The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 933 - 931 Don’t Get the Wrong Idea

Chapter 933: Chapter 931 Don’t Get the Wrong Idea

"Third Brother, are you pulling my leg? The lady I’m helping looks so refined, and she’s even the Scholar’s Lady. Could she really do something like smashing someone’s shop?" Xiao Wu looked incredulous.

"I’m not lying to you! Otherwise, why would the Tian Family’s shop get smashed, with claims that their powder contains lead? With such a big commotion, the Tian Family still hasn’t pressed for an apology or compensation. Either they’re guilty or the person who smashed the shop is someone they can’t afford to offend. Today, I saw the Tian Family still thick-skinned, trying to sneak onto the viewing stand where the household you’re helping is watching the Dragon Boat Race."

"It’s just a pity, that Scholar’s Lady has a sharp tongue; with just a few words, she put Shopkeeper Tian in a difficult spot. He slapped his wife and left in disgrace. You should’ve seen it. If it weren’t for the people around, Shopkeeper Tian would’ve probably beaten his wife black and blue—" At this point, Laosan laughed heartily, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Seeing Xiao Wu still standing there, seemingly not understanding, he patted his shoulder: "You’re really lucky! Your sharp eyes landed you a job with such a household. I bet they won’t mistreat you! Even if you didn’t get to see the Noble Patron down there, standing outside and basking in the Fortune of the Capital city’s patrons was worth it!"

"If it were me, I’d brag about it for a lifetime!" Laosan smacked his lips in regret after finishing a plate of white sugar cakes. Seeing no benefits to gain from Xiao Wu, he swaggered off.

The race was about to start soon, so it was time to find a spot.

It took Xiao Wu a long time to recover, and he let out a deep breath, heading towards the viewing stand.

Because someone from the Tian Family came by earlier, Old Lady Li’s husband was guarding the door. Seeing Xiao Wu return, he asked, "Did you deliver everything?"

Xiao Wu put on a big smile: "I delivered everything. The Noble Patron was very pleased!"

Old Lady Li’s husband scratched his head: "You should go up and let the Scholar’s Lady know. Maybe she has something else to ask you!"

Xiao Wu nodded but didn’t dare to go upstairs right away. Instead, he approached Gu Yu: "Sister Gu Yu, I’ve delivered the things to the patron, and he sent a message back. Could you please inform the lady?"

Gu Yu nodded: "Wait here." She instructed before heading upstairs.

Wang Yongzhu soon came downstairs, asked a few questions, and Xiao Wu respectfully relayed Imperial Physician Du’s words verbatim.

He also honestly took out the copper coins given by others: "This is the reward from the Noble Patron, and I dare not accept it privately."

Wang Yongzhu raised an eyebrow, showing appreciation for his honesty and intelligence, and smiled: "Since it’s a reward for you, then it’s yours. Keep it! You did well today. Gu Yu, give him another fifty copper coins!"

Xiao Wu beamed with joy, and immediately knelt down, kowtowing twice to Wang Yongzhu: "Thank you, Scholar’s Lady, for the reward!"

Wang Yongzhu motioned for him to rise: "Thank you for your help today. The race is about to start, so don’t stay here. Go find a spot to watch the Dragon Boat Race!"

She then instructed Gu Yu: "Give this young man two pastries to take home and try." She nodded to Xiao Wu before turning to go upstairs.

Xiao Wu was stunned there until Gu Yu nudged him, bringing him back to his senses.

"Here, these are the things the lady instructed to give to you. Keep them safe!" Gu Yu had been beside Wang Yongzhu for some time, growing bolder, and Wang Yongzhu intentionally gave her more tasks for training.

Despite still being a bit timid, Gu Yu could complete Wang Yongzhu’s tasks without fail. The lady told her to count out fifty copper coins, so she counted them three times diligently. Initially, she couldn’t count, but Wang Yongzhu taught her to count by tens. It was slow, but she didn’t make mistakes.

When instructed to give two pieces of pastry, she gave no more, choosing some ordinary filling pastries wrapped in cowhide paper for Xiao Wu, after recalling she had given him white sugar cake earlier.

Seeing Xiao Wu staring dumbfoundedly at the stairs where the lady went, an instinct of vigilance arose in her, and she pushed Xiao Wu fiercely: "What are you looking at? Let me tell you, our lady is kind and treats everyone well, so don’t get any wrong ideas!"

Xiao Wu quickly regained his senses, hastily explaining: "Sister, you misunderstood. I... I’ve never met someone as kind as the Scholar’s Lady, so... I have no other thoughts, really..."

He was so flustered that he stammered.

Gu Yu scrutinized Xiao Wu with mild suspicion, half-believing his explanation: "As long as you know! Well then, you have no more tasks today; you can go home!"

Xiao Wu clutched his reward money and the two pastries, smiling wide: "Sister Gu Yu, today I only ran two errands and got so much from the Scholar’s Lady. It would be hard for me to leave now! I don’t feel at ease keeping this reward. Besides, the lady’s guests haven’t left yet, and they might still need me to run other errands, like calling for a carriage or something, which I am familiar with!"

"I need to do more for the Scholar’s Lady to deserve this reward, right? Otherwise, what kind of person would I be? Dear Sister, don’t tell the lady. I’ll just keep watch by the door. Just let me know if there are any instructions!" He said while bowing and fawning, repeatedly calling her "Good Sister" non-stop.

Old Lady Li and her husband were merely helping out and kept quiet.

After a long while, Old Madam Ding finally spoke: "Forget it; listening to him, he does have some conscience, knowing that today’s reward came easily. Usually, those dockworkers carrying heavy loads all day get only twenty large coins or so. His good fortune today worth five to six days’ of their wages with just two errands, getting so much reward, and he’s seen things others can’t dream of! It’s a great job many wish for but can’t get!"

She turned to Xiao Wu: "If you really mean it, then keep a good watch at the door so no idle persons disturb our guests. Also, remember what our Scholar’s Lady instructed; find a couple of good florists and send two fine pots of flowers to her house. That would show your effort."

Xiao Wu nodded continuously: "Yes, yes, yes!" He chose to stay after all.

Soon, they heard cheers rising along the riverbank and knew that the officials were about to ride the small boats to the river’s center to encourage everyone.

Old Madam Ding, Old Granny Wu, Old Lady Li, and Gu Yu, along with Lady Qi’s maid, all dropped what they were doing and went upstairs to watch.

Only Old Lady Li’s husband and Xiao Wu remained below, keeping watch.

Old Lady Li’s husband had only been in Jing County for a short while, and the excitement outside piqued his interest too.