Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 135

Right now, Ying Su was eager to roll up her sleeves and get to work, but the biggest problem was the lack of silver. Since someone was bringing it to her door, why wouldn’t she accept?

She opened the courtyard gate and said to Zhang Hairu, “Master Zhang, please come in.”

Zhang Hairu entered the courtyard with his servant. Ying Su held Huzi’s hand and was about to go in as well when whispers rose from the crowd.

“You think, a widow with a master like him… could it be…” What followed was knowing laughter full of innuendo.

Ying Su’s steps halted. She turned, her sharp gaze instantly locking on the woman in the crowd who had spoken. Cold light glinted in her dark eyes.

Madam Li and Li Jinfeng came forward. Madam Li grabbed Ying Su’s hand with a smile. “Cuihua, let Mother help you negotiate the price.”

Ying Su withdrew her gaze, smiled, and nodded. The few of them went inside, and with a swift motion, Li Jinfeng shut the courtyard gate, blocking out all the curious stares.

Village Head Zhang felt awkward. Though he’d only interacted with Ying Su a few times, he knew her temperament. Thinking of all the changes since her illness had cleared, he couldn’t help sighing. If only she were his daughter-in-law. With hands behind his back, he turned and left.

Seeing the village head depart, the gossipy villagers outside the courtyard finally dispersed as well, returning in twos and threes to sit at home and quietly speculate on how much silver that rich master had given the “crazy widow” this time.

Once the gate was shut, Madam Li said to Ying Su, “You go talk business with him. Jinfeng and I will cook.”

With that, she took Li Jinfeng into the kitchen.

This small gesture softened Ying Su’s heart. She nodded, then turned to Zhang Hairu and invited him into the house.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Hairu’s eyes were caught by the refined arrangement of the room. He looked around carefully, and couldn’t help thinking, judging by the decor and the grand courtyard, Shen Cuihua really didn’t seem like an ordinary village woman.

Ying Su sat in a chair and said, “Master Zhang, please sit.”

Zhang Hairu smiled obsequiously. “Don’t be too polite.” After sitting down, he cautiously tested the waters, “Miss Shen, what do you think would be a fair price for that pot of Jiangyan Butterfly Orchid and the ink orchid?”

Ying Su, seeing how direct he was, smiled faintly and countered, “What do you think?”

Zhang Hairu thought she was probing his sincerity. Smiling, he said, “The ink orchid, according to prices in the capital, one hundred taels per pot. As for the Jiangyan Butterfly Orchid, I specifically asked someone who came from the capital. They said the Jiangyan Butterfly is quite rare. I’ll give you three hundred taels for it. How about that?”

Saying it made his heart ache, but then he thought of how this involved Second Young Master Bai. If this little widow went and complained about him, his family fortune would be finished. His face still hurt, the bruises stinging again.

To be beaten into a pig’s head in his own house while sleeping, just thinking about it terrified him. He had always known of Second Young Master Bai’s influence, but never as clearly as now. He didn’t dare offend this little “ancestor” before him again. Who knew, he might wake up one day with his head no longer on his shoulders.

“I heard you bought those two orchids for someone from the capital?” Ying Su’s lips curved in an unfathomable smile.

Zhang Hairu’s heart skipped. This little ancestor really couldn’t be trifled with. The news that Imperial Physician Wang had come to Jiangbei and was staying in his home was known to no one except his nephew in the capital. How had she found out?

Fearing Young Master Bai had passed her the information, Zhang Hairu told the truth, “That’s right. He has a fondness for orchids and has always asked me to help him find some. By chance I came across your Jiangyan Butterfly Orchid.”

“I heard he’s an imperial physician from the palace? Then you can help introduce me. Let me meet him. As for the orchids, once I take the money, we’ll consider the matter settled.” Ying Su’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him.

Zhang Hairu’s expression changed. Without even thinking, he pulled a bitter face. “Miss Shen, that won’t do, that won’t do… Imperial Physician Wang’s visit here is a highly kept secret. He has repeatedly warned me not to let outsiders know. You’re making things very difficult for me.”

Ying Su’s eyes flickered. Her lips curved. “Didn’t you just say he loves orchids? If I destroy both of those orchids, do you think he’ll come to see me then?”

The blatant threat made Zhang Hairu look even more miserable. He said desperately, “No, no, no… my little ancestor! That man values orchids more than his life. If you destroy them, who knows what he’ll do! I’ll think of something, I’ll think of something…”

Seeing him yield, Ying Su’s lips curved in a smile. She continued, “No need to think. Just tell him you know a flower cultivator with the skill to revive broken and dying plants. Tell him about that ink orchid that was snapped in half and later saved. I believe he’ll be very interested in meeting me.”

“But… but… isn’t that lying? How could a broken orchid be revived? That ink orchid wasn’t the one broken in my house, was it?” Zhang Hairu looked doubtful.

Ying Su replied coolly, “Believe it or not, all you need to do is say as I told you.”

“If he really comes looking for you to save his orchids and you can’t do it, don’t blame me when you anger him!” Zhang Hairu quickly tried to distance himself.

Ying Su nodded. “If he doesn’t believe it, then break the Jiangyan Butterfly Orchid you have at home and bring it to me.”

Zhang Hairu’s face turned deathly pale. He thought bitterly, he had spent three hundred taels on that plant. If it were really broken, he’d lose everything. Not only would the three hundred taels be wasted, but Imperial Physician Wang would never forgive him.

Leaving behind four hundred taels of silver and promising to introduce her to Imperial Physician Wang, Master Zhang left looking utterly dispirited. His face no longer bore the radiant glow he had arrived with. He had originally planned to snatch an orchid for free, but instead ended up losing both money and face.

A few days later, rumors spread that when the rich master had left, he looked as though a fox spirit had sucked out all his vitality. Nobody knew what exactly Shen Cuihua had done to him.

Leaving that aside, after sending Zhang Hairu away, the little bun looked up at Ying Su curiously and asked, “Mommy, is that Master Zhang’s family really so rich? He’d pay three hundred taels for a single flower?”

Ying Su patted his head and said with a smile, “The value of something depends on the person. That flower in our courtyard is just an ordinary flower, no different from any wildflower. But because of its rare breed, when someone with discerning eyes sees it, it becomes worth three hundred taels.

“And since it was being used to curry favor with someone, naturally it becomes even more valuable. Everything should be used in the right place. The same goes for people, we must also strive to be valuable people.”

For once, Ying Su began to lecture her little bun. In recent days she had been too busy with outside matters and had neglected to pass down some teachings.

The little bun lifted his face earnestly. “Mommy, I want to become the most valuable person in the future.”

“…” Ying Su fell silent for a moment, then forced a comforting smile as she patted his head. “Baby, becoming the most valuable person is indeed a lofty goal. Mommy supports you!”