The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 393: Stamp It with Our Wang Family’s Mark!

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Stamp It with Our Wang Family’s Mark!

Wang Laozhu didn’t mention anything else; aside from treating sons as superior to daughters at home and being somewhat muddled about so-called family reputation and the future of descendants, he really had nothing negative to say about his behavior toward others.

This series of statements was reasonable and in line with what one would expect from an elder, not displaying any arrogance for having paid out the money, truly not belittling Song Chongjin.

Before Song Chongjin could speak, Wang Yongzhu stood up first, and in front of everyone, took out the silver note of one hundred taels that Song Chongjin had given them privately: "This is the silver note that Song Chongjin paid back to us secretly. This one hundred taels is his own doing; our family hasn’t spent a penny."

Not to mention others, Wang Yonggui and Lady Lin were the first to feel a sense of relief in their hearts.

As long as the silver was returned, everything was negotiable.

Old Granny Zhang’s expression changed for a moment, wanting to say something.

Wang Laozhu was also taken aback, "Then that actually makes things easier. Since you paid the redemption fee yourself, what I just said..."

Song Chongjin hastily stood up respectfully and gave a bow: "As for the matter of cancelling the engagement previously, it was indeed my fault. Now that Uncle is willing to give me this opportunity, I’m too grateful to express it. I... I am willing to become Wang Yongzhu’s live-in son-in-law."

Upon hearing these words, Old Granny Zhang was the first to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Ah, this is wonderful! So wonderful!"

She turned her head to consult with Wang Laozhu: "Old man, what do you think, should we look for an auspicious date and get the wedding arranged as soon as possible?"

To avoid further complications with time!

Wang Laozhu, hearing Song Chongjin’s response, was also quite satisfied. Knowing his daughter’s temperament and thoughts, he was sure that no one from the Song Family could hold her down except for this young man.

Today’s events, in his view, seemed like Song Chongjin was simply taking advantage of the situation.

At this moment, seeing that Song Chongjin even had the redemption silver ready, he correctly concluded that the young man must have been planning for a long time.

This young man, still so young, coming from a family in such circumstances and yet able to earn silver, making plans for himself, wasn’t easy at all!

A man should be like this. It was evident that Song Chongjin had a bright future ahead and was not a common fellow. Such a fine young man, especially now that he had completely severed ties with the Song Family, would only have to deal with some grain issues even if he did have a biological mother.

With no relatives of his own, Song Chongjin would naturally treat the Wang Family as his own kin. It’s not easy to find such a live-in son-in-law, and no matter how successful he becomes in the future, it will all belong to the Wang Family.

Even if Song Chongjin rises to prominence in the future, it wouldn’t be acceptable for him not to provide assistance to the Wang Family, right?

Thinking like this, Wang Laozhu’s heart warmed up, and following Old Granny Zhang’s words, he said: "Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the almanac and find someone to pick an auspicious date—"

Wang Yongzhu was not pleased: "Dad, Mom, let’s talk about the wedding later, shall we? Fourth Brother isn’t even married yet; how can it be my turn?"

Was she supposed to get married just because they’d settled on their relationship? What a joke; she was only 15 years old, after all!

As these words came out, Song Chongjin’s gaze turned to Wang Yongping.

Wang Yongping felt his back break out in a cold sweat and quickly waved his hands: "I’m not in a hurry, I’m not in a hurry. Sister, you go first, you—"

After saying this, Wang Yongping’s back was no longer so chilled.

Seeing that her daughter seemed genuinely unwilling to marry so soon, Old Granny Zhang hesitated for a moment: "Then how about we just settle the engagement first, and establish the status first?"

Song Chongjin looked at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu held her forehead and took a deep breath: "Of course it needs to be settled. Otherwise, what if someone else takes a liking to the live-in son-in-law I have my eye on? We need to stamp him with our Wang Family’s mark first! Let everyone know that Song Chongjin is already spoken for, and they should stop having designs on him!"

She spoke with such decisiveness and force.

Wang Yonggui, sitting nearby, almost choked on his own saliva. Oh, his sister was really going all out, wasn’t she?

Looking over at Song Chongjin, that dark face of his actually broke into a smile?

They must all be crazy!

Wang Yonggui felt he wasn’t that old—there was a time he too was called a suave chap who would climb walls for his wife, traveling dozens of miles just to catch a glimpse of her at night.

