The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 343 All is with Me

Chapter 343: Chapter 343 All is with Me

However, Wang Yongzhu quickly realized the true meaning behind Song Chongjin’s words, "How do you know it was a fellow tradesman? Has someone already made a move against our family? Who was it?"

Finishing off a bun with deliberate nonchalance, Song Chongjin said, "They were just some insignificant buffoons, not worth mentioning, and I took care of them effortlessly. It’s actually using your Third Brother’s concubine that turned out to be a surprise."

Listening to these words, Wang Yongzhu understood that there was more than one group eyeing the recipe in her possession, and Song Chongjin had already dealt with them all without her knowledge.

As for the arrival of Lady Sun, the widow, it was truly unexpected. Because of Wang Laosan’s sudden return, they drew attention and it became all too natural for someone to plant a spy in the Wang Family through him.

After some thought, Wang Yongzhu sincerely smiled at Song Chongjin, "Really, thank you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how many troubles I’d have to deal with."

Song Chongjin was momentarily stunned by Wang Yongzhu’s smile, his ears quickly turning a shade of red.

It took him a while to awkwardly huff, "Consider it a favor you owe me."

This time, Wang Yongzhu keenly noticed that Song Chongjin could actually feel embarrassed?

Clearing her throat, Wang Yongzhu also felt somewhat awkward but pushed on to discuss serious matters, "In that case, I happen to have that identity document of Widow Sun’s. I’m not sure if it’s real or fake, could you help me look at it?"

Song Chongjin nodded.

Pretending to take it from her bosom but actually pulling it out from her storage box, Wang Yongzhu handed the document to Song Chongjin.

The document seemed to still carry the warmth of Wang Yongzhu’s body; Song Chongjin’s hand involuntarily tightened on the paper, and to cover his discomfort, he looked down at it for quite some time before saying, "This document appears to have no issues."

Wang Yongzhu had suspected that the document might be fake, so she was actually surprised when Song Chongjin declared it real, "The document is actually real? Then how does Widow Sun dare to sign a servitude contract with our family? Isn’t she afraid that, once the affair comes to light, we could take the contract to the Government Office and have her captured?"

Even if she managed to steal the recipe, the real benefactor would be the one directing her from behind, while her signing the servitude contract was truly binding. Hadn’t she considered her own fate if the plot was exposed?

Widow Sun was not such a foolish woman.

Wang Yongzhu remembered well that Widow Sun’s expression had been rather reluctant, and only after some resolve did she consent, which made Wang Yongzhu suspect there was something wrong with the identity document.

Song Chongjin pondered for a moment, "If you trust me, leave the document with me and I will have someone look into it."

Wang Yongzhu immediately waved her hand, "Then I’ll leave it in your hands."

There was no reason not to trust him. Leaving aside the fact that Song Chongjin currently had a good impression of her, his character was also trustworthy.

Moreover, since Song Chongjin spoke this way, it meant he had his own channels, which was better than her blindly inquiring without any leads.

However, she couldn’t rely entirely on Song Chongjin for this matter.

It pertained to the Auspicious Dye Workshop, and it wasn’t just her concern. She also needed to warn Shopkeeper Wu, and the Changfeng Escort Agency might also be able to dig up some information.

Wang Yongzhu mulled over in her mind.

Seeing that Song Chongjin didn’t hesitate at all to leave the matter to himself, a bright gleam quickly flashed through his eyes, and a bit of the chill that permeated his being dissipated.

He looked at Wang Yongzhu with an especially gentle gaze, "You must keep those dye recipes very carefully, and also, be careful not to let Lady Sun touch any food or water, and have someone watching her at all times in the house. Lady Sun was selected for a reason and managed to approach your Third Brother in a roundabout way; her schemes are surely deep, and we must be on guard."

He couldn’t help but give a few more pieces of advice.

Wang Yongzhu wasn’t ungrateful or stubbornly trying to be different and foresighted, especially since Song Chongjin’s reminder was indeed very crucial.

So she quickly and humbly accepted.

She also took the opportunity to ask how many waves of spies had attempted to move against the Wang Family in these days.

Song Chongjin smiled relaxedly, "Not too many, just five or six waves. Some were probing, some wanted to take advantage of the chaos, and others sought to fish in troubled waters. After you go back, tell the aunts to be more vigilant; there won’t be any problems as long as they are more careful when picking mountain goods."

At the end of his speech, he paused briefly before saying softly, "Don’t worry about anything; I’m here!"

Wang Yongzhu had been nodding constantly and accepting advice, but couldn’t help flushing with embarrassment at the last part, and had to work hard to feign composure while saying thanks.

Song Chongjin also sensed Wang Yongzhu’s discomfort and considerately changed the subject, "What are your plans for Lady Sun? It’s not good to keep her at home indefinitely. And for the mastermind behind her, we need to figure out a way to cut off their hopes. If we just deal with one wave, another will come."

Wang Yongzhu had been pondering this problem last night and, hesitating a moment upon hearing Song Chongjin’s genuine concern for her and the Wang Family, said, "Widow Sun definitely can’t stay too long, but we can’t deal with her just yet. We must keep her and lower her guard, making her think she can complete her mission and dangling the mastermind behind her."

"Once I get to the dye workshop, I’ll talk with Shopkeeper Wu. I’ll ask him to investigate with the help of his Noble Patron behind the scenes, since the Auspicious Dye Workshop isn’t just mine. If there’s any clue, we can lure the snake out of its hole, and then... it will be like trapping turtles in a jar."

Song Chongjin’s eyebrows twitched, and his gaze towards Wang Yongzhu was filled with surprise and annoyance.

He was surprised at Wang Yongzhu’s intelligence and calmness, seeing that she had already thought of a strategy just a day after learning the news.

The annoyance was indeed because he had thought his recent behavior had earned him a bit of fondness and distinction in Wang Yongzhu’s eyes, and the trust she had just shown him bolstered his confidence.

But now he realized that Wang Yongzhu did not trust him as much as he had thought, nor did she intend to rely on him.

He had hoped their relationship could grow closer, but it seemed it was still very distant.

Lowering his gaze, Song Chongjin felt even more eager.

Wang Yongzhu, oblivious to Song Chongjin’s thoughts, chatted along the way and reached the dye workshop before she knew it.

These days, Shopkeeper Wu spent most of his time at the dye workshop, and when he heard that Wang Yongzhu had arrived, he hurried out to greet her.

Wang Yongzhu handed over the dyes in her basket to Shopkeeper Wu and briefly explained the spy situation to him.

Shopkeeper Wu’s face darkened, "These people, their methods are despicable! We’ve had to drive away quite a few snooping individuals from the workshop recently. I’ve already sent a letter to the Family Head, and I expect a reply in a few days. As for what you’ve mentioned about Widow Sun, don’t worry. I’ll draft a letter immediately and have someone from the cloth shop in the county town inquire about it."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "In the next few days, I won’t be making dyes at home. I will teach the new dye recipes to the two master craftsmen later, but as for the critical part, it will be the usual practice; I will prepare the mordant myself."