The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 714 - 713: The Beauty Trap

Chapter 714: Chapter 713: The Beauty Trap

Mother Lang Hao slapped Lang Hao’s back, "Are you dead or what? What’s with the young master, you’re with him all day, and you don’t know? And you come asking me? How the heck did I give birth to such a clueless numbskull? What did Madam tell you when you first left? She told you to be extremely careful and attentive in serving him! And you, you couldn’t even tell if the young master had lost his appetite because he was feeling unwell or if he had been upset at the academy?"

After saying that, she angrily picked up a pot shovel, ready to smash it down.

Lang Hao quickly protected his head and ducked behind his father, "Dad, save me—"

Lang Hao’s dad chuckled naively, reaching out a hand to stop his wife, "Wife, don’t beat the child. He’s still young, and we can teach him slowly. Let’s eat first. After we’re done, I’ll go with Lang Hao to the young master’s room to see how he is, and you should make a soup for the young master later, in case he gets hungry from reading late into the night."

Mother Lang Hao then reluctantly put down the pot shovel and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

The family of three relied on the young master’s blessing to be able to live together, and they felt very grateful in their hearts.

Therefore, they took care of the young master with great attention, especially with food. Mother Lang Hao would go out early every morning to buy the freshest vegetables just brought into the city, and she would make soup for their young master every two to three days, fearing that he wouldn’t eat well.

As for the three of them, they always remembered their place and didn’t let the kindness of the young master make them forget who they were. The monthly rations were fixed, and whatever the young master didn’t finish eating, he would give to their family.

Mother Lang Hao was also quite scheming, as long as her son stayed loyal and diligent while following the young master, he was sure to be well-treated in the future.

She no longer dwelled on petty profits but focused on serving the young master well. She hoped that once the young master passed his exams and returned to the residence, the lord and Madam would be generous in their rewards because they had served well, which might be enough for her son to find a wife.

Concerned about Gu Zikai’s health, Mother Lang Hao noticed that he had barely touched his food. The leftovers from Zikai’s meals were what their family trio would eat. To them, being able to eat the leftovers of their master was a blessing, for these were fine things.

You must understand, in the residence, being lower-class servants like them, if it weren’t for Mother Lang Hao’s cooking skills, they usually would only have the cauldron meal that just filled their stomachs, and it was considered good to have meat in it.

After hastily gobbling down their food in a few bites, Father Lang Hao and Lang Hao went to the upper rooms.

Mother Lang Hao swiftly finished cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks, then stoked the sealed stove and washed her hands to start making the soup again.

And when Father Lang Hao and Lang Hao reached the upper room, they discovered the room was silent.

Lang Hao gently pushed the door open and saw Gu Zikai leaning on the bolster on the kang bed, with his eyes slightly closed, seemingly asleep.

The father and son exchanged glances, tiptoeing out and gently closing the door behind them.

They quietly returned to the kitchen where Mother Lang Hao was preparing ingredients. They entered like sneaky thieves. "What’s the matter with you two? The young master—"

Lang Hao whispered, "The young master is asleep, he must be tired! No wonder he had no appetite tonight!"

Mother Lang Hao frowned, deciding to visit the market earlier tomorrow to look for fresh and good vegetables to nourish their young master’s body, or else how would he withstand it?

After Father Lang Hao and his son had left, Gu Zikai opened his eyes, which were clear and bright, not the least bit sleepy.

He simply didn’t feel like talking to Lang Hao and his father.

As the room returned to silence and the sounds from the back of the yard also gradually subsided, he could vaguely hear voices, then the sound of doors closing, and after that, nothing...

In the backyard.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin leisurely returned to their room. As soon as they entered, Song Chongjin grasped Wang Yongzhu’s hand, "Is there some good news you’re keeping from me today?"

Wang Yongzhu pursed her lips and smiled, "I can’t keep anything from you!"

With that, she recounted how she had sold the dyeing workshop and the fabrics in a bundle to the Lee Family that day.

Song Chongjin’s face, originally smiling, gradually grew serious upon hearing about Ninth Master Lee’s actions.

After listening to her, he could not help but lower his head and peck her face, his voice deep, "My Yongzhu is so impressive..."

Wang Yongzhu glared at Song Chongjin speechlessly, it was too much, using the ’beauty trap’!

Song Chongjin had only intended to give a light kiss, but spurred on by Wang Yongzhu’s coquettish gaze, he felt a rush of blood and wrapped his arms around her, leaning down...

It took a long while before the two of them, breathless, parted. Wang Yongzhu’s lips were red and swollen, glistening slightly, exceptionally tempting.

Song Chongjin licked his lips, almost unable to control himself from pressing down on her again, but in the end, reason prevailed, and he let go of Wang Yongzhu.

After catching their breath, they looked at each other with sweetness in their eyes.

Once Song Chongjin had calmed his emotions, he held Wang Yongzhu in his arms, kissing her hair intermittently, and after a while finally said, "Don’t worry, in the future I will certainly not allow you to be bullied like this!"

At that moment, Wang Yongzhu was weak in both arms and legs, her eyes brimming with emotion, as she leaned into Song Chongjin’s embrace and comforted him with pats, "I didn’t lose out, either. The dyeing workshop, the fabrics, this courtyard and shop, initially cost only a thousand taels. Now, we still have the shop and the courtyard in our hands, and we’ve sold the rest for ten thousand taels. We haven’t lost out on this deal!"

"Besides, now I know that as long as Consort De remains unshakable in the palace, the Lee Family wouldn’t dare offend me. Just getting this news is worth it! Otherwise, I was thinking of selling the dye workshop to them after collecting this year’s dividends and taking the money to leave."

"Now that I know what’s going on behind the scenes, only a fool would back out! You concentrate on the imperial examination. Don’t worry about household affairs and money-making; leave it all to me!"

Wang Yongzhu patted her chest, full of vigor.

Song Chongjin nodded agreeably, "My lady, rest assured, I will not let down your earnest effort and toil, I vow to make a name for myself to match my wife’s deep affection and kindness."

Wang Yongzhu playfully punched Song Chongjin.

Only then did they begin to discuss serious matters.

Song Chongjin naturally trusted Wang Yongzhu, so he did not offer another opinion about the dye workshop. He just told her to be careful, and that there was no need to be embarrassed about anything between husband and wife.

Wang Yongzhu certainly did not hold back.

After discussing the serious matters, Wang Yongzhu brought up Old Granny Zhang’s words from that day, her words tinged with a bit of guilt for not being able to accompany her.

Song Chongjin pondered for a moment, "How about this, our household is doing well now, we don’t lack that bit of money. Why not hire a cook to make meals every day? She could keep your mother company and introduce her to the city. Furthermore, let’s buy a couple of maids, one to attend to your mother, and one to attend to you! Look at you, busy every day making money, and still having to worry about household affairs."

"We are not in the countryside anymore, no one is scrutinizing us, and we are not short of money, so why tire yourself out? It pains me to see you so —"