The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1725 - 1719: Taking Advantage of Familiar Faces?

Gu Zikai stood up politely and personally escorted Yi Mingshi to the door, watching his departing figure with a cold smile on his lips.

Because he was recommended by his father, Gu Zikai invited him several times personally, treating him with respect all along the way.

Not only in terms of accommodations, but even when they arrived in Yunzhong County and were handling affairs at the Yamen, whenever his ideas conflicted with Yi Mingshi’s, he thought to himself, "I’m still young after all, and haven’t managed a county before, especially not being familiar with people’s livelihood."

And Yi Mingshi had, after all, always been a Master for external officials or regional governors, much more familiar with these things than he was, so he humbly listened to Yi Mingshi’s opinions.

He really thought Yi Mingshi was, as his father described, a true gentleman, but he never expected Yi Mingshi’s behavior regarding his aunt to make Gu Zikai alert.

Today he brought back the news of his aunt’s refusal, which logically should have made him understand and keep his distance, avoiding any contact with his cousin and aunt.

But Yi Mingshi, quite clueless, would have persisted if Gu Zikai hadn’t given him a veiled warning.

That was tolerable, considering it as his unwillingness to lose face.

But when there was an issue at the Yamen ahead, he found an excuse not to go, leaving Gu Zikai to handle it instead, which was not a big deal, just a chance to familiarize himself with the situation.

However, Yi Mingshi should never have, when Wang Yongzhu sent someone saying they wanted to check the mountain and village, volunteered to go when he had nothing else to do.

Does he treat my warning as air, acting so on his own without considering him as his master? Dealing with private matters on his own now, what if he starts handling the County Yamen’s affairs arbitrarily over time?

Gu Zikai’s eyes were filled with coldness, having given Yi Mingshi two chances already, thinking if he takes a hint and behaves honestly, he might still give him respect for his father’s sake.

But if he continues being overbearing, really taking himself as an elder, making decisions for him, then don’t blame him for no longer being polite.

Yi Mingshi returned to his room covered in cold sweat, reflecting on Gu Zikai’s words just now, helplessly sighed knowing Gu Zikai had become estranged from him, and couldn’t help but stomp his foot.

The feelings in his heart were something only he knew.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang slept peacefully through the night, and the next day, Gu Zikai came again, first to apologize.

Old Granny Zhang wouldn’t blame him, simply saying nothing had happened.

She also mentioned she had decided to raise wild pigs, wanting to buy the village and mountain she saw yesterday, hire a few families to watch the mountain, and asked how much the local wealthy paid for hiring people to raise pigs so she could have an idea.

Gu Zikai, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking if the wild pigs could be raised successfully, it would benefit his career path.

Additionally, in Yunzhong County, there weren’t many things other than barren hills, lacking special produce, mostly shrubs rather than large trees, nothing of high value.

But if they genuinely bought a mountain, it would still require quite a bit of silver, potentially leading to some income.

After taking over Yunzhong County, he realized it was indeed a poor county, lacking specialty produce, with even the Yamen lacking funds, owing several months’ wages to the Government Officials below.

If this income could be secured, at least the small clerks and the staff could receive their monthly wages.

Therefore, looking at Old Granny Zhang was like looking at the God of Wealth, charmingly flattering her joyous heart, and she happily doubled her purchase from initially planning to buy one village and two mountain peaks.

Gu Zikai hurriedly instructed someone to call the Scribe responsible for this at the County Yamen, immediately filled out the land deeds, sealed them with an official stamp, and entered the records, making those two villages and four mountain peaks officially Old Granny Zhang’s.

Wang Yongzhu silently watched this aunt and nephew pair, thinking what’s this? Exploiting familiarity?

Oddly enough, the exploited were happy, and so was the one exploiting, making her feel out of place.

Though Wang Yongzhu had experience with Song Chongjin in Chicheng County, she understood the situation in Yunzhong County, knowing Gu Zikai had no choice.

Their funds would allow Gu Zikai to establish a foothold in Yunzhong County, winning some hearts over.

The silver was something they could afford, and with successful pig farming, the mountain peaks wouldn’t be so cheap in the future, ideally benefiting them later.

So she didn’t bother to comment further.

Having obtained the land and house deeds, Old Granny Zhang had completed her tasks in Yunzhong County. As for sightseeing, with Gu Zikai new to the area, already dealing with many issues and a troubling Master Yi, it wasn’t suitable to add to his burden.

So she decided to leave.

Gu Zikai pondered for a moment, also realizing although Yi Mingshi appeared to have become honest, no one knows his true intentions; better to keep distance, as any scheme he might have couldn’t reach far.

Therefore, he didn’t insist: "Given the unclear situation here, my aunt and cousin needn’t stay. Once everything is settled, I’ll invite you both back for a visit, fulfilling my filial duty."

Old Granny Zhang didn’t stand on ceremony, happily went inside to store the deeds, and instructed servants to pack, planning to depart in the afternoon.

Outside, Wang Yongzhu escorted Gu Zikai, seeing no one around, she whispered, "The news from the Capital City, Master Yi’s granddaughter was chosen in the selection to be a concubine for the Second Prince; just a heads up for you."

Gu Zikai’s eyes grew cold, nodding knowingly, "I understand, I’m aware. After all, he was recommended by my father and personally invited by me, so I’ll keep up appearances. If he behaves from now on, without scheming, it’s fine. But if he doesn’t give up, I have ways to chop his claws off!"

Wang Yongzhu knew Gu Zikai wasn’t as gentle and pure as he seemed, to put it simply, he was a hidden fox.

She wasn’t worried, relieved to see he understood the situation, and finally reminded him, "Be careful, if anything happens, just send a message to Chicheng County, we’re family, no need for formality, cousin."

Gu Zikai smiled, "Rest assured, your cousin isn’t one to stubbornly face things alone. I won’t hesitate to rely on you when needed. So I won’t see you and my aunt off this afternoon. Have a safe journey!"

Wang Yongzhu waved him off, indicating he should leave without ceremony.

Yi Mingshi only learned of the news the next morning; Old Granny Zhang and her group had likely traveled dozens of miles by then.

Yi Mingshi merely sighed deeply, finally abandoning any plans.

That night, he picked up his pen and wrote a letter home, sending it to the post station the next day.

That letter found its way to Wang Yongzhu’s desk that night.