Chapter 26

Lin Qingxuan understood Du Ruo's implied meaning, tugged at the corner of her mouth, and didn't continue speaking.

To say Lin Qingxuan isn't jealous of this woman before her would be a lie.

She was jealous to the point of almost going mad!

Since the accidental fall into water at age ten when Jiang Li rescued her, Lin Qingxuan's heart has been set on Jiang Li.

The Second Branch of the Jiang Family is a bottomless pit, something everyone in the village knows. Therefore, Lin's parents, though they clearly know their daughter likes Jiang Li, still refuse to relent, fearing their daughter will suffer a hard life in the future.

Later, unable to withstand Lin Qingxuan's pleading and tears, they finally came up with a compromise: letting Jiang Li become a live-in son-in-law.

But who would have thought, Jiang Li outright refused.

After Du Ruo married into the Jiang Family, Lin Qingxuan often sat by the window staring at that little shabby courtyard in a daze.

She couldn't help but think, if the original proposal had been for a marriage rather than a son-in-law arrangement, the one now called Jiang's eldest sister-in-law might have been her……

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Du Ruo didn't mind either; she felt no ill will toward this Miss Lin, nor much fondness, so there was no need to humble herself to curry favor.

On the other hand, the usually silent Jiang Lian'er caught her attention.

Jiang Lian'er is normally noisy and has learned her mother Cao Shi's sharp-tongued ways; logically, seeing her she shouldn't be this quiet like a chicken.

Jiang Lian'er stared fixedly at the sack on the cart, her eyes full of fear; others didn't know, but she was well aware that inside was the snake she feared most in her life!

It's still that big a one!

Thinking back to the scene she secretly saw outside the wall of the Second Branch yesterday, Jiang Lian'er couldn't help but shudder, her gaze falling on the plump woman opposite.

I never expected the Du clan to be so bold—not only unafraid of snakes, but when killing the snake her fierce expression was exactly the same as when Eldest Brother Jiang Li skins a wolf!

"Lian'er younger sister……"

As soon as Du Ruo spoke, Jiang Lian'er jumped in fright, almost falling off the ox cart.

"Don't ask me, I didn't see anything! Really, I didn't see anything!" she waved her hands, speaking incoherently.

Jiang Zhan and Lin Qingxuan both looked at her doubtfully.

Du Ruo suddenly understood; it seems the person peeking at the wall corner yesterday was Jiang Lian'er, possibly frightened by seeing such a large python and still shaken.

Serves you right for liking to steal things!

She secretly amused herself, then also turned her head and fell silent.

The four people in the ox cart each had their own thoughts, and after an awkward silence they finally arrived at Mount Xiu town.

Jiang Lian'er jumped off the ox cart and ran off as if a ghost were chasing her.

Lin Qingxuan kept her soft, coquettish demeanor, saying, "Eldest sister-in-law Jiang, Second Brother, I'm leaving first."

Jiang Zhan turned his face away, his expression indifferent.

Du Ruo politely smiled: "All right, let's meet later."

After Lin Qingxuan went far away, the two then dragged the sack and carried the basket toward East Street.

Du Ruo glanced at the stern-faced youth beside her and chuckled, "What's up, Ah Zhan? Don't you like that Miss Lin?"

Jiang Zhan is usually courteous and polite, but toward Lin Qingxuan he is extremely cold, unlike his nature.

Jiang Zhan pressed his lips and said, "I don't like her."

Huh, he admitted it so readily.

Du Ruo became even more interested, "Tell me, how did she offend you?"

Seeing Jiang Zhan silent, she turned her thoughts and guessed, "I know, is it because the Lin family previously had your elder brother become a son-in-law, so you dislike her?"

Once Jiang Li becomes a live-in son-in-law, he would completely sever ties with the Jiang Family, so it's reasonable for Jiang Zhan to dislike Lin Qingxuan.

Jiang Zhan remained silent for a long time before finally forcing out, "The Lin family's hearts are too wicked; their deeds are excessively immoral."

As for exactly how they are immoral, no matter how Du Ruo presses, he refuses to speak further.

While speaking, they had already arrived at Zui Meng Ju.

At this time, before the dinner rush, the attendant at the door saw the two and immediately came forward.

"Yo, Madam Du, Young Master Jiang, you two have come?"

Then hurriedly went to call the shopkeeper.

Qiu Zhanggui clattered down the stairs, smiling more benevolently than Maitreya Buddha, "Hahaha, Madam Du, at last I've been waiting for you!"

"Waiting for me? Why?" Du Ruo exclaimed, "Could it be that the fish and mutton fresh I sold to your restaurant last time had some problem?"

Qiu Zhanggui hastily waved his hands, "No no no, the fish and mutton fresh has no problem! It couldn't be better!"

After the fish and mutton fresh dish appeared, it quickly gained fame; everyone in town with some means flocked to it, specifically requesting this dish.

It drew many customers away from the opposite Qunfang Pavilion.

