She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 662 - 660 Stable now

Chapter 662: Chapter 660 Stable now

Ye Xinyan heaved a silent sigh. By all accounts, Wong Qiao’s character and talent in craftsmanship and mechanics were excellent. If circumstances had allowed, he definitely could have achieved something significant, but he had such a mother holding him back.

The situation Wong Qiao now faced, let alone in the strictly ritualistic ancient times, even in modern times,, if a child neglected their parents, many people would find it disgraceful.

Everyone has their own thoughts, and those idle gossips didn’t care about your excuses – a widowed mother who toiled to feed and clothe you, and raised you by herself. Then, once you grew up, you abandoned your mother for various reasons; naturally, it would be your fault.

And Lady Zhao was just so, widowed before she was twenty and then raised Wong Qiao on her own, such a person could win a lot of respect. For someone that steadfast and proud, to change a view she was set on was immensely difficult.

The only solution seemed to be what Wong Qiao had said, to go back and truly live a few hard years. It wasn’t about making her completely understand reason, but at least to let her realize that things in the world are not always as she perceives them to be.

Ye Xinyan asked Wong Qiao, "Do you have the confidence to convince your mother within three years? If you can do it, we can all think of ways to delay Biyao’s marriage for two or three years. Of course, this is only if Biyao is willing."

Ye Xinyan believed that, given Zhou Biyao’s age, if Wong Qiao could indeed enlighten Lady Zhao a bit about the ways of the world, waiting two or three years was also feasible. Zhou Biyao’s temperament matched well with Wong Qiao’s. They shared common interests and had professional rapport. If they could end up together, it would be worthwhile.

But Wong Qiao hesitated, struggling internally, and finally shook his head, "You don’t know my mother. In my memory, she has always done things her own way. If she becomes stubborn, she won’t change."

Ye Xinyan turned her head and rolled her eyes forcefully. Knowing what type of person your mother is, why did you still involve Miss Zhou?

Wong Qiao gave a bitter smile, "I thought marrying Biyao would make my mother very happy. I really didn’t expect this outcome. Even this matter that she’s insisting on now caught me by surprise. Usually, my mother is very proud and never takes advantage of others – she’d rather we went hungry than accept charity. She’s not the type to covet wealth or stir up trouble without cause. To think she’d be so stubbornly fixated was unexpected."

Ye Xinyan still didn’t look pleased. Tsk! Do you think that’s a virtue? Such people are the most annoying – seemingly tough as nails but actually unreasonable and the hardest to deal with. If I had known earlier what kind of stone-head your mother was, I would’ve done anything to bust this pair up and keep Zhou Biyao far away.

Jiang Yifan had already thought the matter through again and asked, "Ah Qiao, your feelings for Miss Zhou are genuine, right? As long as you can remain devoted no matter how long it takes, it makes things a lot easier."

Ye Xinyan looked at him reproachfully. This is ancient times – a girl can’t afford to wait! What do you mean ’no matter how long?’ Does ten or eight years count as a long time? With you guys acting like this, you could ruin Miss Zhou.

Wong Qiao still shook his head, his voice tinged with sorrow, "Forget it, I’m afraid my feelings might end up harming her in the end."

However, Jiang Yifan was in good spirits as he patted Wong Qiao on the shoulder, "Don’t be so discouraged. Maybe things aren’t as bad as you think. You should just tell your mother what you’ve decided when you go home today. Tell her that you’ve already informed Grandpa Qi of your decision."

Wong Qiao and Ye Xinyan both looked at Jiang Yifan, who wore a relaxed expression. They wondered what he was thinking. Did he find so much joy in this situation?

Yet Jiang Yifan was smilingly looking at Ye Xinyan, saying, "Aunt Wong raised Ah Qiao by herself and is overly confident in her own opinions. Especially towards people she knows well, she believes her excellence is something everyone around her should recognize, and naturally, that her decisions are correct. If someone from outside explains things to her, perhaps she will be more receptive. Hm, I’ll think of other ways."

