Chapter 602 Amo Takes to the Table
By the end, Amo looked aggrieved and bewildered.
All of them were brought back from Jiangnan by the old lady.
He didn't know what others thought. But he truly considered the Qiao family home.
Even though the First Madam had released his indenture when he left the capital to pursue his future, and he now held official rank and could support himself, he still had no intention of leaving the Qiao family.
Mrs. He patted her mouth and said, "Look what I'm saying. Don't take it to heart. I was just saying it casually. I didn't mean to kick you out."
Amo's expression changed, and he said with a smile, "Even if Butler He tries to kick me out, I won't leave. Unless the old lady personally chases me away."
As he spoke, Amo deliberately moved closer to Madam He, winked mischievously, and said mysteriously, "Steward He, let me tell you a secret. When I went to the yamen to exchange my indenture, the name I was registered under was Qiao Mo."
"Therefore, I will remain a member of the Qiao family until the day I die."
Amo said this intentionally for He Shi to hear.
He could tell that whether Madam He called him Mo Xiaojiang or asked him if he was in a hurry to leave, the purpose was to test his attitude towards the Qiao family after his change of status.
Therefore, he did not mind showing his true thoughts to Madam He and the old lady.
He, Amo, Qiaomo, is determined to stay at the Qiao family mansion and the old lady!
Mrs. He was filled with emotion, and the smile on her face became more genuine.
She arranged new accommodations for Amo and had several servants and stewards who were previously on good terms with Amo switch shifts, allowing them to catch up with Amo.
Afterwards, they went to the main kitchen to arrange a welcome dinner that evening, and also asked the main kitchen to send some good wine and food to Amo and the others.
After arranging everything, Madam He returned to the main courtyard to report back.
When Madam He returned, everyone had already dispersed.
Zhou felt sorry for her son, and after saying a few words, she took him up to say goodbye and go home.
When Grandma Qiao wasn't being difficult, she was quite reasonable and readily released the children. She only asked them to come over for dinner later to formally welcome the two kids back.
Zhou readily agreed and led her family back to Three-Foot Lane.
After the second family left, Old Madam Qiao called Qiao Jinglian and they returned to her own courtyard.
Qiao Jingyi and his family naturally went along as well.
Wei Jia stayed with Qiao Qinghe for a while before Qiao Qinghe sent her back to look after the children.
Therefore, when Madam He returned, Qiao Qinghe was the only one left in the main courtyard.
"The old lady and her aunt left so quickly?" Madam He said subconsciously.
Qiao Qinghe nodded and inquired about Amo's condition.
Mrs. He smiled and recounted what she and Amo had said, finally sighing, "This child has a conscience."
Qiao Qinghe smiled and said, "I'll have He Rui buy a courtyard near the Qiao residence later. It doesn't need to be too big, just a small courtyard will do. It can be registered under Amo's name. Consider it a congratulatory gift from this old woman to him."
Mrs. He was startled.
Although the Qiao residence is located in the southern part of the city, it is a prime location offering a quiet retreat amidst the bustling city. Houses in this area are not cheap.
Even a small courtyard would cost several hundred taels of silver.
This is so casual, so typical of the old lady!
Although she was surprised, Madam He quickly regained her composure and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll talk to He Rui about it later."
"Yes, and have someone tidy it up while you're at it. Also, get all the furniture that's missing."
Qiao Qinghe continued, "Oh, right, this child's status is different now, so he can't wear his old clothes anymore. Go to the storeroom later and see if there's any suitable fabric. Pick out a few bolts and have the sewing room make a few changes of clothes for Amo tonight."
"When I have more time, I'll slowly make him a few nice outfits."
Madam He smiled and agreed, then couldn't help but flatter her, saying, "The old lady really treats Amo like her own child."
"Isn't this just like our own child?" Qiao Qinghe smiled, but the smile quickly faded.
Thinking of the deceased Ajiu, and the children still lurking in various prefectures, Qiao Qinghe felt a lump in her throat.
It's not the right time yet, let's wait a bit longer.
She suppressed her emotions, took a deep breath, and calmed herself before changing the subject: "If I remember correctly, Amo should be seventeen years old this year, right?"
Upon hearing Qiao Qinghe's words, Madam He immediately understood Qiao Qinghe's thoughts and nodded with a smile: "Yes, she's seventeen. She's reached the age to get married."
Qiao Qinghe smiled and said, "He Rui often travels around and knows a lot of people, so she is quite familiar with the situation of various families. I'll ask her to help me find out if there are any suitable families."
"This child has had a hard life. Let him get married, have a child, and have a home of his own."
This time, Madam He was truly moved by Qiao Qinghe, and her throat tightened. "The old lady is kind. It's a great blessing for Amo to have met you."
***
At the welcome banquet held at the Qiao residence that evening, Qiao Qinghe also invited Amo.
Amo was originally unwilling to come, but Qiao Qinghe asked Wei Jia to personally invite him, and Amo came with trepidation.
However, I felt quite uncomfortable sitting at the table.
At the welcoming banquet at the Qiao residence tonight, men and women are seated separately, with a screen dividing the large flower hall into inner and outer rooms.
Grandma Qiao set up two tables in the inner room with her female relatives and children.
Qiao Qinghe, along with Qiao Jingyao, Qiao Jinglian, Qiao Jingyi, and Amo, set up a table in the outer hall. Qiao Ze, who was already old enough to understand, was also called to this table.
Yes, you read that right. As the head of the Qiao family, who had established her own residence and built an ancestral hall, Qiao Qinghe sat openly at the men's table.
Even the notoriously picky Mrs. Qiao only frowned slightly when she learned about the seating arrangements for the welcome banquet, but did not say anything to object.
With Qiao Qinghe in charge, Amo felt uncomfortable during the meal, but at least he was able to finish it in peace.
After the meal, everyone moved to a side hall, sat for a while, and then dispersed.
Amo always remembered what Madam He had told him during the day: that the old lady wanted to see him alone.
Seeing Qiao Qinghe return to the main courtyard, he wanted to follow her.
Qiao Qinghe smiled and waved her hand, saying it was nothing important, just a casual chat, and told him to go back and rest first. She added that they could talk about it again in a couple of days after he had rested.
The next morning, as soon as Qiao Qinghe got up, she heard that Amo had already been there for a while.
Qiao Qinghe smiled helplessly and beckoned someone in to have breakfast with her.
"Madam, Butler He said you have something to say to me privately."
Amo stood in front of Qiao Qinghe, still somewhat reserved.
Qiao Qinghe smiled and waved, "You're here so early, haven't you had breakfast yet? Come sit down and have something with me."
Amo waved his hands repeatedly, "Last night was already an overstepping of my bounds. Amo would never dare to dine at the same table with the old lady again."
"Sit down." Qiao Qinghe straightened her face, glared at him, and her tone became somewhat stern.
Seeing that Qiao Qinghe's expression was not good, Amo carefully sat down.
Qiao Qinghe reached out and patted Amo's head, her eyes full of affection. "Since you've made the Qiao family your home, you can also consider me your grandmother from now on. Don't be so reserved in front of me."
As she spoke, she said nostalgically, "Back when Ajiu was with me, it wasn't uncommon for her to not only sit at the same table with me, but also to snatch food from me right in front of me."
“A-Jiu…” Amo tightened his fists, which were clenched together in tension. “How did A-Jiu die?”
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