Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 77

In the Imperial Study

“Thirty wen?” Emperor Liang Ping is somewhat surprised and can’t help repeating it.

“Yes, Your Majesty. For just thirty wen, one can have a look at the true face of the future wife of the heir of Zhongguo.” Xu Hai covers his lips with his sleeves and laughs.

“Hahaha,” Emperor Liang Ping laughs as well. “This person is quite interesting. He can think of such a way to make money.”

“That’s right. If it weren’t for the fact that this old servant can’t leave you, I would also want to spend thirty wen to see that person! Now, everyone is saying that the Duke’s household has been harsh to the future heir’s wife, and he has fallen to such a state. It’s just like watching a monkey show and expecting a reward. It seems that man treats everyone like they’re watching a monkey show. Indeed, he’s really not presentable.”

“What about Pei Che? Has he heard about it?” After laughing, Emperor Liang Ping focuses on the other side of the public opinion.

“According to the news, Young Master Pei had another conflict with his classmates yesterday and nearly came to blows, stemming from this matter.” Xu Hai has been keeping track of their every move. Although the emperor doesn’t ask daily, he must be prepared. This is one of the reasons why he can always serve the emperor.

“Such youthful temperament!” Emperor Liang Ping shakes his head with a smile. “If this continues, won’t all his hard-earned good reputation be ruined?”

Xu Hai nods quickly. “Indeed! People used to say that Young Master Pei not only has a refined appearance but also conducts himself with the air of a gentleman, winning the favor of many at the Imperial Academy. But now, due to repeated disputes with his classmates over that man, people can only sigh helplessly when they mention him.”

“Alas,” Emperor Liang Ping sighs too and says hypocritically, “What would Pei Shijie, with his illustrious reputation, think if he knew about these things?”

Hearing the mention of the late heir, Xu Hai considers carefully and cautiously responds, “I don’t know, but if I were Pei Shijie, I would surely be enraged.”

Emperor Liang Ping shakes his head. “You don’t understand him. He would never react with rage. That was the very thing I most disliked about him. His calm demeanor, even in the face of great adversity, made everyone else seem so insignificant. Whenever the late emperor saw him, he would sigh and say, ‘One should have a son like this.”

Xu Hai remains silent. Emperor Liang Ping stares blankly for a while and then turns to discuss other matters.

…

The reactions from the palace were what Pei Che expected, and the responses from outside the palace were just as he had anticipated.

Gossip sweeps through once again, and the entire Liangjing city buzzes with discussions about the matter. Some curious onlookers even gather in groups to see the man in question. It’s not surprising they are so interested, as this is the first time something like this has happened in Liangjing.

Taking advantage of the public uproar, the Jiang family’s small shop also thrives and makes a significant profit. The shop is bustling with customers, and by the end of each day, they have no idea how many discount vouchers they have given out, while the number of vouchers redeemed is quite few. To them, thirty wen is hardly worth mentioning; they might even throw the vouchers away after leaving the shop.

However, their handling of the discount vouchers has nothing to do with Jiang Miao. As long as the money and goods are settled, he isn’t held responsible. Jiang Miao seized the opportunity to extend the shop’s operating hours from the morning to the afternoon, spending each day in the backyard like a lucky charm, waiting for people to come with large amounts of copper coins just to see him.

No wonder people nowadays are all about running influencer stores; the profits from celebrity effects are simply irresistible. If it weren’t for the fear of losing their integrity, Jiang Miao would almost want to hang a sign at the door, telling passersby who are still unaware that the heir’s wife, married by imperial decree, is in this very shop.

After the shop closes that day, Jiang Miao counts the money earned and then excitedly rolls on the bed, attracting a puzzled look from Pei Mu. Jiang Miao lies on the bed and says to Pei Mu, “Xiao Mu, do you know how much we made these past few days?”

Pei Mu blinks, then shakes his head.

Jiang Miao holds up three fingers. “Three hundred taels!” That’s one-fifth of the shop!

How much is three hundred taels? Pei Mu isn’t sure, but he knows it is a lot of money, so he smiles at Jiang Miao.

“Ah, it’s a pity that fewer and fewer people are coming each day. Now, those who do should be quite used to it,” Jiang Miao sighs with a touch of melancholy. On the first day of this scheme, he worries that it might affect Pei Che. But that night, he receives a letter from Pei Che.

The letter says that since the news has already leaked, there is no need to keep it a secret. Pei Che thinks Jiang Miao’s handling of the situation is good and assures him not to worry about it; he will take responsibility for any issues that arise.

Jiang Miao thinks about it and realizes that their marriage has been arranged precisely because someone in the palace wants to see their mishaps. It seems that for that person in the palace, being obedient and well-behaved is the real mistake. Once he understands that, he relaxes, as he isn’t deceiving anyone but merely adapting to the situation.

“Brother! I’m back!” Xiao Shitou shouts as he rushes in from outside. These past few days, Jiang Miao has been working under the cover of night and hasn’t been able to go out in broad daylight to pick people up, so he’s left that task to others.

“You’re back! I’ll go cook now. You and Xiao Mu can do some writing together. Let’s eat here and then head home,” Jiang Miao pats Xiao Shitou’s head and gets up to prepare dinner.

