-in-law, why are you scolding Ting? Why is she wrong?
"Ting has grown up next to Madame Yuezheng. If you doubt her morality, you are suspecting Madame Yuezheng instead!"
First Madame sneered. "Stop using Madame Yuezheng's name in front of me. You don't need to care how I treat my guests. Just leave."
Before Ms. Mi Junior could say anything, Auntie Hua walked up with a false smile and dragged away Ms. Mi Junior fiercely.
When Ms. Mi Junior was gone, Yuezheng Ting left as well.
Outside the yard, Ms. Mi Junior got so angry that she almost collapsed.
"How dare this countryside bitch get me humiliated like this!"
Yuezheng Ting was displeased as well. "Mom, I really don't like that woman!"
Her Third Brother would rather introduce Young Master Xie to the lowly couple than to her. That was why Yuezheng Ting never liked Qiao Xuan and
Shao Yunduan.
Also, Qiao Xuan once turned her down and humiliated her in front of the two sisters of the Xie Family.
Ms. Mi Junior sneered. "What is Elder Aunt doing with them? How can their family actually befriend such a couple? Wait!"
Ms. Mi Junior raised her eyebrows. "Your Elder Aunt has a high taste. No ordinary people would be treated so well by her. Could there be anything special about the couple?"
Yuezheng Ting sneered. "Special about the couple? I don't think so."
"You don't know your Elder Aunt well." Ms. Mi Junior said, "She, and Third Brother, as well as the whole first section of the family treats them so specially. There has to be a reason for that. Where on earth are they from? I don't think I would not be able to find out their details…
Ms. Mi Junior had looked into Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan's backgrounds, but she gained nothing after looking through the villages in the neighborhood.
Now, she suddenly realized that maybe they had lied about where they were actually from.
But where were they from, anyway?
The more Ms. Mi Junior thought about this, the more she believed that there was a secret behind this whole thing.
"Xuan, don't take what they say in heart. They are not picking on you. They are picking on me. Ignore them!
First Madame apologized to Qiao Xuan in the room.
Qiao Xuan nodded and smiled reassuringly. "I know that, Aunt!"
Ms. Mi Junior had been sure that First Madame and her husband would not be back to the mansion, and that Old Master would probably die soon. But unexpectedly, Old Master recovered completely, and the couple went back to the mansion.
Ms. Mi Junior could not stand that any more. She had started to think that she was already in charge of the mansion.
She caused enough trouble when she believed that there were people backing her up.
After all, she was very good at causing trouble!
First Madame looked relieved. "That is good. I knew that you are an understanding person."
She lowered her head and asked. "Will you come with me to the Jia Family's banquet in a couple of days?"
"Oh well…
"Don't worry." First Madame laughed. "No one will look down at you. You will be with me. And Xi will be keeping you company as well."
She teased. "When Yunduan becomes the Recommended man, or reaches even further, you will need to be able to handle such situations."
Qiao Xuan was not afraid. She was just not very interested.
Hearing that, she did not turn down First Madame. She understood that the older woman was being kind to her.
"Okay.. I will join you! Please be sure to teach me whatever I don't know,
Aunt!"
"That is no problem!" First Madame smiled brightly. "Xuan, you are smart. You will understand everything once I tell you!'
Soon it was time for dinner, and First Madame asked Qiao Xuan to join her for the meal.
Ms. Jin asked her servant to prepare two dishes for them, which made First Madame feel quite satisfied.
Her daughter-in-law was very understanding.
As long as the first section of the family was doing well, she did not care about how the second section of the family behaved.
All Ms. Mi Junior could do was try to disgust her. But she was not foolish and that made Ms. Mi feel frustrated.
The three sons of the second section of the family were in a good relationship and they respected her as Elder Aunt. That made Ms. Mi Junior very uncomfortable.
First Madame was in a good mood. She invited Qiao Xuan to join her for food in a very friendly tone.
After they finished dinner, they talked about going shopping the next day.
First Madame planned to pick two outstanding dresses and some ornaments for Qiao Xuan for the visit at Madame Jia's home, so that no one would dare look down at her.
By the time they were almost done chatting, Yuezheng Xiao and Shao Yunduan came over.
