The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1605 - 1600: Mother and Daughter Reunited
Wang Yongzhu was not interested in the ridiculous matters of the Gao Family.
She only instructed Shadow Seven to keep an eye on Sister Zhao and Sister Sun, to find out about their backgrounds, and if they had any relatives. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Shadow Seven accepted the order and left.
The next morning, Wang Yongzhu noticed the steward, who had been waiting outside the courtyard since early in the morning, planning to be courteous and ingratiating. She couldn’t help but frown.
Yesterday, Old Granny Zhang had already responded, saying she was thinking of Wang Yongzhu, and even if the Gu Family didn’t mind, she couldn’t let Wang Yongzhu visit during mourning, otherwise, people would criticize her.
Therefore, she had decided to simply move to that small courtyard for a few days, to be closer to her daughter.
Old Lady Gu also knew that there were many things the mother and daughter had to discuss, and forcing them apart would only make people resentful, so she had to agree.
Initially, Gu Changque wanted to accompany Old Granny Zhang to the small courtyard, but Old Granny Zhang firmly refused.
Gu Changque was going to get married and become a groom in two months, which was an extremely important matter.
Even if he wasn’t superstitious, if something went wrong after the marriage, the unseen third sister-in-law might bear a grudge and blame her daughter. What would they do then?
Lady of the Gu Family also understood Old Granny Zhang’s concerns. There were always those people who never find faults in themselves and blame others.
Although she believed that the soon-to-be third sister-in-law was not that type, without daily interactions, it was best to be cautious.
In her heart, Old Granny Zhang, the younger sister-in-law, and Wang Yongzhu, the niece, were closer than Gu Changque, the younger brother-in-law.
So naturally, she sided with Old Granny Zhang and personally arranged for staff to ensure Old Granny Zhang’s stay was comfortable and safe.
Upon hearing this news, Wang Yongzhu happily packed her bags, ready to accompany Old Granny Zhang in the other courtyard.
Of course, she had no time to manage the affairs of the Duke Weiguo Residence.
Besides, since the matron of the household was in deep mourning, it was neither appropriate nor joyful to socialize or have gatherings.
For at least this month, the family would stay indoors unless attending to necessary matters.
Thus, no major issues arose.
She straightforwardly pulled Song Chongjuan and her sister over and left all matters of the residence to them, only telling them to consult the madam for anything undecidable.
Then she packed her belongings, patted off the dust, and slipped away effortlessly.
What good was there in managing the Duke Weiguo Residence when she could comfortably stay with Old Granny Zhang?
When they arrived at the small courtyard they had purchased, the plaque of the Song Residence still hung at the entrance. She left Song Xiaoyin and the brothers inside to keep apprised of the happenings in the Duke Weiguo Residence.
Everyone who had come over from Chicheng County with her was brought here.
Someone had already gone ahead, the courtyard gates were open early, and Old Yu Tou and his two sons, Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang, waited eagerly at the door.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s carriage approaching, they hurried to pay their respects, assuring her that everything inside was clean and stocked with firewood, oil, salt, and all necessities.
Wang Yongzhu rewarded them with a purse before entering.
The front courtyard was naturally for those who had accompanied her from Chicheng County, and with them around, there was no worry about security.
The back courtyard was indeed clean, with all the bedding and luggage delivered by the Gu Family last night and neatly organized.
The kitchen’s water jar was filled, and there was firewood stacked high, along with fresh fruits, vegetables, rice, flour, and spices.
Wang Yongzhu was pleased. Among the maids who had served her in the Duke Weiguo Residence, she selected two discreet and quiet ones, named Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing, to bring over.
The two were very perceptive, and upon entering, they immediately began organizing Wang Yongzhu’s belongings without needing instructions.
Just as she finished inspecting the back courtyard, word came that Old Granny Zhang had already arrived at the door.
Judging by the time, Wang Yongzhu guessed Old Granny Zhang had skipped breakfast in her haste to see her, and she felt warmth in her heart as she hurried to the door to greet her. Just as she reached the second doorway, Old Granny Zhang bustled in with her entourage.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu, she became visibly emotional: "Oh, my dear Zhuzhu, how did you become so thin in just a few days?"
Turning her head, she instructed those following her, "Quick, make some good food for my Zhuzhu, nourish her—"
A woman answered and led others to the kitchen.
This time, Old Granny Zhang had come, leaving Old Madam Ding to cook and supervise Song Chongjin.
She had brought almost everyone else over, including the maids Gu Yu and Li Xia, who had met Wang Yongzhu at the manor before she left in haste.
Now seeing Wang Yongzhu, they hurried up to greet her.
Noticing the additional maids working inside, Li Xia recognized from their attire that they were from the Duke’s Mansion, and she suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
The madam had only been away for a few days, and other maids were already trying to join her service!
She immediately pulled Gu Yu along, first establishing their identity, as they were senior attendants to the madam, so the newcomers should be respectful and not overstep.
Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing, having come from the Duke Weiguo Residence, naturally knew Li Xia’s position.
Back then, among the several personal maids of the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, only Li Xia followed her to Chicheng County.
Initially, everyone laughed at Li Xia, assuming she knew she couldn’t advance in the residence and was hoping to turn her luck by following someone who had been relegated, anticipating future prosperity.
They didn’t consider that a Princely Heir being sent away rarely had the chance to turn things around?
Particularly Ba Lu and Xiao Xue were especially thankful.
Who would have thought that Song Chongjin’s status would rise, gaining the favor of Song Hong and Lady Gao, leaving everyone envious of Li Xia’s foresight?
Ba Lu and Xiao Xue, initially content staying, found themselves falling out of Lady Gao’s favor, shifting from the close maidens of the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to idlers with no work.
Without tasks, they naturally lost their monthly allowance.
After idling at home for several months, they became anxious and spent quite a bit of Silver to reluctantly secure positions as third-tier maids in Song Chongzhao’s courtyard.
It was a steep fall; where everyone once revered them as sisters, they now had to cautiously address others as sisters while being mocked, making life unbearable.
Within two years, they sought favor and were hastily paired and married off.
Who among the servants didn’t sigh when their names came up?
Wang Yongzhu’s return was hasty, and the residence was initially unaware, leaving no time to meticulously select maids.
She had to choose from among the seemingly honest second and third-tier maids.
Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing, having been purchased from outside, were unexpectedly fortunate to have been chosen, drawing envy and jealousy.
Entering the courtyard with the cautionary tale of Ba Lu and Xiao Xue, they dared not act out, remaining extremely careful, for fear of making a misstep.
Today was a test by the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, and they were determined to perform well.
Seeing Li Xia, still adorned in pre-marriage attire, full of spirit and good complexion, and wearing outfits as fine as theirs, she seemed well off.
After being admonished, they dared not overstep, showing tact by stepping back and placing Gu Yu and Li Xia at the forefront in all matters.
Li Xia, seeing their sensibility, was satisfied.
She understood that the madam bringing maids from the Duke Weiguo Residence indicated these two possessed qualities.
So after a few admonishments, she let it be.
Meanwhile, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang observed the undercurrents among the maids, and Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but comment, "Li Xia is a cunning girl, but Gu Yu’s honesty is more favorable."
Wang Yongzhu chuckled. For her, it was essential to have clever maids like Li Xia, along with honest ones.
If Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing could pass her test and become trusted, it would be even better.
