The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 696 - 695: Leaving

Chapter 696: Chapter 695: Leaving

After several refusals, he finally reluctantly agreed.

Lady Lin by the side, her eyes red with jealousy, knew all too well that her branch of the family, lacking the close relationship that Laosi’s branch had with the young lady of the family, could never expect such favors. Besides, since she firmly refused to give the precious items she had saved up as part of her sister-in-law’s dowry, the entire family now held a grudge against her. Thus, she only muttered to herself a few times without daring to utter a single word aloud.

Such a substantial procession had already drawn the villagers to watch, not to mention the news that had spread from Lizheng’s house a few days prior, saying that the Wang Family Young Lady was going with Song Chongjin and Old Granny Zhang to the county town.

It was also heard that even their household registration would be transferred there, so from then on, she would be a city lady, not a country woman anymore.

In recent days, due to the Wang Family observing mourning, they kept their doors closed, letting no one in, so no one could obtain any reliable information.

It was not easy for today the Wang Family’s doors were open, and seeing the several carts loaded with belongings at the doorway, the people of Qilidun couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement.

Goodness, the Wang Family Young Lady had accumulated quite a bit of wealth, that Song Family Boy really picked up a great bargain.

At the old house, Wang Yongzhen also heard the commotion. A couple of days ago, Mutou had returned; recently he had found a decent job. His employer appreciated his honesty and hard work, not to mention he wasn’t too talkative, and was quite satisfied with him, entrusting him with all of the household tasks.

Mutou was too busy to return, planning to finish the work for his employer and then just about the time for spring plowing, he would go back to help his uncles and aunt with the spring farming as a way to repay their kindness.

Unexpectedly, before he could complete his current work, he heard that Qilidun had drawn attention; an old man from the countryside had died and to everyone’s surprise, his send-off was as grand as that of the wealthy landlords.

How filial his children must be!

Many elders, filled with envy, wondered how someone could have such a glorious death, while they, as fathers, still had to toil and labor for their sons.

This quickly became the hot topic in town.

Mutou happened to overhear this and realized something was not right. Upon asking around, his eyes widened; was this not his own grandfather?

His grandfather was dead? A wave of grief welled up in Mutou, and he wept bitterly, went to take his leave from his employer.

Upon hearing of his grandfather’s death, his employer, not having the heart to keep him, promptly settled his wages and let him go home.

Mutou returned home only to find that his grandfather had already been buried. He bought paper money, wept alone in front of the grave, burned the paper offerings, and when he came back home, he found Wang Yongzhen showing signs of confusion.

Lying in bed, she would not know to get up to eat or drink unless called, often hugging a piece of clothing and calling for her father, and at night, she would cry softly, consistently having nightmares and apologizing for something.

Although Wang Yongzhen was a bit delirious, she was still his mother. Mutou listened patiently for several days before he understood that his mother was wracked with guilt and fear, believing that her father’s death was somehow connected to her, which had driven her into a state of confusion.

Seeing Wang Yongzhen in this state, how could Mutou dare to leave her alone at home? He abandoned any thoughts of working odd jobs and pondered that perhaps the previous plan for him to apprentice and work long-term in his grandfather’s business was now unlikely.

He had always felt that he was not cut out for business but rather should work honestly by renting some land to farm; he could support both himself and his now mentally unstable mother, and she would have someone to look after her.

On the night of the seventh day after his grandfather’s death, he had stood vigil on behalf of Wang Yongzhen, naturally learning of Wang Yongzhu’s impending departure.

Now, Mutou opened the doors of the old house and came out, presenting a neatly wrapped, modest package with respectful reverence, "This is a small token of our sincerity. Please accept it, Aunt and Uncle."

Wang Yongzhu looked at Mutou and accepted the package. She knew Mutou was honest and filial.

Especially now, with Wang Yongzhen’s mind partly clear and partly lost after the shock, Mutou had indeed suffered a lot.

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And this silent young man said nothing, shouldering the weight of an entire family alone.

After a pause, Wang Yongzhu asked another question, "What do you plan to do in the future?"

Mutou was taken aback, not expecting Wang Yongzhu to ask this question. Bowing his head, he replied, "I have already thought it through. I’ll look around the village to see if anyone is willing to rent out some farmland for me to tenant. It will be tough to farm a few acres, but firstly, it will allow me to take care of my mother, and secondly, I’ll at least have enough to fill our bellies..."

Wang Yongzhu understood; Mutou knew the death of Wang Laozhu was related to his mother and felt guilty, so he was too embarrassed to accept any more help from the Wang Family.

Considering this, Wang Yongzhu could see some redeeming qualities in Mutou. Looking into his anxious eyes, Wang Yongzhu sighed.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Last year I farmed five acres of land owned by Benefactor Wu in the village. Now that I’m heading to the Capital City, I won’t have time to manage it, and we’ve rented out all the land at home. If you think it’s alright, I can sublet these five acres to you. You can just pay a little rent at the end of the year."

Mutou’s eyes lit up, aware that Wang Yongzhu was showing him sympathy. He was still pleased, though – better to be pitied than hated, right?

His eyes reddening, he thanked Wang Yongzhu earnestly.

With that, the last of Wang Yongzhu’s worries dissipated.

After bidding farewell to his family, he boarded the carriage, and under the gazes of the onlookers, he slowly made his departure.

The villagers dispersed one after another, and the Wang Family Brothers walked home together, feeling inexplicably empty and unsettled.

Especially upon returning to their new house, where the gates of the third and final courtyards had never once been closed before.

In the past few days, although only three people had left, the entire courtyard felt eerily empty.

Jinguan and several other smaller children had been locked at home, lest they go out and throw a fit – what kind of behavior would that be?

Now, having returned home and opening the doors, the children slipped out, crying and shouting, which made the courtyard seem even more desolate.

The Wang Family Brothers looked at each other, each with a different expression, and suddenly they all felt a wave of discomfort in their hearts...

No matter what the Wang Family Brothers thought, Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu couldn’t be bothered with that now. The two were sitting in the carriage, excitedly discussing how they would arrange and decorate the house in the provincial capital, chattering away with great enthusiasm.

Song Chongjin sat outside the carriage, listening to the voices inside. Although the wind on his face was cold, his heart was burning with passion.

Thinking of the beautiful life that awaited them in the provincial capital, he couldn’t help but smile, but quickly suppressed it.

Because he had entrusted his affairs to Changfeng Escort Agency in advance, as soon as his belongings arrived and were sorted, he set out with the escort convoy.

This time, the convoy was led by Steward Lu, who nowadays seldom took part in escort missions. His involvement this time was partly due to his good relations with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu, and partly because, after returning from Yongcheng the last time, Song Chongjin had asked Steward Lu to keep him updated with the aftermath in Yongcheng and the fate of Gao Jin.

His influence currently extended only to the Provincial Capital, and news from the Capital City was not as reliable, so there was no choice but to make use of the escort agency.

Steward Lu knew they had come from Yongcheng, where Wang Laozhu had died, so his concern was understandable.

He even managed to learn quite a bit of insider news about the Yongcheng case.

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