Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: How Much Do You Still Have?
Chapter 167: How Much Do You Still Have?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“She usually likes to practice martial arts. Her skills are quite good.”
“Then can she come to the mansion…”
Before he could finish, Old Master Wang interrupted.
“She has a family to take care of. It’s not suitable for her to come to the capital.
Besides, she doesn’t like it here.”
“Are there people who don’t like the capital?”
“Yes, she likes farming, practicing martial arts, doing small business, and enjoys rural life. The capital is not for her.”
“That’s a pity!”
Seeing that the Wang family all protected Qiao Mai, the prince smiled and didn’t insist further.
Not long after, Qiao Mai came to the front hall with her sleeves rolled up.
“Greetings to the prince!”
“You are Ru’er’s sister, and I am her husband. From now on, you are my sister. No need to be so formal.’
“Thank you. I’m cooking in the kitchen. Please sit down and chat with
Grandmother and the others.”
“Go ahead!”
Qiao Mai pointed at the living room and returned to the kitchen, where Wang Jiaru helped her.
“I heard about that night. It was so dangerous.”
“Don’t be impulsive in the future. Listen to the women talking about the backyard affairs. Although it may sound vulgar, you must listen carefully. Some things need to be guarded against.” “That sounds like a lot of work.’
“Is your life more important or your laziness?”
“I understand, sister. What are you making for lunch today?”
“Your family likes seafood, right? We have plenty of ingredients in the capital, so I’ll prepare a table for you. You haven’t had a good meal these days.”
“Yes, I didn’t eat well at my in-laws’ house. Sister, you need to replenish me well. ”
“Do you think we’re at home and could have whatever you wanted? Just make do.”
Although she said that, Qiao Mai still demonstrated her best culinary skills for this meal. She couldn’t let the Wang family lose face when Wang Jiaru brought her husband to visit.
She had to consider the Wang family in everything.
Seeing that Ru’er was only causing trouble here, Qiao Mai chased her out and returned to the living room, where she smiled at the Wang family with embarrassment.
“Sister Qiao kicked me out!” “Quickly sit down. Don’t make trouble over there.”
“I wanted to help my sister.”
“Just focus on eating. With you there, she’s even busier.”
The Wang family watched. Since Jiaru returned to the living room, the prince’s gaze was fixed on her.
It seemed like this was true love. Otherwise, how could a prince like him, with his handsome appearance, marry the daughter of a fourth-ranked official?
The Wang family really went all out this time. Ruler’s dowry alone, excluding the dowry from the prince’s mansion, was almost three hundred carriages, making it auite a grand occasion.
On the morning of their wedding night, the prince was stunned when he saw her dressing table and dressing mirror.
This was unique in the capital. No one else had it except for his little princess.
Wang Jiaru didn’t hide it from him and told him about Qiao Mai’s abilities, but she only brushed through it because she knew Qiao Mai’s personality.
The prince remembered it and thought about recruiting Qiao Mai for his use, which led to the scene at the beginning.
What a joke! Even if Qiao Mai were willing, the Wang family wouldn’t be. Their daughter already became his wife, and the other had to become his subordinate? Why should they?
Even though he was a royal relative, the Wang family didn’t want it. Not everyone wanted to curry favor with the royal family.
The laughter and conversation rang in the living room. After a while, the dining room began to set up.
A table full of seafood, meat dishes, and stir-fried vegetables was served. Even the prince, accustomed to luxury, couldn’t help but gulp.
What was this flavor? Ah! Such a fragrant aroma! Wasn’t this meant to embarrass the prince?
Seeing Li Longji continuously salivating, the Wang family members secretly chuckled.
But no one started eating yet because Qiao Mai hadn’t arrived, which indicated how highly the Wang family regarded her.
The prince felt puzzled. Could this young lady really be that talented?
From Ru’er’s description, he knew Qiao Mai had exceptional culinary skills, embroidery skills, and martial arts abilities. She was a virtuous person and even had connections with overseas merchants.
In short, she had numerous strengths and almost no weaknesses.
After some thought, he figured there was one area she lacked – If she had a more beautiful appearance, she would be perfect.
After cooking, Qiao Mai took two porcelain bottles of white liquor from her space and went to the dining room.
“Why isn’t anyone sitting down?”
“We’re family. If you don’t come, how can we sit?”
Seeing her arrive, everyone finally entered the dining room, gathered around the table, and took their seats. Feng’er and the others didn’t join them for the meal as they ate at the Haitang Courtyard.
Rul er accepted the wine bottle and said, “I’m the youngest here, so let me pour everyone a drink.”
The men at the table couldn’t help but salivate as the wine was incredibly fragrant. Old Master Wang looked at Qiao Mai.
“Girl, I didn’t expect you to bring this wine.”
“You like this wine, so I brought a few more bottles for you.”
“How many bottles do you have?”
“Ten bottles!”
“Before you leave, can you give five bottles to your sister and her husband?”
“Alright, Grandfather.”
The prince was quite pleased. “Thanks, sister!”
Qiao Mai glanced at the prince and treated him as casually as a family member. Her eyes showed neither awe nor flattery. The prince found it interesting.
She was undoubtedly not an ordinary woman. She was more like a monk in a temple, looking at worldly matters as if they were beneath her.
While the men enjoyed their wine and conversation, the women discussed their matters.
However, while eating and drinking, the prince never forgot to peel shrimp and crabs for Ruler. It made others envious.
“Sister, I heard you and Grandmother are selling hair accessories here?”
“Yes, we were pestered by those beauty-loving girls, so we started selling some.”
“I didn’t expect your gifts to be so precious. Each hair accessory costs ten thousand taels! What about earrings?” “I only sell hair ornaments, not earrings.”
“What if you did?”
“Five thousand taels each.”
“Wow, the clothes and jewelry I wore add up to tens of thousands of silver!”
“You’re surprised? Your wedding attire alone cost me a hundred thousand taels.
Luckily, I have a friend in the capital who happened to have such clothes. Otherwise, you would have…”
“Hehe, a wedding attire worth a hundred thousand taels. I’ll cherish it.”
“Sister, could you make a few more mirrors for me?”
“Do you want full-body mirrors or dressing mirrors?”
“Both! This time, I’ll pay for them. I can’t always take advantage of you.”
“For gifts?”
She nodded shyly. “Mother-in-law gave me such a precious bracelet, so I need to give her something special. She said she liked my mirror.”
“I see. Maybe around New Year’s, I’ll ask my friend if anyone has these items.
I’ll bring them over when I get the chance.”
“Thank you, sister. I’m overjoyed. I have a loving grandfather, parents who adore me, and a doting sister.”
“Enough of that. This doting should be coming from your husband.”
The men drank and chatted. Although the prince was young and couldn’t discern the quality of the wine, he drank more because of its fragrance.
They had nearly finished half of the dishes, and everyone was thoroughly satisfied with this meal.
When they arrived, Jiaru had brought many gifts. She distributed them to everyone, including Feng’er and the others.
Knowing that Old Mistress Wang and the others would leave in half a day, she felt reluctant to part. She almost stayed behind but had to leave with the prince after seeing his pitiful gaze.
The family saw them off at the gate. As soon as they got on the carriage and it started moving, Madam Wang started to shed tears.
Old Mistress Wang’s mouth twitched like she had eaten something sour. “Alright, don’t cry. Ru’er has found a good man. She’s going to enjoy her life. If you cry all her good fortune away, it’s not worth it. The capital isn’t far from Wei City, so you can come and visit whenever you miss her. No one is stopping you..”