Chapter 40: Will be emptied by this woman

"No. It's like a box. I want to plant some flowers and grass and raise some poultry. The place is too small to stretch out."

"You're even being picky. You should know how many people want one but don't have it."

After eating the dumplings, Qiao Mai opened a watermelon for everyone. After eating, she let them leave.

When leaving, Shopkeeper Lu touched her stomach. "Ever since I met that girl, my mouth has become greedy, and this stomach has grown big too. Those who don't know would think I'm pregnant again."

"Mother, don't you plan to remarry? You're still so young."

"Remarry what? I'm at this age; I won't go serve those dog men. I'm much more comfortable by myself."

"Then we won't marry either; we'll be the same as Mother."

"No. You are still young. If you meet someone suitable, marry. The matchmakers are almost breaking our threshold. Mother is looking for you. When Mother likes someone, I'll let you take a look. If you like them, we'll get engaged."

Ruxin blushed. "Mother, I'm still young. Let's wait another two years."

"No. The customs here are like this. In two years, all the good ones will be picked by others. Do you want the crooked melons and cracked dates that are left?"

"Mother, the daughter still wants to learn from Teacher for two more years. Once married, there won't be a chance to learn."

"Don't worry, Mother will definitely find you a good family, at least one where the father-in-law and mother-in-law are reasonable people. You must not be like the Tian family and the Qiao family. Mother will definitely keep a good watch for you."

Thinking of Qiao Mai's maiden family and her husband's family, Lu Sanniang couldn't help but shiver.

The next day, when Qiao Mai was preparing to set up the stall, the neighbor on the left, Chen Shi, and the neighbor on the right, Yuan Jiaqi, came out of their courtyards at the same time, as if they were both waiting for her.

"What is this?"

"The dumplings were very fragrant. We can't accept them for nothing. We're seeing if there's anything we can help with?"

Qiao Mai hurriedly waved her hands. "I can do all these by myself. You don't need to be like this. When I need you in the future, don't push it away."

"Alright, then just shout when you need us."

Chen Shi turned and returned to the courtyard. She didn't go out easily, and Qiao Mai rarely saw her. This was the first time she had looked at her properly.

She looked standard, and her dress was also okay. If she had to judge, this woman wasn't the type she hated.

Yuan Jiaqi originally wanted to leave, but thought for a moment and still said it.

"Qiao Niangzi, Yuan knows some carpentry and can also write. I see your stall seems to lack a signboard. If you don't mind, I can make one for you. What do you think, Qiao Niangzi?"

Qiao Mai knew he wanted to repay the meal. "Alright. Write the things I've been selling recently on it, and leave some empty space so I can add new goods when I have them."

"Alright."

Hearing Qiao Shi agree to let him make the sign, he seemed to put down a heavy burden and turned home happily.

Qiao Shi shook her head. Some people remember the good others have done for them for a lifetime, while some benefit from others and always feel they are at a loss.

Some people benefit and gain light but still feel they are at a loss. People really can't be compared.

Arriving at the stall, she arranged the goods one by one. This morning, she boiled a large pot of corn, intending to try selling it.

With a fixed source of customers, she didn't have to worry about delicious things not selling.

Sure enough, those who were thinking about quail eggs yesterday came and discovered there were new products.

"I say, Qiao Niangzi, why have you started selling this too?"

Qiao Mai didn't explain, directly picked one up, peeled the outer skin, cut it into several pieces with a knife, and handed a piece to that person.

"Have a taste. How is this corn different from what we plant?"

That person took a bite and chewed carefully. "Sweet, glutinous, fragrant."

"This is called sticky corn."

"How much for one ear?"

"Ten wen."

"Give me fifty quail eggs and five ears of sticky corn. I'll take them home for my wife and children to taste."

"Alright! You really are a person who knows value."

There were really many buyers like this. Country folk drink cornmeal porridge every day and don't treasure corn. If you don't let them taste it, they won't know how delicious her sticky corn is.

The realm of a foodie is that when they see fresh food, they want to taste it immediately.

The small town isn't big, but there are quite a few foodies. This is what she likes most.

