stingy landlady

Chapter 208 Gui Xiang's Elopement

Gui Xiang sat on the ground, silently shedding tears. She didn't know how Jiang Hongliang had become so rude, but Jiang Hongliang seemed to enjoy it immensely! After dressing, he looked like a refined scholar again.

Seeing that Gui Xiang's clothes were disheveled, he asked flirtatiously:

"What's wrong, Guixiang? You still won't put on your clothes? Haven't you had enough? Want me to do it again?"

Upon hearing this, Gui Xiang trembled with fear. She quickly said:

"No! Don't! I... I'm just temporarily powerless! You! You leave first! I should go home too!"

As she spoke, she struggled to her feet, leaning against the wall, and began to slowly straighten her clothes.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Hongliang wouldn't let her finish dressing. Just as Guixiang was about to pull up her underwear, Jiang Hongliang reached out again. Guixiang looked at Jiang Hongliang, puzzled, not understanding his intentions. Jiang Hongliang's eyes were clear, without a trace of desire.

"Gui Xiang! Your underwear is pretty good. It's uncomfortable to wear it when it's dirty, so take it off! Just wearing your pants is fine!"

Gui Xiang shook her head and said:

"It's okay, I'll change it when I get home!"

"Just take it off when I tell you to! When did you become so disobedient!"

Jiang Hongliang was filled with impatience and reached out to take off Gui Xiang's underwear.

After forcibly removing Gui Xiang's underwear and stuffing it into his arms, Jiang Hongliang said:

"Someone's coming! Quick, get dressed!"

Gui Xiang was startled but didn't suspect anything. She endured the pain and discomfort and quickly tidied herself up.

When I looked up again, I saw Jiang Hongliang holding a pair of underwear, saying with a half-smile:

"Wang Guixiang! You were born Jiang Hongliang's person, and you'll die Jiang Hongliang's ghost! Your parents wanted to marry you off to a rich man, and you also want to find a wealthy young master. Dream on!"

"Wang Guixiang, tell me, if I put your underwear in public now, what will the villagers say? Will your dear sister's marriage still be possible today?"

Gui Xiang felt as if she saw a demon staring at her, and she felt cold and scared all over.

"You! Jiang Lang! How could you do this?"

"Hahaha! Me! Why can't I do this! Unless, hmph! Unless..."

"Unless what? Jiang Lang! I'll agree to anything! Jiang Lang, spare my sister! Don't let my parents be disgraced because of me!"

Gui Xiang felt that Jiang Hongliang was like a poisonous snake hissing and flicking its tongue, uttering cold words.

"Guixiang! My good wife! It would have been better if you had been this obedient all along! Now go home and pack your clothes and jewelry, try to take the most valuable ones. Pack your bags and come home with me to live a simple life."

My mother said, "Once you marry into this family, you'll be in charge! And when I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you'll be a scholar's wife!"

Jiang Hongliang used both soft and hard tactics, forcing Guixiang to elope with him. Fearing something might go wrong, he deliberately waved Guixiang's underwear in front of her.

"Don't think you can just go in and never come out. If I can't get in and can't find you, fine. Humph! I'll show off your glorious deeds as an older sister to your sister's in-laws!"

If I don't see you bring anything out within half an hour, then just wait and see your sister get dumped, and your parents become the laughingstock of the village!

I certainly won't just stand by and watch you marry someone else and live a good life! As long as you obediently do as I say, your family will accept me as your son-in-law after a while!

"Wait until I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, then they'll all come fawning over you, their scholar's wife!"

As Gui Xiang was pushed out of the alley by Jiang Hongliang, one of the helpers, with sharp eyes, saw Gui Xiang and called out:

"Gui Xiang! Why did you run off?! Your family has started their feast! Go and join them!"

Gui Xiang gave a perfunctory reply and went into her room. She sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and pondered her thoughts.

