Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 175: Handkerchief

Gu Yumei, having been frightened by some ruffians surrounding her courtyard walls and making lewd comments, had been very well-behaved for over a month. Yet, in her heart, she still envied Gu Jinli, feeling that it was merely good luck that enabled her to make tofu and seasoning spices.

If she were willing to do the work, she was certain she could make something that would sell even better than tofu and seasonings.

But that was just wishful thinking; she couldn’t even make tofu or seasoning spices, let alone anything new that would sell well.

Speaking of this made Gu Yumei feel outraged. They had agreed to work together to make tofu and spices, but to this day, none of their families knew how to actually make the tofu.

They all knew how to soak soybeans, grind them, filter the soy milk, and boil it. They also knew that making tofu required a coagulant, but they had no clue what that coagulant was.

Without that coagulant, she couldn’t even think of making tofu.

And then there were the seasoning spices. She knew the ingredients for the different spices, but she just couldn’t replicate that savory flavor.

She tried grabbing a handful of each spice to mix and blend, but the taste that came out was so revolting it almost made her vomit—not to mention savory, it nearly choked her!

Her second aunt found out about her mixing spice powders and scolded her fiercely, accusing her of wasting resources—the handfuls she grabbed could have sold for dozens of copper coins.

She was indignant but helpless, fuming in silence. She was bored at home and wanted to go out and play with the village girls, but she was afraid of encountering ruffians and dared not leave. Nowadays, with the workshop about to open, people from the village came to her home every day, ingratiating themselves.

"Sister Mei, this is an egg boiled by my sister-in-law this morning. Give it a try; it tastes quite good." He Xiangzi’s wife presented two eggs, placing them on the table for Gu Yumei to eat.

Gu Yumei glanced at the two eggs, pinched a bean dregs cake, bit into it slightly, and after slowly swallowing, said, "My family isn’t lacking in eggs, you can take them back."

Ever since they had been trading tofu, life in her household had improved. Although they couldn’t eat meat every day, her father loved them and would provide them with an egg each day. So, the idea of being swayed by two eggs was out of the question.

Hearing this, He Xiangzi’s wife turned pale. He Danhua quickly said, "Sister Mei, try this honey date from our home. My father bought it from the town, saying it was soaked in honey, very sweet."

He Danhua smiled, carefully unfolding her handkerchief to present a single honey date to Gu Yumei.

"Danhua, everyone knows that honey dates from town come in packets of at least six, all wrapped in red paper. Is this date truly from your home? Or is it garbage you picked up from some corner?" He Cui’er said with a covered laugh, exposing He Danhua’s lie.

He Danhua’s face turned ashen. He Cui’er was right. Her family was poor and couldn’t afford honey dates; this one was given to her father as a tip by a wealthy Old Master for odd jobs in town, one date per worker. Her father didn’t eat it, instead, bringing it home for her mother to save for gift-giving or entertaining guests.

Just as news of the Gu Family Workshop’s opening spread, her parents hoped to work there. Considering her age wasn’t far from that of Gu Yumei, they sent her with the honey date to solicit Gu Yumei’s favor, hoping she would agree to let them work in the workshop.

Basking in the attention of others made Gu Yumei quite happy initially. Hearing this, however, her expression darkened, indignant at being expected to eat something picked up from the ground. It seemed He Danhua didn’t want to work in their workshop after all.

She snorted coldly and ignored He Danhua.

He Danhua wanted to explain, but He Cui’er snatched the opportunity to speak: "Sister Mei, take a look at this. This is a handkerchief my brother bought from Qingyun Embroidery in the county. It’s made of brocade, something only misses from wealthy families in the county use. It’s very expensive—each cost a hundred copper coins! My brother bought two; I kept one for myself and this one is specially for you. Take it."

Brocade?

Upon hearing the word brocade, Gu Yumei’s eyes lit up.

Back in her old home, when life was good, she also had a brocade handkerchief. But ever since they fled famine, she had used only coarse linen. Although life had improved, frugality had become the norm in her household. Although her father doted on her, he would only buy her cotton, never brocade.

Although Gu Yumei knew it was improper to accept this handkerchief, hers was made of cotton and on it was stitched a solitary cluster of green grass with thick thread—far outmatched by He Cui’er’s gift of a brocade handkerchief. That brocade, smooth enough to mirror a face, had a peony delicately embroidered with fine red thread, dazzling and enticing to the eye.

Gu Yumei was very tempted, eyeing the handkerchief several times. He Cui’er, clever as she was, immediately stuffed the handkerchief into her hand, smiling, "Sister Mei, take it; from now on, we’ll each have a brocade handkerchief, and we can do that ’handkerchief exchange’ the wealthy young ladies talk about."

Gu Yumei clutched the brocade handkerchief, a smile curling at her lips. Indeed, a handkerchief worth a hundred copper coins was superior to a ten-cent cotton one—holding it felt soft and comfortable, instantly making her feel precious.

However, how was she to refuse He Cui’er’s request to work at their workshop?

Unexpectedly, He Cui’er didn’t bring it up, as if she had gifted this expensive handkerchief not in exchange for work.

Gu Yumei was pleased with this, feeling that He Cui’er, unlike He Danhua and Sister-in-law Xiangzi, truly sought her friendship, not just work from the workshop.

It seemed He Cui’er genuinely came to give the handkerchief. After Gu Yumei accepted it, she sat for a short while before standing up to leave, "There’s farm work to be done at home; I shouldn’t stay long. I must get back to it."

After she left for home, only Sister-in-law Xiangzi and He Danhua remained.

He Danhua continued to flatter Gu Yumei, but Sister-in-law Xiangzi cast a strange look at her. Soon, she too excused herself—not to go home, but stood waiting at the village entrance for Mrs. Chen.

When Mrs. Chen returned from her stall, Sister-in-law Xiangzi intercepted her, whispering a few words. Mrs. Chen exploded in fury, cursing, "This fool, can she not stay out of trouble!"

Mrs. Chen hurried home, discarding her burdens as she went, with Gu Dagui calling after her, "Woman, what madness has overtaken you—it’s only a short distance, and you’re leaving the burden here, will it kill you to carry it?"

"It will!" Mrs. Chen retorted with a single word, shocking Gu Dagui; his wife truly was furious.

Upon arrival, Mrs. Chen saw Gu Yumei sitting inside her room, slowly eating a bean dregs cake, and after finishing it, leisurely wiping her mouth with the brocade handkerchief. He Danhua still in the house was praising her, "Sister Mei, your movements are so elegant, just like the daughters of rich families in town."

Daughters of rich families my foot, Gu Yumei is nothing but a country bumpkin!

Mrs. Chen was almost beside herself with anger, holding back her rage and directed at He Danhua, "Sister Mei has things to do; you should head back home."

Seeing Mrs. Chen’s unpleasant demeanor, He Danhua did not dare to retort and swiftly ran off.