BXBX NOVEL Chapter 66 - 66: Madam Qjao is a Kind Person
Qiao Mai returned with a bowl of egg custard and saw Ling’er lying on Shopkeeper Lu’s shoulder, nibbling on her fingers and smiling.
It’s good that she didn’t cry. With so many people around, she was worried Ling’er might be scared.
Sitting next to Shopkeeper Lu, Qiao Mai was about to take Ling’er, saying, “Eat. I’ll feed her.’
“We’re almost done eating. I’ll hold her while you feed her.”
Ling’er, born at the beginning of the second lunar month, was over nine months old. When she saw the bowl, she was so excited that she reached out to be carried.
“Good girl, the bowl is hot. Let’s blow on it before you eat.”
Using a spoon, Qiao Mai blew on a spoonful of egg custard, and Shopkeeper Lu looked at her with a smile.
“Let’s give her a name,” She suggested.
Qiao Mai thought for a moment. “Since she’s so lively, let’s call her Ling’er for now. Come, Ling’er, have some egg custard.”
Ling’er opened her mouth wide, and Qiao Mai fed her a spoonful of egg custard.
The three little ones next to her couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.
It was as if that spoonful of egg custard was meant for them, especially
Chuan’er, who looked longingly.
Seeing their expressions, Qiao Mai understood that the twin brothers probably hadn’t eaten such food before. Chuan’er, in particular, had lost his mother shortly after birth. Yuan Jiaqi might not know how to prepare this.
Therefore, she told them, “Tomorrow morning, I’ll steam a big bowl for each of you.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
In no time, Ling’er was full. There was still half a bowl of egg custard left. Qiao Mai handed the bowl to Chuan’er.
“Do you mind eating the leftovers from your little sister?”
Chuan’er grinned, “No problem. I’ll eat it now, and later, Mother can make a new bowl for my little sister.”
Taking the bowl, he devoured the food and wiped his mouth when he was done.
“Egg custard is delicious. It is soft and smooth. So tasty!”
It was clear that he hadn’t tasted it before, which made Qiao Mai feel a little sad.
Yuan Jiaqi chimed in, “How about this? From tomorrow onward, I’ll steam a big bowl for each of you every day!”
“Father, do you know how to cook this?” “I can learn from your mother, right?”
“Okay, it’s a deal!”
After Ling’er was full, Qiao Mai held her and let Shopkeeper Lu eat.
Ling’er watched as everyone ate in her mother’s arms, occasionally breaking into a smile.
After the meal, Shopkeeper Lu looked at Ling’er and said, “She seems to be in good health. It’s too cold to visit the clinic on a day like this. I’ll go talk to the mayor first.”
“Thank you, Sister Lu.”
“Don’t be so polite with me.”
It was clear from her tone that she was preparing to leave. Madam Chen and her son also stood up.
“We’re heading home as well.”
“Alright, if you need anything and it’s inconvenient at home, just call us, alright?”
“Understood!”
Madam Chen left, and Shopkeeper Lu followed suit. Fengyun and the others began clearing the table.
Yuan Jiaqi took Ling’er from Qiao Mai’s arms and said, “I’ll hold her. Tell us what needs to be done, and the children can help.”
“I only need to clean the copper pot. You can rinse the rest.”
Qiao Mai took the copper pot and headed back to her room. She placed it directly into her storage space, knowing there was no need to clean it. The space automatically cleaned everything, leaving it like new.
Returning to the living room, Qiao Mai wrapped Ling’er up again and brought her back to her room.
She helped Ling’er sit by the window and said, “Look, it’s snowing outside. Do you like it?”
Ling’er responded with giggles that sounded like little bells. Yuan Jiaqi smiled as he heard the laughter.
Qiao Mai was a kind person. She adopted Fengyun and now this little girl.
Perhaps in her eyes, he was no different from the other adopted children.
Three days passed, and Ling’er hadn’t left Qiao Mai’s room.
Seeing that she seemed fine, Qiao Mai was relieved. Around this time,
Shopkeeper Lu sent word that there had been no reports of a lost child in town.
