Transmigration: A Farm Girl's Brocade

Old man Qian spent a long time in an exuberant phase, flaunting to the other old men in the village whenever there was no pressing business, telling them how he had enjoyed a feast at a wealthy family’s celebration, and also attended a theatrical performance.

While causing others to envy, be jealous, and hate, this also made Old woman Qian extremely sad. Since she couldn’t move around easily, she hadn’t been able to go and had missed the very play she had longed to see.

Qian Sangui then promised that once their family home was renovated, they would also hire a theatrical troupe to perform at their house, so that the old lady could sit in the front row to watch. This finally brought a smile to the old lady’s face.

Qian Yijin, the little boy, was very unhappy. Because of the "being touched" incident, aside from Old woman Qian and Lady Wu, he found himself feeling grumpy toward all middle-aged and elderly women.

Upon hearing the cause from Yixiu, Qian Sangui and Lady Wu were also tense, declaring that they would no longer let him go to others’ homes to make beds and that they should appear less in front of those officials’ families. They couldn’t begin to imagine what those people would do.

On the third day, the third wife’s quarters of the Qian family received another visit from distinguished guests. Half an hour before the guests arrived, a boy servant came riding a horse to say that Fourth Master Song, Young Master Cousin Liang, along with the fourth and fifth young ladies, were coming to visit. He then went to notify Steward Wong at the Song Family Manor, asking them to serve on this side.

Upon hearing this, Steward Wong hurriedly brought all of his family members, except for his grandchildren, to serve at Qian’s third wife’s quarters.

Steward Wong’s family’s tension also infected Qian Sangui and his spouse, causing them to sweat profusely with fear.

Mr. Yu had to stop teaching and went to Wan Dazhong’s family, saying that he simply couldn’t bear dealing with those officials’ children. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Before leaving, he reassured an almost trembling Qian Sangui in a low voice, "It’s just a Fifth Rank Officer who bought his position, what is there to be nervous about?" He also said to Qian Yijin, "A man should stand tall and unwavering before anyone, do not be intimidated."

The little boy was much calmer than Qian Sangui and said, "Mm, I’ll heed the teacher’s instruction."

At this time, Lady Wu became somewhat panicked. It was Yixiu who ordered Old man Cai, Lady He, and the other servants to quickly heat water and prepare food and called for a menu to be drafted. At the same time, she instructed Monkey Brother and House of Animals not to create a mess. This time, two delicate young ladies were coming, and they shouldn’t be scared to tears.

Qian Sangui also sent someone to tell the artisans building the house to rest for now, as they had female guests coming and didn’t want to disturb them.

Half an hour later, four carriages entered the village, the one in the lead being a black lacquered wood-carved carriage with a magnificent flower canopy drawn by two horses. The carriage passing through the village caught all the villagers’ eyes, riveting them.

Wang Lizheng immediately sensed that there must be officials in the carriage, and as the local head, he should also go to Guiyuan to stand by for any commands, so he hurriedly followed the carriage to Guiyuan.

When the carriage arrived at the Guiyuan Door, the boy servant placed a mounting block next to the carriage, and Fourth Master Song and Liang Jinzhao got out one after the other. Then, an old female servant stepped forward to help Lan Jiejie out of the carriage and finally carried Sister Qing out.

Shopkeeper Cui also arrived, and he, along with Steward Wong, busied themselves attending to their masters.

After Fourth Master Song and his party entered the yard, they preferred not to go indoors, as they found it stuffy. They sat under the pagoda trees, which provided shade like two huge umbrellas, shielding them from the sunlight.

Fourth Master Song looked around, took a few deep breaths with a smile, and said, "It’s much cooler here than in Capital City." He then reassured an anxious Qian Sangui, "Old Master Qian, there’s no need to be nervous. Your two children are very likable, and my grandmother is very fond of them."

Steward Wong set out a set of blue and white fine porcelain tea cups specially prepared for his masters, and his two daughters-in-law brought over red glaze fine porcelain fruit plates filled with various fruits. The tea used was also the Wuxi Tea Flower brought by himself. The drink he poured for the two young girls was the Sou plum soup made by the Qian family.

Lan Jiejie and Sister Qing couldn’t contain their curiosity upon seeing the monkeys and dogs dressed in clothes, even wearing silver collars, and they giggled merrily.

