The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 458 - 456 Selling the Daughter

Chapter 458: Chapter 456 Selling the Daughter

Wang Yongzhu woke up at daybreak, oblivious to Song Chongjin’s plans.

Anxious about the Yellow Pine Mushrooms in the cave, she got up slightly later than usual, quickly grabbed something to eat, and was ready to head to the mountain.

Old Granny Zhang, having listened to Wang Yongzhu’s explanation from the day before, understood that the Yellow Pine Mushrooms were now of the utmost importance.

Despite her worries, she could only prepare some dry food for Wang Yongzhu to take along.

And intended to walk her to the mountain path entrance.

They had just left the Wang Family Courtyard, and hadn’t gone far when they saw villagers running in one direction, young ladies, young wives, even grown men trailing behind.

What’s happening?

Old Granny Zhang caught hold of a hurrying old woman passing by, "What’s all this commotion about?"

Initially impatient, the old woman took a closer look and realized it was Old Granny Zhang and her daughter. Suddenly, a peculiar smile appeared on her face, "Oh, it’s you two! Don’t you know?"

"Know what?" Old Granny Zhang, having made a scene in town the day before yesterday and worried about her daughter at home, hadn’t stepped out and truly didn’t know what had happened.

The old woman, eager to join the bustle but seeing that Old Granny Zhang and her daughter were out of the loop, decisively grabbed Old Granny Zhang’s arm, "Follow me, we’ll talk while walking, the matter is somewhat related to your family..."

Wang Yongzhu, who was about to head up the mountain, paused in surprise at the woman’s words, related to her family?

She was no longer in a hurry to climb the mountain, instead following the old woman and listening to her explain the situation.

It turned out that ever since Wang Yongzhu’s betrothal to Song Chongjin was settled and she moved her household registration to Lizheng’s house, the whole village had come to know about it within a few days.

The Song Family’s actions were genuinely looked down upon and became the subject of the village gossip for quite some time.

Although the Song Family dealt with things inappropriately, the constant gossip meant they were too ashamed to show their faces outdoors.

Because of this, the Song Family had been quite subdued for a while, and with Song Chongjin no longer a member of the Song Family, the Wang Family, being forceful, was not to be trifled with. Song Chunhua was incompetent, and the family had already been stripped of what little they had, so the Song Family stopped paying much attention to them.

This allowed Song Chunhua to enjoy a few peaceful days behind closed doors.

However, tranquility was short-lived. After all, Song Tiedan was getting older, with dwindling spirit, and his sons grown; they could hardly take their father’s word as law anymore.

Taking advantage of Song Tiedan’s inattention, his two sons stole the remaining silver from a previous debt repayment and slipped away to squander it in the town.

With the autumn harvest over and a little silver at home, the Song Family, known for their love of food and luxury, found the daughters-in-law unable to keep the men in check once they knew their own were indulging outside.

The daughters-in-law encouraged their children, demanding white flour buns one day, meat the next, and planning to slaughter a chicken the following day.

The Song Family’s children, having grown up in such an environment, did not learn much other than being picky with food, lazy, and they developed exceptionally sweet tongues, adept at flattering others.

Thinking of their joyous father spending his days out while they were left at home drinking thin porridge, none of them could bear it.

Several grandchildren came up with a plan and pleaded before their grandparents.

Song Tiedan and Old Lady Song, being entreated by their grandchildren and with the daughters-in-law fanning the flames—talking about how exhausting the autumn harvest had been, and how their parents and children had become skinny; that this year’s crop yield was decent, so they should get some good food to replenish the family and the kids—they consented.

How could an ordinary peasant family afford such extravagance?

The Song Family’s foundation was already squandered by their two sons, and over the years, only by relying on Song Chunhua’s subsidies could they barely get by.

Although this year’s harvest wasn’t bad, the Song family was too lazy to care for their fields properly. The crops were left to nature, yielding less than other families.

Moreover, the Song family had many mouths to feed, a bunch of grandchildren, either grown or at the age where they could eat their parents out of house and home.

The few old hens they had been raising to eat at the end of the year were all stewed and gobbled up, leaving every member of the Song family with greasy mouths and bloated bellies.

After just a few days of indulgence, the rice bin was nearly empty.

Only then did Old Lady Song panic, realizing that at this rate, the autumn harvest and winter grains would not last until the end of the year.

Having no choice, they had to go back to a diet of two meals of plain porridge a day.

Within a few days, the Song family couldn’t take it. They were not accustomed to hardship, and after having enjoyed white rice and plump chicken, the clear porridge that was so thin you could see your reflection in it didn’t cut it anymore.

On top of that, the two Song sons, who had squandered all their silver outside, returned home with long faces to sit and worry with the family.

The Song sons had always been the same: spend when the family had money, and when broke, ask their parents or sister for more.

Hearing of the family’s current state, they blurted out that they should ask Song Chunhua for money.

If it had been before, Song Tiedan would have naturally agreed, but after what happened last time with Song Chongjin, upon hearing this proposal, he was somewhat hesitant.

But he couldn’t stand against the rest of the Song family, all clamoring to ask Song Chunhua. Now that she was a woman with money, what did she need it for? It was natural to provide for her natal family, or who would care for her in her old age?

That squashed even the slight reservations Song Tiedan had.

He immediately decided to ask Song Chunhua for money.

If it had been the Song Chunhua of the past, she would have handed it over without hesitation, as soon as the Song family asked.

But this time, the Song family hit a wall. When they approached Song Chunhua, she didn’t even let them through the door, simply stating she had no money when they asked for it.

No matter how much the Song family cursed, smashed her door, or wept outside, she stayed inside, crying about her own poverty, her unfortunate life, and how she had let down her natal family. But even with tears streaming down her face, she resolutely kept the door shut.

The Song family made a scene for an entire day, unable to coax Song Chunhua out, and had to leave dejectedly.

Hearing this, Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu both snorted derisively.

Back when Song Chongjin hadn’t cut ties with her, Song Chunhua would generously agree to anything the Song family asked. She knew she had Song Chongjin at her back; a casual agreement was all it took, and Song Chongjin would handle the rest, allowing her to be magnanimous.

Now that Song Chongjin was no longer reliable, she held tight to her money. The fact that she didn’t open the door even as Old Lady Song cried and made a fuss outside showed that she wasn’t thoughtless.

The Song family failed to get the money and became the village’s laughingstock once more. Each of them was irate, frustrated that the once pliable Song Chunhua now dared to refuse them.

No more money either! Was the world turning upside down?

Although the Song family was angry, they were at a loss for what to do. That was until Song Chunye, the Song family’s eldest daughter, having heard about the situation, made a trip back home.

Before long, the whole village knew that the Song family was looking for a husband for Song Chunhua, intending to marry her off.

The Song family was well aware of their plight and made their intentions clear to the matchmaker: they wanted to sell their daughter. As long as enough silver was offered, Song Chunhua would belong to another family, her life and death no longer their concern.