The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 255 The Eldest Sister is so Capricious (1)_1

Chapter 255: Chapter 255 The Eldest Sister is so Capricious (1)_1

Fang Hui felt that the words that weighed down her heart couldn’t even be uttered. If Pei Qin truly received the Government Office’s reward and came into glory, wouldn’t her aspirations grow even higher? By then, how could she possibly regard their family with any consideration!

Feng Shouxing, seeing her expression, also felt a heaviness in his heart. According to Grandma Sun, Pei Qin had always harbored the intention to rise above her station. If she were now to plant sweet potatoes and gain the Government Office’s reward, she would definitely seek to marry into a higher status!

Feng Bo was also full of worry. Looking at Pei Qin’s composed and faintly smiling demeanor, as though she were a family elder on equal footing with his own grandfather Old Scholar Fang, made him feel stifled and unhappy. He was only five days younger than Pei Qin!

Fang Li had his own concerns as well, but considering that his eldest son was currently studying and would surely make a name for himself in the future, a marriage between their two families would be a powerful alliance. Once his son became an official, Qinqin could become a Madam Official. Seeing the Feng family’s expressions, he couldn’t help but wear a slight smile tinged with pride.

Upon hearing that planting sweet potatoes could result in a Government Office’s reward, Grandma Fang was overjoyed, "Is there really such a good thing!? If she truly receives the Government’s reward, then little Qinqin and her siblings are set for life! No matter how much Old Pei’s House expands their business, opening restaurants or earning scholarly titles, we won’t have to fear them!"

Fang Hui couldn’t help but retort, "Even if planting sweet potatoes brings a Government Office’s reward, surely it can’t compare to having a title of scholarship, right?"

Old Scholar Fang knew that Pei Qin’s sweet potato planting was at the instigation of the son of the Jinan Magistrate. Even if someone from Old Pei’s House earned a scholarly title, or even became an official, they still couldn’t do anything to harm Qinqin and her siblings. Glancing at Fang Hui, he pondered and said, "Having a title of scholarship would certainly be much better! Seeing the stance of Old Pei’s House, they too are striving to move up. Now that they have opened a silk fabric shop and are walking the county all year round, they will have dealings with the Government Office. I heard from Fang Fu that Pei Wenli is studying very hard, we don’t know what will happen next year. So, we have to be prepared in advance!"

"What preparations, Father?" said Fang Li, ready to receive instructions as he saw his father glance towards the Feng family.

Old Scholar Fang looked around at everyone and began to strategize, "Fang Li, make sure the Pickled Bamboo Workshop thrives, and try to secure contracts with the restaurants in the county town. As for Qinqin and her siblings, there’s no need to say more, just focus on planting the sweet potatoes. Didn’t the young master from the Chang’s house say he could find some work for Feng Bo in their shop? Then learn something in the county shop! Next year, no matter the situation with Old Pei’s House, all our families should plant sweet potatoes and promote this crop!"

Feng Bo was stunned, his gaze immediately turning to Pei Qin.

Pei Qian looked back at him with a cold and calculating gaze.

"Father... Dalang is working at the noodle shop..." Fang Hui said with a forced, uneasy smile.

Old Scholar Fang cut her off, "The noodle shop just needs a couple of reliable village women to handle the menial tasks; Feng Bo really can’t learn much there. He’s not so young anymore. If he goes to the Chang family’s shop, with Qinqin’s connection, perhaps the shopkeeper will take even better care of him. If he learns the ropes, in a few years he too could be put to good use."

Fang Hui couldn’t suppress her anger. A daughter was still a daughter and couldn’t compare to a son or grandson! To send Liuming to town to study, to constantly curry favor with Qinqin and her siblings, while her son was demeaned to menial work at a noodle shop and being sent away!

Feng Bo blurted out, "Grandpa! I don’t want to go to the county town and trouble the Chang family, owing them a favor. My cousin has a lot on her plate, and the noodle shop needs someone we can rely on to manage things."

"We can manage the noodle shop ourselves; why must Cousin stay there!? If you go to the county shop, you can have a good future ahead of you. Working menial jobs at the noodle shop, when will you ever make something of yourself!?" Pei Qian said bluntly.

Her comments, unpleasant as they were, caused Fang Hui and Grandma Feng to frown, clearly displeased.