Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 123 - 123 124 A Rush of Impulse to Go Up the

?Chapter 123: Chapter 124: A Rush of Impulse to Go Up the Mountain_1 Chapter 123: Chapter 124: A Rush of Impulse to Go Up the Mountain_1 Muniang started to bustle about for silver, no matter what the contract was written in black and white, and now she couldn’t deliver, she was in the wrong first, not to mention a prestigious master, even if it were just a nameless man, if it came to official court, she wouldn’t get any advantage. These ten thousand taels of silver, she was sure to lose.

She was never a woman to mourn the sky or curse the world; despite being upset about being tricked this time, she knew what was important and urgent. After she would get through this, she would slowly settle the score with those people!

Mrs. Lin, of course, knew about the big mess and was so anxious she didn’t know what to do, but she didn’t dare to disturb Muniang either. With only three days to sort things out and being of no help herself, she could only cry in secret in her room.

“Lady, these are all the land deeds from Tianzhuang and the contracts for the mountain behind us,” Qingya handed a small box to Muniang.

Muniang counted carefully, one hand on the abacus and the other on the ledger.

Qingya’s face was filled with worry, “Lady, do we really have to sell these? The fields of Tianzhuang haven’t started to yield any benefits yet. In a month or two, they would start to produce, and the fruit trees and fish fry on the mountain could make a lot of money too. Selling in such a rush now, we won’t get a good price, and wouldn’t all our work this year be wasted?”

Muniang knew this all too well, but at this point, she had no other choice. Fortunately, she was open-minded; money could be earned back; people shouldn’t get stuck on one thing, right? She waved her hand dismissively, “It’s a forced situation now. Don’t worry, I won’t sell you at the very least.”

Qingya rolled her eyes, “Lady, you’re still joking at a time like this!”

Muniang sighed, “Even if we sell Tianzhuang and the mountain behind, we can’t collect ten thousand taels. At most, seven thousand. What are we going to do?”

Qingya became frantic, “What are we going to do? These are all our possessions. Why not let Mr. Ling sell me to a brothel?”

Muniang knew how protective Qingya was and just shook her head, not saying anything more, desperately thinking of ways to raise money. The rain started to pitter-patter outside again, making Muniang even more irritable, pulling out several strands of her hair in frustration.

Dahei, watching Muniang being so distressed, felt a pang of sympathy, bit his lip, turned, and ran out into the rain.

With everyone in the household panicking over the silver, naturally, no one noticed Dahei’s departure.

Even Muniang hadn’t the time to take notice of where Dahei was.

By dusk, as the sky gradually darkened, Muniang still hadn’t drunk a drop of water. Mrs. Lin, feeling sorry for her, had Hong Luo prepare some food and bring it in, “Muniang, eat something to fill your stomach first, don’t starve yourself sick.”

Muniang wearily waved her hand, “You and Dahei eat, I’m not hungry.”

“How can you not eat something?” Mrs. Lin frowned but suddenly seemed to remember something, “Where’s Dahei?”

Muniang jolted, “You haven’t seen him?”

Mrs. Lin paused, “I thought he was with you.”

Muniang’s heart thumped, a bad feeling rushing over her, and she stood up abruptly and rushed outside. However, after searching the whole estate, Dahei was nowhere to be found.

Muniang felt panicked for the first time in her life, even when ten thousand taels of silver seemed impossible to gather, she had never felt so flustered. She sharply questioned the servants in the house, “Where has your master gone?”

The young menservants shivered with fright and hastily replied, “We truly saw the master leave, but he never takes anyone with him when he goes out. We, we didn’t pay attention.”

Qingya rushed over in a hurry, “Lady, the crossbow that usually hangs in the great hall is gone, it’s the one the master uses for hunting in the mountains.”

A boom echoed in Muniang’s head, Li Cheng had gone to the mountains?! With such heavy rain, running to the mountain, was he seeking death?!

The mountain trails became wet and slippery with water, one careless step could send someone rolling down the hill. And now, with this torrential downpour, although Li Cheng was good with a bow, he lacked martial skills. How could he fight against nature with just a bit of brute strength? Even seasoned hunters like Li Cheng and Wang Qiang wouldn’t dare to hunt in the mountains on rainy days.

This fool, he must be thinking of helping her gather the silver!

Without a second thought, Muniang dashed outside. Mrs. Lin, seeing her like this, knew her intent and quickly shouted at Hong Luo and Qingya, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and follow her, don’t let her do anything foolish. With the rain like this, if she charges up the mountain, does she still want to live?”

Hong Luo and Qingya, clever as they were, immediately followed her.

Li Cheng, hearing the commotion, also hurried over. Seeing Muniang in such a state, he was full of regret, “A few days ago when we were in the mountains, we faintly heard the sound of a bear. I speculated that it must be a large one, and if we actually hunted it, we would definitely make a handsome profit. But bears are notoriously difficult to deal with. I only mentioned it in passing, without seriously considering gambling our lives for such wealth. Li Cheng rashly going to the mountains today, he must be thinking of hunting that bear to repay your debt.”

Muniang’s heart trembled, “Hunting a bear? He, he, this idiot!”

“No! It has been half a day already, and it’s getting dark. He might have already had an accident. I need to go find him!” Muniang turned to run up the mountain but was resolutely stopped by Hong Luo and Qingya.

“Don’t be reckless, Lady. It’s pitch-black now, you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Even if you go up the mountain, you won’t be able to find the master. And what if the master is alright, but you have an accident? The master would be worried sick,” Hong Luo, who was sensible, knew how to hit where it hurts when persuading someone.

Muniang, who could usually keep her composure, was illogically frantic concerning Li Cheng’s affairs. After calming down a bit, she was still anxious, “But him, alone in this heavy rain, recklessly going to the mountain to hunt a bear, what if something really happens?”

Li Cheng was at a loss, “We can only wait until daylight tomorrow to see. Right now it’s impossible to find the way up the mountain. First thing tomorrow morning, I will go with Qiangzi to look for him. Don’t worry too much, Muniang.” Despite his words, Chengzi was actually not confident at all. In this kind of weather, it was all too easy to slip on the mountain trails and fall to death, not to mention going alone to face a large black bear.

Muniang, anxious out of her mind, had no choice but to wait. Through the long night, she paced restlessly at the foot of the mountain, waiting for Li Cheng’s silhouette. Hong Luo and Qingya, unable to persuade her otherwise, had no choice but to hold umbrellas and stand guard by her side.

At the first glimmer of dawn, Chengzi and Qiangzi went up the mountain together to search.

Fortunately, the heavy rain had stopped at midnight. Seeing Muniang’s face turning blue from the cold, Hong Luo went back to make a bowl of ginger soup, trying to persuade her to drink it. Who would have known that the moment Hong Luo turned away, Muniang, exhausted in body and spirit, couldn’t hold on any longer. Everything went black, and she fainted, her soft body collapsing in an instant. She had expected to fall onto the cold, damp ground, but instead, she landed in a warm embrace.

“Husband,” Muniang murmured softly, and then she passed out.

(Guess whose arms she’s fallen into? This chapter is a tiny bit torturous. Who dares to call me a stepmother? I’ll be cross with them. Next chapter is full of sweetness—are you saying I’m lying? Tsundere face)