The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 203 Fearful

Chapter 203: Chapter 203 Fearful

Wang Yongzhu ignored Steward Lu’s gaze and spoke deliberately, "Tell the Prefect Gao that all he needs to do is to speak of how Wang Yongan schemed against his own elder brother with a malignant heart, and then remind the Prefect, ’Is he really confident in employing an adviser who could even ruthlessly deal with his own kin?’"

"Additionally, pass a message to Prefect Gao’s favorite, the First Master, ’With Wang Yongan’s tactics, mentality, and character, he was able to scheme against his family’s wealth for six years. Compared to plotting against other things, he would be much more formidable. Isn’t the First Master worried that one day Wang Yongan might usurp his position?’"

As soon as Wang Yongzhu’s words fell,

Steward Lu’s eyes narrowed.

This girl, what a clever tactic! So decisive! She had just effectively blocked off all of Wang Yongan’s avenues for advancement. If either one of them harbored a grudge against him, his days were likely numbered.

Moreover, this girl had also created a big scene at Wang Yongan’s previous residence. Within three days, the entire city would be abuzz with tales of Wang Yongan’s "glorious" deeds.

With Jing County being a place that not only attracted students from various regions but also bustling with merchants due to its developed waterways,

Wang Yongan’s matters would likely spread with the family letters of students from various places or through the word of mouth of merchants, and quickly at that.

If Wang Yongan could earn the Prefect’s trust, that would be fine; he might secure some temporary protection. Although his reputation would suffer and his career be over, as long as he remained loyal to Prefect Gao, he could live in peace for a few more days.

If he were not careful, he would risk total ruin and lose any chance of redemption.

Realizing all this, Steward Lu couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

Looking at Wang Yongzhu, his eyes were filled with wariness.

This girl, so decisive in her approach, showed no mercy, and yet she hadn’t used any shameful tactics.

She had merely exposed Wang Yongan’s actions, casually letting his employer and colleagues know what kind of person he was.

Without needing to do anything else, Wang Yongan’s fate was already sealed.

Since when did a country girl possess such prowess and insight?

Steward Lu’s attitude towards Wang Yongzhu became all the more cautious.

After finishing, Wang Yongzhu looked at Steward Lu, suspecting he probably thought that since she could even be so ruthless to her own brother, she surely must have had other ideas.

Without further explanation, she simply bowed and expressed her gratitude to Steward Lu, "I will have to trouble you with this affair, Steward Lu! I am overstepping my bounds by relying on a slight acquaintance, creating trouble for your Escort Agency."

Steward Lu hurriedly stepped aside, "Not at all, not at all! If the young lady had asked us to bring Scholar Wang back, it might have been tricky, but just to deliver a message? What’s that worth? However, this matter might not yield results in just a day or two, how shall we inform the young lady when the time comes?"

Wang Yongzhu smiled faintly, "This matter won’t take effect shortly; I’m not in a hurry. If one day there truly is news, I would trouble Steward Lu to send a letter either to the clinic in the town or to Shopkeeper Wu at the tavern. There’s no need to write anything in the letter, just drawing a circle will inform me!"

Steward Lu immediately agreed; such a trifling task was hardly worth mentioning.

He had braced himself for today, prepared to expend a considerable amount of the Escort Agency’s manpower and resources to repay a favor. He had also thought that if the girl’s demands were too excessive, they would not be courteous in their refusal.

People who wander the Jianghu must know gratitude and repayment, but they shouldn’t be subjected to extortion, should they?

Yet after Wang Yongzhu raised her request, the conversation surprisingly ended there, and she even took the initiative to bid farewell.

Steward Lu was not willing to let her go.

He had his calculations, Wang Yongzhu had revealed her methods, and with such a person it was best not to offend. If he could maintain a semblance of goodwill, there might be a chance for future encounters.

Moreover, he had another matter to attend to in the afternoon. Their convoy escorting the mountain goods merchant, Zhang Yinbao, after the incident on the hill slope, seemed to be starting to look up.

Usually, it would take two or three days to load the ship and head south, but early this morning, someone from the escort agency responsible for coordinating with the docks about the ships had come by. Originally, there was not supposed to be a ship available until tomorrow afternoon, but the day before, two ships had arrived early to unload their cargo at the docks and wanted to head further south, looking to pick up some extra business on the way by asking the escort agency.

This was a perfect match.

Zhang Yinbao was also happy, as departing a day earlier would mean extra earnings.

After being busy for most of the day, the ship was nearly loaded, and they could set sail that evening. Zhang Yinbao still remembered Wang Yongzhu’s assistance and had specifically reserved a table at the best restaurant in the county to thank the three of them that evening.

Upon hearing that Zhang Yinbao was offering a treat, without much consideration, Wang Yongzhu thought of the plan she had pondered over the previous night and readily agreed.

Steward Lu and they agreed on a time and planned to pick them up later to go to the restaurant before taking leave.

Wang Yongping felt a bit intimidated. After arriving in the county town, he truly felt like a country bumpkin entering the city; he couldn’t help feeling inferior when he saw the city folks.

He felt that whether it was the clothes he wore, the way he walked, the way he ate, or even the way he spoke, when compared to city people, he just felt out of place everywhere, especially the condescending and dismissive looks the city people gave them. It made Wang Yongping feel really uncomfortable.

He felt timid and afraid of embarrassing the Wang Family in any way.

The moment he heard that they were going to dine at the best restaurant in the county, he couldn’t help feeling nervous. He had never even been to the taverns in the town, and on the way to Baiyun Academy, he saw restaurants along the road. Even the shop assistants standing at the entrance with towels over their shoulders had towels whiter than his own face cloth.

Not to mention, he had heard Laoliu proudly describe the largest restaurant, which had two floors, a tall and grand building, and several shop assistants at the entrance. The patrons coming and going were either students or rich people dressed in silk and gold.

He had never even dreamed of such a place. The thought of going inside was intimidating.

"Well, little sister, I won’t go tonight. I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong and embarrass you!" Wang Yongping had one admirable quality: he was always aware of his own status. He knew that the person being invited and thanked was his younger sister, and he feared that he might make a fool of himself, so he straightforwardly declined to go.

Wang Yongzhu glanced at him, understanding his thoughts at a glance.

If it had been someone else, she would’ve left it be, but she did have some affection for this Fourth Brother. With the family situation as it was, although she felt capable, she still hoped for more assistance.

Being a woman, there were definitely many things that would be inconvenient, and it was necessary to have a man for external matters.

Wang Yongping was the most suitable—he wasn’t terribly cunning, and with some guidance and exposure to the world, wouldn’t his perspective and mindset expand?

Therefore, she tugged at Wang Yongping, "Fourth Brother, what are you talking about? If you don’t go, how can I, a young lady, go properly? Besides, they said they’re thanking us three, so why wouldn’t we go? Are you being silly? If someone invites us to eat, why wouldn’t we partake in the good food? We’re not eating for free—we’ve helped them, after all. Isn’t it only right to be treated to a meal? Back in Qilidun, when we ask others for help, don’t we also provide a meal? We should take this as an opportunity to broaden our horizons, see what city people eat, and have something to talk about with the villagers when we get back—"