Thus, the news that Young Lady Qiao's stall was selling sticky corn spread instantly.

Those who liked corn came to buy a few ears, and those who didn't like it bought a few ears for the children at home. And don't say, they all praised it as very delicious.

The corn in the fields hadn't matured yet at this time. No family was willing to break off tender corn to boil like this, and even if they did, it wouldn't be as delicious as hers.

Therefore, she was the first in town.

Someone predicted that sooner or later, the purses of the people in Tianshui Town would be emptied by this woman.

Days flew by, and it was the day to go to the prefecture city.

Qiao Mai got up early, let Date eat and drink its fill, locked the courtyard gate, hitched it to the carriage, and went to the general store first.

She bought twenty baskets in one breath. She discovered that the baskets in town were cheaper than those in the prefecture city.

Saving a little is a little; diligence and thrift in managing a household is her virtue.

Along the way, Date ran by itself. She didn't do anything, just sat in front leaning against the door frame, looking half-asleep.

It wasn't until she was almost at Wei City that she became spirited. She had long forgotten that Shopkeeper Lu was going to the county town.

Letting Date slow down, she entered the carriage and, just like last time, took several types of fruit from the refrigerator in the space.

She remembered it was six types last time; this time she got ten types. She removed the watermelon and added oranges, sweet apricots, pomegranates, hawthorns, and crispy dates.

Last time she sold them for two hundred and sixty taels of silver. This time, if she didn't get five hundred taels, she wouldn't deal with her anymore.

Carrying a carriage of fruit, she entered the city and arrived in front of the Wang family's main gate. She didn't see Young Lady Wang and sat on the carriage waiting.

At the agreed time, she should appear.

So she leaned against the door frame, wanting to take a nap. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a harsh voice.

"Whose carriage is blocking the gate of our Wang residence?"

Qiao Mai opened her eyes and saw that old woman. She smiled.

Truly enemies meet on a narrow road. Isn't this the Xiao woman who framed her? She crossed her arms and watched her perform.

As soon as the Xiao woman went out, she recognized her. She was narrow-minded by nature, had a tiny heart, and was especially vengeful.

Seeing her former enemy, the Xiao woman's eyes turned red.

"Hurry and get lost! Otherwise, don't blame this old woman for being impolite."

"Looking at your face, it seems like this is your house. I remember you don't have the surname Wang, but Xiao?"

"Pfft, a mud-legged person, get lost from wherever you came from. Stop coming to cheat our young lady and young master."

"I say, is there something wrong with your head? Or is there something wrong with your eyes?"

"Hmph, one by one, they all want to curry favor with our Wang residence. I've seen plenty of people like you."

Qiao Mai was speechless. Was there something wrong with the people in the Wang residence? Ah? Who told her that? A stall owner selling fruit, what benefit is there in currying favor with you? Ah, pfft.

Did she want to come? A dog in the Wang family could bite people at will?

She looked at the Xiao woman. If you tell me to leave, I'll leave? I'd have no face. It's not like I wanted to come. No matter what, I have to get the money before going back.

In a while, when she sees Young Lady Wang, she must demand mental distress compensation.

Seeing she didn't speak, the Xiao woman's arrogance grew even more, cursing and swearing without stopping, completely unaware that Young Lady Wang's face behind her was as black as the bottom of a pot.

She had finally gotten to know an interesting big sister, and this dead old woman was good—she actually dared to scold her?

So angry that she walked behind the Xiao woman, raised her foot, and without any image of a young lady from a wealthy family, kicked her on the butt.

The Xiao woman let out a miserable shriek and fell from the steps.

She was lying on the ground, and just as she was about to turn her head to scold, she saw it was Wang Jiaru, and her tone immediately lowered.

"Young Lady, why did you kick this servant?"

"Dog servant, she is the big sister I recognized. You dare to scold my big sister?"

"But she almost abducted the young master last time. I was also doing it for the good of the Wang family?"

Young Lady Wang had a cold face and said to the gatekeeper, "Go call Steward Wang. The Xiao woman is arrogant and despotic, daring to bully even my guests. Take her to the tooth agency and sell her."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 41 =====

(End of this chapter)