The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 667 - 666 Haven’t Given Up?

Chapter 667: Chapter 666 Haven’t Given Up?

Because they felt sorry for Song Chongjin, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang personally cooked in the kitchen that night, preparing their best dishes to comfort Song Chongjin.

Since it was the mourning period and meat could not be eaten, the mother and daughter duo got creative with the vegetarian dishes.

During dinner, the Wang Family Brothers eyed the table full of colorful, fragrant, and delicious dishes, almost drooling.

Ever since the Wang Family’s days had gotten better, they had meat in their meals every day, which everyone had grown accustomed to.

Suddenly having to observe mourning and go without the richness of oils and meats, the men found it somewhat hard to endure.

Today, seeing so many dishes, and even a rare steamed egg custard — the egg being somewhat meaty was an exception — Wang Yonggui reached out with the serving spoon, intending to scoop out two spoonfuls first.

He was stopped by Old Granny Zhang tapping his hand with her chopsticks: "Put that down for your mother! I stewed these eggs for Chongjin; he’s had a hard time and has to replenish his body since he’s out all day! You lot stay at home every day; why would you need to eat eggs? Aren’t you satisfied with all this rice and vegetables?"

Wang Yonggui retracted his hand, feeling wronged: "Mother, am I your own son, or is my brother-in-law your own son?"

He truly wondered if he and his brothers were adopted.

Old Granny Zhang snorted coldly: "You might as well ask the soles of my shoes whether you’re my own child or picked up somewhere."

Wang Yonggui immediately cowered and obediently started to eat his white rice.

Turning her face, Old Granny Zhang looked at Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu with an expression full of tenderness, scooping several spoonfuls of egg custard into their bowls: "Eat it while it’s hot, have a good night’s sleep after a warm foot bath, and you’ll be fine when you get up tomorrow."

Song Chongjin obediently cradled his bowl, nodding as he ate, feeling a warm glow in his heart. Looking at Yongzhu by his side and then at his mother-in-law who protected him, he felt an incomparable sense of peace.

Originally, Song Chongjin had agreed to meet Song Hong, thinking he might be able to use him as a channel to submit the evidence to the Imperial Court.

The crimes committed by Gao Jin and his cohorts were an affront to the Imperial Court; as soon as the evidence was handed over, their fate would be sealed.

Now the difficulty lay in the fact that he lacked any connections or means to deliver the evidence. More importantly, the longer he delayed, the worse things could get if Gao Jin and his gang destroyed the items in the evidence.

With these thoughts, Song Chongjin’s disdain for Song Hong grew. As an Imperial Court Official and a Lord Duke, who had uncovered the truth about the situation, he stood by idly, disregarding both the interests of the Imperial Court and the lives of those tortured and enslaved to death in the private mine.

Yet for his own selfish gains, he wanted to use this to threaten and lure Chongjin back home...

Song Chongjin, of course, wouldn’t seek help from Song Hong and had thought of other methods, but they were still in vain. The usually calm man now felt a trace of impatience.

Wang Yongzhu noticed his unease and, seeing that he was planning to leave home early again, quickly held him back, insisting that he stay and relax with her for a while.

As impatient as Chongjin was, now that Yongzhu said she wanted his company, considering they were newlyweds and he was out every day, it felt quite improper, so he agreed immediately.

Together they sat in the cozy room, drinking tea and chatting leisurely — a rare moment of peace and harmony.

But this tranquility was not to last long.

Wang Yonggui came running into the yard with a thudding sound: "Sister, brother-in-law, two unfamiliar men have come to the front, saying they’re from some lord and they’re looking for you!"

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu exchanged glances and stood up. Could it be Song Hong’s men?

The pair followed Wang Yonggui out to the courtyard, and as they reached the front gate, they saw two sturdy men waiting. When the men saw Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu come out, they exchanged looks, seemingly casual but in fact taking the opportunity to size up Wang Yongzhu.

Although she tried to suppress her awareness, Wang Yongzhu’s senses were keen, and she could still sense their presence without noticing any malice, so she remained silent.

"Gentlemen of the military, do you seek me out for a matter?" Song Chongjin’s tone was very cold yet polite, clearly conveying his refusal to engage.

The newcomers were personal soldiers in the service of Song Hong, the slickest and most worldly of his retinue; it was immediately obvious to them that this young master still harbored resentment towards his noble father.

Feeling awkward, they began, "Young master—"

Before they could finish, Song Chongjin interrupted, "I do not deserve that title. Please, just call me by my name!"

Having thought things through, he no longer awaited Song Hong’s so-called paternal love and naturally couldn’t wait to set clear boundaries.

"Song... Young Master Song!" The soldier, seeing Song Chongjin’s steadfast stance and remembering his own mission that day, could not afford to completely offend, so after some thought, he switched to a different title.

Song Chongjin did not respond, which was taken as an acquiescence.

"Our family head, Lord Duke, is about to leave Qi City, and before he goes, he wishes to meet with Young Master Song and have a talk. I wonder if Young Master Song has time today?" The two soldiers claimed they were checking if Chongjin was available, but in reality, they were determined to take him, willing or not.

Song Chongjin was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Wang Yongzhu, puzzled. Having spoken so frankly before, by all logic, shouldn’t Song Hong, given his status, have already been furious enough to disown him?

Yet why did he still want to see him? Could it be that he had not given up hope?

Wang Yongzhu also found Song Hong rather interesting; to be able to ignore his son for over two decades without a word, then upon meeting, be stubborn about acknowledging him. Wasn’t that a bit mad?

But if it was time for a nap, then a pillow arriving at the perfect moment was quite welcome.

She was curious to see just how brazenly Song Hong would speak his piece.

Thus, she smiled and said, "Brother Song, shall I accompany you?"

Song Chongjin originally had no desire to see Song Hong, but since his wife wanted to go, meeting him wouldn’t cost him anything, so he quickly nodded, "Yongzhu, you wish to go? Then that’s perfect, I’ll accompany you!"

The two soldiers were somewhat stunned. They came to invite the young master to see Lord Duke, not to bring the Wang Family Girl to meet her in-laws.

But recalling how Song Chongjin had been so averse initially, yet immediately agreed upon the Wang Family Young Lady’s suggestion.

They realized that today, they would likely have to take both of them away.

With a forced smile, they said, "The carriage outside is ready. Please, both of you get on—"

As they spoke, they gestured invitingly.

Old Granny Zhang, hearing the commotion, also rushed out from the house, holding onto Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s hands and admonishing them, "Just sit for a while and come back; don’t carelessly eat anything or drink any tea! Zhuzhu, if anyone bullies Chongjin, don’t hesitate to stand up for him, understand?"

Old Granny Zhang knew the extent of the Lord Duke’s influence and that her son-in-law might really have no choice but to meet him.

Still, she was worried, though she was much more at ease knowing her daughter would accompany him.

Setting aside other concerns, what if those people intended to knock out her son-in-law and kidnap him? With her daughter by his side, who would dare to lay a hand on him? Her daughter wouldn’t let them off easily.