Chapter 94 Qian Zhenniang's Progress
The two former good friends are now in this state. Mrs. Cao is jealous and cruel to her.
She hated Qian Zhenniang for committing suicide by jumping into the river, which pushed her to the forefront and caused her to be scolded by Li Xiucai these days; she was also jealous that she caught the eye of Miss Xu so quickly and earned much more money than Li Zhaodi.
In her opinion, Qian Zhenniang was really lucky.
How could Qian Zhenniang, a jinx who brought misfortune to her parents, live better than her?
Cao Qin'er had been feeling extremely anxious these past two days, and now they were coming to her to settle their wages, which made her feel inferior to her, so she was naturally unhappy.
When Qian Zhenniang saw Cao Qiner again, her mood was naturally a little fluctuating. She recalled the scenes of their deep sisterly love and her cold and heartless face when she jumped into the river. The anger in Qian Zhenniang's heart could not stop surging.
She really wanted to ask, did Cao Qiner ever treat her as a sister?
Since we are sisters, how could you push her into an irretrievable situation?
Feng'er secretly held Qian Zhenniang's hand, and Qian Zhenniang quickly calmed down.
Now she is working for Miss Xu, she is representing Miss Xu, she cannot cause trouble for Miss Xu.
"Madam Cao." Qian Zhenniang's voice was different from the weak one before. It was a little cold. "Miss Xu said that the wages must be collected in person. The name on it is Li Zhaodi's. Please come and collect it herself."
Mrs. Cao naturally refused, "I am Li Zhaodi's mother, what's hers is mine, why can't I come and claim it?"
Feng Er said, "My daughter set the rules before we made the soap, and you guys agreed to them. It's not right to lick back the spit you've spitted out. Isn't that right, Madam Cao?"
Cao Qin'er's face turned pale and she stared at Feng'er.
Feng'er was not willing to be outdone and stared at her with a half-smile.
You silly girl, you just climbed up Xu Qingying's high branch. It's only been a few days since you got your turn, and you've already forgotten when you were a slave?
Cao Qin'er cursed inwardly, but dared not show it on her face. After all, the money was in the other person's hands. She had no choice but to soften her attitude. "Zhao Di has caught a cold these days and can't get out of bed. I'm her biological mother. Can't I show some leniency?"
"Cold?" Feng'er's eyes grew fiercer. "You only have two tents at home, one for Li Xiucai and your concubine, and one for you and your illegitimate son. You didn't even give your two biological daughters a single piece of thick clothing, and you made them sleep on a straw stack. Do you think your two daughters are made of iron? Li Zhaodi has to work to earn money during the day, and cook and wash clothes for you at night. Even a donkey shouldn't be treated like that! Madam Cao, sometimes I really want to ask you, could it be that Li Zhaodi and Li Yinzhang are not your biological children?!"
Cao Qin'er felt humiliated by Feng'er's words. She could only mutter, "Why do you care so much about other people's affairs? Besides, we're not like you. Miss Xu is such a good employer, and she pays us such a high salary. Our family is not well-off. Every girl from a poor family has gone through this. Who are you to criticize? You...just tell me...are you trying to withhold my Zhaodi's wages?"
The child in Cao Qin'er's arms grabbed the copper coins and put them into his own arms. The box containing the copper coins was torn open by his claws, and the scattered copper coins fell to the ground with a crackling sound.
The child laughed and shouted, "This money is all mine! Mom, tell Li Zhaodi to get up and buy me some candied haws!"
Feng Er said angrily: "What Li Zhaodi, you uneducated thing, that's your sister!"
"Humph, she's not my sister. She's a servant in my family. My mother said she's more obedient than a dog and more capable than a cow. She has to do whatever I tell her to do! If she doesn't obey, I'll have Dad drive them all away!"
The child jumped up and laughed as he spoke, "Mom, there's so much money, it's all ours!"
Qian Zhenniang didn't know where she got the courage from, but she pushed the child. Cao Qin'er couldn't stand it anymore and hugged her son, crying "Ouch!" "My son, my sweetheart, are you hurt anywhere?"
