Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 325 - 325 326 Hold Him Back_1

Chapter 325: Chapter 326: Hold Him Back_1 Chapter 325: Chapter 326: Hold Him Back_1 But looking at Madam Zhao’s pitiable crying, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is the injury very serious?”

Madam Zhao nodded repeatedly, “We don’t have money at home to see a doctor. It’s only now that we’ve come to realize that it was all the fault of our Qiao family for having wronged you. Yuanzhen even said a few days ago that he really regretted it. He missed out on such a good daughter-in-law like you. If it weren’t for feeling unworthy of you now, he’d be eager to propose to you once again immediately.”

Muniang’s eyes widened. Had Yuanzhen’s brain been squeezed by a door?

Eventually, Mrs. Lin couldn’t bear to watch anymore and said to Muniang, “Muniang, maybe we should still ask a doctor to take a look.”

Muniang pursed her lips and didn’t relent. Who knew if Madam Zhao was truly remorseful or if this was just a ruse?

Just then, some villagers had also arrived at Muniang’s doorstep and said in bits and pieces, “Muniang, your grandmother’s family is also living in hardship now. It was indeed wrong of them to have treated you the way they did back then, but let’s repay evil with kindness, shall we? Now that they have ended up like this, your family is in a position to lend a hand. If you now turn them away just like before, how would that be any different from what they did?”

Mrs. Lin’s heart softened. She remembered how desperate she felt when she had no one to turn to. She had always been compassionate, especially having experienced that feeling herself. Seeing others in the same predicament made her especially sympathetic, and if they were to act as callously as the Qiao family had, what would make them any different from before?

But now Mrs. Lin didn’t dare make a decision on her own, especially about such an important matter, so she still asked, “Muniang, what do you think?”

Muniang looked up and glanced at the increasingly large crowd of villagers at the door and said, “Is there still room for what I think? Qingya, send someone to call the doctor to the Qiao family’s home.”

No matter whether Madam Zhao was sincere or faking it, her pitiful wailing and repenting at their front door— if Muniang remained unmoved, everyone might think she was just as heartless as the Qiao family.

Forget it, it was just a matter of calling a doctor anyway.

Qingya promptly agreed and ran off to call the doctor.

Madam Zhao was profusely grateful, presenting a picture of being deeply indebted, which startled Muniang. Had Madam Zhao really lost her mind? How had she suddenly changed so completely, with her previous menacing demeanor nowhere to be found?

The doctor personally visited to examine Yuanzhen’s injuries. He had many wounds on his body already; even if a doctor had been called, it wouldn’t have revealed anything suspicious.

Muniang had been worried that Yuanzhen might be faking it, not least because his injuries this time were so strange. Even though he often got hurt before, once it was because Zeng Gang had secretly beaten him, and another time it was someone sent by Yu Ze. But this time, no one had touched him.

However, when the doctor later reported back to Muniang, he said the injuries were indeed quite serious. Muniang was at a loss as to what was happening with the Qiao family, so she decided to consult Yu Ze’s opinion.

“Do you think the Qiao family is really remorseful? I always feel uneasy, but there’s no clear sign,” Muniang asked.

Yu Ze said, “It’s hard to say. People generally only think of repenting when they are at their wit’s end. Maybe Yuanzhen’s failure in the examination was indeed a big blow for the Qiao family. You shouldn’t worry too much. If they really harbor ulterior motives, they will probably come asking for money in a few days. Then you just watch; this kind of greed can’t be hidden.”

Muniang nodded, “That makes sense.”

After all, the Qiao family had only that much capability. If they were pretending to be repentant, it would be for money, and it wouldn’t take long to see through their scheming.

Zeng Gang suddenly felt a blockage in his chest. Qinghe had already said she didn’t want to remarry, and he hadn’t really thought he could marry her. He had been content with the days that had passed over the last half year, but why did someone have to appear out of the blue?

Madam Zhao said that Qiao Yuanzhen regretted his actions and wanted to propose to Qinghe once again. He couldn’t understand if Qiao Yuanzhen truly had changed his ways and wanted to live a good life with Qinghe, but naturally, he hoped Qinghe would never enter the Qiao family’s door again. Otherwise, even a simple life like this would become a luxury.

“Zeng Gang, what’s wrong with you?” Qinghe saw him standing still, lost in thought.

Zeng Gang asked abruptly, “Qinghe, if Qiao Yuanzhen regrets his actions, would you consider forgiving him?”

Qinghe smiled faintly and shook her head, “I have been foolish enough. Whether his remorse is real or fake, I cannot turn back now.” Her only tenderness towards Qiao Yuanzhen was because he was Xi’er’s father, and that was all. After the failure of her last marriage, she had grown up a lot and was not like before. At the very least, she would not let her brother worry about her anymore.

Zeng Gang finally breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good.”

“What?”

Zeng Gang awkwardly scratched his head, “Nothing, nothing, I was just saying. I, I, I need to go!” With that, he ran off as if fleeing for his life.

—

“My lord, can you really trust a man like Qiao Yuanzhen? He is selfish and incompetent, not to mention the poor relationship between the Qiao family and Yu Ze.”

Nangong Qian snorted lightly, “It’s exactly because he is selfish and incompetent that I’m interested in him. Moreover, I have specially investigated the people in that village. Those who are friendly with the Qiao Muniang’s family might be difficult for us to control, and those who are not close to her family won’t be able to approach Yu Ze. Only the Qiao family, despite their strained relationship, cannot sever these ties of blood. If one side begs for mercy, the other side won’t persist.”

“Master is wise.”

“Keep a close watch on Qiao Yuanzhen. Be cautious. Yu Ze is always suspicious; he wouldn’t be so casual if he suspected any connection between the Qiao family and us. If any of you startle him and make him vigilant, watch your heads.”

“Yes!”

Nangong Qian then said, “Our nation’s border soldiers are about to make a big move. If we can’t kill Yu Ze, we must at least hold him back. Otherwise, winning the battle will be difficult. Is there any news from the palace?”

“Reporting back to my lord, everything is fine, except—”

“Speak.”

“The hostage from the Daqian Dynasty, Yu Jin, has now become a cripple. He can’t contribute labor or effort. Moreover, given the current fiery relationship between our country and the Daqian Dynasty, keeping this hostage serves no purpose. He should be executed to demonstrate our national might. But Princess An is protecting him, making it difficult to handle,” the attendant spoke with considerable difficulty, fearing that his master would be furious and blame them for not handling such a trivial matter properly.

But Nangong Qian was unexpectedly calm, “Then let him be for now.”

“Huh?” The attendant was clearly incredulous.

“That man might still be useful in the future. Since Anan is protecting him, let’s spare his life for the time being.”

“Yes,” the attendant replied respectfully, also breathing a sigh of relief. If Nangong Qian insisted on killing the man at that moment, it would be hard to explain to Princess An. It would be their low-ranking fellows who would suffer from being caught in the middle.