Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 138 - 138 139 Spreading Rumors_1

?Chapter 138: Chapter 139 Spreading Rumors_1 Chapter 138: Chapter 139 Spreading Rumors_1 Xia Dahai’s hands trembled as he touched the snow-white silver wrapped in red cloth, his eyes gleaming with excitement, as if he wished he could swallow the silver: “Bing’er, these are the twenty taels of silver for betrothal gifts sent by Tofu Zhang’s family! In my whole life, I’ve never seen so much money! You’re really lucky this time, getting married into such a good family.”

Standing to the side, Mrs. Hu from the Xia family pushed Xia Dahai away irritably: “Don’t act as if you’ve never seen the world before, making others laugh at us for no reason! They’ve come to propose marriage today; we, as elders, must show some dignity. Instead, the moment you see silver, it’s as if you can’t wait to shove your daughter at them—anyone who doesn’t know better would think you’re selling her!”

Even as she spoke, she quickly pocketed the red cloth-wrapped silver,
Xia Dahai had always been quite afraid of Mrs. Hu and didn’t dare to say much, just grinning foolishly: “What family could ‘sell’ their daughter for such a good price? Our Bing’er is not like those vulgar and insipid girls; she deserves such good fortune.”

Xia Dahai fixed his eyes so intently on Mrs. Hu’s silver, watching as she tucked it into her bosom, clearly with no intention of letting him touch it.

Mrs. Hu smiled triumphantly: “That’s right, who else’s daughter would it be?”

Then, she took hold of Xia Bing’s hand that was next to her, smiling with eyes curved like crescent moons: “Bing’er, your mother was worried you wouldn’t marry into a good family, and would be wasted on a peasant’s son. But my daughter is destined for good fortune, for a life of blessings!”

Xia Bing snorted with laughter: “It also helps that Qiao Lianhua isn’t very bright. She still treats me like a sister, spoiling me to this day.”

Mrs. Hu chuckled: “That’s because my daughter is clever. She can’t be compared to people like them. But the Qiao family is rising fast these days; don’t let your relationship with them cool down. After all, they now have a Scholar in the family. We need to maintain some connection with them.”

Upon hearing that she still had to attend to Qiao Lianhua, Xia Bing frowned: “Looking at her face now disgusts me. It’s been a month, and the swelling hasn’t gone down—it looks like a pig’s head, still oozing blood. It’s so revolting that it ruins my appetite. Besides, haven’t they split from the main family? Aren’t Yuanzhen and them not that close? What’s the use of currying favor with such a family?”

“How can it be useless? Even if Yuanzhen is not that close to them, Lianhua’s father is still Yuanzhen’s elder brother. Officials value their reputation the most. Ignoring the needs of an elder brother is akin to being unfilial—a serious accusation. Besides, the Qiao family is shrewd; sooner or later, they will rise with Yuanzhen. We must curry favor with them now. Tomorrow I’ll cook a pot of chicken soup for Lianhua, and you shall deliver it personally,” said Mrs. Hu.

Xia Bing snorted, clearly reluctant. Such good chicken soup, something she couldn’t even enjoy herself—why should she give it to that woman for no reason!

Then Xia Dahai, as if suddenly remembering something, blurted out: “But Bing’er, you didn’t give anything away, did you? Don’t let Qiao Lianhua find out that you’ve been scheming behind her back, or you’d have made a formidable enemy.”

“Do you think I’m that foolish? Rest assured, to this day, she thinks it’s Qiao Muniang who’s been tarnishing her reputation. I hid in the grove that day; no one saw me, not even Qiao Muniang knows I was there. She’s the brainless one; why would I be afraid I can’t handle her?”

The family was chatting away happily, unaware that their conversation had fallen into the ears of Jin Feng, who was eavesdropping on the rooftop.

Jin Feng slipped down from the rooftop silently and vanished into the night.

“Xia Bing was also in the grove that day and witnessed Qiao Lianhua trying to seduce Wu Haoli. Afterward, she spread the story, pinning the blame on you. That’s why Qiao Lianhua thinks it was your doing,” Jin Feng precisely relayed what he had overheard to Muniang.

Muniang’s expression turned sinister, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her mouth: “So it was her, truly scheming enough. She reaps all the benefits without getting her hands dirty. How come I never realized we had such a ruthless character here before?”

Jin Feng shuddered at Muniang’s hair-raising smile, “What are you planning to do?”

Muniang curled her lips, “Does she think she can stir trouble without getting her hands dirty? Is there really such a lucky thing?”

“Then how do you plan to make her ‘get her hands dirty’?”

“Just getting her hands dirty after provoking me? I’ll kick her straight into the river!” Muniang scoffed.

Jin Feng’s face was covered with black lines. Indeed, this was fierceness. How could the General have such a heavy taste? No wonder he hadn’t sought out any women for so many years. Did he not prefer gentle and soft words but instead enjoyed this style?!

“Qingya.”

“Yes.”

“Spread a rumor bright and early tomorrow that says Xia Bing is ‘ice clear and as pure as a lotus with a heart like a jade,’ lucky enough to have such a good marriage arranged. Qiao Lianhua, that rotten bottom-tier woman, deserves to never marry in her lifetime. No wonder her fiancé would willingly hand her over to her own ‘sisters.’ Despite being handkerchief friends together since childhood, why is there such a stark difference? Anyway, just praise Xia Bing to the skies, and step on Qiao Lianhua as much as you can. With everyone in the village talking about Xia Bing’s fortunate marriage, let everyone chip in a few words. Aren’t these just rumors? Can’t I do that? I want to see if Qiao Lianhua after hearing this can still treat Xia Bing as her close sister.”

Muniang hummed, to repay in kind — she truly was not to be trifled with. Given Qiao Lianhua’s narrow-mindedness, if she heard these comparative words, she was bound to make a scene. Wasn’t Xia Bing still eager to cozy up to Qiao Lianhua? Let her face the cold knives with a forced smile.

“Lady, rest assured. First thing tomorrow morning, this servant will spread the word.”

Jin Feng’s lips twitched fiercely. Women were not to be provoked, and women with heavy tastes were even more so. He never wanted to provoke this woman in his lifetime!

The next day, it didn’t take much for the village women to start gossiping. Village women usually liked making a stir, and as the rumors spread, they were exaggerated even further.

“Exactly, what type of person, what type of fate—just look at that Qiao Lianhua. Her usual overbearing attitude was bad enough, but she’s also restless. Now she finally got what she deserves; her reputation is completely ruined. She hasn’t left her home in a month now, claiming to be ‘ill,’ but I think she’s just too ashamed to step outside.”

“That’s right, Xia Bing is really a good sort, always looking meek and well-behaved. It’s no wonder Tofu Zhang insisted on breaking off with the Qiao family to marry Xia Bing. If it were me, I’d make the same choice.”

“Oh, was it Tofu Zhang who insisted on marrying her?”

“Otherwise, why? Marrying Qiao Lianhua, a frivolous and corrupt woman? It’s not just that Tofu Zhang preferred Xia Bing, but if you had both standing before you, you wouldn’t choose Qiao Lianhua either!”

Indeed, these rumors reached Qiao Lianhua’s ears, and she was so furious she almost spewed blood.