The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1856 - 1844: I Couldn’t Live Without You

The guards rested overnight yesterday, and today they all seem to be in good spirits.

Everyone thought it was just a routine inquiry, and they appeared very relaxed.

Song Chongjin did not gather everyone to ask questions but instead interviewed them individually, asking in great detail, eager to know every move Wang Yongzhu made since leaving Chicheng County.

This approach made each guard more cautious, carefully recalling several times in their minds before daring to speak.

After inquiring with all the guards, Song Chongjin signaled them to leave. After they met up, the guards were completely puzzled.

What’s going on? Didn’t Madam return safely under their protection yesterday? Why does the official seem worried?

The guards, not daring to ask or say anything, exchanged glances and decided it was best to stay quiet for the next few days, especially since they have a few days of rest ahead. Better not go out and mess around.

Little did they know, inside, Song Chongjin sat at his desk, while recalling the information he got from the guards, sketching on his paper.

According to the guards, the journey was smooth until they dived into the valley. Wang Yongzhu separated from them to dry her clothes, and shortly after, she informed the guards that there was poison in the valley, urging them to retreat.

Then she allowed only one person each day to dive into the valley to bring her food and water, and they had to rotate each time.

Upon entering the valley, they were only allowed to stay at the landing point and not take another step inside.

The time spent in the valley was also restricted to the duration of burning a tea stick, and they were instructed to avoid the hidden river.

All these rules hinted at something suspicious in the valley. Could it truly be poisonous, as Wang Yongzhu claimed?

Piecing together the guards’ observations of the valley’s changes, it seemed that three days after Wang Yongzhu entered, the valley’s temperature began to change, first rising, then slowly falling.

The flora in the valley wilted due to the temperature drop.

The water level of the hidden river also slowly decreased, though not noticeably at first, but visible after a few days.

On the sixth day of entering the valley, before the guards could dive in again, Wang Yongzhu emerged.

Upon her exit, the guards heard a rumbling sound, as if something had collapsed.

Wang Yongzhu told them the valley had collapsed, blocking the hidden river with fallen rocks, turning it into an unreachable land.

Unless one could scale the thousand-foot cliffs surrounding the valley, which remained snow-capped and icy year-round, not even birds could perch there, let alone anyone crossing over.

Initially skeptical, after waiting a day, they found the hidden river’s source blocked, the water level falling, revealing the menacing rock walls.

Some brave guards, carrying torches, explored the hidden river’s path but quickly returned, unable to pass due to the collapsed rocks blocking the way.

There were suspicions that the collapse was Wang Yongzhu’s doing, but no one dared voice it.

Moreover, after coming out, Wang Yongzhu gave each guard a pill to consume on the spot, claiming it would alleviate the poison in their bodies.

It was a slow-acting poison requiring time and in a year, they should maintain a healthy routine, get enough nutrition, and avoid injuries as much as possible.

Most importantly, married guards were advised not to conceive within the year to prevent the poison from affecting any offspring.

Fortunately, most guards weren’t married, and those who were already had children, so it wasn’t a concern.

For this, Wang Yongzhu compensated each person with one hundred taels of silver to improve their health and urged them not to be frugal!

Everyone knew of Wang Yongzhu’s medical techniques and skills, and seeing her serious demeanor, they took it to heart.

The unmarried guards, who had planned to find wives after this task, decided to wait another year.

Song Chongjin consolidated the guards’ accounts, having a general idea.

The valley’s contents were definitely not benign, and Wang Yongzhu’s caution suggested sealing it for good was wise.

However, another matter occurred to him, making him restless. Luckily, there was no important business today. He entrusted matters to Master Jian and headed home.

Upon returning to the Song Residence, Wang Yongzhu, Old Granny Zhang, and Jinhoo had already finished lunch.

Jinhoo, having reflected yesterday, chose today while Song Chongjin was away, to admit his mistakes during lunch.

Wang Yongzhu comforted him briefly, finally saying: "Jinhoo, as long as you do honest business and avoid unscrupulous paths, your aunt and uncle will protect you wholeheartedly! Should anyone dare bully you, even to the Emperor’s feet, your aunt won’t let you suffer!"

"But if you stray or have other thoughts, you know your aunt well, she won’t tolerate it. You’ll face the consequences! Understand?"

Jinhoo understood clearly—his aunt would act if he did wrong, risking his life.

With this warning, Jinhoo eagerly swore to adhere.

Wang Yongzhu knew Jinhoo’s promise was sincere but time would test his integrity when facing tremendous gains.

She was prepared to keep him in line!

Regarding Zhang Yinbao, Wang Yongzhu didn’t mind much, knowing Lee Changnan wasn’t concerned anymore, either.

Today’s Lee Changnan wasn’t just wealthy but also an Imperial Court Official, albeit with a low rank but an important position.

If all went well after this opening, he could contribute significantly to the national treasury, promising swift promotion.

The Lee Family was a fleeting past, and Zhang Yinbao wasn’t an issue.

Thus, she agreed Jinhoo and Zhang Yinbao share one spot, considering the limited availability, which was generous.

Receiving promised reassurance, Jinhoo felt relieved and went to find Zhang Yinbao.

When Song Chongjin returned, Wang Yongzhu was chatting with Old Granny Zhang, surprised to hear of his return.

Song Chongjin wasn’t one to neglect duty for personal reasons. Even when living behind the County Yamen, he usually had lunch sent for communal dining, rarely joining Wang Yongzhu and her mother in the back courtyard.

His return suggested urgency.

Old Granny Zhang urged Wang Yongzhu to check on him.

Wang Yongzhu went out, met Song Chongjin, and upon hearing he hadn’t eaten, instructed meal preparations. She noticed a hidden urgency and concern beneath his stern appearance, momentarily stunned.

Before she could inquire, Song Chongjin pulled her into the house, scolding maids to stay out.

Gu Yu hastily stood guard at the courtyard entrance, allowing no one near.

Dragged inside with the door shut, Song Chongjin began to undress Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu panicked. What was he up to, abandoning official duties to undress her midday—did he intend to do something improper?

Though such was indeed marital intimacy, Wang Yongzhu maintained some reason, grasping his hand, "What’s wrong?"

Song Chongjin realized his rashness, inhaled deeply to calm down, and hoarsely asked, "I questioned the guards. They mentioned the valley’s severe poison. You gave them antidote pills. Yongzhu, you stayed in the valley for so long. Are you okay? Did you get poisoned?"

Wang Yongzhu, understanding, was amused: "Even if I were poisoned, undressing wouldn’t show you! Don’t worry, I’m fine! If anything, having a child is delayed by a year."

Relieved to hear she was unharmed, Song Chongjin, feeling weak-legged, sat on the heated bed with her, "As long as you’re alright. If anything happened to you, I couldn’t go on living!"

With a sigh, Wang Yongzhu cupped his face, kissing him deeply, reassuring him: "Rest assured! Unless something unexpected happens, you’re mine for life—never another woman, mm—"

The rest was swallowed entirely by Song Chongjin...