The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1855 - 1843: You’re Not Going to Leave Me, Right?

Song Chongjin heard these words, and an indescribable panic swept over his mind at once. His first thoughts were not of Qi Le, not of the relics left by his mother or the connection with that valley, not the enmity of the Qi Family, not even Qi Huan’s death!

Instead, he recalled that many years ago, he already sensed something different about Yongzhu. At that time, he did not dare to think deeply, only wanting to not expose everything and accepting that the Yongzhu before and after was the same person, so he could keep her by his side.

Later, Yongzhu also realized that he had probably guessed something. They didn’t hide many things from each other, the couple had a silent understanding, knowing each other’s thoughts without saying them out loud, considering it a small secret between them.

But at this moment, Wang Yongzhu’s words were almost a confession, revealing her origins, which truly frightened Song Chongjin.

Could it be, could it be that with Wang Yongzhu’s straightforward confession, she was also planning to leave?

Occasionally, during short breaks at work, when he accompanied Wang Yongzhu, he’d also read storybooks with her, about strange tales, demons repaying kindness, and worldly grudges.

These storybooks often included plots where a child saves a demon, and the demon later transforms into a human, turning into a beautiful woman who comes to repay the child’s life-saving kindness when they grow up.

Humans and demons tread different paths. Although there would be a beautiful period, once the demon’s identity was exposed to a Taoist, they would have to leave, separating the couple forever.

Once, Song Chongjin secretly pondered whether Yongzhu was, in fact, one of those storybook demons repaying a kindness? Otherwise, why was there such a stark difference between before and after? How could Yongzhu possess such strength that was not typical of normal people? And how had she, after learning medical techniques for such a short time, managed to assist the Imperial Noble Consort with childbirth?

He had to know that so many Imperial Physicians were powerless, yet it was only Yongzhu who managed to save the Imperial Noble Consort and the Ninth Prince?

If investigated thoroughly, there would surely be numerous inconsistencies within these circumstances.

Because of this, Song Chongjin made great efforts afterwards to cover up and smooth over everything, so that even if someone did attempt to investigate, they couldn’t find anything substantial.

Even more so, after he married Wang Yongzhu, they had no children, and Old Granny Zhang urged them, yet he never showed any sign of impatience, still speculating, what if Yongzhu was truly a demon and thus couldn’t bear children?

To him, Yongzhu was the most important, whether to have children or not came second to Yongzhu.

Therefore, when Yongzhu suggested having children, he first expressed that he didn’t want children, that he was not ready to be a father, dissuading Yongzhu from the idea.

It was because Song Chongjin was afraid, afraid that Wang Yongzhu might harm herself to bear a child for him.

Isn’t there often a plot in the storybooks where the demon leaves behind a child for their benefactor, and then the couple parts ways, never to see each other again?

No matter if Yongzhu was the storybook demon or not, as long as he was there, he would never allow Yongzhu to suffer such harm!

He thought doing all these things, waiting until he completed his task and returned to the capital, at that time with his connections and capabilities, even if there were indeed someone insensitive trying to separate them, he could protect Yongzhu.

But now, was Yongzhu planning to leave him?

Song Chongjin trembled as he tightly grasped Yongzhu’s hand: "Yongzhu, you won’t leave me, right?"

Wang Yongzhu hadn’t expected that her one sentence would cause Song Chongjin to think so much, but upon hearing his tone, coupled with sensing Song Chongjin’s tremble, she immediately sensed something was wrong. She looked up in confusion at Song Chongjin: "Why would I leave you?"

Thinking it over, something felt amiss!

Pushing Song Chongjin away, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him: "Tell me honestly, what have you been up to while I was away? Did you do something to betray me, and now that I’ve returned, you feel guilty?"

Pushed away, Song Chongjin’s eyes reddened instantly, at that moment he truly felt a despair as if the sky was falling and the earth cracking.

But soon, he felt something other than despair; he felt a threat of death!

Wang Yongzhu had already pulled down a piece of rock from the nearby rockery with her bare hands, weighing it in her hands, her gaze lingered over his arms and legs, seemingly ready to break his leg if the situation escalated.

Disregarding everything else, Song Chongjin quickly raised his hands in surrender and vowed: "Yongzhu, how could I ever do something to betray you? Haven’t I sworn an oath, that if I truly dare to do anything against you, may I be struck by lightning, ruined in body and reputation—"

Wang Yongzhu snorted coldly: "My mother once said that if a man’s oath could be trusted, even a sow could climb a tree! Speak! Confess and be lenient, conceal and be punished! Do you want a broken leg or a broken neck?"

Song Chongjin hurriedly swore and explained: "I really haven’t! Don’t you believe me? Or do you not believe in Mother? With her watching over me, even if you lent me ten lives, I wouldn’t dare!"

"What do you mean, with Mother watching you, you wouldn’t dare, but without her watching, you would?" Wang Yongzhu ground her teeth!

Song Chongjin immediately realized, never argue with a woman! Especially a woman you love! For you can never win! Especially when she doesn’t want to reason; you should just obediently admit your mistake and concede.

Song Chongjin capitulated quite readily: "I was wrong! I misspoke! Yongzhu, I got scared after hearing your words, feared you might leave me due to some irresistible reason—"

Only then did Wang Yongzhu remember, bringing to mind the tacit understanding between her and Song Chongjin.

She hadn’t hidden much from Song Chongjin, just hadn’t spelled it out explicitly. Song Chongjin wasn’t a fool; living together day and night as the closest of people, how could he not notice the flaws?

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she returned the stone in her hand to its place, muttering: "Well, this craftsman’s skill is really poor, can’t even place a stone properly. We must call someone to repair it tomorrow..."

Song Chongjin, one of the most attentive to Wang Yongzhu’s feelings, could easily discern from her sheepish expression and tone what was going on.

Setting everything else aside, at least he was now certain that Wang Yongzhu wouldn’t leave.

At once, he let go of half his worries. How could he stand to see his beloved embarrassed, as he quickly put his arm around Wang Yongzhu, guiding her back inside, coaxing her along the way: "Madam is right, tomorrow we’ll have the craftsman come to check again, fixing what needs fixing. Madame, you’ve worked hard just now, are your hands tired? Let your husband massage them for you—"

He no longer mentioned any of her previous words.

As long as Yongzhu didn’t leave him, some things didn’t really matter whether he knew or not.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, Song Chongjin was too detached, didn’t even the hatred for his own mother and maternal family matter?

But for Song Chongjin, in all these years he lived, the first nineteen years were endured because of his parents, and because of the Qi Family, he endured humiliation and torture that others would never face in a lifetime.

The only warmth, what allowed him to live like a human was Wang Yongzhu and her mother; they were the most important in his life, everyone else could be forsaken.

Coaxing Wang Yongzhu back into the house, the couple reunited from their brief separation, coupled with the earlier commotion, Song Chongjin needed reassurance for his unease.

Wang Yongzhu also felt apologetic, naturally obliging him in every way.

The couple almost partied until midnight, and it wasn’t until early morning that they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next day when Wang Yongzhu woke up, it was nearly noon, Song Chongjin had already gone to the Yamen.

Old Granny Zhang, feeling sorry for her daughter, had already instructed the servants, making sure no one disturbed Wang Yongzhu, ensuring she was well taken care of outside.

Upon hearing that her daughter was awake, she waited a bit to avoid embarrassing her daughter, and only after she had finished freshening up did she have someone invite her for lunch.

As for Song Chongjin, at this moment he was at the Yamen, but not to handle official business.

He was calling in every guard whom Wang Yongzhu brought back without missing anyone, interrogating one by one to find out exactly what happened.