Shao Yunduan was here to pick up Qiao Xuan and go back to their guest house. First Madame smiled brightly and asked Qiao Xuan to join her for breakfast before going out together the next morning. Then, she let her go with Shao
Yunduan.
The couple was in a good relationship! First Madame smiled and said that if she had a daughter, she would like to marry her to someone like Shao
Yunduan.
He was devoted, low-profiled and moral without showing any arrogance. Moreover, he cared about his wife too!
It was still not very dark, and the afterglow was shining bright in the west. The couple chatted and walked towards the guest house.
Qiao Xuan told Shao Yunduan about what they had seen at Fuyu Temple during the day. Shao Yunduan listened to her carefully, responding to her every now and then with gentleness. He was glad as long as she was happy.
Suddenly, they saw Yuezheng Ting waving at them not very far away. "Hello, Mrs. Shao!" Qiao Xuan i s face stiffened.
Shao Yunduan frowned slightly. "The Second Miss of the Yuezheng Family doesn't seem to be here without purpose."
Qiao Xuan chuckled. "There is always someone in the family who is troublesome. I am quite curious about what she wants from me."
Soon, Yuezheng Ting and Jiang came to them. "Greetings, what a coincidence!"
Qiao Xuan said calmly, "We are heading back to the guest house. What can I do for you, Second Miss?"
"No, no it is just that I would like to have a small chat with you." Yuezheng Ting smiled. "I am not picking on you. I am just a straightforward person. Don't be mad at me."
Shao Yunduan's eyes sank. He knew that she was up to no good. He wondered what she wanted to do to his wife.
Shao Yunduan again told himself that he was going to become successful in his career so that no one would dare look down on his wife.
Qiao Xuan smiled. "It is fine, Second Miss. I don't mind."
"I knew you were generous!" Yuezheng Ting smiled happily. "That's why I would like to be your friend. Where is your home? I will come and visit you someday."
Both Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were taken aback.
Why was the Second Miss of the Yuezheng Family suddenly curious about where they were from?
They were not going to reveal the truth.
They did not intend to lead the enemy home. Now they were sure that this
Second Miss was going to bring trouble to them..
They did not want any trouble for themselves.
"Just a place in the outskirts area, it's the countryside, not good enough for you to visit, Second Miss. You shouldn't bother to visit the place."
The more Qiao Xuan tried to turn her down, the more excited Yuezheng Ting became. She smiled. "It is okay. My Third Brother visits the place often, right? I won't find it too bad, either. Mrs. Shao, just tell me where it is. It is not a secret, is it?"
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan. '
This blunt girl just did not know how to talk.
Seeing that she could not dodge the question, Qiao Xuan said with a forced voice, "My home is in Xihe Town of Li County."
Yuezheng Ting bore that in mind, but did not seem very happy. "Xihe Town of
Li County? But I don't think that was what you told me last time."
Qiao Xuan blinked her eyes and showed an embarrassed smile. "Li County is located in the outskirts of the province. Sorry for not making it clear. It is not a big deal though, is it?"
Yuezheng Ting had no way to counter her.
That seemed to make sense.
"Anyway, I got it now. I will come and visit you with my mom now. Bye!"
Yuezheng Ting left with Jiang quickly.
Shao Yunduan asked her. "So, she is here to ask us this? Why?"
Qiao Xuan chuckled. "Not sure! She can find her answer in Li County!"
The couple exchanged a look and laughed. Shao Yunduan did not think there was anything wrong with Qiao Xuan misleading the girl.
He said, "I don't think that Miss Yuezheng is a good-tempered person. She may come and pester us next time if she fails to find us. What about buying a small courtyard in the province next time we are here."
They could just live in the courtyard rather than at the mansion, where they might keep running into Yuezheng Ting.
Qiao Xuan's eyes sparkled. "That is a good idea. If we have the courtyard, you can come and wait for the autumn examination ahead of time. We will have more freedom if we have a place of our own."
After a few moments, she suggested. "What about buying a bigger one, so that our mom and the others could come and live with us too? They can also see how busy the province is! Also, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are looking forward to coming here as well!"
Speaking of the funny Shao Sanlang and Yang Xiaoni, Shao Yunduan smiled. Their mood was lifted up. "Ok, it's a deal!"
