Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1603 - 1592: The Honest Fool

Once again shut out, Old Lady Wang and her companions looked increasingly grim, but also more helpless. Clearly, the closest ones, yet while others basked in the glow, they were left to face jeers. This sense of suffocation was beyond anyone’s understanding.

Especially at a time like this, when the Qian Family truly sent someone to demand money, did Old Lady Wang dare not repay? She didn’t dare; she feared ruining Ye Qiu’s favorable impression of them, making them more detestable.

This thousand taels of silver, which Old Lady Wang and Ye Chun couldn’t cobble together before, they managed to piece together now, even though they sold some fields and sold the recipe for marinated dishes, they managed to pay off the debt.

Witnessing this series of actions, the people of Wang Family Village were scornful of them, knowing they had the money, yet it was the First Son’s fault, but they had to sell the Third Son’s child, never seen such shamelessness.

After experiencing this, the Ye Family felt increasingly bitter in Wang Family Village, but no one cared. They were busy repairing roads, ancestral halls, and schools, all funded by Ye Qiu. With unanimous agreement from the villagers, they set up a longevity tablet in the ancestral hall for this outsider, Ye Qiu.

Seeing even unrelated outsiders benefiting, the Ye Family felt more stifled and jealous, and they sought Niu Xue Mei to apologize multiple times, but all were stopped at the door.

Now Ye Qiu was a First-Rank General, and the soldiers he sent back were there to ensure the safety of Niu Xue Mei and her family. Without her permission, no one could approach the Ye Family even half a step; Old Lady Wang couldn’t even throw a tantrum.

The family blamed Old Lady Wang for being too biased in the past, leading to all this now, and all her money was taken to repay the Qian Family. Now, in her old age, she still had to work the land; otherwise, Wang Hong wouldn’t even give her food.

"People still need to have some conscience. What did that bias ultimately get you?"

"It’s a real sin, Ye Chun and Wang Hong are truly heartless."

"Isn’t it all because of Old Lady Wang’s own doing? Who else can she blame?"

Villagers passing by Old Lady Wang shook their heads and sighed, their voices continually reaching her ears. She stood in the biting winter wind, feeling her hands and feet numb with cold.

She couldn’t help but recall the time before the family was divided, when Ye Qiu was still around, everything in the family was arranged perfectly, and she had nothing to worry about.

But how did she act back then? Always complaining that this son didn’t earn enough, despising the Third Daughter-in-law for doing too little, and resenting them for not having a son, for being unworthy.

But the harsh reality gave her a slap in the face, the one she cherished now despises her for being old, penniless, and not worth supporting, while the one she didn’t favor rose to prominence, becoming a revered General.

Clearly, she could’ve been like the old Marchioness in the plays, envied by all, but she brought it all on herself.

Old Lady Wang couldn’t work the land any longer; tiredly, she sat on the field ridge, her eyes cloudy and vacant, looking at the sky. It was the first time she sincerely prayed to Heaven to protect Ye Qiu so he could return safely, maybe then she could peacefully spend the rest of her life.

After all, she was still his biological mother, wasn’t she? Even if she couldn’t enjoy the good life, she couldn’t just watch herself suffer, right?

Five years later, Ye Qiu returned triumphant. During these five years, he forced the enemy Xin Country to retreat step by step, capturing one city after another, until they almost reached the Royal City of Xin Country. Finally, Xin Country surrendered, sending a Princess for a political marriage and signing a series of concession treaties.

The Holy Emperor was extremely delighted and wanted to bestow upon him the title of Prince, but he declined, only hoping the Holy Emperor would grant his first wife, Niu Xue Mei, an imperial decree and give his two daughters the title of County Lord.

Compared to being a Prince, this couldn’t even be considered a request. The Holy Emperor had no disagreement, granting Niu Xue Mei an imperial decree was as it should be. As for his two daughters, the Holy Emperor directly conferred them as Commandery Princesses, promising they would be married with the Princess’ entourage someday, and for Ye Qiu himself, the Holy Emperor still bestowed upon him the title of First-rank Marquis, a residence, and countless gold and silver jewelry.

When the news reached Anquan County, some called him foolish, as if he were a Prince, his daughters would still be Commandery Princesses. But others said he was wise and had affection.

The harshest critics were Ye Chun and Wang Hong because Ye Qiu had no son, who else but their son could inherit his title in the future? Originally, they could have inherited a higher title; now, it was just a Marquis. Isn’t that foolish?

Hearing their deluded words, Old Lady Wang couldn’t help but sneer: "You’re still thinking about the Third Son’s title going to Cong Hui or Cong Huang? Have you forgotten how you bullied their couple in the past, and how your son bullied their daughter?"

"Old witch! Isn’t all of this your doing? Without you, would our relationship with the Third Son be so hostile?" Wang Hong said angrily, "Don’t forget we are one family now, if we don’t have it good, do you think you will?"

Old Lady Wang couldn’t help but smile bitterly, she had spoiled the wrong people! How could the First Son’s family be so heartless?

After the imperial decree was issued, Niu Xue Mei waited for Ye Qiu to return. She hadn’t seen her husband for seven years; their two children barely remembered what their father looked like.

All these years, she didn’t dare slack, not only hiring people to educate their two daughters but also continually absorbing knowledge herself. She learned to manage a large family, communicate with officials’ wives, and about grooming and maintenance. Ultimately, she was still afraid that her accomplished husband wouldn’t look up to her, thinking she was holding him back, as he was someone many young ladies in the capital rushed to marry, even as an equal wife it didn’t matter.

Besides, Niu Xue Mei also had another concern; these years she remained cold towards the rest of the Ye Family and refused to reconcile with them, but what if Ye Qiu returned and softened? After all, they were his biological parents and brothers, who knows if his views had changed over these years.

Ye Chun and Wang Hong thought the same. They believed that so many years had passed, as long as they were willing to admit fault, any conflicts could be resolved, maybe they could also go to the capital and live a good life.

Amidst everyone’s hopeful anticipation, Ye Qiu returned. The people of Anquan County lined the roads to welcome him, surrounding the Ye Family’s residence so tightly that not even water could pass through.

At the front of the line was County Magistrate Zhu, who had been anxiously awaiting Ye Qiu’s response; little did he know, everything passed without a hitch. Knowing he had handled matters correctly before, and reflecting on Ye Qiu’s disposition, he couldn’t help but regard his legitimate wife with even more respect.

Therefore, through the County Magistrate’s Wife’s promotion, Ye Qiu’s reputation soared, and Niu Xue Mei became increasingly admired and respected. Because as a wife thrives through her husband’s success, Ye Qiu’s affection for her, and her two daughters now being County Lords, made her the most envied and jealous woman throughout the entire Lan Country.