Chapter 20: Chapter 20 - Scheme

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Cough, cough. What about me?”

Zhang Meihua, whose head was bandaged like a dumpling, coughed and said sarcastically.

Longyue flashed a rare smile. “As long as Zhang knows her place, you will definitely have a share.”

Zhang Meihua hated Longyue’s pretentious demeanor, but when she thought about how she could get new clothes for nothing, she quickly said, “Of course. No one likes to argue all day, right?”

“Ha, what a load of bullsh*t.”

Longyue pursed her lips. This was how shameless people became invincible!

At night, Longyue was embroidering under the light of an oil lamp. After Li Qingmu came in, he wanted to switch off all the lamps.

“What are you doing?”

“Wife, it’s late. It’s time to rest. It’s dark and bad for the eyes.”

He said this very gently. Longyue thought it made sense. In addition, she had been embroidering for the entire day and was indeed very tired. She put down the embroidery in her hands and rested.

Li Qingmu hugged her and they rolled into bed happily.

The next morning, Longyue, who had sewn up to 20 handkerchiefs, was going to the county city again. She was riding in Chai Tieniu’s ox cart, and his sister, Qiao’er, was also going.

“When we have money in the future, we must buy a cost-efficient carriage!”

The ox cart was too bumpy and her butt hurt from sitting on it. It could not be as spacious and comfortable as a carriage.

“Okay.”

“Third Auntie, there’s a piece of fox skin here. Why don’t you sit on it? It might be more comfortable.” Qiao’er obediently took a cushion from under the board. She smiled and said, “The first time I sat in my brother’s ox cart, I also felt that it was bumpy. So he specially made this piece of leather cushion for

me.”

Longyue caressed the large clump of fox fur and felt that it was comfortable and soft. She couldn’t help but think of how she had inexhaustible furs—fox furs, mink furs, and deer hide boots—back in her parents’ residence… She had everything she needed, but now, she didn’t even have decent fur!

It was all because of that ‘good sister’ that she was in such dire straits!

Great hatred suddenly welled up in her heart. Longyue clenched her fists and muttered, “I will teach her a lesson!”

“Wife, what’s wrong?”

Li Qingmu could sense the coldness from his wife and could not help but be stunned.

“Nothing, I just remembered something bad. Husband, don’t worry.”

Seeing that she was unwilling to tell him, Li Qingmu tactfully didn’t ask further. Soon they arrived at the county city. Chai Qiao’er, Longyue, and the others went to Jinxiu fabric shop and sold the silk handkerchiefs.

This time they did not run into that Miss Lu again. They got their money very smoothly and then Longyue bought a set of navy blue clothes for her mother-in-law, Madam Li Zhou.

On the way back, Li Qingmu looked at the new clothes in her hand and smiled. “Wife, this is a good plan.”

“How so?”

“Take things one step at a time. Let’s start with Mom, then Wang, then Meihua. Let them be filled with anticipation and eagerness. Once they get more benefits, you will be indispensable to them in the future…”

‘When Li Qingmu said this, his eyes turned dark. These words were for Longyue, but they were also for himself.

He would probably never be able to leave her again.

They returned home. As soon as Longyue stepped in, Madam Zhang Meihua immediately fixed her lantern-like eyes on them. She looked at Longyue’s hand and asked, “Where are the clothes?”

Longyue gave Li Qingmu a look. He immediately took out a set of navy blue clothes.

“This color looks too old. I don’t want it

Zhang Meihua pursed her lips. She raised her head and actually picked it up. Longyue laughed and said, “Meihua, don’t misunderstand. This set isn’t for you. It’s for our Mom!”

Madam Li Zhou had heard the commotion outside earlier, but she did not step out as she was afraid of Longyue. Hearing her say this, she quickly rushed out.

“Huh? New clothes?”

“That’s right, Mom. Look, this is what I bought for you. This color isn’t as heavy as black, and it suits your age. It looks the best to me.”

Madam Li Zhou did not care about colors. It was fine as long as she had new clothes to wear. She rushed over and took the clothes, afraid that Longyue would go back on her word.

Seeing that Madam Li Zhou had taken the new clothes, Zhang Meihua said unhappily, “What about me? Damn it, Mom has them. What about me? Why don’t I see mine?”

“That’s right, Longyue. Why did you bring only one set back?”

Madam Wang had also come out. She looked around and realized that there was nothing else. She was depressed. “So they are only buying clothes for Mom? We won’t get a share”

She immediately pulled a long face and said in a bitter tone, “Longyue, you can’t go back on your word!”

Longyue took in their awful behavior and looked down on them in her heart. She smiled and said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious! We didn’t sell much today, so we could only buy some clothes for Mom. I’ll buy some for you guys another day.”

“What? I saw you go with a basket of embroidered handkerchiefs early in the morning. Why did you only buy one set of clothing? Didn’t you buy two sets previously?”

Zhang Meihua’s eyes widened as she screamed.

“That’s right. That was the money I’d saved up for many days. If Second Sister-in-law has any doubts, why don’t you make a few and try to sell them?”

Zhang Meihua naturally couldn’t do such fine embroidery work. She was rebuffed and felt a little depressed. However, it wasn’t advantageous for her to fall out with Longyue now. She smiled apologetically and said, “Alright, Longyue. Second Sister-in-law was anxious. Don’t mind me. Um… Don’t forget

me later!”

She did not forget to stare at Longyue.

Longyue smiled and agreed. This matter was over.

Longyue and Li Qingmu returned to their house. Zhang Meihua had to recuperate and also left. Only Madam Wang and Madam Li Zhou were left. Madam Wang looked at the new clothes in Madam Li Zhou’s hands with envy. When she thought about how much money those embroidered clothes could sell

for, her heart itched.

She looked around, and after confirming that no one else was around, she quickly pulled Li Zhou to a corner and muttered, “Mom, is embroidery so profitable? Why don’t you let my Xiangxiang lear from her? When she learns it in the future, won’t she be able to provide our family with more income?”

“Well…”

Madam Li Zhou hesitated. She was a little moved by what Madam Wang had mentioned. However, she thought about Longyue’s temper. “This is not very nice, right… After all, it’s her livelihood…”

“Hey, mom, what’s wrong with that? This means of earning money should be shared with our family. Won’t everyone’s lives be better if we have more money? Besides, isn’t she teaching that girl from the Chai family embroidery? She’s teaching an outsider, so why can’t she teach her own family? Mom, this

matter doesn’t make sense!”

Initially Madam Li Zhou was hesitant, but after hearing what Madam Wang said, she felt that it made sense. Even outsiders could take a share of the profits, so why not make money for their own family?

She was afraid of Longyue, but when she thought of the silver taels.

She made up her mind and said, “Alright, I’ll talk to her later!”

“Hey, Mom, you don’t have to! Why don’t you let my Xiangxiang tell her herself!”

“Will… Will this work?”

“Why not? How could she not comply with a child throwing a tantrum? I’m telling you this because I want to let you know. You’ll know in your heart later, right?”

As Madam Wang spoke, there was a flash of shrewdness in her eyes..