12dz Chapter 164 Three Maids
Chapter 164 Three Maids
When Qiao Qingshu arrived at the Bai family home, Bai Zhining was already waiting for her at the gate.
As soon as Qiao Qingshu stepped out of the sedan chair, Bai Zhining rushed up, grabbed Qiao Qingshu's hand, and said excitedly,
"Shu'er! You guessed right again! The Emperor is currently preparing relief supplies for the people in the capital, and has issued a notice to buy back cotton quilts, charcoal, food, and other supplies at high prices! All the things we've stockpiled are finally coming in handy!"
Bai Zhining, who had always been a composed uncle in front of Qiao Qingshu, was a little carried away with joy today.
Shen Wenying, who was standing to the side, was also somewhat excited.
"These supplies are now being sold at exorbitant prices on the black market. I heard yesterday that merchants were reselling them to the imperial court for five times the usual price. If the imperial court were to buy all of these goods, they could make a fortune."
Shen Wenying's words were true; merchants who had goods in the capital almost always sold their goods to the imperial court at three to five times the price.
Because supplies were so scarce, the imperial court did not try to negotiate the price.
In today's world, cotton-padded clothes and quilts are even more valuable than gold.
Qiao Qingshu and Bai Zhining shook their heads almost simultaneously.
Qiao Qingshu said,
"Now that the country is in crisis, although we have stockpiled a lot of supplies, we should not take the opportunity to make a profit from the national crisis."
Bai Zhining nodded heavily.
Qiao Qingshu continued,
"Since the country needs them now, my uncle and I will just sell the supplies we have stockpiled to the court at the usual price."
Bai Zhining pursed her lips, gave Qiao Qingshu a deep look, and clapped her hands.
"As expected of you, Qing Shu, you've come to the same conclusion as your uncle. When the nation is in peril, we should step forward, not think like businessmen!"
Qiao Qingshu smiled slightly and continued,
“Uncle, I don’t want money, but I want reputation! You should personally deliver this batch of supplies, and put the names of the Bai family and me, Qiao Qingshu, on them.”
Qiao Qingshu pointed her finger out and emphasized it.
"Uncle, you must remember that this is in my personal name, Qiao Qingshu, and has absolutely nothing to do with the Qiao family."
Bai Zhining nodded knowingly, raised her eyebrows, and said...
"Uncle understands! Uncle gets it! You can rest assured!"
Then Bai Zhining grinned and said...
"By the way! Qingshu, do you know? The situation in the north has been brought under control. This morning, letters from northern officials poured in like snowflakes, all praising your second uncle. The Emperor was delighted, and I reckon he'll be promoted and ennobled when he returns!"
"Shu'er! You're simply a blessing to the Bai family! You're practically a fairy reincarnated! You've foreseen everything!"
Qiao Qingshu smiled broadly and nodded; her initial goal was about to be achieved.
Shen Wenying was looking at her with an almost worshipful gaze, her previous worries and doubts completely gone.
Qiao Qingshu knew clearly that if she said or did anything next, she would never hear any dissenting voices.
She smiled and discussed some specific arrangements for the supplies with her third uncle and aunt. She was then asked to stay for dinner before returning home.
Evening, at Zhuqingxuan.
Qiao Qingshu was sitting in the soft quilt reading a book, while Wanqiu and Lindong beside her were sewing a quilt cover for her wedding.
Lin Dong rubbed her eyes, raised her head, and said softly,
"Now that the year is over, our girl's wedding is just around the corner."
Wanqiu, still threading the needle, didn't look up, but quickly replied...
"Yes, time really flies! In less than a month, our girl will be getting married."
Xia Zhi was leaning to one side, helping the two of them straighten the threads, but her eyes were so sleepy that she could barely keep them open, nodding off like a dog pounding garlic.
Qiao Qingshu was not aware of her marriage before. Although she knew she was going to get married, she was not moved at all.
Unlike her previous life when she was extremely nervous, Qiao Qingshu didn't even care much about it.
If it weren't for the diligence of my maids, I probably wouldn't have had time to prepare many things.
She raised her head and carefully examined her three personal maids.
In her previous life, of the four maids, only Wanqiu did not accompany her as part of her dowry because Liu San did not. The other three maids all entered the Xiao family with her.
Spring Equinox climbed into bed and carried the Lord on his back; he had already ended her life, there was nothing more to say.
After being brought into the Xiao family as part of her dowry in the winter, she was taken advantage of and abused by the eldest patriarch of the Xiao family. In the end, she ended her own life. This was a great pain in Qiao Qingshu's heart, and she would never let this happen again in this life!
Xia Zhi also accompanied Qiao Qingshu into the Xiao family as part of her dowry, and was the only one who remained by Qiao Qingshu's side until she ascended to the position of Empress. However, after years in the Cold Palace, Xia Zhi often suffered beatings and hardships on Qiao Qingshu's behalf. After several years of torment, her once robust body became emaciated, and she eventually died of illness in the Cold Palace.
Qiao Qingshu still remembers kneeling in front of the guards while holding Xia Zhi, and even desperately trying to escape to find a doctor for Xia Zhi, but she failed. Xia Zhi eventually died in Qiao Qingshu's arms.
Thinking of these things, Qiao Qingshu's eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.
She raised her head and slowly began to speak.
"I'm getting married. What are your plans, you three? If you want to go home, I'll let you go back."
The three of them suddenly jolted awake, staring wide-eyed at Qiao Qingshu. After a moment, they looked at each other.
Lin Dong was the first to jump out of bed and kneel down in front of Qiao Qingshu with a thud.
“Young lady, I will go with you wherever you go, and I will naturally accompany you as part of your dowry when you get married.”
Thinking of Lin Dong's fate, Qiao Qingshu felt a pang of pity. If Lin Dong hadn't entered the Xiao family in this life, would she have been spared from being defiled by the eldest son of the Xiao family?
She had no choice but to harden her heart and say...
“In late winter, I remember your parents still have a few acres of land and run a small business, so they shouldn’t be having a hard time. I’ll let you go back. I’ll also give you some money so you can work with your parents. I’ve looked all over our household, but there aren’t any ambitious or reliable servants. I can’t bear to marry you off to the Qiao family. Go home first, and I’ll help you find a good family later.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Dong felt as if the sky had fallen, and his face turned completely pale with fright.
She nestled at Qiao Qingshu's feet and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Young lady, please don't abandon me! I've been by your side since I was little. I don't want to go home. I just want to stay with you. Please don't send me away. I don't even need my monthly salary if you let me stay."
Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What? No monthly salary? Why are you going to work for me for free?"
Lin Dong nodded vigorously, crying so hard that her face was covered in snot and tears, and she kept crying and shouting for Qiao Qingshu not to abandon her.
Qiao Qingshu saw that Lin Dong was almost crying so hard she could barely breathe, and she also sighed softly.
He thought to himself that if he kept them by his side, he could avoid these things by being more vigilant and careful.
If the tragedy of late autumn could still be rewritten, then she could certainly rewrite the tragedy of approaching winter as well.