Chapter 83 Don’t Release the Hawk Until You See the Rabbit

Chapter 83: No Rabbit, No Hawk

Lady Wu felt relieved: "My son talks sense. Those young men from humble backgrounds, how could they hold a candle to a family like ours? But buying the exam questions costs three thousand taels of silver—where on earth are we going to get that?"

"Three thousand taels is nothing. Mother, this dynasty allows merchants to take the imperial exams. If those merchants' sons had an in like ours, what would three thousand taels mean to them?"

Lady Wu had an odd feeling.

The marquis's household had been poor for many years; three thousand taels was an enormous sum.

Yet her son still thought it was nothing!

Clearly, he'd been blinded by Xi Qianyue's hundred-thousand-tael dowry, leading him to believe three thousand taels was small change...

"Even so, where can we possibly get three thousand taels?"

"Mother, I've already spoken to Jiaojiao, but don't let it slip out—I told her it was five thousand. She's already given me nine thousand taels in total, all of which went to pay back Xi Qianyue. Now she insists that I must first make her my legal wife before she'll go get the money for me..."

Lady Wu was quite displeased: "Husband and wife are one. This Xi Jiaojiao won't lift a finger without getting something in return, using something this important to blackmail you. Once you have a bright future, won't she ride on your coattails?"

"Mother, that's true, but she's wised up now. What do you think?"

"At this point, you've just divorced, and making your ex-wife's half-sister your legal wife—it really looks bad. You should have waited a year or two. But Xi Jiaojiao is pushing so hard, and you urgently need this money—there's no choice. Let's just hope the censors won't pay attention to such minor domestic affairs."

The mother and son came to an agreement, and Yang Xingxian went off to coax Xi Jiaojiao again.

Xi Jiaojiao was delighted inside but kept her cool on the outside. Indeed, having the silver in hand was the only way!

"Since I just got divorced, we can't hold a grand ceremony. We'll just sign and stamp the official documents at the government office to make it official. Later, once the dust settles, we'll have a grand celebration."

Though Xi Jiaojiao felt somewhat disappointed, she knew he was right and nodded in agreement.

The next day, the two completed the formalities at the government office, and Xi Jiaojiao was beaming with joy.

"Why only three thousand? Didn't I say five thousand?"

Back at the residence, Yang Xingxian, who had expected five thousand taels in hand, found only three thousand in total and couldn't help roaring.

Xi Jiaojiao had to calm him down: "Don't worry. Tomorrow I'll return to my parents' house and have my father give me the rest. But the marriage certificate must be handed over to me for my father to review."

They were so close to the finish line; Yang Xingxian didn't care anymore. Though it was a bit embarrassing, the actual payoff mattered more.

The next day, Xi Jiaojiao, clutching the marriage certificate, returned to the Xi household all smiles.

She unfurled the government-stamped marriage certificate before Concubine Yu, watching as the concubine dramatically held it up, almost as if she wanted to kiss it.

Once she'd had a good laugh, Concubine Yu said: "My daughter is truly clever. No matter how much silver the eldest young lady has, she can't match you."

Xi Jiaojiao looked a bit concerned: "Don't say that. If I had as much silver as eldest sister, I wouldn't have a worry in the world."

"What is it now?"

"Mother, last time I said I needed five thousand taels, but Father only gave me three thousand. Now that I've been made the legal wife—though we can't announce it to relatives and friends yet—the stamped seal makes it ironclad. Father should give me the remaining two thousand taels now, don't you think?"

Concubine Yu stroked her hair: "I'll definitely help you. Everyone knows that to hold your own in a noble household, silver is indispensable."

Master Xi was called in and likewise shown the marriage certificate.

Master Xi was also overjoyed: "Jiaojiao is really something."

The atmosphere was warm and pleasant for a moment, and only then did Xi Jiaojiao bring up the matter of the "two thousand taels."

Master Xi frowned deeply: "Ever since you married, silver has been pouring out of this house by the thousands..."

"Father, how can you call it 'pouring out'? This is for your dear son-in-law. In the future, when he passes the provincial exam, is made the heir, and inherits the title, as his father-in-law, wouldn't he look after our Xi family's business?"

Master Xi still felt like he was being skinned alive.

"Father, you weren't impressed with Zhixing's academy, were you? But getting into Xingxian's academy... your son doesn't qualify. Tell you what—I'll definitely get it done. But besides those two thousand taels, give me another two hundred..."

Master Xi's frown eased. He had high hopes for Xi Zhixing, but unfortunately, with his humble status, how could he get into a good academy?

Even money couldn't do it.

Upon hearing that Yang Xingxian could resolve this matter, those two thousand two hundred taels suddenly seemed easier to swallow.

This was about his own son's future.

Xi Jiaojiao, clutching the bank drafts, strutted away.

When she encountered Xi Qianyue, she said with a smile: "Elder sister, how have you been lately? I've been doing quite well indeed."

"Oh? It seems you've scrounged up more silver from your natal home for that useless husband of yours? That's why you're doing so well?"

Xi Qianyue said with a smirk, her eyes full of contempt.

Xi Jiaojiao quickly suppressed her smile: "Elder sister, what are you saying? How could there be any silver left in the natal home for me to get? Not only does Mother have no money, but Father would never empty the family coffers for a mere concubine's daughter like me, would he?"

"Glad you know your place." Xi Qianyue left it at that and walked away gracefully.

Xi Jiaojiao watched her retreating figure, seething with anger.

"Hmph, let her be smug while she can. When my husband makes it big, she'll regret everything. Too bad—even if she kneels and begs with tears, my husband won't give her the time of day. I, the half-sister she looks down on, am already the legitimate wife."

After Xi Jiaojiao finished her long muttered speech, Lv Zhi said some soothing words, and only then did her temper settle.

"Madam, why bother saying so much to that divorced elder sister of yours? Now we can hold our heads high and live well, and later we'll rub it in their faces."

Xi Jiaojiao waved the small fan in her hand and smiled: "Exactly, that's the way of it. When that time comes, my father's legal wife and elder sister will be left speechless."

The two cheered themselves up amid such delightful fantasies.

Qing Bi, who served Xi Qianyue, said: "Miss, I feel that Second Miss is acting a bit strange."

"Let's just observe quietly. Don't bother with her."

Xi Qianyue had recently found several new pastry recipes and sent them to her pastry shop.

It had to be said—even without the conveniences of modern times, the people back then were still capable of making delicious pastries.

The shop had launched several new desserts one after another. The cakes and pastries went without saying, but especially the bread—soft, fluffy, with a variety of flavors—had won over countless diners.

Though she lacked the equipment, Xi Qianyue had done a lot of research and recalled videos she'd seen, and finally managed to build a bread oven.