The Ye family was both a close neighbor and Qi Jiao's natal family. Naturally, the Pei family prepared several kinds of gifts.
Five-spice plate, Tusu wine, candy assortments...
Qi Jiao and Pei Xia prepared red envelopes for the Ye couple, and the couple thoughtfully made new clothes, shoes, and boots for them.
The three Ye brothers, Jiang Yuniang, and Qi Jiao also exchanged gifts with each other.
Regardless of the size or value of the gifts, they all represented everyone's good wishes.
After a harmonious and warm reunion dinner, Qi Jiao asked Ye Yun, the second son of the Ye family, about renting a shop.
"Jiao Niang, you're planning to open a shop in the county?"
Ye Yun's voice rose an octave, and for a moment everyone looked over.
Qi Jiao smiled. "I've been thinking about it. But it's still just an idea for now. Second Brother, you're always running around in the county and have a wide network. If it's convenient, could you help me find out if there are any available shops?"
Ye Yun just paused for a moment and then immediately agreed.
He said, "No problem. Leave this to me."
Qi Jiao had mentioned the idea of opening a shop to Pei Xia and the rest of the Pei family, and they all supported it.
Jiao Niang was smart and capable. Once she set her mind on something, they would support her unconditionally.
However, Aunt Ye was more concerned about Qi Jiao. She pulled Qi Jiao into a small room and said earnestly, "My girl, you're very capable. You not only find ways to make money for yourself but also help us earn a living. I'm going to ask you a question that maybe I shouldn't. Who's in charge of the money between you and Pei Xia?"
Qi Jiao couldn't help but laugh. She patted Aunt Ye's hand and said, "Don't worry, Godmother. I'm in charge of the money I earn. Pei Xia never touches it. Instead, he gives me the money he earns."
Only then did Aunt Ye feel relieved. She said seriously, "That's right. It's not easy for us women to make a living. You should take good care of the money you earn and plan for it properly."
Qi Jiao nodded. "To be honest with you, I've saved up a little capital. I want to open a small shop in the county so that I can supply goods in the long term. Having our own storefront will be more convenient than looking for sales channels everywhere, no matter what we sell."
Aunt Ye agreed. "Opening a shop is no small matter. If you need any help, just ask your three brothers. Your godfather and I may not be very useful, but we can still do some rough work for you."
Qi Jiao smiled. "Godmother, you're so good to me! When I make money, I'll let you and godfather enjoy a good life."
Aunt Ye's eyes crinkled with laughter. "Good girl, today is a good day for you to visit your natal family. Stay at home tonight. I'll keep you company."
She smoothed out the quilt on the bed. "The bedding has just been sun-dried. It's warm. Don't go back today, okay?"
Qi Jiao wrapped her arm around Aunt Ye's and said sweetly, "I'll listen to you."
The moon rose above the willow branches.
Qi Jiao and Pei Xia parted ways outside the Ye family's gate.
Pei Xia held a lantern in one hand and grabbed Qi Jiao's hand with the other. "Jiao Niang, I'll come and pick you up tomorrow."
Qi Jiao murmured in agreement, her eyes full of affection.
The two were deeply in love and reluctant to part, until an affected cough came from inside the courtyard wall.
Only then did Pei Xia let go of Qi Jiao.
He kissed Qi Jiao's fair and pink cheek and whispered, "I'll be on night duty at the duck farm today. I'll take Huanghuang with me. You rest well at your godmother's place."
Qi Jiao agreed and turned to enter the gate.
Pei Xia watched until her figure disappeared from sight before turning towards the duck farm.
During the first lunar month, while every household was illuminated with lights, there were still inevitably some thieves and scoundrels.
Pei Xia told his mother and younger sister to go home and rest.
Since Jiao Niang wasn't with him today, sleeping alone in the quilt would be dull. So he decided to guard the duck farm instead.
In Biwu Village, the Qi family.
"You useless good-for-nothing! You let someone take your virginity for nothing and didn't even get a single benefit out of it!"
"Oh, dear me! What did I do to deserve this? While others are celebrating the New Year joyfully, I feel like I'm on the verge of death!"
...
Mrs. Qian and Qi Laoda were lying on the couch, scolding one after another.
A haggard and pale young woman was sitting by the stove, blankly warming the wine for them.
