Mrs. Gold's Jealousy

Belle and April were busy harvesting mushrooms, both sisters working extra hard, hoping the household would prosper.

Lily Evans went to borrow a cart from Uncle Arthur’s family. Mrs. Charlotte Evans smiled and said, "Sure, the cart is at the construction site. I'll have someone bring it over in a bit. Lily, we're all family, no need to be so polite with your aunt."

"Thank you, Aunt Charlotte," Lily Evans replied with a smile.

In the backyard, Belle was carefully bagging mushrooms when she suddenly heard footsteps outside the door. Belle called out vigilantly, "Who’s there!?"

Outside, Mrs. Gold’s voice rang out: "Miss Belle, I just made some sugar cakes. They won’t taste good once they’re cold, so I brought them over for you."

As she spoke, Mrs. Gold pushed the door, trying to come in.

Belle reacted quickly, darting through the gap in the door and shutting it firmly behind her before Mrs. Gold could enter.

Mrs. Gold stared at the crack in the door, and when Belle closed it, she shoved the sugar cakes into Belle’s hands and asked with a sly smile, "Miss Belle, what are you and April busy with in there? What’s inside this room?"

Belle replied coldly, "Mrs. Gold, didn’t Madam say no one’s allowed near this row of houses in the backyard? Why did you come here?"

Mrs. Gold pouted, "Can’t I even take a look? Then why are you here?"

Belle said, "Madam sent me here. Mrs. Gold, don’t come to the backyard again, or Madam will be angry if she sees you."

Mrs. Gold’s face suddenly fell. She snatched the sugar cakes from Belle and said sarcastically, "Alright, Miss Belle, I know you’re favored by the household. I’m just a rough servant, not worthy of speaking to someone like you. You’re so pretty and clever, maybe one day Madam will marry you off to Master! If you become a concubine, don’t forget to help me out!"

"You—what nonsense are you talking about! I loyally serve my masters. Don’t you dare spread rumors!" Belle’s hands trembled with anger. The household strictly forbade maids from seducing the master, and if Lily Evans heard Mrs. Gold’s words and misunderstood, Belle could be sold off!

Mrs. Gold snorted coldly, "Don’t pretend with me. I know you and your sister came from the brothel, only good at seducing men. You’re definitely not honest! Why does Madam trust you two? She’ll regret it one day."

"You... you..." Belle was so angry she couldn’t speak, pointing at Mrs. Gold, her face pale.

"Ha! I hit a sore spot, didn’t I? Look how guilty you are." Mrs. Gold rolled her eyes, biting into the sugar cake as she left.

Afterwards, April waited until she heard Mrs. Gold’s footsteps fade away before daring to open the door. She pulled the furious Belle inside and said, "Sis, don’t stoop to Mrs. Gold’s level. She’s just jealous of our favor. Madam is wise and won’t believe her nonsense. We’ve been tasked with harvesting mushrooms, so let’s get to work and not give Mrs. Gold anything to laugh about."

Belle calmed herself and said, "April’s right. Let’s hurry and pick the mushrooms; Madam is waiting to go to town."

The sisters worked quickly and soon bagged fifty jin of mushrooms.

Lucky loaded the bags onto Uncle Arthur’s cart. He and Lily Evans headed to town together to sell the goods.

"Oh, isn’t that Lily Evans? Already on the cart!" As Lucky drove the cart to the village entrance, he was stopped by Tofu Beauty, who was carrying a basket. She looked pitifully at Lucky and said, "Brother Lucky, I missed Mr. Qian’s ox cart and was supposed to walk to town, but I just twisted my ankle. Could I ride with you to town?"