Lin Qinghe's gaze was too sharp, and Xu Yiyi, already guilty, instinctively lowered her head, avoiding her eyes.
The old wet nurse beside Xu Yiyi said, "This is from our young lady for you. We hope you'll be sensible, part ways amicably with Young Master You, and let our young lady and Young Master You tie the knot."
Lin Qinghe sneered upon hearing this, "Heh heh... part ways amicably with my shopkeeper? Your young lady ties the knot with him?"
Xu Yiyi twisted the handkerchief in her hand, her face flushing with shame.
But ever since she fell in love with You Rong at first sight that day, she couldn't control her feelings for him.
"Naturally! Are you comparable to our young lady? Our young lady comes from a renowned family, a lady of breeding, skilled in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You, a country bumpkin, have nothing, know nothing. There's no need to say how you should choose between us and our young lady, any discerning person knows..."
The old wet nurse paused, then continued disdainfully, "If it weren't for Young Master You being loyal and unwilling to abandon his wife through hardship, someone like you... would have been kicked out long ago! Now, our young lady, being kind and benevolent, has given you enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life. If you're wise, take this money and divorce Young Master You, lest you end up making a fool of yourself."
Lin Qinghe laughed in anger.
She had met all sorts of people, seen those with thick skin, but never one so utterly shameless.
Clearly intending to snatch someone else's husband, yet presenting such a righteous excuse, making herself out to be a great savior.
Seeing Lin Qinghe laugh, the old wet nurse became even more displeased, "What are you laughing at?! Did I say a single word wrong?!"
Lin Qinghe retorted sarcastically, "Setting aside other things, there's one point I must refute: I have one thing more than your young lady, and that is that I understand shame and honor! I don't know what kind of family motto or tradition your Xu manor upholds; a young lady from a respectable family, still unmarried, is so shameless as to come here and openly declare she wants to snatch someone else's husband!"
Each word was like a heavy slap to Xu Yiyi's face, her cheeks burning with shame and indignation.
The old wet nurse was also greatly angered, rising to her feet and pointing at Lin Qinghe's nose, scolding, "You shrew! How dare you be so sharp-tongued!"
Lin Qinghe let out a cold snort, stood up, and with a raise of her hand, slapped the old wet nurse.
The old wet nurse clutched her face, staring at Lin Qinghe in disbelief, "You country shrew dare to hit me?! You..."
Lin Qinghe glared at her, coldly warning, "I don't care who you are! If you dare to covet my shopkeeper again, I'll show you what a country shrew is. Tomorrow, I'll go to your Xu manor, beat gongs and drums, and loudly proclaim to everyone in town that your young lady wants to snatch someone else's husband! A girl who is not yet married, do you still want your reputation! Will you dare to step out of your manor again!"
In this ancient era, women valued their reputation the most. She wasn't afraid; if you dare to snatch, she would make sure you lose face!
"You, you..."
The old wet nurse believed she had seen enough of the inner workings of large households and was always confident in her ability to handle people. She thought Lin Qinghe, a mere country woman, would not dare to defy them if she was firm.
Little did she know that Lin Qinghe was so fierce, utterly unafraid of making a scene, displaying a desperate resolve that even intimidated her.
Lin Qinghe stared back at the old wet nurse, saying, "You what! I mean what I say! If you don't want your young lady's reputation ruined, then get out quickly, and don't let me see her again, or I'll do exactly as I say!"
The old wet nurse trembled with rage, and Xu Yiyi's eyes reddened, looking utterly wronged and pitiful. Seeing this, Lin Qinghe's anger flared up.
The old wet nurse had no other choice. Some guests in the small restaurant were already looking over. She pulled Xu Yiyi and said, "Miss, we shouldn't stoop to their level. Let's return to the manor today."
Xu Yiyi bit her lip, holding back tears. She took out a purse from her sleeve and placed it on the table, saying to Lin Qinghe, "You... give this purse to Young Master You. I embroidered this purse myself. If he absolutely refuses to accept it, I... I will give up..."
The old wet nurse pulled Xu Yiyi away. Lin Qinghe said irritably, "Take your silver notes and leave! Who cares about this paltry sum of money!"
If given enough time, she could become the richest person in this country; why would she care about their small amount of money!
The old wet nurse turned back, took the silver notes, shot Lin Qinghe a glare, and quickly left with Xu Yiyi.
Lin Qinghe looked at the white purse on the table, feeling immensely stifled. Without a word, she grabbed the purse and threw it out the window.
In ancient times, a woman giving a purse to a man was a token of love!
She wouldn't be foolish enough to give You Rong the purse embroidered by Xu Yiyi.
Lin Qinghe was so angry that in the biting cold wind outside, she downed two cups of cold tea to suppress her inner turmoil.
Actually, she knew that You Rong didn't like Xu Yiyi, and it was all Xu Yiyi's wishful thinking. Yet, she couldn't help but feel angry.
It was as if You Rong was her possession, and she would be displeased if anyone coveted him.
In fact, thinking about it from another perspective, You Rong *had* to be her possession, as her mission's success or failure was closely tied to him.
Thinking this way, Lin Qinghe could understand why she was so furious.
She shook her head, dispelling the chaotic thoughts. Seeing that the day was getting colder and there were fewer customers, and also due to her low mood, Lin Qinghe called Li Dama and instructed her to hang out the "Closed" sign, closing the small restaurant early in the afternoon for a half-day's rest.
By noon, the small restaurant had half its doors closed. Li Dama and Zhang Dama were helping with tidying up, while Lin Qinghe was preoccupied with her thoughts.
Just then, a man in luxurious brocade clothes walked in. This man was Jiang Jingren.
Lin Qinghe noticed someone entering but paid it no mind, saying, "Excuse me, the small restaurant is closed in the afternoon. If you wish to eat, sir, please come back tomorrow."
Jiang Jingren walked up to Lin Qinghe, gazed at her, and said with a hint of helplessness, "You... don't remember me? I thought you would remember me."
"You are..."
Lin Qinghe searched her memory carefully but didn't recall meeting the man in front of her, until Jiang Jingren produced a pair of silver earrings.
They were the earrings Lin Qinghe had pawned.
The memories of the original host surged into her mind, and Lin Qinghe remembered Jiang Jingren.
The original host had met Jiang Jingren on a pleasure boat. They had a pleasant conversation. Jiang Jingren's knowledge and demeanor were vastly different from the people in town. It was evident he was from the capital, and the original host fell for him at first sight.
As for Jiang Jingren, she was merely a woman he flirted with out of boredom. Fearing she might pester him, he gave her a cheap pair of earrings, tricked the original host into thinking he would return for her, and then forgot her completely after leaving.
Lin Qinghe frowned.
She didn't know why Jiang Jingren had reappeared, or why he was holding the earrings she had long since pawned. What was his intention?
Jiang Jingren himself didn't know why he was there. He didn't have a strong impression of Lin Qinghe from their one-day encounter. But after visiting the small restaurant that day and seeing her, he inexplicably found himself thinking of her often.
Jiang Jingren had people investigate Lin Qinghe and found out about the earrings she pawned. On a whim, he had someone buy them back, and then he came to the small restaurant with the pawned earrings.
Seeing Lin Qinghe's reaction, he assumed she recognized him. Jiang Jingren felt a strange sense of joy. He smiled warmly and said, "Qinghe, could we... step aside and talk?"