A Good Country Wife

"She is indeed my blood sister, but born of a stepmother. Otherwise, she wouldn’t scheme behind our backs to bring down our household. Zhao Lingxiang, you’ve got some nerve showing your face here." Lin Yue finished her words and looked towards Liu Aniu, "Brother Liu, well done. From now on, don’t let such people anywhere near our workshop—who knows what vile intentions they harbor."

After Zhao Erhu dismissed Li Chang’an, he had Liu Aniu help manage some affairs. Liu Aniu has increasingly taken on the look of a true manager and is loyal and reliable in his work. Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue had entrusted him with tasks, and he never cut corners.

"Do not worry, Madam Dongjia, the master also instructed, no unrelated persons are to be allowed in the workshop."

"Master Wei, I think there’s no need to repeat myself too much, or it loses its meaning. Our household does not welcome you, so please don’t force me to have you thrown out. That wouldn’t look too good for you."

Master Wei’s expression turned rather unsightly under the cold sarcasm of Lin Yue. He had indeed come to discuss business with Zhao Erhu, and finding the door closed and no one home, decided to visit the workshop on a whim, wondering if he might learn something of interest. However, what he did not expect was that in the absence of Zhao Erhu and his wife, a simple laborer was blocking the entrance to the workshop, steadfastly refusing to let him in.

Seeing Master Wei’s unhappy expression, Zhao Lingxiang quickly joined the confrontation against Lin Yue. After all, Zhao Erhu was her brother, and it was her own negligence that led her to be deceived and to take a fake prescription; she did not want Master Wei’s anger to fall upon her. "Sister-in-law, there is no need for such harsh words. Our master came to discuss business with Erhu, and when we couldn’t find either of you, he decided to take a look at the workshop. Why must you be so aggressive? Our master is not someone who covets your household’s trifles."

"If that’s the case, then why come to the workshop? To admire the scenery? Thinking everyone else to be fools, do you believe I’m unaware of the petty schemes you hatch behind closed doors? Playing the harlot while striving to erect an archway to virtue—truly revolting. Leave at once! Otherwise, I will indeed have you thrown out." Lin Yue was already in a bad mood because of the matter where Zhao Erhu had deceived her. Being faced with the likes of Master Wei and Zhao Lingxiang meant there was no need for pleasantries, so her words inevitably carried a tinge of anger and were far from pleasant.

Master Wei’s anger, which had been calmed by Zhao Lingxiang, began to rise rapidly again. "Humph! As the saying goes, ’women and petty men are the hardest to deal with.’ I, a respected elder, will not stoop to argue with a mere woman. We shall discuss this matter when Zhao Erhu returns."

With that said, Master Wei flicked his sleeves and left with Zhao Lingxiang, displaying his resolve. In his heart, however, he genuinely worried Lin Yue would have him ejected, which would result in a total loss of face. Additionally, with Lin Yue now back, there was even less chance of being allowed into the workshop. Business talks would have to wait for Zhao Erhu’s return. Remaining there served no purpose; however, he left a servant nearby to keep watch, so he could be immediately informed upon Zhao Erhu’s return to the Zhao family ancestral home.

Master Wei had initially headed directly to Zhao Erhu’s residence; it was only because there was nowhere else to go that he then proceeded to the Zhao family ancestral home, where yet another fiasco awaited him.

The Wei family only learned at this time through Zhao Lingxiang that they had been deceived; the prescription that Li Chang’an had provided was fake. Enraged yet helpless since the silver had already been paid to Li Chang’an, even if they went to settle accounts with him, he would not admit fault. Besides, such matters, if escalated, would only tarnish her own reputation further, and perhaps even incite Zhao Erhu to cause trouble for her.