An Offer Delivered to the Door
At the entrance of Evans Manor, Helen Parker nervously tugged on May Parker's arm and whispered, "Meixiang, maybe we should just leave."
May Parker shot Helen Parker a glare and insisted, "Mom, what are you afraid of? Today, it's Lily Evans who should be afraid of me! Just wait and see—I'll make Lily Evans beg me in tears!"
The front gate creaked open. Belle glanced at Helen Parker and May Parker, then said, "Madam is waiting in the hall. Please follow me."
May Parker looked Belle up and down with disdain. "You must be the maid Lily Evans bought from the brothel, right? No wonder you reek of cheap perfume—it's enough to choke someone from a distance."
After what happened with Doggie Lee, Belle had grown exceptionally resilient. Faced with May Parker's insult, she remained calm and replied, "That's right. I used to serve your sister-in-law at the brothel—back then, I was just a tea-serving maid, but your sister-in-law was the star courtesan, entertaining seven or eight guests a day. I suppose the scent you're smelling is from her, not me."
"You wretched girl, what did you just say! Watch your mouth or I'll tear it right off!" Helen Parker was furious at Belle's jab at her daughter-in-law, but since they were on Lily Evans's turf and surrounded by servants, she could only swallow her anger.
Belle led the two of them into the hall, then silently took her place behind Lily Evans.
Lily Evans wore a warm fur coat and a mink scarf around her neck, making her fair skin look even more radiant. Her delicate, palm-sized face was impossibly charming.
"I'm curious to hear what you think could possibly make me regret anything." Lily Evans took a sip of tea, giving May Parker a half-smile. "If you can't give me a good reason, you'll regret coming to my house today."
With Lily Evans's attire and presence, she immediately outshone May Parker. May Parker forced herself not to show weakness, plopped down on a chair, and said, "Lily Evans, so what if you made a little dirty money and struck it rich? What's so great about that?! Do you believe I could ruin you overnight?"
"Oh? Ruin me overnight? I don't see you having that kind of ability." Lily Evans watched May Parker's foolishness with amusement.
May Parker gave a sly smile. "You're just making money off those winter vegetables in your fields, aren't you? Too bad I know your planting method too. If you know what's good for you, hand over fifty thousand taels as hush money. Otherwise, I'll spread your winter planting secrets far and wide. Once everyone knows how to grow vegetables in winter, yours won't be worth a dime!"
Helen Parker puffed out her chest and echoed, "That's right! Lily Evans, you'd better cough up fifty thousand taels, or we'll tell all the villagers. Once everyone is growing winter vegetables, no one will buy yours. Let's see how smug you are then!"
Lily Evans gave May Parker a disdainful look. "You say you know how, and I'm supposed to believe you?"
May Parker puffed herself up, pretending to be an expert. "Of course I know! Listen: every morning, pull back the straw curtains, light a brazier at noon, cover with gauze in the afternoon, and at night put the straw curtains back and add another brazier... Well, Lily Evans, am I right? If you know what's good for you, pay up. Otherwise, by tomorrow all of Clearwater City will know your secret!"
The key to growing greenhouse vegetables is controlling temperature and humidity, using different methods for different weather and temperatures. Even with straw curtains, how many to use, whether to cover halfway or fully, all depends on the conditions. Details make all the difference. With May Parker's crude approach, it's no wonder Mrs. Green's vegetable patch failed.
Lily Evans rubbed her forehead. "So, May Parker, are you threatening me now?"