Chapter 518 It's Chinese New Year
Jiang Hongling was buried three days later. Qiao Qinghe was saddened once again and asked A Shuang to personally go and see her off on her behalf.
This time, after Ah Shuang returned, she reported that Min Pan'er had also gone. She even rode in the Chu Prince's carriage and personally followed the funeral procession to the Western Hills Cemetery outside the city for burial.
When Jiang Hongling was buried, Min Pan'er cried very sincerely.
Qiao Qinghe declined to comment.
The next day, Qiao Qinghe went to Sanchi Lane in person to meet Qiao Jingyao.
"Does your aunt suspect that something has happened back in our hometown in Jiangnan?"
“Yes. So I want you to take a few people back to see what’s going on.” Qiao Qinghe stated her purpose directly.
"How is your injury healing? Are you able to travel far?"
Qiao Jingyao said with great certainty, "I'm fine. If it weren't for my mother and the others holding me back, I would have gone back to the escort agency long ago."
Speaking of the escort agency, when he left the capital, only one person from the agency remained. The rest of them followed him to Huizhou, and later went to Da'e together.
However, besides him, only two others returned from Daxi.
From the moment they left the capital, the escort agency existed in name only. Now that they've finally returned, it's time to revive it.
Qiao Qinghe thought for a moment, "It was fine when you were hiding your identity and running a security escort agency with your men. But now that you've resumed your identity as the second master of the Qiao family, it's no longer appropriate for you to run a security escort agency."
Qiao Jingyao hesitated and said, "But besides my ability to kill, I don't have any other skills. Running a security escort agency is the only way I can think of to make a living."
Qiao Qinghe shook her head. "That's not how it's calculated. The Qiao family doesn't lack money; what they lack is confidence."
Regardless of how much money the Zhou family had, just considering Qiao Yuanyao, a renowned painter, the sale of just a few of his paintings would be enough for the Qiao family to buy a large mansion in Beijing.
The key point is that while large houses are easy to buy, the real issue is whether one's social status and position are worthy of living in one.
"What my aunt means is..."
"When you return from Jiangnan, I will take you to see the Earl of Enping. Then, I will ask him to place you under his command. Even if you start as a soldier, it will be a path to promotion."
At this point, Qiao Qinghe sighed, "Actually, you've already missed the best opportunity."
"Back when we were at the border, if you hadn't been seriously injured, it would have been the best time for you to earn military merit by serving under the Earl of Enping."
Speaking of this, the aunt and niece couldn't help but think of the deceased Qiao Jingyuan.
Qiao Jingyao suppressed the sadness in his heart and confirmed with Qiao Qinghe, "Then I will take some people to Jiangnan first, and after I come back, I will work under the Earl of Enping."
"At that time, I'll have to trouble you, Aunt."
After a pause, Qiao Jingyao added, "If possible, I'd like to bring my brothers along."
Qiao Qinghe readily nodded, "That's perfect. Once you're in the military camp, you can support each other, which is much better than fighting alone."
"Then thank you very much for your trouble, Aunt."
"It's alright," Qiao Qinghe said with a smile, waving her hand.
The two discussed the trip to Jiangnan again, finalized the personnel and departure date, and then Qiao Qinghe left Sanchi Lane.
It's unclear how Qiao Jingyao persuaded Zhou Shi and Mu Jin. In any case, three days later, Qiao Jingyao, along with two brothers from the escort agency, Amo, and Chen Wu, set off south.
Qiao Qinghe did not go to see them off, nor did she show any abnormality. She only quietly asked A Shuang to prepare money, clothes and food for the group.
After seeing Qiao Jingyao and his group off, Qiao Qinghe had some free time.
It's unclear whether it was her previous assertive attitude that made Old Mrs. Qiao hesitant, or because it was almost Chinese New Year and no one wanted to bring bad luck. So, from that day on, Old Mrs. Qiao became much more well-behaved.
Although they still nitpick from time to time, and occasionally make veiled accusations and give people the cold shoulder, they no longer openly target Wei Jia like before.
However, Old Madam Qiao still replaced all the maids and servants who had been assigned to serve her in her courtyard by Madam He.
Perhaps it was because on that day, no one obeyed her orders and instead knelt down to defend Wei Jia that angered her.
The next day, she sent Qiao Jingyi to the servants' shop to buy new maids and servants. She also replaced all the servants in Qiao Jingyi's and the children's courtyard.
Madam He reported the matter to Qiao Qinghe. Qiao Qinghe simply smiled and instructed Madam He, "Although the old lady is the one who wants to buy the person, she can't actually pay for it. The monthly allowance will naturally be paid by the household."
It's said that you only get what you pay for.
She refused to believe that these newly bought maids could mistake their master for someone else on her turf.
He handled this matter brilliantly, subtly obtaining the servants' indentures while ensuring the Qiao family remembered Qiao Qinghe well, finding her easy to talk to, considerate, and generous.
After the incident of replacing the person in charge, Qiao Jingyi and his wife became even more adept at navigating social situations. One of them would keep Old Mrs. Qiao happy, reducing the chances of her finding fault. The other would frequently come to Qiao Qinghe's side to curry favor and make her presence felt. Life went quite smoothly for them.
The children gradually adapted to life in Beijing.
When the Qiao family arrived, it was already close to the end of the year, and most of the academies were already in the stage of year-end assessments and preparing for the New Year holiday.
Therefore, although Qiao Jingyi took the three boys to see several academies, he ultimately decided to wait until after the New Year to send them to an academy.
The eldest, Qiao Ze, is already sensible. Even though he doesn't go to the academy, he still reads for several hours every day.
The two younger children played wildly without any restraint. Sometimes, they would even drag Qiao Bing along to play.
Thus, the vast Qiao mansion was filled with the joyful laughter of children every day.
Of the five children, besides the self-disciplined Qiao Ze, the quietest is twelve-year-old Qiao Ning.
Qiao Ze doesn't go out because he's reading.
Qiao Ning stayed indoors doing needlework.
It wasn't until the New Year that Qiao Qinghe received the new clothes that Qiao Ning had sewn for her by hand that she realized the child had actually learned excellent needlework skills.
The workmanship, the stitches, the embroidery—it's even better than what the embroiderers in the sewing room specialize in making clothes. You can tell at a glance that it was made with care.
Qiao Qinghe was delighted and immediately took off the jade bracelet with excellent water content and put it on Qiao Ning's wrist.
It's kind of this child to have such a thoughtful heart.
During the month that the Qiao family had been in Beijing, Old Mrs. Qiao was always causing trouble. Qiao Jingyi and his wife were quite likable, but it was all just talk.
The children were quite content living there, but being so young, Qiao Qinghe didn't hold it against them.
In comparison, Qiao Ning's dedication is all the more commendable.
So, Qiao Qinghe secretly made a decision: no matter what happened back home, and no matter what the Qiao family was up to, she would do her best to find a good marriage for Qiao Ning.
Qiao Qinghe was in a great mood because of Qiao Ning's New Year's gift.
I originally thought that this year would pass smoothly with this good mood.
As it turned out, this good mood only lasted for less than an hour!
Just as she was preparing to pay respects to her ancestors with Wei Jia and Feng Yuerou, Old Madam Qiao blocked the entrance to the ancestral hall.
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