The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 103 Go Find Your Real Dad_1

Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Go Find Your Real Dad_1

"Stop right there!"

Zhang Yan called out to Pei Qin in a cold voice.

The servant she had kicked to the ground managed to get up with the help of his peers, his body bent over in pain as he groaned in discomfort.

Pei Qin turned her head and saw Zhang Yan’s eyes were somewhat chilling; she raised an eyebrow, "It seems to me you all come from a knowledgeable and well-mannered family, so what gives?"

She had already placed a high hat on him. Zhang Yan slightly squinted his eyes as he sized up the pretty village girl whose clothes were quite ordinary, yet there was an air of straightforward deterrence in her look, not the kind of aura one would expect from someone of lowly status facing a true aristocratic family.

On the other side, Wang Ting was already in an uncontrollable rage, pointing at Pei Qin, "You actually dared to hit my servant, you’ve got some nerve!"

Pei Qin knew all too well about the strong class distinctions in ancient feudal society, where a higher official could crush one underneath, and a higher status could similarly be overwhelming. Looking at the furious young master, she said, "If you think you can get this handcart, perhaps in a while you could buy it with just a few coins. But now, even if you give me silver, I won’t sell it to you!"

"You..." Wang Ting’s face darkened with anger, and upon seeing Pei Qin walking away, he turned and scolded his own servant, "Utterly useless! Can’t even handle a little girl!"

Zhang Yan, with his handsome appearance and distinguished status, was used to being the center of attention wherever he went. This insignificant village girl, having looked at him with dissatisfaction and outright ignored his words, just walked away. Her kicks from before seemed simple yet were exceptionally effective. He suddenly became curious to test her skills.

Wang Ting ordered someone to chase after Pei Qin, insisting on getting that handcart the more she refused to give it up!

The servant following Zhang Yan observed his expression and waited for instructions.

"Since it’ll be available in a few days, let’s just wait a few days," Zhang Yan said, looking down at the still-furious Wang Ting, "Weren’t we going to the Moon Restaurant to try that Snow Veggie dish? Let’s go! Your little uncle will take you there!"

"I want it today, why should I wait for a few days!" Wang Ting was very dissatisfied, but since his little uncle was going to accompany him to the Moon Restaurant to eat, he relented and obediently followed him to the Moon Tavern.

Lately, the number of people coming to the Moon Tavern for a meal had increased, and most of them would order the Snow Veggie dish. However, it wasn’t always available; only during certain times and to those of sufficient status could one hope to taste it.

The shopkeeper, upon seeing the third young master of the Wang family, accompanied by someone from Zhang’s family, hurriedly welcomed them to a private room with enthusiasm, proactively recommending the winter bamboo shoots that had just arrived.

Once the dish was served, Zhang Yan took a taste and found it indeed fresh, significantly more so than those left for several days. He thought about what Pei Qin had said upon leaving, that the handcart was not for sale at present but would be in the future. Yet in business, she seemed someone who would not favor profit, thus he dismissed these thoughts and focused on his meal.

By lunchtime, Pei Qin was starving. Her mother had each ordered a bowl of Yang Chun noodles. After finishing, Pei Qin felt it wasn’t enough, so she bought a meat pie to eat on her way home.

Si Ya’s face had been gloomy the whole way, and upon arriving home, she grumbled with a dark expression, "A mere handcart, just a few pieces of wood, and you refused ten taels of silver. Have you really gone mad from falling down the mountain? And you even hit their servant, offending that young master. We’re going to suffer for it in the future!"

Lady Fang frowned upon hearing this, "Si Ya, how dare you speak to your sister like that! Apologize to her!" She was indeed pained by the loss of the few taels of silver, but she knew Pei Qin had a partnership with the carpenter and they had agreed on the rules upfront, so they had to be followed.

"Mother always sides with eldest sister! Look at what she’s done!" Si Ya argued back, "Ten taels of silver could feed us until next year’s wheat harvest!"

Pei Qinqin’s expression turned coldly stern, "What’s wrong with what I’ve done?"

Pei Qin was the only treasured daughter of her parents, doted on by her father, who often said "No cowardly children for a tiger father". As a mother, she found it harder to discipline her as she grew older. Although fighting wasn’t good, Pei Qin hadn’t caused any serious trouble, and her behavior had actually brought pride to her elderly parents, so they let her be.

Having suddenly found herself transplanted into such a situation, with several new siblings, Pei Qin didn’t really take it to heart.

Although Si Ya was sometimes quite clever, she could indeed be too much at times.

Pei Qin, who frequently fought, conducted herself in such a way that no one could take advantage of her once she stepped out.

"The handcart and wheelbarrow are projects I am working on in collaboration with Wang Tiezhu, intending to make a good profit from them. Selling the items now for ten taels of silver would mean others could copy the design, and Wang Tiezhu would no longer be able to make money off it!" Pei Qin looked at her sister’s still somewhat frail face.

Si Ya was aware of the situation, "Even if he succeeds in making and selling them, he won’t share ten taels of silver with us!"

That was indeed what she thought. Pei Qin laughed coldly, "In your eyes, ten taels of silver is money, casting aside all morality and integrity!" Pei Qin prided herself on maintaining at least a semblance of ethics and loyalty, otherwise, she’d certainly be taken advantage of!

Lady Fang could see that Pei Qin was truly angry and knew Si Ya was at fault, so she reprimanded her to apologize to Pei Qin.

Still somewhat unconvinced, Si Ya retorted, "Am I not doing this for the family? So that we can have enough to eat!?"

Lady Fang spoke with a stern face, "Qianqian! It’s my fault for not teaching you better! You’re correct to think of the family, but one must have virtues and morals, strive to be an upright and kind person. Especially in a partnership, integrity is precious! If you fail in these, when disaster befalls you, no one will lend you a helping hand!"

Si Ya was a pet name; her formal name followed Pei Qin, a single character—Qian, Pei Qian.

Pei Qin stood up, her gaze coldly fixed on Si Ya, "I allow you to handle the money and tolerate your nagging, but if you dare mess with my business, go find your real father!"

Si Ya was terrified, her pale face turning white in an instant.