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“You don’t take people’s children, so someone else starts a school that teaches them for free, especially if they come from poor families. It won’t affect your private school. If you don’t do good deeds while others are, you might leave this place and find another town.”

Mayor Qian’s words were delivered with a measured tone, neither too harsh nor gentle, but they hit Mr. Lin like a hammer, leaving him almost dizzy. Mr. Lin was left embarrassed and humiliated. He quickly bowed to Mayor Qian.

“I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll take my leave!”

He scurried away, leaving Mayor Qian to shake his head in disgust.

“Some people have no shame. He had the nerve to come here and complain. Not giving him a tongue-lashing is already mercy.”

Mr. Lin had wanted to complain, but he ended up being humiliated. After he returned home, he fell ill.

In the town, there were several scholars. Even Old Master Wang, a Tribute Scholar, was residing there. Mr. Lin paid little attention to teaching and was more interested in gossip. People like him weren’t welcome.

Upon learning that Qiao Mai had opened a school, Old Master Wang developed a newfound respect for her.

She surpassed all the women in the world, and most men fell short in comparison. She was a remarkable woman.

As for Yuan Jiaqi, he was naturally proud and filled with happiness whenever Qiao Mai’s name was mentioned.

Whenever he had time, he and Old Master Wang would visit the school to help out. Sometimes, Old Mistress Wang would also go with the kitchen servants to assist in serving meals to the children.

The school became popular, and even people from other towns and villages outside Tianshui Town wanted to send their children there.

Qiao Mai had no objections, provided they arranged transportation for the children to and from the school, as the long journey worried her.

Qiao Mai entrusted the operation of the school to Qin Yide. She didn’t want to get too involved in the daily management.

But then, why did she keep bumping into Madam Chen lately?

When she inquired, she found that Madam Chen had enrolled her son in the school.

Qiao Mai rolled her eyes but decided not to let adult matters affect the children. She let it go.

However, Madam Chen was getting bolder and more persistent. She would sit in front of Liu Hai’s house every day, claiming she had nothing to do but wait for her son.

In reality, she was secretly watching Yuan Jiaqi, her love interest.

Qiao Mai shook her head and decided not to get involved. This was Madam Chen’s and Yuan Jiaqi’s romantic entanglement, and she let them navigate it on their own.

Love entanglement! Let them figure it out themselves!

Yuan Jiaqi was growing increasingly disgusted with Madam Chen’s obsession. He thought there were plenty of other men to marry, but she insisted on clinging to him.

If he had been single, her infatuation would have been somewhat understandable, but now, he was married into the Qiao family. Still, she clung to him. Such behavior in a woman had questionable morals, and he didn’t appreciate it.

He visited the school in the beginning but soon stopped going.

Madam Chen kept pushing her son, Chen Hao, to play with Qiao Mai’s family to find an excuse to explore the Qiao household.

Qiao Mai had moved to a new house and had not paid any attention to Madam

Chen since then. She hadn’t even invited her to any gatherings. This had left Madam Chen quite angry back then.

However, when Madam Chen saw that Qiao Mai was making a lot of money and helping the community, she couldn’t help but feel envious and longed to return to the way things were between them in the past.

Chen Hao, who was already eleven and mature, glared at Madam Chen.

“Mother, if you want to remarry, I won’t object. But Mr. Yuan is already married. You should give up on him.”

Madam Chen’s face turned red. “Nonsense, I’m just here because you used to have fun playing with them. We haven’t gone there since we moved.”

“Stop making excuses. If you don’t say anything, I might still find time to play with them. But now that you’ve said it, I won’t go, especially since the three brothers had to study during the day and practice martial arts at night. They don’t have time to play. If you are too free, learn from Aunt Qiao and figure out how to make more money instead of being infatuated with Mr. Yuan. He has a wife. He’s not someone we can aim for.’

Madam Chen was embarrassed and wanted to slap him, but she thought better. After all, he might have to support her in her old age.

Besides, Chen Hao was well-behaved and obedient. He just happened to disagree with her about the Qiao family, which she blamed on Qiao Mai.

After addressing the school’s affairs, Qiao Mai finally unloaded some of her burdens.

She now had a steward to manage her affairs, and with Shopkeeper Niu overseeing the shops, she could focus on her cultivation.

However, someone started to gossip, saying that Qiao Mai opened the school for her reputation. The teachers in the school were unqualified, and the midday meal was made from the leftovers of the Qiao family.

Qiao Mai didn’t care, but she could guess who was behind this.

It must have something to do with Mr. Lin. Qiao Mai was puzzled. She couldn’t understand why he seemed to have a grudge against her for opening a school. After all, her school didn’t compete with his private tutoring.

Qin Yide approached her and asked, “Master, how do you want to handle this situation?”

“A clear conscience fears no slander. We can ignore it. Our school doesn’t charge tuition for the students. Anyone who believes these rumors can stay away. You’ll save yourself some trouble.”

“Sounds reasonable!”

Qin Yide returned to the school, but Qiao Mai’s kitchen servants became angry.

They decided to serve lunch for the students outdoors. This way, everyone could see the quality of food provided by the Qiao family.

“No way! Our Qiao family doesn’t even let us eat leftovers. We only feed them to the chickens. The master’s rules are that no one in the family eats leftovers, which includes the children.”

“Those who spread such lies are despicable. Our master has a kind heart for opening this school, and people are jealous. If you have the guts, go ahead and donate money, open a school, and feed the students, or you can keep your mouth shut. If you can’t afford to help, then don’t talk nonsense. Your ancestors won’t be able to show their faces in the afterlife.’

Onlookers burst into laughter. Qin Yide, along with Ruyi and the kitchen servant, sat outdoors to eat with the students.

The students commented, “We have this kind of food every day. We even get meat in our meals.”

The children were honest and wouldn’t tell lies, and it was clear to everyone that the food was not leftovers. In response, the kitchen servants decided that as long as the weather allowed, they would serve the children’s meals outside for everyone to see. They wanted everyone to witness the quality of food provided.

It was surprising that even providing a simple meal for the children caused such turmoil. The kitchen servants were genuinely concerned for their mistress’s well-being.

Qiao Mai remained unbothered and watched the situation unfold with a smile outside Qiao’s Small Eatery.

Those who believed the rumors could stay away, as she wouldn’t mind having fewer children to feed. After all, the midday meal for the students amounted to thousands of kilograms each year, not to mention vegetables and meat.

Someone seemed to have underestimated her intentions, thinking she was running the school to compete with them and steal their money..