Monkey Brother was the kind who got excited around people and also liked pretty girls. Meeting two cute and lovely young girls, he didn’t quite know how to show off. He circled around them twice and then began to somersault, box, bow, and make funny faces, amusing not only the two young girls into constant laughter but also causing Fourth Master Song and the others to laugh out loud.

"This monkey, it’s practically become a spirit," Fourth Master Song said with a big laugh.

After catching their breath for a moment, they went to see the golden lotuses in West Lake in the main courtyard. As soon as they entered the courtyard, an intoxicating fragrance wafted over with the breeze. From a distance, they could see green leaves swaying in the lake, with the graceful lotus flowers standing erect among them, shining even more resplendent and golden under the sunlight.

Both Liang Jinzhao and Fourth Master Song were stunned by the beautiful scene.

Liang Jinzhao, holding Lan Jiejie’s hand, hurriedly walked forward with Qian Yixiu and several others, while Fourth Master Song and Steward Wong lagged behind them, followed lastly by Qian Sangui and a few servants.

Steward Wong whispered to Fourth Master Song, "Fourth Master, should I give Qian Sangui a hint to be more observant and take out some lotus seeds for us to plant ourselves next spring?"

Fourth Master Song didn’t say a word and walked briskly forward.

When they reached the lake, Qian Yixiu ordered Su Sanwu to pick two blooming golden lotuses for Lan Jiejie and Sister Qing. The two young girls were so delighted, exclaiming that these flowers were far more beautiful and fragrant than the lotuses at home.

Fourth Master Song said to Qian Sangui, "Having tasted the lotus leaves you had Steward Wong bring over and having heard him describe the uniqueness of your lotuses, I’ve been eager to see them for myself, and today I truly feast my eyes. The lotuses here in Fan Di are indeed nothing like the ones we have in Capital City, Daqian. I wonder if the taste of these lotus roots is equally remarkable." He paused, then continued, "The third son of Prefect Yang and the eldest son of Academician Zhou also somehow got wind that these lotus roots were different and came to me a few days ago, wanting to get some to plant at home. I refused them, saying Duke Mansion had dealings here, and so they didn’t dare to come with their designs."

Turning to Shopkeeper Cui with a teasing tone, he added, "Shopkeeper Cui was quick to act, already having partnered with the Qian family."

His words carried several layers of meaning, and Qian Sangui didn’t know how to respond.

Qian Yixiu knew that once the golden lotuses from her family got out, they were bound to attract the covetous attention of many. By next year, once they cultivated the lotus pond on a large scale, even if they had to give away some to people they couldn’t afford to offend, their own loss would not be too substantial. But now, the skinny hen that was laying golden eggs was almost divvied up, what fortunes could they still pursue? Such was the law of the jungle in ancient times; it was too difficult for commoners without backing to earn a bit of money.

But the Song family absolutely could not be offended, even if it meant her own family had to earn less silver and give them advantages. Qian Yixiu suppressed the unwillingness and sorrow in her eyes and was just about to speak when she heard Liang Jinzhao begin to talk.

He said bitterly, "I wouldn’t have gotten angry if my Fourth Cousin hadn’t brought it up, but now that he has, it’s upset me all over again. Shopkeeper Cui is an old hand, yet he did something this time that has made our Liang Family a target for people to poke at our spines." As he spoke, he kicked Shopkeeper Cui twice. Shopkeeper Cui, with a red face, kept bowing and saying, "This old slave knows his mistake and won’t dare to do it again."

Fourth Master Song was taken aback; Shopkeeper Cui usually had a lot of face, and this was the first time Liang Jinzhao had acted this way towards him. He puzzled, "Why are you so upset, Jinzhao?"

Qian Jinzhao said, "My grandfather has repeatedly instructed the family that the higher one’s position, the more low-key one should be. But he took advantage of the Qian family’s situation to demand a high price. Even after knowing that the family did not have many seeds left, he still wanted some to plant himself, as if obtaining the operating rights in Capital City wasn’t enough, he even asked for the rights in the North. And the girl, being too talkative, ran off to cry to my master about not having enough lotus leaves or seeds left, saying it was all because our Liang Family took them and made a big fuss about it. My master gave me a good scolding, accusing our Liang family of using our influence to bully others, saying we have squandered the reputation my great-grandfather built up. He also blamed our family for not leaving him good lotus roots to eat. Humph, if my grandfather hears of this, even my mother won’t escape unscathed."

After finishing, he kicked Shopkeeper Cui again.