The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1543 - 1540: Truthful Words

Wang Yongzhu did not know when Shadow Seven got into the carriage, making it unnoticed by Song Xiaoyin and the others.

However, this is Shadow Seven’s skill. Traveling from Chicheng County, Shadow Seven had been among them all along, with no one noticing, thus proving his remarkable ability to stay hidden.

Time is tight, after this stretch of road, they fear their conversation will be overheard by outsiders.

Therefore, Wang Yongzhu spoke candidly: "Where have you been these past few days, Shadow Seven?"

Shadow Seven’s body stiffened, but he quickly composed himself: "Reporting to Madam, on the night I arrived in the Capital City, I went to see the Thirteen Leaders—"

As he said this, he paused.

Wang Yongzhu remained silent, watching him.

Shadow Seven gritted his teeth and confessed everything: "The Thirteen Leaders only asked about the situation on the road the first day, nothing else. The second day, in the evening, the Thirteen Leaders suddenly summoned the subordinates to inquire about the daily routines of the Lord and Madam in Chicheng County."

"I found it strange, explaining that after arriving in Chicheng County, issues with our secret post delayed us. After reconnecting with the Lord and Madam, per the Lord’s instructions, we focused on handling secret posts and affairs related to the grasslands, knowing little else. Therefore, I vaguely mentioned a few mundane matters."

"The Thirteen Leaders seemed unsure whether to believe it, instructing me to remain in the Hidden Guard’s compound without going out. I discreetly tried to gather information but found nothing substantial, only realizing someone was covertly watching me."

"Not daring to be careless, I feigned ignorance. Only today did I seize an opportunity to sneak out, intending to find Madam tonight and clarify the situation, coincidentally spotting preparations for Madam’s journey and quietly hid in the carriage."

Wang Yongzhu listened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, before saying: "Raise your head—"

Shadow Seven raised his head, avoiding direct eye contact with Wang Yongzhu, his gaze fixed on the carriage wall beside him.

Wang Yongzhu asked: "Why did you conceal it from the Thirteen?"

Shadow Seven took a deep breath: "Initially, the Thirteen Leaders selected us as the loyal shadow guards of the Master Heir-Apparent from that day forward, making us his subordinates. Being subordinates, if one’s allegiance shifts constantly, it becomes most feared by the master! Since we pledged to prioritize the Master Heir-Apparent, obeying his commands, we naturally cannot change our allegiance!"

"As shadow guards, we live in the shadows. If I were to reveal everything I know about the Master Heir-Apparent and Madam to the Thirteen Leaders, not only would I betray the Master Heir-Apparent, but I’d also become a traitor in the eyes of the Thirteen Leaders, possibly ending with a silent demise without anyone knowing."

"Though I am but a mere life, I also wish to live! As long as I remain loyal to the Master Heir-Apparent and Madam, I trust they will eventually grant me a path to survival!"

Wang Yongzhu was taken aback, not expecting Shadow Seven to be so insightful, his words demonstrating sincerity.

After contemplating for a moment, she said: "Since you said so, I’ll trust you! Here’s what, I’ll give you a token to take to my third uncle, so he can arrange a place for you to stay. Also, there’s one more task I need you to do!"

Shadow Seven looked at Wang Yongzhu with surprise, feeling hopeless.

What he said earlier was genuine.

Having stayed in darkness too long, he knows its dangers all too well.

He’s not foolish; although the Thirteen Leaders were asking about Song Chongjin’s whereabouts, the one behind them is clearly the Duke.

The Duke and Master Heir-Apparent are father and son. Any conflict will eventually blow over.

Even if he reveals the Master Heir-Apparent’s whereabouts to appease the Duke, within days, the Thirteen Leaders could eliminate him.

In the father-son feud, should he choose the wrong side, he may be utterly destroyed, without anyone to tend to his remains.

But if he truly aligns himself with the Master Heir-Apparent, based on his understanding of them, they will surely protect him.

With the Master Heir-Apparent’s protection, the Duke would need to consider father-son ties and exercise caution.

Thus, clinging tightly to the Master Heir-Apparent and Madam is the only way to ensure survival.

Seeing that the Wife of the Heir-Apparent trusted him and even had a task for him, his anxious heart was partially eased.

Immediately he promised without hesitation: "Please instruct me, Madam! Shadow Seven will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Wang Yongzhu leaned down, gesturing for Shadow Seven to come closer, then whispered a few words.

Despite Shadow Seven’s composure, he couldn’t help but appear surprised.

But he quickly regained his composure, hiding his surprise, and quietly said: "Rest assured, Madam, Shadow Seven will not disgrace his mission!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded, casually tossing a token over, which Shadow Seven caught and held tightly in his palm.

Estimating that they were about to pass the most bustling area outside, Wang Yongzhu signaled Shadow Seven to hide well, before lifting the curtain and calling out to Lao Seo, Zhao Liu’s subordinate guarding beside the carriage: "Stop the carriage and go to that pastry shop to buy me some crystal cakes."

Driving the carriage, Song Xiaoyin heard the instruction and quickly stopped it.

Immediately, Song Xiaowu and Lao Seo went to the nearby and most famous Xiangzhi Zhai in Capital City to buy two pounds of crystal cakes and returned.

Seizing this opportunity, Shadow Seven had already alighted unnoticed from the carriage, whereabouts unknown.

Wang Yongzhu embraced the steaming crystal cakes, tasted one piece, before distributing the rest to Song Xiaoyin and the others.

Not discussing Wang Yongzhu’s situation in Capital City. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Only mentioning Song Chongjin and Old Granny Zhang, since Wang Yongzhu left, though there was only one less person, the home felt quieter.

Every day, even if Song Chongjin tried to spare time for meals and conversation with Old Granny Zhang.

It was usually Old Granny Zhang asking roughly where Wang Yongzhu had reached.

Song Chongjin would estimate based on time and travel, telling Old Granny Zhang where she should be.

Then the two would worry together, about whether Wang Yongzhu was eating well and coping with the rushed travel.

Eventually, Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but complain about the Imperial Noble Consort, "If countrywomen can give birth without much ado, why is it that palace ladies, with all the attendants and masses of Imperial Physicians and midwives, act as if they cannot give birth without our Zhuzhu? Can’t they give birth without her presence?"

"She babbles effortlessly, causing my Zhuzhu to travel in such freezing weather!"

Song Chongjin was also worried and anxious internally, primarily feeling guilty. If only he were stronger, Yongzhu wouldn’t have to suffer this hardship.

Especially as he calculated the days and guessed that Wang Yongzhu should have reached Capital City by now, he became increasingly restless.

Counting the days, waiting for news from Capital City.

Unexpectedly, waiting so long, they only received a brief message simply stating safe arrival at Capital City, advising him and Old Granny Zhang not to worry, with no further news.

Old Granny Zhang was temporarily relieved.

But Song Chongjin felt something was amiss and endured several more days, considering that even if Wang Yongzhu couldn’t spare time upon arrival, surely by now, a second letter should have come.

They had agreed on this earlier, so why was the second letter delayed? Had something happened?

Song Chongjin contacted the shadow guards to reach out to the Capital City, but strangely, they, through special channels, also only said everything was fine, the Wife of the Heir-Apparent accompanying the Imperial Noble Consort daily with no free time.

If it were someone else, they’d believe it.

But Song Chongjin knew something must be wrong with Wang Yongzhu!