Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 473 - 473 475 Bullying_1

Chapter 473: Chapter 475 Bullying_1 Chapter 473: Chapter 475 Bullying_1 “What is it?”

“Do you know Qiao Muniang?” Jin Yuanyuan confirmed that Lu Ziquan knew her, mainly because she was aware of Qiao Muniang’s good terms with Lord Lu, and thus she should be acquainted with Lu Ziquan as well.

Lu Ziquan was startled initially, then responded, “Of course, I know her.”

“I want you to help me deal with her.” Jin Yuanyuan said through gritted teeth.

Lu Ziquan was first surprised, then a hint of schadenfreude crept in, as he hadn’t expected Qiao Muniang’s character to be so poor that she incurred the wrath of a significant figure upon reaching Qinghua City. It seemed her days of ease were over.

Initially, he was somewhat annoyed by Jin Yuanyuan’s casual ordering, but now his mood greatly improved. He had already taken a dislike to Qiao Muniang, having borne a grudge against her since the incident with Wang Qingmei. He had thought that marrying Wang Qingmei as a concubine and tormenting her would serve as revenge, but that woman was as cunning as they come, going so far as to complain to his father, who had just the other day called him in for a stern lecture.

Everything he said essentially forced him to treat Qingmei well, forbidding any misbehavior. By the end of it, he even berated Lu Ziquan for his lack of seriousness and incessant fooling around before he finally let him go.

After all, he was a man; how could he tolerate being so dominated by a woman? The thought alone was a blow to his pride. Despite this, with Qiao Muniang’s significant influence in Chatu Town, he couldn’t do anything to her, although he had already cursed her countless times in his heart.

At this moment, rather than saying Jin Yuanyuan needed his help to confront her, it felt more like she was doing him a favor.

Lu Ziquan suppressed the joy inside and said, “That Qiao Muniang is not an easy target, you know. In Chatu Town, who dares to provoke her? She is practically a female tyrant. With the opera house she has opened, all other theaters in Chatu Town have shut down. I don’t dare to mess with her just like that.”

Jin Yuanyuan scoffed, “A coward. No matter what, she is just a merchant, and you, at least, are the son of a Local County Official, yet you are afraid of her.”

Lu Ziquan said awkwardly, “There’s nothing I can do about it. The real power in my family is in my father’s hands, and since he is on good terms with her, he never permits me to show her the slightest disrespect.”

Then he quickly added, “If you ask me to confront her directly, naturally I can’t do it. If I could, I would have already dealt with her.” Although he said this to pre-empt Jin Yuanyuan, it was indeed the truth.

Jin Yuanyuan felt even more contempt for Lu Ziquan and said irritably, “There’s no need for such, I only want you to do one thing for me.”

Lu Ziquan grew interested, not expecting there was indeed a way to deal with Qiao Muniang.

He asked eagerly, “What is it?”

Jin Yuanyuan smiled cunningly, “Give her a bowl of safflower.”

Lu Ziquan was stunned, then exclaimed in surprise, “Is she pregnant?”

“Yes.”

Lu Ziquan waved his hands in refusal, “If she’s expecting, she’ll definitely be more careful and cautious. How can I get close to her? Not to mention make her drink something I’ve given. She doesn’t have a good impression of me at all.”

Jin Yuanyuan chuckled softly, “She has no idea she’s pregnant. How could she be on her guard against anything?”

Lu Ziquan’s jaw almost dropped, “She doesn’t know? Then how do you know?”

Jin Yuanyuan couldn’t be bothered to explain, simply shooting him a look, “Are you going to do it or not? Lu Ziquan, if you really are that cowardly, it’s my fault, Jin Yuanyuan, for misjudging you and picking a wimp like you!”

Stung by her provocation, Lu Ziquan immediately flared up, “Who says I can’t do it? Just leave this matter to me! Can’t I handle a mere girl!?”

Jin Yuanyuan’s lips curved into a smirk, “That’s more like it. Now, let me tell you, you better do this cleanly, without anyone noticing. Otherwise, if you mess this up, I’ll make you regret it! And remember, you haven’t seen me at all today. If anyone finds out we’ve discussed this matter, I won’t let you off the hook!”

Lu Ziquan didn’t dare say no and hastily agreed.

Having given his consent, Lu Ziquan started to regret it. Although Qiao Muniang was unaware of her pregnancy and would definitely be off her guard, his relationship with her was not good; it was more like a feud. How could he get her to drink the hibiscus?

But then a thought struck him. If he couldn’t do it, surely there was someone who had Muniang’s trust.

——

“Hey, I’m talking to you. The young master is calling you over!”

Qingmei was washing clothes when she saw a formidable-looking woman standing over her, her foot stomping heavily on Qingmei’s basin, splashing water all over her. Qingmei felt a surge of anger, but she didn’t dare express it, knowing her place in this household.

That maid was none other than Ziqin. She had just returned from seeing Lu Ziquan and was eager to seek his favor. But upon entering, the first thing Lu Ziquan asked was for Qingmei to come to him, which infuriated Ziqin. In what way was she inferior to this wretched little maid? Naturally, Ziqin’s attitude towards Wang Qingmei was far from pleasant.

Lowering her head, Qingmei asked, “What does the young master want with me?”

Ziqin snorted, “Want? Why don’t you go and ask him yourself! Putting on such airs! Don’t get too proud just because the young master suddenly thought of you. Let me tell you, I have his heart in my palm, and you shouldn’t even dream of it. Look at yourself, a country bumpkin, what could catch the young master’s eye about you? Don’t think that just because you now occupy the position of ‘Lady,’ you can lord it over me. The young master has already promised me, and it won’t be long before he elevates me to concubine. Then you just wait and see how I deal with you!”

Her words were venomous, and before leaving, she kicked over Qingmei’s basin, scattering the clothes on the ground where they got filthy with mud.

Tears welled up in Qingmei’s eyes. She remembered what Muniang had told her. Now that she had come to this, Muniang couldn’t help her. After all, she was only a concubine; her fate ultimately depended on what her man decided. With only Ziqin making life difficult for her in the household, and given Lu Ziquan’s character, there would surely be many concubines in a few years. Being out of favor, lacking her family’s support, and having a meek disposition, how could she possibly not be abused to death?

At that thought, tears reddened Qingmei’s eyes. She recalled Lu Ziquan’s promise of making her his wife, which now seemed utterly laughable. It was her own folly that led her down this irreversible path.

Since Ziqin told her that Lu Ziquan was looking for her, Qingmei did not dare to delay. Otherwise, Lu Ziquan would dislike her even more, making her life all the more miserable. She didn’t believe for a second that Lu Ziquan wanted to see her because he missed her. Not to mention the women outside, were not all the maids in Lu Ziquan’s chambers prettier than Qingmei?

Qingmei changed her clothes and rushed to Lu Ziquan’s courtyard.