The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 775 - 774: Receiving Gifts

Chapter 775: Chapter 774: Receiving Gifts

Zhang Yinbao arrived at Shiqiao Town in the middle of the night and after making some preparations, dawn broke.

After freshening up and changing his clothes, he spent a long time in front of the mirror, grooming his hair and beard, fearing even the slightest discourtesy.

Finally, when every strand of hair was neatly in place, Zhang Yinbao took Guan Yifei and two trusted shop assistants, carrying a pile of gifts, and knocked on the door of Wang Yongzhu’s courtyard.

Halfway there, noticing the sky had just brightened, Zhang Yinbao gave further instructions, and immediately one shop assistant turned and ran off.

He straightened his clothes, then knocked on the door.

Soon, Wang Yongzhu opened the door, and upon seeing Zhang Yinbao and Guan Yifei, she was first taken aback, then immediately smiled, "Please come in—"

As she spoke, she opened the gate wider, welcoming them into the courtyard, apologizing profusely, "This early in the morning, I’m only staying here for a few days, and I don’t even have hot tea ready, please wait a moment, and I’ll go boil some water for tea!"

Zhang Yinbao hurriedly said, "No need, no need! It’s our presumptuousness—"

Wang Yongzhu laughed, "Why be so formal, Boss Zhang? Please, take a seat!"

After all, Wang Yongzhu was living in the courtyard alone, so it wasn’t appropriate to invite people in, and guests were welcomed to sit at the stone table in the courtyard.

Once they had taken their respective seats as host and guests, Zhang Yinbao gestured, and the shop assistants and Guan Yifei began placing various gift boxes onto the stone table, "I just happened to be returning from the Western Region, and I didn’t bring much, but I did carry some inexpensive specialties from there. If the Scholar’s Lady doesn’t mind, keep them to amuse yourself when you’re free."

Wang Yongzhu glanced at the large and small boxes on the table and then at Zhang Yinbao whose calm appearance belied his tense eyes, she smiled faintly, "Thank you, Boss Zhang, for remembering to bring me gifts from so far away! I won’t refuse them then!"

With these words, Zhang Yinbao visibly relaxed.

With a genial smile, he pointed at the boxes on the table, and mentioned a couple of specialties from the Western Region.

The shop assistant who had run off earlier now carefully crept into the courtyard, signaling to Zhang Yinbao with a bow, "Master, the items have been delivered to the front of the courtyard, should we bring them in?"

Zhang Yinbao nodded.

Wang Yongzhu spoke with a half-smile, "Boss Zhang, you can’t take a reward without merit, with wave after wave of gifts you’re sending, I fear I might feel guilty accepting them!"

She accepted the gifts on the table from Zhang Yinbao, knowing that if she didn’t, he might still be worried and afraid that she wouldn’t be wholehearted when linking him with the Lee Family.

Accepting the gifts was to reassure Zhang Yinbao that she would handle things well.

But after accepting gifts and reaching a clear understanding, the continuation of presenting gifts might suggest he had other motives, right?

Zhang Yinbao quickly stood up with a laugh, "The Scholar’s Lady misunderstands, it’s just that I thought about disturbing you so early in the morning, possibly delaying your breakfast, so I simply had the assistants buy a few items, to enjoy the Tang Family’s buns, which I’ve craved for nearly a year, using the Scholar’s Lady’s courtyard as a convenient spot to eat them!"

While he spoke, the shop assistants had already arrived, carrying several food boxes, and seeing the stone table in the courtyard filled with gifts, they were unsure how to proceed.

Wang Yongzhu stood up and took all those gift boxes inside without looking closely.

When she came out, the table was fully set.

There were more than ten plump, steaming hot buns, two large bowls of soy milk, crispy fried dough sticks, fragrant egg pancakes, and a few side dishes...

This was a very lavish breakfast.

Zhang Yinbao quickly drank half a bowl of soy milk in one breath; the chill from traveling all night seemed to be completely expelled from his body, as two beads of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose.

He then boldly grabbed a dough stick in one hand and a bun in the other, devoured with greasy satisfaction, and didn’t forget to call out to Wang Yongzhu, "Eat while it’s hot! Aiya, this flavor of Tang Family’s buns, it’s been too long and I’ve missed it terribly!"

Wang Yongzhu was also hungry and unceremoniously washed her hands and sat down to slowly sip two mouthfuls of soy milk. The soy milk was thick, and a layer of skin had formed on top. Lifting the bean skin, steam rushed at her face.

She soaked a fried dough stick in the soy milk and after waiting a while, the dough stick softened and took on a unique flavor when paired with the soy milk.

As for buns and the like, Wang Yongzhu did not touch them.

Zhang Yinbao, a shrewd man, cast a discreet glance at Wang Yongzhu and realized that this morning’s meal had not been well-chosen; he had forgotten that Wang Yongzhu was still in mourning.

He wanted to apologize but feared it might stir up Wang Yongzhu’s sorrow, so he kept silent and ate a few bites in haste.

After eating hastily, with much left over, Zhang Yinbao waved his hand to signal the shop assistants to take it away for themselves.

The clever shop assistant had already asked for directions to the kitchen and had gone to boil a pot of water.

Only then did Wang Yongzhu bring out her roasted wild tea to brew slowly, and a fresh aroma instantly wafted throughout the yard.

Zhang Yinbao’s eyes instantly brightened and he watched without blinking as Wang Yongzhu handled the tea leaves, "Is this, this the wild tea?"

"Indeed! Try some, Boss Zhang," Wang Yongzhu offered the tea to Zhang Yinbao.

Although Zhang Yinbao was a businessman with humble origins, he had made great efforts to learn and break into higher social circles.

He composed himself and sat upright before picking up the teacup, first appreciating the aroma, which brought an excited expression to his face. Then he took a sip and was silent for a long time.

Guan Yifei’s heart hung in suspense, anxiously watching Zhang Yinbao.

After closing his eyes for a while, Zhang Yinbao finally opened them and gently placed the teacup on the stone table.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Wang Yongzhu with respect, "The favor of the Scholar’s Lady will forever be remembered in my heart," Zhang Yinbao declared.

Wang Yongzhu quickly stood up, dodging the grand gesture, "Boss Zhang is too polite, it was merely matchmaking a connection! It was a mutually beneficial matter, and besides, didn’t I also benefit from it?"

She did not take the slightest credit for the deed.

Zhang Yinbao’s mind was clear as a mirror. With such fine tea and Wang Yongzhu’s ability to connect with the Lee Family, she could have gone to them directly. Why involve him at all?

She was lifting him up! What was a mere ten percent commission?

The immense benefit he, Zhang Yinbao had gained was immeasurable.

He secretly marked this kindness in his heart and further conversation ceased, only adding, "Should there be any tasks in the future, the Scholar’s Lady need only say the word."

Wang Yongzhu spoke solemnly, "I do have an awkward request—"

Zhang Yinbao promptly responded, "Please speak!"

Wang Yongzhu then said, last year the Yellow Pine Mushrooms were bountiful, but after spring began this year, their traces became difficult to find. She feared the yearly task of collecting three jin of Yellow Pine Mushrooms might be impossible to complete, and hoped that, considering Boss Zhang’s introduction to the Lee Family’s business, he might waive the task for her...

After speaking, she also apologized uneasily, saying it was indeed improper to change the terms of the contract mid-way.

Zhang Yinbao had not expected it to be such a trifling matter.

If not for the tea leaves, the Yellow Pine Mushrooms might have been precious!