On the other hand, Yuezheng Ting was showing off how she got to know Qiao Xuan's address. "That should be the correct address. I don't think she will dare to lie to me. It's my fault that I did not pry deeper last time!"
Ms. Mi Junior believed her.
They would not dare lie to her daughter, would they?
Anyways, it was just their home address, not something secretive.
She was going to dig deep into this family to see what on earth was so special about them that was worth the attention of the first section of the family.
Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan took a walk and went back to the guest house. They washed themselves up and slept soon.
Early next morning, Qiao Xuan and the First Madame went shopping after breakfast.
First Madame wanted Qiao Xuan to look pretty at Madame Jia's banquet, thus she took her to high-end garment stores, latest jewelry pavilions and best cosmetic stores for shopping.
Qiao Xuan could see how expensive those places were the moment she looked wasn't so sure about entering those places.
"It is fine. Go in, please." First Madame smiled. "You are a nobly-born lady and you are sure to have more happiness to come to you in the future. You should be dressed accordingly.."
Qiao Xuan smiled. "Aunt, everyone knows that I am a businesswoman from the countryside. These kinds of clothes don't fit my identity. As for prosperity and happiness, I don't need to be impatient. There will always be a chance in the future."
First Madame stiffened.
Qiao Xuan smiled. "Aunt, I am not in a hurry. There will be one day when I have glory."
First Madame soon understood her meaning. Ms. Mi Junior was surely going to disclose Qiao Xuan's identity and add fuel to the fire. So, if Qiao Xuan was too well-dressed, the outsiders would definitely know that it was the First Madame who made the preparations for her, which might cause her far more belittling looks, as well as jealousy.
They would be envious of her for having managed to suck up to the First Madame.
Moreover, they would look down at her behavior and think of her as greedy and opportunist.
No one would believe that Qiao Xuan was able to afford any of these by herself.
"It was my lack of consideration." First Madame smiled. "Okay, let's change to another place. But we can surely buy some ornaments. They are never out of fashion."
Qiao Xuan nodded.
They went shopping for half a day and First Madame took her to a high-end restaurant for lunch.
There was steamed pork ribs with betel nut taro and a shredded radish cold dish that made Qiao Xuan's eyes shine. She asked the manager if she could give her some betel nut taro and Spring Watermelon.
She was going to take them home for planting.
The taros planted at home were small, soft and tasty, but they had a different taste compared to that of betel nut taro.
There were many dishes that could be made with betel nut taros. In addition to steaming pork ribs, they could also steam braised meat, roast meat after oiling, steam mashed taro, cut them into strips and fry, cook porridge with them, and make pancakes. They were going to taste great.
Spring watermelons were very good for cold dishes, fresh, sweet and crispy.
With First Madame present there, the manager agreed. He asked his pageboys to bring large betel nut taros and good-shaped spring watermelons for her to take home, without charging any tees.
He even said happily, "Mrs. Shao, you have sharp eyes. These have been transported from outside the province, they are not from here."
Qiao Xuan smiled and thought to herself that she was going to make them grow here.
On the wagon, First Madame smiled seeing her cherishing these two plants. "If you like them, next time I will ask my elder son to fetch some more from outside and have them delivered to you."
"Thanks, Elder Aunt, but these are enough." Qiao Xuan did not want to conceal it from the First Madame.
She answered happily. "Actually, I want them to plant at home, and in a couple of months, they will grow nicely. I can send a few for you to eat."
First Madame was startled and answered. "You know less than I do. Didn't you hear what the manager said? These are not from here. Our soil might not be good enough for them. Don't be disappointed later."
Qiao Xuan was confident. She curved her lips and smiled. "I may be able to plant and grow things that others can't."
First Madame. '
She suddenly thought of what her younger son had said..
Her younger son told her once that Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan had planted many things at their home. She suddenly remembered different things, including bergamots, shiitake mushrooms, tremella, watermelon, Gastrodia elata, jellies, tomatoes, and various fruits…
Qiao Xuan didn't seem to have lied to them.
"Okay! Then I will be waiting for your fruits. Do remember to give me some!"
First Madame smiled.