Because of this, the madam of Qunfang Pavilion across the street has been cursing for days, saying Zui Meng Ju is setting up a cudgel next to a chicken coop, coming up with all sorts of nasty tricks, and her curses are unpleasant to hear.

But the more she scolded Qiu Zhanggui, the more excited he became, indicating their business is doing great!

And this is all thanks to Du Ruo's recipes, so seeing Du Ruo naturally elicits the same enthusiasm as seeing the God of Wealth.

So that's how it is; Du Ruo understood, since her goods received customer praise, she naturally felt pleased as well.

Taking advantage of the good mood on both sides, Du Ruo opened that cloth sack.

A strong earthy odor immediately spread through the hall.

Qiu Zhanggui stepped forward for a look, his eyes widened, "This is… a python?"

Du Ruo smiled and said, "Exactly."

"Oh, what a coincidence!" Qiu Zhanggui clapped his hands in delight, "Just this morning, the Ning boss of Ning Cloth Shop sent someone to inquire, saying his wife postpartum is out of sorts and is offering high pay everywhere to find someone to make snake soup!"

He looked at Du Ruo with eager eyes and asked, "Madam Du, is this snake for sale?"

Du Ruo said, "Just name your price."

Qiu Zhanggui pondered briefly, then held up three fingers, "Three taels of silver for your snake, Madam Du, what do you think?"

Du Ruo was very pleased; three taels of silver for one snake — even in the county there was no such price. It seemed Qiu Zhanggui had deliberately given her a friend's price.

After settling the price, Qiu Zhanggui immediately had his assistant drag the snake to the backyard and press it with ice, which would keep it from spoiling for ten days or so.

Seeing that it was getting late, Qiu Zhanggui invited the two of them to stay for a meal.

However, Du Ruo refused.

Having already accepted a considerable favor from them, she couldn't keep imposing on them for a meal—after all, eating at Zui Meng Ju wasn't cheap.

After leaving Zui Meng Ju, the two went straight to Xiushan Academy.

Just as they reached the academy gate, they ran into several students wearing the uniform blue‑white Confucian robes.

One of them lunged forward at once, clinging to Jiang Zhan's arm like a stuffed doll, exclaiming, "Ah Zhan, you're finally back—I've missed you to death!"

Who else could it be but Shang Tianyou?

Shang Tianyou is open‑hearted, with clear likes and dislikes.

If he likes someone, he'd love to follow them around wagging his tail; if he dislikes someone, he'll stick out a leg to trip them even when just walking past.

Fortunately, his father, Old Master Shang, was wealthy and spent a lot of silver to smooth things over, otherwise the instructor would have sent him home.

Jiang Zhan had long grown accustomed to Shang Tianyou's sudden displays of affection, yet he still felt quite embarrassed in front of his fellow students.

"Tianyou, look what tasty thing I've brought you!"

Thinking quickly, he snatched a ball from Du Ruo's basket and shoved it into Shang Tianyou's mouth.

Shang Tianyou, a foodie, instantly had his attention diverted.

"Huh, what is this?" After two bites he perked up, "Delicious! Where did you buy it?"

"Not bought—my older sister‑in‑law made it herself."

As he said this, the boy's tone carried a hint of pride.

Shang Tianyou then noticed Du Ruo standing nearby, quickly restrained his flippant manner, stepped forward and bowed: "Jiang's older sister‑in‑law."

Du Ruo returned the bow with a bent knee, smiling, "Young Master Shang, if you like these pork‑and‑radish balls, I'll have my younger brother bring more next time."

Shang Tianyou had witnessed her skill before.

His eyes lit up, he nodded eagerly, "Great, great! From now on, whenever Jiang's older sister‑in‑law sends something tasty to Ah Zhan, don't forget to bring me a share too!"

Naturally he wouldn't take a free meal; knowing the Jiang family's circumstances, he had long wanted to subsidize Jiang Zhan.

But Jiang Zhan, though appearing gentle, is extremely strong‑willed and refuses to accept his kindness. Now that he finally has an excuse to give Jiang Zhan money and can also enjoy a feast, Shang Tianyou's heart blossoms with joy.

The few classmates who were with him came over and all greeted Jiang Zhan.

Jiang Zhan returned the greeting with a clasped‑hand salute.

Seeing the others sizing up Du Ruo with subtle expressions, Shang Tianyou quickly introduced her: "This is the older sister‑in‑law of Ah Zhan whom I mentioned before, Miss Du."

The matter of the fresh fish and lamb dish, almost everyone in the academy knew; I had thought that whoever could come up with such a delicious dish must be a clever and beautiful woman.

Who would have thought that upon seeing him today, he actually looks like this!

After all, he is a student of Xiushan Academy; although he felt somewhat disappointed inside, he remained courteous on the surface.

After exchanging a few pleasantries.

Shang Tianyou then shoved two pork and radish meatballs into each person's hand, calling out: "Come, come, try Eldest Sister Jiang's cooking—guaranteed you'll want more after eating! Brother Li, Brother Fang, Brother Situ... huh? Brother Xiao, why are you hiding so far away?"