The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 701 - 700: The Shop

Chapter 701: Chapter 700: The Shop

This small interlude naturally didn’t weigh on Wang Yongzhu’s mind. She waved to Song Chongjin, who was still looking at her from the doorway, and then turned and left.

Song Chongjin waited until Wang Yongzhu had walked a few steps and disappeared from view at the entrance of the alley before a dark shade crept into his eyes. He looked towards Scholar Gu, who hadn’t run too far off.

Picking up his pace, he quickly caught up with Scholar Gu and was about to speak when he saw Scholar Gu shaking off the young servant’s hand, stopping, and panting heavily.

Song Chongjin approached without a change in expression and stood beside Scholar Gu, "Brother Gu? What’s the matter?"

He feigned confusion.

Scholar Gu was startled, and when he saw it was Song Chongjin, he hurriedly straightened up and released the hem of his robe he had been clutching. He cleared his throat and tried to sound nonchalant, "Brother Song—"

"Brother Gu, where are you heading in such a hurry?" Song Chongjin asked without any expression on his face.

Scholar Gu felt a chill creep up his back for some reason and shivered before he replied with a smile, "I am off to Changqing Academy. I got up a bit late today and suspect I am already late. I thought to run there, but alas, due to lack of regular exercise, I was out of breath after just a few steps. It must be amusing for Brother Song to see."

His words were forthright and clear, holding no sign of concealment.

Song Chongjin lowered his eyelashes to hide his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, "As it happens, I am also heading to Changqing Academy. It turns out that I am going the same way as Brother Gu. I wonder if Brother Gu would allow me to accompany him for part of the journey?"

Upon hearing this, Scholar Gu immediately nodded in agreement without heeding the young servant beside him who was gesticulating desperately like he was slitting a chicken’s throat. "It’s on the way and no trouble at all. Why should Brother Song stand on ceremony? Please, after you—"

With that, he slowed his pace, and the two of them walked on while chatting idly.

Yesterday, they had only exchanged surnames during their brief exchange and had just learned each other’s names.

It turned out that this Scholar Gu was named Gu Zikai, who had just turned nineteen this year. He was originally from the Capital City. His teaching mentor, due to old age, had returned to Jing County’s Changqing Academy to enjoy a life of retirement and self-cultivation. Planning to take the imperial examinations later that year, he simply decided to follow his mentor to Changqing Academy to study.

Since he had already spent some time at Changqing Academy, he was somewhat familiar with it, and knowing that Song Chongjin was also intending to study there, he did not hold back and shared everything he knew about Changqing Academy.

Song Chongjin was not unfamiliar with Changqing Academy, and listening to Gu Zikai’s introduction, he felt a mixture of emotions.

He looked at Gu Zikai thoughtfully.

With Gu Zikai personally escorting Song Chongjin to the head of the academy, and aided by Zhu Haoran’s visiting card, the academy administrators only asked a few questions before making up their minds and readily agreed to admit Song Chongjin.

As for Wang Yongzhu, she first went to check on her own shop’s storefront. Since they hadn’t decided what to do with it initially, they never rented it out.

The street where the shop was located was not the busiest and was slightly off the beaten path. However, it was quite large, with two floors and a small courtyard in the back with several rooms that could be used as a warehouse or accommodations for the shop assistants, which was very convenient.

There was also a well in the middle of the courtyard, making water access convenient and serving as a fire safety measure.

Wang Yongzhu estimated in her mind that the shop was about thirty square meters with an additional sixty square meters on the upper floor.

Together with the courtyard and the rooms at the back, it was already quite admirable for a shop in a county town.

After observing the flow of people from the upper floor, Wang Yongzhu realized that although this area was not as bustling as the busiest streets, Boss Tian had his reasons and insights for choosing to buy the shop in this location.

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Generally speaking, living in a county town also comes with its own social hierarchy.

Even in the Capital City, it’s said to be a case of the east being noble and rich, the west wealthy, the south poor, and the north lowly.

Jing County certainly doesn’t match the bustle of the Capital City with such distinct boundaries, but differences still exist.

For instance, near the center of the county town, where it’s more prosperous and closer to the County Yamen, the residents are either locals who’ve lived in Jing County for generations or families of officials with houses near the Yamen.

Or they could be wealthy merchants who’ve bought houses here for the dual purposes of safety and as a status symbol.

The farther one lives from the center of the county town, the less neat and attractive the houses become.

Furthermore, because of the Changqing Academy, most of the houses at the foot of the hills are occupied by the teachers and their families, giving the neighborhood a somewhat noble air due to its residents.

The location of this shop happens to be near the dividing line between the rich and the poor.

It seems Boss Tian had his ambitions when he chose this spot, aiming to capture the business of both the wealthy and the ordinary folks.

After inspecting the shop, Wang Yongzhu had a clear idea in mind. She locked up and bought some snacks along the way, then slowly made her way back.

She now knew that the alley she was living in is called Swallow Alley.

As she turned into the alley, she saw Old Granny Zhang chatting animatedly with several other women at the doorway. Zhang waved to Wang Yongzhu, beckoning her to come over.

As Wang Yongzhu approached, she heard Old Granny Zhang faintly criticize but actually praise her, "This is my dear daughter, always such a handful, but luckily she’s got great fortune. She married a good kid, my son-in-law, who lets her spend money lavishly. Just look at her splurge on shopping!"

The pride and satisfaction in her voice were nearly spilling over.

The women present were no fools. Hearing the new neighbor boast about her daughter, and though they didn’t know much about the Song Family’s affairs, they all knew better than to offend someone needlessly.

Besides, the daughter in question was blessed and good-looking, her eyes curving sweetly when she smiled, melting their hearts—even these older women couldn’t help feeling affectionate towards her, so it was no wonder her mother doted on her so.

Therefore, they all joined in, lavishing praise on Wang Yongzhu until she was exalted to the heavens and incomparable to anyone below.

Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yongzhu shared some of the candies and sweets she bought, handing out a handful to each of the women, all the while saying the polite things one does, claiming she should have visited the neighbors as soon as she moved in, but since she was in mourning, it wasn’t proper for her to call at their houses. She said these sweets were a way to introduce herself.

Favors given and received often soften the attitude.

Which of the women didn’t have sons or grandsons? Although these treats weren’t much, they were a token of kindness, sweetening the mouths of the children at home.

With gifts in their hands, their view of Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang softened considerably, thinking that although this mother liked to show off her daughter, if their own daughters were this charming, they’d do the same.

Not to mention this daughter was not only good-looking but also considerate and sweet-spoken, always smiling without a hint of impatience, which greatly increased their fondness for her.

If they didn’t know she was already married, some of them would have even considered introducing their sons to Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu chatted with Old Granny Zhang and the other women for a while, then casually said, "Mother, aunties, you all keep chatting. It’s getting late, and I should go cook—my husband will be home soon for dinner."

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