This young woman was none other than their daughter, Qi Fu, Qi Jiao's niece.
She had been the mistress of Young Master Guo in the county, but their relationship didn't last long.
Because after the New Year, Young Master Guo was going to marry his fiancée from an official family.
Mrs. Guo ordered Young Master Guo to get rid of all his mistresses.
Qi Fu was quite good-looking, and Young Master Guo originally planned to keep her for a while longer.
Unexpectedly, not long ago, there was an incident where they tried to rob Qi Jiao's carriage but were subdued instead, which left a deep shadow on Young Master Guo.
After he returned, he even held a grudge against Qi Fu. He cursed, "All you women from the Qi family are no good! I'm really unlucky!"
Then he took out his anger on Qi Fu in many ways, making her wish she were dead but she had to bear it with gritted teeth.
After such wanton abuse and torture, the originally healthy and fair Qi Fu quickly lost weight and became gloomy.
Later, when Young Master Guo got tired of her, he gave her ten taels of silver and kicked her out. He even took back the house where Qi Fu lived.
Qi Fu couldn't take revenge on Young Master Guo, so she hated Qi Jiao to the core.
Having nowhere to go, she had no choice but to return to Biwu Village, hiding her disgrace along the way.
As expected, when she returned to the Qi family, she was greeted with scolding from Mrs. Qian and Qi Laoda.
The chance of wealth and glory had vanished, and the two were extremely angry. But they didn't dare to cause trouble at the Guo family.
They just lay on the couch, thinking about marrying Qi Fu off as soon as possible to get some betrothal money.
They needed the money to find a wife for Hao'er.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Mrs. Qian and Qi Laoda didn't avoid Qi Fu when they were talking. In their eyes, the greatest value of their daughter Qi Fu was to exchange for money for them.
The two were thinking about the honest bachelors in Yinwan who were still unmarried.
There was Second Brother Pang from their own village, a widower with a child, but his family had a row of real brick houses...
There was also Master You in the town, who owned hundreds of acres of fertile land and countless servants. Although he was a bit old and already had a wife, it would be more than enough for Fu Niang to be his concubine...
When they thought of Baiyun Village, they couldn't avoid thinking about the Pei family and Qi Jiao.
Just thinking of Qi Jiao made Mrs. Qian's heart ache. Now that little slut Qi Jiao was living a prosperous life with the Pei family, while they were living in poverty and desolation. How could they not hate?
All these should have been theirs!
When Mrs. Qian started talking, Qi Fu only then realized how outstanding Eldest Brother Pei was, someone she had once looked down upon.
That's just human nature. The marriage and the family she had once regarded as worthless were now far ahead of her.
Qi Fu was not willing to accept this.
Why should Qi Jiao live a good life, with a loving husband and be able to make money everywhere; while she, Qi Fu, had to be abandoned and either marry a widower and be a stepmother or be a concubine to an old lecher!
After hearing Mrs. Qian and Qi Laoda's plan, Qi Fu's face turned deathly pale, and she felt hot and cold all over.
No! She would never live such a life!
Pei Xia settled the ducks and returned to his room. He blew out two lamps and was about to go to bed.
Suddenly, he heard a few barks. It was Huanghuang.
Pei Xia put on his clothes and went out, casually grabbing a wooden stick.
The gate was locked.
There was a faint crying sound outside the door. It was not very clear, but he was sure it was a woman.
Pei Xia's first thought was that it was Jiao Niang. He thought she might have been wronged at the Ye family. He quickly opened the door, only to see a tear-stained face.
Pei Xia was stunned for a few seconds before he realized that it was Qi Fu.
His face suddenly turned cold. "What are you doing here?"
It was cold at night. Qi Fu was only wearing a thin persimmon-red jacket, which was deliberately tailored to fit tightly against her protruding chest and slender waist.
Tears streamed down her face, and there were red marks on her cheeks. There were several large holes in her jacket, revealing her fair arms and half of her round breasts. She looked extremely pitiful.
There was a red lantern hanging in the yard, and the light fell on Qi Fu's face, making her lips look even more red and smooth. A beautiful woman shedding tears was truly heart-wrenching.
Pei Xia looked at her without saying a word, his face dark and unreadable.