The child came up and grabbed Qian Zhenniang's hair, his childish face filled with vicious hatred, "You dare to push me! I'll beat you to death!"
Qian Zhenniang came to her senses this time and didn't want to argue with a child, "Let go! If you don't let go, I... I will..."
"What's wrong with you? Haha, my mom said you're a bastard with no parents and no one to back you up. I can beat you however I want!"
Feng'er was so angry that she didn't care that the other person was a child. She kicked Cao Qin'er and her daughter away. The two of them screamed "Ouch" and fell to the ground headfirst.
Cao Qin'er sat on the ground, wiping her tears and complaining to the person next to her, "Oh my God, this damn girl has lost her conscience and didn't even let a child go. I just came to ask them for my daughter's wages, but who knew that Qian Zhenniang would take revenge on me and embezzle the money my daughter worked so hard for, and not give it to me, and even beat us both—"
Qian Zhenniang was angry and anxious, even stamping her feet in frustration, feeling that even if she had ten mouths she still wouldn't be able to explain herself.
It was over. Miss Xu assigned her this task, but she couldn't do it well.
She pointed at Cao Qin'er, and before she could say anything, she was already crying with anger. "You...you...you are blaming others. It was clearly your son who stole the money first and then beat people up. How can you be so unreasonable?"
"Oh my God, this is so unfair! My son is only six years old. What does he know? He was just playing with me. How could you falsely accuse him of stealing money?"
"Miss, there's no need to bother with this kind of person." Feng'er refused to waste words. She just pulled Qian Zhenniang to her feet and shouted out the window, "Squad Leader Zhao—"
When Zhao Bantou was called, Cao Qiner's face changed slightly. She immediately pulled her son to stand up and pretended to slip out.
Nonsense, even the dumbest person in this camp can see that Zhao Bantou is in cahoots with the Xu family!
God knows how much silver Xu Qingying gave to the escorts. These escorts were like her running dogs. They bowed and scraped to Xu Qingying, but had a completely different attitude towards them.
Zhao Bantou had heard the commotion and came in with a knife in hand. He looked around with a pair of fierce eyes, inexplicably giving people a strong sense of oppression. "Damn it, I can't even eat a good meal, who the hell is causing trouble?"
Feng Er pointed at Cao Qin Er and said, "This one, her son not only failed to steal money but also beat up my daughter, and in the end, he even bit me back."
Cao Qin'er felt Zhao Bantou glare at her, and her legs went weak. As a woman, she had never dealt with officials before, so she immediately cowered and said, "Zhao Bantou, I'm innocent..."
"You're being unfairly accused! I heard you making trouble from so far away. What's going on? Are you feeling itchy? Okay, if that's the case, then tomorrow, you and your family will be shackled and put on me, so I can cure your itchy skin!"
Cao Qin'er cried out "Ah!", tears welling up in her eyes. She was about to explain herself, but Zhao Bantou shouted, "What are you crying for? You're an old woman, imitating young girls and crying like that. Do you have any shame?"
Cao Qiner's voice was instantly stuck in her throat.
Not to mention, what Zhao Bantou said was extremely vicious, causing the people around him to suppress their snickers and enjoy Cao Qiner's embarrassment.
Cao Qin'er didn't dare to challenge Zhao Bantou. She just thought about how Li Xiucai would deal with her when she returned. She was so frightened that she ran away with her crying son in her arms.
Zhao Bantou glanced coldly at the people watching the excitement. "Alright, what are you looking at? Why, after just a few days of good life, you're already missing the shackles?"
Everyone said in unison: "Don't dare, don't dare."
Facing Feng'er and Qian Zhenniang, Zhao Bantou's expression changed instantly, and he looked enthusiastic, "Sister Feng'er, if you have anything, call me. If anyone makes trouble again, I will deal with him for you!"
Feng Er bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Zhao."
"No thanks, no thanks. We're all family! Why are you being so polite?"
