Thinking of this, Cui Ling’s usual enthusiastic warmth instantly vanished as she grabbed Jiang Yu’s hand, her face wearing an ingratiating smile. “Sister Jiang, I really sympathize with you, but this money…”
Her reluctance was clear without a word.
Jiang Yu observed her reaction, rolling her eyes internally.
She was saying she sympathized but was secretly hoping to pay less—and maybe cursing for Jiang Yu to die soon so Cui Ling could have Xiao Lingzhou.
Truly, this girl was greedier than Jiang Yu herself.
Jiang Yu sighed and shook her head. “Cui Ling, think about Xiao Lingzhou’s status. Even a hundred taels would just be pocket money for someone like him. If you can’t bear to part with that silver, fine. But we’ve shared a year of marriage. He definitely wouldn’t want to see me die. Maybe once he returns to his family, my illness will even be cured. And thinking about all the wealth of the Xiao family belonging to him, I’ll enjoy it too—just the thought makes me dreamily happy.”
She waved her hand. “I won’t make it hard for you. Let’s forget today’s matter. Farewell!”
Pretending to leave, she started to walk away, which panicked Cui Ling. She hurriedly grabbed her arm: “Sister Jiang, what are you doing? I was just joking earlier!”
Cui Ling gritted her teeth in urgency: “It’s only a hundred taels. I’ll give it, I’ll give it right away!”
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If missed, she might never get another chance.
Even if she didn’t win Xiao Lingzhou, showing herself to him and currying favor was enough to climb higher socially.
Jiang Yu played hard to get. “Better not. I see you’re really reluctant to part with the hundred taels. If nothing works out, you’ll blame me. I couldn’t bear it.”
Cui Ling, blinded by the lure of wealth and status, willingly fell into Jiang Yu’s carefully woven trap, abandoning all reason.
She stomped her foot. “No! It’s my fault. Don’t go! I’ll go home and get the silver right now!”
Hooked, Jiang Yu feigned reluctance. “Since that’s the case, I’ll give you one more chance. But with the sun so high, I won’t be able to wait long…”
Cui Ling nodded eagerly. “I understand. I’ll be right back!”
She dashed home and returned in under half an hour, carefully pulling out a bulging bag of silver behind a large rock after checking that no one was around.
“You promised to tell me all of Xiao Lingzhou’s hobbies and help me get close to him.”
Jiang Yu reached to take the silver.
Cui Ling hesitated. “Give me a token first. What if you back out later?”
Jiang Yu froze. This girl really is clever.
Fine. One willing, one willing. She reached into her pocket and found something to serve as proof: the SpongeBob keychain she had brought when she transmigrated.
She had kept it close as a keepsake—it would do perfectly.
“This is my personal item, brought from my hometown. There’s no other like it in the world. Now you can rest assured, right?”
Cui Ling looked at the novelty keychain, assuming it was a gift from Xiao Lingzhou.
Otherwise, how could Jiang Yu afford such a finely crafted item?
Even if she didn’t win Xiao Lingzhou, selling this keychain alone would fetch a good sum.
A hundred taels? Worth every penny.
Handing over the money, she also told Cui Ling everything about Xiao Lingzhou’s hobbies before letting her go.
Back home, Jiang Yu hid the silver safely and checked on the few ginseng plants she had dug up.
If the village bridge hadn’t collapsed, she would have sold them already.
Sighing, she tucked the ginseng away securely and hoped the bridge would be repaired soon—she couldn’t afford it delaying her escape plan.
That night, as dusk fell and cicadas began to chirp around the bamboo hut, Jiang Yu sat on the wooden swing in the courtyard, aimlessly swinging her legs. Jiang Mo gnawed on a bone, circling around her.
“Woof! Woof!” The dog wagged its tail, eager for her to throw the bone again.
Jiang Yu ignored it, but the dog became more persistent.
She had no choice. Taking the bone, she threw it with all her strength toward the gate.
Jiang Mo happily chased after it, only to collide with the returning Xiao Lingzhou.
“Woof!” Excited, the dog tried to lick his face but was caught by him and held still.
“Carry your bone and behave,” he said, voice light yet firm, leaving no room for misbehavior.
Reluctantly, Jiang Mo trotted back to its kennel.
“You’re back.” Jiang Yu stood, her graceful silhouette striking against the fading sunlight.
“Dinner’s ready. Go wash up first; I’ll warm the food.”
Xiao Lingzhou approached, carrying the food box, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek with his long, pale hand. “You’ve worked hard delivering meals these past few days, A-Qing.”
Meeting his gentle gaze, Jiang Yu, feeling guilty about selling him off, forced a nervous laugh. “Not hard at all. Go ahead. I’ve prepared water and clean clothes for you.”
Warmth spread through Xiao Lingzhou’s chest, a faint smile touching his lips.
Aside from making pumpkin cakes and other pastries, Jiang Yu wasn’t skilled at cooking.
It wasn’t terrible, just edible.
After their marriage, Xiao Lingzhou had taken over the cooking duties.
Jiang Yu only cooked occasionally, when he was too busy or unavailable.
Sometimes, he’d enjoy her food as a change, and found it pleasant enough.
After dinner, he went to the study, and Jiang Yu played with Jiang Mo in the yard until exhausted.
Finally, Jiang Mo happily returned to its bed.
Jiang Yu massaged her arms and legs, lying in the swing with a sigh. “Walking a dog is exhausting. Why did I ever decide to raise this fat dog?”
She glanced at the lighted study. Fanning herself, she murmured, “How can Xiao Lingzhou concentrate on reading in this heat?”
She couldn’t.
Not wanting to disturb him, she showered comfortably and went to bed.
Late at night, the heat woke her.
She felt as if a blazing furnace was pressed against her, scorching her with every heartbeat.
Moonlight poured through the window, casting the floor in silvery frost-like brightness. She slowly lifted her heavy eyelids to meet Xiao Lingzhou’s dark, intense eyes.
“Woke you up?” His voice was husky and restrained, carrying a trace of controlled desire.
Having shared a bed for half a year, Jiang Yu knew exactly what that meant.
She dared not move and instead shut her eyes, pretending to sleep.
But Xiao Lingzhou had no intention of letting her off so easily, nibbling at her earlobe, letting out a low moan of desire. “A-Qing… open your eyes and look at me…”