She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 656 - 654 The Treatment that Should Be Accorded

Chapter 656: Chapter 654 The Treatment that Should Be Accorded

"Alas," Lady Zhao first let out a sigh, looking truly troubled, "We have been in the capital for two months now, and the Lunar New Year is upon us. After the New Year, there’s no telling when the Zhou family might come to the capital, and then we’ll have to rush to prepare Ah Qiao’s wedding. But Ah Qiao doesn’t have a moment to spare, what are we to do?"

Qi Younian felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing Lady Zhao’s words. He quickly motioned for a servant to pour tea for Lady Zhao and then apologetically said, "Ah Qiao has indeed been busy. We brought only a few people to the capital this time, leaving most of our help with Wusi; Ah Qiao has indeed been busy. However, we’ve already hired a few craftsmen skilled at writing, and we will continue to hire more help after the New Year. By then, Ah Qiao will certainly be able to relax a bit."

Lady Zhao listened to Qi Younian’s words but felt quite unconvinced. To say hiring people would give Ah Qiao some relief was just treating Ah Qiao like hired labor, all the while claiming to treat him like one’s own child or nephew.

In this household, so many live carefree lives. Qi Sanshun was no longer young, spending his days coming in and out of the classroom, yet his studies were said to be not so good, not someone who could become a Successful Candidate. However, he still loitered in the classroom every day and there was not one who made him learn a craft, to have a skill of his own.

Then there was Guan He, who was nothing more than a hired enforcer for the Qi family, yet he was treated daily to the best food and drink. He spent his days leading a few children around the household in idleness and play, his life more leisurely than the masters of wealthy households.

Even that maid named Zi Ning and the servant Jiuhua had nothing to do all day, simply freeloading and wandering around.

Yet Ah Qiao, whom Qi Younian proclaimed as a child or nephew, had to slave away for the Qi family without a moment’s rest.

Seeing that Lady Zhao hadn’t spoken for a while, Qi Younian added, "If Seventh younger brother’s wife has urgent matters to attend, then I will call Ah Qiao back, and you can handle the important matters first." Otherwise, I can only go to His Highness Prince Yu and ask the teachers in His Highness’s residence for help, then properly thank them later on.

Finally, Lady Zhao looked up; what she was talking about was not this issue, but the fact that Ah Qiao was not receiving the treatment he deserved.

"Brother, I want to ask, those high officials from the court who came to our compound the other day, the business they talked about...is it possible to make quite a bit of money from it? And those people who paid a hefty fee to join the Construction Industry to learn the trade?"

When Lady Zhao brought up this matter, Qi Younian paused for a moment, his brows slightly knitted.

Does he have to tell Lady Zhao that without Ye Zi, it would have been impossible to negotiate such a salary? The ordinary construction businesses can’t haggle with the court over how much they are paid; where do they get the room to negotiate?

Moreover, all the documents related to the construction of the wooden track in Clear Water Village were prepared by Ye Zi, who now had also sorted out the work, listed the items, and arranged for people below to carry out the tasks.

What was Lady Zhao implying?

However, Qi Younian still managed a smile and said, "Seventh younger brother’s wife also knows that I crawled out of the mud and muck and don’t understand those intricate thoughts. If you have something to say, just speak plainly. If you leave me to guess, I couldn’t figure it out even by tomorrow."

Lady Zhao knew that Qi Younian was certainly not a man without thoughts or calculations, and by saying this now, he was merely feigning ignorance. Since he didn’t want to say it, she might as well say it herself.

"I’m not afraid of you laughing, Brother, but you know our family’s financial situation. However, come spring next year, Ah Qiao will be getting married. If he were marrying a girl from an ordinary household, we could manage. But he insists on marrying a daughter from a family of government officials, which is truly a difficult situation for us; we can’t mistreat their daughter, nor can we always rely on others."

In the beginning, they all urged their sons to marry the young lady of the Zhou family. Once she gave in and the engagement was confirmed, they all vanished without a trace, knowing only how to watch the excitement. If she had no dowry at all, when the daughter-in-law entered their home, how could she assume the role of a mother-in-law?

Qi Younian could probably guess Lady Zhao’s intentions; he did not mind providing more for Wong Qiao, so he nodded and said, "What my sister-in-law says is true, it’s all for the children. Making things better is naturally for the best, I’ll remember this."

Lady Zhao seemed very pleased and said, "I knew big brother was an elder who empathizes with the younger generations. Since that’s the case, sister-in-law will just speak plainly. I’ve heard that Ah Qiao’s current salary from his trade is Three Thousand Taels of Silver, with one thousand of that for taking apprentices. Of course, only those with good skills can train apprentices, would you not agree, big brother?"

Qi Younian blew the froth off the top of his teacup, not responding immediately. Seventh younger brother’s wife had gathered accurate information, what was she trying to do?

Having started the conversation, Lady Zhao would not stop just because Qi Younian didn’t respond; she continued, "Big brother knows best about Ah Qiao’s skills in the Construction Industry, which carry the reputation of the family. Now in this trade, with Ah Qiao at the helm, there are only seven people actively involved, with a combined salary of two thousand taels of silver."

Lady Zhao paused her speech, gazing at Qi Yongnian, silent. Wasn’t the account clear already? The Qi family’s wealth, it seemed, was all earned by Ah Qiao, yet Ah Qiao lived a life no better than a servant’s.

Qi Younian sighed inwardly; Wusi got along with them longer, and if Wusi were here, many things would be easier to discuss. Now with Wusi absent, given his role as an official in charge of the Qi family, any response seemed like an excuse on behalf of his own family.

After pondering for a moment, Qi Younian asked, "Has sister-in-law mentioned these things to Ah Qiao?"

Lady Zhao looked down on such a notion, everyone knew Ah Qiao was an honest child, which prompted everyone to let him make decisions. If this continued, wouldn’t Ah Qiao be at a loss for his whole life, earning money for the Qi family forever?

Qi Younian wasn’t expecting Lady Zhao to answer; instead, he said, "The Construction Industry belongs to the Qi family, and I fear no matter what I say, sister-in-law wouldn’t believe me. However, sister-in-law can ask Ah Qiao in detail about how the Construction Industry operates. Once everything is clear, perhaps sister-in-law won’t feel the same way. Ah Qiao knows all about these matters."

Lady Zhao felt indignant, in this household, the cunning ones who took money without working all lived comfortably, while they took advantage of Ah Qiao’s sincerity.

Initially, she just wanted to remind Qi Younian, looking at the three thousand taels of silver, to realize how much Ah Qiao had done and earned for the Qi family, just to have him be aware, to ensure justice for Ah Qiao.

But now, Ah Qiao’s paternal uncle was playing dumb and fooling people, which was truly disheartening.

While Lady Zhao thought this, her expression darkened. With droopy eyelids, she said coldly, "I had thought that, since you and Ah Qiao’s father were life-and-death friends, I was merely here to remind big brother that Ah Qiao has done a lot for the Qi family, yet he is not treated as well as those who do nothing all day. But now that big brother speaks this way, it truly chills sister-in-law’s heart."

Lady Zhao raised her eyes and asked seriously, "I don’t know about the other money the Qi family earns, but for these Three Thousand Taels, could big brother be transparent with me about how much Ah Qiao has contributed?"

Qi Younian frowned and Lady Zhao added, "Don’t misunderstand, big brother. When you have time, you can send a letter to the fourth brother and your eldest nephew, asking about the character of his sister-in-law. I am not someone greedy for money; I just want Ah Qiao to receive fair treatment."