After Zhao Bantou left, the payment process went much more smoothly. No one dared to cause trouble, and no one spoke coldly to Qian Zhenniang. After finally distributing the wages, Feng'er threw the remaining copper coins on the table and said coldly, "Hmph, see? These bullies really think we are soft persimmons. They only know how to bully the weak and dare not say a word when they see Brother Zhao."
Qian Zhenniang was quietly packing her things.
But I was secretly surprised.
When did Feng'er become so close to Zhao Bantou? It was clear that Feng'er was terribly afraid of Zhao Bantou just a few days ago, but now she calls him "Brother Zhao" all the time, and Zhao Bantou seems to enjoy it very much.
Qian Zhenniang was also touched by Feng'er's own changes.
It's only been a few days, and Feng'er has changed so much since she followed Miss Xu. She now has the aura of a mistress of the house. Now, when she glares or slams the table, her domineering look overwhelms everyone, making Qian Zhenniang feel a little unfamiliar, but also a little yearning.
Feng Er was still the same as before, pulling at Qian Zhenniang's sleeve and complaining like a little girl: "Miss, you see, you must not be soft-hearted when dealing with people like this. If you are soft-hearted, they will take advantage of you."
Qian Zhenniang still couldn't bear it and said, "But... Madam Cao will definitely be scolded by her husband when she returns..."
"Miss!" Feng'er's expression was somewhat helpless. "This is how the world is. A kind horse is ridden by others, and a kind person is bullied by others. As women, if we don't want to be bullied, we must stand up for ourselves. Look, just now, I knew that our words were not influential and no one would listen to us, so I brought up Miss Xu's name to scare them. This is called using someone else's strength to fight against them."
Qian Zhenniang smiled and squeezed Feng'er's hand. "Girl, how many times have I told you not to call me Miss? Now we are all working for Miss Xu. If you call me Miss again, I'm afraid Miss Xu will be unhappy."
Feng Er stuck out her tongue and said, "Miss...Oh no, sister is right. I just can't change it in a short time."
"Look at you. After learning from the girl for a few days, you've changed a lot. You used to blame me for not being able to stand up and protect you, and you had to suffer with me."
Feng'er helped Qian Zhenniang sort out the account books. "Let's not say these things to each other, sisters. Anyway, from now on, sister, take me with you wherever you go. We will be a family from now on!"
"Yes, we are both unfortunate people who are unwanted and unloved. From now on, we will be sisters!" Qian Zhenniang pondered for a moment, her eyes gradually calming down. "If it weren't for Miss Xu... ah... I'm really afraid of disappointing her..."
"No. Miss Xu is such a good person! She was afraid you couldn't handle it, so she asked me to come and help you! Miss Xu has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She keeps telling us to be independent and learn to solve problems on our own, but if anything really happens, she will never abandon us. Sister, please don't let Miss Xu down. In this world, apart from Miss Xu, there's no one else who treats us so well! Anyway, I've made up my mind. From now on, I will follow Miss Xu wholeheartedly. Even if Miss Xu asks me to get into the frying pan, I dare to do it!"
"Yes. Miss Xu... is such a good person!" Qian Zhenniang thought of the past and could only swallow her tears. Thinking of the changes in Feng'er in recent days, an unprecedented hope suddenly rose in her heart. Feng'er has started to start again, how could she be left too far behind?
Qian Zhenniang's eyes gradually became firm. She pulled Feng'er and said word by word, "My dear sister, I don't want to disappoint Miss Xu's expectations, so... I decided..."
Qian Zhenniang exhaled heavily, "I've decided to go and talk things over with the Xu family's eldest wife."
"What?" Feng'er jumped up with joy and took Qian Zhenniang's hand affectionately. "Are you serious?"
"Miss Xu said that when I can sort out the affairs of the Xu family's eldest branch, that's when she'll take me out to work..." Qian Zhenniang lowered her head shyly. She didn't seem to like talking about her ambitions. She even thought it was shameful for a girl to have ambitions. But facing Feng'er, she seemed to be fearless. "I... I... want to be like you, go out and see the world, make a lot of money. I don't want to be a burden to you and Miss all my life."
