pappabearbooks Chapter 35: A Rival Appears
Chapter 35: A Rival Appears
Chun Nuan accepted the old lady’s suggestion and moved into Old Master Zhang’s courtyard with her eldest sister-in-law."This courtyard is really nice."
This is truly a place that can shield from the wind and rain, Zhu Lingling said, "Grandmother and mother can all move over too."ruly can’t know life’s hardships until they’ve experienced downfall.
The Xiao Family now understands the hardships of life.
From ladies and young masters who never lifted a finger to see the vegetables by the door growing differently each day brought great joy,
"Grandmother, look, these are loofahs, cucumbers, and bitter gourd leaves..." Chunyan, supporting the old lady on a walk, introduced while strolling, "After planting for over a month, the vines are growing. Aunt Luo said they would bloom soon."
"Amazing, our Yan’er can recognize these vegetables and melons now."
"Of course, naturally, I recognize them." Chunyan laughed. "Grandmother, Yan’er is amazing now, and can recognize many wild herbs."
"Yes, our Yan’er is truly amazing."
While the grandmother and granddaughter were chatting, someone was seen approaching the house.
"Grandmother, look quickly, the young master from the Zhao family is here; he’s definitely here to see Sister."
Zhao Minghua did not expect the response, "Nuannuan is not at home."
"Old lady, may I ask where Miss Xiao has gone? I have something urgent to discuss with her."
"Is it urgent?"
The old lady thought for a while, "Then you can find her at the courtyard in town with a Huang Jue Tree, she is staying there with Lingling."
"Alright, thank you, old lady, I will go there to find Miss Xiao."
After walking a few steps, Zhao Minghua suddenly realized,
"Qingsheng, isn’t that courtyard with a Huang Jue Tree the one belonging to Old Master Zhang?"
In childhood, they’d often climb the Huang Jue Tree and then scale the walls to sneak into the courtyard to play hide and seek. The courtyard was always vacant, fully equipped, and Old Master Zhang’s servants would occasionally come to clean it.
Once, he even fell asleep on one of the beds, and when he woke, it was already late at night.
On returning, it was almost an uproar at home, thinking something had happened to him, and Qingsheng got beaten half to death for it.
"Yes, young master, you also slept there for half the night, and the family thought you were abducted, so I was beaten."
"You still remember that incident?"
"Of course, I remember."
The young master’s every misdeed from childhood to maturity was logged in a small book. Having chosen such a lively master, he just had to endure it.
Fortunately, his master never mistreated him, treating him like a brother.
"So why was it given to Miss Xiao?"
"I don’t know."
Zhao Minghua... maybe it’s time to get rid of this servant, answering so straightforwardly, without intending to think?
"Can’t you just ask Miss Xiao directly when you see her, young master?"
"Need you to remind me?"
Zhao Minghua pondered for a long time, yet couldn’t understand why Miss Xiao had connections with Old Master Zhang again.
"The Xiao family rents the sandy field at the entrance, originally cultivated by Old Master Zhang, handed over to the Xiao family. After harvesting the rapeseed, the stalks were all pulled out by the Xiao family to keep as firewood. Then they planted rice. Young master, don’t you remember you even asked me to help with the transplanting?"
"Yes, the field is rented, so the house might also be rented." Zhao Minghua was even contemplating offering her a courtyard to move them in, only to realize they had already arranged for themselves.
He started to suspect Old Master Zhang’s intentions were not good.
"Does the Zhang family have any other dealings with the Xiao family?"
"It’s said that the Xiao family arrived late, lacking seedlings, so Uncle Ma, Zhang family’s steward, informed the tenants to save the leftover seedlings for the Xiao family, allowing their sandy field to be completed smoothly."
With not only rented fields but also houses, and help with finding seedlings, the Zhang family’s motives seem impure.
Could it be they learned that Miss Xiao has a knack for processing herbs and want a share of the profits?
Is a competitor emerging?
This is bad, if only he had made her sign a contract earlier, stipulating the herbs she processes could only be sold to Hundred Herbs Hall!
Yes, this visit must resolve this issue and nip Old Master Zhang’s plan in the bud.
"The Zhang family’s business doesn’t include a pharmacy, young master, are you overthinking?"
"Do you know anything?" Zhao Minghua glared at him, "Do you think Old Master Zhang stays home for nothing? He’s plotting secretly, and let’s be honest, nobody would turn down a windfall of silver."