The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 200 Making a Scene

Chapter 200: Chapter 200 Making a Scene

We must not let this filth be splashed upon the Wang Family!

Upon hearing this, the old woman froze, then with suspicion asked, "Who are you from the Wang Family? Why are you speaking for their family members? Could it be that you are a relative of Teacher Wang?"

"Pah! If I had any bad karma from my past eight lives, would I have such an ungrateful relative? I have nothing to do with that heartless Wang Yongan! If it weren’t for his father’s serious illness, and his lingering concern for him, hearing that we were coming to the town, he asked us to pass a message, I wouldn’t be willing to step foot in his house, afraid even my shoes would get dirty!"

Wang Yongzhu did not know who this old woman was, but since she did not recognize her, she should not be from the Qian Family. Even if she were, she likely did not recognize Wang Yongzhu, so she flatly denied any relationship with Wang Yongan.

"Madam, you don’t know the situation, and I don’t feel like explaining. Either let Wang Yongan come out, or let me go in. I just have a few words to say to him, and then I’ll be on my way!" Wang Yongzhu said.

The old woman waved her hand dismissively, "He’s not here, go look somewhere else!"

Wang Yongzhu took a step forward, "Madam, don’t lie to me. This is his home, if he’s not here, his wife must be, right? If his wife isn’t here, then the parents who helped him become a Scholar must be, right? Let them come out! I want to confront them face to face, ask them how they have the nerve to say that their Qian Family supported Wang Yongan to become a Scholar! I want to know if the Qian Family has any shame! They say they married off a daughter, deceived into wedlock, then wouldn’t let the daughter and son-in-law return to the wife’s family home, they took someone’s lifetime of savings to support their son and turned him into a live-in son-in-law!"

"Not to mention, they shamelessly moved into the city with their son-in-law, leaving his real father and mother abandoned in the countryside, even when severely ill and longing to see their son, they were not allowed to visit! I want to ask, is there any justice in this world?"

"Madam, please step aside! Don’t block me. We country folks have calloused hands and great strength, and I was born with a bad temper. If I accidentally push you and you end up with a broken arm or leg or something, don’t blame me—" she said, and attempted to rush into the yard.

This area belonged to the Teacher’s family quarters, usually quiet and tranquil, the epitome of elegance.

But now, stirred up by Wang Yongzhu’s loud voice, several neighbors had overheard the commotion.

In this world, there’s never a shortage of people who love a spectacle, especially women. Without any excitement, two women talking can lead to noise like five hundred ducks, let alone when they hear that there’s big gossip afoot.

They all opened their courtyard doors and gathered around.

Especially after hearing what Wang Yongzhu said, those with quick wits calculated the timing of Wang Yongan’s achievement as a Scholar, and realized that in addition to his wife and daughter, only his parents-in-law had been living in his house, they had never seen members of the Wang family visit.

People had whispered about it before, but since Wang Yongan was sociable and no one from the Wang family had made a fuss, they let it be.

Now, had the Wang family heard that Wang Yongan was favored by a Noble Patron and would no longer tolerate all the benefits going to the Qian Family, and sent someone to make a scene?

Not only were the women intrigued with eyes aglow, but some Teachers resting at home also couldn’t help but walk to the wall to eavesdrop.

The old woman became somewhat panicked, quickly waving her hands and forcefully pushing Wang Yongzhu, "Where did this country girl come from, spouting nonsense? There’s no Teacher Wang here, nor his wife. This is my house, and you are not allowed in!"

"Madam, that’s not right. When I asked if this was Wang Yongan’s home, why didn’t you directly say it wasn’t his? You even asked me who I was to him, why I was looking for him! Now that you’ve heard me say I’m looking for Wang Yongan for a clear explanation, and looking for the Qian Family to face them, you become flustered and say it’s not Wang Yongan’s home again. Do you take me for a fool? I came down from Baiyun Academy, I asked and people directed me here! Madam, you’re so nervous and panicky, could it be that you are from the Qian Family?" Wang Yongzhu’s expression changed as she accused.

"I’m not from the Qian Family! This house was sold to my family by Wang Yongan! They just sold it to us two days ago—" the old woman hastily shouted.

"I don’t believe you! Why should I believe this house was sold to you by Wang Yongan? Why would he sell his house to you for no good reason?" Wang Yongzhu pressed relentlessly.

The old woman was overwhelmed by Wang Yongzhu’s impressive figure and commanding presence, her heart panicked, and she dared not utter another word, spilling everything she knew like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.

Indeed, the old woman was not from the Qian Family, but she did have some connection with them.

The elderly couple of the Qian Family usually set up a small stall nearby to sell daily necessities as a supplement to their income, and this old woman was the wife of a supplier they knew.

Because she had a good relationship with Old Granny Yang of the Qian Family, she heard that Granny Yang’s son-in-law had gained the favor of a Noble Patron and was going to be taken away for a position in a distant place.

So, they were no longer doing the business and even planned to sell their courtyard.

This woman and her husband were tempted by the idea, as they originally did business with scholars—if they could live here, wouldn’t that be even better?

The woman shared her intention with Old Granny Yang, and after Granny Yang discussed it at home, they agreed to sell the house to them.

There was just one condition—if someone from her son-in-law’s side were to visit, they were to deliberately spread the words she had said earlier.

Old Granny Yang’s exact words were that they had finally managed to support their son-in-law to make something of himself, and now they were going to follow this unforgotten son-in-law to enjoy a better life in distant places. The family members at her son-in-law’s home, who had initially been reluctant to contribute money, might hear the news and want to join their son-in-law. How could they let them take advantage without earning it? When they come looking, they wanted to shame them properly, letting them know they have no face to show.

Since the woman already had a good relationship with Granny Yang, and Granny Yang offered to discount a tael of silver if she agreed, the woman readily consented without a word of protest.

The Wang Family had left just the other day, leaving behind many cumbersome and unnecessary pieces of furniture, all of which the old woman acquired at a bargain.

In the past few days, the woman had stayed indoors, tidying up the courtyard, when she heard a knock on the door, announcing that someone from the Wang Family had come. She immediately recited the words Old Granny Yang had instructed her to say.

She had thought that these words would embarrass the Wang Family, but to her surprise, the Maid who came had a sharp tongue, and with a few well-placed phrases, made everyone feel that it was Wang Yongan who had forgotten his roots and that the Qian Family was being ungracious.

After hearing the whole story, Wang Yongzhu was livid, her face flush with anger. Wang Yongan really intended to sever ties with the Wang Family completely, having even planned his exit strategy!

If it had been the old days, and she had come with Wang Yongping, then faced with such words from the woman, Yongping, who wasn’t the brightest bulb, would have flared up and probably resorted to fisticuffs.

As for her former self, she would likely have resorted to hurling coarse insults without being able to articulate a clear reason.

Wouldn’t that splash the Wang Family with a pot of dirty water, staining their reputation beyond redemption?

If Wang Yongan showed no kindness, they could hardly be blamed for their lack of righteousness now.

Wang Yongzhu held no ideas about keeping family scandals private, nor did she entertain thoughts of family unity, or keeping a broken arm hidden within one’s sleeve to avoid outsiders’ ridicule.

Now, she wanted to blow things up, to thoroughly tarnish Wang Yongan’s reputation! After all, good news stays within the house, while bad news travels a thousand miles.