The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 30 - Even the Heavens’ Thunder Can’t Split This Much!

30: Chapter 30: Even the Heavens’ Thunder Can’t Split This Much!

30 -30: Even the Heavens’ Thunder Can’t Split This Much!

Old Granny Zhang had never faced such an affront in public after she married into the Old Wang Family, her old face flushed a deep red as she rolled up her sleeves, about to curse aloud.

Song Chongjin snapped to and glanced coldly at the old woman, “I just climbed over from the small path and haven’t seen anyone!

Auntie, it would be wise to keep a civil tongue in your head!

If you’re so intent on matchmaking, perhaps start with your household since you have sons and daughters of your own!”

Without considering whether the old woman could save face, he simply nodded at the coachman, greeted him, and disappeared behind the shrubbery in a few quick strides.

Far away, he could still hear Old Granny Zhang cursing.

Looking up, he vaguely saw a distinctive, massive figure slowly climbing towards the top of the hillside, slow yet never stopping to rest.

Unbeknownst to Ming Zhu, such a dispute had occurred behind her.

Finally, after using both hands and feet to climb the slope, she was panting like an ox.

Throwing decorum to the wind, she plopped down on a roadside stone, feeling her legs trembling uncontrollably, almost as if they no longer belonged to her.

It took a while before she could breathe evenly, and without seeing anyone, she heard Old Granny Zhang’s voice.

“My heart and guts are in shreds, you lowlife, spewing such venom without fear of being dragged to hell to have your tongue ripped out?

Our Wang Family, our Zhuzhu, how have we offended you?

Spouting such godless and lawless slander, are you trying to drive my daughter to her death?

Pah!

I put my words down here today, if today’s words get out and harm my daughter, I will risk everything.

All of you with daughters and sons, none of you will get off easily then!

We’ll see who will be shamed!

Just wait and see!”

Then there were consoling voices.

“Aunt Zhang, rest assured, only a few of us know about what happened just now, and we swear not a breath of it will leak out.

Everyone makes a vow, if anyone speaks out, may they be struck dead by lightning, alright?”

“Pah!

How many such vows are made every day with no one taking them seriously?

The Lord’s lightning can’t strike down all of those!

If we’re to make a vow, let’s vow that whoever speaks out will have their daughters remaining unmarried and their sons unable to find brides, and if someone with married children speaks out, may their children bear sons without anuses!”

Ming Zhu was dumbfounded, her mother, indeed, was a fierce one!

Someone muttered something and soon several voices, reluctantly, began to make the poisonous oaths.

Right after the oaths were made, they saw Ming Zhu, all with sheepish expressions, feeling that the day was not a good one to venture out.

They didn’t get to see any excitement but instead stirred up unnecessary trouble.

Although Ming Zhu didn’t understand what had happened, from listening to their words and tones, she knew it was definitely related to her, likely linked to her encounter with Song Chongjin.

Old Granny Zhang, her mother, was truly devoted to protecting her daughter; Ming Zhu acknowledged that devotion.

She pretended to have heard nothing, greeted Old Granny Zhang, and got into the coach.

Perhaps it was because of the earlier incident or being coerced into making venomous oaths, but everyone’s spirits were low, and the journey to town was somber.

By the time they reached the town, it was already daylight.

The coach stopped, Old Granny Zhang gave the coachman five large coins, and then she pulled Ming Zhu away.

The other passengers also silently paid their fares and dispersed.

Ming Zhu followed Old Granny Zhang, taking in the sights as they walked.

The town was not big, with the dwellings on either side of the road being just slightly more orderly than in Qilidun, and the road itself mostly yellow earth.

Only the central street in town was paved with blue stone slabs.

Because it was market day, despite the early hour, the place was already bustling with activity.

Along the roadside, many villagers from all around had already found spots to display their home’s specialties.

There were shy ones, who simply squatted in front of their stalls, silently keeping to themselves.

Some outgoing and bold ones had already started to call out to the customers.

Old Granny Zhang, familiar with the place, found a spot and laid out her eggs, then carefully took three or four yellow pine mushrooms to display.

Eggs were common, but yellow pine mushrooms were a rare delicacy.

As soon as they were laid out, a crowd gathered around, “Oh~ these are rare goods, terribly expensive.

It’s a pity I don’t have such luck, been to the mountains several times this year and haven’t touched a single one—”

“Who can afford such pricey stuff?”

“Only the rich gentlemen from the city might afford to eat them—”

…

Ming Zhu listened for a while.

All she heard was lively discussion, but not a single buyer with the money to spend.

Her heart grew somewhat anxious.

If the yellow pine mushrooms could not be sold, not to mention failing to complete the task, she might not be able to fulfill the promise of buying meat for the family.

Furthermore, if she hadn’t taken the chance to spray a little diluted Primary Gene Evolution Fluid on the mushrooms, claiming that she wanted to check if they were still fresh, they might have spoiled while Old Granny Zhang wasn’t looking.

If they didn’t sell today, not only would Old Granny Zhang be disappointed, but the yellow pine mushrooms also wouldn’t last until the next market day. freewёbnoνel.com

After hesitating for a moment, she decided to look around the town to see if there were other opportunities.

She told Old Granny Zhang she’d have a walk around.

Old Granny Zhang originally thought that the precious yellow pine mushrooms, once displayed in town, would immediately attract wealthy buyers.

Finding that many looked but none wanted to buy, she started to panic.

Therefore, when her old maid daughter said she was going for a stroll, she didn’t think much of it, assuming the girl couldn’t sit still and wanted to enjoy the excitement and see the world.

The town wasn’t big, so after a few extra words of caution not to go off with strangers and just to look around nearby, Old Granny Zhang was once again surrounded by the crowd of onlookers.

Ming Zhu followed the flow of people, seeing what everyone was selling.

After covering most of the street, she found that most were selling eggs or mountain goods.

She walked a few more steps and then saw a tailor’s shop.

Ming Zhu then remembered the small bundle Third Sister-in-law Lady Jiang had given her, saying she had embroidered a few handkerchiefs and asking her to help sell them.

She rummaged through her basket and took out the bundle.

Opening it, she saw about a dozen handkerchiefs.

While they were made of ordinary cotton, the embroidery made them stand out.

Unexpectedly, Lady Jiang had such skills.

Beyond the handkerchiefs, there were a few small coin purses made of patchwork.

Ming Zhu wrapped up the bundle and walked to the entrance of the tailor’s shop.

Looking inside, she saw a woman about forty years old with a married woman’s hairstyle.

Seeing Ming Zhu peering in, the woman assessed her figure and the clothes she wore, then her eyes lit up as if she had spotted a great business opportunity.

Although the girl wasn’t particularly attractive, her garment was indeed made of cotton—a fabric that one could afford only if their family was well-off.

Not to mention the girl’s plump figure.

With her size, making clothes for her would use up as much fabric as for three people—profitable indeed!

The shopkeeper immediately squeezed out a smile and warmly greeted her, “Miss, are you looking for fabric to make clothes?

Not to brag, but our shop’s fabric is second to none in Shiqiao Town.

Absolutely honest and genuine quality!

Would you like to come over and have a look?”

As she spoke, she ushered Ming Zhu inside.