The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 208: Joining Forces

Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Joining Forces

Song Chongjin quickly suppressed that fierce look and, with an expressionless face, released Wang Yongzhu’s hand. They sat down on opposite sides of the table.

"How did you realize it—never mind, no need to ask. I just want to know, are you holed up in Qilidun out of necessity or for some other purpose?" Wang Yongzhu had wanted to ask Song Chongjin how he figured out something was amiss.

But upon reflection, she understood that she needed to change her persona. With a new role, there were bound to be slip-ups.

Given Song Chongjin’s suspicions that she was not who she appeared to be and could get close to her by using Wang Yongping as a pretext to scrutinize her intentions, it was no surprise he saw through her.

Even though she didn’t know why Song Chongjin mistook her for someone secretly replaced by Wang Yongzhu to monitor him, she didn’t care. That excuse was a good one and saved her the trouble of explaining herself further.

What was Song Chongjin’s goal, though? Why did he stay in Qilidun? This was critical to her mission.

Song Chongjin let out a cold laugh filled with scorn, "Is this what your master wants to know too? You can go back and ask your master. I’ve grown up in Qilidun since I was a child, ignorant of the outside world. My so-called father, whom I’ve never met, left two old servants to watch over me from a distance, fearing that I might starve to death. They begrudgingly taught me a few characters and I learned a bit of martial arts to make ends meet—is that enough to be a thorn in her side?"

"If she hadn’t repeatedly troubled me, trying to have me killed, how would I have known that from birth I’ve been a thorn in my master’s side, a nagging bother? As long as I live, she can’t sleep in peace! I would like to know, how am I, a bastard born from a fleeting tryst between a Noble Patron and a Maid, becoming such a nuisance in your master’s eyes?"

Just a few sentences, but the amount of information revealed was staggering.

Wang Yongzhu was internally engulfed by waves of shock, but her face remained impassive.

"The mission I received did not command me to end your life, and my master is not the person you have in mind. I think you’re mistaken!" Wang Yongzhu asserted with feigned solemnity.

Song Chongjin was half-skeptical, but indeed, since Wang Yongzhu’s appearance, there had been no hostile actions toward him—only avoidance or overtures of friendship.

This was why he hadn’t immediately disposed of Wang Yongzhu. Of course, after learning she possessed divine power, it became even less advisable to act against her.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "What exactly are your master’s orders to you? Don’t fool me by saying it’s just farming!"

Wang Yongzhu really wanted to claim she wasn’t tricking him, but she knew that Song Chongjin probably wouldn’t believe her.

After hesitating, she finally muttered, "My master asked me to get close to you, win your favor, and ideally marry you!" This wasn’t deceitful, was it? Wasn’t the crux of Xiao Tiantian’s backwater love mission exactly this?

This statement was accurate!

Song Chongjin’s expression changed and he sized up Wang Yongzhu with a scornful gaze. Though he said nothing, the disdain in his eyes was undisguised.

Wang Yongzhu wasn’t upset, as she had observed that Song Chongjin was a suspicious and proud man who didn’t seem willing to live under others’ repute. His background and the threats posed by his so-called stepmother made it unlikely for him to easily fancy someone or trust readily.

All things considered, he wasn’t a man ruled by emotions.

Good, what she needed was a rational partner.

Seeing that it was getting late and Wang Yongping’s crying inside seems to have stopped, Wang Yongzhu didn’t want to waste more time.

"Now that we’ve been honest with each other, I hold no ill will towards you, and strictly speaking, I should be considered here to protect you. If you’re smart, now is the time for us to join forces, not succumb to mutual suspicion. I won’t spoil your plans or drag you down, and given your current situation, an extra ally is surely better than an extra enemy, don’t you agree?" she said provocatively, flashing Song Chongjin a smile.

Song Chongjin’s face darkened, but he quickly calmed down. After a moment of thought, he nodded, "I hope you don’t secretly cross the line, otherwise—"

Wang Yongzhu sneered, "Do you think I’d give you the chance to get close to me again? Even if you can’t get close, and you have martial arts skills, I have divine strength. Our chances of winning are fifty-fifty. If you really anger me, we might as well both end up getting hurt!"

She threw Song Chongjin’s threat right back at him.

Then she clapped her hands, stood up, and headed back to the room to check on Wang Yongping, saying after a few steps, "If I were you, I’d seriously consider my suggestion—" Without even looking at what kind of face Song Chongjin was making, she went straight into the room.

Inside the room, Wang Yongping had already dried his tears and placed the silver in a dish, eagerly guarding it without even daring to blink, afraid it would disappear if he did.

Wang Yongzhu feared he wouldn’t dare sleep tonight.

She wrapped the silver in red cloth, "Go to sleep now, we still need to hurry home early tomorrow morning."

Wang Yongping, now full of trust in Wang Yongzhu, felt relieved seeing her put away the silver and couldn’t help reminding her as he headed to the doorway, "Little sister, sleep holding the silver, and call for me if there’s any noise."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, amused; this was the Escort Agency, for goodness’ sake! If the silver was stolen here, the Tianfeng Escort Agency might as well close down.

Outside, she heard Wang Yongping’s voice, "Song Brothers, why are you standing in the courtyard? Come, rest now, so we can get an early start on the road tomorrow!"

Footsteps moved toward the adjacent room.

Only then did Wang Yongzhu breathe a sigh of relief and plopped down on a chair, only now feeling her back damp with sweat.

***

Early the next morning, the three of them bought some dry food, and Wang Yongzhu also bought some special pastries from Jing County. After politely declining the Tianfeng Escort Agency’s invitation to stay longer, they rushed home.

Having been away for two or three days, she wondered how Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongfu were faring, health-wise?

And at home, with Jindou and Lady Jiang there, hopefully, nothing was amiss.

Most importantly, at this moment, Wang Yongzhu missed Old Granny Zhang terribly. She couldn’t help but think of how difficult these past few days had been for her, having to take care of Wang Laozhu, worry about her, and bear the pressure of their family wealth being stolen by Wang Yongan, without being able to make it known to others.

With these thoughts, Wang Yongzhu wished she could sprout wings and fly back to Shiqiao Town quickly.

Since they had made the trip before, the way back was now familiar to them.

The road was lively enough, with quite a few people returning from the county to their towns or heading to the county from their villages. The travelers, in groups of two or three, made the journey far from lonely.

Wang Yongzhu kept her head down and rushed along the road, speaking only when necessary.

Wang Yongping, as naive as he was, sensed that his little sister and Song Chongjin seemed to be at odds.

With his little sister not speaking, and Song Chongjin seemingly keeping his distance.

After a moment of indecision, Wang Yongping resolutely sided with Wang Yongzhu, "Little sister, did Brother Song bully you?" He clenched his fist, ready to stand up for her. No one could be allowed to bully his little sister!

Not even a good brother!