The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1649 - 1643: Coming Home

Previously, Yao Da returned to the small courtyard with the maid and the guards to prepare, so Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang would have a place to stay upon their return.

At this moment, the courtyard gate was wide open, and when the guards at the entrance saw Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang arriving with their group, they hurried forward to welcome them in.

The neighbors across the alley and next door had already been notified by the government official not to come out, fearing they might disturb the noble patron.

Therefore, they could only stay inside their own yards, peeking through the gaps in their doors, or climbing onto the walls to watch from afar.

This alley was home to old neighbors who had lived there for many years. Just a few days ago, they heard the news that Scholar Song, who used to live at the entrance of the alley, had become Lord Song, a legendary figure.

Back then, he became an advanced scholar, and later wasn’t he appointed as County Magistrate elsewhere? That was one thing, but they also heard he had acknowledged a powerful father, who was a noble patron in the court.

This was remarkable, and it was said that Lord Song had a title to inherit! Now, Lord Song’s wife had returned to visit her family, and even the County Magistrate was concerned about neglecting them, sending people ahead to make preparations.

Lord Song’s courtyard had always been maintained by someone, but recently it had been thoroughly repaired and tidied up, and the adjacent courtyard was rented and cleaned.

Two days ago, a large family moved into the rented courtyard, with men and women, old and young, making it very lively.

Those with insight secretly inquired and found out these people were Scholar’s Lady’s family, brought by the County Magistrate’s men, so the former Scholar’s Lady, now a noble patron, could see her family.

Those who got the news were keen to make connections and curry favor, but the courtyard was guarded by the County Yamen’s men, making it difficult for them to establish any rapport.

This morning, the County Yamen sent people to notify them that the noble patron had arrived and could return at any time, advising everyone to behave and stay home, warning that if anyone offended the noble patron, they wouldn’t be polite and wouldn’t consider their decades-long neighborly relations.

These old neighbors wouldn’t dare object, so they nodded, keeping their children at home, afraid to let them outside.

They occasionally peeked through the door cracks to check the situation, wanting to know if the noble patron had returned.

At this moment, everyone stretched their necks, eager to see the excitement.

Especially the family of Madam Gu across the street, who over the years, living opposite Song’s courtyard, bragged not a little.

Talking about how good the relationship between the two families was back then, how impressive Scholar Song was, how friendly Scholar’s Lady was, the two families being close like one.

They fooled quite a few people, making many genuinely respect Madam Gu’s family.

Madam Gu’s family reaped the benefits, and upon hearing Scholar’s Lady was now a noble patron, even the County Magistrate was eager to please them. If they could establish a connection, wouldn’t the whole family prosper?

Even if they couldn’t establish a connection, if they could exchange a few words, whatever the noble patron casually bestowed would be enough for them to live comfortably for half a lifetime.

Therefore, Madam Gu’s family stayed at home in recent days, thinking about how to strike up a conversation with the noble patron.

Little did they expect that after waiting for several days, they couldn’t even get a full glimpse of the person before the whole group was ushered into the courtyard.

They had no choice but to temporarily set aside their thoughts.

Inside, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang entered the courtyard, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar.

She had personally designed the courtyard back then, and after four or five years, the tree trunks were now thick as bowl rims, their branches lush and expansive, shading half the courtyard with their cool cover.

As they entered the inner courtyard, the wall of roses, the closer they came, the more overwhelming the fragrance, attracting many bees and butterflies to dance among the flowers.

Beneath the grape arbor along the corridor, tea and refreshments were already prepared, and soft cushions covered the stone stools.

Sitting under the grape arbor, smelling the floral scents, cooled by the breeze, savoring the clear tea, any heat from outside instantly dissipated.

After drinking a cup of tea, they changed into casual clothes and returned.

Over there, Yao Da was already waiting with Wang Yongfu and the others in the front yard.

Wang Yongfu’s three brothers wore brand-new clothes, feeling a bit awkward, constantly smoothing out the wrinkles on their clothes, worried about creasing their new outfits.

They kept checking each other, "Take a look, is there any problem with my clothes?"

"Do I look appropriate to meet Mom and Sister?"

Over there, Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao, along with Jindou’s wife Quan Xiuniang, adorned themselves with satin skirts and gold and silver hairpins, powdering their faces, feeling slightly uncomfortable yet overall happy. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Unintentionally, they kept reaching to touch the hairpins on their heads and the bracelets on their wrists.

They were surrounded by several children of various ages.

Jinguan had grown into a strapping young man, benefiting from the Wang Family’s good living conditions, making him tall and sturdy, though his face still showed some youthful innocence.

Jinhua was already sixteen, blooming gracefully, resembling Lady Jiang in her youth. Thanks to the Wang Family’s good fortunes, she hadn’t faced hardships, shielded from sun and rain, avoiding labor, kept by Lady Jiang to help with household chores, learning to keep accounts, becoming proficient with the abacus.

And because since last year, the Tea Mountain at Qilidun started yielding profits, at the end of the year Jinhua also received a share of the dividends, making her the most sought-after girl in the neighboring ten-mile vicinity around Qilidun.

Due to Wang Yongzhu’s instructions back then, Lady Jiang and Wang Yonggui dared not impose on anyone, but the village Lizheng sent a matchmaker to propose to his nephew.

This nephew was the youngest son of the Lizheng’s sister, who married in town, where her family also had considerable assets.

This youngest son had studied for a few years and learned a few words. Since the eldest son needed to study, the family’s businesses were managed by the youngest son.

Though the Lizheng’s sister’s family had considerable wealth, their family values remained upright, avoiding any chaotic entanglements.

This youngest son was clever, diligent in his business dealings, making the family’s affairs flourish under his management.

He himself set high standards for integrity, seeking a wife who was beautiful and capable around the house to join him in managing the family’s affairs.

He wasn’t impressed by most girls, delaying marriage due to lack of suitability, leaving the Lizheng’s sister anxious.

During New Year, upon returning home and coincidentally encountering Jinhua, the young son fell in love at first sight, insisting on marrying Jinhua.

The Lizheng’s sister couldn’t argue with her son and upon seeing him fancy a girl, entrusted the Lizheng’s family to inquire.

Learning she was the Wang Family’s daughter, they became even more satisfied, hastily asking his brother and sister-in-law to propose marriage.