Chapter 132: I, Lu Sanniang, Am Not One to Be Scared

"One should be content; you spent a thousand taels of silver, married a wife worth ten thousand taels, obtained a money‑making formula, yet you didn't work hard, instead schemed to cheat, greedy without limit, even wanted to demand the formula again, never helped Qiao Niang a bit, never produced any benefit, when trouble arose you still had the nerve to question Qiao Niang; no wonder the Feng Family is unremarkable in County Town—your deeds will keep you like this for a lifetime!"

Old Mr. Wang flicked his sleeve and left, leaving the Feng Family in the Keting exchanging wary glances.

"What's this about? We're just here to ask, if it's not, then it's not, so why get angry?" The Feng Family members wore very sour expressions.

Xin'er's eye circles were red; she slumped in the chair, covering her face and weeping.

"I—what exactly did I do, why does my master treat me like this?"

Lady Feng hurried over to comfort her, "Don't cry, don't cry. You're so good; they don't understand you, but we the Feng Family do. Everything you've done is for the Feng Family's benefit, for your Xianggong's benefit."

"Mother‑in‑law, I'm almost being wronged to death."

Crying, Lu Sanniang jogged into the Keting; after seeing the Feng Family, she stopped in place and steadied her breathing.

"Why did you all come?"

"In‑laws, you say? We only came to ask Qiao Niang, and she turned hostile to us, even making the Wang Family give us no good face. Really, is it worth it? What a big deal?"

"That's impossible. Not only you, I can't tolerate this either. If she improves, she'll still be my young lady; if she stays the same, I'll consider that I have no such young lady any more."

"I—I promise."

"That's not the case, but it's close enough."

Lu Sanniang, clutching Ruyi, cried, "Your ungrateful sister brought people to the house, questioning whether your master gave the formula to someone else. Your master hasn't even stepped out of the door since the New Year; it infuriates me, it infuriates me!"

"Whether she changes or not, she's still your young lady; that can't be altered."

"So you have no evidence, yet you storm in with accusations?"

"Hmph, if you don't want to come, don't. Who cares? You'd better think—your young lady is making a living in my house."

"I—I…"

"Alas, she's never suffered punishment; later, if she hits more nails she'll realize the mother's family is better."

"Huh? How can you be so clueless, not refined at all? One should think thrice before acting. How did I teach you, how did I teach you? Huh?"

The Feng Family lowered their heads, and Lu Shopkeeper gritted his teeth and said:

Finding Lu Shopkeeper, she immediately seized Qiao Mai's hand.

"Do you guarantee your workers won't leak out? Can you guarantee others won't sneak into your shop to peek?"

"Ruyi says the same."

"Mother, what's wrong with going to the Wang Family?"

"What, plotting against me, Lu Sanniang? You'd better open your eyes. Your Feng Family is just a mediocre household in County Town, not even counted among the middle stream. Don't think living in County Town makes you superior. If I speak up, your Feng Family will await ruin and death. Shameless, daring to threaten me—I'll smash you all!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll take your young lady?"

"Even if you try to curry favor, you must go through your master. No hesitation, you just show up at the door. Don't you know that when a wealthy family visits, they must bring a note?"

Wang Laoyezi Feng, frightened by Lu Sanniang's intimidation, shivered and dragged Lady Feng out.

"Don't think Lu Shopkeeper is just scolding Lu Ruxin; he's actually slandering the Feng Family."

"I explained to her today that there will be no master‑disciple relationship any more; you needn't be sad. Do as you see fit."

Lu Shopkeeper, with a cold face, asked, "Is it really necessary? Ruxin, do you think it's necessary? What kind of character is your master? Don't you understand?"

"Y‑you, you shrew!"

"She has disappointed me so much; to make her marry gloriously, I almost emptied the family's assets, and she degrades herself to please the Feng Family."

That scene made onlookers truly feel heart‑ache; Lu Sanniang, furious, sat down on the spot and began to cry.

"Mother, another shop opened opposite Liangpi Puzi; besides the master's formula, who else would?"

