Chapter 306: Maturing Early
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After lunch, the wives sat together and played Leaf Cards j).
As the host, Han Qiao’s partic.i.p.ation was not needed for the game, so she served tea and poured water for her guests.
She gave them random pointers and entertained them from time to time.
The madams were overjoyed.
Originally, it started as a small game, something to entertain themselves, but slowly the wives grew more comfortable around each other.
“Next time, let’s invite a troupe to listen to while we play,” Feng Xinru suggested.
She was living a carefree life now.
She didn’t have to deal with annoying mother-in-laws or difficult and unreasonable sister-in-laws.
She had money in her hands, her sons were doing well, and her daughters were well-raised. She was beautiful and looked even younger with the stress out of her hair.
It wasn’t that no one hadn’t asked matchmakers to come and propose a marriage for her hand.
She just had no intention of remarrying. It was meaningless to her.
“Ah-Qiao, please,” Feng Xinru added.
Han Qiao laughed, “Fine, fine. I’ll treat you. The raspberries in the mountains are almost ripe. When the time comes, we’ll have raspberry sauce buns, glutinous rice b.a.l.l.s, snacks, and raspberry wine.”
“Come over and bring the children as well,” Han Qiao said.
Everyone knew that Heng Yi had done a great job in raiding the bandits, so his promotion was just a matter of time.
As for what rank he would be promoted to, that would depend on the Emperor.
After lunch, everyone left and went home.
Han Qiao sent them to the entrance.
Li Zhao and Li Mi were the last to leave. Han Chi personally sent them off.
Not knowing what got Han Chi to say that to him, Li Zhao punched Han Chi in the face.
“You’re a toad l.u.s.ting after swan meat.”
Li Mi quickly went to pull her brother back.
She was annoyed and anxious at the situation.
Han Chi covered his nose and chuckled, “If 1 don’t want to eat swan meat, am 1 still a toad?”
“You…!”
If they really wanted to bicker, Li Zhao was no match for Han Chi.
“Don’t even think about it. I don’t agree,” After Li Zhao finished speaking, he pulled Li Mi away.
Li Mi turned around and looked at Han Chi.
She wanted to say something, but in the end, couldn’t say anything.
Han Qiao stood not far away and watched Han Chi rub his nose.
He was in so much pain that he stomped his feet.
She smiled lightly, “Ah-Chi, come here.”
“Mother.”
Han Qiao noticed that his nose was bleeding.
She asked him, “Why did the prince hit you?”
“I asked him if 1 could marry his sister.”
Han Qiao was stunned.
How old was this child?
He was only thirteen, yet he already wanted to get married?
“No. You’re still young. But are you certain?”
“Yes.” Han Chi nodded solemnly.
“Mother, if 1 didn’t rank first, 1 wouldn’t have mentioned it because I wasn’t qualified. But now that I’ve pa.s.sed the exam, I…”
“Are you sincere or just thinking about the resources in the Imperial Residence?” Han Qiao asked.
“If you are sincere, you can do whatever you want. The princess is not only beautiful but also gentle and kind. She’s also a good girl, you don’t meet many like her. It’s your blessing to be able to marry the princess.”
“If you are blinded by greed for the imperial’s resources, don’t even talk about Consort Fei, even I will look down on you.”
Han Qiao’s words were very harsh.
She didn’t want Han Chi to bet his entire life’s happiness on greed.
A good girl like Li Mi deserved to be treated sincerely. She was lucky to be happy and carefree.
“Mother, of course I’m sincere. If I hadn’t ranked first this time, 1 wouldn’t have said anything, but I will study hard and wait until the next exam in autumn.” “Don’t worry, 1 won’t bet my lifelong happiness for money. If I like someone, it means I like that someone. If 1 don’t like her, then I don’t like her. I wouldn’t mistreat myself, and I wouldn’t harm other girls.”
Han Qiao was speechless for a moment.
She wanted to say that he was only thirteen years old and knew nothing about love.
But Han Chi had experienced a lot in his childhood.
He had always known what he wanted.
“But it’s not easy for you to marry Mi’er.”
“At most, I’ll be beaten up by him a few more times,” Han Chi said casually.
He wasn’t panicking at all.
However, he understood that he had to show some sincerity when pursuing a girl-
Han Qiao felt that she could not understand this little brat.
However, she still knew that there were some things that she had to tell Han Chi.
“No matter what, you must abide by etiquette. You must be clear about what you should and should not do. Don’t ruin the princess’s reputation and make her sad. This is the most basic quality of a suitor. If she likes you, you can pursue her. If she doesn’t like you, don’t pester her or embarra.s.s her. Do you understand?”
“Don’t worry, Mother. 1 understand.”
He understood propriety, righteousness, and shame.
On the carriage back to the Prince’s mansion, Li Zhao exhaled softly.
Li Mi blushed and didn’t speak.
After a long while, Li Zhao said, “You have to be careful. Don’t let him get you that easily. Feelings that are too easy to get won’t be cherished.”
Then he paused for a moment before adding, “I don’t know about other guys, but I trust Han Chi.”
Li Mi looked at her brother in surprise.
“Brother…”
“You’re the princess of the royal family, you’re of n.o.ble birth, you don’t have to lower yourself to accommodate him. However, I also believe that he must have thought of this proposal for a long time before asking my permission. He only dared to flirt with you because he ranked first in the exam.”
Li Mi’s face instantly turned red as she explained in a low voice, “1 won’t.”
Was there somebody with eyes like Li Zhao?
He could not trust anybody, but Han Chi…
He believed that Han Chi would not let his sister suffer.
He just felt a little uncomfortable when he thought that his baby sister was going to be pursued by a boy.
That little punch wasn’t enough.
When the sun set, it was almost dinner time in the Heng Manor.
A horse carriage was parked at the entrance, accompanied by Zhu Cong, Zhang Zhao, and Qin Song.
“Madam, Master has returned!”
Han Qiao stood up. Something wasn’t right.
If Heng Yi came back, there would be no need for the gatekeeper to come inside to report.
She stumbled out and watched as Heng Yi was being carried into the house.
Han Qiao’s body instantly went limp.
Duan Yue hurriedly supported her.
“Find a doctor! Somebody, quickly get a doctor!”
Han Qiao did her best to hold back her tears.
“Madam, you don’t have to worry. Master is fine. He just fainted from exhaustion.”
Han Qiao quickly checked Heng Yi’s breathing.
His breathing was even, but his forehead was a little hot.
“Hurry and carry him into his room!”
Heng Yi was carefully placed on the bed.
His injury was on his back, and it had already been bandaged.
Most of them were infected wounds.
Heng Yi had already taken medicine, and as long as the fever subsided and he woke up, he would be fine.
Han Qiao’s hands trembled.
Pucao carried Ah-Yao away from the room.
The children wanted to come to take a look at their father, and Han Qiao gently told them to eat first.
She sat by the bed, feeling a little anxious.
She held Heng Yi’s hand.
His hands were also burning hot.
“Go… Go get the wine. The strongest wine.”
They took turns to wipe Heng Yi’s palms, feet, and armpits.
By the time the candle burned out, his fever finally subsided.
Han Qiao also fell back into her chair and exhaled softly.
His fever was gone.
In her current situation, what she was most afraid of was not being able to lower his body temperature, but they succeeded.
The people taking care of Heng Yi also heaved a sigh of relief.
When dawn arrived, the first thing Han Qiao did was to post a notice, “Heng Manor is looking for a doctor. As long as he has good medical skills, he will be provided food, accommodation, and clothes for the four seasons. The monthly salary will be ten taels…”