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Old Mister Wang glanced at Ling’er, “A child that started talking late will be clever. ”

“Is there such a saying?

“It’s a common saying, but not necessarily accurate.”

“Having some cleverness is good to avoid being manipulated in the future.”

Qiao Mai peeled a crab for Old Mister Wang, then for Yuan Jiaqi, and finally for the children.

Yuan Jiaqi couldn’t bear it. “You should eat too. They can handle it themselves.”

“When you’re not at home, I end up eating all by myself. You only get to eat once a month. Enjoy your meal, and don’t worry about me.”

The children said, “Mother, we can handle it. We know how to.”

During the meal, Qiao Mai took care of Old Mister Wang and the children. She barely ate herself.

After the satisfying meal, Old Mister Wang sat and enjoyed a cup of hot tea.

Qiao Mai thought of something and asked, “Old Mister Wang, in the Great Ming

Dynasty, when is the Imperial Exam held each year?”

“Every spring, during the revival of all things, the Imperial Exam takes place on the 26th of March. For the children, it’s the county-level exam. For scholars, it’s the prefectural-level exam, and for Recommended Scholar and Tribute Scholars, it’s the metropolitan-level exam. The higher the rank, the more prestigious the exam hall. The Advanced Scholar participates in a separate examination in the side hall of the Imperial Audience Hall.”

“The 26th of March? That’s coming up soon.”

“Yes, I plan to have Jiaqi participate in the county-level exam next year after a year of preparation. He’s intelligent, grasps things quickly, can make connections, and has a sharp mind. He’s a promising student.”

“And the other two?”

“Let’s talk about that in five years.”

“Alright, that works. Let my husband take the exam first and earn a title. Then our land can be registered under his name.”

Old Mister Wang gave her a look. “Is that all you’re thinking about?”

“What else? You don’t know how tough life is for farmers. Not to mention us in business, dealing with wind, rain, and snow without interruption. But what about them? When disaster strikes, has the court ever considered them? Whether there’s a good harvest or a poor one, they still have to pay taxes. When the court goes to war, they raise taxes. Finally, when we manage to educate a scholar, why shouldn’t we be exempt from taxes?”

Old Mister Wang was left speechless by her words. He knew the hardships of the commoners.

In this case, he couldn’t argue back.

He found an excuse and returned to his room to rest.

The room wasn’t spacious, but it was clean and had a warm atmosphere. Old Mister Wang genuinely liked it.

Yuan Jiaqi returned to his room, lay on the heated bed, and felt a warm feeling in his heart. Qiao Mai had done so much for them. As long as Qiao Mai didn’t push him away, he would be a good husband in the Qiao family and a good father to the children.

If he became an official in the future, he would protect them throughout their lives.

In the evening, Qiao Mai prepared a pot of vegetable congee, made about twenty vegetarian pancakes, and prepared four cold dishes.

After the heavy lunch, a lighter dinner was appetizing. Old Mister Wang ate quite a bit.

The family took a leisurely walk around the courtyard to aid digestion, and Old Mister Wang grumbled.

“Look how small this place is. It feels like I can’t even stretch my legs for a walk.”

“The space outside is more open. Go for a walk outside.”

“I’m not going.”

“In August, we’ll be able to move to our new home. By then, you can stay at my house. If possible, you can bring your wife over. It’s a good time for a change of scenery.”

Old Mister Wang waved his hand. “She can’t come. If she changes her environment, she won’t be able to rest well for a long time and might get sick. Let her stay at home. She really enjoyed the things you brought last time and praised them a lot.”

“When you return, I’ll bring you another load.”

“Haha, you’re quite thoughtful. If you were a man, you would be extraordinary.”

Qiao Mai smiled without saying a word. Before going to sleep, the children pestered her for a story before she finally returned to her room to rest.

As the moonlight faded, the outside world grew quiet. Qiao Mai looked at Ling’er, who was sleeping peacefully. With a thought, she moved her into the space.

Wearing a black night robe, she covered her face and slipped out of the room.

