The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1663 - 1657: Injured

After dinner, Wang Yongfu and the others hadn’t arrived yet, so Wang Yongzhu sent someone to call them. After a while, the message came back saying they were busy and wouldn’t be having dinner, so there was no need to wait.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t urge further, simply had the kitchen prepare a meal for them and sent it over separately, and left it at that.

The other two families could tell something was up, but seeing Wang Yongzhu acting as if nothing was wrong, they naturally didn’t feel comfortable asking.

Everyone ate dinner gloomily, each lost in their thoughts, and then dispersed.

Back at their living quarters, Wang Yongfu’s room door was tightly shut.

Inside, cries of pain from Jinguan could be heard, along with the couple, Jindou, trying to soothe him.

Everyone exchanged glances; Wang Yonggui waved his hand, signaling Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao to take the children back inside.

Finally, he and Wang Yongping walked to the door, hesitated for a moment, and coughed: "Big brother, what exactly happened? Even if the child was wrong, you shouldn’t beat him to death—"

The commotion inside suddenly stopped.

After quite a while, Wang Yongfu came out, looking utterly disheartened.

Wang Yonggui and Wang Yongping glanced inside the room; Jinguan was kneeling on the ground, his summer clothes torn apart, stained with blood.

Wang Yonggui was startled, quickly supporting Wang Yongfu, and gave Wang Yongping a look, signaling him to help Jinguan up.

Wang Yongping stepped in and saw that Jinguan could barely hold on, struggling to stay conscious. When Wang Yongping lightly tapped him, he softly collapsed to the side.

This startled not only Wang Yongping but also Quan Xiuniang, who covered her mouth, her legs weakening in fright.

Hearing the noise, Wang Yonggui turned around, initially shocked but soon collected himself: "Jindou, hurry and fetch the doctor!"

Jindou finally snapped out of it and ran outside.

By the time the doctor was brought back, it took half the night treating wounds and brewing medicines.

This commotion naturally caught the attention of Wang Yongzhu and her group.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang came personally to check on things, examining Jinguan’s pulse. Fortunately, due to his youth, the injuries weren’t severe, mostly superficial wounds.

After all, he was her own son; Wang Yongfu, despite his anger, hadn’t been ruthless.

Wang Yongzhu provided two pills to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling for Jinguan to take, along with topical ointment for his wounds.

With both internal and external treatment, Jinguan’s breathing stabilized, and he slept peacefully.

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After the long night, Jindou stayed to watch over him, while everyone else went back to rest.

Originally, Wang Yongzhu planned to depart the next day, but due to Jinguan’s injury, plans were delayed by a day.

Afterward, Wang Yonggui quietly asked Wang Yongfu why he was so angry, knowing that his big brother adored the children so much, rarely even speaking harshly.

Why was he so severe this time?

Wang Yongfu was too ashamed to speak plainly, only vaguely brushing it off.

Wang Yonggui had a rough idea, realizing that his brother was hiding something else, perhaps something embarrassing.

So, he didn’t press further.

Instead, he changed the topic, mentioning how Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu were about to depart, and that they should prepare to leave as well.

Wang Yongfu paused; amidst his anger, he’d forgotten that his mother and sister had only resumed briefly during this visit and would soon depart.

This parting might last many years before seeing each other again.

He fell into silence.

No matter what the Wang Family Brothers thought, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang naturally couldn’t stay back for them.

They prepared gifts for everyone and left ointment for Jinguan before setting off.

As they stepped out the door, they heard the creak of Madam Gu’s door opening across the street.

Madam Gu, carrying a basket, emerged and initially seemed startled before breaking into a surprised smile: "Lady Song—"

Wang Yongzhu politely nodded: "Madam Gu, long time no see, how have you been?"

Madam Gu was flattered, nodding repeatedly: "Good, very well, thanks to Madam’s grace, very well—"

She attempted to approach.

But the guards stopped her.

Madam Gu had been watching the Song Family’s courtyard eagerly. Just yesterday, she’d vaguely heard of the noble patron’s impending departure, which filled her with anxiety akin to being clawed by a cat.

If this noble patron left, how could she establish connections and rekindle old relations?

Thus, she rose before dawn and quietly waited in her courtyard.

Upon hearing the commotion, she took deep breaths and feigned ignorance, carrying the basket out to stage a coincidental encounter.

Opening her mouth as expected, she managed a brief exchange with Wang Yongzhu.

But she hadn’t anticipated the outcome; after only a few sentences, she was stopped, growing desperate.

She intended to say more, but Wang Yongzhu didn’t grant her the chance, simply nodding and saying, "Madam Gu, I have matters to attend to, apologies for delaying your shopping." Then helped Old Granny Zhang onto the carriage, pulling down the curtain.

Madam Gu tried to step forward but was pushed aside by Wang Family members who had come to see them off.

Steadying herself, she saw Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang’s carriage already distant.

Days of planning crumbled to dust; Madam Gu’s expression soured.

People from nearby families had been observing secretly, and upon seeing Madam Gu’s failure, couldn’t resist stepping out to mock her: "Look at her, really thought she could associate with the noble patron!"

"Isn’t it the truth! Back when living across the street from the noble patron, she exploited them often. Now, she still seeks benefits! Doesn’t even consider her own status, yet tries to reach above!"

...

These people didn’t try to lower their voices, deliberately speaking for Madam Gu to hear.

Her face flushed intermittently pale and green, she fled back to her courtyard, hiding in shame for days.

Meanwhile, the Wang family tearfully bid farewell to Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.

Due to Jinguan’s injury, plans were again postponed. It was only when he was mostly recovered that they packed to return to Qilidun.

Yao Da stayed behind supposedly to handle remaining matters here.

When the Wang family left, the courtyard finally quieted down.

The people he’d sent out for news had returned.

Zhao Xingshang’s status was pretty much as the Wang family had described.

Though he didn’t have an only daughter and no family.

Instead, he had a brother with several children, sons and daughters, who’ve long disclosed intentions of allowing one of his sons to be adopted by Zhao Xingshang to inherit the family business.

Zhao Xingshang was unwilling because rumors suggest his childlessness stemmed from the brother.

This brother read and studied for a few years, eventually becoming a Scholar, with the family once reliant on Zhao Xingshang’s business outside to support the brother’s education.

The family’s parents favored the brother as the sole future dependance, neglecting Zhao Xingshang, treating him purely as a money stash, asking every time they needed funds.

Even marrying a wife was handled by finding a poor family selling a daughter, marrying her partially bought, partially wed.