Chapter 604 The Qiao Family Moves to a New Home
Ah Shuang paused for a moment, then smiled sheepishly, "I can see a little bit, but I don't really understand."
Qiao Qinghe smiled and patted A Shuang's hand that was supporting her arm, explaining, "A Mo is a good child, but good children also need encouragement and constraints."
"And I also want to keep Amo tied to the Qiao family's big ship for a long, long time."
A Shuang nodded, "Amo has a promising future now, and it seems like he won't be bad off. He might actually become an asset to the Qiao family in the future."
Qiao Qinghe smiled and said with a self-deprecating tone, "So, whether I treat him like my own child and give him the affection he lacks, or I mourn Ajiu with him and promise to avenge Ajiu with him, it's all to win people's hearts and tie him firmly to me and the Qiao family."
As she finished speaking, the smile on Qiao Qinghe's face faded a bit.
Upon hearing this, A Shuang hurriedly shook her head, "Madam, please don't say that. You clearly treat A Mo well and are genuinely happy for his success. You don't want him to rashly avenge A Jiu because you're afraid something might happen to him."
"You were clearly acting out of good intentions, so why did you portray yourself in such a negative light?"
Qiao Qinghe smiled bitterly, "But it's true that I want to keep him for my own use."
Don't you think what I did was despicable?
Ah Shuang shook her head: "Madam, please don't talk about yourself like that. It makes me feel uncomfortable."
“You did nothing wrong. It’s true that you wanted to keep Amo, but your kindness and concern for Amo are also genuine.”
“I can feel it, and I believe Amo can feel it too.”
Ah Shuang gave Qiao Qinghe a big smile and said in a light tone, "Madam, even if you do nothing, Amo will not betray the Qiao family."
“I watched these children grow up, and I know each of them quite well.”
Qiao Qinghe glanced at A Shuang, "You say A Mo is a child, but you don't seem to be much older than A Mo, do you?"
Ah Shuang retorted, unconvinced, "Being three years older is still being older! I've always treated him like a younger brother, and I'll treat him like an older sister from now on. I'll care for him, discipline him, and take care of him..."
"Don't worry, Madam, I will keep an eye on him for you."
Qiao Qinghe patted A Shuang's hand silently.
She knew that A Shuang had guessed her intentions, which was why she teased A Mo during breakfast.
Although it seemed like he was being sarcastic, his casual attitude actually made him seem friendly, as if he didn't treat Amo like an outsider.
She believes that Amo also felt the warmth of home.
Qiao Qinghe gave A Shuang a deep look and suddenly felt somewhat despicable.
She schemed against Amo, and now her confession is also a way of scheming against Ashuang.
Look, Ah Shuang has already taken on the responsibility of keeping Ah Mo here.
***
Two days later, Mrs. Qiao decided to move to her new home.
Qiao Jinglian's vacation was ending in three days, and he would then have to leave the capital to return to his post at the Xishan Camp.
Although the Xishan Camp was considered a guard force protecting the capital, it was not a short distance away, and even at a fast pace, it would take several hours to travel there.
Unless it's a holiday, one shouldn't easily return to Beijing.
Therefore, Mrs. Qiao decided to move before Qiao Jinglian took office. As for what was missing, she would add it gradually after moving in.
Fortunately, things went as planned. Old Mrs. Qiao consulted a fortune teller who said that the last day of Qiao Jinglian's holiday would be an auspicious day.
So the families busily helped prepare for the move.
Within two days, Grandma Qiao, Qiao Jingyi and his wife, and the children's belongings were all packed and delivered to the new house ahead of schedule.
The new residence was located at the junction of the South City and the East City, on a street called Changxing Street. Most of the surrounding neighbors were officials of low rank, some were of the seventh or eighth rank, some were of the fourth rank, but most were of the fifth or sixth rank.
It's said that his rank wasn't high, but that was only in the context of first, second, and third-rank officials being commonplace throughout the capital.
Compared to families of low-ranking officials, they could be considered high-ranking officials.
Furthermore, the Qiao family were military officers, which made them even less respected than civil officials.
Therefore, during the nearly one month from the time the Qiao family started renovating their house to the time they moved, they were frequently approached by their neighbors to issue warnings.
It's not that they were too loud and disturbed them.
That is to say, when they were moving things, they dirtied the road in front of their house.
Even more outrageous, a steward from a fifth-rank official's household came and said that their main gate was facing the wrong direction and was in conflict with their house, and asked the Qiao family to change the direction of the main gate.
Qiao Qinghe was unaware of these matters at first; she only learned about them when Qiao Wangshi came to express her gratitude.
Qiao Qinghe entrusted He Rui with the task of helping to repair the house.
After finding craftsmen and manpower, He Rui went on to do other things.
On the contrary, Madam Qiao and Qiao Jingyi spent their time overseeing the progress of the renovations at the new house.
So, when the neighbors came to their door to cause trouble or make things difficult, the couple ran into them several times.
They went up to argue with them, but instead of driving the person away, they were filled with resentment.
Qiao Jingyi wanted to use Qiao Qinghe's name to intimidate those people, but Qiao Wangshi stopped him.
It's not worth letting people gossip about your aunt behind your back over such trivial matters.
Besides, they haven't moved in yet, so there's no way people can say they're abusing their power.
Therefore, both of them spoke kindly and patiently to persuade the person to leave.
When people complained that they were too noisy, they promised to be quieter in the future.
When they are told that they have dirtied the main road in front of their house, they say they will immediately send someone to help sweep the road clean and promise to be more careful in the future.
When asked to move the main entrance...
The couple had no other choice but to turn to He Rui.
He Rui specializes in traveling outside, and has gained some fame in the past two years.
The family's butler recognized her as soon as she appeared.
Knowing that the Qiao family mansion in Nancheng was behind her, and considering that the family that was renovating the house also had the surname Qiao, they immediately slunk away.
After that, no one bothered us anymore.
On the day itself, amidst the curious, disdainful, fearful, or apprehensive gazes of the surrounding neighbors, the gate of the Qiao residence on Changxing Street was opened, plaques were hung, and firecrackers were set off... The owners officially moved in.
Looking at the unfamiliar faces of Grandma Qiao and Qiao Jinglian, as well as a group of teenagers, everyone showed indifference.
When they saw Qiao Jingyi and his wife, who used to be so arrogant and unable to stand up straight in front of anyone, everyone made no attempt to hide their disdain.
However, when Qiao Qinghe got off the carriage, the crowd that had been disdainful, laughing, and gossiping fell silent.
When Qiao Qinghe coldly surveyed the crowd, those people became even more apprehensive and began to force smiles.
When they saw Qiao Jingyao, dressed in the robes of a fifth-rank official, and Mu Jin, the renowned physician of the capital, get out of the carriage, everyone's smiles vanished.
They thought he was some unknown eighth-rank military officer and felt that this family was not qualified to be their neighbors, so they thought of making things difficult for him and driving him away.
I never imagined this family had such a powerful background.
Not only is she related to the Qiao family in Nancheng, but she is also involved with Doctor Mu.
Madam Qinghe is alright, just a bit sharp-tongued. But Doctor Mu is someone who can save lives in crucial moments!
Many onlookers hurriedly ran back to report to the host.
In an instant, most of the crowd in front of the Qiao residence dispersed.
Qiao Qinghe didn't pay much attention to these people. She just gave He Shi a look and then went forward to personally help the old lady Qiao into the house.
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