Chapter 656 - 654 The Treatment that Should Be Accorded
"Alas," Lady Zhao first let out a sigh, looking truly troubled, "We have been in the capital for two months now, and the Lunar New Year is upon us. After the New Year, there’s no telling when the Zhou family might come to the capital, and then we’ll have to rush to prepare Ah Qiao’s wedding. But Ah Qiao doesn’t have a moment to spare, what are we to do?"
Qi Younian felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing Lady Zhao’s words. He quickly motioned for a servant to pour tea for Lady Zhao and then apologetically said, "Ah Qiao has indeed been busy. We brought only a few people to the capital this time, leaving most of our help with Wusi; Ah Qiao has indeed been busy. However, we’ve already hired a few craftsmen skilled at writing, and we will continue to hire more help after the New Year. By then, Ah Qiao will certainly be able to relax a bit."
Lady Zhao listened to Qi Younian’s words but felt quite unconvinced. To say hiring people would give Ah Qiao some relief was just treating Ah Qiao like hired labor, all the while claiming to treat him like one’s own child or nephew.
In this household, so many live carefree lives. Qi Sanshun was no longer young, spending his days coming in and out of the classroom, yet his studies were said to be not so good, not someone who could become a Successful Candidate. However, he still loitered in the classroom every day and there was not one who made him learn a craft, to have a skill of his own.
Then there was Guan He, who was nothing more than a hired enforcer for the Qi family, yet he was treated daily to the best food and drink. He spent his days leading a few children around the household in idleness and play, his life more leisurely than the masters of wealthy households.
Even that maid named Zi Ning and the servant Jiuhua had nothing to do all day, simply freeloading and wandering around.
Yet Ah Qiao, whom Qi Younian proclaimed as a child or nephew, had to slave away for the Qi family without a moment’s rest.
Seeing that Lady Zhao hadn’t spoken for a while, Qi Younian added, "If Seventh younger brother’s wife has urgent matters to attend, then I will call Ah Qiao back, and you can handle the important matters first." Otherwise, I can only go to His Highness Prince Yu and ask the teachers in His Highness’s residence for help, then properly thank them later on.