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However, when he had to choose between Qiao Mai and his family, he chose Qiao Mai.

He had come to hear Qiao Mai’s thoughts. Since she didn’t want him to, he wouldn’t recognize the Yuan family.

The next day, Yuan Jiaqi refused the Yuan family head.

The family head was furious and asked, “Why? We’ve bowed to you. Why won’t you agree?”

“Because I don’t want to leave the Qiao family.”

“Did Madam Qiao say something to you?”

“She doesn’t like the Yuan family and doesn’t want to host any members of the

Yuan family in the future. If I return, I can’t come to the Qiao family again.” “Then come back to our village. Our family can support your education.” “I’ve already passed the imperial examination. I don’t need your support.” “Then what should we do? We’ll follow your lead as long as you come back.”

“No, I will never leave the Qiao family.”

“Then I’ll talk to her.”

The Yuan family head wanted to argue with Qiao Mai, but Yuan Jiaqi stopped him.

“Fine, you’ll need to repay everything I’ve consumed in her house over these years. Then I will follow you.”

“How much is that?”

“More than ten thousand taels.”

“What?”

The Yuan family head staggered backward. Even a thousand taels were something they couldn’t afford.

“I am the result of my wife’s nurturing. She has spent countless silver on me to reach where I am now. If I go back just because you wanted me to, it would make her uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t want to become an ingrate. You can leave now. If there are any family matters in the future, I’ll consider helping out.”

“You said it’s a deal. How can you change your mind?”

“How did I change my mind? I said as long as my wife agrees. But with her decision, how could I agree?”

“You!”

The Yuan family head left. Before he left, he turned to Yuan Jiaqi. “Remember what you said – that you would help as appropriate?”

“I won’t forget it.”

They finally managed to send him away. Yuan Jiaqi took a deep breath. Qiao Mai, watching from a distance, shook her head. He was still not resolute enough and indecisive.

While she was lost in thought, the door of Lucky Garden was knocked again.

Since Yuan Jiaqi had passed the imperial examination, the door had never been quiet. There were always people coming to knock.

Qiao Mai stood in an inconspicuous place and watched. The maid was also somewhat impatient as she opened the door.

When she saw the visitors, she frowned. It turned out to be from Qingzhu Village, the Jiang family. What were they doing here? What did they have to do with Yuan Jiaqi?

Were they here to ask for a marriage? Or did they also want the twin brothers back?

Thinking about it, Qiao Mai got angry. What kind of people were they?

When they were poor, they took over someone’s house and sold their children. Now, they came to fawn on her when they saw an opportunity.

Qiao Mai kept a straight face and blocked them at the gate, not allowing them to enter.

“If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“Madam Qiao, we are here today not by choice but because it’s the wish of our Jiang family head.”

Qiao Mai glanced at the people behind them. “Let me make this clear. If you want to take away your children, you can. But first, repay the money I spent on them for these four years. Moreover, it depends on the children’s willingness.

If they refuse, you won’t be able to take them away even if you have money. We can go to court. I will stand my ground!”

At that moment, the Jiang family head walked out from behind and bowed to Qiao Mai.

“I am the head of the Jiang family. I only found out about the children and that they were sold by their uncles and aunts after it happened. I wanted to speak on behalf of the children, but I heard they preferred to stay with you. So, I abandoned that idea. The Jiang family has already punished the children’s grandfather and uncles, and we have kept the properties and land deeds for them. As the head. I still h0De the children return to their roots.”

“Why did you wait for four years to come? Why didn’t you take them back earlier?”

“Mainly because the children were too young. They wouldn’t be able to work.” “Are you saying you’ve been using me to raise them for these four years?” “I wouldn’t put it that way.”

“You’re the family head. If you were sincere about your children, you should have taken them home earlier. Why did you choose to have them stay in my house for four years?”

The Jiang family head was left speechless by Qiao Mai’s words. She snorted.

“The two children spent more than three thousand taels each over four years. They spent two hundred taels each on clothing, more than ten taels per month for food, and another hundred taels for writing materials.”

The Jiang family head turned green in the face. “Madam Qiao, you’re such a kind and virtuous person. How can you calculate it this way?”

“Enough! I am kind and virtuous, but I’m not a fool. The money I had didn’t just fall from the sky. I do good deeds to help the poor, not scheming people like you.”

“You…!”

“Without three thousand taels of silver, keep dreaming of taking them back!

Let me tell you, the more you wait, the more silver it’ll take!”

After saying this, Qiao Mai turned and left. The maid glared at them fiercely, promptly shutting the door and locking it. She cursed under her breath.

“Shameless and heartless scoundrels!”

Yuan Jiaqi remained in the living room, watching the whole scene. His wife was seemingly haggling over money, but in reality, she was using it as an excuse to make it difficult for them to take the two children back.

It had been four years, and they had developed strong bonds with these kids. Furthermore, going back to their original family posed uncertainties, including whether they would be sent to school or treated well. Regardless of how good they might seem, it couldn’t compare to their life in the Qiao household.

Qiao Mai left and went to find the twin brothers.

They were in class at the moment. When Qiao Mai came in, Old Master Wang had them stop reading.

Qiao Mai approached the brothers and said, “The Jiang family from Qingzhu Village is here. They want to take you back, saying you’re your parents’ only sons and the pride of their family. I respect your opinion. If you want to go back, I won’t stop them. If you don’t want to go, you can tell them yourself.

What do you think?”

“Mother, we won’t go back. We are your sons, and the Jiang family has more than just our father as their son. Leaving won’t affect them much. Our parents are buried in the Jiang family’s ancestral grave, and we sneak back every year to tend to their graves and offer sacrifices. We want to be your sons, Mother.” “You’re good children. Since you’ve made up your mind, you can talk to them if they come again.”

“Alright, Mother.”

Qiao Mai went out, and Old Master Wang let them continue their studies. He came out and asked, “Based on your tone, do you want them to go back?”

“If the Jiang family is sincere and brings the silver, I will let them go. We will see the Jiang family’s attitude. After all, they’re blood relations, and their parents are gone. It wouldn’t be right to prevent them from returning, would

“My dear, I’ve been watching. Over these four years, you’ve treated them as if they were your own sons, maybe even better. It’s hard for you to let them go like this.”

“Let’s see how the Jiang family handles it.”

“I plan to send the twin brothers to the exam next year. They are not as intelligent as Jiaqi, and though they are young, if they don’t leave your home, I think we should have them take the imperial examinations every other year.”

“Alright, I have no objections..”