A Good Country Wife
Chapter 269 - 263 Ambiguous Ties_1

Chapter 269: Chapter 263 Ambiguous Ties_1

"Yueyue, does that mean you already have a plan? What is it? Let’s hear it." Zhang Chunhua picked up on the key point in Lin Yue’s words. She had always found Lin Yue to be clever and capable, certain that she could come up with a good idea.

Lin Yue nodded, "Indeed. You also know about Chunxi, that woman is motivated solely by profit and is by no means a benevolent helper. With her way of thinking, seeking out Zhao Lingxiang definitely had a purpose. She wouldn’t have offered her help without expecting a good deal in return from Lingxiang."

"That’s for sure, it’s easy to guess, but what does that have to do with anything? Didn’t we say that there’s no evidence Chunxi sold the bean sprouting method to Zhao Lingxiang? Even if Chunxi really did take advantage of Lingxiang, she wouldn’t admit it," Mrs. Liu said, puzzled after listening to Lin Yue’s analysis. She didn’t understand how this related to settling the score with Chunxi.

"Of course, it’s related. Although Chunxi herself won’t admit it, and we can’t do anything to her, if Zhao Jingui and the You Family found out that Chunxi received benefits from Zhao Lingxiang, they would surely try every means to scavenge for the gains Chunxi received. If Chunxi refuses to comply, she wouldn’t be able to get off easily with Zhao Jingui and the You Family. A good beating would be the least of her troubles. Given the You Family’s ferocity, they could torment a woman like Chunxi to no end. The benefits Chunxi received would ultimately end up in the hands of Zhao Jingui and the You Family."

"Exactly, that’s the logic. The benefits Chunxi worked so hard to get, she would definitely hide them well. If they were scavenged by Zhao Jingen and the You Family, who knows how livid she would be. This idea is brilliant, Yueyue, you’re really too clever. Sister, I admire you!" Zhang Chunhua was a straightforward and decisive person. Clapping her hands after figuring out the logic, she grew to appreciate Lin Yue even more. Lin Yue, though kind-hearted, was not falsely so. She would reciprocate kindness to those who were good to her, and to those who weren’t, she wouldn’t let them have any advantage. Being clear about gratitude and grudges was what made things interesting! If you were like those scholars preaching false doctrines of repaying evil with virtue, then how would you repay kindness?

"Sister, you’re too polite. To deal with such people, you need to know what they value most, and then take it away from them. That’s the most ruthless approach. Strike the snake at its vital point. For a profit-driven woman like Chunxi, her biggest weakness is her greed," Lin Yue said candidly as she faced the admiring gazes from Sister Chunhua and Mrs. Li Family. After speaking, she turned her eyes towards Zhao Erhu, her eyebrows raising slightly with obvious implications.

"Little guy, now you know how formidable your sister is, right? This plan is much better than barging into someone’s home and causing trouble. Are you convinced?" Lin Yue’s gaze carried a hint of provocation, stirring Zhao Erhu’s impulse to discipline his little wife again, only it wasn’t appropriate to act with everyone there. Women shouldn’t be spoiled—look at her, getting too cocky.

Everyone agreed that Lin Yue’s idea was good, and the matter was settled. The specific task was left to Sister Chunhua to carry out. Having been in the Zhao Family village for many years and being well-connected with a good reputation, she was the best candidate for this task.

Calling Zhao Dahuo and his wife, along with Wu Qiang and his wife, was not just about dealing with Chunxi, but also to strengthen defenses against Zhao Lingxiang’s underhanded tactics. Lin Yue surmised that Lingxiang and Chunxi’s most likely strategy would be to bribe their family’s laborers, get them to spy, and then reveal the methods to Lingxiang. As long as they were diligent in their vigilance, Lingxiang wouldn’t be able to succeed. As for those laborers with divided loyalties, they couldn’t be kept either; otherwise, it would just be inviting trouble.

Zhang Chunhua was very efficient in handling affairs. As soon as she left Zhao Erhu’s house, she went door to door. Her task was simple: to spread the news of Chunxi selling the bean sprout recipe after receiving plenty of benefits from Zhao Lingxiang, ensuring that everyone knew about it. Naturally, it would reach the ears of Zhao Jingui and the You Family, so there was no need to worry about what would come next.

As for this incident, Li Xiaomei also played a significant role. She knew about it but thought that Lin Yue was being kind by not holding a grudge against Chunxi. However, she felt that letting Chunxi off so easily was too lenient. When she heard the rumors, while others were still doubting, she immediately stood up and confirmed that Chunxi’s acceptance of benefits from Zhao Lingxiang was true. Li Xiaomei was Zhao Lingxiang’s blood sister-in-law, so when she said that, everyone believed it must be true.

"So it’s true after all. I thought someone was spreading falsehoods," Villager A said skeptically.

"How could it be fake? Haven’t you heard the Li Family acknowledging it? She’s Zhao Lingxiang’s blood sister-in-law. If it weren’t true, would she admit to it?" Villager B asserted confidently.

"Chunxi really isn’t a good sort, is she? Isn’t this outright ungrateful? Just a few days ago, she did that despicable thing of selling ’bad eggs’ to others, and now she’s gone and leaked someone else’s way of earning money. You can’t associate with such a person; you’d never know when you might get harmed by her," Villager C said with disdain.

"Yeah, yeah, we need to be careful around this woman in the future. No wonder Zhao Jingui brought another woman home and didn’t want her. Who would dare to have such a woman? She’s nothing but a disaster. I heard she’s also promiscuous and unfaithful. Keep your family men away from her, or they’ll be seduced by this shameless woman, and then there’ll be a scene," Villager D expressed with disgust, reminding everyone to beware, using Zhao Erhu’s wife as an example.

Most of the villagers had worked for Zhao Erhu and had benefited from his family. Their sympathies naturally leaned towards Zhao Erhu’s side. Moreover, Chunxi’s actions were indeed indefensible. In no time, Chunxi once again became the talk of the Zhao Family Village, her reputation even worse than before. Nearly no one in the village wanted to deal with this morally corrupted woman. Men would take a detour upon seeing her, fearing that their wives would find out and create complications.

When Zhao Jingui heard these rumors, his expression turned very ugly. This restless woman, no wonder Zhao Lingxiang came looking for her. She not only did such a thing but also let everyone find out, tarnishing their whole family’s reputation. The silver she got from Zhao Lingxiang wasn’t handed over either. It really was as the You Family predicted; Chunxi never knew when to stay put. Now, he was the subject of pointing fingers and gossip everywhere he went. He was determined to beat this shameless and incorrigible rag when he got back.

"Chunxi! Chunxi, you shameless woman, you promiscuous rag! Come out right now! How dare you do such a thing. Today, I will break your legs to see if you still dare to bring disaster upon us behind my back. Our family’s name has been utterly soiled because of you." Actually, what Zhao Jingui cared about the most wasn’t that Chunxi did it, but that she did it without covering it up well, becoming the village’s talking point.