Chapter 358 - 358: Turning Enemies

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

After breakfast, everyone got busy with their own things.

Grandpa Chu, Grandma Chu, Chu Rong, and Chu Qingyan went to work in the fields. They had finished harvesting the corn, and today’s main task was cutting corn stalks. They planned to finish by noon and then go to Li Qingyin’s house for lunch.

Li Qingyu went to the county to buy gifts and then went straight to Li Qingyin’s house to help cook.

Chu Xuhua took a basket and filled it with sausages, sandwiches, bread, and biscuits, ready to go out to do business with Li Zhangjie.

Shen Ruyue sent Chu Xuhua to the village entrance and then returned to arrange the workshop.

Since the morning, many people came to pick up goods. There were also tasks such as purchasing raw materials and keeping accounts. The workload was extensive throughout the day.

Chu Qingyue and Chu Qingshuang went to the county together. One went to Cloud Embroidery Workshop to learn embroidery, and the other went to Li Porcelain Shop to learn ceramics.

Chu Qingning, Yuan Hongjun, and Bao Linjiang went to collect the herbs Chu Qingzhi wanted.

Chu Xu jin and Ge Lihua were assigned a secret mission by Chu Qingzhi. After breakfast, they helped clean up the house before heading to the county office.

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao were taken to the school by Fu Bao. They left right after eating, but today, the two of them brought four sandwiches to the school without explaining why.

The idle person, Wu Yaqing, followed Chu Qingzhi, claiming to be her assistant.

Li Qingyu walked towards the county city. After taking a few steps, she bumped into Matchmaker Xu, who had come to talk about Chu Qingning’s marriage before.

“Qingyu girl, where are you going so early?” Matchmaker Xu was here especially for Li Qingyu. Seeing her, she was very enthusiastic, thinking to herself that if this matchmaking went well, she would definitely make a lot of money.

Li Qingyu was in a good mood because of her nephew’s birthday and greeted the matchmaker with a smile. “It’s my nephew’s birthday, so I’m going to buy some gifts,”

“You even specially went to buy gifts?” Matchmaker Xu thought to herself. What a rich family. If it were me, 1 would just bring some eggs from home.

Li Qingyu smiled, “In the past, when the children had birthdays, we didn’t hold a celebration because we were poor. This time, I need to prepare something grand.”

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, “Good, good.” Then she shifted the topic, “Speaking of which, have you thought about that thing?”

Li Qingyu was prepared for this, “Sister Xu, my Qingzhi is still young, and i want to keep her at home for two more years.” This was a polite way of refusing.

Hearing this, Mrs. Xu’s smile faded a bit. “Qingyu, Qingning will be almost seventeen in a few months. She’s not young anymore. In our village, girls are already married and become mothers at seventeen.”

Li Qingyu didn’t like others talking about her daughter, “Sister Xu, you can’t generalize. There are those who haven’t become mothers or married at seventeen. How can you make such a sweeping statement?”

Seeing that Li Qingyu was not happy, Mrs. Xu quickly softened her tone, “Qingyu, 1 didn’t mean that. What 1 meant is that the family I mentioned to you has really good conditions. If you miss this opportunity, there won’t be such a good match next time.”

“Thank you for your kind intentions, but 1 really want to keep Qingning at home for two more years.”

Li Qingyu actually felt that that family was not bad, but since Qingning said no, she could not force her.

After marriage, women had to take care of their husbands, in-laws, and children. There was no rest throughout the day. She believed that women should do these things, but the premise was that they had to do it willingly.

Matchmaker Xu’s smile gradually disappeared, “Qingyu, women will eventually get married. Why keep her at home? What’s the point?”

Li Qingyu felt upset. She explained, “Sister Xu, everyone has their own aspirations. Getting married and having children is good, and learning medicine is also good. Can’t people be different?”

Matchmaker Xu’s smile completely disappeared, and her tone quickened. “Sister Qingyu, are you looking down on others just because your family is rich now?”

Li Qingyu hurriedly said, “Sister Xu, don’t say that. 1 don’t mean that at all.”

Matchmaker Xu, with a somewhat aggressive tone, questioned, “Chu Qingning is at the suitable age for marriage. Why keep her for two more years? Do you think the other family is not wealthy enough for yours? Do you look down on them?”

Li Qingyu hurriedly denied, “I never thought that way. The son of the family you mentioned is about to take the imperial examination, and it’s us who can’t match their family.”

Matchmaker Xu pressed on, “Then tell me, why keep her for two more years?”

Unable to withstand Matchmaker Xu’s relentless questioning, Li Qingyu had to find an excuse, “Qingning is now studying medicine, and she plans to go on a journey after learning medicine. She won’t be able to get married in the next two years. I’m sorry, Sister Xu, for making you come here in vain.”

Matchmaker Xu didn’t agree, “Oh, Qingyu, how can you let her act so recklessly? What’s the point of a woman learning medicine and going on a journey? Getting married and having children is the most important thing. Otherwise, she’ll become an old spinster and won’t be able to get married!”

Li Qingyu also worried, but looking at Ge Lihua, who was both literary and martial, and became a female constable after traveling, it didn’t seem that bad.

Moreover, comparing the village girls who married at seventeen or eighteen with Ge Lihua, the difference was huge. The village girls wouldn’t catch up to her even in several lifetimes.

Now Chu Qingning had the opportunity to become a girl like Ge Lihua, as a mother, how could Li Qingyu not support it?

“Sister Xu, everyone has their own aspirations. Getting married and having children is good, and learning medicine is also good.”

“Qingyu, look at which family allows their daughter to learn this and that?”

Li Qingyu was a bit annoyed, “There are many other girls in the surrounding villages. Why don’t you try matchmaking them?”

Matchmaker Xu looked uneasy, “Li Qingyu, you don’t appreciate good intentions. I’m doing this for your own good.”

Are you sure you are not doing this for the matchmaking fee?” Li Qingyu’s good mood was almost gone, “Thanks for your kindness, but it’s pointless to continue talking like this. 1 have things to do, so I’ll take my leave.”

The matchmaker cursed, “Li Qingyu, you will regret this sooner or later.”

“No need for your concern,” Li Qingyu turned and walked away, feeling thoroughly annoyed.

As Li Qingyu left, the matchmaker muttered behind her, “Your daughter will end up being an old spinster, no man will want her…”

Hearing these words, Li Qingyu turned around and glared at the matchmaker, “Your daughter does have someone who wants her, but she’s constantly being abused by her husband. As a mother, you don’t care about your daughter at all. Are you even fit to be a mother?”

Matchmaker Xu felt guilty and shrank her neck. “What does it have to do with you?”

Li Qingyu coldly said, “I just can’t help but feel sorry for your daughter, having a mother who doesn’t care about her well-being. It’s better to be an orphan!”

“You…” The matchmaker hadn’t expected Li Qingyu to be so tough despite her seemingly soft appearance. She dared not say anything more and hurriedly left.

Li Qingyu stood with hands on her hips, snorted, “My sons and daughters are my bottom line.. You want to harm them? Over my dead body!”