The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 656 - 655: Something is Wrong

Chapter 656: Chapter 655: Something is Wrong

Against such a backdrop, having once entrusted me with such a massive intelligence agency means a great deal, and Song Chongjin is very clear about the implications.

At this moment, looking at the thoughtful face of Wang Yongzhu, Song Chongjin couldn’t help but feel a warmth and heat in his chest, coupled with some guilt.

Such a fine person as Yongzhu would have had a smooth life without me, surely marrying into a good family and living comfortably and peacefully.

But having met me, I fear that one day she will inevitably be dragged into these troubles because of me.

Yet the thought of letting her go is absolutely impossible! It will never happen in this lifetime!

Thinking this, Song Chongjin suddenly pulled Wang Yongzhu into his embrace, "Yongzhu, I’ve wronged you, and I’m afraid I will implicate you in the future!"

Wang Yongzhu knew what Song Chongjin was thinking and patted his back, pretending to be willful, "If you know you’ve wronged me and are going to drag me down, then why are you still holding me? Let go already!"

Song Chongjin held Wang Yongzhu even tighter, murmuring stubbornly, "No chance! I will never let go, even in death! Stop dreaming!"

Annoyed, Wang Yongzhu pinched Song Chongjin, "Good that you realize it! You should know that you are my live-in son-in-law. In life, you belong to me; in death, you’re my ghost! As the head of the household, I have enough magnanimity. As long as you behave in the future, I’ll just have to support you!"

Song Chongjin, upon hearing this, did not know which expression would be appropriate, and it took him a long while to soften his voice, "Alright, you’ll support me in the future—"

With the comfort of Wang Yongzhu’s words and the promise of potentially being supported in the future, Song Chongjin set out again, full of fighting spirit.

A few days later, with the arrival of Boss Ma and his group, who had once worked as forced laborers in a private mine, they had constantly thought of sneaking out and had carefully observed some conditions of the mine.

After arriving in Qi City, the clues they provided, combined with the previously gathered information, were compared, leading to major discoveries.

Busy with work every day, Song Chongjin nevertheless made sure to return home each evening, to keep vigil for Wang Laozhu for a while before going back to his room, to cuddle with Wang Yongzhu for a short time, and then disappear early the next day.

Because of Wang Yongzhu’s explanation and persuasion, Old Granny Zhang also knew that now was not a good time to go back. Originally planning to have Wang Laozhu’s coffin moved to the temple, which was a bit far, and hearing the abbot speak, it wasn’t clear how to manage, since all the spots for spiritual tablets were filled.

They had no choice but to send the coffin to Yi Zhuang for temporary storage, to be taken back when they returned.

After dealing with Wang Laozhu’s funeral, Zhang obliged the entire family to stay at home and not to go out, using mourning as an excuse.

Wang Yongping was obedient, and Wang Yonggui, on the way to Yi Zhuang with Wang Laozhu’s coffin, sensed through his years of street-smarts that something was amiss in Qi City.

Therefore, he did not raise any objections, and even though he was nearly going crazy staying at home, he did not mention wanting to go out.

Even the hired woman who bought groceries and cooked complained these few days, saying the County Magistrate had issued a notice about a large-scale escape of miners, suspecting that these laborers were hiding in the county town. The notice warned that no household should harbor strangers without cause, and that everyone must submit to inspections when coming in and going out.

Qi City, being a mining area with scarce farmland, was further troubled by this event, and nearby villagers were afraid to come to the city to sell vegetables.

As a result, the price of vegetables on the streets rose three times a day, and the cost of radishes and cabbages soared several times over.

If this went on, ordinary families would soon be unable to afford vegetables.

Old Granny Zhang grew more reluctant to open the doors, and the whole family holed up in Song Chongjin’s courtyard, at times worrying about the situation outside, and at other times worrying about Qilidun. Since they had left, they had not sent a message back and were wondering how things were.

"Don’t get too impatient," they griped as they sat together cursing Wang Yongan. If it weren’t for him, they’d likely be at home preparing for the festive wedding of Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu instead of being cooped up in this dreary little courtyard, wouldn’t they?

Speaking of Wang Yongan, once he had delivered the hairpin to Gao Jin’s backyard, he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. That evening, he even ordered Lady Qian to fry a few dishes to accompany the wine and pulled Shopkeeper Qian into drinking with him.

With a forced smile, Shopkeeper Qian drank two cups with Wang Yongan then complained of a headache and went back to his room to lie down.

Mother Qian wanted to flatter him with a few words, but Shopkeeper Qian dragged her back to the room.

Lady Qian, not exactly a woman of high caliber, still worried about the hairpin. As the sky darkened, her anxiety grew, and she couldn’t help but cast a glance at Wang Yongan.

Wang Yongan leisurely sipped his wine. Under the lamplight, his gentle face somehow made Lady Qian feel a chill in her heart.

"Official," Lady Qian mustered the courage to speak. "About the hairpin, she—" She was barely able to start before Wang Yongan interrupted her.

"You can rest easy. Tonight, the master will certainly consummate the marriage with Jinchai! Once the deed is done, the master will naturally trust me even more! Once I’ve completely secured my footing and driven that hypocritical, deceitful cur Zhang Pengju away, our family’s good days will be upon us!"

"But the hairpin, she—"

Before she could finish, Wang Yongan cut her off again, "Tomorrow morning, no, tomorrow morning won’t do, tomorrow afternoon, you go to the back door of the County Yamen and ask Madam to let you see Jinchai and find out what happened last night."

Lady Qian dared not say more and nodded her head in agreement.

Although she wasn’t supposed to visit the County Yamen until the afternoon, Lady Qian couldn’t find peace to sleep. She got up early, made a slight effort to spruce up, and endured until after lunch before she left home.

Before leaving, she thought it through and tucked the medicine prescribed by the doctor into her bosom, then she finally stepped out the door.

Upon arriving at the back door of the County Yamen to request an audience, a young servant relayed her request inside, to the attention of Lady Xia.

Lady Xia was still having her lunch. Hearing this, she frowned in disgust. She harbored no affection for Wang Yongan’s family.

They had tried to rise above their station by selling off a sister, which didn’t work. Any respectable person would be ashamed to turn around and sell their daughter immediately after.

And they call themselves scholars!

When scholars discard their honor, it really is a sight to behold.

Especially that Jinchai they sent over, merely at the tender age of twelve. In Lady Xia’s eyes, she was just a young girl, half-grown. How could her parents bear to send her to be despoiled?

Lady Xia had already given up on her husband, hoping at least he had a shred of decency left. But to take such a young child into his chambers? Wasn’t this the behavior of the vile characters from stories, indulging in luxury and debauchery, and preying on young girls? Simply outrageous...

Last night, someone had reported to Lady Xia that Wang Yongan had bribed someone to spike her husband’s wine with an aphrodisiac, and sure enough, he had visited the new concubine, and they had consummated the marriage.

Receiving this news almost made Lady Xia sick to her stomach. She tossd and turned all night, unable to sleep well. Just as she began to eat something, was the Wang family already all too eager to come knocking at her door?

Waving her hand dismissively, Lady Xia spoke with great displeasure, "A concubine’s mother wants to come to see her, and you think that’s something I need to deal with? Just get an old woman to escort her in and out. Isn’t that enough? Why should such a trivial matter be brought before me?"