Qi Yunxiao glanced at Qi Yunheng with disdain: "What? You think you can get a good position in the government office by treating them to a few more banquets at Guiyunlou?"
Qi Yunheng was speechless: "Brother, what are you saying!"
If one has connections, how could anyone else possibly get a good position in any of the government departments?
There's not even enough for everyone else's own family.
"So, if you drink with them a few more times, will your knowledge increase dramatically, and you'll pass the imperial examinations and become a scholar, a top scholar, or even the second-place scholar?"
Qi Yunheng: "..."
Qi Yunxiao looked at Marquis Qingping: "So, Father knew that the family's money was only enough to support the whole family, yet he still allowed my second brother and his brothers to go out drinking with others so often?"
"And everyone just assumed that the money for my second brother's drinks would come from me? From my mother's dowry?"
This was so ironic that no one could respond.
Marquis Qingping slammed his chopsticks down: "Do you think you can afford a mansion in Xinghua Lane just to watch your parents starve to death?"
Qi Yunxiao laughed: "The mansion in Xinghua Lane belongs to my wife. I haven't contributed a single copper coin."
"I forgot to mention, my wife can earn money now. She's put aside her pride and makes braised meat, sprouts bean sprouts... She's supporting three children all by herself!"
"With such a noble and dignified demeanor, making money must not be difficult for you, Madam."
Lady Qingping's face froze: "These...how could I possibly know these?"
"Yes, even country women know they can support their families with their own hands, but noblewomen in the capital never lift a finger and have to rely on the dowry of the deceased former Lady of Qingping to support their families..."
Those words are so hurtful.
Lady Qingping had tears in her eyes.
It was both infuriating and disgusting.
A crisp "click!" was heard.
Marquis Qingping smashed a bowl: "You've really grown wings! You even dare to look down on your own parents! I'm going to see the Emperor and beg him to strip you of your title as heir apparent! Such an unfilial son is not worthy of inheriting the title of Marquis Qingping!"
Qi Yunxiao chuckled and pulled Shen Qingyu and the two children away.
He waved his hand back as he reached the hall entrance, saying, "Go on! Go and complain!"
Watching Qi Yunxiao and his family leave triumphantly, Marquis Qingping was so angry that his beard trembled!
"This unfilial son! This unfilial son!"
Lady Qingping, tears streaming down her face, asked, "My lord, what will happen to the family now that he's gone?"
Marquis Qingping glared at his wife: "What do you mean, what to do? Don't you still have two shops? They're not making any money at all?"
"What money are you going to make? A few hundred taels of silver a year isn't enough to support such a large family."
"Then how do you manage the household affairs? If there isn't enough money, the family shouldn't buy clothes and jewelry for the season!"
"And you lot, stay home and study! What are you doing running around outside all the time?"
The accusing gaze of the Marquis of Qingping finally fell on Qi Yunheng.
Seeing that the Marquis of Qingping was about to leave, leaving her with this huge mess, the Marquis's wife panicked: "What about all those things?"
"What do you mean, what to do? There's an estate on the outskirts of the capital, but it's not bringing in much money. If all else fails, just sell it!" Marquis Qingping said casually as he walked away.
Lady Qingping was stunned, feeling a chill rise from her heart.
The estate in the suburbs of Beijing was purchased with money taken from the dowry income when the wife of the Marquis of Qingping was still in charge of Qi Yunxiao's mother's dowry in her early years.
Although the estate didn't generate much profit, it was unique in that it had hot springs. In the autumn and winter, inviting ladies from prominent families to soak in the hot springs was a matter of great prestige.
For this, Lady Qingping secretly marveled at her own cleverness and resourcefulness back then.
Even the Marquis of Qingping often brought his colleagues there, and back then he would have said he bought the estate well, but now he wants to sell it...
But what other options are there besides this one?
Lady Qingping, looking distressed, summoned the steward to discuss the sale of the estate.
Qi Yunheng and several other younger members were also worried.
Qi Yunheng's biggest worry was social interactions.
Those guys I hang out with regularly have invited me several times, saying we'd go on a picnic and have drinks.
He's already eaten at their place several times; he should reciprocate. But he has no money in his pocket, so how could he dare to go?
The legitimate daughters worry about clothes and jewelry.
The noble ladies of other families would have already bought several new summer outfits by this time of year, but they were still wearing last year's clothes...
Not to mention jewelry, it's all the same old styles.
The illegitimate sons and daughters exchanged glances and remained as quiet as chickens.
They are not given the opportunity to entertain guests or receive formal attire; they are left with nothing but worries about food.
Before today, it had been a long time since I'd had any meat...
After everyone dispersed, Qi Yunxiao took Shen Qingyu and the children back to Xinghua Lane.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Shen Qingyu asked, "Have you been supporting them all these years?"
Qi Yunxiao sneered: "At first, it was my mother's dowry that supported me, but later, I started supporting it."
Qi Yunxiao recounted what happened back then.
Qi Yunxiao lost his mother at a young age, and soon after, Marquis Qingping married his second wife.
The second wife was born out of wedlock, so naturally she wouldn't have much of a dowry. However, because she was so concerned about appearances, the household expenses were enormous.
Fortunately, Qi Yunxiao's maternal family had a deep-rooted background and a very generous dowry, which helped them manage in previous years.
The reason why the second wife dared not be too presumptuous was also due to the fact that she was the empress at the time, and is now the empress dowager.
The empress at the time felt sorry for the only son this girl had given birth to, but unfortunately, he was unable to serve as an official in the court because of the dark color on his forehead.
Therefore, the Empress would inquire about his whereabouts from time to time, and he was often brought into the palace to stay for one or two months when he was young.
As she grew older, the Empress took the initiative to reclaim Qi Yunxiao's mother's dowry, but also tacitly allowed the Qingping Marquis's mansion to benefit from the dowry's proceeds.
What angered Qi Yunxiao was that the Qingping Marquis's mansion demanded more and more each year.
Moreover, this money is not being used for legitimate purposes.
It was all spent on paving the way for Qi Yunheng, socializing with young masters from aristocratic families, buying all sorts of jewelry and clothes, and saving face!
This year, their appetite has grown to 10,000 taels a year!
In the past, he might have reluctantly given it to him.
But ever since Qi Yunxiao returned to Shenjia Village and saw the hardships Shen Qingyu and her three children endured, and then thought about who was responsible for all of this...
No way!
I don't want to give you a single copper coin!
Qi Yunxiao sneered: "She thought that by scheming to give you to me, she would cut off my chance to turn my life around through marriage, and she would devote herself to making money for them to squander. She never thought that it would backfire on her."
"My wife and children live such a life, why should they enjoy a life of luxury?"
"From now on, they should also experience a life of frugality!"
Shen Qingyu: "..."
So this is still him seeking revenge?
"Should I thank you?"
Qi Yunxiao choked: "That's not necessary... It was my fault for being a scoundrel."
Shen Qingyu chuckled softly: "It's rare to see you reflect on yourself like this."
Qi Yunxiao was caught off guard by the praise and was stunned for a moment!
The young man stared intently at Shen Qingyu, the words on the tip of his tongue: "I'm willing to reflect and change, can we not get a divorce?"
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