Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 107: Chapter 108: No Longer Concerned About Anyone’s Face_1 Chapter 107: Chapter 108: No Longer Concerned About Anyone’s Face_1 Mr. Village Head cleared his throat before speaking, “On my way here, I’ve also gathered the general idea; Mrs. Liang stole your designs and sold them in town for money. Such despicable acts, she really has no shame!”

Mr. Village Head truly despised her, his tone full of displeasure.

Muniang felt that Mr. Village Head’s special trip wasn’t just to say these words, so she patiently waited for what he would say next.

Seeing Muniang calmly waiting for him to continue, as if her insights saw right through his thoughts, he felt somewhat embarrassed. But for the sake of the village’s reputation, he had to pluck up his courage. No matter what, he had to speak up.

“However, although Mrs. Liang’s actions are indeed detestable, let’s not take this to the officials. The affairs of our village should be settled within our village. Otherwise, not only will it become a laughing stock to outsiders, but Tupo Village’s reputation will be ruined as well. In the future, when the people from our village want to marry off a daughter or welcome a bride, other villages will look down upon us,” said Mr. Village Head with earnest gravity.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liang’s face changed faster than one could flip a book and quickly burst into complaints to Mr. Village Head, “Mr. Village Head, isn’t it just so? This Qiao Muniang truly has no regard for the dignity of our Tupo Village, not even for you. What a trivial matter it was, and yet she insists on going to the officials. We could’ve just talked it over at your place and that would’ve been the end of it. She is deliberately trying to tarnish Tupo Village’s name, that heartless little wretch. She doesn’t even consider who has fed and raised her all these years. As soon as she got money, she doesn’t take us into account!”

This sharp-tongued display was a far cry from her earlier demeanor of pleading and begging Muniang for mercy. The sudden 180-degree turn left Muniang quite stunned.

It was Mr. Village Head’s furious shout that pulled Muniang’s thoughts back: “Nonsense! Who exactly is tarnishing our village’s name? If you hadn’t engaged in such thievery, our village’s reputation would be intact! Now here I am, shamelessly pleading on your behalf to Muniang and my face is burning with humiliation. How can you still have the audacity to make up stories about Muniang?”

Mr. Village Head was so angry that his whiskers bristled. Why was he shamelessly pleading for this woman? Long hair and short wit indeed, with nothing but mush in her head, she only knew how to cause trouble!

Mrs. Liang’s words indeed served as a wake-up call for Muniang, dissipating any pity she might have initially felt in an instant. She must have been out of her mind to have thought such a person pitiable, and her face turned cold.

“If I don’t hold her accountable, those who are unaware may think I am easily bullied. If it becomes known that our Embroidery House’s designs could be leaked every single day, then can we still run our business? When hiring, I made it clear repeatedly and even established a contract. Once someone crosses this line, they are to be sent to the officials without negotiation!” Muniang asserted, a hint of anger in her voice. If Mrs. Liang thought she could rest easy with the backing of Mr. Village Head, she was sorely mistaken.

Mr. Village Head then said, “Muniang, rest assured, I have taken all of this into account. I won’t let anyone get away scot-free and arrogantly exploit the situation. We do have village rules here, after all. Even if we don’t send her to the officials, she won’t get off lightly. Thirty lashes would be the least.”

At these words, Mrs. Liang turned pale. Thirty lashes, that wouldn’t leave her half dead or worse. She immediately began to wail, “Mr. Village Head, what crime have I committed that warrants such severe punishment? It’s common for someone in our village to lose a chicken or steal some vegetables, but just for stealing a design, you’re being so harsh on me!”

Mr. Village Head’s expression grew dark: “Can you even compare the two?! How can Tupo Village produce someone like you? If you were handed over to the officials, it would be the same thirty lashes. Don’t think that being dealt with in the village means I’ll go easy on you!”

These words were addressed to Mrs. Liang, but also to Muniang. Mr. Village Head had gone to such lengths; if Muniang were to insist further, she might come off as unreasonably contentious. After all, this matter affected the reputation and future interests of the entire village. Muniang, being a person who could weigh the pros and cons, nodded in agreement.

“Mr. Village Head has spoken, and I am not one to ignore the weight of these matters. For the sake of our entire village’s honor, I will let Mr. Village Head handle the matter this time.”

As soon as these words were spoken, not to mention Mrs. Liang, even the other villagers heaved a sigh of relief. The Village Head was fighting for the honor of Tupo Village, but in truth, he was also fighting for his own. They couldn’t allow Mrs. Liang, the rotten apple, to spoil the whole barrel. Otherwise, the people of Tupo Village would be looked down upon whenever they ventured out in the future.

“However—”
Muniang’s voice rose in pitch, and her tone grew much sharper, making everyone’s heart tighten.

“This time I spare the government office for the sake of Mr. Village Head, but if someone else dares to steal my embroidery patterns and sell them again, I’ll make myself clear right here and now. I won’t care about anyone’s feelings. If our village loses face because of that person, it will be their own fault. They can’t blame me for not considering Tupo Village’s honor. I, Qiao Muniang, am not to be trifled with. Why should I always yield to others?!”

Village Head quickly said, “You can be assured of that. If there is such a shameless pest again, even if they beg me, I won’t say a word. You can send them straight to the government office. Tupo Village wants to keep its honor, and so do I. My face is already burning from having to deal with this just once. If there is a next time, I’ll just expel that person from the village. We villagers can’t feel at ease with such scoundrels around.”

At these words, the villagers also chimed in agreement.

“Mr. Village Head is right. We wouldn’t feel safe having such thieves in our village. They have the heart of a thief today; who knows what they might do tomorrow.”

Mrs. Liang cursed and swore, “What have I done? A bunch of blind bastards, just itching to drive me out, aren’t you?”

Village Head glared at Mrs. Liang with hatred, “Shut your mouth! Keep blabbering and I’ll drive you out right now!”

Muniang smiled and said, “Since Mr. Village Head has given his word, then I am reassured.” The promise she wanted from the Village Head was actually a warning to everyone else. She couldn’t always be expected to give way if someone else were to harm the reputation of the village in the future.

Everyone shuddered at the thought. If there was a next time and even the Village Head would not intervene, and having witnessed Muniang’s methods this time, no one would dare to harbor such thoughts. The effect of Muniang’s tactic of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys was obvious.

Before long, a month had passed, and Muniang’s residence finally began to take shape. In a few days, they would be raising the roof beams, and then they would need to arrange a housewarming feast. The weather was gradually warming up, and Muniang was glad she had started building her house ahead of time. Otherwise, the small, dilapidated hut would be cold in winter and hot in summer. With the sun scorching like this, she wondered how they would survive the upcoming summer.

Just as she woke up from her nap that day, she saw Qinghe approaching. Without good cheer, Muniang chided, “I hadn’t seen you for half a month, and today I finally luck out.”