The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“Look at Qingmei again, see how she’s living these days? Her father-in-law is blind, and her mother-in-law is entirely dependent on medication. She takes care of her in-laws all day and works in the fields until she’s black and thin from the sun. You tell me, do you want to live a comfortable life or live like an old ox?”

“As parents, who wouldn’t plan for their children? Especially for you, can’t we account for your lifelong affairs? Why can’t you understand this?”

Mrs. Song spoke very earnestly and at length.

Zhuang Qinghe stared at Mrs. Song, choked: “I only have eyes for Brother Wencheng, even if someone else is rich, I won’t marry them…”

“Mother, can you go to Brother Wencheng’s house and propose marriage for me? Brother Wencheng will definitely agree, is that okay?”

“Forget about it!” This time, Mrs. Song was truly angry.

Zhuang Ruman shared her heart with Zhuang Qinghe’s considerations, but Zhuang Qinghe was resolutely set on Zhuang Wencheng. It was utterly infuriating!

What did Zhuang Wencheng’s family have? They were just ordinary farmers, Zhuang Wencheng was only an apprentice in a pharmacy, after all these years he hadn’t achieved anything remarkable. What prospects could he have in the future?

If Zhuang Qinghe were to marry there, how could she live a good life?

Perhaps in the future, even Zhuang Yuanren would have to support such a useless brother-in-law.

Besides, Zhuang Wencheng’s mother was also a formidable figure. Mrs. Song had clashed with her in the past and didn’t want to be related to her through marriage.

“Mum, I…” Zhuang Qinghe wiped away a tear.

“Enough. From now on, this matter is not to be mentioned again, especially in front of your father.” Mrs. Song completely lost patience and ordered, “Hurry up, tidy up the dishes, and fetch a bucket of water!”

Zhuang Qinghe was very unhappy, but seeing Mrs. Song lose her temper to avoid suffering, she wiped away her tears, cleaned up the plates and went to fetch water.

Zhuang Yuanzhong watched from the side. When Zhuang Qinghe had finished her chore, he pulled her aside to talk.

“What do you want?” Zhuang Qinghe was growing to dislike Zhuang Yuanzhong more and was not friendly.

“Sister, I want to help you.” Zhuang Yuanzhong smiled.

“Help me with what?” Zhuang Qinghe widened her eyes.

Zhuang Ruman circled around the entrance of the street twice, then entered a courtyard.

In the courtyard, Zhuang Dali was burying some bean seeds he had received from Zhuang Jingye by the wall. After watering them, he separated the new bean seeds from the old ones using a bamboo strip. South was the new bean seeds, north were his own. In a few days, there would be results, and he would know what to do.

“Brother Dali.” Zhuang Ruman called out, smiling.

“It’s Ruman.” Zhuang Dali washed his hands and casually picked up a stool. “Sit, would you like some tea?”

“No, not drinking.” Zhuang Ruman waved his hand, not daring to sit, only smiling widely. “Brother Dali, what are you busy with?”

“Didn’t I just get some bean seeds from the village chief? I just planted them to see how they would turn out. If they were good, I might use them when it’s time to plant beans.” Zhuang Dali replied.

“Brother Dali…”

Zhuang Ruman frowned, “Since you’re so interested in this, I hate to pour cold water on you, but autumn planting is closely related to a season’s harvest. After thinking about it, I still feel it’s good to remind you.”

“What’s the reminder?” Zhuang Dali was puzzled. He looked at Zhuang Ruman, then again at the spot where the beans were just planted. “You mean these beans?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Zhuang Ruman nodded: “I suspect these beans have some issues. It’s better if your family doesn’t plant them. Even if the village chief gives a high-sounding talk, just don’t plant them.”

“Why not?” Zhuang Dali frowned more severely, “If the beans sprout well, doesn’t that mean they’re good and we can plant them? Why can’t we plant them?”

“I’m going to tell you.”

Zhuang Ruman turned his eyes and said: “The village chief talks well, but has he really tested these beans? Are they truly good? Right now, it’s uncertain. It’s unreliable to hear him say these beans are good.”

“As the saying goes, ‘no one would get up early without profit.’ The village chief wants us to plant these new beans so eagerly, why is that? It must be the seed vendor who promised him some benefits. The village chief is eager to make silver, so he rushed to promote these beans, hoping we would all plant them, so he could earn a bit of profit.”

“That’s unlikely. The village chief’s family isn’t lacking money, are they?” Zhuang Dali found it hard to believe: “This variety of beans costs the same as usual, there’s no profit to speak of. The village chief’s family has enough to live on, don’t need the money. If the beans aren’t reliable and people would blame him for this bit of small change, that wouldn’t be worth it.”