The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 598 - 596: I Believe in You

Chapter 598: Chapter 596: I Believe in You

Song Chongjin’s gaze also darkened, "I’m thinking of ways to get rid of Wang Yongan and the others, lest he whispers dissatisfaction about our marriage into uncle’s ears. Shall I let someone spread the news that he was dismissed by the County Magistrate?"

Song Chongjin certainly could see why Wang Laozhu could forgive Wang Yongan. Wasn’t it because Wang Yongan boasted that he was now the favorite of the County Magistrate?

As long as Wang Yongan’s current plight was exposed and Wang Laozhu’s hopes were shattered once again, and he found out he had been deceived by Wang Yongan, even if he valued Wang Yongan, he would be disappointed, right?

"You might as well save your effort. My father is now deluded, he won’t believe anything you say. Besides, even if you did tell him, what if Wang Yongan denies it, claiming that we’re slandering him? Where will you find witnesses or evidence? Are you going to make a trip to Qi City?" Wang Yongzhu shook her head.

"With the New Year approaching, do you think my father will go with you to Qi City? Haven’t you noticed that in my father’s eyes now, Wang Yongan is a good son who knows his mistakes and is willing to correct them? Whatever we say, it’s taken as ill-intentioned."

"Now that they can’t even enter the courtyard and no one gives them money, no matter how many ideas they come up with, it’s all in vain. I reckon they won’t last many days and will have to leave soon. After the New Year passes and we are married, what can Wang Yongan do, even if he has a thousand ideas?"

"I’ve seen through my father. Unless he hits the wall himself, he won’t turn back! He’s been stifled during these days that I’ve been in charge. Now that we’ve split the family, and his successful second son has returned, who knows how much joy that brings him! Let him be!" Wang Yongzhu was very calm; the family had been divided, and if the heavens wanted to rain or my father wanted to hit the wall, so be it!

Everyone is an adult; they must all be responsible for their actions.

All she needed to do now was to take good care of Old Granny Zhang.

Seeing that Wang Yongzhu didn’t take Wang Yongan and Wang Laozhu to heart at all, Song Chongjin also breathed a sigh of relief.

※※※

Meanwhile, Wang Laozhu, angered by Old Granny Zhang and his sons and daughters, stormed out of the house.

Standing outside the door, he didn’t know where to go. Ever since the Wang Family’s days had become better, especially after the new house was built, the several good brothers who had been on good terms with him seldom interacted with him anymore.

Their conversations implied that he was fortunate to have a capable daughter and a promising son and also teased him about retiring early to enjoy his days and doting on his grandchildren.

However, Wang Laozhu felt frustrated inside. Outsiders thought Wang Laozhu’s days were smooth sailing, the best of the best, but who knew he was not having an easy time day to day?

Before the family division, little Jinhua seemed to consult with everyone for every decision, but ultimately it was always she who had the final say. Whatever was discussed, it had to conform to her will.

And no matter how much he, the father, talked and considered for their sake, it was useless.

After the division, just a few days had passed, and he could see that his sons were now solely focused on their own small families.

Even the silver that ended up in his own hands, along with future dividends, were eyed eagerly well in advance.

He wasn’t the kind of father who clutched the silver without caring about the lives or deaths of his children. Now that each family was getting by, he kept some silver to himself, thinking if one family had a hard time in the future, he could provide some relief, not to cause discord among siblings.

No one seemed to understand his intentions at all.

Now that the second son had returned, apologized, and compensated the silver, but due to the old woman’s influence, the entire family coldly drove the second son’s family out!

Where in this house was there still a place for him to belong? Everyone sided with the old woman and little Jinhua.

Looking around, Wang Laozhu stamped his feet, wrapped his clothes tighter, and headed toward the old house.

As he turned the corner, he saw the second son’s family supporting each other ahead, with Jinhua still wiping her tears.

Wang Laozhu guessed that they must have been wronged at the new house.

He hurried a few steps forward, "Second brother—"

Wang Yongan was holding back a bellyful of anger, not expecting that upon his return, besides his own father, every member of the household, especially his mother, would treat him like a thief.

The moment they got the silver note, they turned their faces and drove his family out! How could a mother do such a thing?

If it were not for the sake of maintaining appearances, Wang Yongan would have erupted already.

Unfortunately, Jinchai had been rebuked by Jinhua a few times, feeling unhappy, she clung to Lady Qian, complaining that they should have never come back, and insisting to Lady Qian that she also wanted the gilded hairpin that Wang Yongzhu wore on her head.

Wang Yongan, upset and flustered, gave her a quiet scolding, which caused her to well up with tears of grievance.

In those years, although she was a daughter, Wang Yongan had plans in his heart, he had pampered her and raised her tenderly, never speaking a harsh word to her on ordinary days.

But whenever they returned to Qilidun, Wang Yongan would always scold her, which made Jinchai even more averse to the Wang Family of Qilidun.

Seeing the aggrieved look on Jinchai’s face, Wang Yongan still couldn’t bear it, and was just about to comfort her when he heard Wang Laozhu’s voice.

He glared at Jinchai, turned around, and put on a face of surprise mixed with hidden sadness, "Dad, what brings you here?"

As he said it, he stepped forward to support Wang Laozhu.

Wang Laozhu sighed, "Let’s go, let’s talk inside the house."

They both entered the courtyard one after the other.

As Wang Yongzhen heard the commotion, he hurried out to greet them, "Dad, you’ve come! Please, come inside where it’s warm," he habitually tried to lead Wang Laozhu into his own room.

Wang Laozhu waved his hand, "I’ll sit in the second son’s room; you go rest," he said as he and Wang Yongan went into the room.

Wang Yongzhen was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then wanted to follow them in.

Lady Qian quickly stopped him, "Elder sister, you go rest. Dad and our Official have matters to discuss; I’ll take care of it."

The words were polite, but the implication was clear.

Wang Yongzhen understood and forced out an awkward smile, looking back three times for every step he took as he returned to his room.

In the room, father and son sat down, exchanging glances.

Wang Yongan suddenly let out a few tears, "Dad, I’m truly repentant this time! I’ve exchanged the silver from selling the land deeds back, why don’t mom and my little sister believe me?"

Wang Laozhu sighed and comforted him, "Dad believes you!" He thought about how his wife and sons had treated him with caution and estrangement during these days, and it left a bad taste in his own heart.

Wang Yongan then knelt at Wang Laozhu’s feet, clasping his legs, tears flowing as he restrained his emotions, lamenting his own difficulties and how he wished to make amends but couldn’t.

In the end, Wang Laozhu also shed tears, and father and son wept bitterly in each other’s arms.

After the tears subsided, the knot in Wang Laozhu’s heart completely dissolved.

Father and son supported each other, sitting on the kang bed, and Wang Yongan said, "Dad, I truly intend to take care of you and mom, and my little sister is my responsibility. You, mom, and this home have given me so much over the years, and now I can finally repay you. Please give me this chance! Otherwise, I will be restless for the rest of my life!"