The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 706 - 705: Pleading

Chapter 706: Chapter 705: Pleading

Upon hearing the request, Shopkeeper Wu immediately agreed without hesitation.

After waiting a bit longer and seeing that the Ninth Young Master had no further instructions, he hurriedly left the room and promptly instructed his people to prepare a carriage to book the best spot at the top restaurant.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, he found it bustling with good business, as all the private rooms had been reserved in advance.

It was only with great difficulty, employing much persuasion and silver, that he managed to reluctantly convince the restaurant’s shopkeeper to free up a private room that had been reserved.

He racked his brains to put together a menu, leaving Shopkeeper Wu utterly exhausted.

It wasn’t that Wang Yongzhu was particularly troublesome, rather it was their own Ninth Young Master who was exceedingly picky. From the temperature and texture of the drinking water to the softness of the bedding and even the arrangement of the room’s furnishings, almost every detail was scrutinized and critiqued.

On this journey, he felt as though half his hair had turned white from all the worry and commotion this task had caused.

Only after everything was finally set in place did Shopkeeper Wu return to the inn, so tired that he skipped dinner and went straight to bed, falling asleep instantly.

Swallow Alley.

Song Chongjin had gone to Changqing Academy early in the morning. Originally, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had insisted on bringing him lunch.

He had declined, stating that the food would cool down by the time it was delivered due to the cold weather, and it would also tire the bearers.

He suggested that it would be better to prepare some food the evening before or in the morning, which wouldn’t spoil easily; then he could take it to the academy in a food box and heat it up for two large coins at the canteen during lunchtime.

Most students did the same. Some ate at the canteen, while others had their meals delivered by family members at noon.

The academy, if nothing else, had strict rules. Outside vendors weren’t allowed to sell snacks inside, nor were the students allowed to leave the academy gates at midday.

If not for the infamous poor quality of the canteen’s meals, which had remained consistently unappetizing for decades, most students would likely dine there.

However, the head chef at the academy’s canteen had skills terrifying enough to be considered a family curse. Unless someone was really strapped for cash, most preferred not to endure what seemed like inhuman punishment.

Adapting to local customs, Song Chongjin also brought his lunch prepared by Old Granny Zhang to the academy in the morning and took it back home in the evening.

Conscientious of the mourning period, which meant abstaining from meat, and both worried that Song Chongjin might not have enough to eat and that others might ridicule him for his simple food, Old Granny Zhang took great care to wake up early to prepare meals that included eggs, tofu, and pickles, ensuring the spread was dignified.

Seeing that Song Chongjin had come back from school, Old Granny Zhang had already cooked rice, and she and Wang Yongzhu were waiting for him at home.

As soon as Song Chongjin entered the courtyard, hot water was ready for him to wash his face and hands. Sitting at the table, a steaming bowl of mushroom soup was placed beside him.

A bowl of soup warmed him through and through.

Glancing at the table, he saw three or four dishes, each one appealing in color, aroma, and taste.

During dinner, the family of three chatted and laughed together. It wasn’t until he returned to his room that Song Chongjin asked, "Was there something amiss today? Mother seemed somewhat unhappy."

Knowing that Song Chongjin had a keen sense, Wang Yongzhu didn’t try to hide the truth from him. She recounted the day’s encounter with Shopkeeper Wu and also shared Old Granny Zhang’s concerns.

Song Chongjin’s eyelids drooped, and he clenched his fists hidden in the sleeves tightly. He was still too weak. If he were a graduate now, perhaps that Shopkeeper Wu—backed by the Ninth Young Master—would be a bit more wary, even if they held everyone else in disdain. Surely the patron behind the Ninth Young Master wouldn’t let things go unchecked, right?

Suppressing the darkness in her eyes, Song Chongjin hesitated for a moment before speaking, "When you talk with that Ninth Young Master, how about I accompany you?"

Although he was confident in Yongzhu’s skills, he couldn’t help worrying that she might be at a disadvantage if he didn’t watch over her with his own eyes.

Wang Yongzhu was brushing her hair when she heard this and couldn’t help rolling her eyes, "Don’t worry! Surely these noble young masters wouldn’t stoop to hitting a woman in public, right? Besides, not to boast, but with my strength, even ten of these frail young masters wouldn’t be enough to take me on. The one we should probably worry about is Shopkeeper Wu, right?"

After hearing this, Song Chongjin laughed, realizing he had been overthinking. There was no need to say anything else; Yongzhu’s martial skills were such that she wouldn’t suffer any losses.

As long as they didn’t get involved with officials, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Even if this Ninth Young Master had powerful connections and they did offend him, as a last resort, they could pull rank by invoking the name of Song Hong, Duke Weiguo.

After all, wasn’t Song Hong boasting about enjoying the Emperor’s trust and favor, claiming that he could do as he pleased in the Capital?

This was a good opportunity to gauge the depth of the Duke Weiguo Residence.

Preparing for the worst, Song Chongjin put her mind at ease, exchanged a few jokes with Wang Yongzhu, and then went to rest.

Today was her first day at the Academy, and it had been quite some time since she last touched her books. Her studies had fallen behind severely; if not for her solid foundation and a touch of natural talent, she might not have been able to keep up with the Academy’s pace.

Even so, having been tense all day, she now relaxed, lying on the kang, and fell into a deep sleep after only a few words.

Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin’s lightly furrowed brows as she slept and at the faint dark circles under her eyes, pinching the corner of the quilt for her.

Knowing that he was under a lot of stress lately, she knew all she could do was to ensure he didn’t have to worry and could focus on preparing for his exams.

As for the family’s livelihood, naturally, she was in charge! Although Song Chongjin was the husband she took in, if she didn’t cherish him, who would?

With this in mind, Wang Yongzhu touched Song Chongjin’s face and whispered gently, "Don’t worry, you just need to be as beautiful as a flower, and I’ll take care of earning money to support our family—"

In a state between dreaming and waking, Song Chongjin seemed to hear something about being as beautiful as a flower and earning money to support the family, and the familiar scent of Yongzhu, he barely lifted his eyelids before falling back into his dreams.

Wang Yongzhu was right; everyone was unworried, except for Shopkeeper Wu, who feared that the Ninth Young Master might speak rudely and offend Wang Yongzhu, ruining their future collaboration.

At the same time, he feared that, given Wang Yongzhu’s temper and the possibility of conflict with the Ninth Young Master, considering her natural strength, he worried if the Ninth Young Master would even make it out alive.

These worries turned his hair white overnight.

No matter how much he fretted, he still had to get things done. Early in the morning, he was waiting at the shop Wang Yongzhu had told him about, for two hours, before he finally saw Wang Yongzhu strolling over.

He hurriedly invited Wang Yongzhu onto the carriage.

When Wang Yongzhu heard that the Ninth Young Master was really an impatient man, wanting to meet and have dinner that very day?

It coincidentally fit her intentions perfectly; the sooner she dealt with the fabrics and matters like the dye house, the better. Once those were settled, there would be a large sum of silver at hand to start other ventures.

Therefore, she did not refuse. She had dressed simply that morning to go out, and her hair was casually done up.

After all, she was still in mourning, which everyone could understand.

On the way, Shopkeeper Wu repeatedly explained to Wang Yongzhu some of the Ninth Young Master’s taboos and also whispered earnestly, "Dear niece, if our Ninth Young Master says anything improper, please don’t get angry! For the sake of my face, please forgive him this once! Please don’t... He is our employer’s youngest, and the dearest at that..."