The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 925 - 923: A Familiar First Meeting

Chapter 925: Chapter 923: A Familiar First Meeting

Wang Yongzhu expressed gratitude for the lesson and suddenly remembered: "Mother, didn’t Aunt Li from the front courtyard say she would also come to help us today?"

"Since Lady Li mentioned it, we shouldn’t be too eager to bring her over first thing in the morning to help, should we? Let’s first move our things over and prepare a bit, then have the carriage bring Lady Li and her husband over. By then, we should be mostly ready. If anything seems amiss, we can consult with Lady Li. This way, we won’t trouble others too much or waste time!" Old Granny Zhang advised Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu hadn’t thought that far; she always considered Madam Gu to be straightforward and not someone who takes advantage of others.

Moreover, being new to Jing County without many friends or family, it’s good to maintain friendly relations with neighbors. Even if we can’t expect much help, having someone to speak a word for us at critical times is beneficial.

As for Old Lady Li in the front courtyard, she didn’t think too much about it, just thought to send more thank-you gifts to Old Lady Li afterward.

Now, hearing Old Granny Zhang’s arrangement on how to interact with people, Wang Yongzhu felt somewhat ashamed, realizing Old Granny Zhang’s experience was indeed richer.

Old Granny Zhang patted Wang Yongzhu’s hand: "You’re still young and don’t understand these things. People change. We need to be generous when necessary, but also frugal when required."

"This matter today isn’t very significant; if Madam Gu is sensible, she’ll come over as if nothing happened. If she isn’t, then there’s no need to maintain much contact in the future." Old Granny Zhang was very calm.

Wang Yongzhu nodded repeatedly, indicating that she needs to learn more from Old Granny Zhang in such matters in the future.

Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding, along with Gu Yu, who were beside them, didn’t dare to interrupt as the old lady was teaching her daughter.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu not only expressing her wish to learn from Old Granny Zhang but also joking around to make Old Granny Zhang laugh, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Because yesterday, Imperial Doctor Du specifically mentioned for Wang Yongzhu and her family to bring Imperial Doctor Du and his family along when going to the viewing platform.

Wang Yongzhu asked the coachman to make a turn towards Imperial Doctor Du’s House.

Along the way, many people, having had breakfast and dressed in new clothes, were heading in groups towards the riverside.

Everyone thought to go early and secure a good spot.

At the entrance of Imperial Doctor Du’s House, Wang Yongzhu jumped out of the carriage.

The old steward at the door, seeing it was Wang Yongzhu, hurriedly opened the door to let her in.

In the hall, Imperial Doctor Du and Lady Qi were already dressed.

Imperial Doctor Du sat drinking tea, while Lady Qi was instructing servants on what to move. Seeing Wang Yongzhu arrive, she waved away the servants with a smile and beckoned: "Yongzhu, you’ve arrived!"

"Greetings to Lord Du and Madam! Blessings on the Bathing Festival!" Wang Yongzhu entered and greeted them first.

Lady Qi hurriedly pulled Wang Yongzhu over, asking all sorts of questions.

Imperial Doctor Du couldn’t help but interrupt: "Enough, you will have plenty of time to ask questions later, don’t delay us! Are the carriages ready?"

A young servant ran in from outside: "Everything is ready."

Lady Qi laughed begrudgingly: "Alright, you think I’m too talkative, huh? You can go in your own carriage; I’ll go with Yongzhu." With that, she dragged Wang Yongzhu out the door.

All the way she asked Wang Yongzhu how the preparations were going today, and after hearing her answers, gave some pointers.

At the door, seeing a strange carriage parked, she knew it was the one Wang Yongzhu hired, and said frankly: "Let’s ride together; your mother should be here too, I can chat with her."

Wang Yongzhu could only help Lady Qi into the carriage.

Old Granny Zhang saw Lady Qi, and from her attire, knew she was Imperial Doctor Du’s wife, dressed in shiny silk, with a handsome face and glossy black hair adorned with luxurious hairpins, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Before Wang Yongzhu could introduce her, she stood up first: "Is this the wife of Imperial Doctor Du?"

Lady Qi nodded.

"I am Yongzhu’s mother; I’m just a rural old woman who doesn’t know proper etiquette. If I happen to offend, please don’t mind!" Old Granny Zhang humbly admitted.

Besides, this is the future mentor’s wife of her daughter. Seeing the mentor’s wife so young and beautiful, surely Imperial Doctor Du must cherish her dearly.

Observing the situation, one can tell she must have substantial influence, so naturally, she shouldn’t be offended.

For her daughter’s sake, swallowing pride is nothing.

Lady Qi was first surprised, then laughed straightforwardly: "Sister Zhang, don’t call me Madam. In a few days, we’ll be family friends, almost like a family. Yongzhu is like my daughter, why be so formal? Why not call each other sisters!"

Old Granny Zhang didn’t expect Lady Qi to be so straightforward, was momentarily stunned, and then also laughed.

After acknowledging their seniority, Old Granny Zhang as the elder and Lady Qi as the younger, they started calling each other sister cheerfully.

Wang Yongzhu, however, was left on the sidelines by the two.

She wasn’t upset, got off the carriage, and went to check on Imperial Doctor Du.

Imperial Doctor Du, having been abandoned by Lady Qi, was left alone and felt both angry and wronged, shaking his beard in annoyance.

With a huff, he boarded his own carriage, seeing it half-filled with items his wife prepared for the upcoming viewing platform feast, couldn’t help but snort.

He knew, this was his wife’s concern that it was Yongzhu’s first time hosting such an event, and she might be unprepared, thus the precaution.

Just as he settled in, he saw Wang Yongzhu approaching, seemingly wanting to say something, but waved her off impatiently: "Go accompany your mentor’s wife, what are you doing here?"

Wang Yongzhu stuck out her tongue, knowing well not to provoke a husband abandoned by his own wife, turned and left.

Though still early, the road was already bustling with people heading merrily towards the riverside.

Once at the viewing platform, many people had already arrived.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s carriage parked near the Changqing Academy’s platform, people around couldn’t help but envy.

Some idle men started pointing and discussing.

"This carriage today is from Yu Family Carriage Service, but the one behind is unfamiliar; whose is it?"

In discussion, as they saw ladies getting off the carriage, a few idle men watched for a long time without recognizing them.

"Whose wives are these? How can they access the Changqing Academy’s platform? I didn’t see them last year—"

"Pah! Li Da, you think you know all the families associated with Changqing Academy?"

"Look at the lady in the middle, her dress and demeanor rival even our County Magistrate’s wife—"

"Spit, spit! Li Da, if you want trouble, don’t drag us into it! The County Magistrate’s wife can’t be mentioned casually! Shut up quickly!"

The others stomped their feet to stop him.