Chapter 149
Zhang Huaiwen leaned back again: "What do you want to say? That you drugged Fang Tongsheng because I instigated it? Or that I helped you by drawing people away at the Yang residence, working from the inside? Do you think my brother-in-law would believe you? Taking it a step further, even if he did believe you, so what? Could my elder sister just stand by and watch me go to jail?"
Lianniang's hands began to tremble involuntarily. A chill rose from the soles of her feet, making her spine feel cold.
Right!
Zhang Huaiwen's elder sister is the county magistrate's most beloved concubine. Even if I expose Zhang Huaiwen, what good would it do?
The Zhang family has only this one legitimate son; they would absolutely never let anything happen to him.
How could I have been so foolish back then, to be swayed by his few words and agree to work with him? And now, before our scheme has even come to light, he has already discarded me without a second thought.
"Think clearly!" Zhang Huaiwen stood up, looking down at her with an arrogant posture, and said: "If you obediently take all the blame, for the sake of our acquaintance, I can still pull some strings to make your life inside more comfortable. If you provoke me, then I'm afraid your entire Jia family will suffer."
Lianniang's body trembled uncontrollably. She was in a daze, not even noticing when Zhang Huaiwen left. When her maid pushed the door open and entered, she saw Lianniang sitting on the stool, shaking incessantly, her body covered in cold sweat.
"Young Lady, are you alright?"
"I..." Lianniang was truly afraid now, thoroughly and completely afraid.
When she administered the drug initially, she had never considered the possibility of failure, in her experience, men simply couldn't resist temptation. While Fang Zichen might possess unusual self-control when sober, surely a powerful aphrodisiac would shatter his resistance. How could he possibly refuse her then?
She had only thought that if she had relations with Fang Zichen, he would have to take responsibility for her. Even if the methods were somewhat dishonorable, it didn't matter, as long as she could get him.
How confident she had been!
Now... she could only hope that Fang Zichen and the others would not report it to the authorities.
...
Fang Zichen spent another afternoon being all lovey-dovey with Guaizai. Then he hauled the bicycle out again, saying he wanted to take the child coasting down slopes for some real excitement.
"Keep a close eye on him." Zhao Ger really didn't feel reassured about Fang Zichen: "Maybe we should just stay home? You're not fully recovered yet."
The yard was spacious and flat, even if Guaizai fell, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"It's fine, I'm all better. I'll watch him carefully. Don't you trust me?"
Fang Zichen carried Guaizai with one arm and the bicycle with the other.
It was late autumn now, but Zhao Ger still had sweat on his forehead. He had been busy constantly since returning at noon. Fang Zichen, having reached the courtyard gate, turned back and said: "You should rest for a while. There's no hurry. We can make the chili sauce together tonight after I get back."
Right now, his son was the primary 'comfort' target; everything else had to take a back seat.
"The chilies in the field are still growing now," Zhao Ger said: "In another half month, the weather will turn cold. We need to make as much as we can now to sell during the winter."
"But there's no need to rush for just this little while," Fang Zichen said.
Zhao Ger shook his head and said: "The household is almost out of silver."
Actually, his small savings jar still had over eighty taels, but having been scarred by poverty, and having just spent a sum of money, he felt an urgent need to earn it back. Having silver made him feel secure.
When idle, the thought of Fang Zichen's injured body, and him needing to take medicine for several more years, made Zhao Ger feel both heartache and panic.
Not long after the blood sausage was made, others started copying it and selling it too. Chili sauce had also started appearing for sale, but it probably wasn't made very well, as it didn't attract many customers.
But he still didn't dare be careless.
While it was selling well, naturally they should sell more. Once this busy period passed and the chilies were gone, he would need to open a shop in town.
"Almost out of silver?" Fang Zichen wasn't very clear about the household's financial situation. Every month he received his salary and handed it all over to Zhao Ger. He ate at Zuixiao Restaurant at noon and came home to eat in the evening, so he hardly spent any money. Occasionally, if he wanted to buy something, he would just ask Zhao Ger for the silver.
Last time he went to Yuanzhou, he stayed at Li Yisheng's medical hall, which saved him a large sum. Plus, he had swindled over thirty, nearly forty taels from Sun Shangcheng. That trip not only didn't cost a single copper coin, but he actually came back over forty taels richer.
And now it was all gone?
What did the family buy that cost so much?
Is silver really that easy to spend?
He didn't suspect Zhao Ger of spending recklessly. He understood Zhao Ger's character very well; he was the type who wanted to split a single copper coin in half and spend it. It was impossible for him to be extravagant.
Since Zhao Ger said there was none, then there must truly be none.
He set the bicycle down, wrapped one arm around Zhao Ger, and kissed him on the forehead: "It's fine, it doesn't matter if we're out of silver. I can still earn more. You are my fulang. I have the ability to provide for you. Don't work yourself to the bone, or it will truly break my heart."
Zhao Ger was deeply moved. His lips moved, and he was just about to say something when he heard Fang Zichen continue: "Rest assured, I promise you this: from now on, as long as I have a meal to eat, you will have a bowl to wash."
Zhao Ger: "..."
Zhao Ger pushed him away, snorted, turned around, and ignored him.
Fang Zichen adored that look of mock outrage on his face. He couldn't resist teasing him a little more before finally leaving, chuckling as he carried Guaizai away.
Zhao Ger's face was red enough to drip blood, feeling both angry and shy.
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