Therefore, Qiao Mai asked Yuan Jiaqi for help in watching over the kid while she wrote down Ling’er’s name and birthdate on paper. She found the mayor and asked him to help with the registration.
Hearing that Qiao Mai was adopting another child, the mayor expressed his admiration.
“If everyone had your sense of compassion, there wouldn’t be so many beggars in the Great Ming Dynasty.”
“Not necessarily. The good beggars are often captured by human traffickers and sold. Those left are usually disabled and struggling to survive. These are the ones who need help the most.”
“Do we have any porridge distribution in our town?”
The mayor gave her a look. “Of course. I am one!”
“Oh, Mayor, I didn’t know you were such a kind-hearted person!”
“Sigh, as the mayor, I can only manage this area. I can’t handle more than that. There are tens of thousands of beggars in the Great Ming Dynasty, and I can’t speak for my family.”
Qiao Mai understood his point. “Mayor, when will my daughter’s registration be completed?” “Soon. I’ll have the guards deliver it to you.”
“Thank you, Mayor.”
“Remember my New Year’s gift.”
Qiao Mai rolled her eyes. “Got it!”
Since Ling’er came out of the space, Qiao Mai hadn’t been outside to sell her goods. She stayed home every day to take care of Ling’er, embroidering when she slept.
In the daytime, the temperature in Tianshui Town was around negative ten degrees Celsius. At night, it dropped to around negative twenty degrees Celsius. It was freezing.
Ling’er was still young and needed constant care. Yuan Jiaqi was a man and could take care of the boys, but taking care of a girl was a different matter due to his concerns.
Therefore, she had to stay at home.
A few days ago, she had researched various weaving techniques online during the evening. She found several unique designs and taught them to Ruxin and Ruyi.
Unexpectedly, these woven items sold very well. This led to Shopkeeper Lu visiting her often, especially when Ling’er was awake.
She would help take care of her so that Qiao Mai could work on her embroidery.
“Sister?”
“What?”
“Since there’s only one more month until the New Year, do you have any ideas on how to make my business more prosperous?”
“What’s the rush? Do you need money urgently?”
“Not really. I just want to improve my business and create a festive atmosphere for the New Year.’
Qiao Mai looked at her. “When my clothes are sold, I should be able to give you a few thousand taels of silver.’
“But I haven’t contributed anything. Taking your money wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“You can’t eat a whole pie in one bite. Right now, you haven’t even cultivated a network of customers. How can your business thrive? I won’t take custom orders. No matter what you say, I won’t accept them.”
“I understand. Well, Ruxin and Ruyi are currently taking custom orders.”
“Are Xiu Hong and Xiu Yu suited for this craft?”
“They’re still learning. They should be able to manage. After the New Year, they can start taking weaving orders.”
The two chatted leisurely. Qiao Mai considered teaching her the dyeing technique as well, but she thought it was too early.
Shopkeeper Lu’s business was relatively small. If she taught her this skill and it spread, it might bring disaster rather than prosperity. The courtyard gate rang, and Qiao Mai immediately stood up.
“Sister Lu, sit. It’s probably Ling’er’s registration that’s ready.”
She went out happily. Seeing her leave, Yuan Jiaqi returned to the room.
The living room was filled with the sound of children reading, creating an atmosphere of scholarly ambiance in the small courtyard.
Qiao Mai opened the door and indeed saw the guard standing there.
“Madam Qiao, your family’s registration is complete.”
“Thank you, Sir. Now I have a son and a daughter, completing the family.”
“Congratulations!”
Qiao Mai naturally didn’t want him to come for nothing. She handed him a silver coin and then went back inside to grab two boxes of rice cakes.
“I don’t have sugar or melon seeds. Will these do?”
“Thank you, Madam Qiao!”
“Sir, take care!”
With a cheerful heart, she closed and locked the courtyard gate, then returned to her room while holding the registration paper.
“Sister Lu, look, the registration is done.”
“Seems like you’re in a good mood.”
Qiao Mai picked up Linger, placed a cotton hat on her head, and headed to the living room. As soon as she entered, the children stopped reading.
“Sorry for interrupting. I’m just so thrilled. Ling’er’s registration is done. From now on, she’s your little sister. Come on, say hello to your sister.”