Chapter 220: But She’s Still a Young Woman

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Over the past few years, she has managed to save a few tens of thousands of silver.

Life has been good, but she feels somewhat lonely.

However, she soon met a handsome man in the capital who also came from a merchant family.

The only downside is that he’s already married and has a son and a daughter.

At first, Lu Ruxin didn’t want to get involved with someone in this situation. But she couldn’t resist his persistent pursuit. Eventually, they started living together.

And it all happened in her house, making it seem as though she was this man’s kept woman.

Lu Ruxin wasn’t naive. She took the advice of her maids. After each intimate encounter, she would drink a contraceptive potion, which prevented her from getting pregnant. She always kept a tight grip on her finances.

She pretended to be poor in front of the man, constantly asking him for money to spend.

She had been through so much deception and was afraid of being cheated again. Even if she met a man she liked, she wouldn’t give her heart away easily.

If she did, it would be after ensuring she could gain some money in return. She now placed a high value on money.

Lu Sanniang naturally knew about her situation. When Mayor Qian’s illness improved, she had someone investigate it.

Hearing that Lu Ruxin had been intimately involved with that man without marriage, she was furious and wanted to confront her. However, Mayor Qian stopped her.

“That girl has her ideas. If you could persuade her, it wouldn’t have ended up like that in the first place. She’s as stubborn as a mule. Fortunately, she doesn’t have children, and her money is still in her hands. You don’t need to worry too much.”

“But she’s still so young.”

“In the people’s eyes, she’s already a divorced woman. She’s not a young maiden anymore.”

“So, as her mother, I just have to watch her suffer?”

“It has come to this point. Let her struggle on her own. When it reaches a point where it can’t be controlled, we’ll step in for her.”

Mayor Qian was also at a loss about this girl. She didn’t listen to advice. Even if he tried to intervene now, it would be in vain and might make her resent them more.

“Can you handle that man?”

“I can’t, but the Qian family can. I saved my elder brother this time. If there’s trouble, they will help.”

“That’s good.”

“Sanniang, I’ll visit your house for a marriage proposal after the New Year.

March 28th is an auspicious day. Can we get married?”

When Lu Sanniang heard this, she immediately lowered her head and nodded gently.

“In the future, you can run your shop if you want or help me manage the household. I won’t interfere with your freedom, and you won’t need to pay attention to the Qian family. What do you think?”

“I’ll do as you say.”

Mayor Qian hugged her. “Finally, the day has come. Madam Qiao is a capable person. I’ll go to her to request some medicine. Let’s take good care of ourselves and try to have a child. Our long wait will be worth it.”

“We owe her so much. I feel ashamed to face her.”

“Rest assured, my dear. I’ve got a thick skin. From now on, I’ll handle any requests to her and make sure to repay her kindness.”

“Old Qian, you’re wonderful!”

“You, with your heavy heart. Don’t feel like you owe her too much. Between friends, it’s natural to help each other.”

“I still feel guilty.”

“Then be good to her. Treat her with sincerity and kindness. Madam Qiao is a good person. She’ll understand your intentions.”

“My main concern is still with our eldest daughter. The things she’s done make it hard for me to face Sister Qiao.”

“Wherever you go, I’ll be right there with you. Don’t be afraid; as long as I’m around, we can handle anything.”

Finally, the two lovers were about to become a couple. They spent almost all their time together except for sleeping separately at night.

Chinese New Year was approaching. Ruyi sent over two sets of winter clothes along with matching boots.

Qiao Mai gifted her a set of hair care products and skincare, which made Ruyi incredibly happy.

It was customary for her master to gift such rare items only to the most beloved people. This indicated she had become one of the dearest people to Qiao Mai.

Since becoming a Recommended Scholar, Qin Yide’s monthly salary has increased from 10 taels to 50 taels of silver. The school also gained more recognition due to his achievements.

The number of students had increased from a dozen to around thirty. Two storefronts were merged to accommodate up to fifty students.

The Lucky Star Academy had a one-in, one-out policy for students. It didn’t admit students yearly, as it would be too much for Qin Yide to handle.

It wasn’t long before the year-end break arrived. Qin Yide conducted exams for the students. Outstanding students would receive rewards from Qiao Mai.

The top student would receive 100 pounds of white flour, the second 50 pounds, and the third 50 pounds of whole wheat flour.

Students who showed improvement would receive 10 pounds of whole wheat flour each.

Those who attended school to freeload wouldn’t be allowed back after the break.

When the word got out that some students wouldn’t return, a few troublemakers tried to create problems at the school. When Mayor Qian heard about this, he was furious and immediately went there with his guards. He had those causing trouble arrested and thrown into the county jail.

He was so angry that he vented at the school gate, which attracted a crowd of onlookers.

“Sir, what’s the matter?” “I’m cursing those good-for-nothings.”

“What happened?”

“What’s going on? Don’t pretend to be clueless! For heaven’s sake, establishing a school isn’t easy for a woman. She not only manages to teach their children but also provides them with lunch. These folks come to the school not to study but simply for the free meal. If you’re not learning anything, why come to the school? It’s been a year, and they can’t recognize basic letters. If you’re not returning home to work, why should she feed you? How dare they come here and cause trouble! I could deal with them once and for all.”

“This is their fault then.

“I’ve tied them up and thrown them in the county jail. Anyone who dares to mess around and take advantage of the situation will have a miserable time. These folks are ungrateful. They’ve forgotten what they owe to Madam Qiao. She’s the great benefactor of our town. Disaster struck not too long ago, yet they’ve forgotten her kindness. Shameless scoundrels.”

Qian Zhenlong’s voice was raised while he vented his anger. It made him feel somewhat better.

What a group of shameless troublemakers. No wonder they say good people are often taken advantage of. Madam Qiao’s good deeds accumulate, but these people think it’s her obligation. They’d better starve themselves.

Since Qiao Mai saved his life, his protection of her exceeded that of his wife.

It’s not because he has ulterior motives toward Madam Qiao; it’s because he values the life she saved. He guards her.

Qiao Mai sat in front of Qiao’s Store when he came out, and she waved him over.

“Sir, come, have a cup of warm milk tea. I’m not mad. Why should you be?” The worker promptly served two cups of milk tea, and Mayor Qian sat across from her.

“They see your kindness and deliberately take advantage of you. Damn it, it’s infuriating. They don’t study but come to the school for free meals and cause trouble. Such people should be expelled, yet they dare to cause problems. I’ve thrown them into the county jail.”

“Forget about them. Have you set the date for your wedding with Sanniang?

“After the New Year, I’ll propose. There should be a process, but I won’t skimp on anything. March 28th is a good day for the wedding. I’ll post an announcement for you when the time comes.”

“You’re a real man.”

Mayor Qian nodded firmly, “Absolutely.”

“Is there something you’d like as a gift? I’ll grant you one request as long as it’s something I can do.”

“Hehe, I think your medicine is quite effective. Help me regulate Sanniang’s body to increase the chances of her giving birth to a son and a daughter.”

Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow, “Considering her age, she’s at higher risk of pregnancy. Are you willing to let her endure the hardships at this stage of her

“In my eyes, she’s still quite young. It’s good to have children, and we’ve waited so long; it’s not in vain.”

Seeing that Mayor Qian’s eyes were getting red, Qiao Mai knew it was best not to continue the topic.

“I’ll look for a suitable pill for her body.”

“Then I entrust her health to you?”

“Alright!”

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