Chapter 64: Scheme

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi came to the forest and chose a box tree. She used a spell to carve a set of twelve zodiac molds. The carvings were the size of her palm, and they were vivid and lifelike.

Then, she started looking for fruits or vegetables of different colors.

After a round of selection, she chose pears, bananas, loquats, mulberries, and strawberries. She could mix them up to make the colors that she didn’t have.

Once the ingredients were ready, she could start making them.

Chu Qingzhi picked four girls who were meticulous to do it with her.

Because they had to adjust the color, they had to be very careful. If they were not careful enough, they would mess it up.

When the four girls were chosen by Qingzhi, they were so happy that they bounced around. They had long wanted to come. If they worked with her, they would earn three taels a month. They could not even earn so much money in a year.

Hence, when they were working, they were very serious. They were afraid that Chu Qingzhi would be dissatisfied and tell them to go back.

They were very quick on the uptaking and managed to produce a hundred sets of ice cream bars with the Twelve Zodiac signs at night.

Chu Qingzhi stopped Chu Xuhua, who was about to go and unload the goods. “Brother, send the ice cream bars to Shopkeeper Zhou tomorrow morning.”

Chu Xuhua looked at Chu Qingzhi with admiration. “Got it, Fifth Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi called the four girls in front of her and instructed, “In the future, you girls will be in charge of making the zodiac ice cream bars. After you finish, you can get off work.”

Chu Xiaotang was overjoyed and thanked her. “Thank you, Sister Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and nodded. “Thank you today. Go home and rest early.”

“Okay.” The four girls happily went home.

On the way, Chu Xialan said happily, “Xiaotang, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Chu Xiaotang nodded vigorously. “Me too, me too. In the future, we can earn money to support our family. I’m so happy.”

Chu Lanzhen cried. “My father is seriously ill all year round. The entire family relies on my mother. I can share the burden now.”

Chu Shujing asked in confusion, “Lanzhen, why don’t you get Qingzhi to treat your father?”

Chu Lanzhen hesitated and said, “My father has been bedridden for ten years. It’s so serious. Qingzhi is still young, after all. I don’t think she can treat him.”

Chu Xialan advised, “Give it a try. If you ask Sister Qingzhi to treat your father, she can charge you less. By the way, didn’t you hear what Third Aunt said? She felt much better after drinking the herbs that Sister Qingzhi picked for her for a day.”

Chu Lanzhen’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Chu Xiaotang continued, “It’s true. Third Aunt looks obviously much better now.”

Chu Lanzhen said happily, “Then I’ll go back and discuss it with my mother.”

Rong Mansion.

Ever since Madam Rong met Chu Qingzhi from the government office, she had been feeling annoyed and was constantly thinking about taking revenge on Chu Qingzhi and her son.

Rong Yupeng was also very angry. He thought that if Xu Wanrong came to beg him to marry her, he would reluctantly agree to marry her.

Although Xu Wanrong was the daughter of the richest man in the county and had a lot of money, her family was merchants by trade after all. Her status was low. He was a scholar and already had a noble status. This was something that could not be bought with money.

However, after waiting for so many days, he still didn’t see Xu Wanrong, which made him furious.

He went to Madam Rong’s courtyard in a huff. “Mother, Mother…”

Madam Rong doted on her second son and treated him as the Rong family’s hope. When she heard his voice, she immediately smiled. “Yupeng, you’re here.”

Rong Yupeng walked up to Madam Rong. “Mother, I heard from the servants that you’re in a bad mood?”

Madam Rong’s smile immediately faded. She sighed and said, “Your brother is still in prison. How can I be in a good mood?”

Rong Yupeng lowered his voice and asked, “Mother, is money not useful?” He was implying that his family could bribe the county magistrate to release Rong Yufan.

Madam Rong shook her head. “It doesn’t work. The county magistrate doesn’t even care about us.”

“How is that possible?” Rong Yupeng was puzzled. “Brother didn’t do anything too serious. Why didn’t the county magistrate make an exception?”

“I can’t figure this out either,” Mrs. Rong said angrily. “It’s all because of Chu Qingzhi that your brother was imprisoned. That’s why I want to teach Chu Qingzhi a lesson.”

“We indeed can’t let Chu Qingzhi off.” Rong Yupeng quickly agreed with Madam Rong. “How do you want to teach Chu Qingzhi a lesson?”

“To ruin her reputation.” Madam Rong’s expression was vicious. “By the way, when Chu Qingzhi overturned Shen Ruyue’s case that day, she was accompanied by a general. I think that she must have given her body to that general to make him help her.”

“Mother, are you sure?” Rong Yupeng had seen Chu Qingzhi before. She didn’t look like a beauty. How could the general take a fancy to her? Was the general blind?

Madam Rong said, “Chu Qingzhi is just a little girl. She doesn’t have a background. Why would that general help her?”

Rong Yupeng still couldn’t believe it. “Mother, Chu Qingzhi isn’t beautiful. Can she seduce that general?”

Madam Rong said, “Why not? As a general, he must have seen all kinds of beauties, but you’ll get tired when you see so many beauties. It’s not impossible for him to change his taste.”

Rong Yupeng pondered. “If that’s the case, teaching her a lesson will be a piece of cake.”

Madam Rong looked at Rong Yupeng and asked, “Do you have an idea?”

Rong Yupeng sneered. “Mother, leave this to me. I’ll definitely ruin Chu Qingzhi’s reputation and make her notorious in the surrounding villages!”

In Chu Village.

In the room, Chu Qingyue used a pair of scissors to cut off the excess thread on the clothes and unfolded it to admire it carefully.

It was a very simple dress. The sleeves and the hem were flounced. Although it was brown, it looked cute.

Chu Qingzhi walked into the room and saw this scene. “Second Sister, how many clothes have you made?”

Chu Qingyue pointed at the pile of clothes beside her. “There are 20 of them.”

Chu Qingzhi took out all 20 pieces of clothing and looked at them. The quality of each piece was up to standard. “This quantity is enough. I’ll go find Sang Wanlu tomorrow to discuss opening the shop.”

Chu Qingyue nodded with some anticipation in her eyes.

Chu Qingzhi folded the clothes. “Second Sister, come with me tomorrow.”

Chu Qingyue immediately became restrained and said hesitantly, “Fifth Sister, it’s not good for me to go, right?”

“Why is that not good?” Chu Qingzhi turned to look at Chu Qingyue. “Second Sister, have you forgotten what I told you?”

Chu Qingyue stammered, “No, but…”

Chu Qingzhi interrupted her and encouraged her, “Second Sister, be more confident. You have to believe that you can do it.”

After hesitating for a moment, Chu Qingyue nodded firmly. “I will listen to you..”