The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“Manager Zhuang, merely delivering the message is already a huge help. I really wouldn’t dare to trouble you further.” Seeing that Zhuang Qingning was willing to deliver the message, Chai Zhengzhen was elated, expressing his gratitude profusely.

After a long conversation, Zhuang Qingning stood up to leave, seeing that the

day was getting late.

Chai Zhengzhen escorted Zhuang Qingning to the door, instructing Ding Jin to wrap up some white sugar cakes from the kitchen and thrust them into Zhuang Qingning’s hands. “These are from the kitchen, I tasted them and they are very good. Miss Zhuang, if you’re going to the county town for business, take some snacks for the road.”

Zhuang Qingning accepted Chai Zhengzhen’s enthusiasm without refusal, took the white sugar cakes, thanked Chai Zhengzhen, and returned to the tofu shop. She divided the cakes into two portions, one for her and Zhuang Qingsui to eat on the road, the other left for Zhang Qiuying and Mrs. Cao.

After finding a bullock cart headed to the county town from the township, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui embarked on their journey to the county

town.

This was Zhuang Qingsui’s first time visiting the county town. Her childlike nature led to great excitement; she looked around curiously and joyfully

throughout the journey.

She even thought of having a long chat with Zhuang Qingning to alleviate her excitement. But given the presence of other passengers, Zhuang Qingsui knew better than to talk too much in public. So she pursed her lips and remained

silent.

However, the excitement that didn’t spill from her lips burst forth from her eyes, which were glowing like bright stars in the night sky.

“This little girl is very sensible indeed.” A middle-aged woman in the bullock cart praised Zhuang Qingsui whose face was full of excitement, but who wisely refrained from speaking, “Children at this age would normally chatter non-stop, whereas she is quiet and orderly, quite a well-behaved child.”

Being praised by a stranger made Zhuang Qingsui blush slightly.

“She’s just shy in front of strangers,” said Zhuang Qingning, holding onto

Zhuang Qingsui, and nodded politely.

“And you, the older sister, seem very steady,” the woman said, smiling. She asked, “What brings you two to the county town?”

“Some errands,” Zhuang Qingning responded with a small smile.

“Are you there to buy goods or visit relatives? Where are your parents? It seems odd that your parents would let two such young girls travel alone to the county town?”

The woman asked about everything, “Where does your family live? Who else is in your family? What do your parents do for a living? Do you have any other brothers or sisters?”

Zhuang Qingning raised her eyebrows.

This woman was a bit too enthusiastic in her questioning.

This kind of zealousness was either due to some hidden agenda, prying for information, or because she was a garrulous type who respected no boundaries and lacked the concept of privacy and personal space.

Either way made Zhuang Qingning feel uncomfortable. With a polite smile, she chose not to answer the woman’s questions.

Seeing Zhuang Qingning’s cold response, the woman didn’t get angry. Instead, she laughed and explained, “Don’t be angry, girl. I’m a matchmaker and naturally talkative. When I see young girls or boys, I like to find out more about their family situation, to see if a suitable match can be arranged.

“You’re rather young, pretty, and seem to be very steady and intelligent. I wonder if you have a fiance yet? I know about a young scholar who comes from a good family. How about you leave your details with me? If both families agree, why not meet?”

Zhuang Qingning was exasperated.

It seemed the whole world was keen to help arrange her marriage. It was hard enough to escape from the confines of being pressured into marriage in her previous life, would she now have to endure this all over again?

It seemed like those two peach trees at home would have to be removed after all!

“No need, thank you, ma’am,” said Zhuang Qingning, laughing awkwardly and rejecting her directly.

“Alright, I won’t push you.” The woman didn’t lose her smile. “If you change your mind about marriage, you can always look for me. I live on West Street in the county town. People call me Matchmaker Meng. If you mention my name, most people will know where I live.”

“There’s really no need…” Zhuang Qingning’s embarrassment increased.

Marriage wasn’t part of her plans to become wealthy.

Mrs. Meng chuckled and stopped chatting with Zhuang Qingning, though her assessing glances still fell on Zhuang Qingning occasionally.

Zhuang Qingning felt like a cabbage on a shelf, being sized up and chosen. It made her uncomfortable all over. But the space in the bullock cart was limited, and there was no place to hide. All she could do was turn away and watch the passing scenery with Zhuang Qingsui.

Finally, they arrived at the county town. As soon as they entered the town gate, Zhuang Qingning quickly paid the cart fare and got off the bullock cart with Zhuang Qingsui.

Firstly, she remembered that Zhuang Wencheng’s pharmacy was nearby and shouldn’t be too far. Secondly, since this was their first visit to the county town, she wanted to take Zhuang Qingsui for a stroll. Lastly…

She could no longer endure Mrs. Meng’s overly caring and affectionate eyes.

“Sister, the county town is really bustling, even more bustling than the market day in our town.” Zhuang Qingsui didn’t think too much, but the variety of goods displayed along the street and the crowds of people coming and going were almost too much for her two eyes to take in.

“Sister, look! There’s a shadow puppet show, it’s really good.”

“The umbrellas they’re selling are also very nice.”

“There are even hairpins and bracelets for sale on the street! Sister, look at this lovely little butterfly hairpin, isn’t it nice?”

“It is nice,” Zhuang Qingning said, ruffling Zhuang Qingsui’s hair affectionately. She opened her purse and asked the vendor, “How much for this?”

“Twenty coins,” replied the young lady at the stall, smiling brightly. “Your little sister has a good eye for things. This is a new design. It’s wrapped in thread and quite durable, it can last a long time.”

“If you want it, I can give it to you for eighteen coins since I’ve just opened for the day.”

“That’s too expensive, we don’t want it…” When Zhuang Qingsui heard the price, she gasped, and quickly put the hairpin back as if it was a hot potato. She tugged at Zhuang Qingning, “Sister, let’s go. The pharmacy should be just ahead.”

Zhuang Qingning however, stood her ground. She counted out the money from her purse, and handed it to the vendor. She picked up the butterfly hairpin and pinned it on Zhuang Qingsui’s head, “You’re right, it does look pretty.” “Sister…” Zhuang Qingsui touched the little butterfly on her head, a look of remorse on her face, “But it’s too expensive, eighteen coins. We only used to make that much in a day selling tofu. It’s a waste to spend all that on a hairpin

for me.”