The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 502 - 500: Very Bad

Chapter 502: Chapter 500: Very Bad

By the end, Wang Yongzhu felt she had nothing left to lose, so she closed her eyes and muttered, "What an annoying man, so bad!" Then she just let him be.

All the way to the entrance of the village, sweet nothings and tender murmurs between them, it wasn’t until they were near the village entrance that Wang Yongzhu pushed Song Chongjin away, lifted the curtain, and sat inside the carriage. She needed to tidy up her hair and clothes, otherwise people might see and think something had happened between them.

Although Song Chongjin was reluctant to part, having just tasted sweetness, he wished he could keep Yongzhu in his pocket and never be apart for a moment.

But he also knew that gossip was fearsome; although the two of them were engaged, talking and occasionally holding hands was fine, anything more intimate, and they would become the subject of gossip.

Yongzhu was the apple of his eye, how could he allow her reputation to be tarnished because of him?

So he could only whisper hoarsely, "Don’t rush, I’ll drive the horse cart slowly..."

"Shut your mouth!" Wang Yongzhu burst out in frustration.

Song Chongjin knew Yongzhu was just shy, and he chuckled, his eyes filled with tender affection that he couldn’t hide.

Entering the Wang Family’s courtyard, both tried to act normal.

There were five buns left, which Wang Yongzhu took to the kitchen. At that moment, Lady Lin and Lady Jiang were busy cooking. Seeing the buns in Wang Yongzhu’s hands, Lady Jiang hurriedly came over to take them. "Younger sister, shall we heat these up for tonight’s meal, or save them for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Let’s heat them up for tonight. These are from... Brother Song, who bought them in town for our parents to try," Wang Yongzhu almost slipped and said Chongjin’s name.

All because of Song Chongjin, who had been sweet-talking her all the way, repeating the name Chongjin hundreds of times, it almost came out naturally.

Lady Jiang agreed and placed the buns on top of the rice in the pot to steam.

Just as Wang Yongzhu turned to leave, Lady Lin spoke up, "Younger sister, the hairpin on your head and the bracelet on your wrist, they must be gold, right?"

Lady Jiang hadn’t noticed at first, but now, hearing Lady Lin mention them, she looked up and suddenly her eyes narrowed.

Such a beautiful and delicate hairpin. The butterfly in her hair quivering delicately, reflected by the light of the flames in the stove hearth, shone brightly in the dark kitchen.

And the young lady’s bracelet was also gold in color, inlaid with several colored gemstones.

The sisters-in-law were both stunned for a moment.

Wang Yongzhu smiled sheepishly, "This is something Brother Song bought for me. It’s not gold, it’s gold-plated silver."

"It’s really beautiful, that butterfly looks alive. I’ve never seen such a beautiful hairpin in my life," Lady Lin muttered to herself.

In a peasant’s home, there was no such luxury. On usual days, it was good enough to use wooden hairpins for the hair. Having a silver bracelet or hairpin was enough to make others envious.

Even hairpins were usually simple silver ones shaped like leek leaves, without any variety.

Where had they ever seen such a finely crafted item?

Although they did not understand what ’gold-plated silver’ meant, the inclusion of the word ’gold’ surely meant it was not cheap.

Lady Lin was filled with envy. Why was this younger sister-in-law of hers so lucky?

From birth, she was doted upon by Old Granny Zhang, always put last in the family and never having to suffer.

She became betrothed to Song Chongjin, who they initially thought was unremarkable, but Song Chongjin was lucky – even after taking poison, his eyes were miraculously cured, without any trouble.

And he even managed to bring back a tidy sum of silver from his former master. No wonder he could now afford to buy gold jewelry for his sister-in-law.

Wang Yongzhu was in a good mood today, so she smiled at Lady Lin and Lady Jiang, "It’s getting dark today, so it’s not clear to see. Tomorrow, I will wear them and let you sisters-in-law have a closer look."

