BXBX NOVEL Chapter 69 - 69: On The Right Track!
Upon arriving at the Wang family’s residence, Qiao Mai shouted from the carriage, “Go tell your young miss that the goods she wanted have arrived!
Come to the entrance to inspect them.”
The guards had already received orders from Wang Jiaru, so they rushed into the estate. It didn’t take long before Wang Jiaru hurried along with Wang Zihan.
“Oh my, right on time.”
“I said I would come, and besides, I need to earn some silver for the New Year.’
“You’re so obsessed with money. Are you afraid I’ll steal your silver?”
“Of course! I run a small business. I can’t afford to lose.’
There was no need for Qiao Mai to explain. Wang Jiaru immediately climbed into the carriage and uncovered the goods. She burst into a bright smile upon seeing the ten boxes inside.
“It’s exactly what I wanted. Thank you so much, Sister Qiao.”
Wang Jiaru handed Qiao Mai some silver notes. “Here’s 8,700 taels of silver. I got a good price of 10,000 taels for the clothes.”
“Thank you.”
“As for these goods, I won’t pay you. Consider it a token of appreciation for me.”
“I intended to give these as New Year’s gifts.”
“The matter of the scholar has also been arranged for you, but he mentioned that he wants to visit your home first.”
“Sure, as long as he’s willing to come and teach my husband and children, I will treat him well with good food and drinks.”
“Truly getting things on the right track!”
In the corner of the courtyard, an elderly man with a white beard listened to their conversation and nodded approvingly. Qiao Mai put away the silver notes, hopped down from the carriage, and went to oversee the unloading of the goods.
The elder instructed them to place the goods to the side for inspection.
He was impressed, especially considering the winter season.
The Wang family does not lack money or gold. Qiao Mai’s resourcefulness made him contemplate her potential for teaching.
With the goods unloaded, Qiao Mai waved to Wang Jiaru, saying, “See you next year!”
“Wait a moment. I also prepared a New Year’s gift for you.”
Wang Jiaru motioned to someone behind her, and one after another, gift boxes were loaded onto Qiao Mai’s carriage. The carriage was nearly full by the time they were done.
Qiao Mai was taken aback. She thought, “Is Miss Wang treating me as a friend?
Is this an exchange of gifts?”
Without hesitation, she performed a polite bow.
“I consider you a friend now. Thank you.”
“No need to be formal. Just remember that if you ever have something good to sell, come to me, and I’ll handle it.”
“Sure thing. If you have time during the New Year, visit my house.”
“Definitely. ”
These few simple sentences solidified their friendship.
Qiao Mai had considered buying gifts for her family in the town, but the goods in her carriage made her change her mind.
However, she still bought some famous local snacks, alcohol, and food.
She did not need to enter the shop. The workers would deliver what she wanted to her carriage.
With thoughts of her family, Qiao Mai didn’t eat out but rather headed straight home.
It had been a while since Dong Zao had come out for a walk, and it had gained some weight. It was huffing and puffing, perhaps indicating the need for more exercise.
The considerable sum of silver boosted Qiao Mai’s spirits. As she neared Tianshui Town, she brought Ling’er out of her space.
Ling’er looked around with wide eyes, unused to the change of environment.
Was she dreaming?
Qiao Mai arrived at the embroidery shop and called, “Sister Lu, you’re still open at this hour?” “We’ll close three days later. Some people haven’t picked up their orders yet.”
“Come over here.” “What’s up?
“Good news!”
Shopkeeper Lu put down what she was working on and came to the carriage. Qiao Mai handed her four silver notes.
“I got ten thousand taels for the clothes. Since we’re splitting it evenly, here’s four thousand for you.”
Shopkeeper Lu’s hands trembled as she accepted the silver notes, her eyes moist. She pulled out a silver note from the stack.
“The clothes were your effort, and I didn’t do much. I can’t bear the thought of splitting it evenly. This is the payment for the clothes, and you better take it.
Otherwise, I won’t visit your house during the New Year.”
