The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 715 - 714: The Death Gaze of the Mother-in-Law

Chapter 715: Chapter 714: The Death Gaze of the Mother-in-Law

Wang Yongzhu found reason in these words, "You’re reminding me, I’ll go ask Yan Zhongren tomorrow if he knows any suitable people. For a household like ours, we need someone tight-lipped and honest!"

Having finished discussing the matter, Song Chongjin expected to be able to go to bed and rest, but Wang Yongzhu pushed him lightly, "You rest first. I need to organize the suggestions I raised today, sort them out, so I can send them to the Lee Family early and get paid sooner."

Song Chongjin’s eyes flickered, and he eagerly said, "You dictate, and I’ll transcribe for you. That way, no time is wasted."

Wang Yongzhu thought this made sense since his own handwriting was indeed not presentable and quickly nodded in agreement.

The two shifted to the desk, one dictating and the other writing, which indeed gave off a certain charm of ’Hongxiu Tianxiang.’

After being busy for most of the night, they finally finished drafting the plan. Wang Yongzhu glanced over it briefly; there were more than a dozen pages. He then looked at Song Chongjin who was putting away the brush, rubbing his wrists.

Feeling distressed, Wang Yongzhu put aside the plan and took Song Chongjin’s hands, massaging his wrists while apologetically saying, "You’ve worked hard. When we get the silver, what do you want? I’ll buy it for you! We’re not short of money!"

Song Chongjin’s lips curled up slightly, "If Yongzhu truly feels for me, embroider a couple of sachets for me. I see everyone at the academy carrying them—"

Such a trivial matter, Wang Yongzhu readily agreed, patting his chest, "No problem, once I’m through with these busy days, I’ll embroider sachets for you. We’ll be changing into spring clothes soon, and by that time, I’ll make a couple of new garments for you too."

Song Chongjin’s eyes lit up, "Then I’ll be looking forward to it."

After a thought, he added, "Never mind, I don’t want you to overwork yourself; just embroider the sachets."

At this moment, Wang Yongzhu’s affection for Song Chongjin was swelling, and he grandly waved his hand, "None of this is a problem, just be sure you can wear them when the time comes!"

Following the topic, he asked, "Is there anything you lack at the academy? Don’t skimp for the sake of home. Do you need to socialize with your classmates? Is the Teacher at the academy kind or not? Are those classmates easy to get along with?"

Wang Yongzhu had been holding these questions in for several days now, initially wanting to ask on Song Chongjin’s first day at the academy but feeling it might not be appropriate.

Today, finally hearing Song Chongjin mention the academy, he certainly wouldn’t miss the chance.

Song Chongjin, while cleaning up the desk, walked over to the side and poured hot water to wash the ink off his hands, answering in a good-tempered manner without any impatience.

It had been several days since Song Chongjin joined the academy. Since the headmaster had tested his level and knew he was preparing for the lower year’s imperial examination, he naturally placed him in the class with other Scholars also preparing for the exam.

Being scholars, most were lofty in spirit; even if they harbored thoughts, they were still polite on the surface.

The Teacher’s level was indeed very good. At this time, they mainly taught policy essays, often giving them topics to break down or making them work on papers from previous years, followed by individual critiques.

Song Chongjin, having basically abandoned his studies for half a year, initially felt some difficulty and awkwardness as he picked it up again, but after days of grinding through test papers and a sea of questions, he gradually regained his touch.

Only then did he realize how truly worthy the Changqing Academy was of its national reputation; the tuition silver was well-spent.

As for his classmates, everyone was polite to each other in the early days due to unfamiliarity.

A few sharp-tongued individuals initially mocked Song Chongjin’s struggles with policy essay topics with cold sarcasm.

However, who was Song Chongjin to be affected by such words? He simply let them go in one ear and out the other.

Instead, a few of the kind-hearted couldn’t stand it and felt that Song Chongjin was composed and generous, not the type to squabble over every little thing, so they became friendlier toward him.

Moreover, Gu Zikai, who lived in the front and rear courtyards and was in the same class, came and went together with him almost every day. In the eyes of others, their friendship seemed deep. Because of Gu Zikai’s good popularity, there were also many who proactively struck up conversations with Song Chongjin.

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Now, although Song Chongjin was not a celebrity at the Academy, he had made a few friends with whom he could speak comfortably.

Hearing this, Wang Yongzhu completely let go of her worries, as long as Song Chongjin adapted well.

The two of them talked while washing up.

Old Granny Zhang, who had woken up in the middle of the night, saw that there was still light and movement in their room and coughed twice, "It’s the middle of the night already, shouldn’t you be asleep?"

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin glanced at each other, hurriedly climbed onto the bed, and put out the light to sleep.

The next morning, Old Granny Zhang got up early and prepared the meal, cooking a pot of fragrant millet porridge, egg pancakes, served with some pickles, which looked very appetizing.

Song Chongjin’s lunchbox for midday was already prepared, and looking at the sky, it was almost time to get up.

Old Granny Zhang was pondering whether to wake them, but Song Chongjin had already developed the habit and would naturally wake up at the right time.

Over the past half year, Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to get used to the schedule of this era, always going to bed and getting up early. Having stayed up late the night before, she now felt a bit unwilling to move, lingering in bed.

Song Chongjin felt sorry for Wang Yongzhu, who had not regained the weight she lost while managing Wang Laozhu’s funeral. Her formerly plump face had now slimmed down to a sharp chin.

Thereupon, he tugged the blanket tightly around Wang Yongzhu, "You sleep some more, I’ll talk to mother."

He went out and told Old Granny Zhang that Wang Yongzhu was tired from the night before and needed more sleep.

Old Granny Zhang’s face turned green with displeasure.

Her first reaction was to scold, and the words were already on the tip of her tongue. Then she remembered that they were not in the countryside but in the city, surrounded by countless listening ears. If things blew up, their daughter’s reputation could be ruined.

She restrained herself, glaring fiercely at Song Chongjin before busying herself in the kitchen.

They were still in mourning, and cooking something like chicken soup might attract outside attention. After some thought, she decided to prepare a brown sugar egg and brought it to Wang Yongzhu’s room.

Early in the morning, Song Chongjin had already received a baptismal glare of death from his mother-in-law and still had no idea what he had done to offend her.

With a heart full of confusion, he had breakfast, and before leaving with his lunchbox, he made sure to say goodbye, "Mother, I’m off—"

On normal days, no matter how busy she was, Old Granny Zhang would put down whatever she was doing and come out to watch Song Chongjin leave before feeling reassured.

Today, she was buried in the kitchen, preparing food for her daughter while also pondering how to discuss this matter with her. Hearing Song Chongjin’s voice, her face instantly darkened.

Impatiently, she shouted towards the courtyard, "I heard you, now off you go—"

This vexing son-in-law!

Song Chongjin touched his nose, stepped out of the gate, and as he turned, he saw Gu Zikai approaching from around the corner.

Seeing him, he hastened to wave, "Good morning, Brother Chongjin—"

Song Chongjin nodded slightly without any enthusiasm and stopped.

Gu Zikai quickly quickened his pace, practically skipping over to Song Chongjin’s side, and sneakily glanced behind him—the courtyard gate was ajar?

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