Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1407: Better to Stay at Qiao Family

Editor: Henyee Translations

Qiao Xuan had no desire to meet with Liu Yan. He harbored an aversion to those who betrayed their masters, and Liu Yan’s prior performance in Shaoding Village had been less than satisfactory.

Had it not been for Qiao Xuan’s use of intimidation to keep her in check, she might have taken drastic actions.

Qiao Xuan was indifferent to her surrender, but he believed in offering fair exchange.

He instructed Songshi to temporarily relocate Liu Yan to the farm in Cloud Water Town. Once Third Old Master Qiao and the rest of his party had left the capital, and everything had settled down, they would return to finalize her arrangements.

To avoid potential complications, Qiao Xuan chose not to inform Liu Yan of this decision.

While Liu Yan might have felt a tinge of disappointment about not serving at the Shao Family’s residence, she was relieved to have left the tumultuous Qiao Family behind. At this moment, she was obedient and cautious, far from daring to voice any complaints.

She had a good understanding of Madame Shao, formerly known as Second Miss. She knew her to be a kind and compassionate woman who wouldn’t mistreat her, even if she were relocated to the farm. At the very least, it would be an improvement over staying at the Qiao Family.

Upon her arrival at the manor, Liu Yan found herself content with her new surroundings, despite its somewhat remote location.

Ten days flew by swiftly. The weather had mostly cleared up, with a high, bright sun, and gradually diminishing bone-chilling cold. The residents of the capital had shed their heavy winter attire, opting for lighter cotton clothing.

Third Old Master Qiao discreetly left the capital with his wife, concubines, servants, and a low profile. As they ventured further south, the temperature would gradually rise, making their journey more manageable.

He had paid a substantial price to overcome the Qiao Family.

Madame Lady Qiao threw a tantrum, and her brothers and sister-in-law persistently pestered him, almost depleting the entire family’s resources!

Old Master Qiao had painstakingly collected antiques over the years, yet only two or three were left in his possession; Madame Lady Qiao took the rest.

Furthermore, Madame Lady Qiao and her two brothers coerced them into a yearly agreement for a payment of 600 taels of silver.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan had plotted against him, and the Qiao Family clearly remembered that this written agreement was the most reliable one. Regardless of what Old Master Qiao argued, he adamantly refused to commit it to paper.

Third Old Master Qiao was overwhelmed, but he found himself with little room to maneuver. Refusal was not an option, or he would be unable to leave at all. While he could tolerate the fuss made by his two brothers, he couldn’t risk opposing his mother, a situation he couldn’t endure.

The silver had been depleted significantly, leaving less than 200 taels.

Two hundred taels of silver for a party of approximately ten people in four carriages, encompassing their expenses for food, lodging, and other incidentals during the journey and upon reaching their destination—clearly insufficient.

All they could do was remain optimistic and brainstorm solutions upon arrival.

Third Mrs. Qiao was infuriated to the point of physical discomfort, but what could she do? In front of Madame Lady Qiao, she was powerless, though she could appear quite “dominant” when dealing with Qiao Xuan and Concubine Du.

Before departing, Third Old Master sought a meeting with Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, but they declined.

What was the use?

Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were well aware of the situation but chose to observe from the sidelines, showing no sympathy for Third Master.

Even if he were pitiable, he was pitiable in a way that elicited contempt.