Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Aren’t You Thinking Too Highly of Her?
Chapter 250: Aren’t You Thinking Too Highly of Her?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Mother, how did this girl turn out like this?”
“She had it too easy, and we indulged her. Gave her whatever she wanted.”
“But she’s still my daughter.”
“Zongsheng did the right thing, sending her back and letting the prince’s mansion handle it. She needs to experience some hardship, or she won’t remember the difficult days she used to have.”
Old Master Wang rolled his eyes at Madam Wang. “Hurry and prepare the New
Year goods, five times the usual for Madam Qiao’s family.”
Madam Wang widened her eyes. “Father, isn’t that too much?”
“You’ll do as I say. Madam Qiao is an extraordinary woman. She’s not as simple as she appears. What Ruler did was inexcusable, and we need to show
sincerity. ”
“What about the dividend?”
“Ru’er won’t get her share anymore. We’ll give Madam Qiao our shares too.” “Father, aren’t you overestimating her?”
“Tell me, in the Ming Dynasty, who can treat Zihan? Who can provide the pills? Do you think she cares about your money? She took it to show she wants to befriend us, not because she lacks it.’
“But that’s a lot.”
Old Master Wang’s face darkened. “I want you to give Madam Qiao all our dividends and Ru’er’s. I’m not asking you to give up your share. Do you have a problem with that?” “I just think it’s too much. We’ve had high expenses in recent years.”
“Prepare it right away!”
It was a rare moment of the old master shouting at Madam Wang. She nodded quickly.
“Yes, Father, I’ll get ready.”
Once she left, Old Master Wang couldn’t hide his frustration. “Always focused on that little bit of silver. It’s so irritating.”
Old Mistress Wang raised an eyebrow at him. “Yeah, you’re the best.” “Old lady, don’t tease me. I’m only like this because of Madam Qiao.” Old Mistress Wang rolled her eyes. “She does have some abilities, I admit.”
“You’re wrong. None of you see it.”
Old Master Wang explained his findings to the old lady in detail. She sucked in a breath of cold air.
“So, she has a connection with the immortals?”
Old Master Wang shook his head. “I think the medicine she gave Zihan is from the immortal realm. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work so effectively. Many famous doctors couldn’t do anything about his condition.”
“Oh, I see. Then what Rul er did…”
“That’s why I say she’s a fool. Don’t meddle in Rul er’s affairs. Zongsheng has sent people to protect her secretly. We should sincerely befriend Madam Qiao and not ruin our relationship of so many years just because of one person.” “Of course. Perhaps one day, Madam Qiao will be able to help us with Ruler.” “Don’t always count on her for help. The two of us living in her house have gained many benefits. Not to mention anything else, have you ever seen cats like these in the Ming Dynasty? They must be worth a lot of silver, but she didn’t even blink an eye when she gave them to you. She genuinely treats you like a grandmother.”
“I also genuinely consider her my granddaughter.” “That’s why, try not to bring up Rul er too much.”
“I understand.”
Therefore, the New Year goods from the Wang family were delivered to the Qiao family. It was already the 27th of the twelfth month. Madam Wang felt the amount of silver notes was enormous, so she came to deliver them.
“Madam Qiao, Rul er has caused you a lot of trouble.”
“It’s not troublesome.”
“My father said he wants to compensate you. He’s sent over his and my mother’s dividends, as well as Rul er’s.”
Qiao Mai looked at her as she placed a stack of silver notes on the table. She then handed it to Zihan.
“Take it. I don’t have anything to give you on ordinary days, so take this and buy some candy.”
This one sentence left Madam Wang blushing.
“Madam Qiao, are you still holding a grudge over what happened before?”
“No, I don’t lack silver. I’ll keep the New Year goods, and the silver notes can go to Zihan.”
“Girl, this is… 500,000 taels of silver notes.”
“In my eyes, these silver notes are only enough to buy a grain of medicine for Zihan. ”
Madam Wang was shocked. “One pill for Zihan is that expensive?”
