Chapter 883 - Chapter 883: Not Even His Father
Chapter 883: Not Even His Father
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In reality, the disputes between the second section of the family and the third section of the family were trivial matters driven by greed and unreasonable desires. However, when it came to the safety and well-being of his family members, Shao Yunduan refused to back down.
Even if it meant confronting his own father, he was prepared to do so. He had seen through his father’s nature, or to put it more bluntly, his father would only recognize the danger when something irreversible happened.
In that case, Shao Yunduan hoped his father would remain blissfully ignorant.
Ms. Fang reassured him, “That old man has always been like this, but don’t worry. I’m here, as are the Land Officer and the elderly men from the clan!” Shao Yunduan nodded, determined. “1 understand, Niom!”
That’s why he engaged in philanthropic activities such as donating fields and building schools and libraries. In doing so, he knew that the village would undoubtedly side with him and the first section of the family, unless he proved to be a truly malicious person beyond redemption.
Before he departed for the capital, he planned to inform the Land Officer and the Elderly Men from the clan to take care of the family. With Mom as the pillar of strength, he wouldn’t need to worry so much.
They continued their meal, focusing on the food and temporarily setting aside the family conflicts.
They had grown accustomed to Elder Uncle’s occasional peculiar reactions, so it didn’t affect their mood. They continued to enjoy their dinner, savoring the delicious food.
Shao Sanlang and Yang Xiaoni praised the delectable dishes, relishing the flavors as they consumed two bowls of soup each. Satisfied and satiated, they set down their chopsticks.
With the New Year approaching, Fifth Sister-in-law was preparing to accompany Fifth Brother on a trip to the capital. They wouldn’t be able to return home for at least six months, and it was possible that Shao Yunduan would also be assigned to work elsewhere. The absence of their cooking and presence would be felt.
The next day, it was time for Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan to present gifts to County Magistrate Qiao, as they did every year.
Following their usual practice, they didn’t offer anything from their own home but instead purchased various items in the county. Their financial situation was prosperous, although the exact extent of their wealth remained unknown. However, it was evident that they were not lacking in funds.
This year, they bought an abundance of gifts, including ten live chickens and ten ducks, several packs of snacks, as well as tea and wine. They proudly displayed their offerings, and it was widely acknowledged that Recommended Man Shao and Second Miss deeply cared for their family.
Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but feel a sense of betrayal from their own family, especially considering the way Madame Qiao and Officer Qiao treated them during the visit.
Officer Qiao appeared visibly uncomfortable, while Madame Qiao feigned illness. Qiao Wei dutifully attended to her mother, choosing to remain absent as well. Even Concubine Du and Qiao Kou seemed to conveniently disappear whenever Madame Qiao was not around.
What made the situation even more absurd was that after Qiao Xuan expressed her dissatisfaction with Madame Qiao, Officer Qiao actually acknowledged some of her grievances. This led to a heated argument between the couple and exposed deeper issues within their marriage.
As a result, Officer Qiao decided to improve his treatment of Concubine Du and Qiao Kou, rather than mistreating them. However, he inadvertently discovered that Madame Qiao had unjustly taken away Concubine Du’s private savings. This revelation filled him with fury, leading to a confrontation with Madame Qiao.
In an attempt to make amends, Officer Qiao compensated Concubine Du with six fine garments, five or six pieces of jadeware, and 400 liang as restitution for her loss. Madame Qiao, as the head of the family, was expected to bear the responsibility for her actions and the humiliation she caused Concubine Du. Returning the items was akin to admitting fault and acknowledging her wrongdoing..