CHAPTER 1033: CHAPTER 1032: RUSHING TO THE EXAM

As he spoke, he pulled Song Chongjin along a small path to the side.

After quite a while, the two finally reached the Tea Mother Tree.

"Do you think telling them the location of this tree would count as a great gift?"

Song Chongjin looked at Wang Yongzhu’s hand caressing the Tea Mother Tree: "Are you willing to?"

Wang Yongzhu smiled: "This is a natural gift, and finding it was already my good luck. Besides, the events in Yingzi Gully started because of me, causing so much trouble. Even if Ninth Master Lee and Boss Zhang don’t blame me, I can’t just feign ignorance."

"We’ll have to deal with them in the future. This matter isn’t minor, but if not handled properly, it might leave some grudges. Who knows how many years this Tea Mother Tree will remain dormant in my hands? It’s better to entrust it to them and do right by it!"

"Although in the future, drinking tea from the Tea Mother Tree might become difficult, I could always shamelessly demand a pound of tea from it every year!"

Seeing that Wang Yongzhu had thought everything through, Song Chongjin only consoled her: "Since there’s a Tea Mother Tree nearby, perhaps there are more elsewhere. If we have the opportunity, we could search the area and maybe find another chance like this."

Wang Yongzhu playfully punched him: "Do you think the Tea Mother Tree is as common as cabbage? Such treasures are hard to come by. Come on, let’s go down the mountain!"

Back in Yingzi Gully, Zhang Quan had nearly resolved everything.

The people of Yingzi Gully, having had a day and night to come to their senses, signed the contract without protest, looking subdued like withered eggplants, quietly lying down in the caves.

Gu Yu was already waiting at the wooden house. He seemed like he wanted to say something when Wang Yongzhu returned, but ultimately stayed silent.

It was Wang Yongping who sighed a few times: "Don’t you think these people are kicking themselves? We offered them a good life they didn’t have, but they wouldn’t stop until they lost even their homes."

"It’s all due to greed!" Wang Yongzhu didn’t sympathize with them at all.

Zhang Quan, who came in just then, nodded in agreement: "Exactly, how many people dream of such a good life and can’t even imagine it! Yingzi Gully’s issues are resolved, and the gambling den will soon be dealt with in the next few days. This could have been a great affair, but they’ve messed it up and should bear the consequences!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded: "You have the experience, handle it as you see fit! I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. I’ll leave the Tea Mountain in Yingzi Gully to you! If there’s anything, report directly to Ninth Master Lee and Boss Zhang. There’s no need to go through me!"

"Also, I’ll be writing two letters shortly; please take them to Ninth Master Lee and Boss Zhang. You’ve been a great help with the Yingzi Gully matters, thank you!" she said, bowing.

Zhang Quan and Sun Qi quickly stepped aside, insisting they couldn’t accept such respect, repeatedly saying it was their duty, and hastily made their exit.

After a night passed, Wang Yongzhu and two others, with Gu Yu, drove the carriage, escorted out of the gorge by Zhang Quan and the others.

Back home, everyone was exhausted and worn out.

Old Granny Zhang didn’t ask too many questions, simply telling them to go rest in their rooms.

None of them had slept well in Yingzi Gully, and only after returning home could they completely relax, sleeping all through the next day.

When Wang Yongzhu woke up, she first gave Wang Yonggui some silver, instructing him to drive the carriage to town, ordering a load of chicken, duck, and fish from the tavern to be sent to Zhang Quan and the others at Yingzi Gully.

By then, Old Granny Zhang was already aware of the events at Yingzi Gully, slapping her thigh and cursing that they got what they deserved.

Though Wang Yongzhu had previously said not to bother her with matters from Yingzi Gully, news still trickled to her ears anyway.

She heard that the people at the gambling den were completely evicted, and the men from Yingzi Gully searched day and night through the mountains for suitable caves to live in.

Eventually, they reportedly found a place tens of miles away, barely accommodating the hundred-plus people.

Even though they were reluctant to leave the current caves, they dared not delay and gradually moved away.

As for Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao, they received a reply about a month after the letter was sent out.

Both were greatly surprised in their letters, almost in disbelief. However, since the tea sales in the Capital City were at a critical point, neither could leave, so they sent more people to patrol Yingzi Gully and the surrounding Tea Mountain, preventing idlers from entering.

Now, Yingzi Gully had completely become the domain of the Lee and Zhang families alone.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was the end of July. During the past month, Song Chongjin engrossed himself in his studies, occasionally taking walks in the village.

Wang Yongzhu also had her studies, and they occupied the same room, not interfering with one another but within each other’s sight.

Their days passed in peace and rare leisure.

Jindou’s marriage was finally arranged with the girl from the Quan family, a process that took considerable effort.

The Quan family girl, upon hearing the Wang family’s conditions, was naturally willing.

However, Jindou was still in mourning and could not marry just yet, but the girl’s uncles in the Quan family were eyeing the situation.

There was no other way, so Old Granny Zhang had to take people to town, causing a scene that publicly humiliated the Quan girl’s uncles, forcing them to proclaim that they had no intention of interfering with their niece’s marriage.

The two families publicly exchanged marriage documents, and the bride price was respectable.

It’s unclear how Old Granny Zhang negotiated, but she convinced the Quan girl’s father for her to be fostered at the matchmaker’s family for three years, and after the mourning period, she would marry from there.

They even put it down in writing.

The Quan girl felt she had escaped a pit of fire and was incredibly grateful to Old Granny Zhang.

After moving to her foster family, she earned money from embroidery, saving it, and occasionally sent gifts to Old Granny Zhang as a token of her gratitude.

She seemed to have forgotten about Jindou entirely.

As the end of July arrived, even though Song Chongjin was reluctant, he had to set off for Qingzhou Prefecture to attend the autumn examinations.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had been busy preparing Song Chongjin’s luggage, checking it repeatedly.

Initially, Wang Yongzhu planned to accompany Song Chongjin back to the county, but Imperial Doctor Du sent a letter advising them not to return just yet and to stay in the countryside for the time being.

Although the letter did not explain why, Song Chongjin absolutely did not dare to let Wang Yongzhu escort him back to Jing County.

He was reluctant to part with Yongzhu, but her safety was paramount.

The one who came to fetch Song Chongjin was Yang Zongbao, and at the moment of departure, Old Granny Zhang pulled Yang Zongbao aside, repeatedly reminding him to take good care of Song Chongjin.

Yang Zongbao nodded emphatically, patting his chest in assurance.

The night before Song Chongjin left, he held Wang Yongzhu in his arms without sleeping, only saying one sentence: "Wait for your husband to return as a Graduate!"

After seeing Song Chongjin off, Wang Yongzhu felt an immediate emptiness in her heart.

She had to find something to occupy her mind.