The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 729 - 728 Tomb Sweeping

Chapter 729: Chapter 728 Tomb Sweeping

If she encountered a slacker who loved to eat and be lazy, she had plenty of ways to deal with them.

But encountering someone who, without much intimidation, took the initiative to offer to work like an ox, she could no longer uphold her tough, ruthless boss facade.

After coughing twice, she pretended to be casual and said, "These few days, tidy up the house and take a break. I’ll find someone to come over tomorrow to build a stove and two clay beds. The stove room is in the farthest side room, there’s a brazier you can make do with for a couple of days."

Yang the Mute shook his head and waved his hands rapidly, gesturing that he could build the stove and clay beds, and that there was no need to hire someone.

Wang Yongzhu hadn’t really expected Yang the Mute to be so skilled.

She generously took out another two hundred copper coins, "Take this money to buy some mud, sand, and tools. Just focus on doing that for the next few days. I’ll come back to check on you in a few days!"

Yang the Mute nodded and when he saw Wang Yongzhu was about to leave, he quickly brought out the wooden basin with the cloth bag inside, intending to give it to Wang Yongzhu to take with her.

Wang Yongzhu thought for a moment and decided to open the cloth bag, pouring out the lump of madder powder that was soaked wet, "Uncle Yang, dig a hole and bury this stuff!"

Yang the Mute hurriedly found an iron shovel from inside the house and chose an inconspicuous spot in the corner of the yard. He rolled up his sleeves and dug a deep hole, tossing the lump of madder powder in, then covering it with earth, tamping it down, and loosely covering it with more soil.

Seeing that it was still quite noticeable, he finally dug up a small willow branch from the corner of the wall and planted it in the loose soil. He then poured a scoop of water on it, making it look like a newly planted tree. Only then did he pat the dirt from his hands and stand up.

In her heart, Wang Yongzhu secretly took note; not only was Yang the Mute careful in his work, but he was also meticulous. Had he not been a mute, he might have been able to achieve great things. It was a pity now.

She thought she should pay more attention to him in the future; such a meticulous and careful subordinate was exactly what she would need for her own business.

With a plan in mind, Wang Yongzhu kept a neutral expression on her face as Yang the Mute escorted her out.

When she got home, Old Granny Zhang was cooking while discussing with Wang Yongzhu, "I was counting the days, and Qingming is approaching fast. We should start preparing for a trip back to Qilidun. We can stay there for a few days, and after your father’s ’fifty-seventh’ day memorial, we can come back."

"But I’m worried about Chongjin; if he goes back with us, wouldn’t it disrupt his studies? The traveling back and forth also wastes time! You and I can afford to stay home for a few extra days, but what about him? If no one cooks for him, he’ll come home to a cold stove after a day of study at the Academy, and the thought of that is unbearable..."

Wang Yongzhu considered the days, which indeed seemed to be flying by. Unknowingly, she had already spent half a month in the city.

With Qingming right around the corner, plus Wang Laozhu’s ’fifty-seventh’ day, they definitely should go back and make proper arrangements, lest they give others a reason to talk.

"I think the dye workshop matter will be settled in the next couple of days. Let’s start packing our things and check what else we might need. The city’s goods are always better than those in our town, so we should buy everything we need to take back! And we should also bring some of the city’s nice things back for our folks at home." As Wang Yongzhu spoke, she mentally calculated what she needed to buy to take back.

"As for Brother Song, I don’t know if the Academy gives them any holidays. I’ll wait for him to come back and ask. If he heads to the city first, as for food, if it really comes to it, he can make do at the Academy for a couple of days." Wang Yongzhu didn’t see it as a big problem.

After all, she too had been pampered at home, but when studying abroad, didn’t she have to learn to cook for herself, to take care of herself?

Chongjin was certainly not incapable of looking after himself. They would only be gone for a bit more than ten days; it wouldn’t cause any major setback.

"How can that be okay? The food at the Academy is all mixed together, and now that Chongjin is in mourning, he can’t just eat anything. He can’t just gnaw on cabbage leaves every day, can he? When we come back, we might just find a good boy turned into a cabbage from hunger!" Old Granny Zhang shook her head.

Wang Yongzhu was at a loss for words, "Mother, you needn’t worry so much, Brother Song isn’t a three-year-old child. He’s a grown man now, and he’s in the county town with silver. Do you really think he could starve to death?"

"You, girl, for whom do you think I’m doing all this?" Old Granny Zhang said through gritted teeth.

Wang Yongzhu said earnestly, "I know Mother is doing this for me! But there’s no reason to put you out on my account! Brother Song and I are younger; we’re supposed to bring you to the county town to enjoy life, not to have you wait on us! I know you worry about me, Mother, but I worry about you too!"

"These days, since we’re new in town, everything is unfamiliar. Brother Song has to study, and I’m busy with business. You’ve been taking care of everything inside and out. We already feel quite guilty. If we were to bring you to the town, rather than letting you enjoy, we would be causing you worry. How could I bear that?"

"Mother, you don’t have to worry about Brother Song’s meals! You just think about what presents to bring back home. You’ll be staying for over ten days this time. You should talk up the county town well to the neighbors in the village."

Old Granny Zhang’s face lit up with a smile that smoothed out all her wrinkles, "Alright! I’ll listen to you! I won’t interfere anymore, I’ll just enjoy my time with you all! Tomorrow, I’ll go shopping, and buy some unique items that we don’t have in the countryside. I’m going to give them something to marvel at! Hmph——"

Seeing Old Granny Zhang’s attention shift to the joy of bringing gifts back home, Wang Yongzhu finally felt relieved.

She decided to urge Yan Zhongren tomorrow to see when the honest and reliable maid would be available.

When Song Chongjin returned, the three of them discussed the arrangements for their Qingming trip to Qilidun while eating.

The Academy had already announced that Qingming Ancestral Worship was a major event, and, coincidentally, it fell at the end of the month. Combined with the end-of-month holidays, everyone could have five days off.

Upon hearing the news, the students at the Academy cheered.

The students from nearby could now manage to return home for ancestral worship and be back in time even with the distance.

The students from farther away were not idle either. Once they heard the news, they had already made plans to visit nearby mountains, wander through temples, and enjoy the spring.

Speaking of enjoying spring, Wang Yongzhu remembered something, "Isn’t Grandmother buried at the temple? Let’s sweep her grave a day earlier and then head to Qilidun. Brother Song, what do you think?"

Song Chongjin nodded. Thus, it was decided.

The next day, Wang Yongzhu saw Old Granny Zhang off to the market and then headed for the dyeing workshop when the sun was already high in the sky.

As soon as she entered the dyeing workshop, the atmosphere felt different. The gazes directed at Wang Yongzhu were a mix of awe, admiration, and envy.

Shopkeeper Wu approached, rubbing his hands together gleefully, "Great-niece, it’s a success! Truly a success!"

Wang Yongzhu remained calm, "Has the fabric dried already?"

Shopkeeper Wu nodded.

"The fabric has dried. It’s been rinsed in water two or three times, and it really doesn’t fade. Come and see for yourself!"