The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 877 - 876: Have you seen this thing before?

While thinking, her hands swiftly chopped the soaked shiitake mushrooms into small pieces, shredded the vermicelli, and cut a handful of chives finely, mixing them into the filling. She quickly wrapped two baskets of three-delicacy vegetable buns and placed them on the steamer, adding firewood to steam them.

She then went to prepare other dishes.

By the time everyone got up, breakfast was ready.

A pot of red date and longan porridge, a large plate of buns, and two side dishes drizzled with sesame oil, all of which instantly whetted the appetite.

Old Granny Zhang was in a good mood and had a good appetite, drinking a bowl of porridge and finishing off two buns, making Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin extremely delighted.

Since falling ill, Old Granny Zhang’s appetite hadn’t been great. It was rare to see her like this today, almost back to her usual appetite.

Song Chongjin rarely praised Old Madam Ding for once, and Wang Yongzhu rewarded both Old Madam Ding and Old Granny Wu with a pouch each, thanking them for their meticulous care over the days.

When Old Madam Ding and Old Granny Wu received the pouches, they heard a clinking sound and felt their weight; there were probably several dozen large coins inside.

Instantly, they beamed with joy.

Such masters made them feel comfortable! As long as they did their jobs well each day, the owner wouldn’t demand too much, much better than those masters who originally hired them just to cook but felt they’d lose money if they didn’t work enough for the silver they paid.

Especially since the Scholar Master, despite having a stern face, wasn’t picky and his wife was kind-hearted. Although the old lady was a bit fierce, she wasn’t malicious or abusive.

As long as they did their work well, they’d occasionally receive rewards. The two grannies exchanged a glance. If the Scholar Master considered buying servants in the future, they might thick-skinnedly sell themselves to him; they wouldn’t have to worry about their later years.

Lost in these thoughts, they heard a scratching sound at the courtyard gate, like a cat. Listening closely, it went silent.

Wang Yongzhu’s sharp senses detected something, "We have a guest—"

Old Granny Wu hurriedly opened the gate, seeing a woman clutching a bundle fall in.

In a rush, she grabbed the woman to steady her.

That woman was none other than Lady Chen.

Being from Jing County, she naturally knew where Swallow Alley was. She had covered herself while walking down here, fortunate that after marrying into the Tian Family, she seldom went out except to buy groceries, so most people didn’t recognize her.

She asked around about a countryside lady named Wang and an old granny named Zhang. Seeing her clutching a bundle, people presumed she was seeking her kin.

Some nosy women asked more, but Lady Chen dared not reveal she belonged to the Tian Family, vaguely agreeing instead.

Finally, she got the directions. Upon arriving at the Song Family Courtyard gate, she hesitated to knock.

Hearing faint voices inside, Lady Chen finally mustered the courage to knock twice, then pressed her ear to the gate to listen.

The gate suddenly opened, and unprepared, Lady Chen nearly stumbled. Fortunately, someone grabbed her.

Terrified and bewildered, it took her a while to regain composure.

When she did, she found herself surrounded by five or six people in the courtyard, all staring at her, making her feel awkward and unsure where to place her hands and feet.

"Miss, who are you looking for?" Old Granny Wu blocked Lady Chen at the door, cautiously asking.

Lady Chen stammered, voice like a buzzing fly, "I’m looking for Lady Wang—"

Old Granny Wu didn’t hear clearly, but Wang Yongzhu did. Curious, she glanced at Lady Chen, unrecognizable and unfamiliar, "Why are you looking for me?"

Lady Chen raised her eyes to look at Wang Yongzhu, gripped by panic, then knelt abruptly, "I beg you, please spare my husband!"

Wang Yongzhu...

The people in the courtyard...

Old Granny Wu regained composure first, "Miss, you’re talking nonsense. Who are you? Who’s your husband? You didn’t clarify anything and knelt as soon as you came."

Lady Chen immediately raised her head, wiping away tears, "I...I belong to the Tian Family—"

Before she could finish, Old Granny Zhang’s face turned cold, "Get out—"

Lady Chen trembled, tears flowing more fiercely, "I’m begging you, please spare my husband! We’ll give you our entire fortune, all right here, all yours!"

She pushed the bundle forward.

Old Granny Zhang hesitated, eyeing the large bundle.

She looked at her daughter and son-in-law.

Last night, Song Chongjin had disclosed all the information about the Tian Family.

The Tian Shopkeeper and Zhang Qiuju had two sons, the eldest named Tian Wuhu, and the second named Tian Sihai. Lady Fang was Tian Sihai’s wife.

Judging by age, this woman should be Tian Wuhu’s wife. frёewebnoѵēl.com

The Tian Family was amusing, sending a daughter-in-law out for trouble?

Wang Yongzhu grew more disdainful toward the Tian Family.

However, seeing Lady Chen being honest and timid, Wang Yongzhu wanted to understand the Tian Family’s true intentions. She nodded at Old Granny Zhang, signaling Old Granny Wu to help Lady Chen up.

She then let Lady Chen sit down, poured her a cup of water, and closed the gate.

After Lady Chen’s emotions somewhat stabilized, she asked, "Are you from the Tian Family?"

Lady Chen’s mind was fully on Wang Yongzhu potentially saving her husband. She was willing to do anything for that, so she answered truthfully whatever Wang Yongzhu asked.

In just the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Wang Yongzhu gathered enough information, and even Old Granny Zhang looked at Lady Chen with a trace of sympathy.

This Tian Shopkeeper and Zhang Qiuju were indeed heartless!

Lady Chen felt relieved after saying everything, but seeing Wang Yongzhu and the others silent, she grew anxious.

She opened her bundle, laying out all the valuables on the table, "This is all our savings over the years. I beg you to accept it! Consider it an apology! As long as you spare my husband, I’ll do anything you ask!"

Wang Yongzhu casually glanced at the things on the table; a few bars of silver, a few cheap jade pendants, and some clothes. For an average family, it was quite decent.

But compared to the Tian Family’s current wealth, it was too shabby.

Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to a glint of gold. She couldn’t help but pick it up; it was an exquisite gold leaf, polished smooth with intricate veins—a beautifully crafted piece.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu pick up the gold leaf, Lady Chen felt hopeful rather than distressed, "This gold leaf, my husband has worn since childhood. It’s said the Tian Family’s fortune is protected by it! It’s an excellent item; I’ve never seen anything better in all my years with the Tian Family—"

Wang Yongzhu’s heart skipped a beat. The Tian Family’s sudden wealth was suspicious, burying Zhang Dabao and Lady Zhao generously and then moving to the county.

And this gold leaf had been worn by Tian Wuhu since childhood, clearly something beyond the Tian Family’s means.

Could it be that Zhang Dabao and Lady Zhao secretly stashed something away, unbeknownst to Old Granny Zhang? But why not give it to Zhang Xiahe?

Unable to fully understand, Wang Yongzhu felt the gold leaf had an intriguing origin, possibly connected to Old Granny Zhang’s background. She placed the gold leaf in front of Old Granny Zhang, "Mother, have you seen this before?"

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