Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 272 - 272 273 No Prospects_1

Chapter 272: Chapter 273 No Prospects_1 Chapter 272: Chapter 273 No Prospects_1 “Auntie, this sample of the pillow is very nice; have the people in the embroidery room make a batch according to the model you’ve created,” Muniang said. “We’ll then put them in the store and see how they do. If they’re well-received, we can increase the production.”

Madam Liu nodded with a smile. “Sure, I’ll give the instructions later. Leave this to me. I believe the pillows will be well-liked. Not only are they soft and comfortable, but the embroidered patterns are also lively and cute—what girl wouldn’t like them? Tianniu saw this pillow yesterday and was so persistent in wanting me to make one for her; she was really fond of it and even slept with it last night.”

Muniang laughed. “Then next time, just take one from the embroidery room for her.”

Madam Liu frowned and glared. “That won’t do. We’re all busy with the new line of pillows, and it’s a lot of extra trouble to make just one more for her. Besides, if she gets one, the boys will inevitably want one too. It’s better I wait until I have some free time and make one for her myself.”

Muniang knew Madam Liu was extremely strict with both herself and the children, so she didn’t press further but suddenly asked, “By the way, how has Tianniu been doing at the County Chief’s house these days? Does she get along with Miss Lu?”

At the mention of this, Madam Liu couldn’t help but laugh. “Get along? When her father took Tianniu to the County Chief’s mansion yesterday, the County Chief himself mentioned wanting Tianniu to stay there. He said the two young ladies hit it off at first sight and have had a grand time playing every day. Miss Lu doesn’t want to let Tianniu go every time she has to go home and wishes she could stay.”

“Did Uncle agree?”

“Him, with an opinion? He said he still had to ask the family’s opinion. When Tianniu came home last night, I asked her, and she said she still needs to come home. She’s getting to the age of marriage—it won’t be long now. I can’t bear to part with her, so naturally, I’d rather have her by my side if I can.”

Muniang nodded. “That’s true. Besides, living at Lord Lu’s Mansion isn’t really appropriate. Since Tianniu isn’t there as a maid or a mistress, staying for a long time could lead to gossip.”

“That’s a good point. I almost didn’t think of that.”

Muniang smiled and took out a basket of goodies. “We’ve troubled Lord Lu’s family quite a bit. I just made some potato cakes and little dried fish—things the kids like. Let Tianniu take them next time to share with Miss Lu as a snack.”

She had considered sending a gift, but thinking of Lord Lu’s integrity, she was truly indecisive. Anything too valuable was out of the question, and Lord Lu didn’t lack for cheaper items. Muniang decided to compensate with homemade delicacies instead.

“Good,” Madam Liu nodded with a laugh.

Indeed, this approach turned out to be much more effective. As soon as Tianniu arrived home, she dashed over to Muniang’s place. “Sister Mu, Qi really loves the potato cakes and little dried fish you made. She said they taste even better than what their cook makes! I told her that Sister Mu makes the tastiest food!”

Muniang patted her head and smiled. “If she likes them, I’ll make some more for you guys next time.”

Tianniu nodded vigorously, her mouth spreading into a wide grin. “And Qi said she’s so envious that I have such a wonderful sister like you, who not only dotes on me but can also make delicious food, and to top it all off, you’re beautiful too!”

Muniang playfully scraped Tianniu’s nose. “A few days of reading and you’ve learned to talk back.”

With giggles, Tianniu replied, “That’s not it. I also think having Sister Mu as my sister is the best.”

Mrs. Liang had been lying in bed for ten days, barely able to get out of bed after being beaten with paddles the last time. This time, she considered herself lucky. The previous incident, when she stole Qiao Muniang’s embroidery patterns and offended her, led to the Village Head giving her fifty hard strikes with a paddle—it was so severe that she nearly lost her life.

A little girl in tattered clothes timidly entered the room, “Mother, it’s time for your medicine.”

Mrs. Liang glared at her irritably, snatching the medicine bowl from her hands: “You look utterly hopeless. Who are you trying to impress? Delivering medicine isn’t like feeding a wolf—you’re such a worthless thing to raise!”

The girl bowed her head deeply, not even attempting to defend herself, as such scolding had become her daily fare.

This was Mrs. Liang’s third daughter, Wang Qingmei. Her two older sisters were already married off at the tender age of twelve. It didn’t matter what kind of people their husbands were, what mattered was that the families had paid enough dowry money. Mrs. Liang’s neglect of her daughters was uncommonly cruel. Now eleven years old, Qingmei dreaded that her mother would arrange a similar fate for her, although she knew she couldn’t escape it.

After gulping down the medicine, Mrs. Liang jabbed Qingmei’s forehead vigorously with her finger: “Look at your worthless self. You’re a daughter, too. Look at Qiao Tianniu; now she’s even attending the Local County Official as a companion reader. What sort of prospects do you have? Can’t you do something to make me proud?”

Qingmei, her head bowed even lower, whispered, “I heard that it was Mu who recommended her to the Local County Official. How could I have such an opportunity?”

Mrs. Liang slammed her hand on the table: “Are you talking back to me now? So, you’re blaming me for not finding you a similar opportunity? Have you been itching for a beating these days?”

As she spoke, Mrs. Liang reached out and tugged Qingmei’s ear, causing her to cry out in pain.

“Mother! What’s all the noise for? Can’t a person sleep?!” came the irritated voice of Shitou from the next room.

Although he had only received ten paddle strikes, he was his mother’s pampered child. Moreover, he was still a boy whose injuries turned out to be more severe than Mrs. Liang’s. He had been bedridden, unable to get out of bed until now.

Mrs. Liang quickly let go, speaking in a placating tone: “Mother won’t make noise anymore, rest well. I’ll stew some meat for you to eat later.”

Only then did Shitou stop talking, pulling the blanket over him and continuing to sleep huffily.

Mrs. Liang glared fiercely at Qingmei: “Behave yourself. If you disturb your brother’s rest again, off you go to cook!”

Qingmei finally let out a sigh of relief and scampered away quickly.

Watching Qingmei’s frantic escape, Mrs. Liang muttered curse words: “Heartless little bastard!”

But while she cursed Qingmei verbally, she actually agreed in her heart. If she could also send her daughter to the County Chief’s home as a companion reader, wouldn’t that be a credit to her own name? If she used her daughter to curry favor with the County Chief, wouldn’t that smooth the way for her son’s future?