The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“That seems like a good idea. Once we’ve agreed on the timing, I’ll arrange for two government officials to escort Miss Zhuang each day and bring her back in the afternoon.” Ding Gaochang voiced from one side, “It’s more convenient this way.”

And safer too.

“Thank you, Master Ding, for your careful arrangements.” Miao Hongjin was unaware of the underlying reason and simply thought that Ding Gaochang was showing respect towards Zhuang Qingning and thinking for the sake of Miao Village, he thanked him repeatedly.

He began to think that Ding Gaochang was an excellent officer.

“Thank you for your help, Master Ding.” Zhuang Qingning also expressed her gratitude.

“There’s another matter I need to discuss with Miss Zhuang,” said Miao Hongjin, “Since I’m now preparing for it, I’ll also put together the tools needed for making sweet potato glass noodles. When Miss Zhuang is teaching this method, you’ll also need to use them.”

“If it’s convenient for Miss Zhuang, please sketch out what the tools look like and tell me how many we need to prepare, I can make arrangements.”

“There’s no need for a sketch, they just need to follow these models.” Zhuang Qingning took out the prepared items like the grater, sieve, and explained to Miao Hongjin the purpose of each tool, which materials were best, and how many needed to be prepared.

In the end, she marked the quantity of each tool on a piece of paper for Miao Hongjin to take back and replicate.

“These are the main things.” Said Zhuang Qingning, “Before making the noodles, the most important tasks are grinding the pulp and extracting the starch. You can try to dry out some powder in the next few days.”

“Yes, there were people who made sweet potato starch before, and sold it to the restaurant in the county town, but it’s not a common ingredient, it doesn’t sell well, thus there are few people making it, but many people still understand the process.”

Miao Hongjin nodded, “I’ll get everyone to make some powder when I get back”

The three discussed the initial preparations for the workshop for a while longer. As the sun began to set and the day grew late, Ding Gaochang and Miao Hongjin finally bid their goodbyes and left.

Before they left, Zhuang Qingning asked them to take some of the dry glass noodles she had made earlier.

She explained whether for cooking or to show to others, they were both suitable.

Ding Gaochang and Miao Hongjin received the glass noodles, expressing their gratitude before finally leaving.

Zhuang Qingning tidied up the courtyard and then started preparing dinner.

Ants climbing up the tree, moo shu pork, garlic eggplant, and a pot of sweet and sticky sweet potato porridge were made.

The two sisters had their dinner in the courtyard while there was still light in the evening.

The sweet potatos were soft, sweet and delicious, Zhuang Qingsui had to have a second serving of the porridge, even Snow Globe got a piece of sweet potato in his own food bowl and was eating happily.

While they were having their meal, the sound of soft footfalls could be heard from outside, gradually approaching and then entering the courtyard.

Zhuang Qingning looked up to see Zhuang Yuanzhong standing in the courtyard.

What was he doing here?

Zhuang Qingning frowned, but before she could say anything, Zhuang Qingsui became alarmed and lashed out, “Why are you here? Get out!”

She had suffered too much and had been treated terribly at her Uncle’s house in the past, the scenes of the bullying were still fresh in her memory. Apart from her Aunt Song who was abusive towards her, Zhuang Qingsui also hated this underhanded and exploitative Zhuang Yuanzhong.

Stepping into the kitchen, she fetched a rolling pin, “Leave right now, you’re not welcome here!”

Zhuang Yuanzhong hastily retreated a couple of steps, looking flustered, “Sister Qingsui, don’t panic. I’ve really got some important matters to discuss with Big Sister Ning. Really important, life or death…”

“I won’t cause trouble, I really won’t, I swear!”

Zhuang Qingsui didn’t believe any word from Zhuang Yuanzhong, who was always up to no good. She kept urging him to leave, “If you don’t leave, I won’t be polite!”

Having moved out of Zhuang Yuanzhong’s house for more than half a year, Zhuang Qingsui had grown taller and gained some weight, her strength had increased too, and she brandished the rolling pin threateningly.

Zhuang Yuanzhong dodged some more, but if he kept dodging, he would be forced out of the courtyard gate. He steeled his heart, falling to his knees with a “thump”.

He continued to explain, “I really need to see Big Sister Ning, it is a matter of life and death!”

Zhuang Qingsui was taken aback.

She knew Zhoung Yuanzhong well – he was a crafty schemer, his heart was blacker than ink. Apart from her abusive Aunt Song, the person Zhuang Qingsui despised the most was this ruthless Zhoung Yuanzhong.

However, apart from his craftiness, Zhoung Yuanzhong was also an exceedingly self-righteous individual. He prided himself on being a boy, setting himself apart from the girls, refusing to kneel under any circumstances.

But now Zhuang Yuanzhong was kneeling in front of her, his eyes red as if he was about to burst into tears any moment. Zhuang Qingsui didn’t know what Zhaung Yuanzhong was planning to do. She turned to look at Zhuang Qingning who was moving towards them, seeking her opinion.

Zhuang Qingning frowned deeply, completely taken aback by Zhuang Yuanzhong’s actions, “What is it that you need me for?”

“I wanted to beg Big Sister Ning to save my sister.”

Zhuang Yuanzhong sniffled, holding back his tears while explaining the situation about Zhuang Qinghe’s impending marriage to the Kong family, the Kong family’s bad intentions, and his unsuccessful attempts to find Zhuang Yuanren.

After he had finished speaking, the tears that had been threatening to fall, fell like beads from a broken necklace, streaming down his face.

The tears fell down his cheeks, wetting the part of his trousers where his hands were resting on his knees, quickly soaking a large area.

“My mother is clueless and useless, my father agreed to this when he was still alive. My eldest brother didn’t object to it openly, but I could tell that he didn’t disagree. He didn’t want me to get involved either.”

“I had no other choice, I couldn’t think of anyone else who could save my sister. After thinking it over, I realized only you, Big Sister Ning, could help.”

“It’s a matter of saving someone’s life after all. I may be greedy and i may exploitative, but I cannot bear to be a part of a scheme that would effectively be sending my own sister to her grave. I know, Big Sister Ning, you have business acumen, the ability to run a shop, and you know a lot of influential people. Please, no matter what, find a way.”

“My sister is getting married tomorrow, according to what my father said that day, it seems like she won’t survive long after the marriage. If nothing is done now, my sister is really going to die.”

“Big Sister Ning, I beg you.”

After he finished speaking, Zhuang Yuanzhong bowed down, knocking his head on the ground several times in front of Zhuang Qingning.

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips, the astonishment in her heart taking a while to dissipate.

When she earlier heard about Zhuang Qinghe’s marital arrangements, Zhuang Qingning had sensed that something was off, but she had only guessed it was either to bring luck, exploiting the other party’s unscrupulous character or some other hidden agenda. She never could have imagined that it was for such vile reasons. And what was even more shocking, Zhuang Ruman and Zhuang Yuanren had turned out to be even more malicious than she had originally thought..