After a quick dinner, Jiang Miao, along with the two children, heads out to the carriage that comes to pick them up, guided by the dim moonlight. Mingfeng Street is not particularly close to Yifeng Street, and it takes a while for the carriage to reach home. Jiang Miao pulls out the key, unlocks the side door, and leads the children inside.

Before he can even sit down, Jiang Miao hears a knock at the door. He calls out that he’s coming and walks over to open it.

“Auntie Liu, what do you want to see me for?” Jiang Miao asks.

Aunt Liu says, “I’ve been keeping an eye on your place, waiting for you to come back!”

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Miao scratches his head. When he first reveals that he is the legendary male heir’s wife a few days ago, Aunt Liu has the same reaction. He has to explain for a long time before Aunt Liu and the others can put aside their constraints and fears and continue interacting with him in a normal way.

“Someone asks me to pass along a message to you. It’s from your second uncle, reminding you to come home,” Aunt Liu accepted the task and can’t rest easy until she completes it. She has been keeping an eye on Jiang Miao’s place, waiting to deliver the message as soon as he returns.

“My second uncle?” Jiang Miao murmurs. He looks at Aunt Liu and asks, “Did the person who delivered the message for my second uncle say who he was?”

Aunt Liu says, “He says he is your neighbor, here in the city on business. Oh, by the way, he also mentioned that it’s urgent and that you should return quickly. I was thinking that with Qingming coming up in a couple of days, it’s probably related to that?”

“Thank you, Aunt Liu, for your trouble,” Jiang Miao quickly expresses his gratitude.

Aunt Liu waves her hand and says cheerfully, “Hey, what’s the big deal? We’re neighbors, it’s just passing on a message. No need to thank us. If it comes to that, you’re the one bringing us money—and we haven’t thanked you yet!” 

After Jiang Miao opens his shop, the demand for oil paper bags is so high that he can’t manage it himself, so he hires someone from the courtyard who is available to cut the oil paper and glue the bags. Earning ten or twenty coins a day is easy, and aside from anything else, it’s enough to cover daily food expenses, and with a couple of days’ worth of work, they can even have meat. Such work is done while chatting and doesn’t interfere with other things, making it much more profitable than helping with laundry or mending clothes.

After Aunt Liu leaves, Jiang Miao feels a little strange. When his uncle and aunt come to preside over the engagement ceremony, he clearly tells them that he will go back on Qingming Festival, so why does someone still come to deliver a message?

Feeling uneasy, Jiang Miao decides to go to the shop first thing in the morning to inform them that he’s heading back home. He plans to leave the two little ones with the guards and, if possible, return as early as he can.

When Jiang Miao discusses this with the children, Xiao Shitou agrees eagerly, as he has to go to school anyway. Pei Mu, however, is a bit reluctant. He still wants to follow Jiang Miao.

Usually, it wouldn’t be a problem to take him along. But today’s situation seems unusual, and Jiang Miao worries that bringing Pei Mu might complicate matters. He gently persuades Pei Mu and assures him he will come back as soon as possible.

Seeing Pei Mu still sulking, Xiao Shitou suddenly suggests, “How about you come with me to school tomorrow?”

Pei Mu turns to look at him, curiosity in his eyes. He has developed an interest in school from his daily trips with Jiang Miao to drop off and pick up Xiao Shitou.

“Will Master You agree?” Jiang Miao is a little worried, afraid that he will be criticized.

Xiao Shitou nods confidently. “Master will definitely agree. The day before yesterday, Little Fatty’s mother is out, so his younger brother goes with him. His brother is only three years old this year, and he cries during Master’s class, but Master isn’t angry. He even gives him some candy.”

In Xiao Shitou’s mind, Pei Mu is like his brother and should be able to join them.

“Alright then, since Xiao Mu doesn’t speak much, he won’t disturb the class. But Xiao Shitou, if you’re taking him along, you need to look after him and make sure he isn’t bullied. Can you do that?” Jiang Miao says, having noticed Pei Mu’s desire to go.

Xiao Shitou nods vigorously. “Don’t worry, brother! My classmates are all very nice and won’t bully anyone.”

“Then it’s settled. It’s getting late, so let’s go wash up and go to bed.” Jiang Miao resolves the issue and feels instantly relieved.

Early the next morning, Jiang Miao follows his plan: he goes to the shop first and then heads home. The people at the shop watch his back, thinking today’s special might not sell, as the additional service is unavailable.

While on the way, Jiang Miao thinks of many possible scenarios at home and becomes increasingly anxious. When he finally arrives, he finds a crowd gathered outside the courtyard to watch the excitement.

“Everyone, please make way. Let me in,” Jiang Miao calls out.

“Sanshui boy, you’re back?” Someone recognizes Jiang Miao, quickly clears a space, and calls for others to move aside.

The crowd shouts in unison, making way for Jiang Miao to enter.

Jiang Miao doesn’t have time to thank them, and hurriedly squeezes into the courtyard. Inside, two groups are facing each other: Jiang Miao’s uncle and aunt on one side, and a middle-aged man and woman whom Jiang Miao doesn’t recognize, along with a flamboyantly dressed older woman. The head of the Jiang family stands between them, seemingly mediating.

Jiang Miao isn’t sure what is happening, but from the angry expressions of his second uncle and aunt, it is clear that these people must be up to no good.