Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 402: Madam Qiao’s Selfishness

Everyone knew that Lian Fang Zhou’s cotton fields were surrounded by traps at night and it was constantly patrolled by guards and dogs.
No one dared to make a move at night.

But wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to steal some during the day while picking?

That stuff was fluff and soft, compressing into a small ball when you pinched it.
When she went over tomorrow, she could just wear a loose robe and sew a few small pockets in it.
She might be able to steal eight to ten handfuls a day or more!

The more Madam Qiao thought about it, the more she liked it.

She had heard that the cotton picking at that place was strictly controlled and her servants were watching all the time.
If someone was found stealing, they would be severely punished.

But even if others were afraid, what did she need to be afraid of? She was her aunt! Humph, she didn’t believe that she would dare to beat her up over a few handfuls of cotton! Wouldn’t she be afraid of being stabbed in the spine?

Lian Hai didn’t know what was going on in his mothers mind but he frowned when he heard his father’s words.
“Fang Zhou’s family does the work herself, she doesn’t need us to interfere, so why bother making a joke of ourselves? Dad, just stay at home, mother and I will go pick cotton.”

Then he added, “Sun Ming goes to help.
I’m her cousin, I’m ashamed not to go.”

Not only was he ashamed but it invited others to talk.

Although Lian Li knew that his son’s words were true, he was not reconciled.
Frowning, he argued: “What do you mean by interfering? We are the same family and we are kind enough to help, what can she say? She doesn’t respect you!”

“I don’t want to trouble her.” Lian Hai said firmly.
“Don’t say anything, this matter is settled.”

Lian Li was helpless and could only reluctantly nod, saying: “Okay.”

The next day, the family deliberately ate breakfast early before Lian Hai and Madam Qiao hurried over to Lian Fang Zhou’s house.

Hearing their explanation, Lian Fang Zhou was stunned.
She could see that Madam Qiao was not reluctant and actually smiling at her, as if she was afraid that she would refuse to let them help.

Weird, very weird!

Baffled, Lian Fang Zhou looked up at the sky outside.
Was the sun still rising in the east?

Since they seemed to genuinely want to help, she had no reason to refuse.
Nodding, she smiled and said: “It’s rare that eldest aunt and cousin have the interest.
Since it’s time for Ah Jian to head over, why don’t you leave with him? The affairs over at Shitouping at all arranged by Ah Jian, Aunt Zhang, and Sister Zhao.”

As for Sanchakou, this was managed by Steward Qin, Uncle Li, Li San He, and Sun Ming’s family.
Occasionally, Lian Fang Zhou would go over when there was something to do.

In each place, Wang Da, Li Da, and the other workers helped with management while also picking some cotton along the way.
Lian Ze and Su Zi Ji oversaw everything at the compound.

This was the reason there had not been any incidents.
Though the people hired by Zhao Liu had been carefully selected and were honest, upright people.
Every morning before picking, the leaders would gather everything together and emphasize the rules of reward and punishment.
Although the cotton was worth as much as white silver these days, nothing had been stolen.

Once that kind of thing started, the consequences would be uncontrollable, absolutely out of control.

When Madam Qiao heard her words she immediately felt dissatisfied.
Giving Ah Jian a snort, she said: “I say, Fang Zhou, you really can’t tell the difference between insiders and outsiders! You don’t trust those of the good family name Lian but actually let an irrelevant outsider arrange this! What is this? Heaven knows what those outsiders will do behind your back!”

Lian Hai couldn’t move fast enough.
Grabbing his mother’s hand, he squeezed it and smiled at Lian Fang Zhou.
Quickly, he said: “Fang Zhou, my mother’s mouth is like this, don’t pay attention to her! You have a plan, and everything is arranged properly.”

Lian Fang Zhou found this conversation to be very boring so of course she wouldn’t pay any attention to what Madam Qiao said.
Smiling straight at Lian Hai, she said: “Cousin, go back first and wait.
Ah Jian will leave in a little while, I’ll have him stop by and call you.”

“Alright, then we will go first!” Lian Hai nodded, dragging Madam Qiao away before she could speak again.

Lian Fang Zhou and Ah Jian shared a look and couldn’t help but laugh.

Smiling, Ah Jian said: “It’s a good thing that you can face your aunt so calmly now.”

She sighed with amusement, smiling: “What else should I do? What my cousin said is right, she’s just like that! I have neither the time to change her or the energy to be angry.
Just ignore her! But…”

She frowned.
“I was worried she would come and help but I didn’t expect that she actually decided to do it! Who knows what she’s planning.
Please ask Aunt Zhang and Sister Zhao to keep an eye on her when you arrive at the fields and have someone follow her.”

He smiled, saying lightly: “What can she do? Isn’t it just a thief stealing a few catties of cotton? Just take it as using her as an example!”

Lian Fang Zhou slapped her forehead with a small ‘ah’ sound.
“This should be the case.
I’m really stupid, I didn’t think of this!”

At this time, Third Aunt was cooking in the kitchen, Lian Che had left for school, and both Lian Ze and Lian Qing Fang had left to have breakfast at the compound.
There was only Lian Fang Zhou and Ah Jian in the room.

Ah Jian’s eyes were soft and his tone was gentle.
“You are not stupid, you are just too tired these days.
After this, you need to take a good rest.
Hm, we should go stay in Xiuyuan for a while, what do you think? We could take Third Aunt, Ah Ze, Che’er, and Qing’er.”

Feeling warm in her heard, and also a little shy, Lian Fang Zhou pursed her lips and smiled.
“Alright, let’s go together then.”

After a shared moment, Ah Jian smiled and said: “I don’t think it’s appropriate for Aunt Zhang or Sister Zhao to follow her.
After all, they are from your village and so, even if they see her make some small movements, its not convenient for them to speak up.
That may cause more trouble.
How about I put her in with some of the hired women?”

Such an arrangement would naturally not reveal Madam Qiao’s identity to others.

Lian Fang Zhou nodded.
“This is well thought out, let’s arrange it.
My brain has been very muddled lately, I think I may be a bit too careless.”

Holding her hand tenderly, Ah Jian smiled at her.
“With me here, you can rest assured, even when you are confused.
But Fang Zhou, we haven’t talked for a long time!”

Lian Fang Zhou’s face instantly became hot, feeling shy again.

Seeing her glaring half-heartedly at him, he laughed.
“Let’s wait until after you’re not busy anymore!”

~

After breakfast, Ah Jian went to call Madam Qiao and Lian Hai.

Seeing Ah Jian coming, Madam Qiao wanted to put on airs but was caught by Lian Hai, who winked at her.
Thinking about the cotton she planned to steal later, she didn’t say anything.

However, in her heart, she couldn’t help but scold Ah Jian for his lack of eyesight.
Nothing but a distant relative who beat the autumn wind, what kind of pretense was he putting on in front of her?