Seeing her stubbornness, Qiao Mai accepted the silver note. “I must visit your house during the New Year too. We’ve known each other for so long, yet I’ve never been to your place.”
“You’re not going to your in-laws’ on the first day?”
Shopkeeper Lu sighed. “I’ll be honest. Although my in-laws are decent, they live with my younger brother-in-law’s family. It’s inconvenient for me to go there. I can send the New Year’s gifts through someone. I don’t need to be there in person; they’ll understand.”
“Well, don’t go if you don’t want to. No need to make things difficult for yourself. Alright, it’s cold out. I should hurry back home.”
Only then did Shopkeeper Lu notice Ling’er in Qiao Mai’s arms.
She nagged, “You’re something else. If it’s inconvenient, you can leave the child at my place. What if she catches a cold while you’re out? Now go back quickly.”
“Alright, I’m off.”
Qiao Mai left, and Shopkeeper Lu wiped away a tear. She put the silver notes in her pocket, patted them, and headed back inside.
With the several thousand taels of silver from Qiao Mai, along with her previous earnings, Lu Jie felt more confident.
She had gained returns for her good deeds. Qiao Mai’s efforts had earned her almost ten thousand taels of silver.
It was a substantial sum. Even if her daughter married into a higher-ranking family, the dowry wouldn’t be a concern.
Returning home, Yuan Jiaqi quickly greeted Qiao Mai, helping her bring the child into the house. He and the boys assisted in unloading the goods from the carriage.
The goods were moved into Qiao Mai’s room. Dong Zao was taken to the stable, and the carriage was parked by the outer wall.
Yuan Tiaai closed the door. and the whole family gathered in Qiao Mai’s room.
“Mother, Sister, are you cold?”
Their eyes kept glancing at the pile of goods.
“Haha, of course, it’s cold.’
Qiao Mai took off Ling’er’s coat and let her sit on the heated brick bed. The twins climbed onto the bed to play with her.
Qiao Mai began organizing the gifts from Wang Jiaru.
“Some of these are from Miss Wang, and some are bought from the Capital. Later, I’ll find some more things from the warehouse to prepare for two sets of gifts. We’ll send one to the mayor’s house and one for Sister Lu, okay?”
“Sure.”
Without stopping, Qiao Mai hurried to the warehouse and took a few boxes of fruits and vegetables from her space, carrying them back into the house.
Compared to the boxes she gave to Wang Jiaru, these wooden boxes were smaller.
She picked two jars of wine, four packs of pastries, two jars of sauce duck, and two roasted chickens, paired with two boxes of fruits and four boxes of vegetables.
“You can first deliver these to the mayor’s house.”
Yuan Jiaqi’s eyes flickered upon seeing the fresh fruits and vegetables, but he didn’t ask much. He brought a handcart and loaded the items onto it before heading out.
From among the heap of items, Qiao Mai picked out a pack of pastries and placed it on the table, letting the children eat.
Chuan’er held a piece of pastry and asked, “Mom, can I give this to my little sister?”
“Yes, but only put a little bit in her mouth. Not too much.”
Then Qiao Mai picked out identical sets of gifts and set them aside. She stored away the remaining items she had bought from the Capital in the warehouse and locked it.
It wasn’t that she was guarding against Yuan Jiaqi and the others. No one knew what might happen at night.
Returning to her room, she glanced at the children. Ling’er and her older brothers were playing well together.
She continued organizing the gifts from Wang Jiaru. In a large box were clothes and shoes for her family, all brand new.
Judging by the styles, they were the latest fashions from the Capital, showing that Miss Wang had put in some thought.
There were also two delicate boxes containing sets of silver jewelry, presumably for Qiao Mai.
And there was a beautifully crafted vanity box, also for Qiao Mai. It seemed that after visiting her bedroom last time and seeing nothing there, Miss Wang had thought of sending her this.
Qiao Mai smiled, picked up the box, and placed it on the vanity table, wiping it clean with a cloth.
As she casually opened one of the compartments, Qiao Mai was surprised to find it wasn’t empty..