Chapter 374: Key Figure

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Even Chu Qingzhi didn’t expect her usually mild-mannered mother to lead a group brawl. She couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing and exasperating at the same time. “Mother, go rest on the side. 1’11 handle the rest!”

“You’ve had a tiring journey. Rest well. 1 can handle this,” Li Qingyu said, pulling Chu Qingzhi to Tang Jinghong’s side.

As a mother, it was her duty to protect her daughter. She also didn’t want to involve Qingzhi in this mess. Matchmaker Xu’s character was too despicable. What if she spoke ill of Qingzhi too?

Matchmaker Xu was in a miserable state after the fight. Her hair was disheveled, and she looked like a madwoman. Her clothes were pulled askew, and one of her shoes was missing. Her face bore several red and swollen handprints, making her look utterly disheveled.

Fuming, she retorted, “Li Qingyu, you’ve raised some good daughters. Whoever marries them marries a jinx!”

Annoyed, Tang Jinghong spoke up, his tone cold, “When Qingzhi is out helping the Imperial Court and the officials, serving the country and the people, defending the nation, you are here accusing her of being arrogant. Shame on you.”

The imposing aura struck Matchmaker Xu like a sword, causing her to step back a few paces, her heart pounding. She dared not look at the person who spoke. “I… I…”

Tang Jinghong continued, “When your village faced drought and water shortages, if it weren’t for Qingzhi searching for water sources for you, would you have had water to drink?”

“If it weren’t for Qingzhi risking her life to pray for rain, you might have all perished by now. Do you still have the chance to pick a fight?”

Matchmaker Xu lowered her head. This was an undeniable fact. She couldn’t refute a single word.

The other villagers from Xu Village also hung their heads in guilt.

Tang Jinghong’s stern gaze swept across them. “In my opinion, women can also choose the life they want and the person they want to marry. Matchmakers can introduce and guide, but they can’t force marriages.”

“You are also parents. How would you feel if someone spoke ill of your children in the same way?”

The villagers of Xu Village hung their heads even lower.

Chu Qingning looked up at Tang Jinghong. In an instant, his image in her heart elevated significantly. The person her fifth sister had set her eyes on was indeed extraordinary. His words were well-spoken.

A faint smile appeared in Chu Qingzhi’s eyes. Jinghong was truly a leader. In just a few sentences, he managed to handle a group of madwomen. Quite impressive.

Matchmaker Xu hesitated for a moment and then mumbled, “I… I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this. I initially wanted to do a good thing…”

Tang Jinghong intensified his tone, putting psychological pressure on Matchmaker Xu. “The situation hasn’t escalated too much yet. There’s still a chance to salvage it.”

Matchmaker Xu glanced at Tang Jinghong. “Then… what should 1 do?”

Tang Jinghong said solemnly, “Apologize and clarify the facts to everyone.”

Matchmaker Xu took a few steps toward Li Qingyu. “Sister Qingyu, 1 was wrong in this matter. 1’11 go and explain the truth to everyone. I promise to clarify everything within a day. 1 won’t speak ill of Qingning again in the future.”

If she didn’t yield this time, the two families would become archenemies. Thinking about it, Chu Qingzhi had also helped her family, and she couldn’t repay kindness with enmity. She had been blinded by resentment and anger before, but now that she calmed down, she needed to remedy the situation.

Li Qingyu hadn’t completely appeased, but she also didn’t want to make things worse. “If 1 heard you saying another bad word about Qingning, you are finished!”

Matchmaker Xu quickly said, “No, no, I won’t.” Her face was still burning with pain.

Li Qingyu snorted. “Let’s go.”

Back in the village, Li Qingyu asked Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong to rest, while she hurried to prepare dinner.

She already considered Tang Jinghong her son-in-law. He came all the way home, and as a mother-in-law, she had to make a good meal to replenish his energy.

Taking advantage of the break, Tang Jinghong took Chu Qingzhi to his new house. He hadn’t shown it to her yet.

Tang Jinghong’s new house was to the left of Chu family’s new house, with Chu Xuhua’s new house to the right. Chu Xujin’s house was under construction on the right as well. The four houses formed a horizontal line.

Tang Jinghong’s new house hadn’t been decorated yet. He was too busy and hadn’t found the time.

Tang Jinghong pushed open the door and entered the house. “I’ll go buy a bed and some bedding and furniture in a while.”

Chu Qingzhi followed him and commented, “Does having a home give you a sense of belonging?”

Tang Jinghong nodded.

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “It’s getting late now. Go buy the things, and I’ll help you tidy up the room later.”

Tang Jinghong, with a faint smile, said, “Alright, I’ll go right away.”

Tang Jinghong walked out of the house, mounted his horse, and headed towards the county. His departing figure fell under the watchful eyes of his stepmother, Zhang Xiuting.

Building a new house, riding a big horse, and dressed in fine clothes—why did Tang Jinghong seem so wealthy?

Her gaze lingered on Tang Jinghong’s new house. She really wanted to live there. If she had treated him well back then, would she be living in such a nice house now?

The fortune-teller had said that they should stay away from Tang Jinghong; otherwise, they would face misfortune, and in severe cases, death. Zhang Xiuting kept these words firmly in her heart. But looking at Tang Jinghong’s new house, she couldn’t help but covet it.

They couldn’t approach Tang Jinghong proactively, but what if he took the initiative to look for them?

With this in mind, she thought of an idea—let Tang Shan pretend to be sick. Tang Shan was Tang Jinghong’s father; he would give his father money when he’s sick, right?

But her daydream was shattered by a voice, “Zhang Xiuting, your kitchen collapsed!”

Zhang Xiuqin was dumbfounded.

She did not dare to think too much and quickly ran home.

Back in the house, Chu Qingzhi inquired about the mooncakes from Shen Ruyue.

Shen Ruyue told her that the mooncakes had been taken away before dawn. Tan Mengyang said he would come to settle the accounts on the sixteenth.

Chu Qingzhi thought for a while. There was no problem, so she took the herbs to the cowshed.

Wu Yaqing was cleaning the cowshed, sweeping away the leftover fodder and replacing it with fresh straw. She also changed the water for the cows, working diligently. “Qingzhi, you’re here..”

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