Chapter 7 – Zhang

Sister Zhang and Mo Qian Xue continued to gossip with one another down the road.

“Bao Zhang’s wife is a respected lady within our village. In those early days, Bao Zhang’s mother searched among several households for a woman who was suitable for her son. She was chosen out of the many candidates to become the village head’s wife.

Mo Qian Xue listened to her information carefully and filtered out what information she deemed useful.

In her previous life, when she first studied how to start a business, her teacher explained this principle: A man is born with one mouth and two ears. This meant that it was important to listen respectfully so that truly important opportunities can be grasped.

The village woman spoke of many trivial matters. Although she spoke politely in the beginning, she was now so comfortable with Mo Qian Xue that she joked freely with her. She even forgot that Lady Ning was one who had no clear identity.

Lady Zhang gossiped about a young woman who fought with her husband in the middle of the night. The young woman’s mother-in-law was so terrible that even the family’s farm raised pigs had to kneel before her. Lady Zhang continued to share colorful stories with enthusiasm.

Although the two had only gone for a short walk, Sister Zhang was already treating Mo Qian Xue like a close friend.

Having guided Lady Ning to her destination, she handed Mo Qian Xue a guarantee letter. Her husband was planning to enter the city in a few days, so Mo Qian Xue could present this letter and come along.

*

Bao Zhang’s family lived on the eastern part of the Village. His tile-roofed house and spacious yard had a unique style.

Even his wife was known to be a virtuous and solemn person.

She did not resemble the prideful Sister Zhang whose mouth ran like a race horse without restraint. She was also different from Sister Fang who was simple, honest, and kind. Not to mention the sly Lady Zhao who delivered meager meals to Mo Qian Xue.

When Mo Qian Xue delivered the news of Ning Xiaoqing’s recovery, along with his plans to start classes in three days, Bao Zhang’s wife was suddenly filled with joy. But even in her excitement, she didn’t urge for classes to start right away. Instead, she gently took Mo Qian Xue’s hand and told her not to worry about the schedule. The leader’s wife gave advice saying Ning Xiansheng should have a couple more days of rest.

Mo Qian Xue was also worried for her husband’s body. A couple of days had past since his illness had an outbreak. Lately, Ning Xiansheng had actually been unable to rise from his bed. How many days will this continue? If she changed the opening date for his work without his permission, he may become upset. Well, since it was the village head’s wife who suggested it, she decided to push his schedule towards the fifth day on his behalf.

Even if he gets angry with her, she can simply mention Bao Zhang’s wife as the one who suggested the matter.

When Mo Qian Xue replied her intentions of moving the opening date, the village head’s wife easily complied with Lady Ning’s suggestion, mistakenly thinking that she was simply passing on her husband’s intentions. The housewife sent this message to Bao Zhang later that day.

*

As soon as Lady Zhang heard about the change in the class’s opening day, her complexion quickly darkened.

She felt even more helpless when she further learned from Lady Ning that the idea for an extra two to three days of rest came from Bao Zhang’s wife.

Mo Qian Xue turned to comfort her, saying that not only was Lady Zhang blessed to live in a beautiful village, with outstanding people and fertile soil–she also had a son with a bright future. Lady Zhang was flattered by her words, and she eventually broke into a smile while her heart was filled with warmth. Her irritable mood had quickly vanished into thin air.

… …. ….

After bidding farewell to Bao Zhang’s wife, Mo Qian Xue did not go home immediately. Instead, she went straight to Fang Fangzi’s house next door.

Since she will be going to the city, she needed someone to help her earn her first pot of gold.

Who would have expected that, when Mo Qian Xue arrived at their doorstep to ask for help, Lady Fang enthusiastically replied, “Younger Sister, what great timing you have! I was just thinking of purchasing some winter clothes from the city for Shuan Zi and Yya, especially since the cold weather will soon be upon us.”

Before letting Mo Qian Xue explain herself, Lady Fang immediately walked into her room and came out again holding a purse.

“Younger sister, you can take this money with you. If it isn’t enough for your needs as well, just let me know.” She placed the purse carefully into Mo Qian Xue’s hands.

Lady Ning couldn’t help but stare at her in surprise!

When she simply asked for help, did Lady Fang think of lending her money?

Mo Qian Xue felt a warmth spread over her heart as her eyes welled up in tears.

Meanwhile, as Sister Fang looked upon her tear stained cheeks, she believed that Lady Ning cried due to her desperate circumstances. Who could blame her? After all, she had no other friends. Her husband’s health was still questionable, meaning that Lady Ning would never be sure when she could be sold as a slave. Fang Fangzi reached out and patted her shoulder in comfort, saying “Younger sister, please don’t cry. Someday everything will be better…”

Although Mo Qian Xue’s heart felt moved, she was still a person of ambition; she wanted to achieve success through her own means. Mo Qian Xue took a deep breath, held back her tears, and said to Fang Fangzi, “My Sister, I can’t accept this.”