"Sister, how can you be a burden!" Feng'er happily shook Qian Zhenniang's arm, "You are smarter than me and learn things faster than me. The young lady must value you! You should have made it clear to those people in the Xu family's main branch a long time ago. The engagement has been cancelled. Why does Huang Cui'e come to pester us every day to force us to leave? We work for Miss Xu, not for her Xu family. How can she be so bold?! Besides, we have to follow Miss Xu in the future, and we will inevitably have to deal with the main branch. They come here every day to make trouble, which affects us a lot! Sister, get up quickly, let's go and explain it to Huang Cui'e now..."
Seeing Feng'er rubbing her hands together, as if ready for a big fight, Qian Zhenniang's courage, which she had finally mustered, retreated. She stammered, "Tell me... if we do this... will Miss Xu be unhappy? After all, Madam Xu is her elder... If we do this, won't Miss Xu be unhappy?"
Feng Er also hesitated for a moment, she thought about it, then shook her head and denied it, "I don't think so. Didn't Miss Xu ask you to resolve the matter with the eldest wife before? Besides, Miss Xu likes ambitious and capable girls. We can cater to her preferences this way, and maybe she will look at us with a higher regard!"
Qian Zhenniang was a little dazed. Feng'er saw that she was hesitant again and hurriedly pushed her out. "It's better to do it now than to wait for another day. Let's cut the Gordian knot and go now."
Qian Zhenniang was a little nervous, "Then what should I say?"
"Just say that you and the eldest young master of the Xu family have broken off the engagement, and you are now strangers with nothing to do with each other. Tell her not to cause trouble in the future. If she does, we will not be polite to her!" Feng'er dragged Qian Zhenniang into the Xu family's tent. Thanks to her recent learning enlightenment, Feng'er felt that she had become smarter and her mind worked faster.
She thought of something and repeatedly told Qian Zhenniang, "It doesn't matter what you say. The most important thing is to finish speaking in one breath. Don't let anyone interrupt you. Just go ahead and finish speaking in one breath. Don't pay attention to anyone who interrupts you. When you're done, leave. Don't linger."
Qian Zhenniang was puzzled. "Why is this?"
"If you're interrupted in the middle of a conversation, you'll try to defend yourself and the two of you will start arguing. Since you're gentle, you'll definitely not win the argument, and we'll just be led around by them." Feng'er said this with great seriousness. "So why don't we just give them a chance to interrupt? Just treat whatever they say as if they're singing. Just say what you want to say and leave without stopping. If you stop, they'll definitely start arguing with you again."
Qian Zhenniang thought about it carefully and felt that what Feng'er said made sense.
Qian Zhenniang also knew that she was soft-hearted and would not say harsh words, while Huang Cui'e was hot-tempered and she was definitely no match for her.
Rather than being scolded by others in the end, it is better to just say it all in one breath.
"You have a point." Qian Zhenniang suppressed her nervousness and refused Feng'er's offer to go in with her. Qian Zhenniang's eyes sparkled, showing more resilience than before. She patted Feng'er's hand and said, "Feng'er, Miss Xu said that there are some things I must face personally. As the saying goes, there is no construction without destruction. I must push myself, otherwise I will never be able to catch up with you."
After Qian Zhenniang finished speaking, she turned and left.
Feng'er looked at the thin figure leaving with some uneasiness.
She suddenly felt a little sad. Was it the right choice for her and Miss Xu to force Qian Zhenniang to face this group of jackals, tigers and leopards?
Qian Zhenniang is weak and naive. Despite enduring so much hardship, she remains naive, like a delicate flower kept indoors. Yet, she insists on pushing such a person, forcing her to face the hardships of the world, forcing her to grow. Will this have the opposite effect?
Feng'er also began to doubt herself, but she was thinking in her heart, if Qian Zhenniang really couldn't stand on her own, the worst that could happen was that she would support her for the rest of her life!
