The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1542 - 1539: Someone in the Car

The other concubines looked at one another, not daring to stay in the presence of Lady Gao any longer. Afraid that one wrong word might displease her and earn them a scolding, they decided it best to take their leave to avoid losing face for a lifetime.

In any case, Lady Gao was not likely to really have them take care of her, so they all rose to say their goodbyes.

Lady Gao did not keep them, merely nodding to let them leave of their own accord.

Left behind were Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu, the two sisters. From their demeanor, it seemed Madam and the eldest sister-in-law still had matters to discuss. They made an excuse about checking if the medicine was ready and then withdrew.

Thus remained Wang Yongzhu, Lady Gao, and Bai Su, plunged into a momentary silence with no one speaking.

After a while, Lady Gao rubbed her temples and spoke, "Very well. Laosan’s house is thoughtless; they somehow heard some rumors and hold some hostility toward you. But today you taught her a lesson, and I reckon she would be too embarrassed to show her face for some time, which brings a bit of peace."

"It’s getting late; you should go to the palace to accompany the consort. Don’t worry about the family matters; I’ve got it covered. You can rest at ease!"

Wang Yongzhu’s gaze flickered slightly, and she smoothly went along, "Then I’ll follow Madam’s advice and first head to the palace. However, I’m concerned about Madam’s health, so I will leave Aunt Bai Su here to keep you company and help lift your spirits."

Lady Gao’s expression suddenly froze.

Yet Bai Su, quick-witted as ever, moved forward to accept the task: "Yes—"

At the same time, she bowed to Lady Gao, "I’ve little skill, only learned a bit about taking care of people. I hope the Duchess won’t find me lacking!"

How could Lady Gao dare find fault, her smile stiff and forced, "Then I’ll trouble Aunt Bai Su!"

A round of polite exchange.

Wang Yongzhu, seeing this, finally made a show of relief and departed.

Upon leaving, a carriage arranged by the mansion was already waiting by the side, yet the coachman and guards had been swapped with several familiar faces.

It was none other than Zhao Liu’s subordinates brought over from Chicheng City, including Song Xiaoyin.

Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, they all respectfully stepped forward and saluted.

Noticing they had recuperated over the past few days and looked much better, she said with a smile, "Didn’t I tell you to rest well for a few days? Are you getting used to life in the Duke’s Mansion? If there’s anything you’re not comfortable with, just let me know."

Zhao Liu’s subordinates, all skilled hands retired from the army, had never encountered the splendor and luxury of the Capital Duke’s Mansion.

Arriving at the mansion, they were assigned by Song Wu to the guardians’ quarters, where warm brick beds, hot tea, and meals were constantly available, along with a constant supply of rich fare. Apart from the stricter rules preventing easy access outside the yard, life was rather blissful.

After recuperating for a few days, the weariness from the journey had vanished long ago, being cooped up in the yard started to make them restless.

They weren’t familiar with anyone else, only knowing that Song Xiaoyin was originally a guard of the Song Family, so they turned to him, requesting for some assignments rather than idling away.

They weren’t trying to take over others’ duties; driving the carriage for the Wife of the Heir-Apparent and acting as her guards was precisely their job, which is all they wanted to continue doing.

Song Xiaoyin, an old staff of the Song Residence, had more information. Knowing that upon the Wife of the Heir-Apparent’s return, she gained the Imperial Noble Consort’s favor and had to enter the palace daily to accompany the consort.

Currently, being the driver and guard for the Wife of the Heir-Apparent was quite an esteemed role.

They had already been marked as allies of the Princely Heir, naturally, they couldn’t let this duty fall to others.

Moreover, before leaving, the Heir had instructed that upon arriving in the Capital, the Wife of the Heir-Apparent’s safety should be ensured by none other than them.

Thus he approached Song Wu and stated that they had rested sufficiently, couldn’t remain idle, and even brought up Song Chongjin.

Song Wu, being rather astute, promptly agreed, straightforwardly assigning the entire group from Chicheng City to Wang Yongzhu.

Presently in the residence, the Duke and the Duchess were at odds in their opinions, with the Duke being cautious, and his attitude towards the Wife of the Heir-Apparent was unclear.

As a subordinate, it was challenging for him too, better to let those from Chicheng guard the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, lest something happens, he wouldn’t be blamed.

This led to the scene in the morning where Wang Yongzhu found that everyone had been replaced at the door.

Being replaced with familiar people naturally made Wang Yongzhu more at ease.

Though Song Xiaoyin was formerly Lady Gao’s man, after several years of interaction and Song Chongjin’s strategies, he couldn’t be fully trusted, but these daily outing responsibilities were no problem.

The only regret was that since entering the Duke’s Mansion, Shadow Seven had not been in contact.

Otherwise, he could have conveyed a message to Song Chongjin.

Although it was uncertain what had become of Shadow Seven. He was originally assigned to Song Chongjin by Song Hong. Although it was said beautifully that once their small team was split off, they would only answer to Song Chongjin, there was no telling if Song Hong might not have a fallback.

Hence, the route with Shadow Seven wasn’t feasible.

Apart from sending a reassurance letter to Song Chongjin upon her return, nothing that happened afterward was known to him, being far away in Chicheng City.

A method to convey messages was necessary.

Wang Yongzhu pondered internally, considering whether to seek assistance from Gu Changque to devise a means or reach out via the Imperial Noble Consort?

Recognizing that if she entrusted someone from the Song Family with sending a letter now, it would surely be intercepted.

Zhao Liu’s subordinates, along with Song Xiaoyin and Song Xiaowu, thanked Wang Yongzhu for her concern, all stating they had rested enough and would grow weak if they rested any longer.

Traveling together, having grown accustomed to one another, they even shared a few jokes, "We all hail from harsh, cold lands, thanks to the Wife of the Heir-Apparent’s fortune, allowing us to see the sights of the Capital. If cooped up in the mansion, we wouldn’t know what the Capital looks like, and if the brothers asked back home, saying we didn’t know, wouldn’t they laugh at us?"

"Madam, please pity us brothers and take us out for strolls each day. Otherwise, returning to say we not only reached the Capital but touched the palace walls of the Emperor’s residence—won’t that make them green with envy?"

These words brought hearty laughter.

Wang Yongzhu acquiesced with a smile and boarded the carriage.

As she entered, her smile froze upon her face, for there was someone in the carriage.

Though she couldn’t tell where they were hidden.

Displaying no outward sign, Wang Yongzhu leisurely settled down and tapped the carriage wall. Outside, Song Xiaoyin cracked his whip, and the carriage wheels slowly set into motion.

After traveling for a while and passing the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue, rows of shops lined the streets, and the market was bustling with vendors selling various wares, being December.

People were busy shopping for the new year, with young women, wives, children, elders, and men all filling the lively streets.

The attending guards, having never seen such a prosperous scene, were momentarily entranced.

Only then did Wang Yongzhu softly say, "Come out!"

With a soft sound, a figure emerged from beneath Wang Yongzhu’s seat.

Leaping out, the figure knelt before Wang Yongzhu, "Shadow Seven greets Madam!"