How come he couldn’t understand the ways of the young people of today?

But thinking about it from another perspective, Song Chongjin was an in-marriage groom, which was the same as having a daughter-in-law, and this girl was like himself; after this exchange of roles, he could accept it.

Upon hearing his daughter’s words, Wang Laozhu nearly fell off the kang, for heaven’s sake, even if she had these thoughts, she shouldn’t shout them out loud. What if it scared off the man?

Looking over again, the young man from the Song Family wasn’t at all frightened, instead, his smile deepened, and it seemed his eyes couldn’t be peeled away from his girl.

Well, indeed, every pot finds its lid!

Old Granny Zhang, hearing her daughter say this, fully agreed, "Mother also thinks it’s a bit early since you’re only fifteen, and Fourth Brother hasn’t taken a wife yet, it wouldn’t sound right if it got out. After the autumn harvest, let’s hold an engagement banquet first. We’ll invite Clan Leader, Lizheng, and all, which is also a good way to spread the word. Let’s see if any other family’s girl dares to set her sights on my son-in-law then."

Song Chongjin, having heard Old Granny Zhang’s words about it being a bit early to marry, initially darkened his face, but as he heard her referring to him as a son-in-law, his displeasure evaporated like smoke.

Old Granny Zhang turned and twisted Wang Yongping’s ear, "I’m telling you, heal up properly during this time. When the year’s end comes, I’ll find you a wife. If your sister’s marriage is delayed because of you, see how I’ll deal with you!"

Wang Yongping grimaced and agreed while holding his ear.

To tell the truth, even without his mother mentioning finding him a wife, seeing his sister and Song Chongjin together made him somewhat tempted.

As the matter became settled, Wang Yongzhu then spoke, "For these few days, you should stay at our place, bunk with Fourth Brother for a bit. After the autumn harvest, our house won’t have enough rooms, we’ll just go together to Lizheng and buy a couple parcels of land. Then we can build our houses together, which will save both trouble and money."

"We’re going to build a big house?" Wang Laozhu was about to agree when he paused mid-nod. Such a major commitment seemed as simple as setting up a shed to his daughter?

And seeing how nobody else seemed surprised, was he the only one in the dark about this?

Wang Laozhu was somewhat aggrieved.

"I mentioned it before, Jindou and the others are also getting older, and they’ll be marrying in a few years; this house will become too cramped. Isn’t this perfect? Let’s scout the land first, then get Lizheng’s approval, buy it, and start building at a leisurely pace."

Hearing that a big house was going to be built, everyone remembered Wang Yongzhu’s previous mentions of constructing a mansion with blue bricks and large tiles, including a spacious courtyard. They all keenly showed their pleasure.

After hearing a few sentences, Old Wang thought to himself how considerate his eldest daughter was. She had taken into account the needs of everyone in the household. If they really built that mansion with blue bricks and large tiles, it would be the only one in Qilidun.

He nodded in agreement, "That makes sense. When it comes to dealing with the house and land, I’ll go to Lizheng. Chongjin, it’s not that we don’t want to keep you, but now although your status is settled with us, staying in our home during this time can be considered justifiable. But once we’re past the busy period, we’ll need to find you a place to live."

Song Chongjin understood, "Uncle Wang, I get it."

After discussing these matters, it was getting late, and there would be work in the fields early the next morning.

Only then did everyone disperse to their respective rooms to rest.

Since Song Chongjin had broken off relations with Mother Song, he naturally wouldn’t go get his things from her, and besides, he had hardly any personal belongings at the Song Family’s home.

Seeing that he didn’t even have clothes to change into, Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to ask Wang Yongping to lend him a set of his own clothes for the time being.

Old Granny Zhang seized the moment to remind her, "Take advantage of these few days to make a few sets of clothes for Chongjin. This poor child, wearing clothes bought from the store, and Song Chunhua, that wretch, bragged about serving in a wealthy family, yet her own son hasn’t worn a stitch of clothing made by her. What a sin!"

While speaking, she also whispered a reminder, "Put your heart into it, this is the right time to win a man’s heart, you know? The fabric for the clothes is in my room, go take it yourself."

Wang Yongzhu was at a loss for words; she had just agreed to make Song Chongjin a sachet, and now suddenly she had to sew clothes as well.

But she couldn’t bear not to do it either and could only nod silently in agreement.