When Sister Fang saw Lady Ning drying her tears, she actually found herself looking at the woman in a trance. Mo Qian Xue’s attractiveness was quite rare.

By the time she came to herself, she found that Lady Ning had already returned the purse into her hands. She looked up with a puzzled expression and asked, “Why return it? I’m merely loaning this to you as a sister. You don’t need to repay me right away.”

Mo Qian Xue quickly replied, “Sister, I will always remember your kindness today. My dear sister, please listen to what I have to say.”

Fang Fangzi frowned in hurt. “Since you’re not accepting my kindness, are you taking me as an outsider?”

Fang Fangzi was about to push Mo Qian Xue away, but Lady Ning still continued to smile. She suddenly leaned close to Sister Fang’s ear and whispered her plan.

After a long time, Fang Fangzi’s eye widened in amazement. In her surprise she looked at Mo Qian Xue and inquired, “Can I do that?”

Lady Ning smiled at her. “It’s alright. You can follow along.”

… … ….

After two days, the rain had finally ceased. Each seed in the fields began to sprout, exposing the tips of a small bud. Mo Qian Xue happily hummed a tune in her backyard.

“The young lady is beautiful, that young lady is a wave (unrestrained)

The young lady walks into a green field of crops.

The corn here, see that is has already produced an ear of grain.

I look to the east, I gaze to the west

Why haven’t I found my gentlemen?”

Ning Shaoqing who was leisurely watching Mo Qian Xue suddenly tensed up upon hearing the song; his handsome face turned red, either from anger or embarrassment.

He tossed aside his book on the table and trudged towards the fields. “How can such words come out of your lips? Where are your virtues as a Lady?!”

Mo Qian Xue looked at him in confusion. “I didn’t violate any of the woman’s virtues!”

“Y-you! It’s your words about a young lady being a wave, or somewhere along those lines. If an outsider heard you say that, they may think…they’ll think that–”

As Ning Shaoqing spoke, his cheeks suspiciously dyed red while his voice lowered into an embarrassed whisper.

Seeing his reaction, Mo Qian Xue finally discovered what the problem was.

He’s just a narrow-minded, ancient man!

Seeing him shakily point at her, the corner of her lips lifted. She was suddenly in a good mood.

“Why is that?” she asked. She stared at him with wide innocent eyes.

Ning Shaoqing was caught off guard by her stare, seeming as if she truly didn’t know what she had said wrong. He remained speechless for a long time.

Was it his own thoughts of the song too dirty? Does that mean his mind is immoral?

After a long pause, he shamefully and angrily exclaimed in irritation, “Anyways you can’t sing this song again!”

In order to hide his faint blush, Ning Shaoqing cleared his throat, then elegantly turned away, taking long strides as he returned to the house.

Unfortunately he didn’t notice the slightly raised door sill and he accidentally stumbled on the entrance, almost landing face first on the floor.

Mo Qian Xue couldn’t resist a smile. She waited until he entered the house before she leaned behind the wall and burst out laughing! She tried lowering her voice but she laughed so hard that she couldn’t stand upright.

Meanwhile, Ning Shaoqing hid in the house with a darkened expression.

Even if she laughed quietly, there was no way she could escape his well-trained ears. His internal forces may be currently suppressed by the heavy toxins in his body, but his hearing ability has never been reduced.

As the first son and heir to the Noble Ning Family, he was respected by all.

And yet here he was, being ridiculed by a little girl.

After Mo Qian Xue had laughed enough, she looked up to the sky and discovered a brilliant rainbow. Having endured a long rainy day of hard work, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

The heaviness in her heart seemed to have vanished, washed away in the rain.

She began to have a bit of expectation for the future.

In fact, her cheap husband wasn’t all that bad.

Luckily she married a handsome man who loved to be clean.

Even though his clothes were rough and worn out, they still appeared neat and comely on his attractive build.

As he sat with poise within their crude main room, he gave her the illusion of a Jintang Yuma. Her analysis led her to conclude that his bearing was only found among those of the upper ranks. Most people who try to imitate such mannerisms often fail.

When she had disagreed with him, he was angry but he didn’t complain. Afterwards he did not mention the matter or care for it.

When she occasionally spoke rudely, even if he was angry, he remained gentlemanly towards her.

In the future no matter how rich or poor they would become, she will never abandon him as long as he treats her with sincerity.

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