CHAPTER 1019: CHAPTER 1017 ZHANG YINBAO’S EXPLANATION

The whole family lively headed towards the courtyard that Song Chongjin bought. They hadn’t walked far when they heard hurried footsteps from behind.

"Scholar’s Lady, Scholar’s Lady, please wait a moment——"

Wang Yongzhu turned her head and saw a somewhat familiar man running over, sweating profusely. After coming closer and stopping, he first saluted: "Scholar’s Lady, I am Zhang Ping. Our master, with the surname Zhang, asked me to convey some words to you, if it’s convenient?"

Wang Yongzhu understood immediately, it was someone from Zhang Yinbao’s side.

She nodded: "Then I ask Steward Zhang to wait a moment."

After speaking, she turned her head: "Mother, you take Jindou and the others back to the courtyard first to rest. I’ll return after discussing with Steward Zhang."

Old Granny Zhang, though worried, patted Wang Yongzhu’s hand: "If there’s anything, don’t bear it alone. If it’s difficult, talk to me and Chongjin, understood?"

Wang Yongzhu smiled and said: "Mother, it’s nothing, don’t worry! If there’s anything I’m undecided about, I’ll definitely ask you."

Only then did Old Granny Zhang feel relieved and walked away with the children.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ping felt standing on the street was not ideal. There was an old camphor tree nearby with a tea stall under it: "Scholar’s Lady, why don’t we talk under the tree—"

Wang Yongzhu glanced and agreed.

At the tea stall, Zhang Ping, having run all the way with news, was indeed thirsty and gulped down several bowls of cool tea before speaking: "I assume Scholar’s Lady is already aware of the situation in Yingzi Gully?"

Wang Yongzhu nodded: "I heard about it today. Does Boss Zhang have any instructions or opinions?"

Zhang Ping said respectfully: "Our boss sent word some days ago to convey to you if I met Scholar’s Lady."

Wang Yongzhu sat up straight: "Please speak, Steward Zhang."

Regarding the handling of matters in Yingzi Gully, over the years, for the sake of a good reputation, Zhang Yinbao has done many charitable deeds, been deceived, and has seen the unpredictable nature of people.

Initially, he didn’t really think that Wang Yongzhu’s actions would result in any good. But, the young girl’s desire to do good was pure, and it wouldn’t be right to stop her.

Moreover, he noticed that Ninth Young Master Lee supported Wang Yongzhu, and he feared offending him, for not only would the tea business go bust, but they’d miss the opportunity to ally with the Lee family’s big ship.

Furthermore, to be honest, the profit from the tea business is secondary; he didn’t even mind the ten percent allocated to Yingzi Gully.

After all, in these matters, no one listens to others; only after experiencing setbacks for themselves do they learn to see things clearly.

So, he didn’t insist, only advising his subordinates to pay more attention, as Wang Yongzhu was the bridge between him and the Lee family, and maintaining this relationship was crucial.

When he heard about the confrontation in Yingzi Gully, he quickly informed Ninth Master Lee, also testing his reaction.

Just as he expected, Ninth Master Lee’s attitude was to let Wang Yongzhu handle it, let her decide what to do, and anyone left in Shiqiao Town should follow her instructions, as her attitude represented his.

Like a sly old fox, Zhang Yinbao instantly understood his stance.

In the presence of Ninth Master Lee, he immediately ordered his men to let Wang Yongzhu handle everything fully supporting her.

Returning home, after some thought, he wrote a letter to his confidant in Shiqiao Town.

Today this confidant found Wang Yongzhu to relay the message from the letter.

In essence, it was telling Wang Yongzhu to go ahead without worries, as both he and Ninth Master Lee would fully back her.

If Wang Yongzhu wanted Yingzi Gully’s people to maintain the status quo, it was simple enough; since learning about this, he’d asked his confidant to find out about those gambling dens’ background. In Zhang Yinbao’s position, he had dealings across all walks of life.

When the time came, it would be just a matter of asking someone to say a word and perhaps give some silver.

If Wang Yongzhu was disappointed with Yingzi Gully’s people and didn’t want to manage them anymore, that was easy too. They would account for a sum of silver, distribute some to each family, then have them put their fingerprints on an agreement to forgo ten years of dividends.

He also specifically mentioned that Wang Yongzhu shouldn’t worry about any impact on business, for after leaving Shiqiao Town, Ninth Master Lee had already approached the government office to buy the two tea mountains near Cloud Mist Tea.

So, whatever Wang Yongzhu decided, it wouldn’t affect the tea business.

He even comforted her, saying not to feel bad, blaming the unappreciatively people of Yingzi Gully, or words to that effect.

After Zhang Yinbao’s instructions, Zhang Ping cautiously added: "Scholar’s Lady, everything on my end is ready, just awaiting your decision."

This considerate service left Wang Yongzhu at a loss for words as she rubbed her temples, "I understand, thank you to your master! I appreciate his intentions. Please wait for two days. Tomorrow, I’ll visit Yingzi Gully to see and then plan."

Zhang Ping, of course, had no objection and took his leave.

As Wang Yongzhu walked back to the small courtyard, she kept thinking over the words Zhang Ping conveyed, pondering over them multiple times before gleaning some nuanced meanings.

At the courtyard, Old Granny Zhang, along with the children, had already tidied up all the items, fed the mule with grass and water.

When Wang Yongzhu returned, seeing her looking well, Old Granny Zhang refrained from asking in front of the children and drove the carriage home.

Passing by the town exit, Wang Yongzhu didn’t forget to get Little Jinshao a bag of sweets, putting Old Granny Zhang at ease.

Home, Jindou went to unload the cart and feed the mule.

Wang Yongfu, having been worried all day, hurried to the backyard.

Old Granny Zhang, without keeping them in suspense, relayed everything she had learned in detail, then waved her hand: "Now, you all go discuss among yourselves. Once you’ve decided, come tell me. I’m exhausted from the heavens above to the earth below, going to rest in my room—"

She shooed Wang Yongfu and the other sons and daughters-in-law who came upon hearing the news out.

Only then did Liu Xiaoqiao realize that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law had taken Jindou to town for a matchmaking viewing.

How many days had her mother-in-law just returned?

She wondered if her mother-in-law would blame her for not paying attention?

She couldn’t help but pull Wang Yongping aside and asked: "Fourth Brother, Mother asked me to find a wife for Jindou. I can’t be blamed for being useless, not finding a suitable family in two months. Mother found one just days after returning. Do you think she’ll blame me?"

Wang Yongping, looking calm, comforted Liu Xiaoqiao: "Don’t worry, Mother won’t blame you. You see, she hasn’t even asked you since she came back, so she must know you can’t do it!"

Liu Xiaoqiao’s face turned black at once, tugging at the flesh on Wang Yongping’s waist: "What do you mean by saying I can’t do it? Explain yourself clearly!"

Even as daft as Wang Yongping was, he realized his wife was angry, hurriedly explained: "Hey, wife, I mean, you’re better than Third Sister-in-law! You see, Mother didn’t even count on her—"

Turning, Lady Jiang and Wang Yonggui were standing right behind him.

Wang Yonggui took off his shoe and threw it over: "Fourth Brother, you mouth without a filter, what are you saying—"