Farm Tough Girl-Chapter 217 - Enemies on a Narrow Road_1
Chapter 217: Chapter 217 Enemies on a Narrow Road_1
Chapter 217 -217 Enemies on a Narrow Road_1
The Master, a scholar, couldn’t stand such shameless and ignorant women, and his face darkened on the spot, “Leave the child here, you can go now!”
Mrs. Liang wanted to say more, but seeing the old man’s grim expression, she dared not speak further. She couldn’t afford to offend the Master; otherwise, if he didn’t teach her son properly, what would she do if her son didn’t become the Number One Scholar?
Yet, inwardly, Mrs. Liang was cursing him. That old wretch dares to take this tone with me, but my son is destined to be the Number One Scholar. Just you wait, when my son becomes someone important, I’ll show you!
“Then I’ll trouble the Master, I’ll be leaving now. Shitou, study hard, don’t embarrass your mother, you still have to aim for the Number One Scholar in the future!” Mrs. Liang’s voice was extremely loud, even carrying a hint of smugness as if afraid no one would hear her.
Little did she know how others were mocking her in their hearts.
Shitou annoyingly pushed Mrs. Liang away, “I know! Stop nagging, just go already! So annoying.”
Mrs. Liang poked Shitou’s forehead, “You little brat, how can you speak to your mother like that? Well, I’m leaving now. Be good here, behave, and let the Master teach you more.”
After this series of instructions, she finally turned and left.
Just as she reached the doorway, she bumped into Muniang and her party who were standing outside, and she got startled. To be precise, she was startled by Muniang. Ever since she got flogged thirty strokes for stealing designs from Muniang’s Embroidery House, just the thought of Muniang’s gaze made her extremely nervous, and in the village, she would even take a detour when she saw Muniang.
Madam Liu was hesitating whether or not to greet them. After all, they were from the same village, and it would be rude not to acknowledge them. But with Mrs. Liang creating such a spectacle, she really wanted to distance herself from this embarrassment.
Mrs. Liang, however, had already regained her composure, and seeing the children by Madam Liu’s side, she arrogantly lifted her head, “Oh, don’t tell me you’re also sending kids to school?”
Madam Liu couldn’t stand her tone, “Indeed, quite a coincidence,” she said coolly.
Mrs. Liang snorted, “This matter of studying isn’t for everyone, not everyone can do well. Some families really shouldn’t waste their Silver Coin. Just look at that silly Qiao Yuanming; what brains can his children have? Unlike our Shitou, he’s been calculated by a Taoist priest to have the talent of a Number One Scholar!”
Muniang felt it was ridiculously amusing. Although ancient people were superstitious, it was incredible how Mrs. Liang, based on the words of a money-grubbing Taoist priest, could be so shameless and arrogant without fearing the day she wouldn’t have the face to show.
Madam Liu rolled her eyes in annoyance, “My children going to school isn’t using your money, why are you so concerned?”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liang’s heart soured, and her tone grew sharper, “Oh please, isn’t it just clinging onto someone else’s coattails for some Silver Coin? Put on airs for what?”
Saying that, she also rolled her eyes and strutted away.
Madam Liu trembled with anger and really wanted to retort but was stopped by Muniang, “Don’t mind her, this isn’t our village. Arguing here will just make us the laughingstock, and besides, the Master is inside. If he hears the quarrel, he’s bound to get angry. The school is supposed to be a place of tranquility.”
Only then did Madam Liu reluctantly hold back, stomping her foot in frustration, “I’ve had enough of her. If it wasn’t for the fact that the tuition Silver has already been paid, I’d really want to change to another academy. With her troublemaking son here, I’m worried Qiao Honghai and Qiao Hongde will be bullied!”
Muniang smiled, “Don’t worry, the Master at the academy will teach them discipline. Besides, Honghai and Hongde are no pushovers either. As long as they don’t provoke others, it’ll be fine. And if worse comes to worst, the Master is there to look after them. How can they just be bullied by others?”
Madam Liu then nodded and took her children to meet the Master.
“Hello, Master, I am Qiao Honghai.”
“Hello, Master, I am Qiao Hongde.”
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“We’ve come to see the Master!”
With crisp voices, the two children made a respectful bow.
The Master stroked his beard and glanced at them before nodding his head. He didn’t seem particularly fond of them, but his demeanor was still much better than towards Mrs. Liang.
“Quite clever,” he observed.
Madam Liu hurriedly said, “Don’t forget to thank the Master for his praise.”
Hongsheng and Hongde promptly expressed their gratitude with humility.
However, the Master still did not show a particularly good mood. Muniang nudged Madam Liu’s arm. Madam Liu got the hint and took a finely-made purse out of her sleeve to offer it, “This is a small token of appreciation, I hope you will kindly accept it.”
To their surprise, the old man suddenly became enraged, his eyes wide with anger, “What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think so little of my character? Am I teaching your children just to receive these despicable things? Can’t you put away your schemes?”
Madam Liu was immediately dumbfounded. Seeing that the Master’s attitude was lukewarm, she had thought that perhaps he was displeased for not having received a gift, which is why she had taken out the prepared red envelope. But she had not expected such a reaction from him.
Madam Liu apologized profusely, but the Master’s face remained as dark as ever.
Yu Ze suddenly stepped forward, helping the Master to sit down, “Please don’t be too angry, master. It’s our fault for having improper thoughts, nearly sullying your esteemed character. I hope you will continue to educate the children.”
The Master’s eyelids twitched slightly and only then did his mood stabilize, with a snort, he said, “Well, let there be no next time. The children still have class this afternoon, so you should leave now. I will naturally teach them well.”
Madam Liu was still puzzled by the Master’s sudden change but was directly pulled away by Muniang.
Once outside the academy, Muniang asked Yu Ze, “How much of a benefit did you give the Master?”
Yu Ze raised an eyebrow, “You saw that?”
Muniang said, “I have sharp eyes, don’t think I didn’t notice you slipping a silver note into his sleeve when you helped him sit down.”
Madam Liu exclaimed, “What?”
Yu Ze smiled, “Not much, just twenty taels.”
Looking thoroughly bewildered, Madam Liu listened as Muniang chuckled, “We were too rash indeed. In public, with everyone watching, it’s not good for the Master to accept money openly, as it affects his reputation. These matters, you see, should be done in private.”
Only then did Madam Liu understand, exclaiming in annoyance, “I actually thought he was somewhat honorable—I didn’t expect all crows are the same shade of black worldwide!”
Muniang consoled her, “Let it be. People are like this. Although he may be morally compromised, as a Master he still has to maintain an appearance of integrity and uprightness. The academy isn’t his after all, how much money does a Master receive? Without the secret red envelopes from students’ parents, who would be willing to do this tiring job?”
Madam Liu began to think more openly and waved it off, “It’s alright as long as he teaches well.” Muniang was right; despite everything, the Master did take care of his public image in front of the students, which was reassuring that he wouldn’t lead the children astray.
Muniang then turned to Yu Ze with a raised eyebrow, “Quick-witted indeed. It’s clear that your mind is exceptional.”
Yu Ze wrapped an arm around Muniang’s waist from behind, “You should see who your husband is.”
Muniang giggled, “You’re so improper.”
Madam Liu wasn’t often in town, and since it was still early, they went and bought some things before returning home.
Madam Liu wanted to celebrate the children’s first day of school properly and bought some pork. She even went into a stationery shop, looking specifically at its selection.
(There will be two more updates at ten o’clock in the morning.)
