The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 694 - 693: Isn’t Anyone Satisfied?

Chapter 694: Chapter 693: Isn’t Anyone Satisfied?

Old Granny Zhang slapped the edge of the kang bed: "What’s all the fuss about, what’s all the fuss about? Listen to your sister finish her speech."

Wang Yongzhu took advantage of the quiet, speaking slowly and methodically: "Because Brother Song is going to participate in this year’s official examination in the second half of the year, and there are only a few months left, we’ve heard that there are many academies in Jing County. We’re thinking of letting Brother Song study there for half a year; who knows, he might even come back as a Graduate."

"Obviously he can’t stay at home, the academies are about to start their courses, and we can’t afford any delays. As for mother, when the family divided, it was agreed that she would be with me, so naturally, she should come with me to the county town. Regarding the business, everyone has been at it for a year now, so they all have experience. Just be a little more cautious this year, and naturally, there will be no problems."

"With Boss Zhang, you all continue to deliver goods, and the quality must be good. Pay more attention to purchasing Yellow Pine Mushrooms on regular days. Since I’m going to the county town, I won’t have as much time to come back and look for Yellow Pine Mushrooms in the mountains. This is key to our collaboration with Boss Zhang; just don’t forget that, and it will be fine."

"If there’s anything, just send a message to the county town, and that’ll be fine. I don’t have much else to say."

After Wang Yongzhu finished speaking, there was silence in the room.

They couldn’t accept this fact for the moment.

"But... but our family now..." Wang Yongping tried to say something but was abruptly pulled aside by Liu Xiaoqiao.

Liu Xiaoqiao could naturally tell that with Wang Yongzhu stating this in front of everyone today, she must have made up her mind.

Besides, the sister-in-law was married off, and naturally had to follow Song Chongjin. Could she possibly stay behind in the countryside for her own brothers?

Just before father-in-law passed away, he had made it clear that the sister-in-law was married off, not taking a son-in-law in.

For the sister-in-law to take her mother-in-law with her, that showed true filial piety and consideration for her brothers and sisters-in-law.

The sensible ones would happily agree, for the whole family to be harmonious and happy. Isn’t that wonderful?

After all, parents would pass on eventually, could the family really expect the sister-in-law to plan for them for a lifetime?

Therefore, she said with a smiling face: "Little sister, your husband’s examination is a major affair; our family might just have a Graduate among us! This is serious business and cannot be delayed. Rest assured and go with your husband to the county town! Do you have a place to stay there? Living there will definitely not be as convenient as in our countryside. Do you need to prepare anything? If you need your fourth sister-in-law to lend a hand, just say so, don’t be shy!"

Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but glance at Liu Xiaoqiao. Of this entire family, only this fourth daughter-in-law had a bit of sense, finally saying a few words of human kindness.

Upon hearing Liu Xiaoqiao’s words, everyone realized that their little sister now belonged to the Song family and naturally had to go with Song Chongjin.

Instantly, everyone felt awkward and uncomfortable.

With Wang Yongzhu at home, she was like a stabilizing anchoring needle; with her around, everyone felt at ease.

But now, just like that, she was leaving with someone else, even taking Old Granny Zhang along. Somehow, everyone felt unsettled.

Wang Yongzhu hadn’t expected her brothers to say much anyways; after all, she had said what needed to be said, and had done what needed to be done.

She couldn’t possibly manage them for their entire lives, could she? Whether they turned out well or poorly was up to them now.

She and Song Chongjin then helped Old Granny Zhang back to the Song family’s home.

The Wang family watched the three of them go to Song Chongjin’s place. As soon as the door closed, Wang Yongping couldn’t hold back: "Xiao Qiao, why did you stop me from speaking? Is our sister just going to go off to the county town like that?"

Liu Xiaoqiao couldn’t help herself, she pinched Wang Yongping in front of everyone and spoke through gritted teeth, "Fourth Brother, now that the girl is married to the Song family brothers, Dad made it clear before he died that she is married! Do you understand what it means to be married? If I were married to you and still living at my parents’ house every day, what kind of marriage would that be? Would you be happy with that?"

Her words made Wang Yongping lower his head, murmuring, "But, I just can’t bear to let go of my sister—"

Liu Xiaoqiao, now thoroughly irritated, couldn’t hold back, "Wang Laosi, you better grow a brain! To those in the know, we understand you can’t bear to see your sister leave, but those who don’t could think you’ve not had your fill of taking advantage! Hasn’t our sister done enough for this family? Ask yourself! We’re still living in the new house she built, can’t you ever be satisfied? Must you keep her tied down at home, draining her dry for a lifetime?"

"You’re supposed to be a grown man! You have hands and feet; can you not stand up on your own? Won’t people laugh at us if word gets out? The Wang family is so large, with so many men, and yet can only hold itself up with help from a sister? You have no shame, but I have some left!"

Having said that, she stamped her foot and left with a swish of her hand.

Wang Yongping hurriedly followed her.

Wang Yongfu and Wang Yonggui’s faces burned with embarrassment. Liu Xiaoqiao’s words, though aimed at Wang Yongping, were in fact a rebuke to all the men of the Wang family.

Indeed, they were grown men and yet less sensible than Laosi’s wife. Reflecting on their own petty thoughts from moments before, they all felt extremely awkward.

Feeling uncomfortable, they all retreated to their respective yards.

Wang Yongping followed Liu Xiaoqiao into the house, and seeing that she was still fuming, he approached her to beg for forgiveness, "My wife, I really didn’t mean to take advantage of my little sister. I just feel like the Song brothers got an easy bargain, marrying my sister so simply..."

"If you really care about your little sister, if you really want to support her, then make something of yourself, earn more money, so you can contribute to her in the future. I’ve heard studying costs a fortune, and probably she will be the one making money for the family. If you can lend her a hand, then when her husband really passes the graduate exam, he won’t look down on her!"

"If all you do is talk without acting, always relying on your little sister, then you better just keep your mouth shut! I’ve had enough of listening to it!" Liu Xiaoqiao said unapologetically.

Wang Yongping was not upset; on the contrary, his eyes lit up, "You are right, my wife! I need to earn money. This year I will earn more silver so that I can support my sister in the future!"

In the third room, Lady Jiang cautiously approached Wang Yonggui, "Dear husband, now that the girl is heading into town, shouldn’t we send something with her?"

Wang Yonggui snorted, "With our meager possessions, what can we send? They’ll be with the Old Master Graduate—oh, wait, that’s not right. I heard that cursed Second Brother of mine mentioning that before one becomes a graduate, one must first be a scholar. Could it be...?"

He stood up in shock.

If things were as he suspected, Song Chongjin was actually a scholar, something which was not apparent at all.

When their Second Brother became a scholar, he was so proud of himself.

How come when Song Chongjin became a scholar, there was no fanfare? If the Song family had known, would they have let Song Chongjin leave so easily?

If everyone knew that Song Chongjin was a scholar, would they still have despised him?

A scholar! Such a great honor, and yet Song Chongjin had kept it so tightly under wraps, without a whisper of it leaking out.

With that thought, Wang Yonggui shuddered. His brother-in-law was deeper than he imagined; he’d better stay out of trouble, or he might never know what hit him.

Moreover, with Song Chongjin being a scholar, if he passed the graduate exam in the future, his younger siblings could seek his guidance in their studies...

With this in mind, Wang Yonggui’s impatient expression immediately changed, "You are more thoughtful, wife. See what we have suitable at home? If not suitable, let’s buy something. It won’t be easy for them to live in the city, we must consider more for their sake..."