The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 896 - 198: Little Rich Lady Pei Qian

Chapter 896: Chapter 198: Little Rich Lady Pei Qian

Fang Hui arrived and saw that Lady Yu and a few others didn’t look too good, definitely indicating something was up, and perhaps there had already been a scene when Fang Li returned home yesterday. Not wanting to miss out, she said, "Hua Ling is pregnant and craving some sour bamboo shoots, that’s why I came to get a couple of handfuls!"

Under such circumstances, Grandma Fang couldn’t very well refuse.

Fang Hui, as if it was no big deal like the pickled cabbage incident, turned to Pei Qin and suggested, "Why don’t you come along? It’s on the way! Aren’t you still discussing marriage arrangements?"

"Thanks for the kind offer, Mrs. Feng," Pei Qin glanced at her and after greeting Grandma Fang, Lady Yu, and several others, she left for home.

Fang Hui’s gaze turned deeper, and she smirked, instructing Feng Chun to drive the cart following the Fang family’s carriage, arriving together at Fang Family Village.

Upon entering the village, Fang Hui carefully observed the reactions of the villagers. If the matter had blown up, they would surely have some knowledge of it.

After looking around and finding nothing unusual—most people had gone to work at the Sweet Potato Flour Workshop and were not loitering around the village. Since it wasn’t possible to make fine sweet potato flour after the winter season, everyone was rushing to finish work, hoping to earn a bit more.

Returning home, everything was eerily quiet.

Fang Hui looked around and greeted Old Scholar Fang.

Old Scholar Fang looked at her expressionlessly.

Grandma Fang went to fetch her a handful of sour bamboo shoots and urged her to leave quickly.

"Where is Brother Fang?" Fang Hui took the bamboo shoots and asked.

"What do you want with him?" Grandma Fang frowned.

Fang Hui replied casually without much care, "I didn’t see Brother Fang at home, so I just asked."

Grandma Fang didn’t continue the conversation and saw her to the door.

Seeing how her mother hurried her away, Fang Hui’s heart grew heavy with annoyance and resentment. She looked around once more and took her leave.

Widow Yang was also carrying a bucket to fetch water, her face bearing an injury. Upon seeing Fang Hui, she quickly covered her face, turned her head away, and hurried back home with the empty bucket.

Fang Hui was puzzled, watching her until she hastily entered her home and closed the door.

"Aiyoh," the cousin of Grandma Fang called out to Fang Hui, "Your Er Lang is not so young anymore; haven’t you discussed his marriage yet?"

Mentioning the matter of Feng Chun’s marriage, Fang Hui immediately couldn’t hide her displeasure, "Last time, auntie mentioned she would help us look, and we’re still waiting! It’s been months; has auntie received any news?"

Aunty Fang’s expression faltered, knowing that she was always unwilling to be shortchanged, "We are still looking! That girl was indeed very nice. We were just talking about meeting her recently, but then no more news over these days."

Fang Hui knew these words were mostly false and still held a deep grudge against Pei Qin. If it were not for her maliciously disclosing the spicy pickled cabbage recipe, Er Lang’s marriage prospects would not still be up in the air. Last time she framed her for coveting luck and destroying their white cabbage; this time, it was about the spicy cabbage; each incident more severe and vicious than the last!

Aunty Fang, seeing her expression, changed the topic, "Liuming really is capable now, becoming an officer. His return was quite impressive! And now he’s about to get married, to someone formidable too. Surely, he will hold higher offices in the future and earn more money. Even your Brother Fang has fallen ill at this critical moment." She sighed and added offhandedly, "Yesterday, I still saw him talking over there! Your family searched everywhere before finally finding him." She gestured toward Widow Yang’s house.

A twinge pricked Fang Hui’s heart as she thought of Widow Yang’s injured face, her avoidance upon seeing her, and the unpleasant look on her parents’ faces, coupled with the off atmosphere at home. Several thoughts flashed through her mind, and she concluded that Widow Yang must have gotten involved with Fang Li; it had to be so, otherwise why was Lady Yu initially so happy about Fang Fang having a son? With her eldest son about to marry, she should be even more joyous, yet her demeanor told a different story. No wonder, indeed.

Fang Hui felt some displeasure, not because of Pei Qian, that wretched girl, but soon her eyes flashed, and she said with a laugh, "My Brother Fang is perfectly fine; he just returned with Liuming. Our home is about to welcome a new member, so there’s no way he could be ill! Pei Qian wouldn’t bring misfortune upon someone!"

Her words stirred the pot, and soon the news that Fang Li was ill spread throughout the village.

When he returned, many in the village had seen him and even exchanged greetings. His sudden illness was indeed peculiar.

Those who knew the details said nothing, and the Fang family kept the news under wraps. If they were to let it out, it would only offend others, and they weren’t foolish enough to do so.

Others who were unaware speculated wildly. Some said that Fang Li drank himself to illness; others thought he disapproved of Fang Liuming marrying Pei Qian and was feigning sickness, all mingled with rumors of Pei Qian bringing bad luck to her father-in-law.

Fang Zhi came to visit Fang Li, saying, "Brother Fang is ill; I have to pay him a visit! He was drinking and dining with me just last night; how could he suddenly fall sick!?"