Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 395 - 395 396 Free_1

Chapter 395: Chapter 396: Free?_1 Chapter 395: Chapter 396: Free?_1 But from far away, Lu Qi’er’s voice could already be heard, frantic with frustration, “Get out of my way! It’s just a comb, isn’t it? I’ll compensate you for it, so why must you always quibble with me over such a trifle?”

Guo Yuehua, however, blocked Lu Qi’er firmly, her face also showing indignation, “What do you mean ‘just a comb’? You think you’re so great because you’re the daughter of the Local County Official? You look down on people like me, is that it? Back then, back then…” I was a lady of an official family too!

As Guo Yuehua spoke, her eyes reddened, but the words that followed got stuck in her throat and she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Seeing Guo Yuehua like this, Lu Qi’er was also taken aback. She had only wanted to hurry after Zhong Yulang, who had walked outside. In her haste, she accidentally broke Guo Yuehua’s comb and, thinking it was no great loss, casually said she would have someone compensate her, then rushed out in a huff. However, Guo Yuehua was not one to be easily dealt with; she immediately stood up and grabbed Lu Qi’er by the arm, starting an altercation.

This back and forth had escalated to the current situation.

Muniang directly pulled Lu Qi’er aside: “What on earth is this about? I told you to stay put in the room, but you had to sneak out and cause trouble. If your father hears about this, I wonder if he’ll spare you the consequences!”

These words from Muniang were not just a warning. Although Lord Lu doted on Lu Qi’er in the residence on a daily basis, he was always impartial when it came to important matters. If he found out that she, a young girl, had caused such a public scene, he would certainly lose his temper.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qi’er shrank back and pleaded with Muniang, “I really didn’t do it on purpose.”

After inquiring about the whole story, Muniang also came to understand the general situation and, more importantly, she recognized the subtle thoughts at play in their hearts.

“Qi’er, say you’re sorry,” Muniang said.

Lu Qi’er, already unable to see Zhong Yulang’s figure, felt a surge of anger within her. It was clearly that woman’s fault for being unrelenting, causing her to miss the rare chance to see Zhong Yulang. She was the one feeling wronged.

With so many people around who had come to watch the excitement, fearing that Lu Qi’er might bear the brunt of Lord Lu’s anger later, the only remedy now was an apology. Left with no choice, Muniang whispered in Lu Qi’er’s ear, “If you apologize properly now, I’ll arrange a meeting with Linghu Chong for you.”

Lu Qi’er’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

Muniang helplessly nodded, and it was only then that Lu Qi’er eagerly apologized to Guo Yuehua.

Guo Yuehua really didn’t expect the young lady who was so haughty just moments ago to suddenly capitulate so quickly. She saw Muniang give her a meaningful look, “Yuehua, Miss Lu has already apologized. You’re a few years older than she is, can you really bear to hold a grudge against a younger girl?”

Finally, Guo Yuehua accepted Lu Qi’er’s apology.

Quite a few onlookers were around, mostly attracted by the statuses of Lu Qi’er and Guo Yuehua, hoping to witness a dramatic showdown. They hadn’t expected the incident to be resolved so quickly and thus dispersed.

Now, it was Muniang’s turn to be vexed. Seeing Lu Qi’er looking at her expectantly, Muniang had no choice but to ask a servant nearby, “Where did Yue Guan’er go?”

“My Lady, a new batch of costumes for Mei Garden has arrived, and Yue Guan’er went to check on them personally. Right now, she should be at the back door. Shall I go call her?”

“No need, let her come to me once she’s finished with her tasks,” Muniang replied.

“Yes.”

Muniang, taking Tianniu with her, went straight back to the private room, and in less than the time it took to drink a pot of tea, Zhong Yulang walked in.

“What does the Lady want with me?”

Muniang cleared her throat lightly, knowing she couldn’t simply say it was to have him meet a female guest—otherwise, what would differentiate her from that Mrs. Luo who forced them into selling themselves in the past?

“I heard the latest batch of theater costumes has arrived. What do you think of them?”

“All not bad, made according to the Lady’s designs; I don’t see any significant discrepancies. If the Lady wishes to see them, I can have someone fetch a few pieces.”

As Zhong Yulang spoke, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of the young girl sitting beside Muniang. He knew she was the County Chief’s daughter. It wasn’t that he liked to be distracted, but the girl’s gaze was just too forthright.

Muniang coughed awkwardly, “Qi’er, didn’t you insist on meeting Yue Guan’er? Why aren’t you speaking?”

Lu Qi’er, however, displayed the coquettishness of a young miss, with her cheeks flushing a pretty pink, “You’re called Yue Guan’er? I, I, I really like you, especially when you play Linghu Chong.”

Muniang’s heart tightened. If the girl was going to confess just like that, it would certainly be shocking.

Zhong Yulang, however, paused, then nodded, “Thank you for your affection, Miss Lu.”

But his tone was rather cold.

A look of disappointment appeared in Lu Qi’er’s eyes. He was such a detached person, entirely unlike the passion he displayed on stage. Still, she felt a bit irritated—couldn’t he be just a little bit kinder to her when he could joke and laugh with Ren Yingying?

If Muniang knew what Lu Qi’er was thinking at that moment, she would have been so angry that she might have spat out blood. The girl was actually getting jealous over a character in a play.

In the end, Zhong Yulang didn’t stay much longer; the key point was that he was not a talkative person by nature and was rather aloof, rarely engaging in a conversation.

Though Lu Qi’er felt downhearted, she still cheered herself up. After all, she had managed to see him, hadn’t she?

The business at the theater was now without question booming, as the play nearly set off a craze throughout the whole town, with an abundance of silver flowing in.

After a month had passed, the play was drawing towards its conclusion. The enthusiasm of the audience grew day by day, with several characters in the play gaining massive popularity. Naturally, the most remarkable were Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying—practically everyone was talking about them.

Never having imagined that she would receive such adoration after her family’s downfall, Guo Yuehua felt a bit proud. She had considered Muniang a fool, intending to take her Servant’s Certificate and run away as soon as possible. Yet now, even though she’d gotten her hands on it long ago, she still stayed. She realized that it wasn’t Qiao Muniang who was the fool; on the contrary, she was sharper than anyone, having predicted that once Guo tasted such sweetness, she wouldn’t want to leave.

“Yuehua, what are you daydreaming about? I’ve been calling you,” Muniang approached the backstage without Yuehua noticing.

Guo Yuehua quickly replied, “Ah? Does the Lady need me for something?”

Muniang smiled, “Here, these are for you. Remember to carry them with you when you go out to the streets.”

Guo Yuehua’s eyes nearly dazzled at the items Muniang had brought—a selection of purses, embroidered handkerchiefs, and waist ornaments, all clearly valuable treasures. Just the materials used for their creation were top-notch, not to mention the gold-threaded embroidery.

“They’re beautiful! Are all these for me, Lady?” Guo Yuehua exclaimed excitedly.