Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 651 - 651 652 Cant Go Back With You_1

Chapter 651: Chapter 652: Can’t Go Back With You_1 Chapter 651: Chapter 652: Can’t Go Back With You_1 But Jin Qingqing seemed not to understand the aloofness in Muniang’s words, and she eagerly leaned in closer, “Sister, what are you saying? Now that you’re all alone here in the Capital, how many people do you know? Though we’ve only met a few times, I feel a real kinship with you and truly enjoy your company. Naturally, I want to have a good relationship with you.”

Muniang was unclear about Jin Qingqing’s intentions for a moment, glanced at the delicacies on the table, and found some interest, curling her lips, she casually sat down, “Miss Jin, speak plainly, please. There’s no need for beating around the bush with me, it’s just tedious.”

Jin Qingqing’s eyes flickered, and upon seeing the look in Muniang’s eyes, she realized that this woman was not someone who would consider you one of her own just because you show her a little kindness. Aren’t country folks supposed to be humble? Qiao Muniang has not a single true friend in the Capital, and aren’t all those ladies from noble families waiting to laugh at her misfortune? She herself had offered an olive branch so out of the ordinary, yet this woman was oblivious. How arrogant could she be?

Feeling rather exposed, and since Muniang had made it clear, Jin Qingqing couldn’t pretend anymore and gave a forced smile, then personally poured a cup of tea for Muniang before saying, “Didn’t you host a small banquet here a few days ago? Sister, you are so wise and resourceful, alone you exposed the vile schemes of the Feng Family. I’ve always admired you.”

Muniang raised an eyebrow, “Oh? I’ve heard that Miss Jin and Mr. Feng are quite close······”

Jin Qingqing didn’t let Muniang finish, hurriedly saying, “What close relationship with him? A shameless man who steals others’ achievements, I don’t even want to acknowledge knowing him now!”

Then, glancing at Muniang, she continued, “What I saw at Sister’s banquet, the real Number One Scholar, now he is truly a gentleman of impressive appearance and extraordinary talent!”

Muniang laughed, now fully understanding Jin Qingqing’s motives. Just the other day, she was suggesting Zhao Jiangshui was bound to stir up a romantic frenzy in the Capital. It was laughable that the first woman to come knocking was Jin Qingqing herself.

“For my brother to receive such high praise from Miss Jin is indeed an honor.”

Jin Qingqing joyfully said, “I just don’t know whether that gentleman is engaged or has a betrothal arrangement?”

With a smile that was not quite a smile, Muniang answered, “I, a person from a small place, don’t know. But isn’t it surprising that even such a matter as marriage can be inquired about directly by Miss Jin herself in the Capital?”

Jin Qingqing’s face turned red. In her excitement, she had slipped up, and now stammering, she didn’t know quite what to say, “I, I······”

Muniang didn’t care to spar with her on this topic, so she plainly stated her position, “My brother is indeed betrothed. Miss Jin, if you don’t mind being a concubine, I would naturally be delighted for my brother to marry someone as precious as Miss Jin.”

The color drained from Jin Qingqing’s face. What did she mean by ‘being a concubine’? She, Jin Qingqing, was after all a legitimate daughter of a distinguished family, and she couldn’t possibly stoop to the level of becoming someone’s concubine!

Jin Qingqing abruptly stood up, “How could he be already betrothed?”

“Arranging a marriage from childhood is not so unusual,” Muniang said with a laugh.

“But that can be canceled, can’t it? He has such bright prospects now; why marry a girl from the countryside?” Jin Qingqing argued outright.

Muniang’s eyes narrowed slightly, not inclined to waste more words with her. This woman’s mind was simply not right.

“If Miss Jin has nothing else, perhaps it’s best she leave now. My brother’s marriage is my parents’ decision, not mine to make, and calling it off is out of the question. If Miss Jin is not willing to be a concubine, let’s just leave it at that.” Muniang said indifferently, rising to see her guest out.

Jin Qingqing stomped her foot angrily, “Do you know the influence my father has in the court? You treat me this way, are you truly not afraid at all?”

Muniang blinked her eyes, “I have my husband, what is there to fear?”

Jin Qingqing was so angry that she practically fell backward, Did this woman really have to show off like that!

Qingya looked at the spread of dishes on the table and asked with difficulty, “Princess, this food…”

Muniang glanced over and waved her hand dismissively, “Give it to people below to eat, Coming from her, it just makes me lose my appetite.”

Now that Jin Qingqing had left, her heart burned with indignation; she had approached the situation with such a good attitude, yet Qiao Muniang remained so unappreciative. Was this not intentional sabotage?!

Fuming inside, Jin Qingqing no longer wished to hold back her concerns, deciding to seek out Zhao Jiangshui for a clear answer. She rarely took a liking to a man, How could she let him go so easily?

Zhao Jiangshui was still residing in that detached courtyard, because the Emperor had already personally bestowed upon him the title of Number One Scholar, and since some formalities and regulations hadn’t been completed, he wasn’t in a hurry to return home. Once all ceremonies were completed, it would be his time of triumphal return to his hometown. Thinking of the glory he would bring to his parents, Zhao Jiangshui felt like smiling even in his sleep.

“Zhao Jiangshui, when will you return to your hometown?” Tian Niu asked, tilting her head.

“In a few days, soon. Will you come back with me?” Zhao Jiangshui was engrossed in writing at his desk and didn’t look up. He knew Tian Niu too well; surely, she was leaning over right in front of him. If he looked up, he would inevitably end up planting a kiss on her.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t kissed before, but every time it had been Tian Niu’s deliberate seduction. As a young man in his prime, how could he always resist her allure? Yet Tian Niu loved to see him falter, a surefire tactic. Zhao Jiangshui couldn’t avoid it even if he tried, completely at a loss with her.

Thwarted, Tian Niu sulked and pouted, slumping over the table fiddling with things, intentionally asking, “Why are you asking if I’ll go back with you?”

Zhao Jiangshui’s face flushed, “I, I, I’m marrying you.”

Tian Niu’s heart overflowed with joy, yet she replied, “But my sister said I shouldn’t follow you back. She told me to stay put in the Capital, and if I were to return, it should be with her.”

Zhao Jiangshui hurriedly looked up, “Why?”

Timing her move, Tian Niu leaned in, landing the kiss she desired, and immediately giggled, “Still trying to dodge me!”

Zhao Jiangshui, however, scowled, “Stop changing the subject. Did your sister Mu say this? Does she forbid you to marry me?”

Only then did Tian Niu say, “Sister Mu mentioned that you now have a status, and on the way back, you will be the subject of much attention. If you take me with you without a proper status, people will see and inevitably gossip.”

In fact, Muniang had also said that a girl should marry with her head held high. If Zhao Jiangshui hadn’t achieved academic honor, it would have been different, but now that he was the Number One Scholar and a man of status, if he truly wanted to marry her, he should not let Tian Niu marry with her head bowed low.