The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 659 - 458 I Am Your Father

Chapter 659: Chapter 458 I Am Your Father

Since then, Wang Yongan had become the staff officer specifically responsible for the private mining affair under Gao Jin, keeping the benefits within their own circle.

That day at the restaurant, dining and drinking, was when everyone met and when Wang Yongan was introduced to the group.

The local heavyweights had an unspoken agreement; since Wang Yongan was the County Magistrate’s informant and representative, naturally, they would all get along well, offering him some sweeteners so that everyone could prosper together in the future.

Savoring fine wine and delicacies, eating exotic foods from the mountains and seas, and cuddling with enchanting courtesans, they presented Wang Yongan with welcome gifts.

Just after one meal, Wang Yongan had received nearly a hundred silver notes, along with several valuable items, immediately replenishing his family’s depleted coffers.

Why was Wang Yongan so adamant about giving Jinchai to Gao Jin as a concubine? It was because he knew, without this connection, how could he make Gao Jin trust him?

He had offered his only beloved daughter as a token of allegiance, delivering her to Gao Jin.

Gao Jin tacitly accepted this token of allegiance in return.

What father-daughter affection, all paled in comparison to the immediate benefits and future wealth.

Speaking of Gao Jin, he had slept with a tender young beauty just the day before, and while he was still basking in contentment, he received a letter.

It was from one of his local confederates.

After reading the letter: It turns out, the mine had been short-staffed before the New Year, and post-New Year, the required production was high. In their eagerness to find workers, they had not been so stringent and had recruited a group of beggars.

After the New Year, an incident occurred. One of the beggars died; no one knew how, and it caused unrest in the mine. That group of beggars had rebelled, killed the guards watching over them, and fled in all directions.

Running away was one thing, but being discovered and brought back was another. Over the years, many had tried to escape the mine, and nearly all were caught. The whole of Qi City was in their control. These miners, their bodies weakened by harsh labor, where could they run off to?

Initially, no one took it seriously, following routine to pursue the escapees, but it turned out that the group of fleeing beggars had vanished without a trace. No matter how hard they searched, they couldn’t be found.

Having people guard the main roads in and out of Qi City and searching within the city yielded nothing.

Instead, it was discovered that a notable Noble Patron had arrived in Qi City at some point, unbeknownst to anyone.

At the sight of this information, Gao Jin felt like thunder had struck him; any trace of his morning’s smugness had vanished into thin air.

Gao Jin was not foolish; in fact, he was exceptionally clever, or he wouldn’t have risen from an ordinary scholar to his position today.

He quickly realized that a storm might be brewing in Qi City.

So he immediately called his confidants to discuss how to respond to the situation.

After Gao Jin briefly explained the situation, his confidants understood. Setting aside other things, they were all privy to the ties between Gao Jin and the local powers—just a matter of to what extent.

At this moment, the few gathered were those who Gao Jin trusted the most, knowing that their fortunes were tied to his, for better or worse.

If something were to happen to Gao Jin, they wouldn’t be able to clear their names either.

Thus, after exchanging glances, Wang Yongan stepped forward and bowed, "Sir, may I ask who this notable Noble Patron is?"

Gao Jin wore an indescribable expression and after a long pause, he finally said, "That would be the Capital’s Duke Weiguo.

As soon as these words were uttered, the staff officers present were stunned.

Duke Weiguo! Song Hong!

Indeed, a name as thunderous as his reputation, a person of renown.

Originally, Duke Weiguo was one of the eight founding nobles, greatly favored by the Grand Ancestor Emperor, having made significant contributions in establishing the empire.

Being fiercely loyal and astute in judging the times, he was granted by the Grand Ancestor an iron-clad decree of hereditary nobility, a privilege rare not only in the current dynasty but throughout history.

Indeed, as long as the descendants of the Duke Weiguo Residence refrained from courting death through rebellion, they would share in the everlasting glory and wealth passed down from generation to generation alongside the Imperial Court.

Unfortunately, during the reign of the previous Emperor, the Duke Weiguo Residence, having sided with the wrong faction, fell out of favor and gradually faded into obscurity, its status plummeting from top-tier nobility to that of the third-rate.

Fortunately, the current head of the Duke Weiguo Residence had considerable resolve, and after the new Emperor ascended the throne, he seized the opportunity to gradually catch the Emperor’s eye. After serving loyally on the frontier for decades and retiring with achievements, he voluntarily surrendered his military authority and returned to the Capital City, becoming in one fell swoop the most favored noble by the new Emperor’s side.

With that, the Duke Weiguo Residence leaped back into the topmost circle of power within the Capital City.

Such a great figure—they probably wouldn’t even have the chance to meet him once in their lifetimes, yet now he’s actually in Qi City?

Not only were several staff officers incredulous, but Gao Jin also found it hard to believe.

Wang Yongan managed to maintain his composure with some effort, "At this time, with the New Year not yet over, why would the Duke Weiguo appear in Qi City? Qi City is nearly a thousand miles from the Capital City, what is his purpose for coming here? Could it be—?"

Once these words were spoken, everyone’s faces changed.

※※※

In the largest guest courtyard within the inn.

Plum blossoms were budding, exuding bursts of fragrance.

The heated kang in the room was warm enough that a thin robe sufficed.

The man Wang Yongzhu had seen that day was wearing a dark green brocaded gown, casually leaning against a bolster on the kang, pushing open the window to let the cold, plum-scented air from the courtyard flood in.

Ordinary people, with such a sudden change from hot to cold, would inevitably shiver, but the man’s expression was indifferent.

Seated across from him was none other than Song Chongjin.

If Wang Yongzhu had been present, she would have realized why the man she encountered in the inn that day looked somewhat familiar to her, bearing a resemblance to Song Chongjin.

At this moment, as the two sat face to face, anyone with eyes could see that there was definitely a blood relationship between them.

Song Hong’s expression was indifferent, but his eyes could not lie, revealing a hint of excitement. After taking a good look at Song Chongjin, he finally said, "Do you know who I am?"

Sitting upright, Song Chongjin replied with eyes lowered in contemplation, "I do, you are the noble Duke Weiguo!"

A fleeting smile crossed Song Hong’s eyes as he rubbed his nose, "I am your father—"

If Wang Yongzhu had been there, she would surely have retorted: I am your father!

It was unfortunate that it was Song Chongjin who was present; he simply responded with a detached "Oh."

Song Hong felt as though he had punched cotton, and for a moment was almost overwhelmed by a compulsion to laugh out of frustration.

He knew this brat’s temper was difficult—he was just like his old man, himself!

His own son, what could he really do about him? He’d just have to tolerate him!

"Won’t you ask anything?" As Song Hong watched Song Chongjin sit as immovable as a mountain, an itch in his hands was hard to ignore.

Without answering, Song Chongjin merely lifted his eyes to glance at Song Hong, and that look conveyed so much that Song Hong nearly failed to maintain his noble demeanor, nearly reverting to the ruffian air he had in the military barracks all those years ago.

Seeing the situation going downhill, the personal soldiers nearby hastily reminded Song Hong, "Master, think of your image! Your image!"

After taking a few deep breaths, Song Hong decided not to be petty with this wretched kid. After all, he had wronged him, and what kind of father would he be if he quibbled with his own child?

Without further probing, he got straight to the point and began introducing himself.