Chapter 322: Joy and Sorrow in Different Houses
Translator: 549690339 |
The verdict was easy to handle, and the county magistrate quickly issued the command. Qiao Chang’an was to serve ten years in jail and pay a fifty tael silver fine.
Qiao Chang’an was directly thrown into a prison cell, while Qiao Xiaomai, Tong Tiehu, and Ma Dongshu hastily returned to Anping Village.
By the time they arrived at Anping Village, night had fallen completely. Each of them went their separate ways.
When Qiao Xiaomai arrived home with her donkey cart, Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi were still kneeling at her front door. Zhao Shufen was also there, but Qiao Xiaobao was nowhere to be seen.
Moreover, Qiao Changkang and Wu Yinfeng were also present.
The sisters, Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi, were disheveled, their clothes ragged, their eyes swollen and red. Seeing Qiao Xiaomai approaching, they bowed their heads in unison. Their pleas were repetitive, begging Xiaomai to show mercy and spare their family from being sold.
Zhao Shufen also pleaded tearfully, asking about the outcome of the verdict.
The effect of the medicine on Qiao Changkang had worn off. Seeing her finally return from the county town, he immediately showed a joyous expression, “Xiaomai, thank heavens you’re back. How did it go?!”
“He was sentenced to ten years.” Qiao Xiaomai looked at him indifferently, then raised her hand to knock on the door, shouting, “Dami, open the door, I’m back!”
As soon as her voice carried, the sounds of Qiao Dami’s footsteps echoed in response, “Coming!”
At the same time, Zhao Shufen’s sobbing grew louder. Her voice was hoarse from crying all afternoon, lacking the shrillness it had at noon.
But the despair in her rasping sobs was chilling, “You damned fool! What am I supposed to do with our family now?!”
In a farming family, men are the absolute worker and pillar of the household. Without Qiao Chang’an, who would do all the tough, dirty, and tiring work?
Plus, without a man in the house, would she be bullied by the villagers?
What would happen when the children grew up and were ready for marriage?
How would she deal with all these problems!
Qiao Xiaomai seemed indifferent to her crying, she looked at Qiao Changkang who was smiling gleefully, “Wait here, I’ll go get the silver bills.”
“No rush, no rush.” Qiao Changkang’s voice trembled with excitement, but he maintained his politeness.
Wu Yinfeng clung to his arm, her face also betraying her joy.
Six hundred ten taels!
We’re rich! We’re finally rich!
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Qiao Xiaomai glanced at the jubilant couple, then at Zhaodi and Yindi still bowing their heads incessantly. She pursed her lips and led the donkey cart into the courtyard.
Qiao Dami followed behind her, silent, taking one step at a time.
She unstrapped the planks from the donkey, tethered it in the shed, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Big Sister, Dad’s been crying all afternoon!”
On hearing this, Qiao Xiaomai rubbed his little head, “It’s fine, let him cry. Have you eaten?”
“No, I was waiting for you.”
“Then wait a bit longer, I need to get the silver bills from Uncle Four.”
Qiao Dami obediently agreed and stood still in the courtyard.
Qiao Xiaomai returned to her room and took out six silver bills and ten taels of silver from her storage space. She then left the courtyard and handed the silver bills and coins to Qiao Changkang, “This is the silver bill, it can be cashed at the Money House in the town. This is ten taels of silver.”
“Thank you, Uncle Four, for your kindness.”
“Don’t mention it.” Qiao Changkang shakily accepted the silver bills and coins, holding them like they were treasures. Wu Yinfeng, seeing his pitiful state, snatched all six silver bills and held them close to her heart. Pulling him, she started to leave, “Xiaomai, we are going back first.”
With Zhao Shufen present, thev had to be discreet about their sudden fortune.