Chapter 385: This Countryside Woman

Translator: CokeZero Editor: Rainystars

Lu Jiao’s eyes narrowed. She had long known that Zhang Biyan was not an ordinary woman.

“Okay, I understand. Thanks for your concern, sister. Let’s not talk about them.

Did you bring Ping An with you today?”

Li Yuyao shook her head. “No, I didn’t bring him. He’s too young. I had someone take care of him at home.’

Lu Jiao nodded and then asked how things were at her in-laws’ place, if her mother-in-law had been causing any trouble, and if the two concubines had been sent away.

As Lu Jiao and Li Yuyao chatted, Zhu Baozhu and Tan Xiaoya occasionally joined in, making the conversation lively.

Outside, Zhang Biyan and her group were cursing them.

“A woman from the countryside is so ignorant. Sister Zhang, we can’t just let this slide.”

“Yeah, let’s make her pay.”

“That shameless woman, she thinks too highly of herself.’

Zhang Biyan listened to her companions’ words, her face darkening. She glared at the women next to her and said, “Shut up. Besides cursing, can any of you think of something useful? Try to find a way to win her over.”

Upon hearing Zhang Biyan’s words, the women didn’t dare to argue. Compared to them, Zhang Biyan was in a different position.

She had a say in the Zhang family, unlike these women.

So, despite being scolded, they didn’t dare to confront Zhang Biyan.

One woman next to Zhang Biyan murmured softly, “Are you really going to let her bully you like this?”

Zhang Biyan’s expression darkened even more, and she coldly replied, “A gentleman takes revenge ten years later. We’ll let her have her fun for now.” With that, she left with her group.

While there was tension brewing in the back courtyard, the front yard was filled with joy and laughter.

Though Xie Yunjin appeared calm and not overly enthusiastic, the praise from the various merchants and the politeness of the County Magistrate and others made him stand out even more, as if he had achieved something remarkable like passing the Imperial Examination.

Even though today was meant to be a celebration of Han’s success in the examination, it seemed that Xie Yunjin had become the center of attention. Fortunately, Classmate Han wasn’t displeased. On the contrary, he was quite happy to see Xie Yunjin being warmly greeted.

It was clear to him that Xie Yunjin was truly exceptional, a cut above the rest.

Han felt a bit proud of his discerning eye.

After the greetings from the guests, they began to engage in various conversations.

County Magistrate Hu, having already greeted others, pulled Xie Yunjin aside for a chat.

“Yunjin, I’ve had my people look into it. The prices of goods in Qinghe County are significantly higher than in other places. I want to clamp down on these traders who are inflating the prices, but I’m afraid of stirring up trouble and angering the local merchants. I’m not sure how to handle this.”

Listening to County Magistrate Hut s words, Xie Yunjin furrowed his brows slightly. Soon, he spoke, “You can discreetly pass on some information to the merchants with whom you have good relationships. Let them know that Prince Yan is closely monitoring the progress of the corruption case. If they discover that the prices in Qinghe County are considerably higher than elsewhere, they will likely send people to investigate the situation here.

Once they know this information, they’ll probably voluntarily lower their prices. You can establish a merchants’ association in Qinghe County and bring the willing merchants into the association. Additionally, provide these merchants with some incentives, like prioritizing them for any good business opportunities in Qinghe County.”

After hearing this, County Magistrate Hu, who had been anxious, looked at Xie Yunjin with relief and asked, “What if Prince Yan finds out that I did this in his name? Will he hold me accountable?”

Xie Yunjin glanced at County Magistrate Hu and calmly replied, “This also helps build Prince Yan’s reputation. It’s a win-win situation for both of you. There’s no reason for him to hold a grudge against you.”

County Magistrate Hu couldn’t help but agree. He nodded repeatedly and became quite cheerful. He reached out and patted Xie Yunjin on the shoulder.

“Yunjin, your brain is indeed smarter than most people’s.”

Xie Yunjin’s face was filled with black lines as he looked at County Magistrate Hu. He wondered if County Magistrate Hu had forgotten about his shoulder injury.

County Magistrate Hu recalled the incident and quickly laughed it off, “I forgot, I forgot.”

As they were conversing, Li Wenbin, Zheng Zhixing, and others approached.

“County Magistrate Hu, greetings.”

County Magistrate Hu nodded and was quite courteous to these scholars. Although they were currently just scholars, there was no telling who among them might pass the county-level exam next year. Once they became officials or achieved higher positions, they could rise faster than him. Therefore, he didn’t want to put on airs in front of these individuals.

Thinking about this, County Magistrate Hu smiled and asked the scholars, “Are you here to speak with Yunjin?”

“Yes, Yunjin has recently been injured, and since he’s rarely out, we naturally want to have a good conversation with him.”

County Magistrate Hu immediately smiled and made some space for them, “In that case, please go ahead and talk.”

Xie Yunjin turned to his fellow students. Regarding the night he was hit by the carriage, he realized that, compared to the past when he felt anger and hatred, he now still felt furious but didn’t harbor as much hatred.

If those people hadn’t ordered his injury, he might never have met Lu Jiao.

However, even with these thoughts, he was determined to uncover the people behind the incident as soon as possible.

As Xie Yunjin was lost in thought, Li Wenbin smiled and asked, “Yunjin, your leg is better, and the injury on your shoulder is almost healed. When can we all get together?”

Zheng Zhixing eagerly added, “Certainly, I’ve wanted to get together as well.

These days, Yunjin’s injuries created some distance between us.”

Li Yiyi and Jiang Yuansheng nodded in agreement, and no one mentioned Luo Xinwu at all.

The subsequent Han family banquet didn’t bring any unexpected incidents, and both the male and female guests enjoyed a lively feast.

In the female guest area, Zhang Biyan didn’t engage much with Lu Jiao. She had animated conversations with the women around her, occasionally taking a sip of wine and discussing Qinghe County’s latest fashion and jewelry. Zhang Biyan lived a more carefree and flamboyant life than any other woman. Lu Jiao paid her no attention. It was clear that she and Zhang Biyan were not on the same page, and there was no need for further conversation.

Lu Jiao, along with Li Yuyao, Zhu Baozhu, Tan Xiaoya, and others, chatted from time to time, making plans to go shopping together.

Across from them, although Zhang Biyan appeared lively while conversing with the ladies around her, she was discreetly listening to Lu Jiao’s side. She overheard Lu Jiao agreeing to go shopping with Li Yuyao and the others.

Her expression soured and her face showed signs of unhappiness. She remembered that when she had invited Lu Jiao to go shopping earlier, Lu Jiao had ignored her.

Did this rural woman look down on her?

Zhang Biyan was filled with inexplicable anger but clenched her chopsticks tightly and didn’t lash out.

After the banquet ended, guests began to say their goodbyes and leave. Zhang Biyan didn’t even cast a glance at Lu Jiao and departed with her entourage.

Lu Jiao, Li Yuyao, and the others said their farewells to Han’s parents, then leisurely walked to the horse-drawn carriage waiting outside the mansion.

Xie Yunjin and his friends had been waiting by the Xie family’s carriage, along with Lin Dong and others. When they saw Lu Jiao and the four little ones coming out, Xie Yunjin immediately approached them.

Seeing his actions, Li Yuyao couldn’t help but whisper with envy, “Comparison is the thief of joy. It’s such a difference seeing how Scholar Xie treats you compared to how my husband treats me. He’s like a wooden block..”