[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-abandoned-woman-busy-farming":3,"chapter-abandoned-woman-busy-farming-abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-23":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Abandoned Woman Busy Farming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},537388,790,"Chapter 23 - 23 023 The Villagers' Speculation","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>Chapter 23: Chapter 023: The Villagers’ Speculation Chapter 23: Chapter 023: The Villagers’ Speculation It wasn’t until Du Zhongshu took his leave that the rest of the Bai family seemed to regain their senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Ping’er looked at Du Zhongshu’s retreating figure and hesitated before asking Bai Ruozhu, “Ruozhu, should we see him out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need for such formalities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll have plenty of chances to meet in the future.” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand rested on her belly and she had a particularly radiant smile on her face, as if… she was a well-fed and content little fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zehao was also still in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Bai Ruozhu and asked, “Little sister, did Master Du really agree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does that thirty percent mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu’s smile became even more triumphant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For example, if the Du Family Clinic makes a hundred taels in profit this month, they have to give me thirty taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they make a thousand taels, I get three hundred,” she explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, the three others in the room inhaled sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hundred taels, that was enough to cover a peasant family’s expenses for several years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was only a month’s worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu chuckled to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already shocked by three hundred taels and she was confident that the future profits would be far more than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A thousand taels?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that even possible?” Lin Ping’er gaped in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu just laughed, her face full of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Lin Ping’er and Bai Zehao were taken aback, while Bai Zepei, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up: “Mom, big brother, if little sister says she can, then she definitely can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of everyone in the family, Bai Zepei had received the most education and had the widest breadth of experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, once he spoke, both Lin Shi and Bai Zehao had no reason to doubt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu hadn’t expected her second brother to trust her so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave him a grateful smile, then seeing his slightly pursed lips, suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zepei suffered from severe oral ulcers and gum inflammation, making him the one most able to appreciate the effectiveness of the toothpaste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the sound of the courtyard gate opening signaled Bai Yihong’s return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yihong had had a bit to drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head invited him to dinner and even toasted him in the presence of a few village elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head had asked his opinion on opening a school and luckily, his daughter had given him advice beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he gave his opinion, both the village head and the elders immediately praised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was full of compliments for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happy, Bai Yihong had a few extra drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he was someone who knew his limits when drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never get drunk and he was good at holding his liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Bai Yihong began to understand the world, all the money in the house had been used for his elder brother’s education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had begun working to support the family at a young age, feeding the pigs, collecting firewood, and working in the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how hard he tried, his parents always valued his elder brother the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words never held as much weight as his brother’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, in the village, when people talked about his elder brother, they would always say how promising the Scholar’s son was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About him, they would only say that he was steady and nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he felt a slight sadness about this, he never harbored resentment towards anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought this was just his fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps if he was asked to study, he might not even have the ability to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recently, he had suddenly become the focus of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head and elders praised him for being reasonable and flexible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the villagers looked at him differently, with a touch of reverence in their gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he knew this was all thanks to his daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since she was bullied by Liu San’s wife and gave up on Chang Sheng, she’d become more cheerful and her mind seemed to be functioning more impressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it made Bai Yihong appreciate his daughter even more as the treasure of their family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, I heard on my way home that we had an important guest visit our house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t my oldest aunt who came back, was it?” Bai Yihong asked happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His oldest aunt was Bai Yihong’s elder sister, Bai Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been given in marriage to a family in Beiyu City due to her status as the eldest daughter of a scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Bai Yun rarely returned to Mountain Village after her marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a good year if she even visited once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in ancient times, it was rare for a woman to frequently visit her maternal family after marriage, especially when there was a significant distance involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Ping’er hurriedly beckoned to Bai Yihong, “My dear, quickly come inside and talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Bai Yihong had entered the room, Lin Ping’er quickly summarized Du Zhongshu’s proposal of the business cooperation to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yihong’s eyes sparkled as he listened and he instantly sobered up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he soon furrowed his brows, looking at Bai Ruozhu and asking, “Darling, is that improved formula you talked about really worth thirty percent of their profit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu knew her father was an honest man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing about the possibility of earning money, his first thought wasn’t how much they could make but whether they truly deserved to take so much from others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a man who knew his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, don’t worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The potential for the toothpaste to improve is big, and that’s no exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And rest assured, it will definitely help the Du Family earn a lot of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the time comes, they’ll likely be thanking me profusely,” Bai Ruozhu said cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good then.” Upon hearing his daughter’s words, Bai Yihong immediately felt relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile once again spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Ruozhu is becoming more and more competent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s truly the Female Zhuge of our family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Ping’er took Bai Ruozhu’s hand, saying proudly, “My daughter has been smart since she was little, isn’t that obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our daughter surely takes after you in her cleverness,” Bai Yihong cheerfully agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter filled the room as they all reveled in this joyful atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Bai Ruozhu reminded everyone not to disclose the business partnership with the Du Family Clinic to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was to avoid arousing feelings of jealousy or envy in those with ulterior motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone consented without objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the people from the old mansion found out, they’d surely try to make a fuss and interfere, which would be nothing but trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Du Zhongshu left, he said he would find a lawyer to draft a contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once it was ready, Bai Ruozhu would need to sign it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a written agreement, there was no fear of the Du Family reneging on giving her the promised share of the profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Bai Ruozhu didn’t disclose to her family that if the profits become substantial in the future, the Du Family might inevitably harbor other intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human nature always has a greedy side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Du Zhongshu is an upright gentleman, it doesn’t mean every member of the Du Family is the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she knew clearly that to protect her own interests, a written contract isn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to possess enough power herself, so that she wouldn’t be deceived, bullied, or manipulated by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, the apricots in the village had started to ripen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu prepared ceramic pots and ingredients, planning to make apricot preserves with her little friend, Fang Guizhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when Fang Guizhi arrived at the Bai family home, she brought some news with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ruozhu, there’s been a lot of talk in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say…” Fang Guizhi hesitated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu instantly guessed what she was talking about and asked with a smile, “Are they saying a distinguished guest visited our house, who arrived in a horse carriage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else did they say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Guizhi nodded, “They’re saying that Chang Sheng came back to your house and that he’s met a benefactor outside and is completely transformed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu was stunned for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew the villagers would speculate about Du Zhongshu’s identity, but she didn’t expect them to mistake him for Chang Sheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How ridiculous was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she quickly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, her father rescued an unconscious Chang Sheng without knowing his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that he was extremely good-looking, he asked him to blacken his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when they had a quarrel with Liu San’s wife before, she described Chang Sheng as having a black and dark face, so the villagers didn’t know what Chang Sheng actually looked like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Du Zhongshu was quite fair-skinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did the villagers associate the two of them?\u003C\u002Fp>",1505,"2026-05-30T14:08:51.024Z","2026-06-01T04:31:25.023Z",1,"novelbin.me","57e73924728ddebcd6915bd4d0891f22872b210c91df2f484e1bc6cc3b3fae7a","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-24","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-22",2707,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabandoned-woman-busy-farming-cover.jpg"]