Chapter 302: The Qiu Family Arrives to Acknowledge Kinship
Wen Yao never kept her guard up around these two. She blurted out directly, “Opening up maritime trade will definitely do more good than harm! Even if there are pirates, as long as we make money, the coastal naval forces are well-funded and strong. That way, we won’t have to fear pirates even if they appear. Is it true that if we don’t open maritime trade, there won’t be pirates? They’ll exist anyway.”
Wen Yao’s words left Li Yi looking shocked. “How do you know that?”
“I heard it! The docks are so big, with so many sailors coming and going. It’s inevitable to occasionally hear someone mention a thing or two. Besides, think about it—even with imperial soldiers guarding the coast, can they really secure such a vast expanse of sea? It’s inevitable that a few slip through the net.” Wen Yao was now extremely adept at handling Li Yi. Since she was making things up anyway, this kid believed whatever she spun. He was so easy to fool.
Sure enough, Li Yi didn’t press her on why she knew this so clearly. Instead, he nodded. “Indeed. Battle reports are sent from the south every year. The pirates are rampant, and the commoners living near the coast suffer unspeakably. Imperial Uncle has no other solution but to issue edicts ordering the naval forces to increase patrols and do their utmost to protect the people.”
A sudden flash of insight hit Wen Yao, and she asked, “Do those pirates wear little pigtails and speak in gibberish like ‘baka baka’?”
Now Li Yi was truly stunned. “How do you know?”
Wen Yao spat viciously in her heart. Sure enough, no matter where I go, I can’t escape those dog-like bastards.
“I heard it from the sailors while wandering around the docks earlier,” Wen Yao lied smoothly, spinning nonsense with ease.
Qiu Rongrong couldn’t understand what the two were talking about and simply asked, “So, can this maritime trade still be open?”
Li Yi sighed softly. His father had quietly told him that the Imperial Uncle was very short on money. Managing such a massive country truly required funds. In his heart, the Imperial Uncle wanted to open maritime trade, but he lacked an opportunity—a chance to silence the mouths of the opposition.
Wen Yao, however, spoke with absolute certainty: “It can. It definitely will.”
No matter what, maritime trade had to be opened, and they had to grow strong before those other nations did. The tragedies of her previous life could not be allowed to repeat themselves.
Qiu Rongrong sent someone to contact the merchant ship over there, and sure enough, they let the three of them board for a tour. However, the goods on the ship were destined for the capital, so they were only permitted to look around.
Wen Yao saw many familiar items. What surprised her was that there was actually a full-length dressing mirror. A standard European-style frame encased an upright, oval-shaped mirror that reflected people with crystal clarity.
When Qiu Rongrong saw herself this clearly for the first time, she was startled, marveling endlessly that such a clear mirror existed in this world.
Wen Yao, however, was unfazed. Moreover, the quality of the mirror was not as pure as those from later generations, but compared to the bronze mirrors of this era, it was indeed much, much clearer.
The merchant of this ship had some ties with the Qiu family; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let them aboard to tour. Seeing how much they liked the mirror, he explained, “This Western mirror is prepared as a tribute for the palace. It’s only because it’s you, Eldest Niece; I wouldn’t bear to bring it out to show anyone else.”
As he spoke, the merchant boss secretly cast a glance at Li Yi, the corners of his mouth rising even higher.
Qiu Rongrong found it incredibly precious and novel.
Wen Yao had as many of these as she wanted in her spatial storage, but their origins would be untraceable. Did she have to research how to make glass? She hadn’t dabbled in that field before, though she had previously scrolled past short videos of bloggers firing glass themselves. She would have to go into her space later and study if there were any relevant books.
While she was lost in thought, Qiu Rongrong had already led her off to tour the rest. The boss tagged along beside them, occasionally explaining things to them.
If Qiu Rongrong hadn’t sent someone to say they were with the Heir of Prince Fu and wished to tour the ship, this boss certainly wouldn’t have let them on board.
Even after disembarking, Qiu Rongrong was still marveling at the wonders of those Western goods, her heart entirely preoccupied with the matter of maritime trade.