“That’s something you can’t buy even if you have money.”
Madam Wang’s mouth trembled for a moment. Her son had taken several bottles of those pills. She couldn’t imagine how much it must have cost.
Zihan respectfully bowed to Qiao Mai. “I’ll remember this. I can’t make big promises right now, but I’ll treat you like a real sister.”
“You’re a good child. I didn’t mean anything by that. I just want you to know that I don’t lack money. So, put it away yourselves. When there’s a disaster among the common people, you can use it to help.”
“Girl, you…”
Madam Wang was too moved to say anything. She glanced at the weather and prepared to leave.
Qiao Mai prepared two hot water bags filled with hot water to maintain their warmth for a long time so they didn’t have to worry about spilling.
She handed the hot water bags to them. “If you’re leaving, do it quickly. The weather is bad. This will keep you warm.”
Zihan took one and held it against his chest. “Sister, it’s so warm.”
“After the water gets cold, you can twist the cap like this, pour the cold water, and fill it with hot water again. Twist it tight.”
“Thank you, sister. This is great; I can take it to school with me.”
Madam Wang was deeply moved by Qiao Mai’s thoughtfulness. As she and her son sat in the carriage, she felt sentimental. If Ruler could be half as good as Madam Qiao, she would be content.
The parents were right; their daughter was honored to become sworn sisters with Madam Qiao.
They wouldn’t indulge their child anymore. Allowing her to develop such a free-spirited nature had only harmed her in the end.
Wang Zongsheng arrived in the imperial city on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. On the way, Wang Jiaru had been difficult, and he had to drug her asleep most of the way.
Once they arrived, he sent her straight to the prince’s mansion, leaving her with a letter and heading back.
The letter conveyed the message that Jiaru was lacking in wisdom and hoped that the prince’s parents would discipline her.
They had intended to punish the young princess severely for her unauthorized journey with the children, but when they saw the letter from their family, their anger dissipated. They had their servants confine Jiaru, telling everyone she was sick and wouldn’t take any guests, especially not her child.
Wang Jiaru screamed and yelled in the courtyard as if she had gone mad. The Old Royal Consort had the servants put sedatives in her food.
If she woke up and continued to cause trouble, the servants would force-feed her more medication.
The mansion had various methods to keep the peace. In just a few days, she became obedient, not crying or making a fuss.
This time, Wang Jiaru privately took her child out, violating a major rule of the prince’s household. She should have been severely punished, but since she was still young and Wang Zongsheng provided a substantial amount of silver to the mansion yearly, they chose to confine her without taking further action.
As for when she would be released, predictions from knowledgeable individuals indicated it would be at least half a year.
The news of her actions had spread like wildfire throughout the imperial city, and when she returned, it became an even more sensational topic.
Jiaru spent her days in her room, crying her heart out, while all her servants and maids were reassigned to other tasks by the Old Royal Consort.
In cases where the master was guilty, their servants would also be punished, which was standard practice.
Wang Zongsheng returned home on the eleventh day of the Lunar New Year. He was busy handling official business upon his return. He occasionally heard about the matter concerning his daughter, but he chose to ignore it.
However, his wife was deeply distressed by the situation. But under the watchful eyes of Old Master and Mistress Wang, she didn’t dare visit the imperial city.
If she didn’t go, her daughter would receive a lighter punishment. But if she did go, her position might not be preserved.
She was afraid of this, so she endured it.
Old Master and Mistress Wang went back to Lucky Garden on the twelfth day, and Qiao Mai was as warm to them as ever. Old Mistress Wang held Qiao Mai’s hand.
“That foolish girl, Ruler, doesn’t appreciate your kindness. She’s lost such a good friend.”
“It’s okay. Out with the old, in with the new. I might make new friends one day.” Old Mistress Wang’s heart ached. “She’s been punished now, locked up by the Old Royal Consort, but we won’t intercede. Let her suffer a bit..”