The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 642 - 640 Preparing for the Wedding

Chapter 642: Chapter 640 Preparing for the Wedding

"Tomorrow is the betrothal ceremony—Yongzhu, you, you marry Chongjin! Don’t, don’t recruit a son-in-law—later on, whatever, that beast Laoer won’t be able, won’t be able to cause trouble anymore!" Wang Laozhu strenuously explained.

This was the only thing he could do for his little girl Wang Yongzhu, as he was not long for this world. If she did not marry Song Chongjin, she would have to observe a period of mourning for at least a year.

In that year, too many things could happen!

But if she married before his death, not only could he fulfill his last wish and see his youngest daughter married off,

furthermore, he had selfish reasons initially—he wanted to tie Yongzhu to the Wang Family forever by having her recruit a son-in-law to join them.

However, due to the special circumstances, first, he could let go of Yongzhu and secondly, by marrying her to Song Chongjin, she would become a member of the Song Family. As the old saying goes, a married daughter is like spilled water.

No matter how far Wang Laoer’s hands could reach, he wouldn’t have any right over this married sister in the future.

So, no matter what, the marriage had to happen before his eyes closed for the last time.

Old Granny Zhang quickly grasped Wang Laozhu’s intentions, giving him an extra glance, appreciating that the old man had managed to accomplish one last human kindness before dying.

She immediately concurred, "Your father’s right! There’s many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip, you should get married tomorrow! It’s just that my girl is wronged here, she should have been wedded in glory, but now, we can only make haste." Saying this, she couldn’t help wiping away her tears.

Why was her daughter’s wedding affair so plagued with misfortune?

Song Chongjin hurriedly expressed his position, "Mother. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to make the wedding lively, even though it’s rushed this time! When she turns eighteen, we’ll do it properly again! I absolutely will not let Yongzhu be wronged!"

Wang Yongzhu looked at Wang Laozhu lying on the kang bed, earnestly gazing at her. Although he had no strength to speak any longer, his eyes conveyed a profound hope that she would agree.

She had planned to get married to Song Chongjin in Qi City after the New Year’s anyway; this was merely an advancement of the date.

She was also clear about Wang Laozhu’s worries, so she knew this was his last arrangement for his younger daughter—how could she bear to refuse?

Thereupon, she nodded her head in response to Wang Laozhu’s expectant gaze.

Wang Laozhu finally let out a sigh of relief and reached out to Song Chongjin, "Medicine... give me the medicine..."

Song Chongjin looked around at everyone, silently handed the porcelain bottle to Wang Laozhu.

Wang Laozhu grabbed the bottle tightly and took several deep breaths, "Hurry and prepare! Before my eyes close, I must see you married!"

Time was of the essence, Song Chongjin dared not delay, this early marriage to Yongzhu, though unexpected, was even more of a delightful surprise!

How could he remain composed? He immediately took his leave, saying he was going to prepare for the marriage, and then he vanished into the night.

After speaking these words, Wang Laozhu was also completely exhausted, holding the porcelain bottle, he fell into a deep sleep once again.

Wang Yonggui and Wang Yongping exchanged glances and looked at Old Granny Zhang, tentatively asking, "Mother, should we also go help tomorrow?"

Old Granny Zhang sighed and looked at the unconscious Wang Laozhu, "Tomorrow you two brothers should find a coffin shop and order one in advance, to prepare for your father..."

Wang Yonggui and Wang Yongping’s mood also sank. Thinking of Wang Laozhu, they remembered his goodness from the past. Seeing him lying on the kang now, both brothers felt rather distressed.

Especially Wang Yongping, who couldn’t help but have his eyes turn red.

Old Granny Zhang waved her hand, "Alright, it’s getting late, you all should go to sleep! Jinhoo has also worked hard, go take a rest. I will stay with the old man tonight!"

Wang Yongzhu hurriedly said, "Mother, I should watch over him tonight—"

"You’re going to be a bride tomorrow, shouldn’t you go rest properly? Although we can’t have a grand celebration or lively festivities tomorrow, you can’t get married with dark circles under your eyes, right? All of you have things to do early tomorrow, don’t delay the important matters!" Old Granny Zhang shooed everyone out.

Closing the door, she sat beside Wang Laozhu and quietly watched him for a long while before revealing an indescribable smile, "Old man, oh old man, I didn’t expect you to go ahead of me so soon! Well, it’s good. I know you’ve been pining for the wife you lost, who has been waiting for you down below for decades. With your passing, you can finally reunite with her!"

"You, you had good days ahead and yet chose to be so muddled, falling for Wang Laoer’s tricks like an animal. You hurt your daughter, and now you’ve landed yourself in this state! What am I to say about you? At least in the end, you haven’t completely lost your wits, you’ve done one right thing! If it wasn’t for the care you put into our daughter’s arrangements at the last moment, I would have let go long ago!"

"We’ve squabbled for a lifetime, and you’ve made so many foolish mistakes, breaking my heart! Yet now, seeing you lying here, my heart isn’t at peace..."

That night, Old Granny Zhang didn’t sleep. She stayed with Wang Laozhu, chatting away the night, regardless of whether he could hear her or not.

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Song Chongjin ran into the courtyard, carrying a big bundle. He intended to find Wang Yongzhu, but then he remembered what he had heard last time he accompanied Wang Yongping to marry Liu Xiaoqiao: a bride and groom should not meet before the wedding ceremony, or it would be bad luck.

Barely containing his excitement, he had Jinhoo, who was up early, pass the bundle inside.

Soon after, Wang Yongzhu stood by the window. Speaking through the window, "Inside this bundle are the bridal clothes and jewelry. Things have been so rushed, I apologize for the simplicity. Rest assured, Yongzhu, I will make sure to give you a lively and festive wedding ceremony in the future!"

Wang Yongzhu accepted the package, with none of the shyness or joy expected of a bride, but rather solemnly discussed, "Should we hold the ceremony here later?"

Song Chongjin’s eyes flickered, "I have a small courtyard in Qi City; I had people rushing to decorate it last night. Don’t worry, when I come to fetch you this evening, I will take you and your parents there. We’ll stay together in the courtyard; it’s more reassuring."

He had one more concern he didn’t voice; the inns are very wary of someone dying under their roof. Rather than having trouble later, it would be better to move everyone to his courtyard, to give the father-in-law a more peaceful departure.

Although Wang Yongzhu was unaware of the inn’s superstitions, she knew that if Wang Laozhu were to pass away in the inn, it would be inconvenient to handle the aftermath.

It would be better to temporarily move to Song Chongjin’s courtyard, stay for a couple of days, and resolve everything before heading home.

After a brief exchange, Old Granny Zhang came out to send people away.

Song Chongjin, although reluctant to leave, understood the importance of the wedding. Even if he couldn’t make it the liveliest event, within his capabilities, he wanted to give Yongzhu the best.

Thus, he looked back at the window silently for a moment before discussing the evening’s wedding arrangements with Old Granny Zhang and insisting that they join him at the courtyard, adding that he had settled the day’s accounts.