My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 30 Part 1

Chapter 30  

You's mother arrived at the Ji family's gate, straightened her clothes, and touched her hair bun, ensuring she looked entirely presentable before striding confidently into the Ji family's courtyard.  

To her surprise, the courtyard was eerily quiet, without a single person in sight.  

She simply headed toward the Ji family's main hall. Just as she reached the eaves, she heard voices inside—though she couldn’t make out the exact words, the tone was light and cheerful.  

Clearly, they were entertaining guests and enjoying themselves.  

You's mother nearly spat in disgust. Their family’s reputation in the village was now in tatters, with everyone free to gossip about them, as if they were rats scurrying across the street.  

Meanwhile, the Ji family was all harmony and joy, completely at ease. If the Ji family hadn’t utterly humiliated the You family, they wouldn’t have fallen to such a state.  

Truly, she had every reason to resent them. 

But before she could actually spit, the Ji family’s hired laborer, Da Niu, walked out.  

"What do you want?"  

You's mother immediately straightened her posture. "I’m here to see the village head on some business."  

"They’re eating right now."  

Da Niu had worked for the Ji family for several years, and the family never treated him like a servant. When hosting familiar guests, they would even invite him to eat at the same table rather than setting a separate one for him.  

Today’s meal was particularly good, nobody wanted to be bothered.  

Seeing You's mother arrive at this hour, he was displeased. "You’ll have to wait, Sun niangzi."  

"I’m here for urgent business! Once I’m done here, I still have other matters to attend to!"  

You's mother grew even more irritated that a mere laborer, living under someone else’s roof, dared to speak to her like this. The village gossips had already abandoned their former flattery toward her family. But she didn't care, after all they were just shortsighted peasants. But a lowly servant had no right to bark orders at her.

"You’re just a hired hand, yet you presume to make decisions for your masters? If you delay my business, can you bear the consequences?"  

Unable to argue with her, Da Niu had no choice but to go inside and inform the village head.  

Hearing that You's mother had come, everyone at the table frowned. Ji Yangzong set his chopsticks down on his bowl, cursed under his breath, and stood up.  

"I’ll go see what she wants. Father-in-law, Huo-lang, you all keep eating. I’ll handle this and be right back."  

Huang Yinsheng nodded. "Go on."  

Ji Yangzong hurried out and saw You's mother standing there with an air of self-importance. His brows furrowed in displeasure. "What do you want now?"  

"Village Head, if you weren’t in charge of village affairs, I wouldn’t bother coming. But don’t worry—after this, even if you beg me to come, I won’t."  

Seeing Ji Yangzong’s impatience, You's mother didn’t even bother pretending remorse for the You family’s misdeeds. Instead, she dropped all pretense and said loftily, "We’ve bought property in the city. Lingxiao and I will be moving there soon. I’m here to submit the household registration documents."  

Ji Yangzong scoffed. "Looks like you can’t stand staying in the village anymore, rushing off to the city."  

"People strive for higher places, water flows to lower ground."  

You's mother’s expression darkened at Ji Yangzong’s blunt retort. Eager to salvage some dignity, she decided to lay her cards on the table.  

"Our Lingxiao is talented. He’s been taken under Assistant Prefect Xue’s wing, Assistant Prefect Xue is very pleased with him. Moving to the city will allow him to receive guidance more often."  

"You’d better hurry, then. With official transfers coming up, Assistant Prefect Xue will be reassigned by next March at the latest. Wouldn’t want your efforts to come to nothing."  

"Thank you for the reminder, Village Head. Even if it’s just three to five months, it should be more than enough time for the assistant prefect to deal with a couple of ignorant fools."  

Ji Yangzong fell silent. You's mother, seeing this, smirked triumphantly.  

"Commoners should never fight with officials, that’s why so many people study for the exams, isn’t it? All for the chance to have a say one day."  

"Some small-minded folk don’t know their place. They think being able to speak up in some tiny corner of the world makes them important, acting all bold and fearless, not realizing their recklessness has already sown the seeds of disaster."  

Ji Yangzong’s heart clenched.  

You's mother pressed him. "Don’t you agree, Village Head?"  

"Even the lowliest commoners must protect their reputations. If they cower in fear of power and dare not speak up, it only emboldens the wicked."  

"Who was in the wrong first, who harbored malice first, everyone knows the truth."  

A steady voice cut in. You's mother looked up, her brow tightening. "Physician Huang, you’re here too."  

Following him out were Huang Manjing and Ji Taoyu. To You's mother’s surprise, Huo Shu was also there.  

She and Huo Shu had no real connection, but she’d run into him multiple times at the Ji family, and had been intimidated by him more than once.  

Now, just seeing him made her uneasy. "The village head’s family is certainly lively today."  

With Huang Yinsheng and Huo Shu present, You's mother’s courage wavered.  

Huang Yinsheng had run a clinic in Tongzhou City for years and had treated many officials and clerks. Even if she disregarded that, she was still afraid of Huo Shu, worried he might just grab her again without warning.  

"If you’re here for household registration documents, Sun niangzi, come stamp your fingerprint."  

Ji Yangzong led her to the office to complete the formalities.  

After You's mother’s disruption, the meal couldn’t continue comfortably, though they had mostly finished eating anyway.  

Huang Yinsheng exchanged a few more words before leaving the village, he couldn’t stay long. With the recent unrest, injuries and illnesses had increased, and the seasonal change brought more patients. As the only physician at his clinic, he couldn’t afford to be away for long.