The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 542 - 540: Deep Ties

Chapter 542: Chapter 540: Deep Ties

Song Chongjin led the guests to this spot, and since the Lizheng was more worldly and knew the three distinguished figures from the town, he promptly stood up to exchange pleasantries.

He couldn’t help but hold the Wang Family in even higher regard. To think, these notable individuals had come to the Wang Family’s festivities not once but twice, indicating a relationship that was far from ordinary.

In the eyes of outsiders, Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongfu were still the heads of the Wang household and their eldest son, who didn’t have time to sit down during the banquet, so they first made a toast to Lizheng and his group.

After having a glass of wine, Wang Laozhu excused himself and went to the front courtyard.

Shopkeeper Wu and Steward Lu, being seasoned travelers, got along cordially with the savvy Lizheng and Clan Leader.

Whenever they chipped in a word or two, Shopkeeper Wu and Steward Lu graciously engaged, and the conversation took off.

Wu Zhongbao, being a man of moderate disposition, had mostly come to the Wang Family because of Song Chongjin, and while he had tasted all sorts of delicacies, he saw the Wang’s banquet as quite rustic, although for the peasant households, it was exceptionally fine.

He ate a few bites nonchalantly, wanting to chat with Song Chongjin, but Song was able to end any topic with a single sentence.

Wu Zhongbao tried several times to start a conversation, only to be shut down by Song Chongjin every time, which really frustrated him.

Just then, Wang Yongzhu went to the back to store the silver note box, pretending to place it in the room but actually keeping it in a storage box. When she came out and saw the dishes being served, with everyone scurrying about, she naturally took a plate of food to the main room.

Wu Zhongbao caught her and insisted that Wang Yongzhu sit down.

Shopkeeper Wu and Steward Lu echoed the sentiment, honestly, their attendance was largely in favor of Wang Yongzhu, especially Shopkeeper Wu, who now couldn’t think highly enough of her.

Although the Lizheng and others felt it was somewhat improper, since it wasn’t usual for a woman to sit at a table of men, everyone was aware that nowadays, the real head of the Wang Family was Wang Yongzhu, and they owed the construction of this house to her efforts.

So they acquiesced without objection.

Wang Yongzhu wasn’t shy, and she took her seat beside Song Chongjin with grace.

Song Chongjin hurried to get her clean utensils.

Impatient, Wu Zhongbao began speaking to Wang Yongzhu, "Miss Wang, didn’t you promise to take me wolf hunting in the mountains this autumn? Now winter’s nearly here, and New Year’s is just around the corner."

Wang Yongzhu replied with surprise, "Brother Wu, whatever are you talking about? I’ve been to the mountains several times this autumn, to the famous Chongzi Gou Hunter Village, and I sent messages for your family, asking when you were available. But you replied saying you wanted to study in seclusion, aiming for the Capital City examinations next year, and couldn’t spare the time. I didn’t want to disturb your studies further by sending more messages, lest I delay you!"

Wu Zhongbao was initially stunned, then inflated like a pufferfish in anger, "It must have been my father! He locked me up at home, forbidding me from going out and even kept it a secret from me! Completely outrageous!"

Wang Yongzhu quickly consoled him, "Brother Wu, Benefactor Wu is just looking out for your best interests. They say all those years behind frosted windows, and not attempting the Capital City exam would be in vain. If you manage to achieve great success, you’d be honoring your ancestors and bringing glory to your family!"

Wu Zhongbao rolled his eyes, "Last year, I said I wanted to go for the martial arts examination, but my father, threatening death, wouldn’t allow it! Wouldn’t it be much better if I returned as a Martial Champion rather than just a Scholar of the third degree?"

Song Chongjin added indifferently, "You might have a chance at the Scholar exam, but the Top Scholar position is out of reach for you! Your father knows you all too well, fearing an untimely demise, he’s adamant about stopping you. If you’d listen to him and get married, start a family, once you have a son, I reckon your father wouldn’t care much about your life and death!"

Wu Zhongbao was about to lose his temper, "Who says I have no chance? Don’t believe me? Let’s go outside and settle this!"

"You’re no match for me!" Song Chongjin said, offering Wang Yongzhu a piece of tofu without even glancing up.

Wu Zhongbao: I’m going to cut ties with this bastard!

Wang Yongzhu saw Wu Zhongbao boiling with anger and quickly changed the subject, "Last time we went to Chongzi Gou, we also killed some wolves. Those hunters have an interesting tradition; they take the wolf fangs, clean them, and thread them into a necklace to ward off evil. I brought back a few extra wolf fangs last time. Brother Wu, would you like to take a few to play with?"

Wu Zhongbao nodded immediately, "Of course, I do! Even though I didn’t hunt them myself, my heart was there with you. By that logic, it can almost count as if I did!"

Wang Yongzhu...

Song Chongjin: "Shameless and brazen!"

"Out, let’s have a one-on-one!" Wu Zhongbao was frantic.

Wang Yongzhu held his forehead.

Shopkeeper Wu and Steward Lu beside him held their cups, grinning from ear to ear. Steward Lu, eager for a bit of chaos, said, "Go on, find a secluded place, and I’ll referee for you!"

Lizheng and the Clan Leader, who had only seen the worldly and shrewd Shopkeeper Wu and Steward Lu, and that Son of Benefactor Wu, who was also a prideful man, had never seen Wu Zhongbao like this before.

Especially hearing his conversation with Song Chongjin, their relation must be profound; otherwise, they wouldn’t speak so casually to each other.

This made them take a closer look at Song Chongjin, weighing that this son-in-law of the Wang Family might not be so simplistic after all.

Of course, this was all internal speculation, but outwardly, everyone was laughing and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

In the two courtyards ahead, only four or five tables were set up; four tables to entertain the guests, and one reserved for the women who were busy in the kitchen.

This was a rule set by Wang Yongzhu.

When all the dishes were served and the guests began to eat and drink, the brothers of the Wang Family and both Jindou and Jinhoo were now able to accompany the guests. The scene was lively and bustling.

After the women in the kitchen finished their work and washed their hands, they tidied up and were just about to sit down when they saw seven or eight people rushing into the courtyard, a mix of men and women, young and old.

The Wang Family frowned upon seeing the newcomers.

Was it the Sun Family again? And this time, they even brought the children.

The whole Sun Family had arrived, except for Mutou, who was still apprenticing in the neighboring town.

Upon entering the courtyard, Sun Laoer sniffed the aroma of wine and meat and his eyes turned green with envy.

The day before the Wang Family raised the roof beam, after settling the wages, Sun Laoer mentioned to his eldest brother and his eldest nephew, Shitou, that the Wang Family would be giving a feast the next day which would surely have better food than usual.

He insisted on getting to the Wang Family early the next morning and not missing out on the opportunity.

But somehow, after having dinner, the whole family started vomiting and had diarrhea, each of them spent the whole night in misery, the privy couldn’t accommodate all, and even the courtyard stank.

Everyone was too weak and limp to even crawl; there was no way they could muster the energy to go to the Wang Family’s.

The Sun Family was so angry that they cursed Wang Yongzhen, who made the dinner, accusing her of doing it on purpose, fearing that the Sun Family would bleed them dry? If it weren’t for the fact they were all drained of energy, Sun Daming would have probably beaten Wang Yongzhen.

It took two or three days to recover before they received news that the Wang Family’s house had been built and the workers had all left. They had to abandon the idea of mooching another meal.