The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 926 - 924: The Delivery Guy

Chapter 926: Chapter 924: The Delivery Guy

Over there, Wang Yongzhu accompanied Lady Qi and Old Granny Zhang, along with Imperial Doctor Du who got off the carriage, to the viewing stand.

This location was one that Song Chongjin had already shown her a few days ago.

The viewing stand is divided into two levels, and after many years of dragon boat races, it’s well-equipped in every way.

Below, there are furnaces for brewing tea and heating snacks, as well as restrooms and separate resting areas for the servants and maids, all partitioned with wooden boards to avoid confusion.

Above is a large flower hall divided by partition walls, and facing the river, it has a terrace-like structure for convenient viewing of the race.

The large flower hall is also divided into several smaller halls with half-height wooden fences, each having a table, and behind the flower hall are changing rooms for guests.

Outside each flower hall on viewing stands like these, each is separated by wooden railings.

The section they were assigned to is somewhat secluded, being the first room on the left.

Wang Yongzhu, however, was quite satisfied.

After taking a look around, she invited Imperial Doctor Du and Lady Qi, along with Old Granny Zhang, to sit on top, and then went down to direct Old Granny Wu and others to work.

Lady Qi couldn’t sit idle either. She pulled Old Granny Zhang along to go down as well, leaving Imperial Doctor Du alone above, staring blankly at the river.

Although there is a furnace below, there is no coal.

However, on their way here, they noticed that near this viewing stand, there were many small vendors catering specifically to the needs of the stand.

As expected, Old Granny Wu went out for a while and brought in two vendors, one carrying a basket of coal and the other carrying a load of water.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu looking over, Old Granny Wu explained, "To brew tea and heat snacks, we need water. Although we’re near the river, the water might not be clean today with so many people around. I saw someone selling water outside and asked about it. It’s the famous Mengquan Water from Jing County, brought down from the mountains early this morning, perfect for making tea. So, I took the liberty of bringing the person in—"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu nodded repeatedly, "Aunt Wu, your consideration is very apt. You’ve thought of things I couldn’t. Please continue to ensure everything runs smoothly."

Only then did Old Granny Wu feel at ease. She knew Wang Yongzhu wasn’t a petty master and realized that today is an important day for the Song Family. If things are done well, the family will gain a good reputation. If things go awry, gaining entry into this circle in the future would require much more effort.

Being now part of the Song Family, naturally, she had to consider the interests of the household, for when masters fare well, so do the servants, right?

Lady Qi observed and nodded silently. Even though Yongzhu and Sister Zhang from the Zhang Family might not fully understand these things, the maid they bought was quite considerate of the Song Family’s interests.

This was excellent. As heads of a household, they need not know everything; it’s sufficient that their subordinates do and can execute tasks.

Lady Qi looked around, seeing that although it was busy below, it was organized and not chaotic. She herself had brought a maid to help oversee things.

Seeing nothing else needing attention, she simply pulled Old Granny Zhang to go back up.

Initially, Wang Yongzhu had already sent the coachman back to bring Old Lady Li and her family here. At this moment, seeing the small stalls outside was well-stocked, with vendors selling coal, water, flowers, and various cakes and snacks.

Even more so, there were many neatly dressed young lads around ten years old, all standing by nearby. These were specifically for running errands.

If any noble patron on the viewing stand needed something, they’d instruct the servants, who would then dispatch these errand boys to fetch it and then reward them with a few large coins. The errand boys would be happy, and the servants would enjoy some leisure.

At this time, Wang Yongzhu glanced at the gate, and one clever lad darted over: "Does the noble patron have any orders?"

Wang Yongzhu was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized, wasn’t this the ancient version of a delivery boy? Same-city express delivery!

After thinking momentarily, she spoke, "Buy me two bundles of fresh cut flowers."

"Alright!" The lad listened intently, then immediately turned and ran off without hesitation.

Wang Yongzhu was stunned; why the rush? She hadn’t even given the silver yet!

Laughing, Lady Qi’s maid remarked, "Scholar’s Lady, you needn’t worry about them. They’re quite shrewd, familiar with the vendors, and naturally can take items first and pay later."

Only then did Wang Yongzhu understand and immediately felt a bit like a clueless bumpkin.

Soon enough, the lad returned, holding two baskets woven from bamboo strips: one filled with white jasmine flowers, their tiny white blossoms scattered among the green leaves, exuding a gentle fragrance; the other full of gardenias, their aroma overwhelming.

Wang Yongzhu loved the scent of gardenias. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to Li Zhuye’s house in Qilidun to transplant a gardenia at home. Even when moving to her new courtyard, she remembered the flower and specially dug it up to plant in the back garden.

Smelling the familiar gardenia fragrance, she couldn’t help but smile with pleasure, "Little brother, how much for these flowers?"

The lad, secretly glancing at Wang Yongzhu, quickly lowered his head, "The noble patron can just give fifty large coins."

The flowers were from his own family’s garden, and nobles on the viewing stand usually bought some to decorate the room, so the price wasn’t expensive.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t mind, signaling Gu Yu to give the lad a hundred large coins and casually added, "Do you know any florists from whom I can buy some flowering trees for my yard? Jasmine, gardenias, or honeysuckle would all be fine. If there are climbing roses, that would be even better. If you find any, bring them to the second house at the entrance of Swallow Alley tomorrow."

His eyes lit up, and taking the hundred large coins, the lad looked at Wang Yongzhu as if seeing a deity.

Such a generous noble patron, not only giving half the pay upfront but also wanting to buy flowering trees, he was incredibly grateful and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

After saying thanks, he decided not to leave, staying below to lend a hand.

He was a local from the area, having started running errands at the age of seven or eight, and now after two or three years, he knew the neighborhood like the back of his hand.

They knew by heart which vendor’s snacks were clean, whose goods were cheap, and whose products were good.

Just then, the coal vendor returned with another basket of coal, ready to settle accounts. The lad went over and, smiling, said a few words to the vendor, who spat at the lad but ultimately reduced the price slightly.

The water-carrying fellow saw the lad and asked, "Why aren’t you running errands outside today and came inside instead?"

The lad didn’t answer, just cheerfully asked for a discount of two coins.

The fellow had no choice but agreed.

The lad was very perceptive, as sharp as a fox, and in no time he realized that Gu Yu was the most honest among them. While helping, he also tried to strike up a conversation.

Though Gu Yu was honest, she remembered to keep her mouth tight and remained vague regardless of how the lad tried to charm her.

Bumping into a wall like that, the lad wasn’t annoyed and kept jovially helping wherever needed.

Soon, Old Lady Li and her husband arrived, and with more hands to help, everything was quickly managed: the water was boiling, the tea was brewed, and the snacks were warmed.