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Chapter 251 - 251: It’s a Peerless Tea

“She should suffer a bit. Otherwise, she wouldn’t know how high the sky is or how deep the earth goes. She wouldn’t understand how treacherous people’s hearts can be. Today, she’s the royal consort, but after falling out of favor, she might be nothing. With your family’s background, you can’t protect her. Only by making her endure hardships will she learn to cherish everything she has now.”

Old Mistress Wang fell into silence. Jiaru married into a higher social class, and indeed, their family couldn’t protect her.

From then on, both sides consciously refrained from mentioning Wang Jiaru.

The weather gradually warmed up. The brothers immersed themselves in their studies every day, preparing for the imperial examinations at the end of March.

Nanny Jin had been living in Lucky Garden for more than a year, and she was satisfied with her life there. She had no other aspirations except to mentor Ling’er as if she were her child. She hoped Ling’er would have a promising future, not be a caged bird but soar like an eagle.

After the third day of March, Qiao Mai privately went to the forest and watered every pine tree with water from the spiritual river.

During this time, she researched online about harvesting pine oil, how to collect pine resin, and even examined the tools for gathering oil and pressing pine nuts. She made some improvements and produced dozens of sets. She was waiting for the pine trees to mature so she could establish a workshop.

The pine trees she had planted in the first year were already as thick as a child’s leg. Even the tree caretakers found it astonishing.

The trees were growing too quickly. They wondered if the nutrient solution the county governor recommended was this effective.

Yuan Jiaqi laughed it off and said something that dispelled their thoughts.

“That one bucket of nutrient solution can buy two acres of good farmland. How much do you want to sell an acre of land for? No matter how much you nurture it, it won’t be enough. These pine trees were planted by my wife based on soil analysis, not randomly sown.”

This response silenced them. One bucket of nutrient solution was too expensive. Using it to water crops was an extravagant waste.

Moreover, growing the pine trees required careful attention, so it wasn’t something they could use casually. The commoners had oversimplified things.

The pine trees planted in the second year had all reached the thickness of a wrist. Thanks to Qiao Mai’s secret efforts, they would be ready for the workshop next year, and she would hire workers for training.

Now, they just had to wait for the trees to grow.

In her free time, Qiao Mai bought a few vases and used items from her space to create many flowers. She learned flower arranging to lift her spirits.

Old Mistress Wang didn’t have much to do lately. She came over with her maids. When she saw the flowers on Qiao Mai’s table, she couldn’t hide her happiness.

“You know how to do this?”

“Grandmother, please have a seat. Spring has arrived. The sunshine is beautiful, and everyone is in a good mood. The children will take the exams in a few days, so there may be another top scholar or successful candidate in the family.”

“Of course. Jiaqi is so exceptional. Fengyun and Chuan’er are not far behind. Ruyi’s husband had already gone to the capital to take the imperial examination. I hope he passes this time. You’ll need to hire more people if he does.”

“As soon as Fengyun and Chuan’er finish their exams, they can take his place.

It’s a way for them to gain experience.”

“Will the students be willing?”

“If they’re unwilling, they can leave. They’re getting it for free, so they shouldn’t be too fussy.”

While they were chatting and arranging flowers, one of the maids came in with a joyful expression, which made Qiao Mai feel that it was good news.

“Madam, Mayor Qian sent someone with a good message and brought many gifts. ”

“Is Lu Sanniang pregnant?”

“Yes, she didn’t tell anyone before because it was too early, but now that the pregnancy is stable, she’s announced it.”

Qiao Mai thought for a moment. “Bring the things here.”

“Of course.

Old Mistress Wang was puzzled, “Why didn’t you send a return gift?”

“If I sent her a gift, she’d feel uneasy keeping it, so I’d rather not send it.

Receiving it will make it feel like I’m taking advantage.”

“Sigh, this child.”

“When she saved me back then, it was also for her benefit. Since she prefers this interaction, I’ll go along with her wishes.”

Meanwhile, Lu Sanniang was sitting in her room enjoying some fruits that Mayor Qian had obtained from Qiao’s Small Eatery.

