The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 902 - 901: The Unsolvable Knot

Chapter 902: Chapter 901: The Unsolvable Knot

Wang Yongzhu narrowed his eyes in displeasure: "What? Are you rejecting me?"

Song Chongjin reacted swiftly as if facing a great enemy: "Nonsense! I am not! How could I? I just think those weaklings from other academies aren’t worthy of my wife making a move! Why use a sledgehammer to kill a chicken? Besides, my wife’s delicate jade-like hands shouldn’t do such coarse work! This sort of thing should be left to your man—"

"On that day, my wife should just accompany our mother on the stands, cheering for your man!" he especially emphasized at the end.

Wang Yongzhu giggled; she mentioned competing just to tease Song Chongjin, knowing full well she wouldn’t possibly participate in the race.

Song Chongjin clearly understood Wang Yongzhu was teasing him, yet he acted so eager to please, leaving Wang Yongzhu feeling a lack of accomplishment.

She cast a sidelong glance at Song Chongjin before speaking seriously: "The Dragon Boat Race has not changed for nearly a hundred years. Are you sure this is solely the County Magistrate’s order?"

It seems impossible. Given the current status of Changqing Academy, how could the County Magistrate forcefully issue such a command?

Song Chongjin’s gaze at Wang Yongzhu was startlingly bright.

He heard about this at the academy earlier—apart from him and Gu Zikai, several other good friends felt there was something fishy about it. Most others merely complained secretly, wondering why the County Magistrate suddenly made such a strange move.

He didn’t expect Wang Yongzhu to perceive this keenly, making Song Chongjin both surprised and pleased.

Due to his cautious nature, Song Chongjin wouldn’t discuss some matters with outsiders, but upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s words, he felt a sense of companionship.

"I’ve talked about this with Brother Gu and others; we only know some big figure is coming, and perhaps to please this person, the rules were reset."

"Since your chief didn’t protest, it seems this big figure might..." Wang Yongzhu stopped at that point.

Song Chongjin ruffled Wang Yongzhu’s hair: "I’m aware, don’t worry!"

If it’s as he suspects, then this is a golden opportunity!

※※※

Ever since Zhang Qiuju brought Lady Fang to visit and got a closed door, she hadn’t come to the Song Family to seek further embarrassment.

No one knew how she explained it to Shopkeeper Tian.

Song Chongjin went out early and returned late every day, his clothes soaked upon arriving home. Given his physical strength, he was so tired that he could fall asleep on the kang bed, letting one imagine how wretched other scholars might be.

Wang Yongzhu knew Song Chongjin was holding back a strong desire and didn’t say anything to hinder him, only instructed Old Madam Ding to prepare varied dishes for Song Chongjin. Due to mourning restrictions prohibiting meat, there was no shortage of egg, tofu, and various mountain delicacies.

Even so, Song Chongjin visibly grew darker and thinner.

Old Granny Zhang, seeing this, felt incredibly pained: "At this rate, how can Chongjin’s body bear it? According to a mother-in-law, three months is more than enough for a son-in-law’s mourning, but Chongjin isn’t a biological son, no son-in-law mourns for three years for an old father-in-law."

"I know your filial heart is sincere, but the living are more important than the deceased! Who wants to hurt the son-in-law’s health for your confused departed father? Listen to me; it’s been over two months now. In less than a month, it will be three months, and Chongjin can leave mourning. Nourish his body well, then he won’t fear the autumn exams!"

Wang Yongzhu also thought that if Song Chongjin continued like this, apart from anything else, the lack of nutrition could impact his study and exams, so she consented.

Song Chongjin knew these two women at home cared for him, and after the daily Dragon Boat Race training, he did feel somewhat tired, but because of the meals arranged by Wang Yongzhu and Old Madam Ding, he didn’t feel anything adverse.

But he still refused: "Mother, Yongzhu, don’t say more! I once said I’d mourn for three years, and my words naturally won’t be taken back!"

After hesitating for a while, he added: "It’s not just for my father-in-law! I also want to mourn for three years for my mother! She raised and birthed me; I, as her son, haven’t shown any filial respect for a day. Previously, I didn’t know she existed; now that I do, if I don’t show some filial piety, I can’t pass the hurdle in my heart."

"Moreover, my filial piety is quite hollow; if I truly want to mourn sincerely, I should stay by her grave, build a grass hut, and read scriptures heartily for a year. Yet, for my future, I only eat vegetarian food, and if I can’t persist for three years, how will I have the face to meet her in the future?"

After saying this, Song Chongjin showed a wry smile.

Old Granny Zhang originally wished to say more, but knowing there’s no mother under the sky who doesn’t hope for her children’s betterment, she wouldn’t want her daughter abstaining from meat to mourn a year upon her passing, wishing only for her daughter’s better life.

But being ultimately the mother-in-law, this concerning the deceased in-law, made her refrain from speaking.

She merely signaled Wang Yongzhu to persuade him.

Wang Yongzhu knew this was the unresolved knot in Song Chongjin’s heart—he likely blamed himself countless times for spending his filial piety on Song Chunhua, while his own biological mother passed away shortly after giving birth.

Alone, cold, laying underground for nearly twenty years, with her son in Jing County, clueless about each other.

The more he blamed himself, the more he hated his biological father, Song Hong, who caused the tragedy for both Song Chongjin and Qi Huan.

And ironically, Song Hong, this culprit, still lives freely, thriving in the Capital City.

This pressured Song Chongjin into seeking justice for himself and Qi Huan, unable to openly mourn for even a year, only secretly under the pretense of mourning for Wang Laozhu.

Wang Yongzhu started blaming her own carelessness; during this chaotic period, with Wang Laozhu’s death, Old Granny Zhang’s illness, and the Tian Family affair, she neglected Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin never liked expressing his troubles, only building them up inside.

Wang Yongzhu sighed, pulling Song Chongjin into their shared room: "Brother Song, don’t worry, mother in the ground will surely not blame you! A great man in life must know what to do and what not to do! Temporary compromise for the future is worth everything."

"I’ll stand by you! We can be vegetarians together; every evening I will recite a Ksitigarbha Sutra for mother! I’ve also found a nice place; when the time comes, we’ll move her grave there. She will have the company of mountains, water, and blooms throughout all seasons. When we grow old, we’ll stay with mother so she won’t be lonely!"

Song Chongjin said nothing, only holding Wang Yongzhu tightly, his chest rising and falling, showing his unsettled heart.

Yongzhu felt something from above immerse into her hair—it was hot, wet...