The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 716 - 715: When Did You Get Married?

Chapter 716: Chapter 715: When Did You Get Married?

Every morning, isn’t there always someone standing in the courtyard or at the doorway, beaming as they see Song Chongjin off? Why is the door closed today?

Gu Zikai’s ears perked up, straining to hear any movement from inside the courtyard, but alas, it was very quiet.

He pursed his lips and casually asked, "How come I haven’t seen the old lady and the others today?"

A cold glint flashed across Song Chongjin’s eyes as he replied impassively, "It’s cold out, so I had them stay inside. That way they won’t catch a chill and get a headache!"

Gu Zikai opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

Right then, Lang Hao, who was carrying the food box behind him, quickly tugged on his sleeve and said, "Young Master, it’s getting late. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late! The Teacher will surely make us copy the school rules as punishment!"

At the threat of copying school rules, both Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai’s faces stiffened. They exchanged looks and began to run towards the Academy.

Song Chongjin, with his long legs and martial arts skills, ran effortlessly with the food box as if it were a mere leaf, not hindered in the slightest and quickly took the lead.

Gu Zikai initially still cared about maintaining his poise. After taking a few running steps and noticing the widening gap, he realized, at this pace, he might indeed have to copy the school rules today.

Familiar with the sensation, he scooped up his long robe and desperately sprinted towards the Academy.

Lang Hao followed behind with the food box, silently counting to one hundred, then saw his own Young Master running out of breath. Only then did he calmly step forward, carrying the food box with one hand and effortlessly dragging his Young Master with the other as they flew towards their destination.

They barely arrived just before the Teacher entered the classroom, delivering his Young Master on time.

Afterward, he discreetly joined the ranks of the Young Servants, feeling that it was another great day.

These Young Servants were brought by the wealthier students who came to study at the Academy. They usually ran errands, and when the students were in class, the servants dared not stray too far and waited in the side rooms set up next to each class.

Over these days, Lang Hao had already become quite familiar with these Young Servants.

Seeing him like this, those who were on good terms with Lang Hao joked, "Did you carry your Young Master again today?"

"I say Lang Hao, you shouldn’t be called Lang Hao. You should be called ’Wolf Legs.’ Did your Young Master pick you to serve him because of your speed?"

...

Lang Hao just smiled naively, not responding, and the others laughed for a while before the conversation died down, and they moved on to other gossip.

Left alone, Lang Hao sat in a corner with a complex expression on his face.

Being with his Young Master day and night, he knew something was off with him these past few days.

When did it begin?

It seemed to start when the master of the backyard moved in, didn’t it?

Could it be that the master of the backyard disturbed his Young Master? Mulling this over, Lang Hao decided he’d discuss it with his mother when he got back.

Meanwhile, Old Granny Zhang had prepared the brown sugar Egg and, after knocking, entered the room of Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin.

Upon entering, she saw her daughter wrapped in a quilt on the kang bed, not asleep but with her eyes wide open, lost in thought with a pale rosy glow on her cheeks, looking very healthy.

Seeing Old Granny Zhang come in, Wang Yongzhu quickly rolled over to get up, "Mom, I was just about to get up. Just leave some for me, why did you have to bring it in?"

Old Granny Zhang, seeing her daughter up and dressed neatly, softened her gaze.

She coughed before saying, "I heard from Chongjin that you were tired last night, and since we’re in a period of mourning, we can’t make anything else to nourish you, so I brought you some brown sugar Eggs..."

When she saw Wang Yongzhu getting dressed, she started speaking timidly again, "My girl, since you are both in mourning, you must not be reckless! You must know..."

Wang Yongzhu could hardly contain a laugh and cry, "Mom, what are you thinking? Brother Song and I aren’t that kind of people! Yesterday, it was Brother Song who helped me with some writing, which is why we went to bed late!"

Old Granny Zhang had made a fool of herself, her face turned red, but fortunately it was her own daughter, so there was no shame.

She patted her thigh, "I knew it, my daughter and son-in-law are not like that!"

After speaking, she couldn’t help but caution her, "It’s fine to joke around during the day, but at night in bed, you still need to be careful, each of you with your own quilt. Don’t lose your head in a moment of folly, understand? I know Chongjin is a very upright person, and you must not cause trouble for him! A scholar’s reputation is paramount, don’t stray onto the wrong path!"

Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to agree one by one. Seeing Old Granny Zhang so worried, she considered whether it would be simpler to just move into separate rooms with Song Chongjin, to avoid staying in the same room. She didn’t trust herself--what if one day her desires got the better of her and she couldn’t resist making a move on Song Chongjin? What then?

She decided on the spot that she would discuss with Song Chongjin about sleeping in separate rooms that night, or she might as well just go and sleep with Old Granny Zhang.

As Song Chongjin stood up to answer Teacher’s question in the Academy, he suddenly felt a shiver down his spine and couldn’t help but pause.

Under Teacher’s stern gaze, he immediately collected his wits and resumed his answer.

After eating breakfast, Wang Yongzhu took the business plan and headed to the inn.

Upon arriving at the inn, she had just given her name when Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly came out to greet her, his eyes almost ignited with passion upon seeing the stack of papers in her hand.

If it wasn’t for concern of appearing improper, he would’ve snatched them up to have a look right away.

They arrived at the courtyard reserved by Ninth Master Lee.

Ninth Master Lee hadn’t played any tricks that day and was already waiting in the yard. Seeing Wang Yongzhu, he made a welcoming gesture.

Together, they entered the house, were served tea and pastries, and sat down with host and guest duly settled.

Today, Ninth Master Lee was dressed in a deep purple robe, which made his rich and brilliant features even more dazzling, truly radiant.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Yongzhu didn’t play coy and placed the business plan on the table, pushing it towards Ninth Master Lee.

"This is what I came up with last night. Have a look. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me."

Ninth Master Lee picked up the business plan, glanced at it, and was immediately captivated by the writing on the paper--the characters were strong and forceful, exuding a robust energy.

"What beautiful writing!" Ninth Master Lee exclaimed softly with a look of admiration.

"I didn’t expect Miss Wang to have such good handwriting! Ninth Master Lee is impressed, truly impressed!" His gaze towards Wang Yongzhu was as if he were looking at a treasure trove of a young lady.

What other surprises could this young lady bring him?

Wang Yongzhu was taken aback and immediately waved her hand, "You are mistaken, Ninth Young Master. This is not my handwriting."

"Not Miss Wang’s handwriting? There’s no need to be modest—" Ninth Master Lee suggested she didn’t have to be overly humble.

Not expecting the Wang Family Young Lady to not only have a business mind, long-range vision, and able to write beautiful characters, she was also so modest and restrained, truly...

God damn humble!

Wang Yongzhu did not want that reputation; indeed, her own writing was not pretty. Although she had been practicing lately, it was merely passable at best—shaped without strength, hardly considered good writing.

She explained right away, "Honestly, it’s not modesty. These are my Official’s writings!" She admitted with an embarrassed smile, "My own handwriting really isn’t presentable, and it was my Official who wrote these for me. I apologize for any amusement this might cause you, Ninth Master!"

Ninth Master Lee felt as if struck by lightning, "You, when did you get married?"