stingy landlady

Chapter 127 Attempt to Steal a Chicken Backfires (1)

When Qian heard her younger brother's question, she knew he cared about her, so she complained to him in return:

"Last time your brother-in-law and I went to his older brother's house, the two brothers had a falling out! Your brother-in-law was angry about it for half a day and wouldn't let me mention it again!"

He even suspected that I said something unpleasant that had reached his older brother's ears! I've only been there twice, and one of those times I was with him. What could I say?

I suspect that his daughters went back and said some nasty things. It must have been them gossiping behind our backs that made his older brother dislike us!

"Those brats, I'll teach them a lesson they'll get the chance!"

The two of them thought of something at the same time, and Qian Xiaodi said:

"Sister! Find someone to scare them! These girls are always out doing business on their own! They think everyone here is a good person! Nobody knows they're making money every day!"

If word got out, who knows how many thugs and ruffians would flock to it!

Mr. Qian asked, "Do you have a solution, brother?"

Brother Qian smiled:

"Don't worry, sister. Just give that bald scoundrel a few coins and let him smash things up. Those girls will be scared stiff and won't dare to come back! Then when brother-in-law goes to buy the shop, it'll be a piece of cake!"

"That's for sure, don't smash too much stuff! Those things were bought with money! We won't need to buy anything when we go there!"

A few sweet words, a few groping moves, and some shamelessness will scare the little girl! Gui Xiang is so old, and Gui Hong isn't much younger! If their reputations are ruined, they'll definitely be scared!

The two sisters immediately agreed, and Madam Qian gave five qian of silver to her younger brother, saying:

"Go ahead and use the money, little brother. The rest is yours to buy whatever you want!"

Young Master Qian went to find that bald-headed rogue! This rogue's parents had both passed away, and he had lived by begging since childhood. Because he had a head full of lice, he was too lazy to groom himself, so he simply shaved his head bald.

He was talkative when begging, and his fists were hard too. Leading a group of beggars, he'd earned a reputation as a rogue. Having begged and acted shamelessly for years, they naturally knew how to treat people differently based on their status. Those weaker than them were easy targets! As for the wealthy and powerful, they kept their distance as far as possible!

When the money-giving boy came to our door, I heard that there were three girls around ten years old who sold food by themselves every day, and there were no boys in their family.

He immediately realized that the Qian family was planning to exploit the family's entire fortune. The bald rogue, hearing about this good fortune, was determined to join in! What's more, Brother Qian had thrown him and his brothers a hundred copper coins for food.

Having found out the whereabouts of the sisters and arranged a time with Brother Qian, the bald rogue led three or four brothers to the grass and trees.

Little Qian secretly followed behind. He had paid money to know how things were going so he could brag to his sister!

Guizhi was unaware of all this; she was still eating at Xiangmanlou Restaurant in the county town. While the group was chatting happily with Manager Qu, a young woman walked in from outside.

Her face was beautiful yet dignified, her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with pearls and jade. She wore a gorgeous silk dress, the delicate satin and exquisite embroidery highlighting her noble temperament.

She walked smilingly to the table and softly called out to Manager Qu:

"Husband!"

Manager Qu grunted in agreement and introduced the group:

"Ladies and gentlemen! This is my wife!"

Then he said to Madam Qu:

"Madam, this is Guizhi, whom I often mention! These two were brought by Guizhi! Please don't stand on ceremony!"

"Madam, why don't you join us for the meal?"

Guizhi found the bookish tone a bit awkward! But she still stood up and called out:

"Hello, Mrs. Qu! Would you like to sit down and have a meal together?"

Madam Qu looked Guizhi up and down, her slightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and then she smiled:

"I've always heard my husband talk about how intelligent Miss Guizhi is! I've never had the chance to meet her before, but today I finally have the honor of meeting her. I never imagined that Miss Guizhi is so young! It's truly an unexpected surprise!"

Guizhi sensed that Madam Qu might have misunderstood, and quickly explained:

"Madam Qu! I haven't met Uncle Qu many times. This time, I had to swallow my pride and ask Uncle Qu for a favor, which is why I had to come to the restaurant to find him!"

We apologize for the intrusion, Madam! We are just ordinary farmers, not very educated, and we speak very frankly! Please forgive us!

Madam Qu smiled gently, then took a string of beads from her hand and handed it to Guizhi.

"Nice to meet you. This little trinket is for Miss Guizhi to wear and play with!"

Guizhi hurriedly waved her hand,

"No need to be so polite! Thank you, Mrs. Qu!"

Turning to Manager Qu for help, he said:

"Uncle Qu! I cannot accept Mrs. Qu's gift!"

Then he whispered:

"I don't have any return gift, Uncle Qu!"

Manager Qu laughed heartily.

"Gui Zhi, Gui Zhi! Hahaha! Just accept what the lady gave you! You can't refuse a gift from an elder! Besides, you don't need to return the favor. What the lady gave you is just a small trinket!"

Take it! Haha!

Madam Qu finally breathed a sigh of relief and revealed a genuine smile. She took Guizhi's hand and put the beaded necklace on her.

She had just sat down next to Manager Qu when Manager Qu placed a piece of potato coated in batter on his plate and said gently:

"Madam! This is Guizhi's signature dish that Guizhi brought to our restaurant: potato with batter! Please try it!"

Madam Qu ate with great delight, her mouth watering, and she exclaimed repeatedly, "Delicious! Delicious!"

Guizhi said with a hint of deeper meaning:

"Madam, life is always a mix of bitter and sweet! Women in this world have it even harder, so I think women should eat more sweets, it's good to have a sweet taste in your mouth!"

Madam Qu seemed lost in thought, then picked up some potatoes coated in batter, glancing sideways at Manager Qu. She said:

"Miss Guizhi understands me best! She knows I love sweets!"

While everyone was chatting and laughing, a chilling atmosphere permeated the grass and trees.

The bald rogue didn't care about anything else. He went straight for Ji Xiang, who was pretty and looked relatively older.

"Young lady! You're not being fair! You just got engaged to me, and now you're secretly meeting up with that amorous man from the academy without my husband's knowledge!"

Young lady! Aren't you coming to my house?

He reached out and pulled for good fortune.

Good! It's Jixiang! Guixiang was forced to stay at home by Li Shi today, so she had no choice but to replace Jixiang.

Jixiang followed Guihong, while Panqiang went to the woods. Guixiang stayed home with Ruyi, and Mianxiu cooked and did housework. The family's resources were limited; they couldn't afford to keep idle people. So, everyone should do their part!

Ji Xiang's face turned bright red.

"Young master, please watch your words! This young lady is not yet engaged, how could she have a husband!"

"Oh, oh, oh! Still won't admit it! Are you afraid one of your lovers will get jealous?"

My dear lady! If this hadn't happened, I wouldn't have come all this way to meet a complete stranger, would I?

Is that right, Da Ya?