The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1724: 1718: Striking at the Heart

Capítulo 1724: Chapter 1718: Striking at the Heart

On the return journey, Yi Mingshi was very silent.

Wrapped in his robe that had been subject to malicious attacks and now unrecognizable, he curled up in the corner of the carriage, feeling withdrawn.

He had initially planned to take the opportunity today to find a suitable time to once again express his feelings to Old Granny Zhang and make an effort.

But after embarrassing himself so many times today, being a scholar at heart, though he didn’t blush or get flustered while planning, when faced with such situations, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he felt too embarrassed to approach Old Granny Zhang for a chat.

The journey was indeed quiet.

In the carriage behind, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were also discussing Yi Mingshi.

“After what happened today, if he still has any shame, I reckon he won’t be eager to come around us!” Wang Yongzhu said, unable to suppress a laugh.

Old Granny Zhang was amused too: “Indeed, today was peculiar. I guess he’s just out of luck with this place. You know that pig ignored everyone else but pounced right at him! And his clothes, oh dear, they made me laugh to death. How could his luck be so rotten? But he’s also to blame for his poor eyesight, only looking at that household’s man and a few kids, their faces dirty, clearly they don’t wash, and those fingernails stuffed with black grime, not to mention the backyard, even if the pigs are free to roam, it was a mess.”

“You can tell if a household’s woman is diligent by their clothes and cleanliness. But Master Yi, despite being from a prominent family in the Capital City, how would he know the ins and outs of such matters? He deserved it!”

Then she couldn’t help but spit on the ground.

Yi Mingshi had been avoiding suspicions at first today, and later, after descending the mountain and during the meal, he glanced over at her a few times, appearing as though he wanted to say something but didn’t, making people feel nauseated.

She had clearly shown her stance and spoken plainly. If he were a gentleman, a real man, he should know to avoid suspicion.

Who does he think he’s disgusting with his behavior?

Thus, seeing Yi Mingshi’s embarrassment brought Old Granny Zhang immense joy.

Wang Yongzhu was already contemplating if it was time to devise a scheme to make Yi Mingshi unable to stay in Yunzhong County and bid farewell to return home.

But this matter needed discussion with Gu Zikai, and it wasn’t appropriate to share with Old Granny Zhang just yet.

Thus, after comforting Old Granny Zhang with a few words, they moved on to discussing pig farming.

Old Granny Zhang, after witnessing everything today, felt that rearing mountain pigs might be worthwhile. Besides, Gu Zikai had already made arrangements with others for them, preparing the mountains and the farm. It wouldn’t be right to back out now.

Anyway, purchasing the farm and mountains wouldn’t cost much silver, so they could start by experimenting with pig farming for a couple of years and see how it went.

So she said immediately, “Of course we’re buying it, just the farm we saw just now and the surrounding mountains. You don’t need to shell out any money for now; I’ll use my own money to buy it and try raising them. If it goes well, we’ll buy more mountains and hire more people.”

Old Granny Zhang was now quite well-off, with her share from the Gu Family, which yielded a significant income from fields and shops annually. Plus, the old lady of the Gu Family, fearing she’d run out of money, often gave her silver notes as supplements.

Not to mention Wang Yongzhu, who gave her pocket money monthly and bonuses at the end of the year, easily amassing nearly a thousand taels annually.

So purchasing a farm and some mountains wasn’t a difficult task for her at all.

Wang Yongzhu wanted Old Granny Zhang to have something to do too, so naturally, she readily agreed.

The mother and daughter had come to an agreement, and by the time they reached Yunzhong County, it was already dark, and the city gates were closed.

It was then Yi Mingshi stepped forward, shouting a few words towards the city gate. Only then did two soldiers appear on the city wall with lanterns to have a look, then went back to relay a message, and shortly, one of the attendants initially assigned to Gu Zikai by Wang Yongzhu appeared on the city tower for a look, exchanged a few words.

Only then was a gap opened in the city gate, allowing their group to enter, after which it was quickly closed.

That attendant had been dispatched by Gu Zikai to wait there, estimating the time that Wang Yongzhu and her group would return after the gates had closed so he could facilitate their entry.

Once Wang Yongzhu and her group were inside, he quickly came to perform the necessary courtesies and escorted them to their lodging before heading back to report.

Yi Mingshi hurriedly said, “Give me a lift back—”

The attendant initially didn’t recognize Yi Mingshi, but hearing the familiar voice, took a good look, couldn’t help but show a look of surprise, suspiciously glanced at the followers beside Wang Yongzhu.

The attendants next to Wang Yongzhu shook their heads, the attendant understood, smiling broadly as he invited Yi Mingshi onto the carriage, personally driving them back to the Yamen.

Yi Mingshi had originally planned to first see Gu Zikai, but realizing his own unkempt state, he decided to return home to freshen up.

Before going to pay a visit to Gu Zikai.

Gu Zikai had already changed into casual clothes and was reading under the lamp. Seeing him, he personally got up to greet him, and had tea brought in.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he inquired about how things went today and whether his aunt and cousin were satisfied with the farm and mountains?

Yi Mingshi didn’t really know whether they were satisfied or not. The whole way they were in another carriage some distance away, and after getting off they went straight in without exchanging a word with him.

Thus, he was at a loss for words but maintained his composure and said, “Lady Dingguo and Madam Gu were tired from the journey and didn’t get a chance to converse with this old man, but surely there’ll be a response tomorrow.”

Gu Zikai chuckled, saying, “That’s understandable, for Uncle personally accompanied my aunt and cousin to the mountains today, it must have been exhausting. Uncle is no longer young, with such exertion, I feel quite apologetic! Starting tomorrow, Uncle should rest well, after all, your health is important. What would happen if something were to happen to you, how would I explain it to my father?”

Yi Mingshi wanted to speak, but Gu Zikai didn’t allow him to interrupt: “Uncle mustn’t overexert himself. Rest assured, there’s nothing big at the Yamen these days. Ordinary matters, I can handle myself. If there’s indeed something beyond my judgement, I’ll surely seek your guidance, so please just rest easy, wouldn’t you trust your nephew?”

With things said to this extent, Yi Mingshi, no matter how proud, didn’t dare directly contradict Gu Zikai’s words.

These words, carefully considered, were indeed intended to attack one’s conscience! One must remember, despite being the county head, it was Gu Zikai.

Even though he was titled as Uncle, that was Gu Zikai showing respect due to his father’s influence, but truly speaking, he was just a Master, and Gu Zikai was his principal.

As a Master, if the principal grants him leave for proper rest, and he doesn’t comply, refusing to relent, what does that mean? Does he really think the Yamen can’t operate without him?

When does a Master get to distrust the County Magistrate?

Yi Mingshi couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat, a bit of reluctance in his heart vanished into thin air.

His whole being became more serious, standing up, he cupped his hands in salute to Gu Zikai, his demeanor more humble: “Dong Weng’s good intentions are deeply appreciated by this old man! I will indeed return to rest then—”