The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 931 - 929: Uninvited Guests

Chapter 931: Chapter 929: Uninvited Guests

All those participating in today’s dragon boat race have been rigorously selected from the academy; no one is foolish, so when Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai halted them, everyone calmed down.

Each of them took deep breaths and suppressed their anger, treating the nearby people from Baiyun Academy as mere buffoons.

The students from Baiyun Academy who purposely showed provocation found that the Changqing Academy people weren’t falling for it and had to give up.

The dragon boat of Changqing Academy was at the farthest edge, with Baiyun Academy’s next to it; the other academies naturally were placed farther away. However, only the students on the dragon boat next to Baiyun Academy seemed to notice something amiss, but upon looking again, everyone seemed as if nothing had happened, so they thought it was a trick of the eyes.

After Song Chongjin soothed his classmates, he looked towards the highest and largest viewing platform nearby, where a small boat was already ready, hinting that the race would soon begin.

He couldn’t help but let his gaze wander to the side of the academy’s stand, where there happened to be a willow tree. Although it wasn’t very lush, it was crowded today with people climbing all over it, obscuring most of the view behind the stand, only allowing occasional glimpses of silhouettes.

One couldn’t make out who those figures were at all.

From afar, Song Chongjin tried to spot Wang Yongzhu.

Meanwhile, Wang Yongzhu encountered unexpected guests.

Xiao Wu had just brought the food box and tea for a short time when Wang Yongzhu saw all the guests had arrived and checked the time; there was about half an hour before the race would start. She was about to go downstairs to give instructions since everyone would likely want to watch from the stands when the race began.

Someone below had to stay to keep an eye on things since there were tea and food that needed attention.

There are women upstairs, and one must prevent anyone from accidentally intruding while no one is watching.

Although government officials patrol around the stands, there’s still the fear of an accident.

As she reached the staircase entrance, she saw Old Granny Wu rushing up; upon spotting Wang Yongzhu, she quickly whispered in her ear: "Scholar’s Lady, the Tian Family is here—"

No further words were needed for Wang Yongzhu to understand.

She glanced back at Old Granny Zhang, who was happily conversing with Lady Qi, and softly said: "I know. I’ll go down now. You stay here and don’t let my mother know."

Old Granny Wu nodded: "Rest assured!"

Only then did Wang Yongzhu head downstairs, where a cart was parked at the entrance, with Shopkeeper Tian, Tian Sihai, Zhang Qiuju, and Lady Fang standing before it.

They seemed about to come in but were blocked by Old Lady Li’s husband and Old Madam Ding.

Just as Wang Yongzhu arrived downstairs, she heard Shopkeeper Tian’s voice: "What do you servants know? Do you know who I am? I’m your old granny’s brother-in-law! I’m your Scholar’s Lady’s uncle-in-law! We are guests of your old granny, and you dare block us? Step aside—"

Old Lady Li’s husband looked confused as he didn’t understand the situation, but Old Madam Ding knew.

Not only did Old Madam Ding not retreat, but she stepped forward: "Our old granny and Scholar’s Lady have already invited all their guests. Are you mistaken? Moreover, all our old granny and Scholar’s Lady invited today are women—"

Shopkeeper Tian hesitated before quickly responding: "We know your household invited female guests, so we brought your old granny’s sister and niece-in-law to accompany them. Once they’re settled, we’ll leave."

Tian Sihai didn’t have his father’s tact and was likely set to inherit the Tian Family’s estate, accustomed to receiving flattery when he went out. Despite recent troubles, the family had managed to suppress them. How could he, someone used to esteem, be barred by mere servants at the door?

Especially as people gathered around, including errand boys and idle men, since the race was about to start, they’d paused to listen after hearing the commotion.

Notably, Shopkeeper Tian and Tian Sihai were considered prominent figures in Jing County, recognized by several idle men and errand boys there.

"Isn’t that the head shopkeeper and heir from the Tian Family?"

"Why are they being blocked? Can’t go in? Who dares disrespect them?"

"What’s unusual about that? Do they know where they are? This is Changqing Academy’s stand. Those present are from the families of scholars and graduates. Being merchants, it’s normal not to gain entry."

...

These remarks, not quieted, were fully heard by Tian Sihai.

Tian Sihai felt embarrassed and loudly said, "Father, what’s the point of talking to these servants? We are legitimate relatives and invited guests. How could our in-laws invite us and then block us out? Is it because being in-laws with a scholar means looking down on us relatives?"

The implication suggested disdain by the relatives for being scholars, contempt for them.

Wang Yongzhu happened to hear and sneered, realizing that apart from Eldest Brother Tian Wuhu and Lady Chen, there wasn’t anyone good in the Tian Family.

Evidently, those able to please Shopkeeper Tian and Zhang Qiuju to bypass the eldest brother surely had a mind full of schemes.

"Aunt Ding, who is this shouting here?" Wang Yongzhu pretended not to know, walking out from inside.

Old Madam Ding immediately played the vulnerable role, complaining to Wang Yongzhu, "Scholar’s Lady, I don’t know where this family is from, sneaking around with their cart here. They’ve turned a few circles and now stopped in front of us, insisting on being your old granny and your relatives trying to barge in! I told them all the guests we invited were here already, and the upstairs was full of ladies, yet they keep causing a fuss!"

Old Lady Li’s husband followed suit: "From their appearance, could they be attempting to sneak onto our stand to watch the race? They dress well; why engage in such actions?"

Tian Sihai immediately exploded: "What are you saying? Who’s trying to sneak onto the platform for the race? Do you know who we are? Heard of the Tian Family? Are we the kind who are mixing with the platform crowd? Our family even has designated seats—"

"If your family reserved seats, why come to ours? We don’t know you; what kind of relatives are you pretending to be? Making no sense; who knows what you’re up to?" Old Madam Ding promptly retorted.

Wang Yongzhu found it amusing, surprised that even though Old Madam Ding seemed quiet and focused on work, she was indeed quick-witted in speech.

Usually overshadowed by her mother and Old Granny Wu, it wasn’t apparent until today she could hold her own against four people.

"Do you, a mere servant woman, dare talk to us like this? My niece, your home’s rules don’t work. Against elders, and a mere servant woman talks to us like this? In our Tian Family, such servant women would be dragged away and slapped!"