"What's wrong with going to the Wang Family? Ah, spit! You're no match. What pedigree does the Wang Family have, and what pedigree do we have? My sister let you get friendly with Old Lady Wang, what words did you say? If a big matter arises later, you can't possibly appeal to the old lady; do you have a big matter? The first time you were immature, that's enough,"

"Lu Ruxin, I tell you, your master doesn't owe you anything; giving you the formula is friendship, not giving it is duty. This formula, you didn't spend money to buy, nor did you ever give her any profit. Trouble happened, you came to the house to hold them accountable. Lu Ruxin, Lu Ruxin, I never expected that after you married, your face would become so thick‑skinned,"

"I heard after Lu Shopkeeper and the Feng Family had a big fight, she sighed, thinking that Lu Sanniang has been strong all her life, never expecting this big young lady to mess it up like this,"

"I'm a shrew? I'd rather be shrewish than you're disgraceful, rather than you're shameless, thinking of ways to pour a soul‑confusing soup for my young lady. What's that? When you first eyed my family's connections and deliberately sought kinship, a whole family pretended to be goods, I was blind, marrying into your family, you dare to grind my girl—try it—I'll make the Feng Family disappear from County Town."

"Nonsense, my young lady's ten‑thousand‑tael dowry shop is begging in your house for a living? You're probably living off my young lady's dowry, you shameless one, what's with the pretence?"

"I've never seen people as stupid as you; the relationship was fine, you ruined it, you don't even know where you went wrong, yet you're so arrogant. Get out of my house right now and never set foot at my door again."

Xin'er was pulled out by Yinshi, crying as she walked, looking back.

I've truly never seen people as foolish as you; we originally had a fine relationship, yet you've tangled it up like this, not even knowing where you went wrong, yet you're so self‑righteous—hurry out of my house and never set foot at my door again.

"Mother, don't be angry, don't be angry; time reveals a person's heart. My sister never suffered punishment; when she sees the Feng Family's true face, she'll awaken."

"Her formula, she can give to whomever she wants; you have the nerve to come here. I ask you, who sent you to the Wang Family during the New Year? Huh?"

"Hmph, I, Lu Sanniang, am not scared; if you dare move a finger on my young lady, I'll move your whole family, swapping one for the lives of your entire household—does that sound worth it?"

Ruyi helped Lu Shopkeeper up, returned to their Yuanzi, and today she didn't go to the shop, angry enough to lie on the kang wiping tears.

"What the heck are you guaranteeing? Who's got time to be busy? Besides, is the opposite shop's flavor the same as yours?"

Ruyi helped Lu Shopkeeper to his feet, returned to the Yuanzi where they lived, and today she didn't go to the shop either; angry at that big miss, she lay on the kang wiping her eyes.

"I'll teach you once more; still don't get it? It's your master's connections, my sister painstakingly obtained; they only recognize my sister, understand?"

"This young lady is so ungrateful, following the Feng Family's chaos, never using her brain, almost killing herself."

"Sister, I gave birth to such a wretched offspring, causing you grievance, I'm truly sorry, really sorry."

"Fine, you're ruthless, let's go!"

Wang Laoyezi Feng, Lady Feng, and Yinshi, berated, lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound.

Qiao Mai originally wanted to take Ling'er horse‑riding, but this incident ruined her mood.

Ruyi ran into the Keting, "Mother, mother, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Sanniang pointed at Xin'er, "Xin'er, mother tells you you were married into the Feng Family, they sought you as a daughter‑in‑law, you needn't please them. If you still act like before, don't blame me for not recognizing you as my young lady."

Ruyi ran into the Keting, "Mother, mother, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Sanniang pointed at Ruxin, "Xin'er, mother tells you, you are being married down to the Feng Family, you are the daughter‑in‑law the Feng Family sought, you need not curry favor with them; if you still act like before, don't blame me for not recognizing you as my own daughter."

"Hmm, Ruyi's marriage has to be chosen with a good eye; if you set your sights on someone, have Mayor Qian help look into it—he has extensive contacts and investigates carefully."

"Hmm, hmm,"

"From now on, don't be at odds with him again; he's still a decent person and capable. When a young lady gets married, it's just you; having someone to talk to, to keep you company, is wonderful—an old companion in old age. It's rare that he's so good to you, so devoted."

"Got it, girl, you must not be angry anymore."

"(End of chapter)"