The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 687 - 686 Promise

Chapter 687: Chapter 686 Promise

After Wang Yongzhu and his family boarded the boat, it wasn’t until the vessel had traveled a great distance that they were able to relax.

Generally speaking, boats are actually quite averse to carrying coffins, especially when there’s a deceased person inside.

However, the price Wang Yongzhu offered was tempting enough, so the people on the boat were quite courteous to the Wang Family, after all, money talks!

Unlike the Wang Family, who felt a weight lifted from their shoulders, Song Chongjin always seemed to be holding his breath, or as if he were grappling with some difficult decision, and his expression revealed nothing.

It wasn’t until evening that Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin returned to their cabin, the sound of the wind and waves crashing against the boat audible from outside.

Song Chongjin took a long time before he finally spoke, "Yongzhu, after we return this time, according to custom, you must observe a year of mourning, and as a son-in-law, I must observe it for three months."

"I’m thinking of not wasting these three months; while staying at home to mourn for Father, I’ll also review my studies and attempt the Provincial Exam later this year."

"This incident has taught me a lesson; despite seeming like we have nothing to worry or fear on normal days,"

"in today’s world, if you want to protect your family well, without studying hard and passing the Graduate Exam to become a Scholar later, if you have no power in your hands, no matter how much silver you possess, if someone wants to deal with you, it’s as easy as lifting a hand."

"So I plan to spend most of the remaining year holed up at home, reviewing my studies thoroughly, so that in the latter half of the year, your man can go and come back as a Graduate, to let you hold your head high with pride."

Song Chongjin spoke slowly and earnestly.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t think Song Chongjin was just making empty promises, and simply nodded, "Then I’ll wait to become the wife of a Graduate."

She agreed graciously.

The two had a broad direction for the future, and Wang Yongzhu assured Song Chongjin he could study at home in peace, leaving all other matters to her.

Song Chongjin had no reason to worry about Wang Yongzhu now. He kept the token with Wang Yongzhu and even shared several methods of contacting his subordinates with her.

By the time they finally reached Jing County, it was already the afternoon. At this hour, not to mention Qilidun, even reaching Shiqiao Town would be a challenge.

Especially since they were carrying a coffin, many inns refused to take them in. As it was just after the New Year, the streets still held a festive atmosphere, with students from all over returning to Jing County to resume their diligent studies.

Jing County was bustling with activity. On ordinary days, an inn might pinch its nose and accept them, but now, business was booming to the point they wished even the woodshed was rentable—who would want to accommodate them?

Helpless as dusk approached and darkness threatened to fall, the family still had nowhere to stay.

Wang Yonggui suggested, "Why don’t we get by for the night in a temple?" Modern temples have places for keeping the dead and also rooms for pilgrims to rent.

Song Chongjin, however, said, "At this time, I’m afraid the temples are also full." He gave Wang Yongzhu a knowing look.

Wang Yongzhu understood and asked everyone to wait, then went with Song Chongjin to Yan Zhongren’s home.

When Yan Zhongren saw Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin, he was just about to smile but quickly suppressed it when he saw the mourning clothes they wore.

"Miss Wang, has something happened at home?" he hesitated to ask.

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "My father passed away unexpectedly while traveling, and we are carrying his coffin back to our hometown for burial. Unfortunately, we’ve come at a bad time, and with all of us in mourning, we can’t find a place to stay. Last time I mentioned to you that I wanted to keep the house behind mine vacant, is it still available?"

Yan Zhongren was startled, a look of sympathy crossing his face, "Please, both of you, accept my condolences."

He immediately went back inside to fetch the keys, "It’s quite fortuitous; just a couple of days ago, I hired some people to partition off that estate. The front courtyard has already been rented out, and the rear courtyard has been cleaned up and is in tidy order. Since Miss Wang mentioned wanting to keep it, I had it arranged neatly. Let’s go there now."

As he spoke, he led the way and brought the two to the purchased estate.

The small courtyard was now blocked off from the front courtyard, with a new door opened in the side wall for access.

Upon entering, the courtyard indeed was spick-and-span. Aside from three main rooms, there were three wing rooms on each side, a small courtyard complete with a water well, a grapevine that had seen many years, stretching across a trellis. Even now, in its winter bareness, one could imagine the beauty this small courtyard would display once spring arrived and the grapevines began to bud.

The rooms had just been whitewashed, and the furniture, such as tables, chairs, and benches, had all been renovated. They were completely ready for someone to move in with just their bags.

Wang Yongzhu was very satisfied, "You’ve taken a lot of trouble! I hope the money I left that day was sufficient?"

Yan Zhongren waved his hand dismissively, "Enough, enough. I’ve been in this line of work for many years and have dealt with them a lot. This little matter didn’t cost much. Everything else in the courtyard is ready to use; the only thing missing is some firewood, which isn’t a big deal. When repairing the house and furniture, we salvaged some wood, which was piled up in the back. It’ll serve well enough for a couple of days. The firewood vendors will be here in a day or two."

"To the right of the gate and across one street, there’s a marketplace where you can buy vegetables and daily necessities easily. Close the door behind you, and it’s all peaceful and quiet. The family that rented the front courtyard also enjoys the quiet; they have a scholar, who rented the place for the convenience and tranquility."

Yan Zhongren, with his glib tongue, quickly explained all the benefits of the house and the situation with the tenants.

Wang Yongzhu thanked Yan Zhongren and while sending Song Chongjin to bring the rest of the Wang Family over, she followed Yan Zhongren to the neighboring street to pick up some daily necessities.

By the time she came back with her purchases, the Wang Family had all settled in.

Old Granny Zhang stayed in the main house, the Wang Family Brothers and Jinhoo inhabited the west wing, while Song Chongjin moved their belongings to the east wing.

The kang bed-stoves had been lit, and the rooms were warming up.

They also heated water, and as they wiped down surfaces and swept the floors, the small courtyard suddenly buzzed with activity.

That evening, too tired to cook, they directly ordered a vegetarian banquet and had it delivered to eat at home.

After dinner, everyone sat around for a while. Having escaped from Qi City back to the familiar Jing County and hearing that the courtyard was after all Song Chongjin’s, they figured it was essentially their own; they finally began to relax.

Wang Yonggui looked around the courtyard and couldn’t help but be inwardly amazed; such a small courtyard in Jing County would cost several hundred or even a thousand silver, wouldn’t it?

He hadn’t expected Song Chongjin, the young fellow, to be worth so much?

He intended to ask Song Chongjin if he had any secrets to accumulating wealth, but then Old Granny Zhang said she was tired and instructed everyone to go back to their rooms to rest.

Wang Yonggui had no choice but to let the matter go.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu returned to their room, and after hesitating for a moment, Wang Yongzhu said, "Shall we go up the mountain tomorrow to pay homage to Mother?"

Last time, they heard that Qi Huan was buried behind the temple on the mountain by Song Hong. They hadn’t known before, but now that they did, they felt they should go and pay their respects.

Song Chongjin nodded, "Tomorrow, I’ll go with you."

Wang Yongzhu thought it over. After hearing Yan Zhongren’s words earlier, an idea had taken root in her mind, and now was a good opportunity to discuss it with Song Chongjin.