Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 442 - 442 443 Attentive_1

Chapter 442: Chapter 443 Attentive_1 Chapter 442: Chapter 443 Attentive_1 Miss Qingmei looked up in astonishment, “Mrs. Qiao Muniang is finding such a family for Tianniu?”

“What kind of family do you think she ought to find?”

Miss Qingmei, looking down, said, “I thought Tianniu would marry into a prominent and wealthy family in the future.”

Muniang sighed, “It’s not necessarily true that marrying into a prominent family is a good thing. Why do you think Mrs. Qiao Muniang would find such a family for Tianniu? All matters of social status are just superficial; what’s most important in life is to marry the right person. Look at those young masters from prominent families in our Chatu Town, which one isn’t surrounded by several concubines before they’re even married? Spending their days amidst flowers and willows.”

“Mrs. Qiao Muniang is now the Second Boss of Yuyang Embroidery House, finding Tianniu a match in a prominent family wouldn’t be a difficulty for her. She’s interested in Gao Zhuang because she sees at a glance that this is a man who can lead a good life, a man with a substantial family background and a good nature. That’s what’s most important. Pursuing those flashy but insubstantial things, what’s so good about them?”

“I just don’t like…”

“I know what you’re thinking in your heart, and I can’t persuade you otherwise. It’s up to you to weigh this decision, Miss Qingmei, but I have to remind you, men like those from Gao Zhuang are truly hard to find. Those with good character are often of lesser means, and those from good backgrounds tend to seek pleasure elsewhere. Mrs. Qiao Muniang and I both wish the best for you, which is why we’ve arranged this marriage for you. If you sincerely dislike Gao Zhuang as a person, then forget it, but if it’s merely because of this reason, you’d better think it over carefully.”

Muniang’s expression was very serious as she took Qingmei’s hand, “No matter what we do, it’s less significant than how you yourself feel. Perhaps what you want isn’t what I’m trying to give you, but Qingmei, you must be sure you won’t regret it in the future.”

Qingmei remained silent without saying a word, so Muniang sent her back to the Lu Mansion directly.

Muniang had earlier specially kept Qingya to go to Gao Zhuang to offer apologies, after all, today’s incident had caused him considerable embarrassment. Now that Qingya had returned, she quickly asked, “What did Gao Zhuang say?”

Qingya said with difficulty, “He was quite embarrassed. In the servant’s opinion, he seems to no longer wish to proceed with this marriage.”

Muniang’s heart tightened, “Did you persuade him?”

“I did. I told him Miss Qingmei’s disposition is just like this, a bit sensitive, but she’s not someone who chases after vanity at all. I explained a great deal, and his expression finally improved. Later, he asked me to tell the Lady, if she still truly wishes to proceed with the marriage, to have Miss Qingmei go to him and explain things clearly.”

Muniang nodded. Indeed, things needed to be clarified, as these two were going to be a married couple; there certainly couldn’t be any doubts in their hearts. If they didn’t talk it out now, they probably never would for the rest of their lives. She just didn’t know what Qingmei really thought.

Muniang sighed; this matter was indeed difficult to handle.

Meanwhile, Qingmei, having returned, had secluded herself in her room and started crying. She didn’t desire to chase fame and fortune; she felt a simple commoner’s life wasn’t bad at all. Yet for years, she had held a grudge, especially in front of Tianniu and Lu Qi’er, always feeling inferior. Now, to marry a man who was Lu Qi’er’s betrothed’s servant, how could she accept it in her heart?

Not to mention that this man was someone Tianniu had rejected.

Qingmei’s heart ached as she thought of it, and she cried even harder, feeling even more wronged. Suddenly, she noticed that Lu Ziquan had silently slipped into her room at some unknown time.

He had been locked up by Mr. Lu for a month in solitary confinement and was only released today. During that month of confinement, he naturally had no inclination to repent but spent his time seething at Qiao Muniang instead. She had been the first person, aside from his father, who dared to lay hands on him, and Lu Ziquan was itching with resentment.

Upon his release, his first priority was to inquire whether Wang Qingmei was still in the mansion. Qiao Muniang was fiercely protective of that girl, like a mother cow with her calf. He had originally approached her with a casual mindset to toy with her, but Qiao Muniang’s interference had sparked a grudge, and he became seriously invested.

Qiao Muniang looked down on him, saying he was not worthy of Wang Qingmei, a mere maid. He became determined to provoke her, eager to see how Qiao Muniang would maintain her protective stance when the time came for him to have his way. How attractive would her face look then!

Qingmei looked up and, catching sight of Lu Ziquan, got startled. Her face, still wet with tears, was too slow to be wiped as she cried out, “How did you get in?”

Lu Ziquan chuckled with a heh-heh and replied, “Dear sister, did you miss me? I’ve missed you terribly during this month in confinement. Ah, why are you crying? Who has been bullying you? I’ll avenge you.”

Wang Qingmei gave him a cold look. “It’s none of your business. Just get out.”

But why would Lu Ziquan back down so easily? He was accustomed to flirting with girls and knew precisely how to win Qingmei’s favor at this moment.

“Dear sister, if you want me to leave, that’s easy. But seeing you cry so piteously pains my heart. Just tell me what’s wrong so I can be at ease. I rushed to see you as soon as I was released—is my concern not visible to you?” quipped Lu Ziquan.

Hearing his words, Qingmei genuinely felt a bit soothed, and her expression wasn’t as cold as before. Yet she said, “You remember to be concerned about me now, do you?”

Lu Ziquan eagerly pursued his advantage: “Tell me what happened. If someone has truly bullied you, I will definitely seek justice for you.”

Qingmei, feeling especially frustrated, relayed to Lu Ziquan the day’s events about meeting with the Gao Zhuang family.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziquan became indignant: “That’s despicable! Qingmei, you’re such a fine girl, how could you be matched with a mere servant? Isn’t Qiao Muniang quite wealthy? Is this the kind of match she finds for you? Before, when she was so protective of you, I thought she genuinely treated you like a sister. But to think she’d handle your marriage so perfunctorily.”

Qingmei respectfully replied, “Mu is looking out for my best interest.”

“How could she be looking out for your best interest without considering your feelings? She knows full well he’s a servant of Zhao Ziming, yet she insists on arranging such a match for you. Could it be to tell you that you’re only fit to be a servant to Lu Qi’er for the rest of your life? When I wanted to pursue you, she beat me without a second thought and complained to my father, resulting in my confinement. I am, after all, the only son of the County Chief; could I be any worse than a servant of the Zhao Family? Why does she judge me so harshly and insist on tearing us apart? I think she just doesn’t want you to marry well.”

Lu Ziquan spoke convincingly, and Qingmei couldn’t help but waver. However, remembering Qiao Muniang’s usual kindness toward her, she persisted, “Mu wouldn’t harm me; she wants the best for me. There might be some misunderstanding.”

In response, Lu Ziquan immediately embraced Qingmei: “Dear sister, you must trust my sincerity. I was locked up for a month because of you but never uttered a word of complaint. The moment I was released, I came straight to see you. Gao Zhuang was once a slave, and such servility will be in his bones forever—how could he compare to me? You’d be better off with me. If you’re with me in the future, I will surely treat you well.”