Hahahaha.
Everyone laughed even harder.
Hu Hongju's face turned from red to black again. "Tian Jing, don't go too far."
"How have I gone too far? Madam Li, the accountant, please give me a reason."
Tian Jing dangled the feigning-death Zhang Fangcao in her hand. "Did I ask her to go to my house? If today's matter isn't resolved, rest assured, as long as there's a confinement nanny in the village, I'll trade eggs for her to visit your house several times."
"I'll make sure not a single confinement nanny in the village is missed. I'll make sure your family also experiences the humiliation of a confinement nanny entering your home. You dare to start this, I'll finish it. Countless times."
Ugh! Hu Hongju felt a blockage in her chest. Tian Jing's words suffocated her, trapping the breath inside. "You, what exactly do you want?"
"I want to ask what you want! I beat her, you call her a confinement nanny. She went to my house, and suddenly you don't mention the confinement nanny problem?"
"As for superstition or not, I'm not afraid, because it was Madam Li, the accountant's wife, who first told me she was a confinement nanny. I went with you. If I get disciplined, you'll go first, and I'll follow right behind."
This wretched girl actually didn't fall for it! Hu Hongju gritted her teeth. "Fine, beat her until she's crippled."
"Hehe, no rush." Tian Jing beckoned with her other hand. "Madam Li, the accountant's wife, please lead the way. I'll go find Accountant Li to ask, and then write a note. I guarantee I'll beat her to the degree of disability you desire, and it'll be free of charge."
Hahahahaha.
The onlookers, who had been watching the drama, burst into laughter again.
Accountant Li had already heard from others that his family had provoked Tian Jing again. He quickly locked his ledger and ran over. As soon as he arrived, he heard Tian Jing's words. He was so ashamed he wished he could crawl into a hole.
"My dear, I..."
"What?" Tian Jing raised an eyebrow. "Was what Accountant Li agreed to that 'crippled or not, no blame' just bragging? Did you think I wouldn't take it seriously? Or do you think your family members can all be law-abiding and listen to you?"
Accountant Li took a deep breath. "Just this once. Since Zhang Fangcao could run out, it means she's recovered. We had already decided to split the family when she recovered. Since she's recovered early, let's split now."
"I'll be shameless and beg you this once to let me split the family smoothly. After the split, if they fall into your hands again, you can do whatever you want. It will have nothing to do with me."
"Fine." Tian Jing threw the person in her hand to the ground. "I want a hundred red eggs."
"Deal, cooked or raw?" Accountant Li agreed readily.
Wow, another hundred. This dear always asks for a hundred. This is clearly extortion.
But the extortionist not only extorted them righteously but also had people willing to accept it.
"Of course, cooked. I'll treat everyone to them. I want to crush the red eggshells into the ground in front of my house to fertilize it. I heard eggshells contain calcium, which is good for nourishing the land."
Wow, when the crowd heard this, they immediately started discussing it animatedly. Eggshells could nourish the land?
No, no, the first thing we should focus on is treating everyone to them. Everyone in the village will get at least one, right?
Tian Jing raised her hand, signaling for quiet. "I want them before dark. This matter will not extend overnight."
"Okay."
After Accountant Li nodded, Tian Jing smiled.
"Everyone listen up. If Accountant Li's family doesn't have a hundred eggs, they'll definitely go to the village to trade. Everyone, take this opportunity to raise the price a bit. But don't be too outrageous. If the price goes up and can't come down, then when you want to trade for eggs in the future, hehe."
"We know, we know. Thank you, dear."
Hearing this, not only Hu Hongju but even Accountant Li's face soured. "Tian Jing, you're driving up prices."
"Am I?" Tian Jing looked genuinely confused. "This is market regulation during a shortage. You don't have to trade, I'm not forcing you."
"That's right. I'll trade them at the supply and marketing cooperative for salt and flour for the New Year. You only have money and no tickets. If we don't raise the price, won't we lose money?"
"That's right, that's right."
"Exactly. Why don't we just not trade with you anymore, and you're still complaining?"
Accountant Li almost spat blood. Who was complaining after getting the better end of the deal?
Tian Jing raised her hand again, signaling for quiet. "Eggshells do contain calcium, but burying them directly in the soil is wrong. You need to wash them clean, dry them, grind them, and then mix them evenly into the soil. I heard this from someone, but I haven't experimented. You can try it on a small patch of land. The second method is like composting. Grind them and throw them in to compost together."
"Then, let's address the issue you're all most concerned about. After Accountant Li's family brings the red eggs, I'll peel them, and Comrade Li Zhengguo will deliver one to each family. The rest will be for my sister-in-law to regain her strength."
A chorus of cheers erupted from the crowd, praising Tian Jing's generosity.
Amidst the cheers, Accountant Li's family of three left in a sorry state.
The crowd dispersed, and Tian Jing clapped her hands and went home. Sister-in-law Niu and the women carrying eggs followed behind Tian Jing.
"Tian Jing, you're amazing. You can say things that can suffocate people. Hu Hongju's face changed several times. If she wasn't in good health, she would have been angered to fainting by you!" Sister-in-law Niu spoke frankly.
"I'm usually someone who doesn't provoke others. And for those who provoke me, I'll give them one chance. But when they become shameless, there's no need to show them any more courtesy, right?"
"Especially those who haven't raised their own children well and then try to lecture me with the tone of an elder. I won't give them any face, because these people are the type who will always take advantage of any kindness."
"Hahahaha," Sister-in-law Niu burst into hearty laughter. "That's right. You can't give them face. If you do, they'll think you're afraid of them."
When they reached the Li family's doorstep, Tian Jing saw their small baskets and knew they had come to see Li Min. She invited them into the east room and asked her mother-in-law to bring out some sponge cakes, giving one to each of them.
"Sisters-in-law, I know you feel awkward about learning to make vermicelli from me, and then when Li Min had this issue, you came to visit."
"But asking you to spend money, I feel bad about it. This sponge cake, I know you also feel reluctant to eat it. Take it back for your children to try. If you don't have young children, give it to the elders to try."
As soon as she said this, the sisters-in-law accepted the sponge cakes. Tian Jing went to the kitchen, picked out the eggs from their baskets, and then asked Li Zhengguo to cut open a large pumpkin and return a gift to each basket.
Li Zhengguo smiled as he held the pumpkin. Sweetness and generosity radiated from him, making the house lively with people coming and going.
Seeing that they had received gifts in return, the sisters-in-law felt embarrassed. Six eggs for cake and a piece of pumpkin, it seemed they had gotten the better deal.
Tian Jing pushed them towards the door. "Sisters-in-law, I won't keep you any longer. By the way, Sister-in-law Niu, please help me trade for dozens of eggs. My mother-in-law and my sister-in-law both need to recover well. After I get them, I'll give you money or something I have."
"Okay, okay." Sister-in-law Niu nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to handle this for you."
After seeing off the sisters-in-law, the Li family finally became quiet. Li Min finally had some leisure time. "Sister-in-law, I haven't had a chance to look at the fabric and yarn yet."