Thinking about how Jiang Hongliang was completely different from usual today, there was no warmth left, only threats and intimidation! Remembering that her secrets had been exposed, Guixiang silently shed tears again.

Hearing the laughter and chatter outside, Guixiang swayed back and forth, unsure of what to do!

She couldn't let Jiang Hongliang ruin her sister's good marriage, and she couldn't let her parents be gossiped about in the village every day. Guixiang began to pack her clothes, jewelry, and money.

Gui Xiang received a monthly stipend from the workshop. Gui Zhi, as the manager, specially gave Gui Xiang two taels of silver each month. Da Zhu and his wife didn't inquire about these stipends, and Gui Xiang saved them herself.

Before the New Year, Guizhi bought a set of jewelry for Guixiang and Guihong each, worth about ten taels of silver. Guixiang put them all on and looked at the clean and tidy room.

Gui Xiang resolutely shouldered her bundle and went out. Along the way, people asked her where she was going with the bundle, but she always made excuses to avoid them.

Jiang Hongliang was overjoyed to see Guixiang and quickly took her bundle and left Xiaoping Village with her.

At Dazhu's house, wine and food were served in abundance, and the two families, introduced by the matchmakers, Mr. and Mrs. Qu, were delighted with each other.

Accompanied by Jinxiu, Guihong showed Zhou Shaoyu around her home and took him for a walk on the edge of the village, where they whispered to each other for a while.

Gui Hong took out a purse she had embroidered in her spare time and gave it to Zhou Shaoyu. She also asked the craft workshop to make clothes and shoes for Zhou Shaoyu's parents according to the measurements given by Madam Qu.

Dazhu caught two chickens and two ducks, and two geese from Huanghua Village. Good things come in pairs! He cut nearly half of the pork from the slaughtered pig today as a return gift and loaded it onto the Zhou family's carriage.

They also packed a lot of wild mountain vegetables as local specialties and gave them to the Zhou family and the Qu Dong family.

The elderly couple, being of higher generation, sat in the main seats all day, receiving flattery and compliments from the younger generation. The old man, in high spirits, drank a bit too much, and the old woman, equally pleased by the many people affectionately calling her "Grandma," felt a little elated.

Today, Zhao and Erzhu finally entered Dazhu's house, their eyes filled with envy as they looked around. They dared not entertain any thoughts of taking advantage of a childless heir; Dazhu had already taken a concubine, and if he could take one, he could take two or three. Was he worried about not having a son?

In September, she was still doing needlework and resting during her pregnancy in Huanghua Village, completely oblivious to the lively atmosphere at home. Wang Yifei didn't ask about September, and no one in the family mentioned her either; Qian Shi remains completely unaware of what's going on.

Qian's life did not improve; her family still ignored her, and she had to take care of her two children. Wang Yifei could only give a portion of the money he earned to support the family to Qian. He also had to give some money to his parents to cover their food, clothing, and other expenses in September.

Wang Yifei himself still had to attend to social engagements. Madam Qian looked on with envy at the betrothal gifts Gui Hong received, hoping that her daughter Xiaoyu would also marry a wealthy man in the future.

Mrs. Sun returned early with her fourth son, carrying her child, to help out. The sofa workshop was busy with orders, keeping them occupied all day. Despite the tight deadlines, Mrs. Sun felt her days were fulfilling.

The fourth child wasn't idle either. He left the children with Ruyi or Wanrou to take care of, and went to a sofa workshop to learn carpentry. He also often helped with deliveries.

Both husband and wife worked hard, and Guizhi was generous, ensuring they both received wages. They were full of energy every day. Seeing how wealthy Guihong's fiancé's family was, their confidence grew even stronger, believing their future would only get better and better!

The fourth brother and his wife have decided not to stay at home tonight. After seeing the Zhou family off, they will return to Changping Village to continue their efforts!

Wang Yiyun is studying in the prefectural city; they didn't notify him to return because of the engagement. He will definitely come back for the wedding banquet.