BXBX NOVEL Chapter 344: Take This Fabric to Make Clothes
“Miss Qiao, your statement is somewhat biased. It was only the last few emperors of the previous dynasty who were incompetent. The initial rulers were not too bad. The treasures they accumulated did not come with bloodshed.” Ma Dongshu said.
“But I cannot discern which ones are tainted with blood and which ones are not.” Qiao Xiaomai looked at him with clear eyes.
Qiao Changshun nodded repeatedly on the side, “Xiaomai is right. I remember my father saying that in the previous dynasty, the tax was too heavy. Ordinary families simply couldn’t afford to pay. The tax paid in silver indeed was stained with blood.”
“It’s inauspicious, we shouldn’t touch it.”
He spoke and nodded heavily again, lifted his wine bowl towards Ma Dongshu, “Brother Ma, let’s change the subject. This is a good day, let’s talk about something auspicious.”
Ma Dongshu “…”
He laughed, clinked his wine bowl with Qiao Changshun’s, and said, “It’s Miss Qiao’s great cooking skills that unconsciously reminded me of that bowl of rice, leading to all these topics. My apologies, let’s drink to that.”
“No worries, it just slipped out.” Qiao Changshun said with a simple smile, “Speaking of which, it’s almost time to pay the Spring Tax. Ah, I have lived for decades, but I have never looked forward to the tax payment day like this.”
In the past, every time it was time to pay taxes, his heart ached, wishing time could stop and not go to that day.
Unlike now, with enough silver and wheat, he’s confident!
“Indeed, it’s all thanks to His Majesty’s good governance. The world is at peace!” Ma Dongshu laughed.
“Exactly, exactly.” Qiao Changshun wholeheartedly agreed and immediately started discussing with Ma Dongshu how good Emperor Yongan really is.
Ma Dongshu naturally flattered him to the sky, hence making the dinner table harmonious.
A faint smile remained on Qiao Xiaomai’s face, but her curious mind nearly slipped out several times: Tong Tiehu’s great-grandfather was actually sworn brothers with the retired emperor. What on earth happened?!
How did they fall out?
If Tong Tiehu’s ancestor left a will for Tong Tiehu and Tong Liu to overthrow the rule by the Yang family, then what is the Yang family’s attitude towards the Tong family?
If the Tong family gives up the rebellion and stops causing trouble, would the Yang family give the Tong family a chance to live in peace?
This question, has no answer.
Until Ma Dongshu left, Qiao Xiaomai didn’t manage to ask.
She couldn’t ask.
If she did, it might fall into a trap Ma Dongshu set up. He said he didn’t know how Tong family’s great-grandfather and the retired emperor fell out. What if he deliberately set a trap and lured her into it?
Ah, the dilemma!
Qiao Changshun had a bit of alcohol, and his face was as flushed as if he was wearing rouge, his head also became dizzy. Qiao Xiaomai didn’t let him move around and helped him to rest.
Soon, Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi, the sisters arrived.
Qiao Xiaomai didn’t assign them tasks. She took out the silk cloth that Ma Dongshu brought, “Here, take this and make a couple of outfits.”
Qiao Zhaodi was startled, and repeatedly shook her head and waved her hands, “No, no, it’s too valuable.”
“It’s not expensive. Our family is well-off, and I plan to replace all our hemp clothes with silk ones. The material of this piece is good, you both take it and make a couple of outfits.”
“Let the villagers see that coming to my house was the right decision.”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi exchanged a glance. Qiao Zhaodi came forward and took the piece of cloth, “Thank you, Sister Mai.”
“You’re welcome. Just remember, this fabric is for the two of you to make dresses, don’t you dare give it to anyone else. If I find out, I will get angry.” Qiao Xiaomai added.