Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 497 - 497 498 No Explanation_1

Chapter 497: Chapter 498: No Explanation_1 Chapter 497: Chapter 498: No Explanation_1 Muniang continued to frequently visit the embroidery room to learn the craft, and she distinctly felt the increased respect from everyone. Even the daughters-in-law and sisters-in-law, who had previously disdain her for her business endeavors outside the home, had all changed their tune, showing her pleasing smiles.

“Muniang, you’re here? What skill would you like to learn today? Feel free to ask me; my skills may not compare to those of a professional embroideress, but I can certainly make and mend clothes with ease. Let your sister-in-law teach you!”

These were the words of a member of the Jin Clan, the charming widow who had recently married into Tupo Village. She, who had once gossiped about Muniang right in front of her, was now quick to change her face.

Muniang waved her hands repeatedly: “No need to trouble yourself, sister-in-law. I’ll go to Mrs. Muniang. You just keep busy. That work is tough enough without adding on extra bother for no reason.”

With that, she dashed into the adjoining room, which was Madam Liu’s private room, where she worked on larger embroidery pieces.

Jin’s expression soured, but she didn’t dare to argue with Muniang any longer. She had originally thought Muniang was just a merchant and did not see her as threatening. After all, within the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, what did it matter if one had money without status? But now, seeing that Muniang’s family had connections with the Imperial Physician, Jin did not dare to look down on her anymore.

Madam Liu, seeing Muniang rush in, teased, “What’s the matter? Are there ghosts outside? You came in so quickly; be careful not to trip yourself.”

Muniang breathed a sigh of relief: “Aren’t they scarier than ghosts? That Jin, she’s all over me trying to establish a connection. It made me uncomfortable; if I walked any slower, I feared she wouldn’t let me leave.”

When Madam Liu thought of that person, she too felt discomfort: “You should just ignore her. She was mouthy before because she thought she could bully you, and was probably jealous inside. Now she’s sucking up to you, likely trying to cozy up to your family. She had even edged out Dabao’s Mother quite badly. I would have driven her out long ago if I didn’t have to consider the feelings of our fellow villagers. Her speech isn’t pleasant, but she’s swift with her hands and works quickly. I couldn’t find a proper reason to dismiss her.”

“It’s been some days since Dabao’s Mother last came. I wonder how she is,” Muniang said as she took out her needlework and started chatting with Madam Liu.

Madam Liu sighed: “After the commotion that day, and given she had just given birth, her constitution must have been weakened. It’s essential to complete the full month of confinement; otherwise, she might end up with lifelong ailments.”

Muniang nodded: “Xu Shuzhuo has got to take good care of Dabao’s Mother this time, considering the ordeal she went through.”

Madam Liu looked at her with a smile: “I wasn’t there, but hearing others talk about it, I guessed maybe you had a hand in it. Come on, confess, what exactly happened?”

Muniang stuck out her tongue: “Indeed, nothing gets past you. The method of blood recognition inherently has some chance involved; it’s not always accurate. I just asked Doctor Xue to mix a little something into the blood, which led to that outcome.”

Madam Liu was intrigued: “You can falsify that? Add what?”

Muniang whispered: “To make the blood dissolve, add alum; to prevent it from dissolving, add salt. That’s what Doctor Xue told me.”

Madam Liu playfully flicked Muniang’s forehead, chiding her: “I knew you were a clever one. You saved Dabao’s Mother, but you just had to cause trouble for Madam Li. She must be seething with frustration right now.”

Muniang curled her lip and said, “So what? I want her to experience what it feels like to be wronged. The way she treated Dabao’s Mother, she deserves some retribution. Besides, Xu Shuzhuo is foolishly filial; if he doesn’t feel a bit more disgust toward Madam Li in his heart, Dabao’s Mother’s life will be difficult. Moreover, with Madam Li currently showing such prejudice towards both mother and son, if we don’t weaken her influence, even if Dabao’s Mother escapes this time, she won’t escape the next.”

“Anyway, this matter is settled for now. Dabao’s Mother is really pitiful. She was already a victim and yet had to suffer so much. As for her mother-in-law, sigh, it’s better not to mention her—it’s just too revolting.”

As they were speaking, they heard a gentle knock on the door, followed by Dabao’s Mother’s voice, “Mrs. Qiao Muniang, is Muniang inside? I’d like to have a word with her.”

The two exchanged looks; true enough, as they talked about Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived. Muniang quickly responded, “I’m here,” and hurried to open the door for Dabao’s Mother.

“How can you get out of bed? Is your health better now?”

Dabao’s Mother replied with a shy smile, “Much better. I’ve been recuperating in bed these days, and Shouzhuo won’t let me get up.” Xu Shuzhuo, feeling guilty for almost wrongly accusing and almost killing his wife, was remorseful and naturally took good care of her.

Madam Li still looked down on her these days, but Xu Shuzhuo was now clearly on her side, and he wouldn’t allow Madam Li to bully her at will, which made Dabao’s Mother’s life much easier.

Madam Liu started to smile, “Come in and sit for a while. We were just talking about you, and you happened to come.”

But Dabao’s Mother didn’t sit down. She took Muniang’s hand and said a lot of thank yous, “I thought I was as good as dead. I didn’t expect to have a chance to survive. I am truly grateful for these days, Muniang, thanks to you. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t know what to do. It’s one thing for me to suffer, but how could I let my newborn child endure such hardships?”

Dabao’s Mother said this and couldn’t help but wipe away a tear.

“You were never in the wrong to begin with; someone just wanted to blame you. Now, all that has changed is due to your actions. Heaven is watching.”

Hearing this, Dabao’s Mother also became indignant, “Indeed, my mother-in-law is really too malicious, to actually slander me like that. She has disliked me for many years, and I’ve endured it. But this time, to try and kill me and my child with such evil schemes, I feel utterly chilled to the bone.”

Muniang and Madam Liu exchanged a glance, both choosing not to explain.

“Now that things are better, just focus on living your life well. Look, Shouzhuo is on your side now, and in the future, Madam Li won’t be able to bully you anymore,” Muniang consoled.

Dabao’s Mother nodded, then said, “That’s what I think too. That’s why I got out of bed today and came straight to find you, to say thank you. You go ahead with your work; I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Dabao’s Mother was not one to linger unnecessarily. This room was not a place ordinary people could enter, as it was where Madam Liu worked on the costly embroidery. The items inside were all very valuable, and it was not proper for her to stay too long.

After seeing off Dabao’s Mother, Muniang breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness Dabao’s Mother didn’t question anything. If she knew that Madam Li had been wronged, given her honest nature, the truth would eventually come out. It’s better to let her think that Madam Li wanted to harm her. After all, hasn’t Madam Li harmed her enough in the past? With a little more hatred for Madam Li, Dabao’s Mother will be more guarded in the future and won’t be bullied by her anymore.”