Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

Looking at the things brought in, Liu Siyue thought to herself that the magistrate's wife was quite practical, knowing what the country folk needed.

"Madam, what's wrong?"

"Madam Liu, I am aware of what happened with the gatekeeper earlier. I am truly sorry. I have already dealt with that gatekeeper, and nothing like this will happen again."

I hope that Lady Liu will not harbor any resentment because of this!

"Madam, what are you saying? I came in a hurry that day and didn't make much preparation. It's my fault for not explaining things clearly. It was all a misunderstanding."

Later, because we had been away for a long time, my second uncle missed home, so we hurriedly returned to the village. We had planned to visit Madam again next time we came to the city, but Madam arrived before me. Our humble farmhouse is truly honored.

"These gifts are a token of our appreciation. We said before that whoever heals my daughter and me will be richly rewarded."

Unfortunately, he had been unable to find Lady Liu's address and therefore had not yet visited her.

Granny Liu handed over a gift list, which was then checked item by item: "1000 taels of silver, ten bolts of fine cotton cloth, two bolts of brocade, 300 catties of fine rice, and two silver hairpins."

"Please accept this token of our appreciation, Madam Liu!"

"Madam, you've given me too much. I'm just taking advantage of a chance opportunity to offer this gift."

"I absolutely dare not accept such a generous gift!"

"Madam Liu, I still feel that the gift is too small. You saved my life and my daughter's life, and spared us so much suffering. You have given us a second life."

"Could it be that Madam Liu is deliberately declining, perhaps because she thinks the gift is too small?"

"No, no, no, no, Madam, you are joking. I will accept your offer in April, even if it means being shameless."

"Please have a seat, Madam. I'll be right back. Eldest sister, please keep an eye on Madam Su and Miss Su for me."

Liu Siyue quickly ran out to find Liu Dawang, but Liu Dawang, being a man, avoided her and went to find Master Chang to work.

"Second Uncle, the county magistrate's wife and daughter have come to visit. We need to cook lunch for them, but we don't have much food left. Hurry up and take the oxcart to town. See if you can buy any wild game, buy 5 catties of spare ribs, 3 pieces of tofu, and 2 fish. Buy whatever else you can think of. Go and come back quickly."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Ru Xue carried the child to another room, and Liu Siyue went in. "Ru Xue, put the child down first, and go to Aunt Yu's house to get a bowl of pickled cabbage. We'll be serving it to our guests at noon."

After arranging everything, she returned to the main room and continued chatting with Madam Su.

"Miss Liu, may I call you April? I feel it sounds more intimate to call you April."

"Madam, you may call me whatever you wish."

"Look, April, you're only four years older than Manzhi. Look at you, how capable you are!"

Look at our Manzhi, she's nowhere near as good as you!

"Madam, you are mistaken. Miss Su is clearly a favored daughter of heaven. After you come of age, you will be completely different from what you are now. Miss Su is clearly a well-bred and intelligent young lady from a prestigious family. How can a country girl like me compare?"

Su Manzhi blushed as she was told this. "Manzhi thanks Sister Siyue for the praise, and even more so for saving my mother and me."

Sister April is older than me and has more experience. If I have any questions in the future, I will need to ask her for help. I hope she won't find it troublesome or think I'm stupid.

"I dare not accept being called 'elder sister'. Although I am older than you, my knowledge of poetry, literature, and etiquette is far inferior to yours. From now on, let's help each other and learn together."

"Look, you said you didn't mind me, but you won't even let me call you 'sister'."

Liu Siyue thought to herself, "How can I call someone 'sister' so casually? Our social statuses are so different, how dare I call you 'sister'?"

Madam Su suddenly had an idea, "April, I also think it's good that Zhi'er calls you 'sister,' it makes the relationship seem closer."

I only have a son and a daughter. If I could have you as an older sister, you could help each other out in the future.

I have an idea, but I don't know if you'd be interested?

Liu Siyue knew what Madam Su was about to say, so she quickly stopped her from speaking. She didn't want to become someone else's goddaughter. If Madam Su said what she wanted to say and she didn't agree, it would make Madam Su even more embarrassed.

"Since Miss Su wants to call me 'sister,' then go ahead and do so. Anyway, I'm older than her."

"Sis, since you treat me like a younger sister, you don't need to call me Miss Su anymore. You can just call me Manzhi or Zhier."

"Okay, I'll call you Manzhi from now on."

Madam Su understood that this was Liu Siyue's tactful rejection of her. Many people wanted to curry favor with her but struggled to find a way in, but Liu Siyue surprised her by not trying to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, which showed that she had good character and temperament.

"April, I don't know what you do in the village every day. You have a house in the city, why don't you move there? It would be so much more convenient to do everything in the city."

"My mother, my second uncle, and my sisters all live in the village. They live together, it's lively, and it feels like home."

Living alone in the city, I always feel lonely.

"Yes, you're right!"

"The main problem is that I don't have the means to bring my family to live in the city right now, so I need to work hard with them to earn money."

"I wonder what kind of business you plan to do to make money, Madam Liu. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"I plan to open a furniture shop with a carpenter, and then my family and I will make some food to sell."

"I don't think this business is very promising, and it's not really suitable for you."

"Madam, my furniture is quite different from traditional furniture; it can be said to be unique in our Great Holy Dynasty."

"What's different? It's surprisingly rare!"

"Madam, it is said that there is something to learn everywhere if you pay attention."

Look at how we use this box to store clothes. Not only is it hard for me to find them, but they also get wrinkled easily.

Clothes are usually stored horizontally in chests, so I wanted to store them vertically. Therefore, I boldly envisioned my ideal wardrobe design and showed the drawings to the carpenters. They all said my design was ingenious and creative, and would definitely sell very well.

Liu Siyue then described the general shape of the wardrobe and its functions.

"Madam Su nodded repeatedly as she listened. The plan was indeed ingenious. You really do have a very clever mind."

"Think about how Master Lu invented the saw? It came from a little episode in life, a serrated leaf."

"In April, we can also cooperate. I have resources in Beijing. If we take these designs to Beijing and make them into furniture to sell, we can definitely make more money than you can in Lingshui County."

"Just give me the design drawings, and you don't need to worry about anything else. Then just wait to collect your payment."

"Oh dear, Mrs. Su, this happiness has come too suddenly."

I've been working on the blueprints these past few days, and I'll deliver them to your door in the county town today. Then we can discuss the specifics of our cooperation.

"Okay, it's a deal."

"I don't know what kind of food you're talking about?"

"It's just making some candies and pastries. Once they're done, I'll send them to your residence first so you and Manzhi can try them and give me your feedback."

"Okay, then I'll be waiting."

If you make the items but have nowhere to sell them, you can consign them to my general store for you.

I own a general store in the county town; it's probably the biggest general store in Lingshui County.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I thank you in advance in April."