The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 766 - 765

Chapter 766: 765

After Wang Yongzhu had finished giving instructions, the man leading the group approached her and sized her up. "Wang Family Young Lady, what brings you to Yingzi Gully? Is it just for those wild tea leaves?"

Wang Yongzhu looked at the man and smiled slightly, "What I’m here for, why don’t we step aside and talk?"

The lead man thought for a moment, nodded, and instructed the wives, who could finally be bothered to look at their men, to take the game back home.

One man took out a deer from his catch, "Let’s eat this tonight, to add a little something to everyone’s meal!"

The children, who had been spectating for a while, couldn’t help but cheer upon hearing there would be fresh venison for dinner.

The other men also took out a pheasant, a pair of rabbits, or a bundle of fresh mushrooms from their catches, and set them aside.

This was the custom of Yingzi Gully.

On special days, or when there was good news, the leader would provide the bulk of the meal, and the other hunters would also contribute a share from their game, so that each of the ten or so families could enjoy a hearty dinner, and everyone would have their fill.

However, such good days were few, so not only the children were happy, but the women also cracked wide smiles.

Their gazes towards Wang Yongzhu grew increasingly fervent.

A few women crowded in, "Scholar’s Lady, what would you like to eat? Not to boast, but my braised venison is the most authentic! I’ll have to show off my specialty for you tonight!"

"Oh, please! Don’t listen to her! I make the best rabbit stew. You must try my rabbit dish tonight!"

"My chicken soup is the most nourishing. You have to have several bowls tonight!"

...

Wang Yongzhu gracefully declined, responding with a smile to each offer.

Finally, the women went off to prepare the meal, leaving only a few children, who were pointing at the game.

Only the men who had returned from hunting remained in the cave.

In the center of the cave was a long stone that had been used as a dining table during communal meals, so worn by years of use that it had become smooth and rounded.

Small stone stools were placed around the table, also worn shiny and smooth from repeated sitting.

The lead man sat with the men on one side, while Wang Yongzhu naturally took her place opposite them. At first glance, it was a group of robust men on one side and a delicate young lady on the other.

It looked rather odd, no matter how you saw it.

The atmosphere between the two parties was still harmonious. A woman fetched a pot of thickly brewed wild tea and poured a bowl for each person.

The men, tired and thirsty, drained their bowls in one gulp, reviving their spirits somewhat.

Seeing the indescribable expression on Wang Yongzhu’s face, as she gazed at the tea soup, stronger than what was brewed at Yang Zhaodi’s home, she drank it with a resigned demeanor, her face scrunching bitterly. The hunters all laughed good-naturedly.

"Scholar’s Lady, are you sure you want this wild tea leaf soup? This is something only we hunters are used to drinking!" the lead hunter said.

"I’ve never liked beating around the bush, so I’ll just speak plainly! What you disregard as mere wild tea leaf soup is called ’tea’ outside, and it’s considered a high-quality tea at that! It’s just that you don’t know how to roast it properly, hence the bitterness," Wang Yongzhu replied.

"I know a businessman from the mountains who stumbled upon this wild tea and took a fancy to it. He wants to buy it in large quantities, preferably exclusively. The price he’s willing to offer should be generous! This should be a good opportunity for you all..."

Wang Yongzhu had only spoken these words when the hunters’ expressions began to change...

Meanwhile, Jinhoo, hurried back by Wang Yongzhu, was escorted along the way by Yang Zaizhao to where Wang Yongping’s carriage awaited.

Wang Yongping was leaning against the carriage, resting with his eyes closed, a dog-tail grass dangling from his mouth. With his legs crossed, he was swinging them nonchalantly. Not far away, the mule was leisurely nibbling on the grass.

Hearing some noise, he opened his eyes, only to see Jinhoo and that young girl; his sister was nowhere to be seen?

Just as he was about to speak, the young girl bowed towards Wang Yongping and then turned to leave.

Wang Yongping quickly asked, "Jinhoo, what’s going on? Where’s your aunt?"

Once Jinhoo relayed Wang Yongzhu’s request, although Wang Yongping was still a bit worried, he knew his sister’s instructions were important.

He always listened to Wang Yongzhu the most, so he gritted his teeth, drove the carriage, and headed towards the town.

Because he was anxious, he drove at a consistently fast pace. The bumpy mountain road jostled Jinhoo so much that her insides almost leapt out of her throat.

They hurried along and finally made it into the town after nightfall.

At this time, there weren’t many people on the streets of the town, and lights were visible through the slits of doors in houses.

Those who were frugal had already gone to bed early.

They found Guan Yifei’s residence and knocked furiously on his door.

Guan Yifei was so startled he almost rolled off the heated brick bed, thinking someone had come to seek revenge or to rob his mountain goods!

Seeing it was uncle and nephew Wang Yongping, he let out a sigh of relief and opened the door, "Why have you come so late? Is someone dead?"

Jinhoo didn’t beat around the bush; she shared exactly what Wang Yongzhu had commanded, and Guan Yifei’s sleepiness instantly vanished into thin air!

He became fully alert: "Did your aunt really say that? That’s wonderful! That’s wonderful!"

Guan Yifei excitedly paced around the room, muttering to himself, "We need to leave early tomorrow morning, who should I take with me?"

He kept pacing until Wang Yongping and Jinhoo’s heads spun, finally calming down to call a shop assistant in and gave a few instructions.

Then he remembered to ask, "Have you two had dinner yet?"

Wang Yongping, who was always carefree, replied, "We were only focused on hurrying here, who had time to eat?"

Guan Yifei then ordered someone to quickly prepare a few simple yet filling dishes.

Soon, a large bowl of wild vegetable, mushroom, and egg noodle soup was brought out.

Wang Yongping and Jinhoo were truly starving. They picked up their chopsticks and hungrily slurped up the entire bowl of noodles, even drinking the soup until it was gone, finally feeling alive again.

It was unrealistic to return to Qilidun that late, so Guan Yifei had them stay over.

He continued to grill Jinhoo for details, and with a clearer picture, he became even more enthused. If they could really bring this wild tea to the market, his name might well be remembered in the annals of tea history.

Guan Yifei had wanted to ask more about Yingzi Gully, but after finally having a full meal, Wang Yongping and Jinhoo couldn’t fight off the sleepiness. Plus, with Guan Yifei chattering non-stop beside them, echoing like a mosquito’s hum, they quickly fell asleep.

As for Guan Yifei, he was so excited he didn’t sleep all night, imagining increasingly wonderful prospects. His eyes shone brightly in the dark, unsettlingly so.

In the morning, when Wang Yongping and Jinhoo woke up, they saw Guan Yifei with two dark circles under his eyes, still very excited, squatting beside the heated brick bed, watching them.

Seeing they were awake, he immediately stood up, "You’re awake, good! Let’s get on the road right now—"