But they all knew clearly—how could opening maritime trade be an easy task?
About ten days later, the Qiu family arrived.
Qiu Rongrong hadn’t expected the entire family to turn out. Not only had her parents and eldest brother come, but even her grandmother had tagged along. No wonder it took them so many days on the road to reach Yunwu Town—it turned out they were bringing Grandmother and were too afraid to travel fast lest the old lady’s health suffer.
The moment they saw Qiu Rongrong, Mother Qiu and Old Mistress Qiu hugged her and wept bitterly. Father Qiu blamed himself even more for actually marrying Qiu Rongrong off to such a piece of scum. Fortunately, the storm had passed and the skies were clear now.
After learning the entire sequence of events, Old Mistress Qiu insisted on taking them to thank the Wen family and Master Qiu no matter what. Upon learning that Wen Xiuyi intended to accept Qiu Rongrong as his goddaughter, she agreed with even greater haste and eagerness.
Qiu Rongrong sent word to Wen Yao a day in advance, saying she would bring her whole family for a formal visit the next day. Hearing the news, Old Madam Luo got up bright and early to lead everyone in tidying up, cleaning the house inside and out until it was spotless and proper. After all, a family like the Qius was different from them, a bunch of country bumpkins with mud on their legs.
Finally, the horse carriages entered the village. Village children immediately ran to the Wen household to deliver the news. Those who ran fast to report it were rewarded with candies and pastries from Old Madam Luo.
To show their solemn respect, everyone in the family—aside from the absent Wen Jun—waited at home. Even Magistrate Chen, who should have been at the yamen, ran over to join the lively gathering.
The moment the carriage came to a steady halt, Xie Anyi eagerly jumped down from it and ran toward Datou and the others.
Recently, Xie Anyi had been staying at the estate to keep Qiu Rongrong company. Although he missed his friends, he knew his mother needed him more at a time like this.
Following closely, the people in the carriages stepped down one after another.
Qiu Rongrong’s parents looked to be in their forties. Mother Qiu shared an eighty percent resemblance with Qiu Rongrong, and perhaps due to good maintenance, she looked very young. At this moment, the two supported an old lady on the left and right, slowly walking toward the Wen family. Following behind were Father Qiu and Eldest Brother Qiu, who similarly bore a strong resemblance to each other.
As the saying goes, appearance stems from the heart. Although one could sense the shrewdness of merchants from this father and son at first glance, their faces radiated a righteous aura. Seeing so many members of the Wen family out to welcome them, the father and son exchanged a look and grew highly respectful, simultaneously directing the servants they brought to carry the gifts and follow along.
Qiu Rongrong and Madam Qiu supported Old Mistress Qiu as they arrived before Old Madam Luo. Qiu Rongrong quickly made the introductions: “Grandma, this is my grandmother and my mother.”
Old Mistress Qiu looked at Old Madam Luo, who was somewhat younger than herself. Releasing the hands of her granddaughter and daughter-in-law, she walked over and grasped Old Madam Luo’s hands. Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears fell as she choked out, “Sister, my Rongrong owes your family so much.”
Old Madam Luo had originally worried that the Qiu family would look down on a household like theirs, but seeing Old Mistress Qiu cry, her heart softened. She patted her hand comfortingly: “It’s all in the past now. Rongrong’s days ahead are still long. We must look forward.”
Old Mistress Qiu cried even harder, her heart aching deeply for her granddaughter, yet she nodded: “Yes, yes, yes. Look forward, look forward.” With that, she hurriedly wiped her tears and said apologetically, “Sister, we have so many people, we’ve caused you trouble.”
Old Madam Luo waved her hand generously. “Ah, what trouble? We’re all family! Let’s go inside first, don’t just stand here. Eldest Son, go entertain Rongrong’s father! Rongrong, support your mother and quickly come inside.”
The moment Old Madam Luo spoke, the group quickly took up their respective roles, exchanging lively and bustling greetings as they entered the courtyard.
