The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 752 - 751: What Does a Man Need So Much Silver For?

Chapter 752: Chapter 751: What Does a Man Need So Much Silver For?

Just after midnight, despite fits and starts, everyone’s cries had left their throats hoarse and their voices smoky.

Their knees ached piercingly.

But it was no matter to them; they struggled to help each other stand up, and after a token tidying up, they prepared to return to their rooms to rest.

Only Wang Yongzhen was still kneeling there, sobbing and missing her dear father, unwilling to leave in utmost grief.

Wang Yonggui had been tormented all day and was exhausted both in body and spirit. He longed to lie down on his kang bed and relax his bones. And then there were his few children, who had endured the long night, each barely able to keep their eyes open, standing on the verge of sleep—how could he not feel pained?

Yet Wang Yongzhen, lacking any sense, was still kneeling in the courtyard crying, and that sure made it difficult for him to sleep.

Moreover, with Wang Yongzhen not leaving, those who stood up could only look at each other in silence. Surely they would have to kneel again?

Mutou saw that his uncles’ faces were all not looking good, and he hurried to pull Wang Yongzhen up: "Mother, that’s enough! Grandfather has already left. It’s past midnight; he can’t hear you crying anymore. Let’s go back!"

He had been busy all day too, having knelt for two hours— even iron cannot endure this.

Wang Yongzhen, choking back tears, said, "Let your mother stay a while longer, my heart is heavy! Now that grandfather is gone, he’ll never return. I did not honor him well enough when he was alive. Now that he has passed away, let me fulfill my duty as a filial daughter..."

The Wang family...

Wang Yonggui, tired and hungry, could no longer suppress his irritation and went up to drag Wang Yongzhen off the ground: "Crying for what? If you truly had filial piety, you should have prepared wine and food today, as well as the ceremonial paper. Why didn’t I see you preparing?"

"When it was time for you to contribute money during the day, you were nowhere to be found. Come evening, you sneak into the courtyard, and a couple of wails equate to filial piety? Does your conscience not bother you? Aren’t you afraid father will come to find you tonight?"

"If you want to cry, go back to your yard and cry. Don’t cry in my courtyard, looking at you brings bad luck!" Wang Yonggui impatiently pushed Wang Yongzhen toward the exit of the courtyard.

The other Wang family members watched from the side; not one of them came forward to defuse the situation.

Even Wang Yongping, who was usually the most simple and straightforward, felt unsatisfied and just watched coldly.

Mutou had no choice but to step forward, steeling himself: "Third Uncle, it is my mother’s fault! I’ll take her back now. Sorry for disturbing your rest—"

More words of apology couldn’t come out; he too felt ashamed and could only forcefully pull Wang Yongzhen away.

Finally, the Wang family breathed a sigh of relief, returning to their rooms and fell asleep as soon as they hit their kang beds.

The next day, everyone woke up late.

Song Chongjin packed his luggage, and Old Granny Zhang personally took to the kitchen to prepare food and dried provisions. After Song Chongjin had eaten, Wang Yongping had already brought the horse carriage to the back gate.

The mules had been well fed, and the carriage was tidy and clean.

"Brother-in-law, get on quickly, I will take you to town—" said Wang Yongping, who had specifically changed into clean clothes, as he sat on the carriage shaft and called out.

Song Chongjin’s mouth twitched, quite speechless.

Wang Yongzhu came out of the house, carrying her bundle. She tossed it onto the carriage, took the horsewhip from Wang Yongping’s hand, and then lifted him off: "Fourth Brother, no need for you to go."

Then she nimbly jumped onto the carriage shaft, waved to Song Chongjin, "Today I’ll take you to town, and I’ve got some errands to run as well."

Song Chongjin’s lips curved up as he quickly took a seat next to Wang Yongzhu, then grabbed the whip, his wrist flicking, and with a whistle in the air, the mule stepped forward familiar with the road and they set off.

Wang Yongping was still shouting from behind, "Take me with you! Otherwise, who will drive the cart when you return?"

Old Granny Zhang slapped him back, "You senseless thing, why would you follow along?"

Liu Xiaoqiao had finished tidying up the house and also came to see Song Chongjin off. Seeing her man get hit, she couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of her eyes, feeling both heartache and a bit of fear.

She cautiously approached Wang Yongping, smiling apologetically to Old Granny Zhang, "Mother, be careful not to hurt your hand! If Fourth Brother has done anything wrong, please tell me, and I’ll set him straight for you—"

Old Granny Zhang rolled her eyes, glanced at Wang Yongping, her foolish son, and thought how fools often have their own kind of luck. His wife was not half-bad after all, feeling sorry for her man.

"This sightless thing, today Chongjin is going back to the county town, and your little sister wants to see him off. Yet this blockhead insists on following! Tell me, doesn’t he deserve a beating?"

Liu Xiaoqiao was speechless, looking at her own man. Even though she had chosen him, she felt like giving him a piece of her mind at that moment.

Still wearing a smile, she dragged Wang Yongping back to their yard, "Mother, I’ll have a proper talk with him, okay?"

Old Granny Zhang spat and turned to go inside.

Along the way, the spring breeze caressed their faces, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, green grass, and trees—truly intoxicating.

The spring day was endlessly delightful, and with his beloved woman by his side, Song Chongjin’s normally expressionless face softened. With one hand lightly flicking the horsewhip and the other holding Wang Yongzhu’s hand.

So many things he wanted to say, yet at that moment he wished to say nothing, just quietly snuggling close to each other, walking along the mountain road, feeling like they could walk to the end of the world.

As they approached the town and the number of people on the road increased, they slightly parted.

Wang Yongzhu then sat up straight, carefully instructing, "Once you reach the county town, if it’s inconvenient, you can also hire someone. I see that others have attendant students."

Song Chongjin nodded, "This time when I get back, the information on Yang the Mute should be all collected. If there’s no problem, I’ll let him stay at our place, it would be good to have someone watch the courtyard, and it’s convenient for errands."

Wang Yongzhu had mentioned Yang the Mute to Song Chongjin before, prompting him to have his people investigate. Now, he expected to have a full report upon his return.

Wang Yongzhu gave another reminder, "Shopkeeper Wu came yestreen, saying that all the dyed fabrics were ready without any issues. Ninth Young Master is ready to pay. I’m in Qilidun now, which could be inconvenient, so I told them if it’s too much trouble, they can give it to you directly. Be sure to keep it in mind, and see how the Lee Family arranges it!"

Song Chongjin nodded, "Don’t worry about that. Once I get the silver, I’ll immediately have someone send it back to you!"

Wang Yongzhu laughed, "That’s no small amount of silver. Won’t you keep some for yourself?"

Song Chongjin as a matter of course, "What does a man need so much silver for? This is all earned by you, naturally, it’s all yours! Just give me enough for monthly expenses, like food and buying pens, ink, paper, and books."

Then, with a soft smile, he leaned in close to Wang Yongzhu’s ear, "My lady, how much allowance do you plan to give your husband?"

With a twinkle in her eye and a feigned stern look, Wang Yongzhu said, "Men spoil when they have money! What allowance? Tomorrow I’ll buy you a couple of bags of flour to store at home, and leaving a few hundred will be plenty!"

Song Chongjin appeared completely deferential, "I’ll listen to whatever my lady says! Whatever my lady gives, I shall take, and if she says no, then so be it!"

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t hold back a laugh, and from her bosom, she drew out a purse and stuffed it into Song Chongjin’s hands, "Take it and spend it then!"