Chapter 356: Donating For Reputation
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhao Huan walked behind the ladies. She was dressed in a rich and imposing manner. Compared to the young lady from a humble family in the past, her demeanor did make her look like a wealthy lady.
However, the other ladies of the Yun family stood a little far away from her and ignored her presence.
Naturally, they looked down on her because of her poor background and the fact she had remarried.
In the Yun family, Master Yun could only be considered as a side branch, completely different from the First Master Yun of the main branch. At this moment, he could only stand at the back.
Then, he went to welcome Heng Yi and Han Qiao.
Heng Yi got off the carriage first and helped Han Qiao down.
Grand Elder Yun immediately smiled and bowed, “This humble servant greets the Marquis and Marchioness.”
“Elder Master Yun, there’s no need to be so polite.”
Han Qiao smiled. Madam Yun immediately came forward and bowed to Han Qiao, “Greetings, Marchioness.”
“Madam Yun, you don’t have to be so polite.”
This was how the world worked. There was a clear distinction between the ranks, and it was more distinct between the merchants and the officials.
Before Heng Yi came to power, they were still businessmen. Everyone met on equal footing and had to be polite to the Yun family.
But now, the Yun family had to bow and kneel, be polite, and think twice before speaking to them.
This was power.
Fortunately, Heng Yi and Han Qiao weren’t the kind to bully others. Plus, they had a favor to ask of the Yun family, so this cooperation had to be voluntary.
Everyone had the intention to befriend each other and had met a few times. They had some dignity to uphold and quickly became familiar with each other.
Han Qiao naturally noticed Zhao Huan standing behind the Yun family’s ladies.
She was surprised.
However, when she thought about Zhao Huan remarrying, she understood.
She had never thought of making things difficult for Zhao Huan today, nor had she thought of doing anything to her. They were people from two different worlds.
As long as Zhao Huan didn’t come looking for trouble with her, she wouldn’t bother her.
After a casual greeting, Han Qiao was escorted to talk with the women of the family.
Heng Yi and the others naturally went together with the male hosts.
Ice cubes were placed in the corner of the small living room, making the living room cool. The fruits, pastries, and sweet soup were served to Han Qiao from the moment she sat down.
“It’s all made by the chef in the residence.”
“Thank you.”
Han Qiao tasted them one by one and gave them positive reviews, “The chef’s cooking skills are excellent. This lotus seed soup is very delicious.”
It was not bitter. Moreover, the lotus seeds were soft and fragrant.
Madam Yun smiled, “Marchioress, it’s rare for you to come here. Let a few of my juniors come in and greet you. Please take care of them in the future.”
These words were quite interesting.
Han Qiao was quick-witted and instantly understood what Madam Yun meant.
Her eldest son was already married.
However, Sun Xiu and Sun Yi weren’t engaged yet. Although they were still young, they could be engaged first.
After all, it was better to strike first.
“Alright.”
The children of the Yun family, regardless of whether they were boys or girls, were all good-looking. They looked well-educated and handsome.
Young people were still lively and cute.
They bowed to Han Qiao one by one.
Han Qiao asked Duan Yue to deliver the greeting gift, which had been prepared long ago.
Duan Yue’s bulging sleeves were enough to tell.
The boys received a white jade carving brush, while the girls received a Ruyi lock. It was not expensive, but it was not light either. It was just right.
“Hurry and thank the Marchioness.”
“Thank you, Marchioness.”
Han Qiao smiled, “No need to be so polite. It’s just a small token of my appreciation.”
She then turned to Madam Yun, “Your children are very beautiful and handsome.”
“Your girls are like delicate flowers, tender and beautiful, gentle and elegant. Your boys are like pine trees and bamboos, strong and patient, disciplined and open-minded. You are very lucky.”
After being complimented, Madam Yun was overjoyed.
Smiling, she changed the topic, “I heard that the Marquis wants to recruit soldiers. Has he chosen the location for his military camp?”
“He’s still choosing. It should be at the junction between Panzhou, Huizhou, and Chenzhou.”
Madam Yun was silent for a moment, “There are many mountain bandits in Fanzhou and Huizhou. Is the Marquis going to exterminate the bandits in that area?”
“More or less,” Han Qiao said.
Once the location of the military camp was confirmed, the Mountain Bandits of the Panzhou and Huizhou would probably tremble in fear.
With Heng Yi’s methods and abilities, there were no more bandits in Chenzhou.
People from other states were naturally afraid.
“That’s a good thing. We women of the Inner Residence don’t know what we can do, but my family makes cloth. If you don’t mind, we are willing to offer five thousand rolls of coarse cloth for the soldiers’ clothes.”
Although coarse cloth was cheap, 5,000 rolls was not a small amount.
If they wanted to buy them, they had to put in some effort.
“Elder Madam is so generous. I thank you on behalf of the soldiers in the camp. When the Marquis reports, he will write it in.”
“Do you write everything you donate?” Asked Madam Yun.
“Everything is recorded, what you donated, how much you donated, not just verbally, but also in black and white, in several copies. All of them are to be filed and engraved on a monument for future generations to admire.”
When Han Qiao said this, the ladies of the Yun family were filled with thoughts.
This was a matter that would be remembered through the ages.
Moreover, it could leave an impression in front of the Emperor and give the family a good reputation.
They had the money, but they still needed to discuss how much to give.
Someone asked Han Qiao, “Can 1 donate anything?”
“Theoretically, yes, but we don’t want things that we can’t use in the military camp. Also, these things will be recorded in the account book of whoever donates them. There will be a detailed list of where they will be used in the future. The donor can look at it at any time, the court can look at it, and the people can look at it too.”
Everything would be clear and transparent..