The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 733 - 732 Avoiding Suspicion

Chapter 733: Chapter 732 Avoiding Suspicion

He initially had a fair amount of admiration for Gu Zikai.

Gu Zikai, although he came from the Capital City and later found out that his family background was not ordinary, belonged to that kind of person who could live a life of luxury without effort thanks to his ancestral heritage.

Being born into such a family and still dedicating himself to diligent study, especially leaving the Capital City to pursue education thousands of miles away.

This kind of person has great perseverance, determination, the ability to endure hardship, and persistence! He would surely achieve great things in the future.

Song Chongjin indeed had a good opinion of Gu Zikai, and considering the relationship between their inner and outer courts, he thought that in the future, if they didn’t become close friends, at least they would appreciate each other.

But who would have thought that a well-bred gentleman, someone who had seen the world, especially in the Capital City, where he had met all kinds of noble ladies, could actually fall in love with his own wife at first sight?

Originally, his beloved Yongzhu being liked by his admired classmate and friend was okay as long as it started from emotion and abided by etiquette, without any improper intentions. He wasn’t so petty or immature as to think that this was a tremendous insult or like being cuckolded.

He actually felt that his beloved Yongzhu being liked by someone equally excellent only further proved Yongzhu’s good qualities. Even though he would feel jealous, be envious, and be unhappy inside, he wouldn’t, because of this, think any less of Yongzhu or consider Gu Zikai to be mean and shameless.

Nor was he willing to pierce through that thin layer, making their relationship awkward.

So he watched everything with his own eyes, just without making any noise.

Including that Ninth Master Lee, who also took a fancy to his wife, but though Lee sometimes acted eccentrically and aggressively, when it came to matters of affection, he was actually more subtle and cautious.

He maintained their partnership and had no intention of crossing the line.

Instead, it was the always composed and gentle Gu Zikai who became restless today.

Wang Yongzhu, hearing Song Chongjin say this, was no longer worried.

Even though Song Chongjin had told her to act as if she didn’t know and to behave as usual.

Wang Yongzhu herself felt it was nothing major, but for the sake of avoiding any suspicion, she still packed up early the next day, before dawn, hired a carriage from the Escort Agency, and quietly, the family of three left.

Gu Zikai had tossed and turned half the night until he finally steadied his mind.

Early in the morning, he had thick gifts prepared and personally carried them over to apologize at their door.

He knocked for quite a while, but there was no response from the yard, and Gu Zikai’s heart suddenly panicked.

Just then, Madam Gu from the shop opposite spoke up upon seeing Gu Zikai standing at the Song family’s door, "Scholar Gu, are you looking for Scholar Song? Their family left in a carriage before dawn, said they were going back to their hometown for ancestral worship. You didn’t know?"

She looked at Gu Zikai with suspicion; she had heard that Scholar Song from the Song family and Scholar Gu were both students at the Changqing Academy, and they usually went to and returned from the Academy together, seeming to have a fine relationship. How come Scholar Song didn’t mention a word about going back home?

Gu Zikai, a man of his stature, didn’t miss the change in Madam Gu’s expression.

He reacted quickly and slapped his forehead, "Look at my memory, these past days I’ve been so muddled with my recitations that when they mentioned leaving early yesterday, I thought they would at least wait after breakfast! I didn’t expect them to leave this early; indeed, I have come too late!"

Madam Gu’s eyes were fixed on the pair of gifts in Gu Zikai’s hands, "Scholar Gu, what you’re holding there, was that meant for the Song family?"

Gu Zikai reluctantly said, "Indeed, my family sent a letter yesterday, and with it, some special products from the Capital City. I also happened to share some with Brother Song, allowing him to take them back for his family to try something new. I didn’t expect to be too late!"

Shaking her head, she was about to leave.

Madam Gu looked at the box of pastries on top of the gift pile, intricately carved with various flowers, branches, and fruits on the wooden box. The wood alone was quite valuable, and the box was wrapped in silk and adorned with a beautifully tied floral knot.

Such fancy pastry boxes were a rare sight in Jing County, and even if the same pastries were inside, none looked as pleasing as this one.

Especially since the pastry box also bore a label with three bold characters: "Baiwei Hall".

Baiwei Hall was a nationally renowned bakery with a tradition that spanned over a hundred years.

It was said that its founder was a former imperial chef who, upon retiring, opened Baiwei Hall to exclusively make pastries.

His creations were not only delicately crafted and visually appealing but also delicious; they won rave reviews as soon as the shop opened.

They served both high-end and low-end clientele.

For the high-end customers, the pastries produced were like paintings, picturesque and enchanting.

The more affordable selection included ordinary rice cakes, sugar triangles, honey dates, and similar items meant for the general populace. They were rich in flavor, satisfying to the taste, generously portioned, and inexpensive, making them accessible even to ordinary citizens.

During the festive seasons like holidays, if one mentioned buying treats for the New Year, it was guaranteed to be these pastries from Baiwei Hall.

The brand was deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people.

Such premium pastry boxes were rarely seen in Jing County and would cost several taels of silver each.

Madam Gu had only ever seen such a box once before when she accompanied her husband on a New Year’s visit to the Shangguan family.

Seeing it again now, she couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Gu Zikai noticed Madam Gu’s gaze and, already feeling troubled, felt both ridiculous and despicable as he looked at the pile of gifts he was holding.

Fortunately, his many years of training had made him adept at concealing his emotions. With no change in his expression, he simply smiled and handed the pastry box to Madam Gu, "This is from Baiwei Hall. Take it home for your children to try something new! I don’t care for it, and it would be a waste to just leave it lying around!"

Madam Gu was about to refuse, for such valuable items were not easy to accept without means of reciprocating the favor.

However, when she heard Gu Zikai say that he didn’t fancy the pastries, suggesting they’d otherwise spoil, she unreservedly took the box without farther ado, while trying to protest modestly, "Oh my, this is again unfavorably taking advantage of Scholar Gu’s kindness! Ever since you and Scholar Song’s family moved here, we, the neighbors, have been blessed with such delights. We regularly get to share in your bounty, which has left us feeling quite embarrassed."

Gu Zikai had other things on his mind and had little patience for Madam Gu’s small talk.

He managed a few perfunctory responses before promptly excusing himself to return home.

As for Madam Gu, she hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a windfall so early in the day. She closed the door gleefully, calculating in her mind: With this box of pastries, she could show respect to her in-laws, give two pieces to each of her rambunctious kids, and taste the novelty herself along with her husband. With the leftovers, she could send a couple of pieces to her parents’ home on the coming Qingming Festival...

These high-quality pastries were incredibly valuable; taking just two pieces back home would surely elevate her esteem in others’ eyes.