Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 84 - 84 085 Choose a Good Family_1

?Chapter 84: Chapter 085: Choose a Good Family_1 Chapter 84: Chapter 085: Choose a Good Family_1 “Tsk, tsk, Qiao Muniang really knows how to handle things, hiring so many craftsmen to build a house. Just look at all those bricks and tiles; there are so many! How large a house is she planning to build?” Xiangcai couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Madam Zhao said with a sour tone, “It’s just constructing a house, what’s there to show off about? What’s the use of being jealous? Will they give you any benefit? I am her own grandmother, yet look how she treats me!”

Xiangcai rolled her eyes at Madam Zhao, not wanting to talk to her any longer. She deserved it for kicking out such a cash cow of a granddaughter. Now that the girl was making good money, she still blamed her for being stingy with her own grandmother.

The Qiao Yuanshan couple was also building a new house these past few days. Of course, their house was nowhere near as grand as Qiao Muniang’s. Not to mention hiring that many craftsmen. Mrs. Ji was originally proud that her new house would surely make many people in the village envious. Now, seeing Qiao Muniang’s momentum, she felt jealousy welling up first.

“That wretched girl, she must be doing it on purpose! We build a new house, and she does too! Isn’t she just trying to overshadow us?” Mrs. Ji grumbled angrily.

Qiao Lianhua also felt indignant. She had always felt superior to Qiao Muniang. Back when Qiao Muniang was still in the Qiao family, Mrs. Lin had no status, and neither did she. She was always one step below Qiao Lianhua. But after being driven out, her life became even harder, her face yellowed, her body thin, and her stature small, making her very unremarkable. Later, when she married a fool, Lianhua mocked her for quite a while.

Who knew that in a turn of fate, Qiao Muniang now seemed to have hit the jackpot. Not only was money rolling in, but she also became more and more delicate and charming recently. As for that fool, aside from his lack of intellect, everything else was excellent. He could hunt in the mountains to make good money, was obedient and loving at home, and even his looks were top-notch. This made Qiao Lianhua extremely jealous.

Lianhua snorted coldly, “Mother, why should we hold grudges against her? It’s still too early to tell. Who knows about the future? If she can marry a wealthy man, can’t I? Just wait and see; once I marry into a rich family and become a lady, I’ll surely put her in her place!”

Listening to her daughter’s words, Mrs. Ji felt a lot better, and with a heavy weight on her heart, said, “Exactly, my girl, don’t worry. When it comes to your marriage, your mother will choose carefully. When you marry into a good family, it will certainly infuriate Qiao Muniang. No matter what she does, isn’t her husband still a fool? Why should we be jealous of her?”

Mrs. Ji was so obsessed with holding a grudge against Qiao Muniang that she failed to realize that Qiao Muniang hardly paid any attention to her. Who Qiao Lianhua married would not affect Qiao Muniang at all!

It was then that Lianhua said, “Exactly! I couldn’t care less about that fool!”

Mrs. Ji then said, “Wait a few more days; once our house is built, we’ll arrange your brother’s marriage. Then, we’ll start discussing suitors for you.”

Lianhua blushed slightly at this, “Mother, have you already picked someone out? You’re already thinking about discussing marriage proposals?”

“How could your mother not have any idea? I’d asked someone to inquire for us already. Your aunt sent me a message a few days ago, saying she could introduce us to a family in town. They own a shop. Although it isn’t big, it brings in a dozen or so silver a month – that’s nearly as much as our annual income. Another prospect works at the government office; he’s a constable. Although he earns only one silver a month, that job is a steady meal ticket…”

Mrs. Ji was about to continue when Lianhua interrupted her, “Mother, what kind of people are you introducing me to? With such a small amount of wealth, won’t I still suffer in marriage?”

Mrs. Ji glared at her, “Suffer? In that kind of family? Have you ever suffered in our home? Don’t set your sights too high. We are not a prestigious family and can’t afford the dream of marrying into nobility. Otherwise, who knows, you might end up just like Niu Qingfang. My choices for you are all fairly well-to-do families. Even if you can’t be adorned in gold and silver, you’ll still have no worries about food and clothing.”

Lianhua could only sulkily agree. In her heart, she aspired to marry a husband wealthier than Qiao Muniang’s and surpass her.

Mrs. Ji looked at her daughter’s demeanor and understood what she was thinking, so she said, “Don’t be so downhearted. You think Qiao Muniang is living it up on the surface, but who knows what goes on in private? That fool of a husband of hers, maybe they haven’t even consummated their marriage. How pitiful must that be?”

Qiao Lianhua felt a bit better in her heart, nodded, and let the matter slide.

However, Mrs. Ji couldn’t help but grumble irritably, “Your damned father, who knows where he’s off to, fooling around again. The house is nearly finished. We’ll have to hurry up with your elder brother’s wedding soon. I told him we should start preparing in advance, but he’s always acting so nonchalant about it!”

Meanwhile, Qiao Yuanshan was busy delighting Yuqin with a set of bridal jewelry, having sneakily pawned Mrs. Ji’s beloved bracelet the night before.

Yuqin, overjoyed with the jewelry set, clung to Qiao Yuanshan passionately, pleasing him to no end.

After sending off Qiao Yuanshan, Yuqin quietly slipped back into her room through a small side door, laying the jewelry set out on the table and trying on each piece, her heart brimming with joy. She’d had her eye on this set for quite some time, but since it was priced at ten taels of silver and was too expensive, she had not been willing to buy it. Now that she finally had it, how could she not be thrilled?

Humming a tune, Yuqin began fixing her hair in the mirror, thinking that she wouldn’t be able to squeeze much out of the poor ghost Qiao Yuanshan. But, as it turned out, he wasn’t so useless after all. Given the circumstances, she decided to spend a few more days with him.

Just as she was reflecting on her plans, a man sneakily wrapped his arms around her from behind. Yuqin got a fright, but upon recognizing the person, she realized it was one of the manor’s servants. She scolded angrily, “You devil, that’s quite bold of you. This isn’t a place for you. Be careful, someone might come!”

Since Yuqin was only a third-rate maid, naturally she didn’t have a private room; she shared this space with three others.

Huyi hugged Yuqin tighter, “It’s okay. I just saw them being called by Liu’er to trim the foliage in the West Garden. They won’t be back for a while.”

“You think it’s alright to mess around as long as no one comes?” Yuqin pushed Huyi away.

Huyi said incredulously, “What’s the matter? It’s not our first time. Are you suddenly playing the innocent?”

Yuqin replied irritably, “I’m not just here to relieve you gentlemen’s boredom. Do you think you can sleep with me whenever you want?”

It was then Huyi finally understood what Yuqin meant. With a grin, he pinched her face, “You little vixen, always so materialistic.”

Yuqin slapped his hand away, “Don’t try that with me!”

Huyi then pulled out a jade hairpin from his bosom and dangled it in front of Yuqin, “What about this set, do you want it?”

(Today I saw that we’ve made it onto the recommendation list. Although it’s just the tenth spot, Duoduo is very content. It’s all thanks to the girls for casting so many votes. I feel like I have to post another update to show my gratitude, so here comes the second update, my dears. Your continued support is my greatest motivation ?(?3?)?)