Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Any Casualties?
Chapter 293: Any Casualties?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The two in-laws often visited the shop, showing strong support for the embroidery business. Despite the family relationship, they never take advantage and always pay for whatever they consume.
Qiao Mai is relatively satisfied with the Duke and is especially pleased with the Xiao family, introduced by her eldest daughter-in-law.
Whenever there are fresh delicacies in the shop, she sends some to the two families.
As October ended, people in the south started wearing thin jackets. As the head of the Qiao family, Qiao Mai always prepares early for the servants.
Mu Rong is well aware of this. As the one managing the household, she does an excellent job. Qiao Mai silently observes her.
Since the incident with the troublemakers, those who envied the Qiao family dare not send anyone again.
Not daring to send men is one thing, but watching such a thriving business without getting involved is hard to accept.
However, how to get involved poses a challenge.
With just those two shops, the Qiao family neither lacks business partners nor desires to open additional branches. They have no intention of taking on new investors.
However, the capital is vast, and the Ming Dynasty is vast. If every prefectural capital had such a business, how much money could they earn?
They only see the money and don’t realize that some delicacies don’t belong here. Without Qiao Mai, they can’t obtain these goods.
In November, Shopkeeper Niu received a letter from Shopkeeper Feng in Tianshui town. After reading it, he hurriedly found Qiao Mai.
“Boss, the snack shop in Tianshui Town was attacked by unidentified people.”
“Any casualties?”
“No. Our sheep saved them.”
“With them around, no one can harm anyone from our family.”
Speaking of the sheep, Shopkeeper Niu was skeptical at first, but now, he admired the three sheep. He always said that the boss must have some purpose in raising them.
Indeed, these three sheep took charge of matters with no guards at home. How could the boss not pay attention to that side?
It’s unexpected. The seemingly cute sheep are so formidable against those ruthless black-clothed men.
“Boss, what are these people doing in Tianshui town?”
“Envy. They want to get the recipe from the staff or headhunt them.”
“They are despicable, trying to gain without working. Boss, you can’t let them off lightly.”
“As long as they dare to show up, they will be taken care of.”
Shopkeeper Niu left and calculated the dates. It was time for her to return to Tianshui Town, go through the accounts involving the county, visit old friends, and gather with relatives.
Just then, a servant reported.
“Boss, there’s a man named Chen with a woman seeking an audience.”
“Chen?” Qiao Mai’s attention immediately shifted to the front hall.
She saw Lu Ruxin sitting nervously in the living room. The man beside her was probably her husband, surnamed Chen. He was a Recommended Scholar.
“Chase them away with a broom.”
“Yes.”
Qiao Mai’s face was cold. Looking at Lu Ruxin made her nauseous. After marrying, why is she still so uneasy? The Qian family head is not inferior to her family, just a level lower in official rank than Yuan Jiaqi.
Now, she is the legitimate daughter of the Qian family. She shouldn’t be looking for her Master, who severed ties.
Seeing her, Qiao Mai felt uncomfortable like she had swallowed a fly.
Withdrawing her mental focus, she poured herself a cup of tea and drank it.
After Lu Ruxin and her husband were swept out of the door, they stood outside Lucky Garden. Recommended Scholar Chen didn’t blame her. He had thought of this consequence when he came.
“Let’s go.”
“I’m sorry, husband. I didn’t help you.”
“It’s okay. This was just a test. It seems your Master has a deep prejudice against you.”
“It’s my fault.” “She won’t care about our affairs. We still need to go to the Qian family.”
“Alright.’
Darkness fell, and Yuan Jiaqi returned home. Seeing the dinner table set, he quickly washed up and sat beside Qiao Mai.
“Wife, are you not practicing meditation today?”
“Early tomorrow, I will return to Tianshui town to settle the accounts and return by year-end.”
“You’ve worked hard, wife.
“It’s not hard. When I’m not at home, you and the servants must be careful.
There have been many recent attempts on our family. I will let one of the sheep follow you.”
“Huh? A sheep following me?”
“Put it on the carriage. Wherever you go, let it wait in the carriage without being seen by others.”
“Oh, are these sheep special?”
“Let me put it this way. Even a hundred martial arts experts may not defeat them.”
“Wow, they’re that powerful?” “Trust what I say.”
“Yes, wife. I will listen to you.”
And so, Madam Qiao made arrangements for the household, mounted Dong Zhao, and left.
When she returned last year, Dong Zhao kicked quite a few hooligans. This time, she saw many people looking for Dong Zhao. Of course, it’s to seek revenge,
Unfortunately, Qiao Mai didn’t stop along the way.
What the commoners saw on the road was only the swirling yellow earth and a streak of red lightning.
On the day Qiao Mai left the capital, Yuan Jiaqi encountered black-clothed men on his way to the court. Fortunately, he listened to his wife’s words and brought one of the sheep.
It was still dark, and the surroundings were quiet. When he saw the power of the sheep with his own eyes, he finally believed his wife.
Indeed, these were not ordinary sheep; they were like fierce tigers coming down from the mountain, charging at the black-clothed men.
Their hooves also had power. The black-clothed men who got close were kicked away.
One sheep stood in front of Yuan Jiaqi, and when an opportunity arose, it appeared like lightning in front of the black-clothed men. A scream was heard, and the black-clothed men disappeared.
It seemed as if they had vanished, but in reality, they were kicked away to God knows where.
Just as Yuan Jiaqi blinked his eyes, the sheep returned to his side.
If he wasn’t seeing things, the sheep even winked at him. My goodness!
Soon, more than twenty black-clothed men were dealt with by the sheep.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Yuan Jiaqi looked around. There was no trace of the black-clothed men.
He glanced at the coachman. “Let’s go to the court.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The six guards he brought with him were also not injured. They witnessed the sheep’s ability and kept scanning the carriage.
At this moment, the sheep and Yuan Jiaqi exchanged glances.
“You’re powerful.”
The sheep bumped him with its horn and then bleated a few times.
“Thanks for your help during my wife’s absence.” Yuan Jiaqi even bowed to it.
In the sheep’s mind, the master’s husband was pretty good; it liked him.
“Baa. ”
Returning to Tianshui Town, news of Qiao Mai’s arrival spread. People from the Liu family, Qian family, Shopkeeper Tong, and the Qin family came to her house.
“Oh, it’s been a year. Do you still remember to come back?”
“Look at what you’re saying; this is my home.”
The living room was full of people. The servants brought tea, and everyone smiled.
Regardless of who it was, they were happy about Qiao Mai’s return, especially the servants. When Qiao Mai returned, their confidence was especially strong.
On the second day of Qiao Mai’s return, a heavy snowfall began in Tianshui Town. Even so, Qiao Mai walked out of her home, dressed in thick clothes. She first ate a bowl of instant noodles at the Liu family, then had a meat-filled bun and checked on their business.
Then, she went to Lucky Star Academy. Two teachers were diligently teaching the students. Seeing her, they nodded at her. Qiao Mai gestured for them to continue teaching while she observed from outside.
Afterward, she went to her snack shop. Shopkeeper Feng, who recently took over, respectfully greeted her.
“Boss, here are this year’s accounts.”
Qiao Mai sat inside the warm shop, and the staff served her hot milk tea along with several plates of snacks.
She carefully reviewed the accounts. She needs to handle the important matters first.
It took the whole day. After reviewing the accounts, she nodded. “The accounts are clear. You did well with the bookkeeping. This year is similar to previous years. Make sure to reward all the servants in my courtyard..”