Chapter 178: Argument
Editor: Atlas Studios
Mu Yangling glared at him before going forward to pick Kejia up to check.
When Kejia saw that her sister had returned, she hugged her neck tightly and looked at her with teary eyes. Then, she reached out to point at Qi Haoran and wailed.
Surprised that this child could complain at such a young age, Qi Haoran widened his eyes and looked at her. Seeing Mu Yangling look over, he hurriedly explained, “She’s saying that I’m playing with her.”
“I’m not a fool. Qi Haoran, if you dare to carry my sister like this again, I’ll throw you into the river.”
Qi Haoran touched his nose and turned to hug Bosi.
Bosi was much more refined than Kejia. No matter who hugged him, he would simply sit quietly in that person’s arms. Having lost interest after carrying him for a while, Qi Haoran craned his neck to look at the kitchen. “Is your mother done cooking?”
After handing Kejia to Xiuhong to carry, Mu Yangling parked the cart and brought the things back into the house. When she heard this, she said, “More or less I think. By the way, where’s my father?”
Mu Yangling had asked Xiuhong to call Qi Haoran and the rest over for dinner because she hoped that her father would come back too.
“Your father has something to do and isn’t in the camp now,” Qi Haoran said nonchalantly.
Mu Yangling didn’t ask further. Shu Wanniang had already raised her voice in the kitchen. “The food is ready. Ah Ling, quickly call your great-aunt back.”
Shu Wanniang made fragrant pork. It was her first time making such a grand dish, so she didn’t have much confidence. She looked at Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin nervously and asked, “How is it? Does it taste okay?”
Qi Haoran’s mouth was full of oil as he nodded repeatedly. He did not even have the time to say anything.
More reserved, Fan Zijin stopped eating and nodded slightly. “It’s delicious. Auntie’s cooking is superb.”
Xiuhong and Xiulan ate without looking up. Bowen took the time to add, “My mother’s culinary skills are the best. My father said that if my sister can learn 20% of my mother’s culinary skills, she won’t have to worry about getting married.”
Mu Yangling said, “I’m not worried about getting married now either.”
“No way. Everyone outside says that Sister won’t be able to get married in the future.”
Great-aunt patted his head and said angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? Your sister is good-looking, talented, and capable. Why can’t she get married?”
Bowen said aggrievedly, “They said that Sister is so powerful and fierce. What if she beat up the husband and in-laws after she gets married?”
Mu Yangling said nonchalantly, “I won’t marry someone who has such worries. I bet those are the ones who bully their wives after marrying them.”
Qi Haoran nodded repeatedly. “Only incapable men would consider such things. What are capable men afraid of?”
Fan Zijin glanced at Mu Yangling’s hands. Thinking about how she had lifted a rockery easily, he couldn’t help but shiver and quickly changed the topic. “Did you go to the prefectural capital today? Did you go to the General’s Residence?”
Mu Yangling nodded. “I sent a small wild boar to the general.”
Shu Wanniang took the time to ask, “Have you sold the embroidery?”
Mu Yangling shook her head. “The shopkeeper from Brocade Workshop is no longer around. He’s replaced by a new shopkeeper and that person lowered the price. I’ve asked other embroidery workshops, and the highest price is only 80 taels.”
Shu Wanniang frowned slightly.
Great-aunt said, “80 taels is already a lot.”
“There’s a difference of 20 taels. I brought the embroidery back. At most, I’ll bring it to Xingyuan Prefecture.” Mu Yangling now deeply realized the importance of money and didn’t want to back down easily. Anyway, she still had money at home now. When she was free after some time, she could take the time to make a trip to Xingyuan Prefecture. It would only take about four days to go back and forth, and she would be able to earn a lot more silver.
However, to Madam Ma-Liu, Xingyuan Prefecture was too far away. Even she had only come to Mingshui County for the first time because of this escape.
Fan Zijin asked curiously, “What embroidery is so valuable?”
“It’s my mother’s double-sided embroidery.”
After eating, Mu Yangling unfolded the embroidery for Fan Zijin to see. The lights were dim, but Fan Zijin was still stunned. He flipped the two sides over and looked at them repeatedly. In the end, he tapped his hand with his fan and asked, “You want to sell it for 100 taels?”
Mu Yangling nodded. “At least.”
“No problem. I’ll take it for 100 taels.”
Mu Yangling blinked and asked, “What do you want this for?”
Fan Zijin said with a smirk, “A gift. The emissary’s mother, Mrs. Qin, is celebrating her birthday in a month. Eldest Cousin will definitely prepare a birthday gift. Mrs. Qin likes elegant things. This embroidery is exquisite, elegant, dignified and beautiful. She will definitely like it after I frame it up.”
Moreover, it was really worth it to settle the gift for Mrs. Qin with less than 200 taels of silver.
Unlike Qi Haoran who did not understand such things, Fan Zijin dabbled in everything, and as such has a shrewd taste. If this thing was framed and sent to the south, it would definitely cost at least 1,000 taels of silver.
Fan Zijin was very satisfied with this great deal, and Mu Yangling was even happier to see that she could sell the embroidery without going out. This deal was happily concluded. Qi Haoran, on the other hand, saw the smugness in Fan Zijin’s eyes and saw Mu Yangling grinning foolishly. He opened his mouth but did not say anything.
However, the moment they left, Qi Haoran grabbed Fan Zijin and said with a straight face, “Zijin, did you scam Ah Ling?”
Fan Zijin said with a serious expression, “What are you talking about? We’re friends. Why would I scam her?”
Qi Haoran looked at him suspiciously. “You’re not lying to me? Then why are you so smug?”
“…” Fan Zijin looked at him sincerely. “You’re mistaken.”
Qi Haoran looked at him from top to bottom seriously. In the end, he snorted coldly. “You’re lying to me. You’re scamming her.” Qi Haoran turned around and left angrily.
Fan Zijin’s face turned green. Seeing that Qi Haoran was about to disappear in large strides, he hurriedly chased after him and said helplessly, “Alright, I admit that I took advantage of her. This embroidery is worth more than 100 taels, but she didn’t lose out. No one in Xingzhou Prefecture will be willing to pay 100 taels.”
Qi Haoran said stubbornly, “But we’re good friends.” He waved the things in his hand and said, “She shares with us all the good food and fun things. Didn’t you see that she packed more than half of the food for us just now? Her cousin was glaring at us. Not only did you not pay the proper amount for Auntie Mu’s embroidery, but you even scammed her. Zijin, I know you’re smart, but I don’t like you taking advantage of your friends.”
Fan Zijin’s face also turned cold. Sneering, he said, “I think you’re like this because you like her. Other than you, I’ve never tricked anyone else. I’ve even tricked Eldest Cousin before, but I’ve never seen you say anything. Which of your friends in Lin’an Prefecture has never suffered a loss under my hands? You’ll only laugh and clap when you hear that. When have I ever seen you angry? In the past, I even schemed against Eldest Cousin with you, and you were so smug about it. When did I see you feel sorry for him? When did Mu Yangling become more important than Eldest Cousin?”
Qi Haoran stammered, “Err… how is this the same? Mu Yangling is a girl…”
“Is it really because she’s a girl? Then what about those well-bred young ladies in Lin’an Prefecture? You didn’t care back then. When did you, Qi Haoran, become so protective of girls?”
The two cousins parted on bad terms in the end.