Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 55 - 55 56 Adding Dowry_1

?Chapter 55: Chapter 56 Adding Dowry_1 Chapter 55: Chapter 56 Adding Dowry_1 Muniang, however, paid no mind to these rumors. When one is popular, criticism follows. She saw no need to cater to the emotions of others, nor did she have that American luxury of time.

The long-term workers had lived in tents for half a month and finally had their own houses, a small room with two beds to house two people. The simple decor was clean and tidy, which was more than these workers had ever dared to dream of.

Once the accommodation issue for the workers was settled and they had mostly mastered the planting techniques for the fruit trees on the mountain, Muniang could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

In a few days, Li Qinghe was to be married. Tupo Village was small, and the bride and groom to be were the village’s most celebrated golden couple. Such a joyous event naturally caused quite a stir in the village.

Everyone agreed it was a perfect match, a scholar for a beauty, worthy of being turned into a storybook tale. When Muniang heard this, she could only sneer. A scholar? Knowing a few characters does not make one truly learned. The villagers may not see Qiao Yuanzhen’s true colors, but she had seen them for what they truly were.

Despite her disdain, Muniang couldn’t ignore the upcoming wedding. The marriage was only a few days away, and she still needed to check on Qinghe, whom she hadn’t had the chance to think about due to her busy schedule.

It just so happened that Erliang was out hunting with Li Cheng and Wang Qiang these past few days, so Muniang didn’t need to keep him company.

Qinghe’s house was already decked out in festive decorations, brimming with celebratory joy. With Li Cheng not around, it was just Li Qinghe at home, embroidering various items.

“You sure have it easy, while I’m almost flipping the world over with busyness every day. I was hoping you could help me, but as a bride-to-be, it’s not proper for you to go out.”

As soon as Qinghe saw Muniang arrive, she immediately set aside her embroidery and stood up: “Why have you come? You’re so busy, yet you still found time to see me?”

“A bride-to-be ought to be visited,” Muniang chided her with a glance, and pulled her to sit down beside her on the kang bed.

Looking at the pile of embroidery, Muniang’s eyes dazzled with admiration, “Qinghe, your craftsmanship is truly impressive. Did you make all these?”

Qinghe smiled shyly: “Yes, a bride-to-be has to make many things. The groom’s clothing, as well as a purse for each member of my mother-in-law’s family. Look, how are they?”

After reviewing each item, Muniang replied, “You certainly are well prepared. There’s no bride as diligent as you.”

Then her mind drifted to her own absurd marriage with Erliang. The bitterness seeped into her heart—initially, they had falsely told everyone they were married, but the truth was they had not even had a simple wedding ceremony. What woman doesn’t look forward to the day she dons her bridal dress? Muniang’s expression dimmed at the thought.

Seeing Muniang’s gloomy face, Qinghe thought she was worried about her future life and hastily said, “Muniang, rest assured. Since I’ve decided to marry, I am fully prepared for the future. Don’t worry about me.”

Muniang laughed, “The Qiao family is fortunate to welcome a bride with such a meticulous heart as yours.”

Qinghe’s face turned red: “Muniang, you’re always teasing me.”

Muniang didn’t beat around the bush any longer and directly took out a hundred-tael silver note from her bosom: “Qinghe, you’re about to get married, and I don’t have anything else prepared for you. Take this money as a dowry gift, so the people of the Qiao family can’t look down on you.”

Qinghe was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly pushed the silver note back, “Muniang, what are you doing? Giving me so much money for no reason, I can’t accept this. My brother has prepared dowry silver for me; I really shouldn’t take these.”

Muniang simply stuffed the silver note into Qinghe’s hands and said sternly, “The Qiao family is marrying you not out of sincerity. If you can’t offer them some benefits, you’ll inevitably suffer later. Qinghe, don’t be offended by my blunt words, but you know the Qiao family’s mercenary nature. No matter how good you are, they don’t care. Even if you give them the most exquisite purse, they’ll just think it’s cheap. Only a generous dowry is truly useful.”

Qinghe’s eyes reddened, “Muniang, you are so good to me, how can I…”

“Don’t talk about that. If it weren’t for you and your brother helping us out when our family was in such dire straits, we wouldn’t know how many times we could have died. I owe you, and it’s only right that I help you.”

“Your temperament isn’t weak or easy to bully. Even if you enter the Qiao family, I am not worried that you will end up like my mother. But still, you must be cautious, especially with this money. No matter what, you must keep it in your own hands. Your dowry should rightly be your private property; don’t let it be taken away by that old lady of the Qiao family.”

Qinghe nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly.”

Muniang sighed, “If you ask me, it would actually be better if Qiao Yuanzhen truly fails to achieve any academic titles. If he really makes a name for himself, I fear your life will not be easy. But no matter what, you must hold on to your position as his legal wife. After all, you still hold the fact that Yuanzhen had relations with you without a go-between over his head. When the time comes to be tough, be tough.”

Qinghe hugged Muniang, “You’ve thought so much for me, I’m touched from the bottom of my heart. In this life, my parents died early, and other relatives didn’t want to take in two burdens like us siblings. Apart from my brother, no one has ever thought so much for me. Muniang, I really thank you.”

“Enough, don’t cry. A bride should save her tears for the wedding day,” Muniang patted Qinghe’s back and said with a smile.

Muniang watched as Qinghe resorted to all sorts of schemes to marry Qiao Yuanzhen, but she did not censure her. When deeply in love, one always has moments of madness. She wasn’t a woman of ancient times, constrained by the chastity norms of the past, and besides, Qinghe was their family’s benefactor. She had to help her, no matter what. As for the road ahead, it was up to Qinghe alone.

“Lady, look, I bagged a lot of game today!” Erliang came back holding a bunch of prey, excitedly shouting.

“Yes, yes, a lot of game, husband, you’re the greatest,” Muniang laughed lightly as she smoothed his disheveled hair, “Hurry, put them in the kitchen and wash your face, look how dirty you are.”

“Alright!”

Erliang’s prowess was truly impressive; he had gathered so much in just one day’s work. But with so much, they couldn’t possibly eat it all.

“Mrs. Fang.”

“Yes, Lady, what is it?” Fang Cao said.

Muniang pointed to the pile on the ground, “My husband bagged quite a lot of game in the mountains today. We can’t eat it all. Take two rabbits for yourself, and give the rest to the laborers, to whet their appetite. They have been working hard building houses and grafting fruit trees for half a month; consider it a little welfare to cheer them up.”

Mrs. Fang was stunned, then exclaimed in disbelief, “Lady, you are spoiling us. How can we accept such fine things? Besides, we’re building these houses for ourselves, so there’s no point in saying whether it’s hard work or not!”

“Just take it, we don’t lack these, and I’m not giving it to you every day. It will go to waste if we keep it here.”