Chapter 296: The World Sobers Up
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
She was already past the age where she would fight for her father’s love with others.
From the time they cried together when they were young and when her father carried Li Wenya, she understood.
In this world, she had a father who did not love her.
The word “Father” was just a form of address.
Iler brother had also understood then.
“Mother, you always say that I’m naive. In fact, I just understand and don’t want to go into a dead end and make myself uncomfortable.”
“Mother, don’t worry too much about us. You should live happily. Whether you care for them or not, those cats and dogs will soon die on their own.”
Just a fight for favor was enough to make Secondary Consort Wen and her daughter suffer.
Not to mention the filth of the back house.
The Gong Prince’s consort suddenly laughed, “It’s my fault for treating you so.
In my eyes, you are still naive”
“My Mi’er has grown up.”
The Gong Prince’s consort didn’t care about this problem anymore and announced that she was sick.
The Gong Prince’s residence did not only have one Secondary Consort Wen, but he also had Secondary Consort Xu who had two sons and a daughter.
While Secondary Consort Wen was gentle and weak, Secondary Consort Xu was bright, generous, and very capable.
The Gong Prince’s consort let Secondary Consort Xu take care of the residence. She wanted to rest and spend time with her children.
The t.i.tle of prince looked glorious, but it was just adding oil to the fire.
The first thing that Secondary Consort Xu’s butler had to deal with was Secondary Consort Wen.
Just food alone could make Secondary Consort Wen suffer.
Without the Gong Prince’s consort’s money, all the expenses in the Inner Residence were fixed and if they spent too much, they would have to pay for it themselves.
Even the Gong Prince felt that the food wasn’t as refined as before.
If the Gong Prince’s consort continued to not care about any of these, their expenses would remain high.
Li Wenya had lost her temper several times, but she could not leave the Imperial Residence now. Secondary Consort Xu had said that she must show the guards a card when she wanted to leave, especially since she was also part of the women who lived in the back courtyard.
Secondary Consort Wen also urged her not to cause trouble. If the Gong Prince hated her, she would lose even more.
Secondary Consort Xu even arranged a pair of young ladies to entertain the Gong Prince…
Ilan Qiao didn’t know about this. She was busy buying New Year’s goods and cotton jackets for the children.
The children who lived in the manor each had three sets of clothes and shoes.
Practicing martial arts every day costs a lot of money. Some children ran barefoot and had frostbite on their toes. After Han Qiao found out, she gave them a good scolding.
No one dared to go barefoot anymore, but they made their own straw sandals.
Ilan Qiao was helpless.
These children were so sensible that it made one’s heart ache.
Heng Yi had been very busy recently. The New Year was approaching, and more and more people were sneaking around. He had a lot of errands to do in the government office, and he always left early and returned late. Sometimes, he would even go home in the middle of the night.
Han Qiao had set up a small kitchen in the main courtyard to heat the chicken soup for him so that he could have a bowl when he got home.
She still had to settle the accounts of the fast food restaurants around the county and city and distribute the rewards as soon as possible.
The things in Chenzhou City were definitely better than those in the county. Han Qiao bought them and sent them to various counties as rewards for those who had contributed.
She also received a lot of gifts in return.
Sweet potato flour, oranges, dried sweet potatoes, beans…
On the twenty-sixth, the office closed.
Heng Yi finally slept in.
However, when Ah-Yao woke up in the morning, he would wail so loud that it would wake him up.
Despite how tired he was, Heng Yi still sat up and played with his son.
Han Qiao, Bai Cha, and the others did the accounts and sorted out the money they had spent over the past few months. When the new year came, she would ask Bai Cha to take them to the capital to buy a house.
The children were learning archery, and every one of them dreamed of owning their own bow and arrow. This had to be arranged.
They had to arrange for their weapons if they wanted to have their own.
After learning how to ride a horse, they have to have their own horses and arrange for it.
