Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Zhao Mu’s eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by Qiao Xuan’s unexpected revelation. He couldn’t fathom what Qiao Xuan was alluding to, and so he decided to remain patient and let her elaborate.

“Madame Shao, you have me intrigued,” he responded, his curiosity piqued. “I may not fully comprehend your intentions, but I am willing to listen to what you have to say.”

With a subtle smile, Zhao Mu gestured to the servants to exit the room, leaving only the housekeeper behind to ensure their privacy.

Qiao Xuan paused briefly before addressing him directly. “Old Master Zhao, Young Master Zhao has entrusted me with a delicate matter concerning Madame Zheng and Old Master Zhao’s potential divorce.”

Zhao Mu’s initial reaction was one of disbelief, and his face turned crimson with a mixture of anger and humiliation. The fact that an outsider like Qiao Xuan was privy to such a sensitive family matter implied that his own son had divulged everything about their family affairs, intensifying his sense of shame.

“Madame Shao, this is going too far!” Zhao Mu exclaimed, his voice shaking with indignation. “This is a matter concerning my family, and you have no right to interfere. Even my unfilial son should not have disclosed this. I had thought you to be a reasonable person. Am I wrong?”

Qiao Xuan responded with a light chuckle, trying to maintain her composure. “Old Master Zhao, please don’t be upset, and allow me to clarify my position. I pride myself on being a reasonable individual.”

Zhao Mu sneered inwardly, thinking, “I won’t back down. I’m not afraid of you.” He then looked at Qiao Xuan with a challenging expression.

Qiao Xuan continued with a calm demeanor, “Old Master Zhao, let’s discuss reason.”

As she spoke, Qiao Xuan placed two IOU notes in front of Zhao Mu. He stared at them in shock, his eyes widening. “What is the meaning of this? How did you come into possession of these IOUs?”

Qiao Xuan maintained her composed smile but didn’t offer an explanation.

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Mu concluded, “It must have been Zhao Shu! That ungrateful son must have given them to you!”

Qiao Xuan replied gently, “Old Master Zhao, let us refrain from such labels. Young Master Zhao is no longer part of the family, and you no longer have any paternal rights over him. Calling him ‘ungrateful’ seems inappropriate when he is no longer your son.”

Zhao Mu was left speechless, grappling with the weight of Qiao Xuan’s words.

Zhao Mu shot an intense glare at Qiao Xuan, now fully aware that dealing with Madame Shao was not going to be a straightforward task.

“Madame Shao,” he began, attempting to salvage the situation, “perhaps it would be wise for us to maintain some semblance of mutual respect, considering our potential future interactions. Your silk business aligns with our workshop’s interests, as we are the largest in Yangzhou. Cooperation could be mutually beneficial. What are your thoughts on this, Madame Shao?”

Qiao Xuan responded with a serene smile. “Indeed, I have no immediate concerns about selling silk. Yangzhou can serve as a hub for distribution to other regions. If I don’t sell all my goods this year, there’s no harm in carrying them over to the next. My financial gains remain secure. Isn’t that right, Old Master Zhao?”

However, Zhao Mu couldn’t ignore the stark reality that shutting down their workshop for an entire year was simply unfeasible. Doing so would jeopardize the Zhao Family’s standing as the wealthiest entity in Yangzhou.

Although he seethed with anger, Zhao Mu was cognizant of the fact that he had limited options when dealing with Qiao Xuan. She was, frustratingly, making a valid point.

“What is your proposition?” he finally inquired, his voice strained.

“I’ve been approached by Young Master Zhao to facilitate a divorce on behalf of his mother. If Old Master Zhao were to provide me with the necessary divorce documents, wouldn’t everyone stand to benefit?” Qiao Xuan suggested.

Zhao Mu considered her proposal carefully before responding, his patience wearing thin. “Silk, is that your only condition? I assure you we can meet your silk supply needs and offer them at market prices.”

Qiao Xuan’s tone grated on his nerves, but Zhao Mu had no choice but to continue the negotiations.