The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 943 - 941 Benefactor

Chapter 943: Chapter 941 Benefactor

Song Chongjin came out alone, and everyone immediately recognized him as the scholar who saved the person, and they were instantly excited again.

Governor Chen looked at Song Chongjin standing in front of him, dressed in formal attire, which somewhat tempered his heroic aura, making him seem much more refined.

Although he was somewhat dark-skinned, his starry eyes and handsome brows had a unique openness.

Earlier at the teahouse, he hadn’t looked closely, but now, as he scrutinized him, he didn’t know why, but found him somewhat familiar. However, since there were many people present, there was no time to think deeply, he simply smiled and patted Song Chongjin’s shoulder: "Not bad! Young and promising, the future is limitless!"

This wasn’t said without reason; he had been watching today’s competition.

He had a lot of trouble with Changqing Academy, and if it were any ordinary person, they might have lost their composure.

Not only could Song Chongjin remain calm, but he could also turn the tide, especially at the end, that swift rescue left a deep impression on him.

No matter what, Song Chongjin saved that child, prevented an accident from happening, which for him was considered a favor.

As long as Song Chongjin doesn’t act recklessly and maintains this state, the future will not be poor.

If it were someone else, upon hearing a governor speaking so highly of them, they would have been excitedly dizzy and at a loss.

Yet, Song Chongjin simply smiled politely: "You flatter me, my lord, this student doesn’t deserve it!"

This composed demeanor, without arrogance, further enhanced Governor Chen’s impression of Song Chongjin. Just for this mindset and resolve, with the help of Old Du, and a little push from himself, the future prospects are promising.

Governor Chen immediately conjured up dozens of plans in his mind, but his face remained composed.

On the side, although Zhu Haoran had not been in officialdom as long as Governor Chen, he could guess seventy to eighty percent of Governor Chen’s thoughts.

He was somewhat frustrated; not to mention, Song Chongjin and he had first met before, at that time he quite admired him and even gave him his card, thinking that this young man had potential, and might be of use in the future.

But encountering him again in Jing County, he had more suspicions.

However, knowing that Song Chongjin was the husband of Old Du’s closed-door disciple, he knew that this young man had fortune on his side.

Originally, he was pondering whether to suppress Song Chongjin a bit to tame him for future use, but now it seemed that it was no longer possible.

Therefore, he put on a broad smile and patted Song Chongjin’s shoulder: "Not bad, not bad! When I saw you yesterday, I thought I recognized the wrong person, never expected it was truly you! You and I must have destiny—"

Song Chongjin respectfully lowered his head: "My lord jests, it’s only this student’s fortune to meet you again!"

With these exchanges, Governor Chen squinted his eyes: "You know each other?"

Zhu Haoran acted indifferent: "A few months ago, didn’t I go to Qi City? I happened to meet him then—didn’t expect such coincidence, meeting again in Jing County! My lord, do you call this destiny?"

His words were vague; Governor Chen was astute and immediately thought of the private mine Zhu Haoran went to handle in Qi City last time. The matter was smoothly resolved, and upon returning, he was promoted three ranks, becoming the Assistant Minister of Rites.

If it were merely an ordinary encounter, how would Zhu Haoran remember a scholar? There must be something amiss here.

Governor Chen already had his calculations, but his face remained cheerfully smiling: "That surely is destiny! What is your name again?" He looked at Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin bowed and said: "This student is Song Chongjin."

"Song Chongjin, a good name! Tonight, you must toast Lord Zhu well!" Governor Chen stroked his beard.

Song Chongjin could only nod in agreement.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Song Chongjin stepped aside.

Upon returning to the Changqing Academy team, a classmate quietly asked: "Brother Song, it seems the two lords hold you in high regard, they spoke with you for quite a while."

Song Chongjin’s expression didn’t change, he simply stated: "The two lords merely praised us from Changqing Academy extensively."

Because they were a bit far away and spoke quietly, everyone truly believed what Song Chongjin said.

Only Gu Zikai knew that things probably weren’t as Song Chongjin said, but he of course wouldn’t reveal it.

After the awards were presented, Lord County Magistrate Lv Wenguang came up to thank Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, then announced that the celebratory banquet would be at the largest restaurant in the county town, telling everyone to go early.

The remaining time should allow these competing team members to go home, take a bath, tidy up, and have the energy to join the banquet at night.

Lv Wenguang and the officials from the Yamen escorted Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran back to their residence to rest, while everyone else dispersed, either going home to prepare or staying to watch the upcoming grand performance.

Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai descended from the stands and entered a resting room where Lu Jimin and several teachers were already waiting there. Upon seeing them, they kindly encouraged a few words and then let them go home to rest for a while, so they could refresh themselves for the evening banquet.

Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai left the resting room, naturally to find Wang Yongzhu and others.

At this moment, except for the government officials maintaining order near the stands, all other guards had left.

As they exited the resting room, several people suddenly rushed over.

Song Chongjin cautiously stepped back two paces and saw three figures instantly kneeling in front of him.

"Benefactor!"

"Thank you for saving our Er Gouzi! Your great kindness will never be forgotten by us!"

"Er Gouzi, quickly kowtow to your benefactor! Thank him for saving your life!"

The woman among them, while kneeling and kowtowing, desperately pushed the child in the middle to kowtow.

The child named Er Gouzi earnestly kowtowed several times.

Only then did Song Chongjin understand, and he quickly stepped aside and reached out to help: "Please, no need for such formalities!"

The woman, however, staunchly refused to get up: "Thank you, benefactor! You don’t know, our family has had a single heir for generations. We’re already at this age, with only this one child. If anything were to happen to him, we wouldn’t survive either."

"Benefactor, you saved not just Er Gouzi but all of our family’s lives! We are poor and don’t have much to repay you, but we hope you’ll overlook our humble gifts! We can only kneel more times for you and set up a longevity tablet at home to pray for you to become a Top Scholar every day, as a token of our gratitude."

Song Chongjin felt something was off as he listened to this.

But Xiao Wu, who had been waiting outside, immediately joined as soon as Song Chongjin came out, and upon hearing this, he jumped out in indignation.

"Your family is truly interesting, Scholar Song saved your son’s life, and you come empty-handed to offer thanks? I’ve never seen such thanks! This is a life-saving grace, thinking a couple of kowtows would suffice? Doing this in front of so many people, who are you kneeling for? Scholar Song might not mind, but I can’t stand it; isn’t this forcing him?"