Chapter 90: Preliminary Exposure of the Fake Daughter

Chapter 90

Xu Mo stumbled back to the small courtyard, looking disheveled.

If treating the people like one's own children resulted in being chased around by matchmakers, Xu Mo really had to consider being more low-key.

His younger siblings in the small courtyard clearly got the news too, barely holding in their laughter.

"Big brother, you're almost thirteen now. It's not too early to talk about marriage," Zheng Ruqian teased him with a big grin. "Having a virtuous sister-in-law to take care of you would be a great blessing."

"Do you want this blessing?" Xu Mo glared at him.

Zheng Ruqian laughed cheekily. "I don't. I still have business to do, going here and there everyday. I'm afraid I'd neglect the poor girl."

The weather had turned cold. They had to restart the vegetable delivery business.

This time, he was determined to ruthlessly rip off You Ran House in the prefecture city.

Let them know that edible greens in winter don't come cheap!

"Second brother, you're going far away again?" Jiang Sheng tugged at his clothes, eyes full of worry.

Although the Wangs hadn't made a move in the past three months, the siblings would remain a thorn in their side as long as Fang Heng lived.

"We can't stop going outside just because it's dangerous," Zheng Ruqian reassured her. "Besides, the Wangs have been quiet these past few months. Maybe they've settled down."

But that wasn't the case.

Everyone could see that the Wangs were determined to get Fang Heng.

It would be reasonable for them to keep causing trouble. Their inaction over the past three months meant either the Wangs had difficulties of their own, or they were brewing something big.

The latter was more likely.

"How about I bring the servants to protect second brother?" Fang Heng stepped forward. "It'd be good practice for them to deal with danger."

Zheng Ruqian's eyes bulged out as he backed up several steps. "No, you're the Wangs' target. If you don't show up, maybe nothing will happen. If you do, several desperadoes will come rushing to kill you."

Fang Heng smiled helplessly.

He understood his second brother's meaning. Staying in Xieyang County was the safest, with the county magistrate protecting them and the common folk accompanying them. Even the boldest scoundrels wouldn't dare commit murder in front of innocent people.

But they were equally worried about letting Zheng Ruqian travel alone to buy and deliver vegetables. It was too dangerous.

"How about this - you take Jiang Yi, Er, San and Si with you. They're the most nimble and have the best martial arts skills." Fang Heng compromised.

Zheng Ruqian reluctantly agreed.

Zheng Ruqian nodded. The assistant went to inform him.

Standing on the landing, Zheng Ruqian happened to see Young Master Jiang from the county city speaking softly to a young girl - none other than Miss Jiang Third who had looked down on little Jiang Sheng last time!

Zheng Ruqian was disgusted and twisted his mouth before shifting his gaze away.

But he could still hear their conversation.

"Huan Huan, stop fighting with Father and Mother. No one knows what's true or false. As long as Father and Mother still dote on you, you're the Jiang family's legitimate daughter," Young Master Jiang gently persuaded. "Come back with me. Don't stay in Anshui anymore."

"No," Miss Jiang Third lowered her head in tears. "Big brother, what if I really am not a blood child? What if your real sister comes back? What will I do?"

"Silly girl, who else could my birth sister be but you? You resemble Mother so much." Young Master Jiang was extremely exasperated. "Don't listen to idle gossip. It's all fake."

"But Grandmother is already suspicious..." Miss Jiang Third sobbed.

Zheng Ruqian scratched his ear. He felt that rich families really had too many issues, even suspecting the legitimacy of their children. But it was none of his business.

Just then, Manager Hao beckoned to him from a private room doorway. Zheng Ruqian swiftly scurried over.

After an intense battle of words lasting about half a hour, the two emerged from the room.

Manager Hao was very surprised. He didn't expect this brat Zheng Ruqian to be so capable, not yielding an inch during their price negotiation.

Zheng Ruqian also felt lingering fear. He didn't anticipate Manager Hao to be such a cunning old fox, almost losing to him.

But they had reached an agreement on the vegetable delivery in the end.

Every month, Zheng Ruqian would deliver 5 carts of vegetables to You Ran House. It didn't matter where they were from or what kind. As long as they were fresh, it was fine.

But this would only last until the warmer days of spring. By then, local vegetables would be harvested and there would be no need for expensive exotic vegetables.

Manager Hao was truly shrewd, squeezing profits to the maximum.

But Zheng Ruqian also had his own little calculations. If the vegetables he delivered were exotic varieties that could never be found locally, You Ran House would have to find him if they wanted to make that dish.

Wouldn't the business continue indefinitely?

And the money keep rolling in?

Zheng Ruqian's sly mind bounced around as the big and small foxes signed the vegetable delivery agreement, smiling as they came downstairs.

Young Master Jiang from earlier was gone. The one accompanying Miss Jiang Third now was a girl in a goose-yellow dress.

"Your mother wants to find my father through me and get the Jiang family to recommend your uncle as the next Anshui prefect?" Miss Jiang Third resumed her arrogance and aloofness. "The current prefect will be transferred soon, but the Sun family wants that position. Shouldn't she be asking her in-laws the Fang family instead of us? What does she want with the Jiangs?"