The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 365 - 366: The Truth

Chapter 365: Chapter 366: The Truth

The Xiao Tiantian System was so excited that it was almost babbling, "Host, well done! I knew you could do it! At this rate, we’ll soon reach the pinnacle of farming! I never imagined that the day would come for this System to witness! Host, host, quick, upgrade the System! It’s time to upgrade to a level four System. Let’s see who dares to mock me now, hahaha..."

The System must be going crazy, right?

Wang Yongzhu still felt as if she was dreaming. She hadn’t really done anything, so how did her friendship level suddenly break through to intimacy?

Could it be that the legendary "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is true? Pah, pah, pah...

"Yongzhu, are you tired? Let me tell you about the investigation," Song Chongjin said from outside the carriage as he felt the letters in his bosom and looked around to make sure there was no one else nearby before turning to the carriage.

Wang Yongzhu quickly gathered her thoughts and warned the little Tian Tian in her mind, "Zip it, we’ll talk about the upgrade later."

Despite feeling reluctant, Xiao Tiantian had no choice but to keep quiet.

Lifting the carriage curtain, Wang Yongzhu poked her head out, feeling the cool breeze outside, which made the carriage seem even stuffier.

Without ceremony, she bent over to step out and sit on the shaft of the carriage.

Song Chongjin quickly extended a hand to help Wang Yongzhu sit down beside him, and was reluctant to let go of her hand.

Wang Yongzhu hesitated for a moment before withdrawing her hand, asking awkwardly, "Did you find out anything?"

Although Song Chongjin was disappointed, seeing Wang Yongzhu’s discomfort, he restrained himself.

This time he had gone to Jing County to inquire about Riches Textiles Shop, which was not doing as well as before and was in a state of disarray.

Several shop assistants had been let go, and through their words, it was known that Boss Tian of Riches Textiles Shop had been quite arrogant recently, hinting that he had curried favor with a high-ranking individual, and boasting about his future prospects.

However, it wasn’t long before the Auspicious Fabric Store appeared, snatching a significant portion of Riches Textiles Shop’s business away.

During that time, Boss Tian’s face looked particularly troubled, and he no longer mentioned any high-ranking individuals, eventually leading to the dismissal of several shop assistants.

After obtaining this information, Song Chongjin had someone lure out Boss Tian’s trusted confidante and brother-in-law, who was also the steward of Riches Textiles Shop in Jing County, getting him drunk and using a little drug.

The brother-in-law spilled everything like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube.

It turned out that Boss Tian had finally managed to ingratiate himself with a Noble Patron from the Capital City and offered Riches Textiles Shop as a token of his dedication, on the brink of being taken under the patron’s wing. But once the Auspicious Fabric Store came into the picture, Riches Textiles Shop lost its appeal.

The Noble Patron lost interest, and despite Boss Tian’s attempts to ingratiating himself, the patron indicated disdain for Riches Textiles Shop. In direct contrast, his interest in the Auspicious Fabric Store was very clear, suggesting that if Riches Textiles had the same novel dyed fabrics as the Auspicious Fabric Store, he might reconsider the offer.

Desperate, Boss Tian had put all his assets into winning over this Noble Patron. Now that the patron was no longer interested in his fabric shop, wasn’t that his life’s work gone to waste?

Thinking over and over, Boss Tian mulled it over for a long time, seeming to understand the Noble Patron’s intention.

The Noble Patron was probably also interested in the Auspicious Fabric Store’s fabric recipes but was too embarrassed to say it outright.

If he could get his hands on the recipes for those novel dyed fabrics from the Auspicious Fabric Store, wouldn’t that re-establish his connection with the Noble Patron? Even if not, with those recipes, business would surely improve.

Initially, Boss Tian heard that the formulas were developed by a country girl who had even received praise from noble ladies in the palace; he thought that, with some silver, he could easily fool a simple village girl.

But then he found out that this village girl was partnering with the Auspicious Dye Workshop and that she held shares in both the dye workshop and the fabric store, receiving direct dividends every year.

And her share of the profits was not low.

He had no way out; he couldn’t afford the price.

With no alternatives, he had thought of stealing as a profitable solution, but he had suffered from not finding the right people to do it.

Lady Sun was Boss Tian’s old flame and had even helped him entertain out-of-town merchants, helping to seal several deals.

Boss Tian never mistreated Lady Sun. Whenever he visited her, he never arrived empty-handed, always bringing some new fabrics from his store. Lady Sun loved to dress fashionably, always eager to wear clothes in fresh colors.

Whenever there were new colors, Lady Sun would quickly have clothes made and wear them around town. Her appearances often drove the village girls and young wives to Riches Textiles Shop.

For this reason, Boss Tian had never been stingy with Lady Sun, always looking after her. Otherwise, how could Lady Sun, a widow, live so freely in Jing County?

On the day when Wang Yonggui revealed his identity, Boss Tian happened to be there to see Lady Sun, and he was in the crowd.

Having heard the news, Boss Tian immediately recognized it as an opportunity and promptly had Lady Sun step forward to rescue Wang Yonggui and bring him home.

He later met with Lady Sun and promised her two hundred taels of patterned silver, plus a small estate in the countryside if she could help him steal the secret formula.

Moved by wealth, Lady Sun agreed, which led to the events that followed.

After listening, Wang Yongzhu furrowed her brow and said, "Is the person behind Boss Tian one of the several households mentioned by Shopkeeper Wu’s backer?"

Song Chongjin nodded. The news from the Capital City was still too distant to reach them, and worrying that Wang Yongzhu would be anxious, he rushed back as soon as he confirmed the person behind Lady Sun.

With this understanding, Wang Yongzhu felt she had a grasp on the situation. The Noble Patron that Boss Tian was so eager to please was not of immediate concern, being too far away.

Boss Tian’s power and connections must be mediocre; otherwise, he wouldn’t need to desperately ingratiate himself with that Noble Patron.

With this in mind, it was time to draw in the net.

Having tolerated Lady Sun’s antics right under her nose for days, it was time to act.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu with her head lowered in thought, Song Chongjin didn’t disturb her, only hoping that the road back home was as long as possible.

With things weighing on her mind, Wang Yongzhu couldn’t wait to get home. As the village came into view, she hurriedly said, "You’ve worked hard these past few days. Have a meal at my house before you return."

Looking up at Song Chongjin, she noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the bloodshot look from lack of rest, clear signs he hadn’t been sleeping well.

Song Chongjin couldn’t ask for more and agreed with a word, steering the horse carriage towards the Wang Family’s home.

In Qilidun, aside from other things, owning several ox carts was a sign of the wealthiest families in the village.

Suddenly, a large mule arrived in the village, pulling a horse carriage driven by Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu.

A few sharp-eyed children noticed and swarmed forward, sucking on their fingers and staring at the large mule.

Before long, the idle folk at home had all come out to see. Those who didn’t know any better thought it was a horse and were extremely envious.

Those who knew better still admired it; owning such a strong mule was coveted by all men in the village. Not just the old ladies and children were gathered around to watch, but the men too, each one wishing they could touch it.