Regardless of whether the thieves were instructed by Tian Yaozu or not, he had caused her trouble multiple times. This was a debt that needed to be repaid.

Regardless of whether he had the potential to be a scholar, she had to cut off his path to education. A person like him would undoubtedly harm others in the future if he became an official.

Although he attended the town’s school, he didn’t reside there. He would leave in the morning and return in the evening, following this routine for years.

Under the moonlight, Qiao Mai sprinted through the fields. She didn’t have internal energy, but her speed wasn’t slow.

From Tianshui Town to Peach Blossom Village took half an hour by cart, but she managed to reach it in half a quarter-hour.

Standing at the village entrance, looking at the familiar village, Qiao Mai took a deep breath and made no sound.

She arrived at the Tian family, jumping and climbing over the wall, silently entering.

The Tian family didn’t keep dogs, and everyone was sound asleep.

She reached Tian Yaozu’s door, took a pipe from her space, poked a hole in the window paper, and blew in some smoke.

Seeing Tian Yaozu’s head peeking out of the blanket, asleep like a child, she thought he was merely an immature child.

Despite that, he was constantly plotting against her. Since that was the case, he couldn’t blame her for dealing with him.

Seeing how he would be incapacitated, how would the Tian family treat him? Would he still feel invincible? Would he continue to plot against her?

As she contemplated, she took out a handkerchief, soaked it with an anesthetic, and placed it over his nose. Soon enough, he was completely unconscious.

Qiao Mai retrieved a shiny hammer from her space. Without hesitation, she immobilized his arms with two quick strikes to his wrists.

With these two blows, his wrists were rendered useless. Even if a highly skilled doctor treated him and they healed, he could never hold a brush or write again.

After finishing, she double-checked everything, stashed her tools back into the space, cleaned the footprints on the floor, and retraced her steps. Qiao Mai placed the door back in its original position.

She inspected every mark and trace on the ground and walls of the courtyard, ensuring that no evidence was left behind. Then, before dawn, she returned home.

Discarding the black robe into the space, she took Ling’er out of it, lying beside her.

The roosters outside had started crowing. Qiao Mai closed her eyes, falling asleep in no time.

Yuan Jiaqi woke up before dawn and began cleaning the courtyard. He added wood to the stove and started working in the kitchen. He had no idea about Qiao Mai’s activities outside the night before.

Early in the morning, he steamed a large bowl of egg custard for each person and kept it warm on the stove.

Then, he made buns and prepared a few side dishes, following Qiao Mai’s example.

The children were up as soon as it was light outside. They brushed their teeth, washed their faces, and did their exercises, just as usual.

Old Mister Wang looked through the window, nodding in approval at the family’s healthy routines.

With good habits and disciplined children, he liked this family a lot. His granddaughter had made a great choice for him.

In over a month, he had grown fond of these children and considered them his family. He treated Yuan Jiaqi like his disciple.

Although he never expressed his affections verbally, he taught them earnestly and was strict when necessary. He was a person who might criticize with words but cared deeply for those he took a liking to.

At this moment, in Peach Blossom Village’s Tian family.

Some were cleaning while others were cooking. Madam Tian Li knew her eldest grandson had been studying late into the night, so she cautioned everyone to keep their voices down.

Tian Yaozu was about to take the Imperial Exam this year. The family had high hopes for him, and even the teacher regarded him as a promising student.

Everyone believed he would pass, so they were shocked when a cry of agony came from Tian Yaozu’s room not long after they woke up.

Everyone panicked, rushing to the door. However, the door was stuck. After struggling for a while, they managed to take the door off its hinges and get inside.

Tian Yaozu lay in bed, his hands raised on the blanket, screaming like a pig being slaughtered. “Grandson, what happened? What’s wrong?”

“It hurts, it hurts!”

“Where does it hurt?” ‘

My wrists. I can’t move them.”

“Quick, get up. Let Mother help you get dressed. We’ll go to the medical clinic.”

They helped him up, but every time his clothes brushed against his hands, he would let out a painful wail..