Ye Xinyan eyed him suspiciously, maybe this guy really had another plan, but it was too delicate to speak of? She pursed her lips. This guy worked with Jinrong – who knows what cunning and secretive schemes he might come up with? Forget it, better not to ask.

Wong Qiao and Jiang Yifan were well-acquainted. Jiang Yifan had saved his life from the claws of a wild beast and had, moreover, offered him advice on his affair with Zhou Biyao, an affair which had unfolded smoothly thanks to Jiang’s guidance.

Therefore, Wong Qiao held Jiang Yifan in high regard. Although Jiang did not speak much, Wong felt an inexplicable sense of peace in his heart.

In the end, Wong Qiao did not delegate a portion of the tasks to Ye Xinyan. After discussing the matter with Jiang Yifan, though his mood was still somber, he no longer felt the despair of being alive as he had the previous night.

After dinner, Wong Qiao told Xiuqin and Xiao Cui to go about their own tasks.

Upon hearing this, Xiuqin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, she dared not say anything and left the room with a belly full of worries. She already knew about her cousin’s decision from last night; yet in this household, she had no say. She could only hope that her cousin would successfully cancel the engagement and establish a new business in their ancestral home, also hoping that her aunt would still be willing to allow her cousin to marry her.

When only the two of them were left in the room, Wong Qiao told Lady Zhao that he had informed Qi Younian and Ye Xinyan that he would no longer work for the Qi family. He and his mother planned to move to Hezhou after the first month of the lunar year.

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhao felt not the usual sense of loss one might expect, but rather she was very pleased. From now on, they would rely on their own strength to make a living and earn silver, no longer subjected to living at the mercy of others or being exploited.

When she heard Wong Qiao say that they would set off at the latest by the tenth day of the first lunar month, Lady Zhao was taken aback and asked, "Why the rush? The tenth day of the first month is too soon, isn’t it?" Then, it seemed she had some realization, and her expression darkened, "It isn’t because your uncle said something, is it?"

"No," said Wong Qiao hastily, "My uncle and Ye Zi both urged me to stay; it’s just that I feel since I’ve decided to break away from my uncle, I shouldn’t bother him anymore."

Lady Zhao pondered for a moment and agreed. After all, if Wong Qiao would no longer be making silver for the Qi family, it wouldn’t be proper for them to stay as guests without contributing.

"Why don’t we settle the accounts for the expenses of the New Year period with your uncle?" As she said this, she felt somewhat pained, "Did your uncle mention when he will give us our share of the one-tenth stake?"

Wong Qiao felt a surge of irritation, "He didn’t say, but my uncle keeps his word; he won’t short-change us."

Lady Zhao straightened up and said earnestly, "Your uncle might not harbor such roundabout thoughts, but that woman from the Ye Family is different. The accounts of the Construction Industry are in her hands, right? If she plays any tricks, hiding the properties of the Construction Industry and distributing less than you deserve, what will you do? We wouldn’t know."

"Mother, why do you always think so poorly of people and situations? I’ve worked with my uncle and Ye Zi for so many years, and they have never been anything but fair to me," Wong Qiao frowned.

"How can you talk to your mother like that? If they had no selfish intentions, would they not have given you the greater portion of the Three Thousand Taels of Silver?" Lady Zhao’s face also darkened.

Wong Qiao grew even more frustrated, but he knew he couldn’t explain it to Lady Zhao, and he swiftly apologized, "I spoke too hastily, mother, please don’t be angry. I will mention it to my uncle again tomorrow." Whether he would actually speak of it was up to him, wasn’t it?

Lady Zhao calmed down, "While you’re at it, you might also mention that the Construction Industry in the hands of Fourth Uncle Cheung also belongs to the Qi family." It was what her family was owed.

"Yes, I understand," he was truly unaware that his mother was such a person.