The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 924 - 922: Cool her down

Chapter 924: Chapter 922: Cool her down

After finishing the meal and washing up.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin returned to the room, and Song Chongjin recounted everything that happened tonight in detail.

Wang Yongzhu listened to the words of Imperial Doctor Du relayed by Song Chongjin and laughed, "Master just has a stiff mouth. A few days ago, he was stubbornly refusing to say he would officially take me as a disciple, yet today he’s even protecting the disciple’s husband in his love!"

Laughing on the outside, she was really grateful to Imperial Doctor Du in her heart. Although he was arrogant, sharp-tongued, and had a bad temper, he was indeed the best master she could have.

These days, Song Chongjin loved to tell Wang Yongzhu everything and listened to her opinions on everything.

Then they began to talk about the intrigue at Baiyun Academy.

Wang Yongzhu smiled, "So what? No matter what plans Baiyun Academy might have, whether they’re really that arrogant or just pretending. In the face of true strength, it’s all just a paper tiger! If Baiyun Academy had real confidence, why resort to these underhanded tricks? Come the imperial exams, it’s all about real abilities, what use are these tactics?"

"Now I understand how Baiyun Academy declined! Scholars not diligently studying, only thinking of using some unorthodox means to increase their opportunities, might succeed if they’re lucky and affect someone with a weak mindset. But how often can these means succeed? Against those with actual great strength and strong mental resilience, it’s just a joke!"

"Just stay alert to guard against people like Little Ren, in case they use underhanded methods!"

With that topic, the two moved on.

They were more interested in Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran coming together to Jing County.

"Brother Song, you think it’s just for a Dragon Boat race that two important officials would come to Jing County? Maybe there’s something else going on?" Wang Yongzhu suggested.

"Even if there is something, it’s probably none of our concern. After the Dragon Boat race ends tomorrow, we should properly prepare a gift for the master as a token of thanks for his protection of us today." Song Chongjin didn’t want to get involved in murky waters; before he had the strength, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Knowing too much might not be good.

Wang Yongzhu heard this and let it go. For now, it was better to remain low-key, even though it seemed like they were now connected to Imperial Doctor Du, a normal person might become arrogant.

But neither Wang Yongzhu nor Song Chongjin were the arrogant type; in such a situation, it was even more important to stay low-key to avoid causing trouble for Imperial Doctor Du.

A few times could be forgiven, but too many times, who could say Imperial Doctor Du wouldn’t get annoyed?

Discussing everything, the two went to rest. Tomorrow early morning was the Dragon Boat Festival, with everyone busy; they needed to be well-rested.

The night was uneventful.

Early the next morning, the whole family got up and busied themselves.

Today, Song Chongjin wasn’t wearing his usual long robe but rather a short outfit.

This was clothing issued by the academy, specially prepared for the Dragon Boat race today.

In indigo short attire, the cuffs and trouser openings were tightened, with a wide black belt around the waist, highlighting Song Chongjin’s long legs and slender waist, making him look all the more spirited.

They could head to the academy a bit later today; after having breakfast, they’d gather at the academy and then head to the riverbank to prepare.

Breakfast was prepared abundantly; Old Madam Ding knew the family had a competition today, which requires strength.

Early in the morning, she cooked eggs with fresh zong leaves, and also cooked fragrant white rice zong, paired with honey, sweet and tasty.

There were pancakes and baked rolls as well, prepared in case Song Chongjin got hungry midway and needed something to snack on.

Wang Yongzhu loved porridge in the morning, so she had various small dishes, filling the table to the brim.

After breakfast, Song Chongjin went out first, stopping by the carriage house to get the carriage they had hired in advance to pick up people from the Song Family.

By the time Wang Yongzhu and others were ready, the carriage had been waiting at the door for a while.

Today was the Dragon Boat Festival, and early on, Old Granny Wu took advantage of the dawn to cut a basket of dewy mugwort from a place she had already surveyed in the daytime and hung them on the eaves.

The custom in Jing County is just like this; upon stepping out, every household had mugwort hung on the eaves, filling the air in the streets with the scent of mugwort and zong leaves.

Though it was still morning, it was already bustling.

Children were wearing new clothes today, with five-colored strings tied to their hands, darting through the streets and alleys.

Today, the Song Family was hosting, so any tea, snacks, and other stuff had to be prepared by the Song Family themselves.

Though there were vendors near the stands and offerings from restaurants and teahouses, they weren’t as clean and hygienic as what was prepared at home.

Wang Yongzhu was organizing this for the first time and was especially cautious, hesitant to buy things from outside, intending for most of the preparations to be homemade, supplementing with a few specialties from outside establishments to avoid seeming shabby.

Just as they stepped out, the door of Madam Gu’s house was also opened, and her children ran out from the courtyard. Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, they called out, then turned to shout into the courtyard, "Mom, mom, the Scholar’s Lady is leaving!"

Wang Yongzhu was a bit taken aback by the shout.

Then she saw Madam Gu, also dressed up, coming out from the courtyard to greet Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, "Auntie Zhang, Scholar’s Lady, are you heading to the stands?"

Before Wang Yongzhu could reply, Old Granny Zhang spoke with a smile, "Yes, indeed. Our family is hosting today, so there are many things to move over there for preparations, hence the early start."

She said this while shouting into the courtyard, "Sisters-in-law, hurry up and move the stuff out, go early, lest we run late because of crowds and make a fool of ourselves!"

She turned to Madam Gu, "Don’t forget, Madam Gu, bring your whole family along. Our spot is at Changqing Academy. I’ll have Sister-in-law Wu wait for you below."

Madam Gu smiled unchanged, "Rest assured! The stand at Changqing Academy, it’s the best spot, everyone in Jing County knows it. Today, thanks to your blessing, we have such fortune!"

Old Granny Zhang laughed it off, exchanged some pleasantries, and with Old Granny Wu and others loading the stuff onto the carriage, they took their leave and left.

In the carriage, after riding for a while, Wang Yongzhu started to realize, "Mom, is Madam Gu trying to hitch a ride with us?"

Old Granny Zhang snorted, "Exactly. Didn’t you see? As soon as we stepped out, her boy poked his head out to watch. That shout made it clear for everyone; they had him wait at the door, watching for us to leave, hoping to hitch a ride!"

Wang Yongzhu...

"On ordinary days, it would be fine, but what day is it today? She should watch the timing! Zhuzhu, when interacting with Madam Gu, don’t be overly generous. Madam Gu seems decent on usual days, but she’s become a bit arrogant these days. We’ve been too generous, allowing her to take advantage every time, making her lose caution!"

"Today, I’m going to let her hit a wall, cool her off a bit, lest she becomes too conceited in the future!" Old Granny Zhang rolled her eyes.