A Good Country Wife
Chapter 343 - 337_1

Chapter 343: 337_1

Wei Family’s matriarch naturally wouldn’t keep from her own daughter how she got the formula, especially since it was Zhao Lingxiang who had suggested it. Though stealing was not the most honorable act, now there could be something wrong with the formula, and Zhao Lingxiang, aware of its severity, had no choice but to recount how the matriarch had obtained the formula.

"Master, that’s how it is. The formula was obtained by the hired hand while Zhao Erhu and his wife were unaware. There shouldn’t be any problem, right?" Zhao Lingxiang looked at Master Wei anxiously, her heart unsettled. She was the one who had acquired the formula, and if any problem arose, it was her responsibility. The master might neglect her again, and considering the favoritism he had shown her lately, the other women in the household probably wished her dead. Her days would not be easy, but thankfully, she had the child in her womb. For the sake of the unborn child, the master would probably make an exception.

Master Wei had always been a cunning and unscrupulous businessman, having committed even more vicious and cunning deeds for the sake of business in the past. Thus, he didn’t find anything wrong with the way Zhao Lingxiang had obtained the formula; instead, he somewhat admired her, feeling that this woman was somewhat intelligent and was very dedicated in helping him with his affairs. However, it seemed now that the formula was likely problematic.

"The formula is most likely fake," Master Wei pondered aloud. With his years of experience in business and his skill in judging people, he had met Zhao Erhu and his wife and found them exceedingly cunning. Knowing that they were aware of his interest in the formula, how could they allow it to be easily stolen? This must have been a trap they set, providing a fake formula and enticing the hired hand to steal it. His own impatience had led him to challenge Zhao Erhu’s business before the goods from the formula were ready. Now, in this situation, he needed to act quickly to acquire the real formula. Otherwise, the loss would be substantial.

Hearing that the formula might be fake, Zhao Lingxiang’s face changed color. She looked at Master Wei tremblingly, afraid that he would blame her. "Master, how can the formula be fake?! The hired hand clearly said it was very difficult to obtain. He lurked in Zhao Erhu’s household for over a month before finding the opportunity to steal it," she said anxiously.

Zhao Lingxiang spoke hurriedly, clinging to a sliver of hope that Master Wei was mistaken, and that the issue wasn’t with the formula so it wouldn’t be her fault.

"Zhao Erhu and his wife are so cunning; how could they possibly leave the formula where a hired hand could find and steal it? It’s likely that your repeated demands for the formula made Zhao Erhu and his wife wary, and so they deliberately set up this trap to frame you," said Master Wei, revealing his thoughts.

"If the formula is indeed fake, then, then what shall we do? Master, your concubine never intended this. I never imagined Zhao Erhu and his wife could be so cunning and fell for their plot. Please punish me, Master." Drawing from past experiences, Zhao Lingxiang knew begging for mercy was futile. By admitting her mistake and showing a proper attitude, the master might be lenient in his punishment. She immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

Perhaps due to a trace of past fondness, Master Wei, exceptionally, did not blame Zhao Lingxiang this time. He personally reached out and helped her up from the ground. "You are not to blame for this; you were wholeheartedly serving me. Although you didn’t handle it well this time, just be more cautious in the future. Get up from the ground; you carry a precious child in your womb, carefully nurtured. You must not harm the child."

Zhao Lingxiang had expected a harsh scolding, but Master Wei was unexpectedly amiable. Surely, he refrained from blaming her for the sake of the child in her womb. Relieved, Zhao Lingxiang treasured the unborn child even more, as the child was her talisman.

"Thank you, Master. I will definitely be even more diligent in serving you in the future," Zhao Lingxiang rose to her feet, following Master Wei’s lead, her eyes brimming with gratitude, looking for all the world as though she had indeed been moved by Master Wei’s magnanimity.

"However, Master, since this prescription is fake, what shall we do now? I heard that you’ve already sent people to negotiate business. If they can’t produce the goods listed in the prescription, wouldn’t that be difficult to explain?" Fully aware that this topic was a minefield, Zhao Lingxiang still had to steel herself to clarify the matter, lest those women with ulterior motives in the back courtyard provoke the Master and cause trouble for her later.

Seeing Zhao Lingxiang not shying away from the issue and wholeheartedly considering his interests, and thinking of the child Zhao Lingxiang was carrying in her womb that was his own, Master Weifelt increasingly satisfied and was willing to discuss more with Zhao Lingxiang. "This is indeed a problem. I am currently troubled by this matter myself, and the only plan for now is to figure out a way to get our hands on the real prescription."

"But the only people who have the prescription are Zhao Erhu and his wife, those two are hard nuts to crack. No matter what I said back then, they refused to hand over the prescription," Zhao Lingxiang stated, deeply concerned for Master Wei and conveniently glossing over the fact that she had previously tried to obtain the prescription with twenty taels of silver, out of greed for the money.

"That was before, the situation is different now. Money talks! I am willing to spend a considerable sum this time, I’m not afraid I won’t be able to buy the prescription, especially since all the other households have cut off their cooperation with Zhao Erhu. The prescription is of no use in the hands of Zhao Erhu and his wife, I don’t believe they would ignore the cold, hard silver," Master Wei stroked his small beard with a sure expression, then turned to look at Zhao Lingxiang’s belly.

"I’ve heard from the doctor that you are taking good care of yourself, that the fetus is doing quite well?"

"Indeed, thanks to Doctor Zheng, his medical skills are truly exceptional, far superior to the previous quack. Now, the child in my belly is doing well." When Zhao Lingxiang spoke of Doctor Zheng, her mouth was full of praise. The mistress had previously endangered her unborn child, which nearly led to a miscarriage. Fortunately, they had Doctor Zheng attend to her, and after a few months of his care, the child in her womb was now well, revitalizing her spirit significantly.

"If that’s the case, then you will accompany me to Zhao Family Village tomorrow. Can you withstand the journey?" Master Wei looked at Zhao Lingxiang’s not-so-obvious belly with some concern, for he hadn’t had another child for many years, and the child Aunt Zhao was carrying might be his last. He needed to be cautious—business was important, but the child was equally so.

Zhao Lingxiang had a guilty conscience, fearful that her previous deeds might be exposed. She was eager to accompany Master Wei back to the Wei Family Village, to adapt to the situation on the fly, in case Zhao Erhu and his wife said something out of place. Last time, Doctor Zheng also mentioned that the child in her belly was stable now and that as long as she didn’t engage in any strenuous activity, there would be no issue. "Rest assured, Master. The child in my belly is doing well. Doctor Zheng even advised that I shouldn’t always stay cooped up in my room and should walk outside moderately, as it’s beneficial for the child in my belly. I think as long as I’m careful, it should be fine to go to Zhao Family Village."