Chapter 353: Chapter 340: Pah!

“It’s just a matter of spending a bit more money. Imagine, giving a lavish event for their son and putting forward a respectable front, why wouldn’t the Kong family do it?”

“After their marriage and after some time has passed, they would tell the world their only heir was gone, and Zhuang Qinghe wants to commit suicide out of devotion to her husband, who knows, they might gain back some reputation. This would not only save their face, they might even make some money out of it. Isn’t it the best of both worlds?”

“You know, in these elite families, there are plenty of dirty secrets. Don’t assume that all hearts are pure. To me, some people’s hearts can’t be cleansed, not even by the soles that have stepped on the dirt!”

Upon hearing Mrs. Zhao’s words, everyone present was so shocked their eyeballs nearly fell out.

She made a compelling point. And if one were to assess the situation, it wouldn’t exactly be a bad deal for the Kong family.

Their only heir, they could see him celebrate a joyous event in this world. Wouldn’t that fulfill a wish of theirs?

Most importantly, after going to such lengths to make this happen, who would suspect that this was their initial intention?

Doing something so unprecedented that it leaves you utterly baffled, makes you suspect everything but them.

This is truly a well-calculated move, and their hearts are indeed black.

Tsk, tsk, tsk…

Everyone present started to discuss this.

Mrs. Song turned pale instantly.

Zhuang Ruman’s face was even paler than hers. After a long time, he finally recovered his senses and furiously retorted, “Do you people believe everything that you hear?”

“It doesn’t matter what we say. What matters is what you know. Don’t tell me the Kong family didn’t tell you about this? You don’t know the truth?”

Mrs. Zhao was relentless. This time, her words were sharp as knives as she threw them at Zhuang Ruman, “Why do you think your family got a betrothal gift of three hundred taels? You don’t know?”

“You’re basically trampling over your own daughter’s life to eat, drink and splurge! And now when asked about it, you claim you were ignorant. Do you think everyone else is a fool? Parents who behave like this have no shame!”

“Why didn’t a thunderbolt from the heavens come down and strike you dead!”

The words of Mrs. Zhao had just landed when a loud ‘thunder’ sound was heard, startling everyone present.

Could it be that heaven could no longer bear to see a wicked person who dared to sacrifice his daughter’s life and wanted to use a thunderbolt to kill Zhuang Ruman?

If that’s the case, they should distance themselves from this place as quickly as possible. Otherwise, God might slip up and accidentally involve them too.

Witnessing this, everyone started pushing each other to get away from the place.

Even Mrs. Zhao, who had led the shouts and rebukes, hurriedly left as well.

Only Zhuang Ruman and Mrs. Song were left standing there like stunned chickens, terrified that they would be punished by thunder, they shrunk in fear.

Once confirmed that there was only that one thunderclap and no more, Zhuang Ruman quickly regained his spirit. Hands on hips, he spat on the ground, “Bah!”

“That so-called wrath of God is pure nonsense!”

“If that old fellow could really see what’s going on, he should be looking for people who are much worse than me. How could he bother with a small fry like me?”

“What do you mean I’m unfit to be a father, and what black heart? You all talk big while standing at a distance. If you’re so capable, don’t ask for a betrothal gift when you marry off your daughters. If you’re so capable, stop encouraging your daughters to work at home!”

“All of you have your own dirty secrets, yet you have the audacity to criticize others? You’re the ones stinking up the place with your filth, yet you blame others for causing the stench. If this isn’t shameless, what is?”

“So what if I sold my daughter? It’s because I have a daughter to sell, and she’s fortunate enough to fetch a price! I bet you’re all desperate to have three hundred taels. You dream of it, but unfortunately, no one will give it to you. If you want to sell your daughters, first check if they’re worth that much!”

“Moreover, many fathers sell their daughters into servitude or even brothels. I bestowed my daughter as a proper young mistress. I’m better than them…”

Zhuang Ruman was passionately voicing his grievances, while Mrs. Song turned pale and lost her voice, “Husband, is it true that the Kong family really wants our Qinghe to marry their deceased son?”

Zhuang Ruman was startled, and after a while, he stomped his foot and cursed, “You spendthrift woman, what do you know!”

“Quickly light a firecracker to ward off the bad luck!”

“You chefs, don’t stand around. Chop louder, cook more fragrantly, let those who can’t afford good food get a whiff and drool over it!”

Mrs. Song just stood there, unable to recover her senses, staring dumbly at Zhuang Ruman.

What a dumb woman!

I suppose I can’t trust her with anything. If she knows it, she’ll mess things up!

Her brain simply doesn’t function properly. She should have sent those people blocking the doorway away long ago, but here she is, trying to reason with them.

From the looks of it, I’m afraid that these gossipy women who love to backbite have spread this issue everywhere!

But the important thing now is that the people from the Kong family must come over soon to take the bride. Once she leaves, nothing that happens afterward will be my problem. It wouldn’t make any difference even if those people were to gossip and malign me!

That’s why Zhuang Ruman didn’t bother to explain to Mrs. Song. He went to check on Zhuang Qinghe, and then tidied up the courtyard, waiting for the arrival of the Kong family to take Zhuang Qinghe away in the bridal sedan chair.

After that, it’s a done deal. Once the rice is cooked, there won’t be any problem.

As for the people spreading rumors, it doesn’t matter. Rumors are just rumors. Without any evidence, they can’t harm him!

If this matter gets settled, he can take the silver, bring Zhuang Yuanzhong, and move to another place. With silver in their hands, they can settle down anywhere!

Zhuang Qingning, on the other hand, was unbothered. Given the considerable distance from Zhuang Ruman’s house, she was not affected at all. After eating breakfast, inspecting the workshop, she got back early to prepare for two things.

First, to welcome Mr. Fan for Qingsui’s lessons, and second, to discuss with the merchant from the county town about selling century eggs, as mentioned by Mrs. Cao.

To avoid interference, Zhuang Qingning decided to receive guests in the main hall. The east room, originally used as a study, didn’t have many books now but it had a desk and writing tools. She let Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli study and write in this room.

Shortly after sunrise, and before the heat began to rise, Fan Wenxuan arrived.

“Good day, Mr. Fan.”

Zhuang Qingning welcomed Fan Wenxuan into her home and poured him a cup of tea. “We’ll have to trouble Mr. Fan a lot from now on.”

“Not at all, it’s my duty.”

These were Fan Wenxuan’s true feelings. He genuinely liked the intelligent and decisive Zhuang Qingning and the lively and clever Zhuang Qingsui, and was more than willing to teach Zhuang Qingsui.

The only thing was that Chu Jinnian had better not harbor any thoughts of pulling Zhuang Qingning into his staff..