novelraw Chapter 1280: 1279: Hit Him
Chapter 1280: 1279: Hit Him
Chapter 1280: Chapter 1279: Hit Him
Song Chongjin returned to the courtyard, feeling it was too quiet. Only the gatekeeping old women and a few servants who usually did rough work came out to greet him, “The Princely Heir has returned! We pay respects to the Heir!”
Wang Yongzhu heard the noise from inside but hadn’t come out yet. Song Chongjin gestured for the servants to leave, then lifted up the curtain and entered.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Gu Yu inside, their hands quickly packed several boxes. He immediately smiled, “Did you already start packing as soon as you heard the news?”
Wang Yongzhu was still packing while Gu Yu busily poured hot tea for Song Chongjin.
Song Chongjin only instructed, “Go to the kitchen and order some food, I had a few drinks when I went out and haven’t had dinner yet.”
Gu Yu promptly agreed and went.
Only Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin remained in the room.
Wang Yongzhu began to recount how, upon receiving the news within the mansion, Lady Gao and others reacted.
In the end, he said, “There’s no need to mention Madam; I don’t interfere with household matters. Madam has repaid in kind and even reminded me out of past sentiments.”
“Though the Second and Third Young Ladies have their little schemes, at this time, they come to us despite the pressure and say they stand with us no matter what, which is considerate of them.”
“So, considering all this, we haven’t entirely failed as people during these few months in the Duke’s Mansion.”
At this last remark, he even laughed.
Song Chongjin took a sip of tea to dilute the taste of alcohol: “It’s all just for their own benefit, with their own motives. Perhaps they hope we can rise to prominence again! Besides, even if they wanted to side with the second brother, could his disposition tolerate them? They’re all clever people; naturally, they won’t warm a cold bench with their warm faces.”
“See through it and don’t say it out loud! We originally have no feelings for them; without benefits, who would stand by our side? But it’s somewhat rare for those two young ladies to have such a spirit!”
“Moreover, when we leave, it will be several years. Since we now hold the titles of the Heir and the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, this Duke’s Mansion is ours! Whoever wants it would need our consent! Leaving behind this goodwill also allows for some information flow, letting us know the mansion’s situation, right?”
“What the Second and Third Young Ladies request isn’t too excessive. Before you go, mention it to Lord Duke, and I’ll put in a word with Madam on my end.” Wang Yongzhu spoke methodically.
Song Chongjin had no objections: “I understand.”
Then he talked about the arrangements for Song Hong, what happened at Deyue Tower today, and Qin Bohan’s arrangements, expressing with emotion, “Today Lord Qin said that a storm is brewing in the Capital City. Leaving at this time is a good thing, though I had some doubts about it.”
“Looking at Deyue Tower tonight, I realized that there might have been a longstanding gap between civil and military sides, and someone may have been plotting for a long time. My transfer is just a shadow; I’m afraid this matter even involves the Emperor.”
“It’s better for us to leave this trouble-ridden Capital City early. Pack the valuables we need in Chicheng, keep it light, and buy anything lacking in Qingzhou Prefecture.”
Wang Yongzhu agreed to everything.
Gu Yu brought in the meal; today Old Madam Ding made rice with assorted toppings, with a pot of vegetable soup containing various mountain fungi and bean curd, which smelled delicious. Poured over the rice, it was appetizing just to look at.
Song Chongjin was starving and devoured half the pot of rice without pause.
This day was indeed quite thrilling. After Song Chongjin ate and drank his fill, the alcohol from earlier went to his head. After washing up, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu had just sat at the table, ready to have breakfast.
Then they heard hurried, quick footsteps approaching the main room.
Behind them followed a series of footsteps.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin exchanged a glance, turned their heads to see the curtain being flipped open with a bang, and Old Granny Zhang charged in aggressively.
Seeing the two of them, she immediately became furious, “With such a big matter, not one of you thought to tell me?”
As she spoke, she stepped forward and twisted Wang Yongzhu’s ear.
Wang Yongzhu cried out in pain while saying, “Mother, you’re here! Have you eaten? It’s been a while since you’ve tasted Aunt Ding’s cooking, right? Gu Yu, quickly set a bowl and chopsticks for the old madam—”
Meanwhile, Song Chongjin, feeling very sorry for him, hurried to intervene, “Mother, your grip is strong; stop twisting Yongzhu. If you’re angry, twist me instead; I have thick skin—”
As he said this, he even extended his arm.
Old Granny Zhang was amused and slapped Song Chongjin’s arm away, “Thick skin, is it?”
Then she raised her foot, intending to take off her shoe to hit him, but thought better of it, and looked around the room for a suitable object.
Song Chongjin very insightfully handed her a feather duster.
Old Granny Zhang was momentarily indecisive whether to take it or not.
Song Chongjin even moved it closer, “Mother, use this; it stings when you hit with it and doesn’t take much effort!”
Old Granny Zhang was so mad she couldn’t get a word out. Why would someone being hit need to teach the person hitting what tool to choose?
She then grabbed it and made a motion as if to strike.
Song Chongjin neither dodged nor blocked and even turned around to make it easier for Old Granny Zhang to hit.
Wang Yongzhu, finding it not lively enough, clapped her hands, “Mother, hit his back, it’s where he has the most flesh. Don’t hit his hands; he still needs them to write. And don’t hit his bottom and legs, he still has to run errands—”
Old Granny Zhang, holding the feather duster, was in a dilemma; hitting wasn’t right, and not hitting wasn’t either. She merely cast a sidelong glance at Wang Yongzhu, “Do you really want Mother to hit? Mother’s not gentle when she does.”
Wang Yongzhu was very prompt in her response, “Mother, don’t worry, hit him a few more times and vent your anger! Get some exercise, and you’ll be able to eat more later, right, Brother Song?”
Song Chongjin nodded, “Mother, hit me as hard as you want! I don’t fear pain!”
Old Granny Zhang, now angry, threw the feather duster aside. No matter how upset she was, she hadn’t lost her senses.
She could spank her own child as much as she liked, but as for a son-in-law who wasn’t hers by blood, how could she really bring herself to hit him?
The mischievous girl knew she wouldn’t actually do it and deliberately spoke loudly.
Sitting down with a huff, Wang Yongzhu obsequiously handed her a bowl of porridge and an egg and shepherd’s purse bun.
Seeing Old Granny Zhang throw the feather duster down brought a swift glimpse of disappointment in Song Chongjin’s eyes, but he quickly composed himself and moved the side dishes in front of Old Granny Zhang.
No matter how angry Old Granny Zhang was, seeing her daughter and son-in-law being so deferential, what else could she do?
After breakfast, she had the dishes cleared away and said, “Last night, I heard your eldest uncle brought back some news, and I couldn’t sit still. I should’ve come yesterday, but your eldest uncle said that the mansion must be in chaos and stopped me lest I make things worse.”
“I couldn’t sleep well all night. I didn’t quite understand your eldest uncle’s talk either, something about leaving the capital city early? Suffering on behalf of your cheap father? Being schemed against by the Wang Family and the Ruan Family? He rambled on, and all I gathered was that the son-in-law is to be dispatched as a County Magistrate?”