As they entered the city gate and walked along the main street, the Qiao family members all widened their eyes, with Da Meng even letting out a series of exclamations of amazement.
It was nearly dusk, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast a hazy orange hue over the capital. The light refracted and refracted from the eaves, creating a scene of unreal beauty. From the distant Drum Tower, the sound of drums announcing the time rose, a solemn sound that commanded respect.
Upon entering the house, the Qiao family was once again awestruck by the sheer size of the residence. The house had four courtyards, and it took quite a walk just to reach the main hall of the second courtyard.
Qiao Lian'er told everyone about their rooms and then asked Butler Chai to pick out a good shop on the main street, as close to their lodgings as possible.
Lady Lü listened silently, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Then, Qiao Lian'er gave each person 10,000 taels of silver to keep at their discretion.
No one had ever handled so much money before, and they thought it was too wasteful. Qiao Lian'er said generously, "Tens of thousands of taels are coming in every day. We can't spend it all, we simply can't spend it all."
The chef prepared a huge table full of Beijing specialties, and fearing that people might not be used to them, he also added some southern specialties.
To make the journey faster, we ate a lot of dry rations. The table was full of delicacies that we had hardly ever seen before, which whetted everyone's appetite. Since we were family, there was no restraint, and everyone ate to their heart's content.
After they finished eating, Butler Chai came to report: "Miss Qiao, we don't have a single-story shop, but we do have a three-story shop, which is much more expensive."
How much is that?
"Ten thousand taels."
"Take it." Qiao Lian'er readily pulled out the silver note: "It's under Madam Luo's name. Third Aunt, you and Steward Chai should go together."
Lady Lü was almost stunned by the title of Third Madam. But then she realized that she was the wife of a military officer and was in charge of the storehouse, so she would be addressed as "Madam" from now on.
The change in her identity brought her an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
She also needs to improve her abilities to be worthy of her position.
"Lian'er, I have ten thousand taels here, you don't need to pay anymore." She said, taking out ten thousand taels of silver notes.
Qiao Lian'er pushed her hand away: "Third Aunt, let's keep things separate. Besides, our family doesn't lack this money."
Butler Chai also politely said, "Third Madam, let's go, the proprietress is waiting."
It was getting late, and Qiao Laosan, feeling uneasy, went with Lu Shi.
"We can never repay Lian'er's kindness in this lifetime," Madam Lü whispered to Qiao Laosan.
“Every member of the Qiao family is willing to die for Lian’er,” said Qiao Laosan.
Although Butler Chai was some distance away, he heard it too, and his eyelids twitched.
After the transaction was completed and they returned with the house and land deeds, Butler Chai recounted what he had overheard to Qiao Lian'er.
Qiao Lian'er smiled and said, "Butler Chai, we Qiao family members are all good people. We trust and depend on each other. You don't need to keep an eye on them or tell me these things."
Butler Chai was somewhat taken aback. In all the high-class families he had ever been to, there was always intrigue and backstabbing among the members. That was why he was being extra careful and planned to report everything, good or bad, to his master.
It's not that he's dishonorable; in the capital, a steward simply can't stay without showing such sincerity.
This family gave him an unexpected surprise.
Putting aside Miss Qiao's trust, he had just observed the couple from the third branch of the family. They did not show any smugness at receiving so many benefits; on the contrary, they were filled with gratitude. Even he felt heavy-hearted at their gratitude. They even said that they would not mind dying for Miss Qiao.
He stood a little further away, but he pricked up his ears, just to hear their true feelings.
Are there really such warm-hearted families in this world?
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