A Fortunate Woman
Zhang Zhuzi came into a sudden windfall and squandered some of it at the brothel. The rest was taken by Qin Sanniang, who bought him a decent set of clothes. Now he looked somewhat respectable.
Qin Sanniang first entered the courtyard and hurriedly took out fifty wen as a gift money to present at the place for congratulatory gifts in the courtyard.
Tang Shi, standing behind her, was distraught and heartbroken. She pulled at Qin Sanniang’s sleeve, trying to stop her from giving money. She said worriedly, "It’s just a little baby’s full moon celebration, why are you giving so much money? If you have money, why not give some to me and Zhaocai to eat?"
Tang Shi pulling Qin Sanniang in front of so many people instantly became the center of attention.
Qin Sanniang glared at Tang Shi with disgust, shook her off, and said, "You useless wretched woman, why do you eat so much? As long as you don’t starve, that’s enough! This money was given to me by my husband, I can spend it however I want. What business is it of yours, ugly woman? Now get lost!"
After speaking, Qin Sanniang gave Zhang Zhuzi a meaningful glance. Zhang Zhuzi immediately rushed forward, jumped up, and delivered a flying kick to Tang Shi’s chest.
The kick was powerful, and Tang Shi was sent flying, landing on her backside with an "ouch," clutching her chest in pain and unable to recover for a long time.
Zhang Zhaocai hurried over to help Tang Shi up, but he was young and small, lacking strength. He tried several times but couldn’t pull her up, so he could only watch Tang Shi sit on the ground catching her breath.
"Ugly woman who remembers the beating but not the lesson, humph!" Qin Sanniang spat at Tang Shi, very pleased with Zhang Zhuzi’s performance, giving him a smile.
Zhang Zhuzi immediately felt elated, almost floating with pride, happily trailing behind Qin Sanniang.
Liu Ru followed, holding her child. As Qin Sanniang’s sister, she attended the banquet as herself, not as the granddaughter-in-law of the Lao Su family.
Qin Sanniang sat at the table next to Liu Ru, glanced at Tang Shi still sitting on the ground unable to get up, and rolled her eyes. She said, "Look at that foolish woman, so short-sighted. This Full-Moon Banquet is organized by Su Li’s godson. Isn’t it reasonable to give a generous gift? The Su family is so wealthy; if you cozy up to them, you can definitely benefit. Look at Tang Shi, that dumb donkey, she’s really laughable."
Liu Ru agreed, "Yes, look at those in the village who have attached themselves to Su Li, they have all made money. Now look at the Lao Su family, a bunch of blind fools who stubbornly oppose Su Li. Good relatives turned into the most miserable now, truly a sin."
Qin Sanniang nodded, "We can’t be foolish. We must maintain good relations with Su Li’s family and also with Old Master Yuan’s family."
While they were talking, Qin Sanniang looked up and saw a beautiful, charming woman weaving through the crowd, her face smiling and graceful. She couldn’t help but scrutinize the beauty and said to Liu Ru, "Ru sister, who is that woman? She looks quite pretty."
"That’s Wu Caiwei, Zhang Mu’s wife. This Full-Moon Banquet is for her son," Liu Ru said, looking down at her own son with a sour expression, sighing, "Look at their son, then look at mine. People really do make you angry."
Qin Sanniang’s eyes stayed glued to Wu Caiwei. Since it was a Full-Moon Banquet, Wu Caiwei must have just finished her confinement. To look so radiant right after confinement, she must be very well taken care of!
Qin Sanniang murmured, "This Wu lady is truly blessed."
"Exactly. Her husband was originally a hunter in the village, poor and nobody’s choice. But somehow he suddenly got rich. Now he has a shop and a house in Shilipo, and even opened several pharmacies, becoming a big boss," Liu Ru said sourly.
"Oh, a hunter by origin? He must have a strong physique!" Qin Sanniang’s eyes sparkled instantly. She glanced disdainfully at Zhang Zhuzi beside her, picturing him as a scrawny bean sprout.
Zhang Zhuzi, as a man, was really not up to par.