The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 409: Satisfying Revenge (5)_1

Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Satisfying Revenge (5)_1

Sun Lizheng was beaming all day long.

Li Baoxiang had entered the fray, and Sun Xiujin, with her in-laws’ permission, was allowed to return to her parental home to see if she could cross paths with Shen Songming or encounter Magistrate Wu, hoping to pull some strings for Li Baoxiang.

Sun Xiujin did not seek out Shen Songming; she feared his dismissive and disdainful look, and above all, that he would expose her past misdeeds, ruining her reputation. The Li family, with their lofty attitude, even higher than her own family’s, would ensure she had no happy days ahead even if they did not divorce her.

Therefore, after discussing with Sun Lizheng, she approached Pei Qin to speak and ask for her help.

"The imperial examination!?" Pei Qin raised her eyebrows at her.

"It’s not about cheating on the exam or anything criminal, just that some scholars are almost on a par, and Li Baoxiang’s papers might get overlooked among them. As long as he is not buried by those who have connections and suppressed underneath them," Sun Xiujin earnestly requested.

Pei Qin thought for a while then shook her head, "I can’t do this task!"

Sun Xiujin looked slightly stunned, as she usually didn’t refuse, "...just passing on a message..."

Pei Qin gave her a deep look, "I don’t understand matters of the imperial examination, nor do I have the authority to meddle. But since he is Sun Lizheng’s son-in-law, if he truly has the talent and knowledge, I believe Magistrate Wu won’t let him be buried or brushed aside by those with connections!"

Sun Xiujin’s face flushed red, "Li Baoxiang is truly talented and knowledgeable! He’s much better than Pei Wenli!"

"Then you should just wait for the results!" She was not going to run errands for such matters.

Sun Xiujin left with a mix of shame and anger, not saying much more, her face shifting from red to purple. In her heart, she was seething with hatred. She had already married Li Baoxiang, and could only watch Pei Qin climb higher up the social ladder, receiving rewards and yet so heartless as to not even pass along a simple message.

Pei Qin was certain that if she told Wu Dongsi, "Don’t let Li Baoxiang’s efforts in the imperial examination be buried by those with connections," considering Wu Dongsi’s cunning nature, he would definitely assume she wanted to confer a degree upon him, and he would definitely make way, recommending Li Baoxiang to the educational official, giving him a title of Scholar. She didn’t know Li Baoxiang, why should she owe Wu Dongsi such a big favor for his sake!? Favors are easy to incur, but not so easy to pay back!

Pei Qian was wary of Sun Xiujin; seeing her leave, she immediately came to inquire with Pei Qin, "What did she want? She looked terrible walking out, as if we owed her something!" She never missed a chance to speak ill of Sun Xiujin in front of Pei Qin.

"Nothing much, she wanted me to pass on a message, which I refused!" Pei Qin uttered, not keeping it from her.

Pei Qian, thinking of the ongoing spring examinations, instantly understood what Sun Xiujin wanted and scoffed disdainfully, "Does she expect us to help her husband secure a title of Scholar? What wishful thinking! As if degrees can be obtained so easily! As if we owe her something!? To ask us to do such an illegal act, she should take a good look at herself!"

"Don’t be so venomous with your words; it will come back to bite you one day!" Pei Qin warned her.

"Why spare venom for someone with bad intentions like her!" Pei Qian huffed.

"Go about your work!" Pei Qin pushed her head gently.

Pei Qian wrinkled her nose in displeasure and went on to busy herself with her own matters.

Pei Qin made her rounds then headed to the workshop to check on the progress of the sweet potato seedlings. With the imperial eunuch present and the Pai Building being constructed, Pei Qin decided to continue propagating seedlings, announcing that this year’s spring sweet potato seedlings would be distributed for free as a way to give back to the people. After all, not many seedlings were being grown; most were focused on planting summer and autumn sweet potatoes.

The tender sweet potato seedlings had just begun to grow, and Pei Qin selected the fastest growing ones, snipping the sweet potato leaves to have the cooks prepare a dish for the imperial eunuch.