The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1695 - 1689: Leakage of Information

These are mostly the concubines and chambermaids of those officials, who, having little experience of the world, know nothing of what goes on outside.

Usually not very favored, they found themselves travelling to the frigid northern frontier, a place the favored ones had no wish to follow.

This allowed the chance for their mistress to have them accompany their master, and without the mistress around, they basked in indulgence all the way, forgetting themselves, merely thinking their master’s official rank was high. They recalled stories of concubines who accompanied their masters on external assignments, behaving with much grandeur in the absence of the mistress.

Some even wanted to imitate those stories.

But Jian Huaifeng and the people at the county yamen couldn’t care less about what they thought.

After clearly giving instructions and inspecting each yard to ensure hot water was indeed being boiled in the kitchen, they felt reassured.

With their task done, as night began to fall and with everyone having their dinner, they realized they’d been working all day without even catching a sip of water.

Upon Jian Huaifeng’s command, they all swiftly returned home.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Capital City, after a feast of northern frontier delicacies and being filled with local strong wines at Chicheng City’s largest restaurant, returned with the staggering drunks being supported back to their lodgings by their close attendants.

Once there, all these yards brimmed with lively activity under the bright lights.

Requests for hot water, calls for sobering soups, demands for tea—all kept the servant women running flat out, leaving them breathless.

After a half night’s busyness, they finally had the officials tended to properly.

In the morning, sure enough, county yamen people arrived early to bring steaming hot breakfast right to their doors.

Thick millet porridge, pickled vegetables, steamed buns, and the local specialty of stew noodles splashed with spicy oil—they were mouthwatering at the first whiff.

Those officials who were good drinkers or had not drunk much were already up, looking at this breakfast that, although less exquisite than in the Capital, offered a distinctive local flavor.

Especially after a bowl of millet porridge with pickles, their appetite awoke, and the spiced stew noodles brought out a sweat, leaving them quite content.

Then hearing their attendants recount the arrangements upon their arrival, these people, realizing they came in numbers, yet each had a small courtyard or several side rooms, besides quarters for themselves and their attending staff, and even a study, found this quite remarkable.

Savoring over breakfast again, they found no reason for dissatisfaction.

It dawned on them that the arrangements were made by the famous Lady Dingguo, leaving them with no place but to nod in agreement.

Some with complaints kept them to themselves, realizing their male masters returned too drunk to hear them quibble and had fallen straight asleep.

Stewing through the night, morning saw them complain begrudgingly, "Chicheng County is so neglectful, serving things that in the Capital are fit only for servants, not for masters!"

Those chosen by Qin Bohan to come to Chicheng are not without merit. Their personal ethics towards women not strictly orthodox, but none are fools.

The more tempered ones explained, "The north is not as wealthy as Jiangnan or the Capital, and these are already a rarity. Travels won’t match the Capital; refrain from such words in the future."

While those less patient directly retorted, "If I, your master, can eat it, what makes a mere servant girl too fussy? Can’t eat it? Then don’t eat at all!"

No one could gain an advantage.

Who isn’t aware? The Chicheng County Prefect is Heir of Duke of Weiguo! With his wife recently titled as First-Rank Imperial Lady by His Majesty—renowned in the Capital!

When seeing them, one must bow respectfully!

These unaware women in the rear court daring to criticize her? Displeased with life, are they?

Some, regretting their oversight, wondered why they hadn’t thought of meeting Lady Dingguo, as cultivating ties in her presence in Chicheng could lead to acquaintance not easily achieved in the Capital, even in line formation.

Why bring just these unimpressive concubines and maids?

This status and experience weren’t fit even to carry Lady Dingguo’s shoes, thus not to be let loose.

So as one, the Capital officials confined their female guests to the courtyards.

On Wang Yongzhu’s side, they inquired into the sudden influx of people; without Ninth Master Lee’s help, arrangements would’ve been nearly impossible.

Initially, the number matched the official documents, as those selected by Qin Bohan were chosen for travel and were several days into their journey with Gu Zikai by ship.

Yet information leaked, reaching old foxes in the Capital, revealing their true mission to Chicheng County.

Not fools, they knew executing this deed well would bring fame and fortune, discontent with Song Family, Gu Family, and Qin Bohan’s claim to benefits.

They created a fuss before the Emperor for spots for their own.

Even the Emperor couldn’t help but balance and placate these old ministers, adding five or six more to the group.

These are mostly younger sons from honorable families, bright yet deprived of familial resources due to their lineage. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The endeavors, commercial connections, and markets are business-related. Legitimate sons, secure in court, saw no gain in the gamble.

Hence the opportunity given to these sects.

Before departure, they were warned against provoking Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu, advised to behave while in Chicheng seeking glory, and follow diligently without instigating trouble.

Non-compliance, post-travel hampering Song Chongjin for false superiority, threatened not only of missing merits but being disciplined in the Capital and face family punishment.

These seekers of glory were well aware of their standing, hastening to join the main group with beloved concubines and delicate maids.

The ambitious contemplated aligning with Song Chongjin’s steps for recognition in Chicheng.

The aimless remembered familial admonishments, staying understated and obedient.

This journey posed no disturbances, the most audacious act perhaps acquiring fair maidens at quays who pledged themselves to save their fathers’ burial or escape tyrants.

Thus, causing the human resource excess.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin knew well that, though they and the Emperor endeavored to conceal their plans, it was inevitable for information to eventually slip out.

Only to be caught off guard by how prematurely leaks occurred, delaying essential negotiations until two rounds in, as predicted.

Strict management in Chicheng kept Song Chongjin’s true ambitions revealed to only a few confidants.

At the frontier, Song Hong’s reputation added with promises from Song Chongjin warranted discreetness lest spoilers steal advantageously leaked information benefitting no one.

This expected matter inevitably foreshadowed, with early arrivals being mostly productive with a few less qualified yet compliant.

Manifestly, these were already Emperor and Qin Bohan’s choices.

Given the seriousness, unreliable elements mishandling it bore unbearable consequence responsibility.

Both Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin found ease, deeming those unwary of disruption render no major problem.