With that, she turned to leave.

Lady Jiang and Lady Lin stood in the kitchen, staring at the departing figure of Wang Yongzhu, both lost in thought, their spirits somewhat dampened.

Back in the main room, Old Granny Zhang immediately noticed the new piece of jewelry on her daughter’s head, "Aiyo, let Mother take a look, where did this bright and beautiful jewelry come from? It looks so nice! It makes my girl look just like a fairy."

Wang Yongzhu hurriedly leaned in close to Old Granny Zhang, tilting her head for a better view, while explaining, "Brother Song bought it for me."

Old Granny Zhang examined it closely from top to bottom, and only after touching it with her own hands did she nod, "That lad Chongjin does have a heart, and a good eye to boot. Is this made of gold?"

Wang Yongzhu quickly shook her head and explained about silver-gilt.

Only then did Old Granny Zhang smacked her lips, "People nowadays are too clever by half, must be those city folk who can’t afford pure gold and yet still want to save face, so they come up with this stuff, silver wrapped in gold on the outside. Just goes to show city folks aren’t solid, not like us peasants, where gold is gold and silver is silver."

Wang Yongzhu was amused by Old Granny Zhang’s words and echoed a few sentences.

Then they heard Jinguan and the others making noise as they returned outside.

As soon as Jinguan and the kids stepped into the courtyard, they caught a whiff of an indescribable meaty aroma that tickled their hearts and made their mouths water almost drool uncontrollably.

The children’s eyes went wide as they followed the scent all the way to the kitchen.

"Mom, what delicious food did you make today? Why does it smell so good?" the kids chorused, bombarding Lady Lin and Lady Jiang with questions.

Only then did Lady Lin and Lady Jiang snap out of it, immediately catching a whiff of that tantalizing meaty smell.

The two exchanged a glance. There wasn’t anything special for today’s meal at home, just the usual dishes, right?

That’s it! It’s the buns the young sister-in-law brought back!

The aroma was too tempting; even Lady Lin and Lady Jiang couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.

Not to mention the kids.

Even Wang Yonggui, who was collecting mountain goods at the doorway, poked his head in, "This fragrance seems familiar. Is this... isn’t this Lady Tang’s buns?"

At this realization, his eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, "We actually have Lady Tang’s buns at home today? Quick, heat one up for me to try first."

"We want to try it too..." the children clamored as well.

Lady Lin couldn’t help but move to lift the lid of the pot, but was stopped by Lady Jiang, "The buns were brought home by the little sister, she said Brother Song bought them to show filial respect to Dad and Mom!"

Upon hearing that the buns were meant as a filial gift for Wang Laozhu and Old Granny Zhang, the children didn’t dare to ask for any, just biting their fingers and drooling.

Wang Yonggui, reluctant to leave, sneaked up beside Lady Jiang, "How many are there?"

Lady Jiang stretched out her palm and made a gesture.

Wang Yonggui now had an idea, there were five buns, one for each parent, and three left over. With some luck and a bit of thick skin, he might be able to snag one for himself.

With his mind full of buns, he urged them to start the meal.

When the food was served on the table, especially the five white and plump buns, as big as a child’s fist and oozing with shining oil at the folded tops, everyone couldn’t help but breathe in deeply.

"What’s this? It smells so good?" Wang Laozhu even forgot to pick up his tobacco pipe and asked.

"These are the buns Brother Song bought from the town, a treat for you and Mom to taste something fresh."

"Ahh, Chongjin, you’ve been considerate!" Wang Laozhu was satisfied inside. Nowadays in this household, it was only the son-in-law and the few little grandsons and granddaughters whose attitudes towards him hadn’t changed.

Since it was a filial gesture from the son-in-law, what was there to wait for?

Wang Laozhu grabbed one first, and Wang Yongzhu also served one to Old Granny Zhang, "Mom, eat it while it’s hot. These buns are delicious."