Chapter 1688: Chapter 1515: Female Authority 19 (4,000 Words)_3

Old Zhao’s brow furrowed tightly. This is really too much. One of the villagers couldn’t help but mutter, "The court’s disaster relief grain is not as good as the low-priced grain sold to us by the Qi Guan Family Head.

They didn’t come when we were starving, and now that Qi Guan Family Head has helped us through the tough times, the court sluggishly sends over things that can’t be eaten! They might as well not come at all!"

Old Zhao suddenly got anxious and raised his hand to pat that person on the head: "What nonsense! The court is not something that us common people can criticize! You must want to die!"

That person puffed out her cheeks defiantly, but in the end, she shut her mouth and lowered her head to carry her bag of grain mixed with sand.

Feeling the weight on her back, she couldn’t help but sigh and say, "Forget it, I’ll go home and let my husband sift it. At least it was given for free; it can last for a few days."

The others also sighed, took their grain, and bid farewell to Old Zhao before leaving. Mixed with sand, it’s considered lucky; at least some of it can be eaten. The moldy ones are truly unfortunate.

Old Zhao watched their backs and sighed. They are people who don’t know how fortunate they are. In this place, the magistrate and the County Magistrate may be corrupt, but they’re not heartlessly corrupt.

Apart from the court’s taxes, they don’t collect much more money, which leaves the common people a way to survive. Her married brother is the truly miserable one; the officials in that place are very greedy.

Her brother’s family starved two people to death during prosperous years, and now in this disaster year, even with cheap grain from the Qi Guan Family, the family still struggles to get through it, perhaps only able to sell themselves into slavery as the family truly has no extra money.

But selling themselves into slavery basically means the family will be separated forever, as few would be willing to buy the entire family; generally, people only buy those they lack.

For example, some families only buy strong female laborers for work or men for laundry and servitude, while large households mostly buy young servants to attend to the family or long-term servants to accompany the young ladies.

Old Zhao thought for a while about her brother, feeling a bit sad. She couldn’t help her brother at all. Despite being the village chief, her family had too many mouths to feed, and they didn’t have enough spare money to support another family.

Shaking her head, Old Zhao continued to check the fields. If there were two more rains, the winter wheat could be planted, and with this batch of wheat as a buffer, everyone would be able to catch their breath.

The common people are like this, like the toughest wild grass, no matter what kind of storm they face, as long as you give them a breath, they will recover and grow towards the sun again.

............

Qi Guanshuang’s act of goodwill this time was completely unprofitable, and she never intended to gain any benefits for herself, apart from a plaque awarded by the magistrate on behalf of the court to the Qi Guan family, inscribed with the words "family of benevolence, business model."

Of course, Qi Gongshuangshuang also received countless thanks, but to Qi Guanshuang, these were equally unimportant. What mattered most now to Qi Guanshuang was the handsome man appearing before her.

Here’s what happened: after the drought passed, Qi Gongshuangshuang suddenly received several letters from old shopkeepers, urging her to inspect the businesses.

The main reason was that after Qi Guanshuang took over as Family Head, she only inspected the businesses nearby. The ones further away, Qi Gongshuangshuang hadn’t had the chance to inspect.

At first, she was busy dealing with the Doufang Family, then busy selling grain without time to spare. Now that everything is finally over, the anxious old shopkeepers waiting for Qi Guanshuang to inspect the businesses couldn’t help but urge Qi Gongshuangshuang.

Feeling she needed to inspect the businesses, Qi Guanshuang didn’t refuse. She set off lightly, accompanied by the four young servants, Mei, Lan, Zhu, Ju.

The focus of the Qi Guan family’s businesses was actually in the Capital City. Therefore, the Qi Guan family also had a residence there. In the past, Qi Guanshuang’s mother spent most of the year with Qi Guanshuang’s father living in the Capital City.

While Qi Guanshuang alone became a little tyrant in Yun City, beyond her mother’s control, which fostered her increasingly reckless habits.

Upon arriving in the Capital City, the first visit Qi Gongshuangshuang made was to the family’s biggest supporter, Lord Zhuo, the Minister of Revenue, where she delivered lavish gifts.

Returning from visiting Lord Zhuo, Qi Gongshuangshuang passed by a small noodle shop bustling with business.

Qi Guanshuang’s favorite hobby was enjoying good food. Seeing the shop so popular, she knew the food must be delicious, so she went straight inside.

Inside, it was indeed packed, and the greetings came from the young servants, which was novel. Qi Gongshuangshuang casually found a seat and ordered a bowl of their signature noodles to wait for.

However, before the noodles arrived, Qi Guanshuang first saw a familiar face. It was Dong Xinxian, whom she had been searching everywhere for!

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