Han Dacheng and the others didn’t need to go back to Xishan Village for the New Year, but Han Qiao still had to give the gifts to Xishan Village and the Heng family.
Han Qiao personally went to purchase many things and arranged for the maids to pack them up and send them over in a carriage.
Food and snacks had to be arranged.
Han Qiao was so busy that her feet didn’t even touch the ground.
“Madam, Madam, the people who went to Puyi County have returned.”
Han Qiao slowly stood up.
“Go and call my nephews and the others over.”
“Yes.”
When Han Dacheng and the others arrived, the people who went to Xishan Village began to report.
“Don’t worry, Madam. Everything is fine over there. The Old Master and the Old Madam are very healthy.”
With specialized people to serve them, they would definitely be taken care of.
Han Qiao didn’t ask about Father Han and Han Yuan.
She was not concerned for them.
She asked about the others.
Han Dacheng and the others were also very happy. Everything at home was good, and their family’s business was doing well.
Eldest Brother Han also bought a small courtyard in the county town for him to rest.
Father Han and Han Yuan were still selling wontons in the county town. Han Xiang remarried again. Her new husband was an unmarried man with many brothers in the family.
Han Qiao was not interested in this at all.
Whether Han Xiang remarried or not had nothing to do with her.
Han Dacheng and the others sighed when they saw Han Qiao change the topic again.
It seemed that their aunt was still very angry.
On the twenty-eight, the house became more and more festive.
Ah-Yao had changed into bright red clothes and jackets. Heng Yi carried him and walked back and forth in the corridor.
This child liked to be outside in the cold wind and giggled non-stop.
The children had also changed into clean clothes.
Han Chi also put down his books and made many snowmen in the courtyard.
He brought his younger siblings to have a s...o...b..ll fight.
The courtyard was filled with laughter.
On New Year’s Eve, they started putting up couplets and hanging lanterns early.
This was their first New Year in their new home, so they celebrated as lively as they could be.
The bonuses given to the servants were also very generous, as a reward for their hard work this year.
“Madam, Madam!”
Han Qiao turned around, “What’s wrong?”
“Someone sent a letter, saying that it’s for Master.”
Han Qiao took the letter and went to find Heng Yi.
Heng Yi was holding Ah-Yao and watching Han Chi and the others hang small lanterns on the treetops.
“Heng Yi, a letter for you.”
Heng Yi glanced at her, “Open it.”
“Alright.”
Han Qiao tore open the envelope.
She took out the letter and quickly read it, “It’s a letter from He Hong.”
Han Qiao was surprised.
Even Heng Yi was surprised.
Heng Yi took the letter and read it carefully.
It was He Hong’s handwriting. He only said that he did not earn any money outside and had to ask him to help take care of He Cheng.
“Go and chase after him. If you manage to catch him, let him come to our house for the New Year.” Flan Qiao said softly.
She carried Ah-Yao.
Ah-Yao loved being hugged by his mother the most. He became more and more excited in Han Qiao’s arms.
Heng Yi ran to chase after He Hong.
There was no one on the street, not even a carriage.
There were sets of messy footprints on the street, and it was impossible to tell which one was He Hong’s.
Heng Yi couldn’t just call out.
He ran for a few streets but didn’t see anyone, so he had to come back.
When Han Qiao saw that only Heng Yi returned, she knew that he couldn’t catch up with He Hong.
“It’s good that we have news from him. Don’t feel bad.”
“I’m fine.”
He had a wife, a son, and a family.
He took Ah-Yao and lifted him up to his chest. Ah-Yao started giggling.
“Lunch will be served soon.”
“Let’s eat lunch earlier and have our New Year’s Eve dinner earlier. Then, we’ll stay together until the New Year.”
“The children are still waiting to set off firecrackers and fireworks.”
Heng Yi nodded, he carried his son in one hand and held his wife’s hand in the other, and they walked towards the main courtyard together..