Chapter 43: Chapter 043 The Mayor’s Wife
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Weigh it and tell me how much; I’ll go get the money.”
“Sure thing, it’s five jins and five liang. I’ll charge you for five jins, so that’ll be one yuan. Sir, next time my little sister will be delivering vegetables to you. Her name is Sheng An, you’ll recognize her when she comes.”
“Alright, you’re quite the businesswoman, aren’t you?”
Sheng Ning took the money and praised the seller over and over before leaving, complimenting how clean and hygienic the vegetables were and how they surely tasted better. The seller smiled broadly at the compliments.
With one yuan in his pocket, Sheng Ning felt ecstatic. Today’s earnings added up to five yuan, which wasn’t a small amount. However, the bean sprouts didn’t sell as well as expected; it must be the wrong season. Given the hot weather, mung bean sprouts would likely be more popular.
With this realization, Sheng Ning quickened her pace towards the stall. Before she even got close, she heard Sheng An arguing with someone. Pushing through the gathered crowd, she saw Sheng An being shoved by a tall and fat, dark-skinned woman. Sheng An, with her small arms and legs, was no match in strength and was pushed to the ground.
The onlookers were just there for the spectacle; none of them helped.
“What’s going on here?” Sheng Ning put down the basket and helped Sheng An up, using her body to shield Sheng An from the woman.
“Oh, so it’s you! Who would have thought?” The coarse woman gave Sheng Ning a disdainful look, “Step aside, I’m disciplining my family’s daughter-in-law; you have no right to interfere.”
“You’re Liu Cuixia, the mayor’s wife?” Sheng Ning’s eyes turned icy, and even her voice changed tone.
“That’s right, it’s me.” Liu Cuixia pointed at Sheng An’s nose and scolded, “You careless girl, you’re about to become part of our family, yet you dare to shamelessly mingle with men . You’ve disgraced our family completely. If I hadn’t come to buy vegetables today, would you have kept tarnishing our family’s name?”
“I didn’t, I’m just conducting legitimate business, not stealing or robbing, so what’s wrong with that?” Sheng An, usually fierce, looked completely different, meek and submissive in front of her future mother-in-law.
Sheng Ning took note of Sheng An’s behavior and sighed. No matter how strong Sheng An’s character was, under the oppressive ideals of feudal tradition, she chose to compromise. Sheng Ning decided that An’an must continue her education and go to college. Only through education can a woman broaden her horizons and distinguish right from wrong.
Sometimes, blind obedience only harms oneself.
“You still dare talk back?” Liu Cuixia rolled up her sleeves, ready to hit Sheng An, but Sheng Ning stopped her.
“You’re the mayor’s wife. If you lay a hand on her, I’ll report you to the county for abusing your power.”
“You dare? What’s wrong with disciplining my family’s daughter-in-law? Mind your own business. A vixen like you better take care of yourself first.” Liu Cuixia’s words were harsh; she had always looked down on the Sheng family. If it weren’t for her son being an idiot, she would never have agreed to this marriage.
Sheng Ning gave a cold laugh, her dark eyes fixating on Liu Cuixia. “Aunt Liu, if you don’t believe me, you can try. When the mayor loses his position, let’s see how arrogant you can still be.”
“You…you wretched girl, just you wait.” Liu Cuixia was taken aback by Sheng Ning’s attitude, feeling uncertain, she cursed under her breath and tried to leave, but Sheng Ning grabbed her.
“Aunt Liu, don’t go. We were just about to visit your house.”
“Sheng Ning, what are you trying to do?” Sheng An turned pale at the mention of going to the mayor’s house, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Sheng Ning.