Meeting Gu Jinchen's gaze, a bone-chilling chill surged through Li Zhaodi, causing her to shudder involuntarily. But in the next instant, she straightened her body again.
She hadn't said anything, so what was there to be afraid of?
"Sister-in-law Li, our family's craft has been passed down for generations. Perhaps it's not something I should discuss in detail with you?" Luo Ge said with a faint smile, following Gu Jinchen's gaze.
The dried fruits were indeed the wisdom passed down from their ancestors. As a descendant, it was reasonable for her to call it a family heirloom, wasn't it?
Yes, there was nothing wrong with that.
Hearing Luo Ge's words, Li Zhaodi's face stiffened.
She hadn't expected Luo Ge to point her out so blatantly.
Other people noticed that the one who spoke just now was her and turned their heads toward her as well.
The members of the Gu family, standing behind the village chief, frowned when they saw their fellow clansman Li Zhaodi mingling with the Wang family and speaking on their behalf to bully their own clan.
Although they were also curious about what Li Zhaodi had asked earlier, that wasn't a reason to block their Gu family's doorway and prevent them from returning home.
When it came to protecting their own, the Gu clan had always been united. As for this Li Zhaodi, she seemed to have lost her bearings today.
"Yes, I was just curious and asked. Please don't read too much into it, Sister Luo Ge," Li Zhaodi said innocently, sensing the village chief and others' gazes on her. Her face was stiff, but she acted as if she meant no offense.
Heh.
"Why would I read too much into it? I'm well aware of Sister-in-law Li's character and her strong sense of 'unity and friendship'. Of course, I wouldn't read too much into your words," Luo Ge said with a friendly smile, emphasizing the words 'unity and friendship'.
As for the tea art? I know that too.
Upon hearing this, many members of the Gu clan frowned, as they were reminded of an incident.
They recalled the time when Li Zhaodi brought Qian Momo to the village to bully Luo Ge.
They couldn't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction towards Li Zhaodi. She had previously brought someone from another village to bully their own clansman, and now she was speaking on behalf of the Wang family and arguing with Auntie Luo. This Li Zhaodi, what was going on with her?
Just curious? Both times, it felt like she was targeting the second daughter-in-law.
Was she really just curious? It all seemed rather odd, didn't it?
"Sister Luo Ge, if that's how you see it, then so be it. I was truly just curious, without any ulterior motive. Please don't misunderstand me.
I simply saw several cartloads of goods, and being unfamiliar with it, I couldn't help but ask out of curiosity."
Seeing the Gu clan's expressions, Li Zhaodi realized something and quickly explained herself.
She appeared meek and humble, afraid of offending Luo Ge with her blunt words.
However, as she lowered her head, the malicious look in her eyes was concealed, preventing anyone from noticing it.
Hearing this, the others' expressions did seem to soften a bit. Well, with so many goods, it was understandable to be curious.
"I was just asking. If it's inconvenient for Sister Luo Ge, then please disregard my question," Li Zhaodi added, seizing the opportunity with a timid demeanor.
What did that mean? Was she implying that the goods they received shouldn't be seen?
Or that they were hiding it and not allowing the villagers to take a look, proving the saying that they "don't share their wealth with fellow villagers"?
Not only did her words provoke the Wang family again, but they also cast doubt on the Gu clan.
Heh, Luo Ge couldn't help but laugh. She never expected someone in this simple village to enjoy playing such tea games.
She didn't recall offending Li Zhaodi, did she? Perhaps it was a case of sisterly loyalty, causing trouble on Qian Momo's behalf?
"What's inconvenient about it? As Sister Li said, we never mentioned not allowing others to see from the beginning. That's why everyone is still gathered here, isn't it?" Luo Ge blinked innocently, responding with candor and bewilderment.
Hearing this, the others came to their senses. That's right, the Gu family hadn't said anything about not letting people see.
They had only explained that the shopkeeper appreciated their family's traditional craft. They had spoken in a polite and gentle manner throughout.
It didn't seem like they had done anything wrong.
But somehow, after listening to Li Zhaodi's words, everyone felt a sense of unease.
Most people didn't have such complicated thoughts and were straightforward in nature. Unable to pinpoint the reason, they could only feel that something was off.
However, the village chief, Auntie Luo, and a few elders who held sway in the village all looked at Li Zhaodi with furrowed brows, deep in thought.
"The goods sent by Shopkeeper Li are not something that should be hidden. Our family is not stingy, as everyone knows.
Yet when Sister-in-law Li mentioned it, it sounded as if we were being petty," Luo Ge said with an amused chuckle, while reaching out to open the door.
Tea, let me interpret your tea art for you.
The people, who had yet to figure out why they felt so uneasy earlier, turned their heads back towards Li Zhaodi.
Oh, so that's what she meant! No wonder they felt something was off, but couldn't quite put their finger on it.
In that sense, Li Zhaodi's words did seem somewhat insinuating and sarcastic.
That was probably the right word for it.
The scheming members of the Wang family pondered for a moment but didn't dwell on it further, their eyes fixed on Luo Ge's actions.
With a creaking sound as the door opened, everyone could see the goods arranged inside the courtyard.
"These are the goods sent by Shopkeeper Li, just some wild crab apples. Nothing too valuable. Please don't misunderstand, aunties," Luo Ge said.
Seeing only baskets of sour crab apples that no one would bother eating, even if left to rot in the mountains, the scheming people looked disappointed and disdainful.
"Just these things? What can they be used for?" someone muttered directly.
It was a waste of time, a fruitless trip. They might as well have gone to work in the fields instead.
"You've seen the goods. Are you satisfied now? Is there anything else?"
"If not, hurry up and leave. There's still work to be done in our own fields. We shouldn't meddle in others' business."
Seeing their disdainful expressions, the village chief's face darkened as he said impatiently with a frown.
These village women were truly vexing, always looking for trouble when they had nothing better to do.
Hearing the village chief's words, no one said anything else. They waved goodbye to each other and gradually left the Gu family's doorway.
However, a few people with keen eyes spotted the fish that Luo Ge and the others had caught, so they lingered behind, grumbling.
"Second daughter-in-law, you went fishing? You must have had great luck. It's been so long since my family has had any meat. I don't know when we'll be able to taste it again."
"With so many fish, you won't be able to finish them all, right?"
Seeing their greedy gaze, Luo Ge smiled faintly.
"Indeed, we can't finish them all. Auntie, would you like some?"
Hearing her offer, the woman's face lit up with joy, and she reached out to take one, but Gu Jinchen subtly avoided her hand, preventing her from grabbing any.
"These fish were caught by my husband after toiling in the river all morning. They sell for 6 cents per pound in town. Since we're fellow villagers, I won't take advantage of you.
This one weighs over five pounds, almost six. Let me round it down for you - how about 30 cents for one?"
They had caught large grass carp, and Gu Jinchen specifically caught the bigger ones, which indeed weighed around five to six pounds each.
"30 cents! You're robbing me!" The woman's face instantly darkened as she exclaimed, initially expecting to get one for free.
"My husband worked hard catching them all morning. It's really not expensive, even after knocking off a few cents for you."
"That's right, Zhang Auntie. The fish are quite big. With several pounds of meat, you can savor it over several meals."
"He worked hard to catch them himself. You're not expecting to get it for free, are you?"
The Gu family members had not left yet. Seeing this, they frowned and spoke a few words.
Zhang Auntie's thoughts were touched upon, and her face darkened as she flung her clothes and walked away directly.
Seeing this, the other few people followed behind her and left as well.
Not long after, the Wang family had all left, even Li Zhaodi left with backward glances.
