The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 626 - 624 You’ve Been Wronged

Chapter 626: Chapter 624 You’ve Been Wronged

Wang Yongzhu thought for a moment, then cautioned, "These next few days, just stay inside the inn, and don’t go out. Wang Yongan has now completely turned against us, even threatening me with the lives of our entire family, demanding that I become the County Magistrate’s concubine and hand over the dye workshop’s profits to him. I’ve been feeding him medicine to temporarily keep him from acting against us, but if you get caught alone by him, the poison will no longer pose a threat to him! So, remember not to go outside!"

Since this was a matter of great importance, everyone nodded busily, unanimously assuring that they would definitely not go out alone.

Old Granny Zhang also promised, "Girl, don’t worry, your mother will keep watch for you, no one will be allowed to go out!"

In the midst of their conversation, they arrived at the inn.

Wang Yonggui whispered, "I’ve inquired, this is the largest inn in Qi City. Although it’s a bit expensive, it’s safe and has a good reputation. As long as guests stay here, the inn guarantees their safety for each day they reside within."

Wang Yongzhu nodded her head, "Then that’s the best we can hope for."

Wang Yonggui took a token out of his bosom and showed it to the inn’s runner at the entrance, who then enthusiastically led their carriage into the backyard.

The courtyard Wang Yonggui had booked wasn’t large, with only three or four rooms, and in the tiny courtyard, there were two plum trees planted, whose faint fragrance greeted them as they entered.

The runner led them to their courtyard, briefed them on the basics of the inn, such as when hot water would be available, that they could dine at the front of the inn or request that meals be delivered to the courtyard, and that any other requests would be accommodated as far as possible.

Of course, there would be a charge for these services.

Wang Yongzhu thanked the runner and handed him several large coins, "Please also bring us a pot of boiling water and something to eat!"

The runner took the large coins, his smile becoming a bit more sincere, "Alright! Our inn serves noodles, buns, porridge, pancakes, and various kinds of pastries in the morning. What would you like to eat? Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

Wang Yongzhu ordered buns, porridge, and pancakes, and the runner quickly noted it down, "Please wait for a moment, it will be delivered shortly."

Meanwhile, Wang Yonggui and Wang Yongping carried Wang Laozhu into the house, where the kang bed was already heated and everything was tidily cleaned.

After settling Wang Laozhu in, breakfast was served.

After breakfast, Wang Yongzhu had everyone rest while she left the courtyard.

At the gate of the courtyard, Song Chongjin was quietly waiting there. He smiled when he saw Wang Yongzhu come out.

He stepped forward, took Wang Yongzhu’s hand, and led her into the neighboring courtyard.

This courtyard was even more secluded.

Once inside the house, Song Chongjin embraced Wang Yongzhu, "You’ve had a rough few days!"

Wang Yongzhu hugged Song Chongjin back and then pushed him away, "Let’s talk about the serious matters first. What exactly is going on? How did Wang Yongan come to know about my share in the profits of the Auspicious Dye Workshop? This time, he’s not only plotting to give me to the County Magistrate as a concubine, but he’s also after the dye workshop’s profits."

Song Chongjin’s eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent when he heard that Wang Yongzhu was to be sent off as a concubine. He laughed coldly and said, "When Wang Yongan took our uncle onto the boat, he intentionally brought up the Auspicious Dye Workshop. Our uncle, probably out of boasting and unwary, revealed your shares in the workshop and the year-end dividend. I guess that’s when Wang Yongan started plotting."

"As for the County Magistrate here, his surname is Gao, Gao Jin, who has a great love for beauty. He used to have some reservations, but now that he has arrived in Qi City, he is the dominant force and no longer bothers to hide it."

"In just half a year since arriving in Qi City, he has already taken a dozen concubines into his inner courtyard. After the novelty wears off in two or three days, he discards them from his mind. Since they pose no threat to the Magistrate’s Lady’s status, she has simply stopped caring."

"Now, Zhang Pengju has become Gao Jin’s trusted confidante. He is the one who recommended removing Wang Yongan from the County Yamen initially, and sent a distant relative to Gao Jin as a concubine, who is now highly favored in the back house."

"Most of the affairs in the County Yamen are now decided by Zhang Pengju. If Wang Yongan wants to return to the Yamen, he needs to kick Zhang Pengju out first. And Gao Jin is now so immersed in his women every day that he barely manages the affairs. To get close to Gao Jin, you have to present beautiful women to him."

"So, Wang Yongan thought of sending you to Gao Jin’s back house, letting you compete for favor, then gain Gao Jin’s trust and replace Zhang Pengju’s position!"

Wang Yongzhu understood. This was the very reason why Wang Yongan insisted on sending her to Gao Jin, no matter what.

Because it was his only way out.

"Are your subordinates alright?" Wang Yongzhu asked Song Chongjin.

"Didn’t he acquire Boss Ma and their whole crew last time? Now it seems like someone is investigating the matter, and he has been busy covering his tracks recently, neglecting the situation with Wang Yongan," Song Chongjin frowned.

"We have now completely fallen out with Wang Yongan. He originally wanted to use the safety of our mother and the others to threaten me, even saying that if I didn’t agree, none of us would be able to leave Qi City. I have drugged Wang Yongan; in these two days, he will be half-doubting and wait to see what happens until the third day. Once the drug’s effects kick in, I estimate he will come looking for me. Wang Yongan is the type to bear grudges; if we don’t pull him down for good this time, we’ll never be free from his reach. As soon as he catches his breath, he’ll come after us."

Wang Yongzhu saw the situation very clearly.

"And there’s Gao Jin. Wang Yongan doesn’t know how much the dividend from the Auspicious Dye Workshop is. Given his current situation, he probably isn’t aware of the benefits involved, or else he wouldn’t have told Gao Jin about it. He would just want to swallow it all himself."

"But Gao Jin is different. He has more sources of information and would soon find out about the considerable income from the Auspicious Dye Workshop and the relationships involved. As long as he’s not a fool, he wouldn’t give up easily. Not to mention, your refusal to be his concubine has made him lose face."

"Regardless of the reason, he won’t let us off easily! Gao Jin and Wang Yongan are cut from the same cloth. If we’re going to make a move, we have to completely block their path to advancement. If we don’t solve this once and for all, we could face endless trouble later on," Song Chongjin said fiercely.

Wang Yongzhu nodded. She didn’t seek trouble, but she wasn’t afraid of it either! Now that she and Wang Yongan were at the point of no return, there was no point in pretending she was coerced or anything of the sort!

"Then we need to plan carefully," Wang Yongzhu suggested as she pulled Song Chongjin to sit down, and they began to discuss their strategy.

Once the two had finished their discussion and noticed the sky darkening, Song Chongjin stood up reluctantly, "I should go. Be careful in the next few days, try to stay in the inn and don’t go out. I’ll let you know once I’ve found the evidence."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself. But you should be careful too. Here in Qi City, we are on other people’s turf, so it’s best to be cautious. Although they don’t know you are in Qi City, you still can’t be too careless."

Song Chongjin nodded reluctantly, hugged Wang Yongzhu, and then left the room with a heavy heart.