Qiao Xuan chuckled and nodded. "Of course!"
In the afternoon, Qiao Xuan asked First Madame to take her for a visit to the farming market, where she bought quite a lot of things.
She picked up several, different kinds of green vegetables and cabbage seeds. There was also a variety of long beans with white skin and black beans inside, and a kind of beans that only had beans in the pods to eat. These beans had purple flower spots and tasted glutinous. Her purchase list also included lotus beans, as well as chayote, gourd melon, a light yellow pepper shaped like a lantern called habanero-type pepper, and many more. There was a lot to harvest, and Qiao Xuan was really happy about it.
First Madame asked her with interest. "If you are so good at planting things, your Brother Hong knows a lot of people across the country, so he can gather seeds for you periodically. If you can make these plants grow successfully, I will be able to taste different things too!"
Qiao Xuan smiled. "Honestly, Aunt, that is exactly what I have been thinking. I have asked my Third Brother to look for them for me." First Madame laughed. "That is fantastic!"
The two of them looked at each other in a good mood.
The following day, they were supposed to buy the laborers.
Shao Yunduan and Yuezheng Xiao came along for this errand.
First Madame was one of the most promising leading madames in the province, and was well-respected.
But she had been almost forgotten after she withdrew from the society to take care of the Old Master.
Now that she was back, the moment she returned to the mansion, she was able to take control of the whole mansion. Only a few days had passed, and everyone in the upper-class of the society knew about this development instantly.
Agencies were engaged in dealing with noble ladies, so they got the news very fast.
No one would dare to play any tricks if someone went to buy the laborers with First Madame.
They did not try to lie to Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, and introduced the most suitable ones to them.
Otherwise, people who just gained some wealth but had no idea about the market like Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, the agents would definitely try to fool them. They would quote high prices and sell them terrible laborers. Even if Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were clever, they could be tricked in this aspect since it was new to them.
But now that would not happen.
Qiao Xuan planned to buy a few dozen people to reside at the Zhang Village to sort out the tea and the garden of the creeping figs. The agent happened to have three families of farmers who had arrived from another town. She introduced them to Qiao Xuan passionately.
"They are down-to-earth people who are good at farming, and diligent too.
They are from three different places and can be supervised easily."
Qiao Xuan believed that with First Madame around, the agent would not play tricks on them. Since the agent said so, she decided to inquire more about them.
She smiled. "Why so?"
The agent laughed and started to explain to Qiao Xuan..
"Mrs. Shao, you are new to this. If two families are acquaintances and move to a new place, they would stick together and isolate the third. If three families are acquaintances, the three families would become one and isolate the manager. So, the best solution is that they shouldn't know each other!"
"I am just saying that out of precaution. It doesn't necessarily have to be like this. What we need to do is to be careful"
That made Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan less confused.
"That is a valid point!" Qiao Xuan smiled. "You are right. We better be careful. But for what you said, we would not have thought about this before!"
Qiao Xuan thanked her constantly.
"You are welcome, Mrs. Shao." The agent cheered inwardly. She could not help but develop a good feeling towards the couple.
She had been in this business for more than 30 years, She was very experienced, and could see through the world easily. Generally speaking, people who became rich from ordinary or poor families had the biggest self-esteem and inferiority complex. They just did not listen to other peoples suggestions, and always felt that others were laughing at them in their hearts.
They would not ask for suggestions or be grateful like the woman in front of her.
But Qiao Xuan was frank and natural, which was a rare thing.
She was confident and seemed to have a lot of abilities that would definitely take them ahead in life.
So, the agent definitely wanted to befriend her.
Finally, they bought 18 laborers as well as six maids.
First Madame offered a temporary place for these people at the private mansion. Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan thanked her for the generosity.
The three households were called Lin Jin, Qiao Shisan and Dong Da, whilst the six maids were called Chunyu, Chunfen, Daman, Xiaoman, Lixia and Liqiu.
All of those were solar terms for easy remembrance.
First Madame laughed at the logic behind the naming process.
When the laborers were bought, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan's mission was completed. After Madame Jia's banquet the next day, they would head home.
It was a busy season for the farmers' family and they had no time to waste.
They had money so they could hire laborers for help, thus not being in such a hurry as the others and choosing to stay at home.
