The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 130: Taking Advantage

Wang Yongzhu felt it was inappropriate to inquire further. However, seeing Old Granny Zhang’s implication that the reduction in their ration would not last long, she was able to set aside her concerns.

Furthermore, not long after they had walked, they encountered someone from the neighboring village also heading to town. When they joined together, it was no longer appropriate to say anything more, so she kept her mouth shut about it.

The person from Yangjiapu in the neighboring village happened to be one of the burly men who had helped transport Wang Yongfu to town a few days prior and still remembered what Wang Yongzhu looked like. After all, in the countryside these days, it was rare to see a girl with such a healthy figure, and just one look left a lasting impression.

The man approached with a hearty greeting, "Aunt Wang, Miss, are you going to town to see Brother Yongfu? Has his injury improved?"

Wang Yongzhu also remembered the man’s help from that day. She first sincerely thanked him before replying, "It’s by heaven’s grace that my brother managed to survive. He also encountered Doctor Ma, whose medical techniques are exquisite, which saved his life. Now, our family hopes for nothing more but for him to regain consciousness. That would be the greatest fortune! I thank you and the other brothers for your help the day before yesterday. Our family should have visited to express our gratitude, but in these chaotic days, we neglected to do so. After we sort out our affairs at home in the next few days, we’ll surely come to personally thank all the brothers! Please forgive me for now!"

The man couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at Wang Yongzhu after hearing her words.

Second Young Miss Wang’s reputation was not only known by everyone in Qilidun but also famous far and wide in the surrounding villages.

However, since the former Wang Yongzhu did not like to go out, most people had never seen her in person.

During the recent crisis, Wang Yongzhu had kept her composure, and today she spoke so politely and thoughtfully that there was no trace of the person rumored about. Oh, but there was one thing that was not misrepresented; it was true that her figure was indeed plump. However, it was not as horrifying as the rumors suggested; she was clearly a pampered girl with a full figure.

One had to wonder where the girl had offended someone to make those gossipy women ruin a girl’s reputation so maliciously.

With this thought, the man looked at Wang Yongzhu with even more sympathy.

Old Granny Zhang, on the other hand, watched as the man from the village stole glances at her daughter. Naturally, she felt proud that her daughter was liked and merited a second look.

But her daughter was someone with great fortune; she was a blessed star, not someone to be casually matched with a country fellow.

Having this thought, Old Granny Zhang subtly pulled her daughter behind her and started chatting with the village man without drawing attention.

Along the way, Wang Yongzhu didn’t get a chance to speak and could only follow behind silently, listening as Old Granny Zhang charmed the man into spilling his entire ancestry.

Thanks to the conversation along the way, they arrived at the town without realizing it.

The man, having been so engaged by Old Granny Zhang all the way, nearly considered them relatives when it came time to part ways. He cheerfully said to Old Granny Zhang, "Auntie, feel free to visit our Yangjiapu whenever you like. If there’s anything you need, just let me know. I might not have much else, but I do have strength to offer!"

Old Granny Zhang nodded with a beaming smile and bid farewell to the man. Shortly after walking away, she muttered, "That lad is so careless, I swayed him with a few words and he spilled everything about his ancestors and all his aunts and uncles without a second thought, just like your Fourth Brother, a bit simple-minded."

Wang Yongzhu could do nothing but offer a wry smile. While calling others simple-minded, she had engaged in conversation with him all the way.

However, seeing Old Granny Zhang’s matter-of-fact demeanor, Wang Yongzhu figured it would be futile to argue and decided to change the subject, "Mother, should we visit Big Brother first, or should we go see Shopkeeper Wu first?"

Old Granny Zhang gently patted Wang Yongzhu’s arm, "Is that even a question? We must sell the mushrooms first. Silver in hand is what counts. Let’s go quickly; we can’t afford any delay!"

With that, she briskly led the way straight to Shopkeeper Wu’s restaurant.

The two were in luck, as the tavern had just opened its doors, and Shopkeeper Wu was directing his shop assistant to wipe down the tables and dust.

Turning his head and seeing Wang Yongzhu and her mother, and especially the basket on Wang Yongzhu’s back, his eyes lit up, and he came up to them with a smile, "Ah, young lady, we meet again."

Wang Yongzhu, too, smiled and nodded as she performed a curtsy, "Shopkeeper Wu, hello!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Shopkeeper Wu’s eyes kept darting to the basket on Wang Yongzhu’s back as he ushered them inside, "I wonder what good fortune the young lady has brought me today, let’s talk inside."

Wang Yongzhu, without any hesitation, pulled Old Granny Zhang with her into the tavern.

She set her basket down on the table and lifted the vegetable leaves covering it.

Before Shopkeeper Wu lay a basket full of glistening, fresh, and excellent-grade Yellow Pine Mushrooms.

Shopkeeper Wu’s gaze narrowed. The last batch of Yellow Pine Mushrooms had been very fresh. Although they varied in size, they tasted great, earning him a tidy profit.

Seeing this batch of Yellow Pine Mushrooms, which were all similarly sized and in good condition with no damage, fresh and vibrant, obviously picked that morning, he realized they were even better than the last ones.

His look towards Wang Yongzhu became more inquisitive.

He tried probing, "Did the young lady go up the mountain early this morning to pick these? Such superior Yellow Pine Mushrooms, in all my years I have never seen such. It seems your luck is even better than last time."

Wang Yongzhu smiled faintly, "Shopkeeper Wu, you flatter me. We were grateful for the fair price you offered last time. Naturally, when we came across something good, we thought of you first."

Shopkeeper Wu’s eyes flashed, his smile growing a touch more genuine, "As I said last time, I’ve been in great need of these mountain delicacies. These Yellow Pine Mushrooms are just what I needed! This time, I’m the one who should be thanking the young lady!"

He then instructed the shop assistant to bring out the scales and weighed the basket, which was just shy of two pounds.

Wang Yongzhu, wanting to establish a good relationship with Shopkeeper Wu so she might have a channel for selling goods in the future, offered to deduct half a pound from the weight.

Shopkeeper Wu waved his hands, "Young lady, there’s no need. These Yellow Pine Mushrooms are of such high quality that they should fetch a higher price. We’ve done business before, and you are a straightforward person, so let’s keep it straightforward. We’ll go with the original price and calculate based on one and a half pounds, totaling fifteen taels of silver. Does that seem fair to you?"

Old Granny Zhang was beside herself with joy, tugging at Wang Yongzhu and urging her to agree quickly, knowing that the silver wasn’t hers until it was safely in her hands.

Wang Yongzhu, helplessly glancing at Old Granny Zhang, nodded, "Certainly, it’s more than fair. It’s us who are taking advantage here!"

Seeing no objections, Shopkeeper Wu went behind the counter, pulled out two five-tael silver ingots, a string of copper coins, and some silver pieces, laying them all in front of Wang Yongzhu.

As Wang Yongzhu took the silver, the voice of the Xiao Tiantian System sounded in her mind, "Congratulations, host, for successfully cultivating high-quality Yellow Pine Mushrooms and obtaining 10 Points."

She couldn’t help a tremor in her hand, 10 Points secured—she had struck it rich!

Old Granny Zhang, seeing her daughter’s trembling hand, thought she was just overwhelmed by the sight of so much silver.

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