After a few days of peace, the topic of everyone's discussion gradually shifted to Wei Shishiqi.
At that time, there was a huge commotion in the Wei family. All the neighbors heard it clearly and could guess the dirty things she had done.
However, since Wei Shishiqi still held the greenhouse technology, they only dared to gossip behind her back.
Ye Zhinan was busy in the greenhouse. Seeing the people outside who were feigning to flatter Wei Shishiqi, she couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"I heard she's been hiding things and giving them to the eldest mistress of her family when she gets home. With money, she naturally holds her head high."
Han Xiangmei rubbed her waist, recalling the commotion from the Wei family she heard at night.
Ye Zhinan nodded. Chen Zhenhai had already told her about it.
There was someone in a high position protecting the Wei family. Even if Qin Yihuai had great power, he didn't dare to completely eradicate them.
Although they knew that Wei Shishiqi had saved some money for herself, they didn't conduct a thorough search.
"Let's just watch the drama of other families. As long as we don't get involved, we'll be fine."
Ye Zhinan lowered her head and continued with her work. Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name outside.
She looked in the direction of the voice and found it was Zhao Qingfeng.
"If you have something to say, say it outside. Don't give others a chance to gossip about my family."
Ye Zhinan just straightened her back but didn't move a step.
The aloofness in her eyes made Zhao Qingfeng involuntarily nervous.
He swallowed hard, took a few steps forward, and deliberately lowered his voice.
"I'd like you to help me explain to the Cao family that you and I are innocent and have nothing to do with each other."
Looking at his guilty look, a hint of mockery flashed in Ye Zhinan's eyes.
After all, the Cao family was a decent one. Even if they were a bit overbearing, they wouldn't be unreasonable.
The steward who went to propose marriage at that time saw everything clearly. The two families had already fallen out. How could there be any connection?
Most likely, he had shot himself in the foot.
"I thought I made myself clear that day. Did you call me over to ask for favors or to embarrass my parents again?"
Ye Zhinan was filled with anger. The Zhao family had spread the rumors everywhere.
She hadn't even gone to argue, but they came to her first.
Zhao Qingfeng's face flushed red. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words.
"I never thought you'd be such an unreasonable person."
Ye Zhinan burst out laughing. She threw the hoe in her hand forcefully. It landed right at Zhao Qingfeng's feet.
She clapped the dust off her hands, and her eyes turned cold.
She looked at him as if he were dirty trash.
"Mr. Zhao, there's no need to act like you're being wronged. Everyone in the court knows your tricks."
She only blamed herself for being naive enough to think that he would value the friendship between the two families and treat her sincerely.
Now when she thought about it, how much of his actions were out of true feelings?
And how much was just calculation?
"You wanted to monopolize the greenhouse technology to please the county magistrate and at the same time wanted to distance yourself from me, so you told a big lie."
"But you didn't think that if you grow too powerful, you'll attract trouble, and things will turn bad when they reach the extreme."
All his thoughts had been guessed correctly. Zhao Qingfeng finally panicked, but he still managed to keep a straight face.
There was still a polite smile on his face.
"How much money do you want? I can give it to you."
Ye Zhinan rolled her eyes and couldn't help but mock.
"What can you give me? The things you swindled from my family or the money you cheated from the villagers?"
Seeing Zhao Qingfeng's face gradually turn gloomy, she showed no sign of backing down.
The corner of her mouth twitched slightly, and the mockery in her tone grew stronger.
"I almost forgot. You have a rich father - in - law. Marrying into wealth is what your Zhao family has been planning, isn't it?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Zhao Qingfeng was so angry that he trembled all over.
He knew Ye Zhinan was sharp - tongued, but he didn't expect her to be so difficult to deal with.
"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know best. Anyway, I don't need to wrong myself to protect the face of your Zhao family."
Ye Zhinan turned around and continued with her work, completely ignoring Zhao Qingfeng.
In the past, she could still defend Zhao Qingfeng.
His younger brother was a difficult person to deal with and had his weakness in hand. In a hurry, he was inevitably manipulated.
But now seeing his current state, she could only say that they were all in the same boat.
"You can leave now. Don't soil your own innocence."
Zhao Qingfeng turned around and left. Before leaving, he glared at the women who were watching the show.
He felt extremely embarrassed.
"I think Miss Ye is the more heartless one. Young Master Zhao looks like an eggplant beaten by frost. He obviously didn't get what he wanted."
"And she said something about monopolizing the greenhouse and swindling. Is she talking about us?"
The people outside were chattering. Looking at the things in their hands, they didn't know whether they should continue building the greenhouse.
Seeing the crops in the Ye family's fields growing better and better, everyone was getting anxious.
"Forget it. Let's just give it a try. We've already given out the money. Can we just let it go to waste?"
Someone in the crowd spoke up, and everyone nodded, saying that what she said made sense.
The greenhouse was built quickly. In just a few hours, it took shape.
When Ye Zhinan returned home after work in the evening, seeing the shoddy greenhouse, she still felt sad for them.
"What are you doing here?"
Sister Hong suddenly appeared behind Ye Zhinan and spoke up, which made her jump.
"I'm just here to take a look and learn how to get rich."
There was a mischievous smile on her face. Sister Hong immediately understood and laughed too.
Ye Zhinan looked at her family's field. It was empty.
There was not even a greenhouse, let alone any crops.
"Don't look. My family has already harvested. We've had a peaceful year this time."
"Harvested? Do you have some special planting methods?"
Ye Zhinan flattered her way over, put her arm around Sister Hong's shoulder, and tried to find out.
Sister Hong pushed her hand away affectionately, took out a ginseng from her bosom, and handed it to Ye Zhinan.
"My family grows medicinal herbs. I heard your father and brother were injured. Take this back to nourish them."
Ye Zhinan looked at the ginseng in her hand, a bit at a loss.
She quickly tried to give it back.
"This is not appropriate. Ginseng is so precious. It can be sold for a lot of money outside. How can you just give it to me?"
Sister Hong was strong. Ye Zhinan couldn't beat her. After a few rounds, the ginseng still ended up in her hands.
"Just take it. There will be a time for you to repay me in the future. My family still has some leftover herbs. If you need them, just ask."
Ye Zhinan blushed and took it, saying a lot of polite words.
Since the county magistrate was dismissed from office, the inspectors who had connections with him were also dealt with.
There were fewer overbearing people. Coupled with Qin Yihuai's care, the Ye family's life became easier.
As soon as Sister Hong entered the house, she saw Qin Yihuai sitting on the chair, chatting and laughing with her husband.
Seeing her come in, Qin Yihuai stood up, put a silver ingot on the table, and was about to leave.
"You've given too much."
Sister Hong tried to stop him. Qin Yihuai paused for a moment.
"Considering your previous care, you should think it's not enough."