NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Strategy
"Someone needed to teach her a lesson long ago! Always eyeing other people's money—what a disgrace!"
As the murmurs of the gathered villagers grew louder, Xu Chunhua's face turned an alarming shade of red, then pale, then purple. Jiang Huaiyu almost worried the woman might explode. She instinctively took a step back, wary that Xu Chunhua might suddenly lash out.
"A shameless divorcee like you—no wonder your husband kicked you out!" Xu Chunhua shrieked, her voice laced with venom. "Even brought a bastard child with you, didn't you? Stole another man's seed, I bet! Lucky they didn't drown you in a pigsty!"
The villagers fell silent at the harsh words, their gossip fading into uneasy quiet. Yet Jiang Huaiyu's expression remained calm, unaffected by Xu Chunhua's viciousness.
Jiang Huaiyu's lips curved into a serene smile, her voice steady and piercing. "There's an old saying: 'The wicked will meet their end.' I never believed it. But there's another I do: 'The shameless are unstoppable.' You might think being a shrew makes you invincible, but the laws of Da Yun do not agree. You will pay for what you've done—perhaps even with a trip to the county jail. Let's see how you enjoy the constable's rod!"
The crowd erupted in shocked whispers.
No one had thought of it this way. They knew stealing, arson, or murder brought punishment, but destroying someone's property? That was a revelation. And no one wanted to face the county's terrifying constables.
Xu Chunhua's bravado faltered. She opened her mouth to retort but found herself swallowing nervously instead. Jiang Huaiyu's unwavering poise and sharp tone made her hesitate. Without another word, Xu Chunhua slammed her door shut, hiding inside like a cowardly turtle retreating into its shell.
For a moment, Jiang Huaiyu stood there, blinking in mild disbelief at Xu Chunhua's retreat. Then, a soft chuckle escaped her lips.
"She always does that," an older woman murmured, stepping forward to reassure Jiang Huaiyu. "Xu Chunhua barks loud but runs the moment someone stands up to her. Don't let her get to you. She won't dare cross you again after today."
Others nodded in agreement, some offering advice that bordered on dismissal. "Let it go, dear. What's done is done. The chickens and the vegetables—just bad luck, that's all."
Jiang Huaiyu's lips twitched into a faint smile, though the laughter didn't reach her eyes. She said nothing, but her mind raced with thoughts.
How ridiculous. The one wronged was her, yet these villagers advised her to back down. The perpetrator faced no consequences so long as she shut her door and ignored them.
Her resolve hardened. No. I won't let this go.
Before she could retreat to her house to plan her next steps, frantic shouts broke the uneasy quiet outside.
"Help! Wang Dazhuang's been arrested! The tofu… the tofu killed someone!"
Jiang Huaiyu froze, her heart leaping into her throat. She rushed outside just as Zheng Xiaoyue appeared, her face pale as a ghost.
The man delivering the news panted for breath, clutching his knees. "The tofu he sold in the county—someone died after eating it! The constables have taken him to the county jail. They say he'll pay with his life!"
Zheng Xiaoyue staggered against the doorframe, her hands trembling. Jiang Huaiyu caught her before she fell.
"Impossible," Zheng Xiaoyue whispered, her voice cracking. "The tofu… it couldn't… it couldn't kill anyone!"
Jiang Huaiyu's eyes narrowed, anger flaring. She knew without a doubt this was Yan Er's doing. His patience had run out, and he'd decided to strike with the vilest trick he could muster.
"Sister Xiaoyue," Jiang Huaiyu said firmly, gripping her friend's hands. "This isn't your fault. This is about me and the tofu recipe. Dazhuang is only caught in the crossfire. I'll handle this—I promise you I'll bring him back safely."
Tears streamed down Zheng Xiaoyue's face. She nodded weakly. "Whatever you need… just tell me what to do."
Back in her yard, Jiang Huaiyu sat Zheng Xiaoyue down and held Tangbao, her son, close.
"Sister Xiaoyue," she said gently. "I'll teach you a new method for making tofu. It's called brine tofu, and it's even better than the one we've been selling."
Zheng Xiaoyue blinked in confusion. "Now? Why?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled faintly. "Because I won't be staying here much longer. I have to leave for the capital soon. This village… this county… it's no longer safe for me or Tangbao. But you'll have this recipe to keep the business alive and well."
"What?" Zheng Xiaoyue gasped, her face a mix of shock and dismay. "You're leaving? But where will you go? The capital is full of dangers—you'll be even more vulnerable there!"
"I know." Jiang Huaiyu's smile faded, replaced by a grim determination. "But I have no choice. Yan Er doesn't just want the tofu recipe—he wants me. Staying here only makes me an easy target. I'll find a way to protect myself and my son, even if it means leaving everything behind."
Zheng Xiaoyue's lips trembled. She clutched Jiang Huaiyu's hand tightly. "Then… promise me you'll be careful."
"I will," Jiang Huaiyu said softly. "But first, let me deal with Yan Er's trickery."
The road to the county was long, but Jiang Huaiyu sat in the cart with her eyes closed, deep in thought.
By the time the cart pulled into town, she had her plan.
Ignoring the jailhouse for now, she asked locals for the location of the county's finest restaurant. She quickly learned that three grand establishments reigned supreme, each boasting food fit for royalty.
Her destination was Victory Pavilion, the largest and most prestigious.
Inside, the richly adorned dining hall bustled with chatter. Jiang Huaiyu chose a seat in the main hall, placed a gleaming silver coin on the table, and called for the waiter.
"Bring me your signature dishes," she said, her tone calm but commanding.
Moments later, the waiter returned with several dishes: stir-fried gardenias, jade shrimp, and more. Jiang Huaiyu sampled each one delicately, her face betraying nothing. Then, with a sharp rap of her chopsticks against the table, she summoned the waiter again.
"What's wrong, honored guest?" the waiter asked, nervous.
Jiang Huaiyu arched a brow. "You claim to serve the finest cuisine in the county, yet your menu lacks a single tofu dish. How do you explain that?"
The waiter froze, stammering. Before he could respond, the manager rushed over, his expression full of practiced humility.
"Forgive us," the manager said, bowing deeply. "The tofu supply in the county is limited, and what little we can acquire sells out almost instantly. We've been unable to secure a steady source."
Jiang Huaiyu's lips curled into a small smile. "Is that so? What if I told you I could ensure a limitless supply? What if I offered you the tofu recipe itself?"
The manager's eyes widened. "You… you'd sell us the recipe?"
Jiang Huaiyu leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Do you think this so-called poisoning was a coincidence? Someone wants to monopolize tofu production, but I'd rather see this recipe in trustworthy hands."
The manager's expression grew serious. He hesitated only briefly before bowing again. "Please wait in our private room while I consult the owner. If what you say is true, Victory Pavilion would be honored to work with you."
"Don't keep me waiting," Jiang Huaiyu said lightly, her confidence unwavering as she followed the waiter to a quieter corner.
The trap was set. Now it was time to turn the tables.