Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 508 - 508 509 Shes a Woman_1

Chapter 508: Chapter 509: She’s a Woman_1 Chapter 508: Chapter 509: She’s a Woman_1 “Lady,” said the servant boy hesitantly, “I dare say, we should avoid provoking the Rong family if we can. After all, their daughter is now a Noble Lady in the palace. The weight of their power is too much for us. Our Mei Garden cannot withstand it.”

Muniang pursed her lips before replying, “I have my own sense of propriety. You may go now.” She understood what the servant boy was worried about. Not knowing who supported Mei Garden from behind, he naturally spoke without confidence. Muniang was touched to have someone care so much about the safety of Mei Garden.

Having received his instructions, the servant boy bowed and departed.

Muniang reflected for a moment but finally decided against telling Yu Ze about the matter. He couldn’t bear her being bullied and tolerated even less the thought of other men coveting her. If he heard about this now and something happened to Rong Liming as a result, then the Rong family could raise a complaint to the Lady in the capital, and Rong Suqing might whisper into the emperor’s ear. The emperor might well start to think that Yu Ze was challenging his authority, daring to bully his sister-in-law, and then come to hold a grudge against Yu Ze.

Muniang wasn’t really afraid for herself. She simply didn’t want to put Yu Ze in danger. The emperor had already sent assassins with a flick of his wrist when Yu Ze defied him before, which showed how terrifying the emperor’s pride could be.

Now that they finally had some peace, Muniang naturally hoped it wouldn’t be disturbed.

Of course, this was on the condition that Rong Liming no longer bothered her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t mind crippling him personally!

As for Rong Liming, upon receiving “reliable” information about Muniang, he found out she was a merchant owning the Yuyang Embroidery House and Mei Garden in Qinghua City, and even the Second Boss of Dongxing Building. That a woman could achieve so much, he thought, demonstrated great capability. Then he considered her husband, who appeared to be idle and unproductive.

Rong Liming scoffed, “She actually fancies such a worthless man?”

“It’s not all idleness. He occasionally solves some cases for the Magistrate,” reminded Wanshan.

“What of it? Not even a proper constable, such a man,” Rong Liming sighed, shaking his head, “is truly a waste of a fine woman.”

“I specially inquired about it, and this man was originally Muniang’s live-in son-in-law. Before that, Qiao Muniang was just a village woman from the mountains. Now, all these assets are her own doing. Her man, however, I couldn’t find anything substantial about him,” the servant said.

It wasn’t that he found nothing substantial; it was that he found nothing at all. But Wanshan, crafty as he was, wouldn’t say something to earn a scolding.

“Ah, I see,” huffed Rong Liming.

“That man seems like a coward, living off a woman. How could he compare even slightly to you, Eldest Young Master? If only you took the initiative, a woman hardly sees a man as charming as you. She would definitely cling to you eagerly. Which woman likes a loser? Her attitude towards you these past days was probably just pretense. Women are like that. Who knows how she might behave in bed!”

Wanshan had a way with words. With just a few sentences, he managed to please Rong Liming tremendously. Rong Liming waved his hand, “Go and claim a reward of five pieces of silver. You’re quite astute. From now on, follow me closely.”

Wanshan was overjoyed and promptly acquiesced.

Now confident, Rong Liming frequented Mei Garden every two or three days. Once he discovered the particular private room patronized by Muniang, he simply started booking the adjacent room regularly, creating chance encounters with her now and then.

If he did something outrageous, Muniang would have the convenience to act, but since he truly hadn’t caused her any substantial harm, she couldn’t justify a rash move on her part should trouble come knocking.

This irksome situation was truly uncomfortable, so Muniang simply couldn’t be bothered to visit Mei Garden any longer, to avoid the aggravation of seeing him.

Rong Liming’s anger grew even greater. He had gone to such lengths, yet the young lady remained unresponsive, which infuriated him. He had been pampered from birth and never ignored in this manner. The more unattainable something was, the more restless he became. His initial interest in Muniang had now deepened, determined to make her willingly follow him.

Wanshan then offered a suggestion, “Eldest Young Master, that woman doesn’t know what’s good for her. Perhaps she’s unaware of your charm and skills. Show her one day, and she’ll realize the great fortune she’s stumbled upon.”

Rong Liming’s eyes lit up; this was a good idea. “Quick, tell me.”

“Isn’t the Governor’s birthday coming up? The Rong Mansion will surely send someone to offer congratulations. I’ve heard that little lady from the Yu Family is quite close with the Governor, so she is bound to attend. Now is the perfect opportunity to let her witness your power.”

After some thought, Rong Liming hesitated. Given the current stature of the Rong Family, it wasn’t necessary for him, the Eldest Young Master, to make a trip for the Governor’s birthday, but how could he miss this chance to impress that little lady?

Ultimately, Rong Liming decided to attend. The Governor was no longer a figure the Rong Family held in high regard, and when the Governor bent over backward to please him, it would be just the show for Qiao Muniang.

On her way home that day, Muniang didn’t see Yu Ze and thought perhaps the Governor needed his help with another case, so she casually asked, “When did master leave?”

The maidservants replied, “He left not long ago, seemed in quite a hurry, and rode out on a fast horse.”

Muniang was momentarily stunned; she had never seen Yu Ze so concerned about a case before: “Why did he leave so suddenly? Did Lord Lu’s Mansion send a government officer to summon him?”

The maidservant shook her head, “No, we didn’t see anyone come in. The master was originally dealing with matters in his study, and we wouldn’t let anyone disturb him, so we really don’t know why.”

A sudden “thud” resonated in Muniang’s heart; such urgency to leave, and the servants hadn’t even got a clear look at the visitor, it must have been a Hidden Guard. As for the business the Hidden Guard had been monitoring that could cause Yu Ze such concern, it could only be Yu Jin.

The princess had come to the Daqian Dynasty.

Muniang’s heart began to throb with anticipation, an inexplicable nervousness setting in, uncertain if Yu Ze’s plan would succeed. Yet, even if they managed to rescue Yu Jin, that princess would surely create a stir. Nonetheless, expectation lingered in Muniang’s heart; this was their greatest chance. If they could rescue Yu Jin, Yu Ze’s wish would be fulfilled, preventing it from becoming a lifelong knot in his heart.

Muniang took a deep breath and walked towards the inner bedroom, but as soon as she entered, the lights were suddenly extinguished, and the door slammed shut with a gust of wind — a force clearly driven by Inner Strength, something Muniang could discern after spending so much time with Yu Ze.

Immediately, she felt a palm strike rushing toward her face. Muniang quickly dodged and, relying on her keen senses, accurately grasped the assailant’s wrist. In a flash of her eyes, she realized it was a woman.