Chapter 11: Using Underhanded Tactics

Gu Huaizhi lifted his thin eyelids and looked over. His pitch-black and cold eyes, under the light of the oil lamp, lacked the usual sharpness and instead revealed a hint of gentleness.

This touch of gentleness seemed somewhat illusory in Su Wan’s eyes.

Sure enough, Gu Huaizhi raised the corner of his lips and a cold smile appeared: “Miss Su is willing to lower herself and go out to do business?”

Su Wan was taken aback, and suddenly remembered something.

The original owner had once pointed at Gu Huaizhi and scolded: “I am the precious daughter of the Marquis’s family, the future princess consort. I do not acknowledge this marriage arrangement. Your family is just a fallen household, don’t expect me to lower myself to do menial work and go out to earn a living!”

Oh my! How embarrassing!

And still quite angry!

Su Wan was about to salvage some dignity and explain that she wasn’t going out to set up a stall for business, but to ask him for this meal fee.

Gu Huaizhi took out a money pouch and placed it in front of her.

Before Su Wan could react, she heard this despicable man say with a smirk: “Meal fee.”

Su Wan was suddenly choked.

Based on her usual temper, she would have slammed the plate in his face. However, seeing Gu Huaizhi’s pale face and stifled cough, she restrained herself.

She pressed the corners of her mouth down, grabbed the money pouch, opened it, and poured out the silver coins inside.

Two taels of silver.

Su Wan was stunned, and then immediately understood that this was him handing over his private money!

She instantly smiled, winked at Gu Huaizhi, and said: “The boss is generous, continue to take care of the business tomorrow.”

Gu Huaizhi: “…”

“Bang—”

He slammed the door in frustration.

—

Madam Jiang took a dose of medicine from the barefoot doctor^[1]Barefoot doctors (Chinese: 赤脚医生; pinyin: chìjiǎo yīshēng) were healthcare providers who underwent basic medical training and worked in rural villages in China. They included farmers, folk … Continue reading, her mouth and tongue, as well as her hands and legs, no longer felt numb. Weakly, she returned to the Song family’s house at the east end of the village.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hu, carried a load of water back home. Seeing Madam Jiang in a bad state, she quickened her pace, placed the load of water in the yard, and hurried to Madam Jiang’s side, supporting her towards the house, “Mother-in-law, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Madam Jiang pursed her lips and cursed, “That little whore Su Wan fed me some poisonous herbs, luckily I vomited it out, otherwise she would have poisoned me to death! Such a vicious and despicable person, no wonder the Marquis doesn’t like her, and only loves our Mixue!”

Mrs. Hu didn’t say a word, she knew very well what kind of person Madam Jiang was, maybe she provoked Su Wan first.

Madam Jiang had been married to the village chief, Song Manfu, for over twenty years. She was respected by the villagers, had obedient children, and her niece had become a crown princess, elevating her status. Everyone flattered and respected her. She had never endured such suffering before.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn’t swallow this anger and declared, “No, I must go to the Gu family and demand an explanation!”

Mrs. Hu let go of the hand supporting Madam Jiang, not daring to interrupt.

“Don’t be afraid that she’ll feed you more poisonous herbs, you go now.” Song Manfu came out of the inner room, his face gaunt and dark, with a stern expression: “Even if Su Wan can’t win the Marquis’s favor, she is still the young lady of the Marquis family, you should avoid provoking her!”

Madam Jiang spat on the ground with a “phew”, and said disdainfully, “A fallen phoenix is not as good as a chicken. If they really treat her as a daughter, would they marry her to a sickly man?”

Although she spoke toughly, she was still frightened in her heart. Su Wan, this wicked woman, was like a crazy shrew. She sneered, “Husband, go to the private school in our village and make sure Jingyun, that wild child of the Gu family, does not study.”

She sneered coldly in her heart, refusing to believe she couldn’t control Su Wan!

“Okay!” Song Manfu agreed, he was also afraid that the Gu family would become successful.

Madam Jiang’s pent-up anger was released by half.

At this time, the eldest son of the Song family came back, holding a bag of money in his hand, handing it to Song Manfu and said: “Father, this is the rent money that the villagers have put under Gu Huaizhi’s name to avoid taxes, please send it to the Gu family tomorrow.”