Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 454 - 454 455 Probe the Situation_1

Chapter 454: Chapter 455 Probe the Situation_1 Chapter 454: Chapter 455 Probe the Situation_1 She had been kneeling in the ice and snow for most of the day, her whole body exuded a chill, trembling violently, and her little face was devoid of any color.

She was clearly a mistress, yet her clothes weren’t even as thick as a servant’s, lacking even a padded jacket. Standing outside in the cold wind in such an outfit, it was no wonder she couldn’t stand it!

Qingya’s heart tightened at the sight, and she quickly took off her cloak and draped it over Qingmei, “Miss Qingmei, what’s happened here? Mr. Lu has gone too far, how could he do this?”

No sooner had she spoken than she heard a languid voice, “Who is that?”

Qingya looked up and saw it was none other than Lu Ziquan, with a strange woman in his arms, no doubt the “capable maid” he had referred to.

There was a charcoal stove lit inside the house, and it was very warm. The moment he stepped out, he shivered and cursed, “This damn winter season, simply unfit to step outside, it’ll freeze someone to death!”

Qingya couldn’t help her temper and snapped, “You know it’s cold enough to freeze someone to death, yet our Miss Qingmei is kneeling out here in the ice and snow with so little on, and you can sit comfortably inside without a care?”

Lu Ziquan chuckled lazily, “I was wondering who it could be—it turns out to be the head maid from Qiao Muniang’s side. What, have you come especially to vindicate her? Wang Qingmei is now a concubine in my room, and how I treat her is none of your Lady’s business. This is the County Chief’s residence—are you sure you want to make a fuss?”

Furious to the point of wanting to vomit blood, Qingya thought Lu Ziquan was simply a bandit!

Qingya clenched her teeth and managed to say, “I’m here today to deliver a New Year’s gift for you, Mr. Lu, especially entrusted by our Lady. I ask you to please have a look.”

Lu Ziquan was intrigued, as Qiao Muniang was actually sending him something. The servant handed over the box, and upon seeing it, Lu Ziquan was startled. How rare was that Jade Ruyi! How many households in Chatu Town could have such a jade? Moreover, it was apparent at first glance that it was of very fine quality.

“Your Lady is indeed thoughtful, sending such a generous gift especially for me. I don’t even know what to give in return,” Lu Ziquan, with a cheeky smile on his face, was clearly delighted. But he still needed to be sure he didn’t have to return the favor, otherwise, he would struggle to find something suitable.

Qingya was completely fed up with this behavior but still suppressed the disgust in her heart and said, “This is merely a token of our Lady’s regard. Miss Qingmei is a cherished younger sister to our Lady. Now that she is married to you, Mr. Lu, as a concubine, our Lady still considers you her brother-in-law. The importance of the gift is not what matters, but the thought behind it. Naturally, there is no need for you, Mr. Lu, to reciprocate.”

The meaning of her words was quite clear, how could Lu Ziquan not understand them? Wasn’t it just a way of telling him that Wang Qingmei had Qiao Muniang’s support? Lu Ziquan glanced at Wang Qingmei and couldn’t understand. Clearly, she was just a sworn younger sister and even one with such a meek character. Why would someone like Qiao Muniang insist on patronizing her?

However, Lu Ziquan was not in the mood to ponder these things anymore. He had originally married Wang Qingmei just to spite Qiao Muniang, but now that she was no longer of use, he naturally didn’t mind treating her any which way. Still, today’s gesture by Qiao Muniang made him see a bit of value in Wang Qingmei, at least worth a Jade Ruyi, wasn’t she?

Lu Ziquan immediately began to smile, “This puts me in quite an awkward position. Since Lady Yu’s good intentions have been conveyed, I certainly cannot refuse. Take the gift inside.”

Qingya, with an expressionless face, continued, “And our Miss Qingmei…”

Lu Ziquan glanced at the shivering Wang Qingmei, then said, “Take her back to her own room.”

He smiled at Qingya, “It’s cold outside, why not come in and sit down to warm up?”

Qingya went straight to help Wang Qingmei and said, “No need, I still have to go back and reply to Lady Yu. I won’t stay long.”

With that, she left with Wang Qingmei.

Lu Ziquan’s invitation had just been a courtesy; now he had no intention of entertaining Qingya, but quickly went inside to carefully check on his treasured Jade Ruyi.

Qingya took Qingmei back to her own courtyard, lit the charcoal stove for her, and then said, “Miss Qingmei, if there is anything next time, you should speak with Lady Yu. Why suffer like this? If Lady Yu knew of your current circumstance, she would surely feel distressed.”

Qingmei huddled up, her eyes reddened. When she had married Lu Ziquan, it was to let others know she could be of high status. But now that she had fallen to such a state, how could she dare to tell Qiao Muniang?

Qingya said indignantly, “Didn’t Lady Yu advise Miss Qingmei earnestly back then? You always refused to believe her, and now that you’ve suffered, it’s hard even to turn back. It has only been a bit more than a month since he married you and he’s already treating you like this. If Lady Yu hadn’t sent me today, would you have frozen to death out there?”

Tears flowed from Qingmei’s eyes, and she sobbed without being able to speak. Qingya, feeling sympathy, comforted her with a few words and took out the pastries and food Qiao Muniang had sent: “These were prepared by Lady Yu. If you haven’t eaten yet, have something to fill your stomach. I’ll return now, and come to see you another day, Miss Qingmei.”

Qingmei nodded, her heart slightly comforted. She watched Qingya leave before wolfing down the food.

After returning, Qingya relayed what happened to Muniang. Muniang was not surprised that Lu Ziquan would act this way; once bored, he would simply start to neglect. However, the speed of his “Change Heart” was quite quick, considering it had only been a bit more than a month!

“Miss Qingmei looked so pitiable, frozen stiff. It took a long time for her to warm up,” Qingya said.

Muniang shook her head, “She chose this path herself. She must take responsibility for her choices. Besides, she is now a concubine to Lu Ziquan, not a wife. She cannot even propose a divorce unless Lu Ziquan dismisses her. She can never leave Lu Mansion for the rest of her life. Even I cannot help her start over.”

She sighed, “I’ll pay a visit to Lord Lu sometime and ask him to take care of her.”

Once the year was over, Mei Garden opened with great prosperity again. Chen Yuhua had three months of recuperation and had recovered quite well. “Journey to the West” had just finished, and “The Condor Heroes” was performed again, starting from the very first scene. The enthusiasm was undiminished, not only because of the lingering affection for “The Condor Heroes” but also due to “Journey to the West” retaining the audience’s interest.

Muniang entrusted the management of Mei Garden entirely to Zhong Yulang and went with Yu Ze to Qinghua City to scout out the situation, select a new location for Mei Garden, the storefront of Yuyang Embroidery House, and their new home.