Tiger Owl

Chapter 215 Temple Fair Turmoil
The housekeeper hurried to Xiao Qiao's courtyard and happened to meet her. She smiled and handed her a letter, "Third Madam, your letter!"

"My letter?" Xiao Qiao was pleasantly surprised; someone had actually written her a letter.

She quickly took the letter; it was from her cousin, Yang Ping'er. She immediately asked, "When did it arrive?"

“It was delivered by a maid early this morning.”

Xiao Qiao quickly opened the letter and read it carefully. It turned out that Yang Ping'er was inviting her to the New Year Temple Fair. Qiao Xingxing would also be going. The New Year Temple Fair was from the first to the third day of the Lunar New Year. She had been there before in Nanchang County and remembered that it was very lively. Yang Ping'er said in the letter that this year's Chaisang Temple Fair was very grand.

Xiao Qiao was a little tempted, but
She used to agree without hesitation, but now she is much more mature and needs to consider all aspects.

Xiao Qiao found Xu Wei, who was studying her physiognomy in her room.

"Yunqing, Ping'er invited me to the New Year temple fair, shall we go together!"

Xu Wei shook her head. "I've never been interested in joining in the fun. I get dizzy when there are too many people."

"OK then!"

Xiao Qiao had no choice but to turn and leave, but Xu Wei called her back, "Ayu, you'd better tell your husband about the New Year temple fair, or ask your older sister, maybe something will happen during the New Year."

"That's right, I'll go ask my sister if she has any plans."

Xiao Qiao excitedly arrived at her elder sister's room. Inside, Da Qiao was putting the child to sleep; she had given the wet nurse a half-day off today.

As soon as Xiao Qiao entered the room, Da Qiao shushed her, "Keep your voice down, she just fell asleep!"

She carefully placed the baby back in the cradle before asking, "What is it?"

"Sister, there's something I want to discuss with you."

"Let's talk in the outer room!"

Da Qiao had her personal maid watch the child while she led Xiao Qiao to the outer room.

"What's the matter, tell me!"

"Sister, Yang Ping'er wrote a letter inviting me to the New Year's temple fair on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Look."

Da Qiao glanced at her. "You want to go?"

Xiao Qiao sensed that her sister's tone was a bit cold, so she quickly explained, "Wasn't I just asking for your opinion, sister? If you don't agree, I won't go."

"You're not going because I object, but you still really want to go, right?"

Xiao Qiao lowered her head. "I haven't been to the temple fair in four years."

Da Qiao stared at her sister for a moment, then said coldly, "If you really want to go, I'll give you your freedom. I'll have my husband write you a letter of divorce, and then you'll be free of all constraints. You can go wherever you want!" Xiao Qiao's face turned pale, and her eyes showed terror. "Sister, what...what letter of divorce?"

"A divorce letter is a document that grants you freedom and removes all constraints. From now on, you are Qiao Yu and have no relation to the Gan family."

Xiao Qiao was so scared she almost cried. She quickly grabbed her sister's hand, "Sister, don't scare me. I won't go, okay?"

“I am no longer your elder sister. I am General Gan’s legal wife. I have the right and responsibility to maintain the order of this family. I am not saying that you are not a proper wife by going to the temple fair. I just think that you are not mature enough, do not know any better, and are not yet capable of taking on the responsibilities of a wife. I think you are not suitable for marriage.”

Xiao Qiao was so frightened that she burst into tears, sobbing, "Sister, I was wrong, please don't do this, I really know I was wrong."

Da Qiao was just trying to scare her. When she saw her sister crying, she softened and pulled her sister down to sit. She said, "I didn't stop you from going to the temple fair before because you were young and liked to play, which I understood. But New Year's Eve is your wedding night, and you actually thought about going to the temple fair on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Of course I'm very angry."

I'm not saying you can't go to temple fairs, you can go, but your husband should accompany you. You're married now, and your husband should always be your top priority. If he doesn't have time, he'll arrange all sorts of security measures so he can feel at ease, instead of you sneaking off to play behind his back. Do you understand what I mean?

Xiao Qiao nodded repeatedly, and Da Qiao continued, "There are many risks we can't anticipate, but we can take precautions. Do you remember the time we encountered scoundrels at the restaurant? We were too careless. You'll encounter all sorts of people at restaurants, but the risks are relatively small. Temple fairs are different. They're packed with people. I know there are many lecherous men who specifically target respectable women at temple fairs, pushing and shoving in the crowd to grope and pinch them. This happens every year. You're so tall and beautiful, do you think these lecherous men will let you off the hook? If you're molested and can't find the culprit, your standing in your husband's eyes will plummet. He'll despise you for lacking self-respect and self-love. Do you understand?"

Xiao Qiao looked ashamed. "Sister, I understand!"

"A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall." I remembered this saying from Mencius, and I hope you will remember it too!

Just then, the sound of a child crying came from the room. A maid rushed out, "Madam, the young master has woken up!"

Da Qiao nodded, then said to Xiao Qiao, "Since you have been granted the title of Lady by the court, you must act like one. That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself. Go now!"

Xiao Qiao turned around, lowered her head, and walked away. The back garden was very quiet. Xiao Qiao strolled alone in the back garden. If the accumulation of age is a quantitative change, then her sister's scolding and advice today was a qualitative change in an instant. It made Xiao Qiao suddenly understand what responsibility is. She grew up in an instant.

At that moment, she fully understood that if she were to be molested at the temple, it would not only harm her, but also her husband's reputation and dignity. She was now Mrs. Qiao, and she had to bear the responsibility behind that title.

Xiao Qiao felt ashamed and saddened by her past willfulness and ignorance. Her sister had been trying to persuade her, but she had ignored it all. Only now did Xiao Qiao understand her sister's good intentions all these years.

"Qiao Yu, you must repent and mend your ways!" Xiao Qiao silently admonished herself.

Back in the courtyard, Xiao Qiao immediately wrote a letter to Yang Ping'er, telling her that she was now married and could no longer do as she pleased as before. In the letter, she also pointed out that the temple fair was dangerous, with many lecherous men around, and even with guards around, it would be impossible to guard against them. She advised Yang Ping'er and Qiao Jingjing to be careful and try not to go to such dangerous places.

After finishing the letter, Xiao Qiao read it again and realized how ugly her handwriting was. Her older sister, who was originally not as good at writing as her, had practiced hard for a year and could now write beautiful and delicate characters. Yun Qing, needless to say, had practiced since childhood. Only her own handwriting was as ugly as a plucked crow.

Xiao Qiao quickly handed the letter to the housekeeper, who then had a maid deliver it to Yang Ping'er. She herself returned to her room, spread out the paper, and began to practice calligraphy diligently.

When Gan Ning returned to the manor, he made a special trip to Xiao Qiao's courtyard and found her practicing calligraphy diligently, her gaze so focused, a far cry from her usual restlessness. She didn't even notice him standing by her window.

Gan Ning couldn't help but laugh; Xiao Qiao could actually be so quiet.

(End of this chapter)