"Don't worry," Liu Chunhua hissed when she was sure no one was around. "I’ve got plenty of ways to force Jing Yanguo to drop out of school and obediently head south to work, sending money back for your three siblings’ education."

She’d long since plotted this course. After raising Jing Yanguo all these years, it was time to cash in her investment.

Jing Xiaoyue pouted. "But today she and Fang Xianzhi came down the mountain together. What if word gets out? Could he marry her?"

Liu Chunhua waved her off with absolute certainty. "Just because they came down together doesn’t mean anything. Fang Xianzhi would never marry her. Yanguo just got lucky today—running into him like that. But even if the Fangs sent a doctor, it doesn’t prove anything."

"Don’t listen to that wretched girl’s nonsense. Fang Xianzhi is out of her league!"

Liu Chunhua had never intended for Jing Yanguo to marry anyone. Even if a decent bride price came from it, the sum would be limited. The real genius move was keeping Jing Yanguo enslaved to the family’s financial needs.

So even if Fang Xianzhi did fancy Jing Yanguo, Liu Chunhua would never let her marry into the Fang family. In her mind, that would be too good for Jing Yanguo—a girl abandoned at birth by her real parents.

Jing Xiaoyue nodded in agreement. "You’re right, Mom. But... what if we use this to our advantage?" She flushed slightly. "What if... I marry into the Fang family?"

Liu Chunhua’s eyes lit up. Why hadn’t she thought of this?!

Fang Xianzhi was the perfect catch—a scholar and the wealthiest man in the village, his house even tiled in shining porcelain. If Jing Xiaoyue could snag him, their family’s fortunes would skyrocket.

The Fangs kept to themselves, making it hard to approach them, but now...

Liu Chunhua beamed. "My clever Xiaoyue, if you marry into the Fangs, it’ll be wonderful!"

Jing Xiaoyue bit her lip. "It’s not set in stone yet..."

"Not yet, but we’ll make it happen," Liu Chunhua said smugly. "With your looks and brains, and now this chance to get close to him, he’ll definitely fall for you."

In her youth, Liu Chunhua had been the village belle. With Jing Yanguo out of the picture, Jing Xiaoyue could easily take that title.

Jing Xiaoyue leaned in, whispering, "If I marry into the Fangs, I’ll bring you to the city to live in luxury."

Fang Xianzhi worked in the capital—moving there was only a matter of time.

The thought made Liu Chunhua giddy. "Such a filial daughter. Mom’s raised you well!"

Just then, a voice called from outside: "Anyone home?"

Liu Chunhua peeked out—the mother of her dreams, Jiang Yilou, stood at the door, arms laden with gifts.

"Sister Jiang, what a surprise!" she gushed, quickly ushering Jing Xiaoyue forward.

Jiang Yilou’s face darkened. The two families barely knew each other—why was Liu Chunhua calling her "sister" so familiarly?

But she masked her irritation with a smile. "I came to thank you. Today, your Jing Yanguo saved my son’s life and helped him down the mountain. I heard she was injured in the process, so I brought gifts to check on her."

After Fang Xianzhi returned home, Jiang Yilou had immediately called a doctor. Once he was treated, she’d sent the same doctor to check on Jing Yanguo. She’d wanted to visit earlier, but Fang Xianzhi insisted she bring gifts first—hence the delay.

Liu Chunhua eyed the expensive gifts, her mouth watering. "Sister Jiang, you’re too kind!"

Jiang Yilou smiled, recalling Fang Xianzhi’s instructions. "Where’s Yanguo? I’d like to see her."

Liu Chunhua’s smile froze. Sending a wounded girl to weed the garden was hardly respectable, especially now that she wanted to present herself as a doting mother to impress Jiang Yilou.

Thinking fast, she said, "Yanguo’s restless. The moment she heard her injury wasn’t serious, she insisted on helping in the fields. I couldn’t stop her. Xiaoyue, go fetch your sister."

Jing Xiaoyue stormed off, scouring the vegetable garden—only to find it empty. Then she spotted her quarry: Jing Yanguo, lounging atop a haystack like a lazy cat.

Rage flared. How dare she disobey?!

Jing Xiaoyue’s gaze fell on the terraced rice field beside the haystack—freshly planted, muddy water glistening invitingly. A strong kick would send Jing Yanguo tumbling right in.

She knew Jing Yanguo’s head wound couldn’t get wet. If she fell into that muck, her injury would worsen, leaving her completely at their mercy.

With a sneer, Jing Xiaoyue lunged—

Only for Jing Yanguo to sidestep effortlessly.

Jing Xiaoyue’s overbalanced kick sent her crashing face-first into the muddy water.

Jing Yanguo’s lips curled. Payback time.

She’d known Jing Xiaoyue would come looking for her. The haystack was strategically placed—right where her scheming sister would expect to find her napping.

From the field, Jing Yanguo called out, "Xiaoyue? Are you okay?!"

Her voice carried across the fields, drawing the attention of nearby farmers. They turned to see Jing Xiaoyue, covered in filth, her wet clothes clinging to her curves, her ample chest on full display for the leering eyes of passing men.

Liu Chunhua’s face turned beet red with fury. This was a disaster!

But Jing Yanguo only called louder, "Someone help her out!"

The farmers chuckled, already imagining the gossip that would spread by nightfall.

Jing Xiaoyue, soaked and humiliated, scrambled to her feet—only to slip again, falling deeper into the muck.

This was war.

And Jing Yanguo was just getting started.

Translation Notes: Cultural Nuances:

Bride price & family leverage: Highlights traditional rural marriage dynamics where daughters were financial assets.

Social status symbols: The Fang family’s tiled house represents wealth in a pre-modern setting. Character Dynamics:

Liu Chunhua’s hypocrisy: Her sudden concern for "family honor" clashes with her past exploitation of Jing Yanguo.

Jing Xiaoyue’s comeuppance: Her scheme to ruin Jing Yanguo backfires spectacularly, mirroring classic karma. Symbolism:

The haystack & rice field: Jing Yanguo’s deliberate choice of location turns her victimization into a weapon.

Muddy water: Represents the filth of deception—both literal and metaphorical. Tone:

The shift from scheming dialogue to physical comedy (the mud fight) balances dark themes with humor.

Villagers’ reactions underscore how quickly reputations can be destroyed in small communities.

This passage escalates the conflict while deepening character motivations, setting the stage for Jing Yanguo’s counterattacks against her mother and sister.