The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 296 Exchange

Chapter 296: Chapter 296 Exchange

Steward Lu exchanged pleasantries with Song Chongjin before smiling and congratuating her, "Congratulations to Miss Wang! Ever since we returned, we’ve heard the news that Miss Wang has received a reward from the palace. It’s truly a joyous and commendable occasion!"

Steward Lu really wanted to ask the whereabouts of Wang Yongan, who was God-knows-where, and if he knew how impressive his sister had become, would he still have betrayed his family for that little bit of silver.

Wang Yongzhu smiled faintly, "Thank you!"

As someone seasoned in the ways of the world and a sharp individual, Steward Lu didn’t wait for Wang Yongzhu to inquire and instead volunteered, "Regarding the matter you mentioned about the reward, our Escort Agency has been inquiring. However, we’ve heard that there’s been an issue with the recent official appointments; many have been cancelled or reassigned. So, the position that Wang Yongan is accompanying to, where exactly it is, remains unknown."

Wang Yongzhu wasn’t in a hurry. As long as the Escort Agency delivered the message as she intended, Wang Yongan wouldn’t have good days ahead.

What was the point of him receiving punishment now? She wanted to let Wang Yongan climb up, believing he was about to succeed, and then at that moment, let him fall. That’s when he would truly feel the pain!

Thus, she simply nodded, "No worries, I’m not in a rush."

Steward Lu knew that this young lady was not the same village girl as before, someone who could secure a reward from the palace with her dyeing skills. It was even more important to be cautious when making her acquaintance.

He broached another topic, "Boss Zhang has entrusted me to bring a message to Miss Wang. He said he will visit the town at the end of October and will send someone to discuss with you beforehand. He also asked if you have any other needs, just mention them to me, and I will relay them to Boss Zhang."

At this moment, Steward Lu couldn’t help but admire Zhang Yinbao for his stroke of luck in befriending Wang Yongzhu early on as a business partner, never expecting her to achieve the glory she had now.

However, it wasn’t too late for himself either. Making a good relationship with the Wang Family Young Lady could also be beneficial to the Escort Agency in the future.

After discussing business, the three chatted about local customs, primarily Steward Lu sharing amusing tales from escort missions, which Wang Yongzhu found very entertaining.

After all, since she had come here, she had truly never been to other places except for the county town.

Song Chongjin saw Wang Yongzhu listening with rapt attention, not even blinking, and lowered his eyes.

Meanwhile, Wu Zhongbao finally finished his pleasantries with Old Man Wu and approached with a fan in hand, waving it about.

If it had been someone else, it would have been the demeanor of a cultured scholar, full of poetic charm.

However, Wu Zhongbao managed to look like nothing more than a clumsy martial fellow, mismatched, and yet he seemed unaware of it as he swaggered over.

Steward Lu had established roots in Shiqiao Town, naturally having interacted with Wu Zhongbao before, so the two greeted each other.

Wu Zhongbao then casually nodded to Song Chongjin, "You’re here too! Last time you took away two jars of meat sauce, almost got me killed by my dad’s hammer. You really got me in trouble—"p>

Song Chongjin glared at him without a word.

Wang Yongzhu’s heart skipped a beat. Meat sauce? She looked at Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin was expressionless as he stared at Wu Zhongbao.

"What meat sauce?" Wang Yongzhu turned to ask Wu Zhongbao.

"It’s just the meat sauce you brought last time—er, it’s nothing, just our family’s meat sauce, heh heh..." Wu Zhongbao suddenly shivered, trying to laugh it off, hoping to change the subject.

Wang Yongzhu already understood the situation. Now wasn’t the time to inquire further, but she gave Song Chongjin a look that said they would talk later.

She put on a smile, "Thank you so much for last time with the land purchase! May I ask if the dried meat and meat sauce were to the old gentleman’s liking?"

Wu Zhongbao grimaced and said, "Pleasing? Absolutely pleasing!"

How could it not be pleasing? He had scolded himself, and been forced to stay home reading for half a month—he was practically pleased to heaven!

"That’s great. I was worried that the old master might not adapt well to the change! Last time, Brother Wu mentioned he wanted to go hunting in the mountains; how about after the autumn harvest, I’ll set a date and notify Brother Wu?" Wang Yongzhu said with a beaming smile, looking at Wu Zhongbao.

"That sentiment—uh, is way too troublesome, I just said it in passing! I might not have time when the day comes, and besides, and besides." Wu Zhongbao was on the verge of tears.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he eagerly made his excuses: "Um, I’ve got some things to do, I need to leave first—"

Steward Lu wasn’t foolish either; he had long noticed that something seemed amiss among these three people and quickly found an excuse to leave as well.

Wang Yongzhu glanced around and seeing that no one was paying attention, she pulled Song Chongjin towards a corner.

"Tell me, did you mediate to get the Wu Family to agree to sell the land to our family?" Wang Yongzhu took a deep breath, ready to show Song Chongjin how formidable she was if he didn’t confess.

"Yes!" Song Chongjin admitted decisively.

Leaving Wang Yongzhu with no outlet for her pent-up energy.

"Did you exchange something with the Wu Family for it?" Wang Yongzhu started with that question; she had always been curious. Old Man Wu was a good person, not a fool. If every time someone was having a hard time and he sold them land at the original price, how could he have amassed such wealth?

She had even wondered if there might be some conspiracy, but upon consideration, the Wang Family didn’t have anything worthwhile for others to covet. Moreover, the property was transferred directly with the Government Office’s red seal, making it a done deal.

Even with her suspicions, she still purchased it. The debt was something that Wang Yongzhu’s original self owed to the Wang Family; she would not be at ease until it was repaid.

It was later when she returned home and told Old Granny Zhang that she wanted to give wolfskins to the Wu Family. Wolfskins weren’t cheap; two wolfskins and some dried wolf meat would definitely not shortchange the Wu Family.

After seeing that the Wu Family had not pulled any tricks, she gradually set her mind at ease.

Unexpectedly, Song Chongjin had played a role in this matter. Seeing how Song Chongjin had spoken to Wu Zhongbao earlier, their relationship seemed quite good.

It was just unclear what kind of favor Song Chongjin owed to Wu Zhongbao that would make Old Man Wu agree to sell the land to the Wang Family.

A hint of amusement appeared in Song Chongjin’s eyes, softening his entire face: "Yongzhu, are you worried about me?"

Wang Yongzhu...

"It’s nothing major, I helped him, and he owed me a favor, you don’t need to worry about it," Song Chongjin explained.

"Alright then, why would you help me?" Wang Yongzhu asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

After the conversation they had last time in the county town, even after she saved Song Chongjin’s life, it didn’t increase his fondness for her—why would he suddenly be so good to her?

If something came up so suddenly, there must be something off about it.

Song Chongjin certainly wouldn’t tell Wang Yongzhu that after the probing in the county town, he had become full of defenses and vigilance against her.

But then, Wang Yongzhu saved his life. That feeling of being utterly alone, with no one to help with anything, the hopelessness of even if you plummet into an abyss, or face imminent death, no one would spare you a glance or come to your rescue, was completely shattered in the moment when Wang Yongzhu reached out her hand to him.

Night after night, he would reminisce about that moment, which would then lead him to doubt the probing he conducted in the county town.