She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 659 - 657: No Need for That

Chapter 659: Chapter 657: No Need for That

Lady Zhao was at a loss for words by Wong Qiao’s remarks, unable to catch her breath, with tears almost spilling from her eyes. Her son, whom she had raised through hardship, was growing estranged and showing deep affection for the ruthless outsiders who exploited him.

"How could I have given birth to a son like you, who can’t tell right from wrong? You do so much work and only take a ten percent share, and do you really think that’s too much? I may not know about other things, but take these Three Thousand Taels of Silver for example, how much do you actually get after toiling so hard? Didn’t I raise you with difficulty, hoping that you would spend more time with me and live a comfortable and stable life?"

It was all too familiar, Wong Qiao’s heart filled with bitterness. His mother had indeed suffered, that he couldn’t deny. But what exactly would make his mother happy?

Wong Qiao looked at Lady Zhao with sorrow and asked, "Mother, what do you think? Tell me, I will listen to you, and we’ll do as you say." It seemed he had to seriously consider whether he should stay at his uncle’s or not, and then there was Biyao...

"I..." Lady Zhao paused, "All I want is for you to receive what you deserve, not to work for others day and night, only to be stepped on as they make money and enjoy life."

Wong Qiao shook his head and said, "I was just a craftsman who followed a workshop head, and even if I could earn a few hundred large coins more than others per month, I was still just an ordinary craftsman. Since I have been with my uncle, people have started to call me the chief manager in just a few short years, and our life has improved so much. I have no face to speak of these things to my uncle."

Lady Zhao glared at him for a good while before saying, "Today, I sought out your uncle."

"What? You went to my uncle?" Wong Qiao immediately felt a sense of foreboding, "What did you say?"

Lady Zhao recounted the events of the morning to Wong Qiao once more.

After listening, Wong Qiao was utterly despondent.

He had always thought of his mother as a strong-willed but good wife and mother. But he was wrong.

He regretted it. He should not have insisted on marrying Biyao, and he should have taken his mother back to Hezhou, their hometown, right then. Neither he nor his mother were fated to live a good life; perhaps they were better off poor but living in peace and harmony.

What kind of dream was his mother living in, thinking he could make it on his own? How could she think so simply? Had she forgotten how his father died? Had she forgotten how his uncles went to prison?

For him, a man without any foundation, to set up a Construction Industry, whether he could even sustain it was uncertain, let alone if it could succeed or if he could dare to prosper?

To lead a group of craftsmen to work diligently and obediently was not as simple as it seemed. Why didn’t she see how his uncle managed people, what tactics and schemes he used to gather craftsmen and get them to work?

Getting people to willingly follow orders and work under one’s command isn’t something just anyone can accomplish!

Otherwise, why had his father worked as a day laborer for so many years, only starting to lead others when he began working with his uncle? It was his uncle supporting him from behind.

"Mother, I’ll do as you say," Wong Qiao gradually calmed down and said, "After the New Year, we’ll return to our old home in Hezhou. Didn’t uncle say he’d give me a ten percent share of the Silver? We’ll take the Silver and go back home, where we’re familiar with the place. I can start my own Construction Industry there and earn my own Silver."

Heh, might as well invest all the Silver and put his mind at ease, completely fulfilling his filial duty to his mother and securing a stable life for the future.

Taking his mother away would also ease his uncle’s worries, allowing him to concentrate on creating a Construction Industry that would be the talk of craftsmen everywhere.

If his mother repeated the phrase "His Majesty’s court and the Ye Family’s court" a few more times, it could bring disaster upon Duke An’s Mansion, and his uncle’s family would be implicated as well.

Lady Zhao was taken aback upon hearing this, then immediately asked, "Do you really think so?"

Wong Qiao nodded earnestly, "Yes, this is my true feelings."

Lady Zhao hesitated for a moment, somewhat hopeful, she asked, "What about the Second Miss of the Zhou family then? Would she be willing to follow you back to the countryside?"

Wong Qiao lowered his head to cup his teacup, hiding the agony in his heart, "Forget it, she is the daughter of the Prefectural Magistrate, not a family of our status can yearn for. I presume she would feel wronged following me. Let’s find a wife of matching social status instead."

He really wronged Biyao. His mother had the grace of raising him; no matter what, it was right for him to honor her. But Biyao, a nice girl, had no reason to endure such a miserable life.

It was he, the scoundrel, who damaged Biyao’s reputation. Yet, a tarnished reputation was but a momentary thing; if she truly married him, it would be a lifetime of suffering.

Listening to Wong Qiao’s calm words, Lady Zhao looked at him with a hint of suspicion for quite a while. Seeing nothing unusual about Wong Qiao, hope for the future gradually rose in her heart, "Ah Qiao, if you could have thought this way earlier, that would have been better. We are commoners and should live a commoner’s life accordingly. We can’t aspire to marry a rich official’s daughter."

Wong Qiao nodded, "That’s right. It was an unwarranted aspiration from the beginning. Anything forced is ultimately inappropriate."

"Oh my child, it’s best you’ve realized that. With your fine skills, once we return to Hezhou, and start up the Construction Industry, we’ll earn money. Having gold and silver jewelry, brocades, and satins to adorn your own wife will be just as luxurious and prestigious. It’s far more satisfying than a well-to-do official’s daughter who always needs to be catered to."

Wong Qiao nodded again in answer, "You’re right, I was misguided previously."

Lady Zhao, whose spirits had not been lifted since she arrived at Clear Water Village, finally began to feel better.

She had been living in Clear Water Village for over a year and heard from the villagers that when the second branch of the Qi family returned to their hometown, they arrived in an old donkey cart with a load of worn-out belongings and took up residence in an abandoned house in the village. It was only when they started the Construction Industry that they began to prosper.

Her son Ah Qiao had good skills. If he took some capital back to his hometown to start the Construction Industry, wouldn’t he be able to prosper quickly just like the Qi family?

"Alright, let’s return to the countryside after the New Year. Ah Qiao, you assist your uncle adequately with this matter. As for the silver, let’s not quibble over it. Whether or not it’s given, let’s not discuss it and just consider it repayment for your uncle’s support over these years."

At that moment, Lady Zhao’s mood was uplifted, no longer fixated on how much of the Three Thousand Taels of Silver should actually be her son’s portion. She was solely looking forward to her son’s return to the countryside, earning for her a family business like the Qi family’s.

Wong Qiao’s heart, however, was icy cold. A family business like the Qi family’s? Hah.

After sending Lady Zhao back to the main house, Wong Qiao returned to his room, stood in front of his desk, spread out a piece of fine Xuan paper on it, and stared blankly for a long time until a tear dropped onto the paper, blooming outward, quickly followed by another...

Early the next morning, with dark circles under his eyes, Wong Qiao waited for Qi Younian, who had returned from his walk. He said, "Uncle, you don’t have to fuss about buying any more properties; it’s unnecessary. Let’s first focus on the urgent task at hand, and we can discuss other matters after."

Qi Younian, upon seeing Wong Qiao leading the horse, said, "You’re leaving so early? Haven’t you had breakfast yet? Come, let’s eat breakfast together, and your uncle has a few words for you."

Wong Qiao waved his hand, "No need. I’ve been craving the mixed stew noodle soup from North City, so I’ll head out early to have it. If uncle has anything, let’s talk after the work is done." Saying this, he led the horse and turned to leave.