The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1537 - 1534: Excuse Me, I Won’t Be Joining
But ultimately, the worries in his heart were set aside.
If it truly is as Wang Yongzhu claims, a method to increase yield by fifty pounds per acre, then it would be a grand achievement for the country and its people.
If it were truly to be promoted among the populace, and people start enjoying the results, they might even establish shrines dedicated to Wang Yongzhu, with every household offering plaques for longevity.
The Imperial Court should also award him generously, usually bestowing a title and rank, along with a stipend and sustenance, ensuring hereditary succession.
Compared to such significant achievements, the affairs of the harem are indeed trifling.
Gu Changqing relaxed, finally in the mood to inquire thoroughly about the matters concerning the increased yield of wheat.
Wang Yongzhu answered each question one by one.
As they were speaking, a rush of footsteps was heard from outside, and before the person arrived, a voice echoed, "Brother, is Yongzhu with you?"
Who else could it be but Gu Changque?
The anger that had dissipated surged up again upon hearing Gu Changque’s voice.
Gu Changqing had a cold smile on his lips: "Get in here!"
To be honest, Gu Changque was quite afraid of this elder brother. Although he appeared refined, he exuded an aura of being hard to deal with.
Upon hearing Gu Changqing’s stern shout,
Gu Changque’s hurried steps came to an abrupt stop, though he was clueless about what he had done to displease his brother this time.
Wondering if it was too late to pretend he hadn’t come and turn back now?
Gu Changque pondered in his heart.
Before he could turn around, the study’s door squeaked open, and Wang Yongzhu revealed a smiling face from inside, waving him over: "Third Uncle, you’re back—"
Seeing Wang Yongzhu, Gu Changque instantly beamed with joy, swiftly stepping forward: "Yongzhu, you’re here! How did you lose so much weight? What’s going on? Weren’t you supposed to return to the Capital City slowly after the New Year with your mother? Coming back so suddenly and hastily, did something happen?"
A barrage of questions was thrown out, entirely oblivious to Wang Yongzhu desperately winking at him.
Wang Yongzhu glanced back at the room, noticing Gu Changqing’s face turning ashen, clearly on the verge of an outburst.
Yet, Gu Changque continued bravely probing, prompting Wang Yongzhu to cover her face, fearing that Third Uncle was surely doomed.
Having just been lectured by Eldest Uncle herself, she chose not to stay and accompany him.
Quickly thinking of an excuse: "Eldest Uncle, take your time talking, I’ll go accompany Grandma—"
She threw a glance at Gu Changque with a look of "you’re on your own," lifted her skirt, and slipped away hurriedly.
Leaving the courtyard, Gu Changqing’s voice chastising Gu Changque was still audible from afar.
Over at Old Lady Gu’s place, after some idle chatter, the conversation turned to the preparations for Gu Changque’s wedding and the situation with Third Aunt.
Mentioning this brought a smile to Old Lady Gu’s eyes, as she remarked: "It’s all thanks to you, Yongzhu, without you, what would your Third Uncle’s life have been like? I’ve seen your Third Aunt; she’s gracious and sensible, though older, but age comes with its merits, being more considerate, doesn’t it?"
"Now this old woman has no other hopes, just wishing to see your Third Uncle have an heir before I close my eyes, then I can rest easy!"
Speaking this, she couldn’t help but tear up, using a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
Wang Yongzhu and others comforted her for a while, finally easing Old Lady Gu’s emotions.
Old Lady Gu grasped Wang Yongzhu’s hand tightly: "Your kindness, Yongzhu, is remembered by both your Grandma and Third Uncle. One day, when you’re free, let your Eldest Aunt introduce you to your Third Aunt; if you get along well, that would be wonderful."
Old Lady Gu was aware of Gu Changque’s temperament; she may agree to marry and have children, but if the future Third Uncle wife doesn’t get along with Yongzhu and Niuniu, the days ahead might be difficult.
However, ultimately Laosan would spend his life with his wife; if they aren’t of one mind, what joy is there in married life?
Thus, she thought of having Wang Yongzhu meet Lady Zhuo first. Yongzhu is a generous child, and as long as Lady Zhuo isn’t foolish and treats her sincerely, once she enters the family, Laosan will surely hold her in higher regard.
Old Lady Gu genuinely worried about Gu Changque.
Wang Yongzhu agreed with a smile, saying: "Grandma and Eldest Aunt have a good eye in choosing, naturally she must be wonderful. After all, she’ll be my Third Aunt, and I will only show respect, how can we not get along? Grandma, don’t worry!"
Seeing Yongzhu’s reasonableness, Old Lady Gu’s concerns were evoked, and she sighed: "Now that I’ve raised these few, once the youngest is married, peaceful days will follow. Only your mother has had a hard fate, marrying your father back then—"
The Lady of the Gu Family overheard this and felt it inappropriate; though her mother-in-law could say such things before them, the man her younger sister married, regardless of his faults, is Yongzhu’s father, how can she speak ill of him in front of her niece?
Especially considering he has been deceased for several years, the living shouldn’t discuss the dead negatively!
"Mother, it’s almost time, dinner is nearly ready, let’s eat first. Afterward, our niece needs to head back; staying too late might cause inconvenience due to the curfew." The Lady of the Gu Family stood up, interrupting Old Lady Gu’s words.
Old Lady Gu returned to her senses, patting Wang Yongzhu’s hand: "Ah, this old woman’s mind has muddled, talking nonsense, don’t take it to heart, Yongzhu—"
Yongzhu laughed, supporting Old Lady Gu as she rose to leave: "Grandma is truly thinking of my mother! And now also caring for me; during the mourning period before, I could only look at plenty of good food. I still remember that fragrant five-spiced pigeon from Grandma’s private kitchen, but unfortunately, I couldn’t have it then. Today, I must taste it to satisfy that craving!"
These words brought laughter from Old Lady Gu, prompting her to repeatedly ask the Lady of the Gu Family: "Did you hear that? Poor child, craving for years. Today we must let her taste it!"
The Lady of the Gu Family understood that Wang Yongzhu was deliberately teasing Old Lady Gu to lighten the mood and joined in: "It shows how much Mother adores her niece. This dish is rarely prepared in the private kitchen, but Mother has already ordered it, and there’s no doubt our niece will be able to enjoy it later."
At once, a harmonious atmosphere prevailed.
Lao An, observing from behind, felt a tinge of envy; although she was always filial and eager to please Old Lady Gu, the latter treated all her granddaughters-in-law and granddaughters equally.
Except for showing slight favor to the youngest son, it was only when she saw the cousin niece that she behaved in such a manner.
However, Lao An didn’t begrudge this; she recognized that Old Lady Gu’s affection extended from her love for the cousin and also knew that Wang Yongzhu had good manners and was clever. Not only did Old Lady Gu favor her, but even as a cousin sister-in-law, she greatly appreciated the cousin niece.
Understandably, in most families, such cousin nieces could often be married to cousin brothers.
If the cousin niece hadn’t been married before her identity was revealed, given Old Lady Gu’s fondness for both the cousin and cousin niece, she might have made the youngest son marry her.
Should that happen, the cousin niece would become the youngest daughter-in-law, definitively receiving the most affection from Old Lady Gu and the Lady of the House, while she and the eldest sister-in-law would have to step aside.
Now that the cousin niece married an outsider, and married well, she was grateful to maintain a friendly relationship.
