A Good Country Wife
Chapter 347 - 341_1

Chapter 347: 341_1

"She is indeed my blood sister, but born of a stepmother. Otherwise, she wouldn’t scheme behind our backs to bring down our household. Zhao Lingxiang, you’ve got some nerve showing your face here." Lin Yue finished her words and looked towards Liu Aniu, "Brother Liu, well done. From now on, don’t let such people anywhere near our workshop—who knows what vile intentions they harbor."

After Zhao Erhu dismissed Li Chang’an, he had Liu Aniu help manage some affairs. Liu Aniu has increasingly taken on the look of a true manager and is loyal and reliable in his work. Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue had entrusted him with tasks, and he never cut corners.

"Do not worry, Madam Dongjia, the master also instructed, no unrelated persons are to be allowed in the workshop."

"Master Wei, I think there’s no need to repeat myself too much, or it loses its meaning. Our household does not welcome you, so please don’t force me to have you thrown out. That wouldn’t look too good for you."

Master Wei’s expression turned rather unsightly under the cold sarcasm of Lin Yue. He had indeed come to discuss business with Zhao Erhu, and finding the door closed and no one home, decided to visit the workshop on a whim, wondering if he might learn something of interest. However, what he did not expect was that in the absence of Zhao Erhu and his wife, a simple laborer was blocking the entrance to the workshop, steadfastly refusing to let him in.

Seeing Master Wei’s unhappy expression, Zhao Lingxiang quickly joined the confrontation against Lin Yue. After all, Zhao Erhu was her brother, and it was her own negligence that led her to be deceived and to take a fake prescription; she did not want Master Wei’s anger to fall upon her. "Sister-in-law, there is no need for such harsh words. Our master came to discuss business with Erhu, and when we couldn’t find either of you, he decided to take a look at the workshop. Why must you be so aggressive? Our master is not someone who covets your household’s trifles."

"If that’s the case, then why come to the workshop? To admire the scenery? Thinking everyone else to be fools, do you believe I’m unaware of the petty schemes you hatch behind closed doors? Playing the harlot while striving to erect an archway to virtue—truly revolting. Leave at once! Otherwise, I will indeed have you thrown out." Lin Yue was already in a bad mood because of the matter where Zhao Erhu had deceived her. Being faced with the likes of Master Wei and Zhao Lingxiang meant there was no need for pleasantries, so her words inevitably carried a tinge of anger and were far from pleasant.

Master Wei’s anger, which had been calmed by Zhao Lingxiang, began to rise rapidly again. "Humph! As the saying goes, ’women and petty men are the hardest to deal with.’ I, a respected elder, will not stoop to argue with a mere woman. We shall discuss this matter when Zhao Erhu returns."

With that said, Master Wei flicked his sleeves and left with Zhao Lingxiang, displaying his resolve. In his heart, however, he genuinely worried Lin Yue would have him ejected, which would result in a total loss of face. Additionally, with Lin Yue now back, there was even less chance of being allowed into the workshop. Business talks would have to wait for Zhao Erhu’s return. Remaining there served no purpose; however, he left a servant nearby to keep watch, so he could be immediately informed upon Zhao Erhu’s return to the Zhao family ancestral home.

Master Wei had initially headed directly to Zhao Erhu’s residence; it was only because there was nowhere else to go that he then proceeded to the Zhao family ancestral home, where yet another fiasco awaited him.

The Wei family only learned at this time through Zhao Lingxiang that they had been deceived; the prescription that Li Chang’an had provided was fake. Enraged yet helpless since the silver had already been paid to Li Chang’an, even if they went to settle accounts with him, he would not admit fault. Besides, such matters, if escalated, would only tarnish her own reputation further, and perhaps even incite Zhao Erhu to cause trouble for her.

As Master Wei and his party waited for Zhao Erhu at the Zhao family ancestral house, Lin Yue waited at home, expecting Zhao Erhu to provide her with an explanation. However, Zhao Erhu, having left in the morning, did not return until the evening. Master Wei grew impatient and had people inquire several times. At this hour, if Zhao Erhu did not return to the city, they would likely miss the closing of the gates and would have to spend the night in Zhao village.

Master Wei showed great disdain for Zhao Family’s old residence. How could he stay in such a crude place? He planned to go back and return tomorrow, but just then the servant boy came to report that Zhao Erhu had returned.

"Master, Zhao Erhu has come back." The servant boy Master Wei had placed to keep watch outside Zhao Erhu’s courtyard saw Zhao Erhu return in a horse-drawn carriage. He hastily ran to the old Zhao residence to inform Master Wei. The master had sent people to inquire several times, and he himself was bored from the wait, but at last, the man had returned.

"Let’s go, we’ll go to Zhao Erhu’s house right now." Master Wei was in a hurry to beat the clock and immediately set off for Zhao Erhu’s home.

"Wife, I’m back." Zhao Erhu had been busy outside all day, rushing about and barely managing to get back by evening. The moment he arrived home, he immediately went to his room to see his beloved young wife.

"You’re back." In the past, Lin Yue would always greet Zhao Erhu with joy when he returned. However, today her reaction was tepid. She gave Zhao Erhu a look and said with a flicker in her eyes, "Didn’t you say you went to the Government Office and Su Residence to deliver ingredients? Why are you back so late?"

Zhao Erhu sensed something unusual in his little wife’s response and feared that she might be upset over his late return. When he set out, he hadn’t expected to be delayed for so long. "Oh, I had to handle some other matters, and that’s why I got held up," he said.

Here Lin Yue was, and Zhao Erhu was still lying to her. Anger was rapidly rising in her heart, but her expression remained calm. "Really? What kind of matters did you handle?"

"I... Wife, don’t ask anymore. It’s just some business matters." Zhao Erhu didn’t want to lie to his own wife and spoke vaguely.

In the past, when Zhao Erhu would say such things, Lin Yue wouldn’t bother asking further, knowing that she couldn’t control everything a man does outside of home. But today, she was determined to inquire to the end. "Why can’t I ask? Zhao Erhu, have you done something guilty that you don’t want me to know about, or have you found yourself another woman? Did you really go to the Government Office and Su Residence to deliver ingredients today?"

Zhao Erhu saw the extraordinary reaction from Lin Yue and knew she might have sensed something or Wu Qiang might have given away something. His wife was so clever, it wasn’t easy to deceive her, especially since the excuse he had thought up that morning was fraught with too many inconsistencies. Now he was troubled over how to explain things to his little wife.

"What’s the matter? Have you run out of things to say? Won’t you continue making up your story? Zhao Erhu, I never dreamed you would deceive me. Why? Could it be that you have another woman? Actually, that’s not a big deal; it’s a good thing, isn’t it? Why hide it from me? If there is another woman, you could just bring her home. I would gracefully step aside and let her take my place, wouldn’t I?" Lin Yue knew things were probably not as she suggested, but she deliberately provoked Zhao Erhu. It was one thing to be deceived, but to continue being lied to upon his return was unacceptable. She had to teach him a proper lesson.

Zhao Erhu rubbed his forehead. What was she talking about? He knew that if his little wife discovered his deceit, she would jump to all sorts of conclusions. How could he have another woman? Taking care of this one was already more than he could handle. He cherished her so much, if he could, he’d keep her safe in the palm of his hand. However, the situation was something he couldn’t let his wife know about, causing him quite the headache.