Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 105: Chapter 106 Exposure of the Affair_1 Chapter 105: Chapter 106 Exposure of the Affair_1 The peace that they, as a couple, enjoyed was because Qiao Yuanzhen saw value in Qinghe, or at least the over one hundred taels of her dowry. Once he took a hard stance, Muniang sighed, not daring to imagine.

Now, the seeds in the field have sprouted as well. Muniang had gone to the fields to specifically teach the laborers the techniques of cross-pollination, which wasn’t difficult: snipping off one plant’s stamens and using a cotton swab dipped in the pollen of another to brush it onto the pistil, then wrapping it in cloth. The key was to be meticulous and to care for them carefully; otherwise, the plants could easily die.

The laborers originally did not understand why Muniang had insisted on planting different types of vegetable seeds at intervals, and now they were even more baffled. But they did not dare to oppose her: if the master said to plant it that way, then that was how they would plant it. Now, they really did not dare underestimate her; if Muniang said one, they wouldn’t dare say two.

Muniang gazed at the thousand mu of fertile land with a feeling of accomplishment in her heart. Come next year’s autumn harvest, these fields would be full of new varieties that would earn a load of silver: yellow watermelons bred from common and wild watermelon seeds, a new type of cauliflower bred from a close cross of cauliflower and broccoli, and a watermelon radish from crossing watermelons with radishes. These novel crops weren’t just unique in shape but also offered a fresh taste experience and unparalleled nutritional value. Add to that the various grafted fruits from the mountains, and it was bound to be a lucrative haul.

Just thinking about it was exhilarating.

Zeng Gang, having received Muniang’s request, had specially assigned a small group of craftsmen to construct a row of bungalows for the embroiderers’ exclusive use to work on their embroidery.

In recent days, Madam Liu had been suppressing the fresh patterns that Muniang provided, only letting everyone embroider those two patterns. She, on the other hand, used the pretext of going to Chatu Town to procure fabric and threads to frequently wander through various Embroidery Houses, watching to see if anyone dared to leak the fresh patterns. She did not slack off in the slightest.

But as days passed, the leased shop had been settled, and it was about time to have the embroiderers start preparing products for the opening. Muniang thought it was time to let Madam Liu release more patterns. That day, as she was about to find Madam Liu to discuss the matter, she heard Madam Liu’s sharp rebuke before even entering.

“Who did this! Don’t think I’m blind. You couldn’t keep your patience, could you? If I hadn’t seen our unreleased pattern selling like hotcakes at the Golden Silk Embroidery House today, the culprit might still be smirking right now!”

Muniang’s brow furrowed; there really were those unafraid of death, bold enough to commit the act under their noses. She stepped into the house, where she saw those sister-in-laws and daughters-in-law standing around the room, looking at Madam Liu with a mixture of fear and trepidation. They really were somewhat frightened.

“What’s going on?” Muniang asked.

Madam Liu produced two handkerchiefs and held them up in front of Muniang, her face green with anger: “Look at this! There really is someone with a big enough gall. The patterns are selling like wildfire at the Golden Silk Embroidery House!”

Muniang’s face chilled: “Who did it?” Her gaze swept over each embroiderer’s face, and they all shivered.

Mrs. Liang’s heart skipped a beat, not expecting the leak to surface so quickly. The Golden Silk Embroidery House had only had the pattern for a few days before they started selling the finished product. What she did not anticipate even more was that Madam Liu would find out right after they began selling. How could her nose be so sharp?

Mrs. Liang didn’t know that Madam Liu had been specifically guarding against this for days, pretending to go on procurement trips while actually visiting the Embroidery Houses in Chatu Town. Moreover, Mrs. Liang had been foolish, underestimating how popular these designs would be. Such coveted items were of high importance to the Golden Silk Embroidery House, so naturally, they were quick to sell. Once they started selling, it was bound to spread among all the esteemed young ladies and ladies of Chatu Town—how could it be kept a secret?

Everyone looked at each other, yet no one admitted to it.

Muniang sneered, “I was wondering why someone would be so bold. It turns out they don’t take our contract seriously. Well, I’ll lay it out right here and now! Whoever it is should have the sense to step forward! Otherwise, those who are unconscious of their guilt, once I find out, I won’t spare them any mercy and will send them straight to the county government office!”

Her words sent a shiver through everyone’s hearts. Even though they were afraid of the contract, they did not expect Muniang to be so ruthless—to send someone to the county office could ruin their life.

Mrs. Liang was also somewhat scared, but she thought that perhaps Muniang was just bluffing with all these people around—who could tell who did it, anyway?

Muniang sneered again, “No one’s coming forward, huh? You think with so many witnesses around, I won’t be able to find out, is that it? It doesn’t matter. If we don’t know who it is, let’s all go to the County Government Office and ask the Local County Official for justice. The terms of our contract are very clear—it’s not something I’m going to let slide!”

Upon hearing that they might have to take this matter to the county office, everybody grew fearful. Mrs. Liang mustered up some courage to retort, “Why do we need to bring this to the county government for such a small issue? Shouldn’t we settle the matters of our village within the village? You think our Village Head is just for show? Making a fuss like this will only shame Tupo Village.”

Madam Liu said coldly, “Scared now? The contract states the terms clearly. How to deal with the issue will follow the contract. Anyone who hasn’t done anything wrong should be transparent. What’s a trip to the county office to them? The Local County Official is impartial. It’s those with a guilty conscience who need to be careful. When the moment of real shame comes, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance ahead of time!”

Mrs. Liang shrank back, feeling guilty inside. It seemed that Muniang and Madam Liu were serious. If they really went to the County Government Office, what would she do?

As Mrs. Liang was inwardly panicking, Xiangcai suddenly said as if remembering something, “Last time we went to Chatu Town, I saw Mrs. Liang coming out of Golden Silk Embroidery House.”

This statement caused an uproar among everyone. Muniang looked at Mrs. Liang with a gaze as cold as an ice cellar.

Mrs. Liang, on her toes and shrieking, protested, “What nonsense! When did I come out from there? Xiangcai, don’t you dare slander me! It must be your guilty conscience making you try to pin this on me!”

Xiangcai, with a darkened face, spits, “Hmph! I would never stoop so low. I personally saw you come out of that place. At that time, I even wondered how you could afford something from Golden Silk Embroidery House. It turns out you were deceiving me, thinking we’re all fools! Now, because of your shameful deed, you want to drag us all down with you—how selfish!”

Mrs. Liang retorted, “Don’t talk nonsense, have you got proof? Why should it be me? I’m telling you I’ve never been to that Golden Silk Embroidery House. You say you saw it with your own eyes; I also ‘saw’ you come out from there!”

Mrs. Liang was now going all out, firmly denying everything since no one else had seen her.

Xiangcai was infuriated, hardly believing Mrs. Liang could be so shameless.

Muniang watched with cool eyes and said, “As to who it was, why don’t we go and ask someone from the Embroidery House? If she went there to buy designs, surely someone must have seen her. We’ll see who’s slandering whom and who has a thief’s guilt. Just trying will reveal the truth, and then don’t blame me for not showing mercy!”