She now has several hundred taels of silver notes given by Miss Xu. If the two of them live frugally, it will be enough for them to live an ordinary life.
Isn’t being alive better than anything else?
Feng'er was waiting outside anxiously.
Qian Zhenniang's face flushed red as she faced the first major experience of her life. She didn't even dare to open her eyes, but clenched her fists and took a deep breath. "Xu Huijia and I have already called off our engagement, so I have nothing to do with the Xu family's eldest branch. I'm working for Miss Xu now, and I don't eat or drink your food. I rely on my own abilities. You have no right to drive me away. If you come to force me again in the future, I will go to the government office to seek justice. When the time comes, our two families will face off in court and see what the county magistrate has to say!"
"Also, the bundle I brought with me contained two pieces of clothing, more than ten taels of silver, and one or two pieces of jewelry. I gave them all to Aunt Xu as a filial gift. Since the engagement has been cancelled, I don't intend to take them back. But if you continue to tarnish my reputation outside, I'll let everyone come and judge the matter and see what they have to say..."
Qian Zhenniang spoke haltingly at first, but later on, she recalled her various experiences and how Huang Cui'e treated her like her own daughter in the beginning. She naively thought that she had finally been blessed by God in this life and could find a husband-in-law who treated her so well.
It wasn't until Huang Cui'e rummaged through her bag and heard that she didn't have much dowry that her attitude changed. Finally, when she found out that she had a bad fortune, she immediately turned hostile and kicked her out.
The more Qian Zhenniang spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, the more excited she became, and her momentum grew stronger and stronger. She spoke without a single stutter, and spoke in one breath. By the last sentence, she was so full of passion that no one dared to interrupt her.
After Qian Zhenniang finished speaking, her chest continued to rise and fall.
Only then did she dare to open her eyes and saw that the Xu family's eldest branch was looking at her in shock. Her face turned red with shame instantly, but she tried hard to control the heartbeat that was about to jump out of her throat.
She had never spoken so loudly in her life.
Now being stared at by so many people, looking at those pairs of inquiring eyes, Qian Zhenniang felt so nervous that she was about to faint.
She kept Feng'er's instructions in mind, and after saying this, she turned around and left without giving anyone time to react!
Sure enough, not long after, Huang Cui'e's exasperated voice was heard: "What did that damn girl say? She wanted to go to the government office to seek justice? Bah, who does she think she is? She even dared to go to the government office. Does she know where the government office is? It seems that she will rely on my Xu family for the rest of her life!"
Xu Dechi held Huang Cui'e and said impatiently, "Hey, I told you a long time ago, why are you fighting with Qian Zhenniang? The engagement has been called off, why do you care so much about her?"
"Then she should have stayed away from us if she broke off the engagement. She keeps hanging around me with a sad face all day long, it's giving me a headache!"
Xu Dechi said, "Come on, you're just feeling guilty about taking someone else's money. You're just afraid that Qian Zhenniang will ask you to pay the money back. What are you afraid of—"
Huang Cui'e's face changed slightly. She immediately pulled Xu Dechi and said in a low voice, "You better keep your voice down. It would be terrible if other people in the Xu family heard it. What if our boss gets unlucky because of her and can't find a wife in the future? It's bad luck for our boss to get involved with a woman like her. It's not too much to ask her for some compensation, right?"
Xu Huijia, who was standing by, spoke up, "Mom, why don't we return the silver to her? It's not easy for her as a little girl."
Huang Cui'e was furious at this. She grabbed Xu Huijia's ear, causing her to jump up in pain. "It's not easy for her, but it's easy for us? What nonsense are you talking about? Did that damn girl seduce you and you spoke for her? I tell you, it was because of her that you inexplicably broke off the engagement. Not to mention women, even men would have to think twice before breaking off an engagement. Do you think it would be easy for you to find a wife in the future? I tell you, if you don't make more money, you'll never get a wife in your life! You still pity her, why don't you pity me, your mother? Our eldest branch is the poorest in the entire Xu family. If you give her back the money with just a few words, then our whole family will be left with nothing!"
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