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Qiao Mai held the dress with both hands and approached the ladies, allowing them to see up close.

“Wow, this fabric doesn’t wrinkle. It’s incredibly soft, and there’s even a layer of fine fleece inside.

Qiao Mai glanced back at Old Mistress Wang, who smiled. Today, she supported Qiao Mai throughout the event.

Some of the madams and young ladies who came were of even higher social status than her. Old Mistress Wang had to pay her respects to them. Nevertheless, she was willing to do so.

Compared to the hair accessories, the dresses were a bit pricey, but Qiao Mai didn’t lower the price.

She believed that if the product was good, it would sell.

Sure enough, she took the dress back and held it in her hands. “This lake blue Horse-face dress is five thousand taels. Anyone interested? If not, I’ll take it back. Good things shouldn’t be sold cheap.”

“I’ll take it. They snatched the hair accessories, and I can’t return empty-handed.”

Qiao Mai smiled and neatly folded the dress before placing it back in the box. She then brought it to the young lady who had called out the price.

“Miss, please take it!”

“What ‘Miss’? I’m a county princess.”

“Oh, I see. In the future, please take care of my business.” “Aren’t you planning to stop selling after this?”

“What if I come across more good items in the future?”

“In that case, remember to send someone to inform me at my residence.”

“Sure, County Princess!”

Immediately after, another horse-face dress, and then another, each different from the last. Those who hadn’t managed to buy the hair accessories quickly made their moves and grabbed the dresses.

These dresses didn’t go up for auction; each was priced at five thousand taels. In no time, they were all sold.

Qiao Mai continued to smile throughout, watching the satisfied crowd.

“I’m sorry, but please wait for my next visit to the capital. I’ll bring more good stuff for everyone.”

“Miss, where are you from?” “I’m from Wei City.”

“Oh, that’s quite far.”

“Yes!”

“It will be difficult for us to buy from you in the future.”

“It’s not necessarily. Perhaps one day, my friend will suddenly come across some good items, and I’ll come to the capital to post notices for everyone.”

“Great, we’ll be waiting!”

Seeing that there was nothing left to buy, the women bid their farewells and left Bichun Garden.

In the hall, only Old Mistress Wang and Qiao Mai remained. “How much did we sell?”

“The dresses sold for fifty thousand taels. Ten small hair ornaments for two hundred and sixty thousand taels, and the hairpin sold for three hundred and fifty thousand taels. It’s six hundred and sixty thousand taels. What an auspicious number! ”

“Will it all be used for the disaster victims?”

“I’ll start by providing relief to the victims outside the city. On our way back, we can provide further assistance. I plan to buy a house in Tianshui Town for the beggars with basic accommodation. We shouldn’t let them develop bad habits of idleness. If there are cases that require more, we can assist accordingly.”

“Okay!”

“Tomorrow, should I go outside the city in your name?”

“Why? It’s your money.”

“I’d rather not expose myself. I still want to enjoy a peaceful life. While helping people is good, we can’t let others reap all the benefits. So, I thought of passing the credit to you and your husband.”

“Were you planning this all along?”

“Yes, I heard your husband retired from his official position.”

“Ah, that’s related to the Fu family. The head of their family is the Minister of

Revenue, and he managed to push my husband out of office.”

“Why did that happen?”

“It’s because Grand Tutor Fu has a good relationship with the emperor. He often influences the emperor’s decisions, and gradually, the emperor became displeased with my husband. Combined with my husband’s bad temper, they simply couldn’t get along. So, my husband decided to resign. Coincidentally, Zongsheng was the magistrate in Wei City, so we moved there.”

“Who holds the highest position in the Wang family?”

“Oh, that’s the highest official rank!”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to you.”

“Yes, the recipes you sold to Zongsheng benefited the common people, and the emperor was pleased. As a result, he promoted the Wang family’s position.

Now, do you understand why I was upset?”

“Ah, your son contributed money and effort, but the Wang family reaped the greatest benefit.?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be upset. We are far from the emperor’s sight. We can enjoy a peaceful life and let them live in fear and uncertainty. Let them be short-lived while we live long and prosper.”

“Haha, you’re right. After listening to you, I’m feeling less upset.”

“And what about you, Grandmother?”

“What about me?”

“Didn’t you receive any noble titles or honors?”

“No, titles like those are only granted by the emperor to people who have made significant contributions to the court. They are just empty honors. I don’t care for them.’

Qiao Mai blinked but didn’t say anything further.

After a morning of bustling activity, the old lady felt a bit tired. Qiao Mai brewed a pot of tea with spiritual river water for her.

After taking the first sip, the old lady noticed something was amiss.

“Girl, did you add something to the tea?”

“I added a tonic to it. After you have lunch, you’ll get a good nap.” “When did you become knowledgeable about medicine?”

“It’s not about understanding medicine; this tonic just works this way.”

“Oh, thank you. Honestly, sitting here all morning to watch you sell goods has made me quite tired.”

After two cups of tea, Qiao Mai had the maid assist Old Mistress Wang back to her resting place.

With Old Mistress Wang’s reputation established through the auction, Qiao Mai could now openly assist the commoners.

All the proceeds from the Fu family would be used for the benefit of the people. She recalled the customer service’s words, “Take from the people and use for the people.”

The next day, she went to a grain shop after breakfast.

“Shopkeeper?”

“Hello, customer. How can I assist you?”

“How much grain do you have in stock?”

“We have quite a bit. Our warehouse at the back is full.”

“How much does cornmeal and white flour cost?”

“Cornmeal is ten coins per pound, and white flour is thirty coins per pound.” “Why is it so much more expensive than in the countryside?”

“The court has requisitioned all the grain, and there are so many refugees outside the city. That’s why the prices have gone up.”

“Doesn’t the Emperor allow refugees to enter the city?”

“They can, but only one person per family is allowed to come in and buy food.

They’re not allowed to beg or roam around the city.”

“Is there porridge available for them?” “Yeah, but it’s limited.” “Which city gate has the most refugees?”

“The South Gate!”

“Alright, I’ll take all your cornmeal and white flour. Pack them in fifty-pound bags and deliver them immediately to the South Gate. I’ll be waiting there. As soon as the goods arrive, I’ll pay you. Make sure to fill the carriages up and keep them coming until all your goods are delivered.”

“May I ask which family you belong to?” The shopkeeper was nervous.

“Do you know Grand Perceptor Pang’s sister?”

“Oh, you’re Grand Perceptor Pang’s sister.”

“I’m her granddaughter, staying at Bichun Courtyard. My grandmother asked me to come and perform acts of charity.”

“I understand. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Using the old lady’s name made things much easier. Even though she had left the capital, her reputation still held sway. People knew who she was, and mentioning her name carried weight.

Qiao Mai arrived alone outside the South Gate, where she saw that the refugees had set up makeshift tents. But there didn’t seem to be any porridge distribution.

It had been several months since May.. Why were there still so many refugees outside the city? Weren’t there any other villages or towns where they could find shelter?