It was discovered when she was one and a half months pregnant. For the past month, Mayor Qian had been doting on Lu Sanniang and elevating her to the heavens.

Ruyi would visit her regularly, and she noticed Ruyi rolling her eyes.

“Mom, your child will make me have a younger brother or sister who’s even younger than my son. How much younger will my son’s generation be?” Lu Sanniang blushed at her daughter’s comment and scolded her with a glare.

“I can’t let your Father Qian have no descendants.”

“That’s true. Father waited for so many years for you. Setting aside everything else, you made the right choice marrying him.”

“I don’t want to reopen the embroidery shop. Why don’t I give it to you?”

“No, wait until Yide returns from the imperial examination. We don’t know how things will turn out then. If you don’t want to continue, you can sell it. After all, your current condition isn’t making Mayor Qian feel at ease.” “It has been my hard work for so many years. I can’t bear to just sell it.”

“The shop is just a tool for making money. What’s more important is your health. Which one do you think is more important?”

Lu Sanniang put the shop for sale at the broker center. Upon hearing this, Qiao Mai thought and had Nanny Jin go to buy the shop without bargaining, offering whatever was asked.

She transferred it under Ling’er’s name, not for any other reason but because Ling’er had turned eight after the New Year, and it was time for her to start getting involved.

Nanny Jin had taught her how to manage the shop as part of her education. Now, she had a chance to practice.

Furthermore, after Lu Sanniang sold the shop, people from the surrounding areas had to travel far to receive and send goods. Additionally, there was a need for a place to sell Ruyi and Liu Ye’s double-sided embroidery.

The most important reason was to allow Ling’er to learn and improve her skills. Qiao Mai believed that the embroidery workshop would continue to thrive with Nanny Jin’s guidance.

Nanny Jin was also pretty happy about this. In addition to mentoring Ling’er, she would have something to do.

Being in her thirties was not considered old, and the boss was relaxed about her and never questioned her. If she needed something, they provided it without hesitation. She was pleased with this.

On April 2nd, the children returned from the capital, led by Old Master Wang.

Thanks to their childhood martial arts training, they were mentally prepared. These few days have still been exhausting.

As soon as they arrived home, Qiao Mai told them to freshen up and rest. She quickly prepared a pot of spiritual tea for Old Master Wang, who had been the most tired during the trip.

Old Master Wang sat cross-legged at the table and took a sip of the tea she had poured.

“Wow, this tea is delicious. You hardly ever bring out good things like this. This time, it’s a reward for my hard work, right?”

“I’m glad you know. Good things should be cherished and not consumed often.

If they are, they cease to be good.”

“That’s reasonable. Hahaha.”

Old Master Wang had several more cups of tea before he felt significantly better.

“Don’t worry. These three children have done well in their exams. They’re almost certain to pass it. Chuan’er, in particular, has no problems. If he doesn’t perform well in the exams, I’ll discipline him.”

Qiao Mai smiled, “That’s good to hear. You’ve worked hard.”

“Then what about this tea?”

“I’ll give you two pounds when I return.”

“Isn’t that too little?”

“Two pounds per month.”

“That’s about right.”

Qiao Mai left. Old Master Wang quickly poured a cup of tea for his wife. “Wife, would you like to taste this tea? Even the emperor can’t get his hands on such good leaves, but this girl has it.”

Old Mistress Wang had just enjoyed the scent of the tea and immediately felt her fatigue disappear after taking a sip.

“It’s truly an excellent tea.”

“Anyway, I won’t leave this house anymore. If she says she’s caring after me in my old age, I’ll take her word for it.”

“You…”

On the fifth day of April, there was a rain shower, just as the saying goes,

“During Qingming season, drizzles fall.”

On the tenth day of April, the good news finally arrived.

All three of Qiao Mai’s sons had passed the imperial examination. While their rankings weren’t ideal, they had still passed.

Feng’er ranked eighth, Yun’er ninth, and Chuan’er ranked second among the children.

Government officials loved to come to Lucky Garden and eagerly competed for the opportunity to deliver the good news. Many wanted to cash in on the joy and earn some lucky money. It would be enough to support their families for a

year..