The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Besides, it’s true that she saved Cheng Ruize, but that was part of her duty. To continually allow herself to be addressed as a life-saving benefactor made her feel somewhat feigned…

“Manager Zhuang, you underestimate your actions. To you, it was merely a matter of saving a life in passing, but to the entire Cheng family, it was an enormous favour.”

Qingyu chuckled, “Furthermore, our mistress has heard from the Third Young Master that Manager Zhuang is not after fame or wealth, hence she didn’t send elaborate presents, just a few small chosen trinkets. Please, Manager Zhuang, don’t refuse to accept them.”

Just this…this is the pared-down version?

Zhuang Qingning looked helplessly at the mountain of brocade boxes that Fang Hou and Qingyu held, enough to fill their arms to capacity.

If they had chosen freely, wouldn’t they have filled half the room?

“Really, there’s no need.” Zhuang Qingning refused again and again, “When you return, please tell Mrs. Cheng that treating the sick is a doctor’s duty, there really is no need for all this.”

“Please return…”

“Manager Zhuang…” Qingyu, having been entrusted by Mrs. Cheng to ensure these gifts were delivered, found herself in a dilemma at Zhuang Qingning’s stubborn refusal as she didn’t know how to explain this to her mistress.

Fang Hou struggled to place the items in his hands on the stone table, bowing to Zhuang Qingning, “Manager Zhuang, please heed my advice and accept them.”

“The incident of the Young Master’s poisoning has always been kept from the master and his wife. When the mistress found out, she was extremely upset. She couldn’t do anything for the Third Young Master, but she would feel guilty if she couldn’t show her gratitude towards the person who saved his life.”

“I understand Manager Zhuang’s mindset, you don’t value these material things. But thinking of the mistress’ good intentions, at least accept some, it will make it easier for us to report back.”

After the conversation had gotten this far, if Zhuang Qingning continued to refuse, it would appear unsightly.

After contemplating for a moment, Zhuang Qingning could only nod her head, “Then…”

“I’ll keep two.”

Zhuang Qingning casually picked two unobtrusive boxes from the pile that Qingyu and Fang Hou were holding.

“Take the rest back with you, and extend my greetings to Mrs. Cheng.”

Qingyu hesitated, she wanted to persuade Zhuang Qingning to keep more, but Fang Hou bowed and said, “Alright, Manager Zhuang, don’t worry, I will remember this.”

“We won’t trouble Manager Zhuang anymore and take our leave.”

“Safe trip.” Zhuang Qingning saw Fang Hou and Qingyu out.

“Earlier when Manager Zhuang agreed to take two items, she could’ve taken more. Why didn’t you persuade her further? When others refuse politely, should we not back off? Doesn’t it look like the mistress lacks sincerity in her gift-giving?”

On their way back, Qingyu frowned in dissatisfaction.

“If it were others, we might have been successful. But Manager Zhuang is honest. What she can accept, she’ll accept; what she cannot accept, she won’t accept under any circumstances. If we had stayed there any longer, even the two items we left behind might not have stayed behind.”

Fang Hou explained, “Dealing with honest people requires honesty. We can discuss this issue further in the future. If we push her too hard, she might end up avoiding us, which would be improper.”

“You have a point…” Qingyu nodded, “And considering the two items Manager Zhuang chose, they’re not very eye-catching. I guess it was out of respect that she reluctantly accepted these two. I’m afraid we can’t really oblige her to receive more.”

“I’ll tell the mistress everything once we return. It can’t be helped.”

“Hmm.” Fang Hou chuckled, “The mistress will understand.”

Honest people are always likeable wherever they go. When we tell the mistress about it, I’m sure she’ll highly appreciate Manager Zhuang.

Fang Hou drove the carriage, carrying Qingyu, and they left for the county town leisurely.

After sending off Fang Hou and Qingyu, Zhuang Qingning finally took a look at the two boxes she had chosen.

One was a small silver Ruyi (a ceremonial scepter) lock, it was very delicate, not more than an inch wide, but being solid, it had a significant weight to it.

The other was a silver hairpin with a lotus petal pattern at the end. It was simple and elegant, also solid and heavy when held.

Most people would make these two items hollow to make them appear larger. But the items that Mrs. Cheng had sent were all solid, which showed that she was a thoughtful person.

Moreover, the two items sent, the hairpin was clearly for her, while the Ruyi peace lock was obviously for Zhuang Qingsui. It seemed that Mrs. Cheng had inquired carefully about her family situation beforehand.

This lady, Mrs. Cheng, must be a very considerate and meticulous person.

Zhuang Qingning sighed, went inside the house, put the hairpin in the casket, and found a red string for the peace lock, made a Ruyi knot, and prepared to give it to Zhuang Qingsui later.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhuang Qingning finished tidying up and fetched a cabbage from the next room, preparing to make cabbage tofu soup for dinner.

As it was near the end of December, the days were getting shorter, and it darkened early. As soon as the sun went down, all that was left was a veil of darkness.

Taking advantage of the late-day light, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui lit the lamp, preparing to have an early dinner and go to bed early.

At this time, most of the families in Enji Village were thinking the same thing, and candlelight can be seen flickering in many homes.

A lantern was also lit, not in someone’s courtyard, but behind a large tung tree outside the village.

“Huff!”

Zhao Ziping blew out the lantern and even slapped the short, chubby man who was holding the lantern, “Why did you light the lantern? Are you eager for everyone to know we are here?”

“Ziping bro, who would run outside on such a cold night? Even if someone saw it, this dim lantern won’t show anything…” The short, chubby man, named Zhao Liu, who was slapped, rubbed his head and defended himself.

“Exactly, Ziping bro, what are you afraid of?” Zhao Sanke agreed, “It’s dark now, nobody can see us, you can relax.”

“You two don’t know anything!” Zhao Ziping replied irritably.

“Ziping bro, you’re not scared because you got beaten up last time and now you’re too scared to do anything, are you?” Zhao Sanke smirked.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Ziping’s face turned the colour of pig liver.

Last time, he followed Zhao Qiancheng here intending to confront Zhuang Sifu, only to be beaten to a pulp. The physical pain was one thing, but being publicly humiliated was another.