Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 101 - 101 102 Who is so unethical_1

?Chapter 101: Chapter 102 Who is so unethical_1 Chapter 101: Chapter 102 Who is so unethical_1 His cart had broken down, and he was just as anxious. That group of sisters-in-law and daughters-in-law had matters to attend to in town, and he had things to do as well. Yet, Mrs. Liang had to go and scold him harshly, accusing his broken cart of holding everyone back.

Mr. Cai wasn’t unreasonable; he knew everyone had taken time out of their busy lives for a rare trip to town and had many things to take care of. They shouldn’t be delayed just because his cart was broken. Although he was still furious with Mrs. Liang inside, he swallowed his anger. He’d just repair his own ox cart.

“Muniang, I’ll have to trouble you then. I’ll let my daughter-in-law go with you. We’re running out of rice and flour at home and need to get some supplies,” said Mr. Cai.

Muniang laughed, “We’re all from the same village; what’s this trouble you speak of? It’s on the way.”

With that, she turned her head and called out to the sisters-in-law and daughters-in-law still waiting by the ox cart, “Just hop on my cart, and after everyone finishes their errands, we can all return together.”

Xiangcai, however, said, “This would really inconvenience you; besides, your cart looks brand new. Some of us even brought vegetables to sell in town; we wouldn’t want to dirty your cart.”

At these words, Mr. Cai also found them to be sensible. He considered his lack of thoroughness and looked at Muniang’s carriage, smiling awkwardly, “Then let’s forget it, your carriage looks expensive, and we’d feel terrible if it got damaged.”

Mrs. Liang, who had been waiting in the cart for a long while without seeing anyone get on, wanted to come out and hurry things along, but just then she overheard the conversation and her face darkened, “What do you mean by ‘getting it damaged’? Do you think everyone’s carts are as rotten as your busted ox cart? If you don’t want to ride it, fine, but we’re in a hurry to get to town. Why waste time talking and delay everyone?”

Mr. Cai’s face turned green with anger, but Muniang, afraid that they would start arguing again, quickly said, “Mr. Cai, it’s really no trouble. A cart is meant to be used. Today, we won’t be able to find another ox cart in a hurry anyway, and everyone needs to get to town. It would be bad to delay any further.” Especially for those bringing vegetables to sell—if they can’t make it today, by tomorrow the vegetables will have wilted and won’t sell at all. Life isn’t easy for us country folks; it’s right for us to help each other out.

Mr. Cai glared hatefully at Mrs. Liang, then said to Muniang, “You’re a good child, then I must trouble you.”

Xiangcai also knew that everyone was anxious, and since Muniang had said she didn’t mind, she stopped insisting and said, “Muniang, you really helped us all out a great deal today. We must thank you properly. Never mind the rest; when we get back tonight, if it’s too late for dinner, just come to my place to eat. It’s nothing fancy, but I’ll make sure you’re well-fed—at least our intentions are clear. Not like some people, who really treat other people’s carts as their own.”

Xiangcai’s words were initially thanking Muniang, but then she shifted her tone to indirectly scold someone else.

Mrs. Liang’s face turned black with anger, wanting to retort, yet realizing her position was quite awkward. While everyone was outside, she was the only one inside the cart – what did that look like? Moreover, her relationship with Muniang had always been poor, particularly after she sneakily climbed up Muniang’s mountain last time, stealing the method for planting fruit trees, which made Muniang even less fond of her. If she managed to anger Muniang now, she might just leave her behind. Thinking this, she ultimately held back her anger and with a flick of the curtain, she ducked back into the cart.

Muniang inwardly clicked her tongue in surprise; she had thought Mrs. Liang was going to argue back. She didn’t expect her to have become more tactful during these past days.

It was getting late, and everyone, having received Muniang’s consent, crowded into her spacious carriage, where they all managed to fit, although Muniang’s plan to snuggle in Erliang’s arms and sleep late was foiled, as it would be inappropriate with so many eyes upon them.

But once the carriage was filled with women, the chatterbox opened and things became lively, which Muniang found entertaining to listen to.

As they talked, the conversation naturally turned to Muniang’s Embroidery House.

“Muniang, we’re working at your Embroidery House now, and it really is convenient, the pay is good too—it has helped a lot with our household,” said Xiangcai with a laugh.

Mrs. Sun, Qiangzi’s wife, also chimed in, “Muniang, you’re really capable. I thought it was unreliable when the village suddenly buzzed about you starting the Embroidery House. After all, not everyone is cut out for business. But the moment I saw those patterns, I felt that reliability didn’t matter anymore. I’ve been doing embroidery for so many years and have never seen anything like it—”
She hadn’t finished her sentence when an aunty next to her elbowed her hard and shot her a warning look. Qiangzi’s wife then realized that she had spoken too much and said with a sheepish smile, “Look at me, getting carried away with pride, I forgot about the rule we set with Mrs. Qiao Muniang. We’re not supposed to talk about the patterns at all.”

Muniang was pleased inside; it seemed that Madam Liu had enforced the rule. Seeing everyone’s expressions, she knew they still feared Madam Liu. As the owner, having some authority was necessary.

Muniang smiled, “It’s fine to talk about this in front of me, but if you bring up a word in front of outsiders, I won’t plead on your behalf when Mrs. Qiao Muniang comes seeking accountability.”

The obviously teasing remark lightened the previously tense atmosphere. Seeing Muniang wasn’t upset, Mrs. Sun felt relieved and said, “I wouldn’t dare, even with tenfold the courage. Don’t worry, we’re all from the same village, who would be so wicked as to talk about it?”

The conversation picked up again quickly, ignoring Mrs. Liang in the corner, silent. She also worked at the Embroidery House and had seen how novel those patterns were. If they were sold, they would certainly bring in a large sum. She envied Muniang’s skill, wondering why others were getting rich while she couldn’t?

Today, she had gone to town under the pretense of buying supplies, but really, she intended to sell those patterns. She had it all planned out; doing embroidery work was slower and less lucrative, just a few dozen copper coins at a time for several days’ labor. But if she sold the patterns directly to another embroidery workshop, it would undoubtedly fetch a pretty penny.

Besides, Chatu Town was so large, with many embroidery workshops, and an uncountable variety of embroidered goods. If she leaked the patterns, Muniang might not even notice. And even if she did, with so many people working there, who would know it was her? She truly didn’t believe Qiao Muniang would act on the contract and turn her in for an official investigation.

After nearly half an hour, they finally arrived in town. Muniang said, “Everyone go about your business. We’ll meet here again in an hour. If we take too long, I fear it will get dark, and the return trip won’t be easy. Let’s all watch the time.”