The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 146: Burst You (22)_1

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Burst You (22)_1

San Ya also held on to her arm, preventing her from retracting it, "Let them see that we’re doing even better since we left the old house. If they think of bullying us again, they should think twice!"

Si Ya pouted and reluctantly withdrew her hand.

Lady Fang was about to make dinner when she saw Pei Wenli and Lady Kong come in; she washed her hands and looked at them expressionlessly as they entered the house.

Pei Wenli, following Lady Kong’s earlier instructions, kept bowing and apologizing profusely, saying that he wasn’t at home and had no idea such a severe incident had occurred. It was all his mother’s confusion. After he heard about it, he specifically brought Lady Kong along so the couple could apologize.

Lady Kong also bowed deeply, her face full of remorse.

Lady Fang extended her hand, but seeing that Pei Qin remained silent, she retracted it.

With no one speaking up, the room was eerily quiet, making Lady Kong feel extremely awkward.

Pei Wenli looked up to see Pei Qin sitting with one leg crossed over the other at the table, eating pastries in an inelegant manner. There were neatly arranged boxes of assorted pastries on the table that looked more exquisite than those made in town. He bowed again towards Pei Qin, "Sister Daya! Big brother is here to apologize to you! I ask for your generous forgiveness, please!"

The split-pea cakes were quite tasty; Pei Qin took another piece, and after nearly swallowing it, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, "Finished apologizing?"

Pei Wenli and Lady Kong looked at her, puzzled.

"I forgive you both!" Pei Qin magnanimously declared.

Pei Wenli’s sense of relief was cut by half.

Pei Qin then issued an eviction order, "...We are busy at home!" and got up to help prepare dinner in the kitchen.

"You should head back now!" Lady Fang said, and she too busied herself in the kitchen.

Pei Wenli’s relief was stuck in his throat. He thought it would take quite a talk, but it turned out to be as futile as the last time, like punching cotton. She had already said she forgave them, and to bring up the Wang family’s matter seemed ill-timed.

Lady Kong never thought the eldest daughter of the second branch of the family could become so formidable. When she visited during the festive seasons in the past, she was always working silently. Now, it was like she had become a different person, leaving them with no strategy to handle her—it made her slightly regret not bringing that piece of satin cloth from the bottom of her trunk. All girls like jewelry and fabrics, she also had a pair of silk flowers she only wore a few times...

Being left to hang dry, both had no choice but to save face and temporarily return home.

Lady Zhu, learning they had taken the eggs and said words of forgiveness, yet were hung out to dry, was so angry she cursed.

Meanwhile, Lady Fang prepared millet porridge and began stir-frying dishes; the pungent aroma of chili sauce mixed with the fragrance of tofu spread throughout the air.

Lady Zhu cursed upon smelling it, "Eating such rich foods every day, aren’t you afraid of indigestion!"

Lady Kong remembered seeing Lady Fang in town a few days ago, saying Pei Qin had grown taller. Lady Fang had replied with a faint smile, suggesting that after the division of the family, the siblings had started eating better and thus grew taller.

After noticing that Pei Qin and the siblings had indeed grown taller, Lady Fang no longer restricted them from eating meat. Meat was a daily presence in their household, and since the siblings weren’t ones to gorge on meat, they ate it every few days. Eggs, too, were almost a daily part of their diet.

Since they hadn’t reached an agreement, Pei Wenli couldn’t keep lingering at home. He would come again the next day with Lady Kong.

Lady Kong brought the piece of satin cloth and a pair of silk flowers, enough to make Pei Wenlee green with jealousy.

"Yesterday’s eggs were for the apology, which we have accepted! But we dare not accept these," Pei Qin said, her most disliked thing being glossy fabrics.

"Yesterday was for the apology, and today is to soothe Sister Daya’s shock! This piece of fabric would make a beautiful cross-collared, buttoned vest for Sister Daya! You are getting to be a young lady now. These silk flowers were purchased from the county city and suit your lovely appearance perfectly," Lady Kong said with a gentle smile.

"First, I don’t like flashy fabrics; second, I don’t enjoy wearing flowers. If you have something to say, then say it. If it makes sense, we’ll do it. If not, don’t waste your time seeking other avenues!" Pei Qin said bluntly.

Lady Kong was extremely embarrassed. They indeed had something they wanted to discuss, but they couldn’t deny it.

Pei Wenli, seeing she was ready to start business and that he needed to hurry back to county school, promptly said what needed to be said about the wheelbarrows and hand pushcarts. He phrased it elegantly: they had only gone to Carpenter Sun, who certainly wouldn’t be quick enough, while Pei Houli was experienced, did good work, and was willing to split the work evenly with them.

Pei Qin smiled at him, "That’s not going to happen!"

"Sister Daya..." Pei Wenli began anxiously.

"Please call me Pei Qin from now on! Daya, your family’s servant girl, is already dead!" Pei Qin’s voice suddenly turned cold.

Looking into her eyes, Pei Wenli suddenly felt a chill, "Pei Qin...sister...Regardless of any grievances between the adults, we’re still siblings! If you ever need your big brother, I won’t hesitate to help!"

"I’ve never needed you before, and if I need you in the future, we’ll see!" Pei Qin said with raised eyebrows.

She spoke with a sarcastic undertone that reddened the faces of Pei Wenli and Lady Kong, who wanted to say more.

Pei Qin had already turned to have her meal.

The breakfast, simple but appetizing, consisted of a fried egg for each person, a generously sized slice of thinly sliced bacon fried golden and crispy, rice porridge, and a center dish of cold-seasoned hearts of cabbage.

Though the buns were made from mixed flour, the side dish was better than what they usually ate. Lady Kong looked at Pei Wenli, asking if they should try again. At home, she was always moving toward that direction; with time, relations could be mended.

Pei Wenli, however, felt powerless against Pei Qin and could only go along with Lady Kong’s suggestions and discuss the matter further at home.

After breakfast, Lady Fang and Mother Peiqin prepared to go straight to the town to set up their stall.

The weather wasn’t too good, a bit gloomy as if it might snow. There weren’t many customers for the noodles.

Before noon, they encountered two people who were considered familiar.

It was the children from the Fang family’s legal wife, Fang Fang and her brother Fang Liuyang.

With a broad grin, Fang Fang greeted her cousin and pulled Fang Liuyang to sit at a table, "I want the spicy pork noodles, and make a beef one for Er Lang!"