The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 896 - 895: Old Granny Zhang’s Style

Wang Yongzhu cast a suspicious glance at the coachman, then took another look at the carriage. The curtain of the carriage’s compartment swayed slightly, as if someone inside was peeking out. Upon noticing Wang Yongzhu’s gaze, they quickly let the curtain fall.

With doubt in her heart, Wang Yongzhu maintained a calm exterior and asked, "Who are you? What business do you have with Scholar Song’s family?"

The coachman hesitated for a moment before replying, "My family head is a relative of Scholar Master Song—"

Before he could finish, a somewhat familiar voice came from inside the carriage, "Tian Da, put down the stool, let me get down!"

Wang Yongzhu suddenly realized who was inside the carriage.

It was Zhang Qiuju!

How dare she come here?

Wang Yongzhu suddenly recalled what Shopkeeper Tian had said the other day, about how they’re all family now, and Zhang Qiuju would bring Lady Fang to visit more often.

Could it be she’s here to visit now?

Deciding not to enter the house, Wang Yongzhu stood at the doorway, coldly holding the plate of Wormwood Cake that Madam Gu had sent, glaring at the carriage.

The coachman, upon hearing Zhang Qiuju’s instructions, quickly set down a stool and carefully stood by.

When the curtain was lifted, Zhang Qiuju appeared with a smile on her face, as if nothing had happened. Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, she warmly called out, "Isn’t this my niece? What a coincidence, I was just on my way to your house to chat with your mother!"

She stepped down from the carriage, carrying several gifts wrapped in brown paper.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t respond to her and merely glanced at her coldly, saying, "What are you here for? You’re not welcome in my home—"

Regarding the Tian Family and Zhang Qiuju, she didn’t even bother with superficial niceties.

Zhang Qiuju’s face stiffened; in past times, she would have turned and walked away, caring little. But recalling her husband’s urging, she had no choice but to stand firmly, still smiling, "Listen to what my niece is saying! So young, with such a temper! Didn’t we clear up everything recently? It was all just a misunderstanding. You’re too young to understand. Let me go inside and explain things to your mother—"

Saying this, she attempted to bypass Wang Yongzhu and enter the courtyard.

As she stepped forward, Zhang Qiuju found herself unable to move, feeling as though her arm was caught in an iron grip.

Turning back, she saw Wang Yongzhu’s slender, pale hand holding her arm, while Wang Yongzhu casually held the plate of Wormwood Cake with her other hand, watching her with a half-smile.

Just as Wang Yongzhu was about to speak, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Old Granny Wu poked her head out: "The Madam has returned, and the Old Lady says let the guest come in."

Wang Yongzhu paused, glanced again at Old Granny Wu, who nodded.

Only then did she release her hold and enter the courtyard first.

There, she saw Old Granny Zhang sitting under the veranda, with Old Madam Ding and Gu Yu at her side. On the table were tea and half a table’s worth of snacks, exuding the air of a wealthy matriarch.

Especially Old Madam Ding, who diligently attended to Old Granny Zhang; frequently refilling her tea and asking if it was to her taste, almost to the point of hand-feeding her snacks.

Gu Yu half-squatted on the ground, lowering her head to massage Old Granny Zhang’s legs.

Zhang Qiuju maintained a smile, yet felt an inner discontent. Even if Zhang Chuntao had a scholar son-in-law, what does that matter? Whether he becomes a graduate is still unknown.

After all, she’s just a rural granny. Even if her son-in-law becomes a graduate, can she truly exert authority over him? Won’t she still have to carefully curry favor?

How could she compare to herself, with a thriving family business and maids to serve her?

Thus, she harbored a certain secretive pride in her heart.

Yet, upon entering the courtyard and seeing Old Granny Zhang’s display, she was dumbstruck.

Her own family had just purchased one maid to serve together with Lady Fang, but Zhang Chuntao had one, no, three people serving her?

After entering, Old Granny Wu also walked obediently to Old Granny Zhang’s side, massaging her shoulders.

Zhang Qiuju didn’t even recall how she entered or how she sat down.

When she came to her senses, she was already seated at the table, and the gifts she brought were placed on the table, with none casting them even a glance.

Old Granny Zhang then asked her: "What do you want?"

Zhang Qiuju reluctantly pulled herself together, squeezing out a smile: "Isn’t it because the Bath Orchid Festival is approaching? I thought, since Big Sister, your family just arrived, you wouldn’t be familiar with Jing County customs, so I came specifically to inform you, lest you’re unaware, right?"

Old Granny Zhang lifted her eyelids and glanced at Zhang Qiuju, barely responding with an "oh."

Zhang Qiuju bit her lip and exaggeratedly explained the customs of Jing County, each word implying the county is different from the countryside, stressing what one must do to avoid becoming a laughingstock.

If she was the type to blush easily or lacked confidence, she might feel humiliated, yearning to vanish.

Yet both Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu sat steadily, not blushing in the slightest.

Zhang Qiuju eventually spoke of the Dragon Boat Race, first praising its uniqueness and liveliness, drawing the entire city to watch. Smoothly, she mentioned her family had reserved a viewing stand by the riverside and offered to bring Old Granny Zhang’s family along, recognizing their familial ties.

After finishing her invitation, Zhang Qiuju couldn’t help but boast about how coveted the location was, claiming that if not for her husband’s prowess, securing a spot would be impossible, blah blah blah.

Her words adumbrated the Tian Family’s wealth, status, and connections.

Truth be told, that’s exactly what Zhang Qiuju intended; previously, during the Dragon Boat Races, they could only piggyback on others’ stands or reserve subpar spots.

This year, her husband strangely decided to splurge a significant amount of silver to secure a decent stand, contemplating how she might invite past mockers to witness her family’s grandeur.

Unexpectedly, Shopkeeper Tian urged her to personally invite Old Granny Zhang’s family for the race day, even threatening if she failed, she shouldn’t return.

Thus, in haste, Zhang Qiuju arrived.

Having said so much and made her intentions clear, Zhang Qiuju anticipated such a good opportunity wouldn’t be refused.

Awaiting Old Granny Zhang’s agreement.

Unexpectedly, Old Granny Zhang slowly turned to Wang Yongzhu and asked, "Daughter, how did our son-in-law describe it yesterday? Didn’t he say we’ve already secured a spot? Right at their Academy’s stand? Which is better, Changqing Academy’s or the one she mentioned?"

From the start, Wang Yongzhu recognized her mother’s deliberate posture, knowing her intentions, thus naturally cooperated.

She was about to speak when Old Granny Zhang signaled her with a look not to.

In her moment of surprise, Old Granny Wu proactively stepped aside and respectfully spoke: "Old Lady, you jest! Who doesn’t know in all of Jing County that Changqing Academy’s stand is the best! Many bring silver but cannot buy a spot! Only someone like our family master has such renown! Come the viewing date, all the old ladies city-wide will envy you—"

She exhibited a little man gaining small success appearance, exceedingly affected, with exaggerated pompousness.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m fre𝒆webnov(e)l.com