Shao Yunduan kept Qiao Xuan company for shopping this afternoon.
First Madame was very understanding. She could not keep her to her side all the time, especially when she had not spent some quality time with her own husband.
The following day, Ms. Mi Junior hurriedly ate breakfast and came to the First Madame's residence with Yuezheng Ting, fearing that Qiao Xuan would not show up for the banquet.
The daughter and the girl were very well dressed in brocade garments and wearing a lot of shining jewelry.
"We will keep each other company, so I have brought Ting along to accompany
Mrs. Shao. Oh, Mrs. Shao is ready as well?"
Ms. Mi Junior sounded very relaxed. She was looking forward to seeing the show. She smiled even deeper when she saw Qiao Xuan.
First Madame smiled briefly. "Xuan is ready, thanks for your concern!"
Ms. Mi Junior chuckled. "Elder Sister-in-law, your guest is mine as well!"
Yuezheng Ting threw a glance at Qiao Xuan. She was dressed in a pale lotus-colored satin-faced placket, ivory white stand-up collar jacket, and a beige bamboo-leaf-patterned silk-faced pleated skirt..
Apart from a crystal-clear jasper hairpin studded with pearls the size of a finger, there were a few silver hairpins and silk flowers on the bun, completely different from how Yuezheng Ting and her mother were dressed.
"Elder Aunt, why didn't you buy some new dresses for Mrs. Shao? She looks so… shabby."
Ms. Mi Junior chuckled and added. "Yeah, Elder Sister-in-law, if you didn't have time to arrange this small thing, you could have left it to me. I have many new clothes that aren't worn yet, which are still better than what she is wearing now. I can get someone to fetch them for Mrs. Shao. This outfit on her looks very improper! People might think that you are looking down at your guest!"
Qiao Xuan threw a strange look at Ms. Mi Junior, but said with a smile, "Second Madame Yuezheng, I don't really get it. I am here as a guest, and I am wearing my own dress. Why is it related to Aunt? I am not part of the
Yuezheng Family."
Was she trying to make her into a laughing stock? Sorry, that would not work.
"We are from the countryside, and this is how we are dressed. Aunt gave a jade hairpin to me but I still think it is too much. I am sure that Madame Jia knows where I am from and if she looks down at me, she should not have sent me the invitation. Isn't that right?"
Qiao Xuan heard from the First Madame that Madame Jia was Ms. Mi Juniors good friend. So, Ms. Mi Junior should have said a lot of things to Madame Jia who would help Ms. Mi Junior in every aspect.
Therefore, Ms. Mi Junior must have told Madame Jia everything about her.
If Qiao Xuan was dressed fitting her status, then she could counter anyone who laughed at her, and First Madame would help her as well. But if she was dressed above her status, she might become a laughing stock.
Ms. Mi Junior felt somehow uncomfortable, as if her secret had been seen through so she felt annoyed due to shame.
"Madame Jia doesn't look down at you. But you are the guest I bring to the banquet, so you can always be dressed beautifully."
Yuezheng Ting said straightforwardly, "Mrs. Shao, my mom is being kind-hearted! After all, you barely will get a chance to attend any banquet in the future, so you should cherish this occasion."
First Madame frowned and threw Yuezheng Ting a displeased look.
It seemed that this niece of hers had been completely ruined by her mother.
This sister-in-law had ruined two of her daughters. How excellent she had been at raising a child…
"No need." Qiao Xuan ignored her provocation and showed a brief smile. "I am fine like this."
"Just save your breath." First Madame said coldly, "Xuan is the guest and she should have the final say. I like how she is dressed. Very proper!'
Ms. Mi Junior sneered. "Okay then, you have the say, Elder Sister-in-law!"
She sized up Qiao Xuan secretly, thinking that Qiao Xuan must be feeling unconvinced. She was a countryside person and she never had the qualification to attend any noble banquets in the province.
It was such a rare opportunity. She would definitely have liked to dress up well and show up in glory.
Every woman loved beautiful clothes and jewelry.
Anyway, Ms. Mi Junior snorted coldly. She believed that Qiao Xuan would hate the Elder Sister-in-law for what she got now. It was a fun thing to watch..