Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 156: Chapter 157 Slapping the Cheeky Kid_1 Chapter 156: Chapter 157 Slapping the Cheeky Kid_1 “Exactly, didn’t you hear what that woman said? Her daughter-in-law held up half the sky for him, working hard to take care of the family, just so her husband could focus on earning a reputation. And now that the man has gained some status, he turned his back on her, heartless as a wolf and ruthless as a dog!”

“His wife is truly pitiable, to be married to such a man is sheer bad luck. What’s the use of reading so many books for a man like that? It’s all like feeding it to a dog.”

Qiao Yuanzhen’s face was so dark it seemed as if it could drip ink, his whole body trembling, and with a glassy glare at Muniang, he stormed off the stage and ran away.

But Muniang couldn’t feel any joy in her heart; now that Qiao Yuanzhen has set his sights on climbing up the social ladder, wouldn’t Qinghe’s situation become even more difficult?

Thinking of this, Muniang couldn’t help but sigh.

Erliang approached and asked, “My lady, why are you unhappy?”

Muniang forced a smile, “Where am I unhappy? I’m just worried about someone else.”

Erliang nodded, not grasping such profound concerns, and tried to cheer up Muniang instead, “My lady, let’s go over there and watch the lanterns, shall we? They say that making a wish while releasing a lantern on the Clear Water River is very effective! Let’s give it a try!”

Muniang actually had no interest, but not wanting to disappoint Erliang, she nodded in agreement.

At the Clear Water River, there was already quite a crowd, and the enthusiastic lantern vendor approached Erliang and Muniang: “Would you like to release a lantern? Making a wish really works, just two coins each!”

Erliang immediately handed over four coins: “I want two lanterns!”

Muniang and Erliang each took a lantern, went to the riverside, and lit the wicks inside.

Erliang cradled his lantern and made a solemn wish. Muniang secretly opened her eyes and looked at his handsome profile. To be honest, such a calm Erliang was indeed charming. Muniang couldn’t help but imagine Erliang galloping on the battlefield, his presence surely dazzling.

Suddenly, Erliang opened his eyes and earnestly said to Muniang, “My lady, you can’t open your eyes while making a wish, or it won’t come true!”

Muniang didn’t believe in such things and laughed, “Then what did you wish for?”

Erliang tilted his head haughtily, “I won’t tell you! Otherwise, it won’t come true.”

Muniang snorted in mild annoyance, “Quite a mystery, aren’t you?” But still, she obediently closed her eyes and seriously made her wish.

Erliang stole a glance at Muniang before closing his eyes and made his sincere wish: may my lady always be happy and never feel sorrow.

Muniang didn’t have any particular wishes; her greatest desire was to strike it rich, and now that she was on her way to wealth, naturally, she had nothing specific to wish for, so she casually made a wish for a prosperous and thriving family.

After making their wishes, they strolled along the riverbank. Muniang then suggested, “Let’s go to the Embroidery House. Aunt and the others should be heading back too; it’s a good opportunity to meet up with them.”

Erliang nodded.

Just as they were about to head back, they heard Madam Liu’s anxious cries.

“Tianniu! Tianniu! Hongsheng! Hongsheng! My children!”

Muniang felt a sudden panic in her heart, could something have gone wrong?

“Auntie, what’s happened?” Muniang quickly pushed through the crowd to ask.

Madam Liu was frantic, her face streaming with tears, “Tianniu and Hongsheng are missing! I had brought the children to release lanterns. I was just bargaining with a vendor for a few lanterns when in the blink of an eye, both children were gone. Could it be that we’ve encountered child traffickers? I’m nearly out of my mind with worry!”

Muniang quickly said, “Don’t panic, the children might have simply wandered off while playing; it’s not necessarily the work of child traffickers.”

Honghai and Hongde’s eyes were also red from crying, “Sister and brother were walking together, Sister said she was afraid brother would get lost so she said she’d look after him, holding his hand as they walked. Sister never wanders off for fun, she wouldn’t get lost.”

Muniang’s heart sank, remembering Tianniu’s temperament. She was mature beyond her years, not the type to get confused. Since it was her with Hongsheng, then they couldn’t have just lost touch with Madam Liu. Could it really be the work of child traffickers?

“Auntie, try not to panic, the more flustered you are, the worse it gets. Think carefully about the situation at the time, recall every detail. They couldn’t have simply vanished without reason; someone must have been watching you for a while. Did you notice anyone strange, someone acting suspiciously?”

Madam Liu forced herself to calm down and think carefully, “I’ve always trusted Tianniu, so I let her play with Hongsheng while I was buying the lanterns. The vendor was discussing the price with me when, he, he, his face suddenly turned a bit pale.”

Muniang immediately asked, “What happened?”

“I can’t remember clearly now, but his face went pale all of a sudden. I didn’t think too much of it at the time. Then he smiled as before, handing me the lanterns and took the money, saying many flattering things. After I handed out the lanterns to the children, that’s when I realized Tianniu and Hongsheng were gone—”
Muniang’s voice turned cold, “That vendor must have seen who took them! But he was threatened, he didn’t dare to make a fuss, for fear of offending someone. He was even afraid that you’d realize too soon that the children were missing, which could complicate things. Then those traffickers might think that he deliberately tipped you off and might seek revenge on him. So, he deliberately delayed you with flattering words.”

Madam Liu turned pale and headed back to where she had bought the lanterns, where the vendor was just about to pack up his stall.

Madam Liu grabbed the vendor’s hand tightly, “Did you see who took my children? Tell me!”

The vendor was startled, not expecting this woman to return at this moment. He was already unsettled by the unexpected kidnapping he had witnessed earlier that day. Not wanting to get involved, he had chosen to keep quiet; after all, he was no match for those people and didn’t want any trouble. Now, he was ready to closed up shop and go home, yet she came back!

“What are you talking about? Who took your children? How would I have seen anything?” the vendor chose to deny everything.

Madam Liu, tearfully pleading, “Please tell me, where are my children? Who took them?”

The vendor tried to pull his hand back but found that he couldn’t overcome the strength of this woman, “How should I know? I don’t know anything, stop asking me! Are you crazy? Keep this up, and I’ll report you to the authorities!”

Muniang knew that continuing in this way wouldn’t solve anything. If a crowd gathered, it would only make things more difficult to inquire. So she approached the vendor with a friendly demeanor, “Young man, we’re just asking casually, why be so harsh?”

Seeing a savior in Muniang, the vendor quickly said, “Ah, Lady, you seem reasonable. Please help me pull this woman off me. It’s not proper for men and women to touch; others might get the wrong idea if they see this.”

Muniang smiled, “Alright, we’ll go now.” Before the words were fully out of her mouth, her hand stealthily chopped at the back of the vendor’s neck, knocking him out cold.

Stunned, Madam Liu heard Muniang exclaim in alarm, “Why did you faint? Oh no, could it be some illness, an attack maybe? We should hurry and get him to a medical hall. Husband, quickly carry him on your back, let’s take him to the medical hall.”

Erliang caught on immediately, hoisting the man onto his shoulder and walking off. The onlooking crowd didn’t notice anything amiss, instead praising Muniang for her kindheartedness, saving a life being greater than building a seven-story pagoda.

However, Honghai and Hongde just looked on with dismay; Sister Mu was simply too cunning!