novelnext Chapter 1853 - 1841: Worried Sick
Chapter 1853 - 1841: Worried Sick
In the evening, when Song Chongjin returned home, he naturally learned about the events in the backyard today.
Old Granny Zhang didn’t let anyone hide it. She wanted to show her stance before her son-in-law, Song Chongjin, indicating that she was watching things on the Wang Family’s side and wouldn’t drag Song Chongjin down.
Of course, Song Chongjin knew this too. How could he not know the nature of his own mother-in-law?
With Old Granny Zhang playing the villain upfront, it also meant that Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu could play the good guys. As long as the couple consoled Jinhoo a bit, even if Jinhoo had complaints, it wouldn’t be directed at them.
How could Song Chongjin not be moved by Old Granny Zhang’s intentions?
In this world, only Yongzhu and his mother-in-law truly cared for him without expecting anything in return.
Even though he returned late, upon hearing this news and learning Old Granny Zhang hadn’t slept yet, he couldn’t help but send someone to inform her that he wanted to pay his respects.
Upon hearing this, Old Granny Zhang quickly invited Song Chongjin in and ordered a steaming late-night snack to be prepared for him.
After asking after her well-being, Song Chongjin began to discuss Jinhoo’s matter. Between them, there was nothing left unsaid at this point, so Song Chongjin got straight to the point: "Mother, I heard about today’s issue with Jinhoo as well. Why did you have to put on a stern face? Whatever happens, Yongzhu and I are here, there’s no need for you to worry."
Old Granny Zhang liked this about Song Chongjin; he truly treated his mother-in-law as if she were his own mother, speaking candidly without holding onto doubts for days, which would suffocate him.
She also spoke openly: "How can it be the same? After all, I am the eldest member of the Wang Family. Even if I spoke harshly, they’d have to listen, at most calling me an old fool who’s biased! My heart’s only been with my daughter all my life, they might say something against us, so what?"
"You and Yongzhu are different. Although I treat you like a son, to the Wang family, you’re still the son-in-law, essentially an outsider. When a family member says something, it’s fine, but if an outsider does, it leaves a knot in their hearts. Many people in this world repay kindness with worry and resentment; even one’s own children can be ungrateful wolves sometimes, let alone others?"
"Jinhoo currently seems fine, but he’s getting ahead of himself! Right now, you and Yongzhu don’t have your own children yet. In the younger generation, Jinhoo is the only one you hold in high regard. Before, it was fine — even though you’re the Heir to the Duke, you’ve been stationed here as a Seventh Rank County Magistrate, providing some Silver was the most you could do to help him."
"But now you’ve been promoted, overseeing many things, with countless eyes watching? Even someone sweeping our floors gets inquired about, how about Jinhoo? If he doesn’t behave himself and something really goes wrong, then what?"
"You leave this matter alone and let him think clearly before speaking again. Yongzhu will be back in a few days, when she returns, have her talk to Jinhoo thoroughly, and that’ll suffice. You’re his uncle, you’re busy enough, there’s no need to worry about these trivial matters."
"And about Boss Zhang outside, whether it was truly a coincidence or deliberate, you’ll need to send someone to inquire. If it’s a coincidence, Boss Zhang was kind to the Wang Family and us back then, though later he fell out with the Lee Family’s Boy, you can’t blame him — everyone has to look out for themselves."
"So, as an old woman, I’m thick-skinned enough to ask you a favor. If Boss Zhang bears no malice, lend him a hand, it’d be repaying the old kindness!"
Song Chongjin had instructed people to look into Boss Zhang’s matter upon hearing the news earlier, already having such plans. Now hearing Old Granny Zhang asking, he quickly stood up and said: "Mother, just give the orders, there’s no need to use the word ’ask’. Rest assured, leave Boss Zhang’s matter to me!"
Having one less concern, Old Granny Zhang felt relieved. They chatted about trivial things, mainly pondering where Wang Yongzhu might be at the moment, not knowing how she was doing now.
After a few bits of conversation, the night snack arrived. Watching Song Chongjin eat, she finally let him go to rest.
Speak of the devil!
The next day, Wang Yongzhu returned.
Wang Yongzhu came back from the mountains, and received news of Song Chongjin’s promotion while in Yunzhong County, and learned he had already moved to the small courtyard he acquired.
Thus, upon returning, she found her way to the courtyard, noticed the new plaque hanging for the Song Residence, and couldn’t help but grind her teeth.
Old Granny Zhang, upon hearing the news, couldn’t sit still. Already advanced in age, she veritably charged forward with a group of maids running towards the front courtyard.
She met Wang Yongzhu halfway and upon checking her out, her eyes reddened.
In just over half a month, her daughter had lost weight and looked very tired, who knew how much hardship she had endured!
Unable to hold back, she embraced Wang Yongzhu, "Oh, daughter, why have you lost so much weight? Come on, come inside with mother—"
Grabbing Wang Yongzhu’s hand firmly, she had hot water prepared, personally aided her daughter with bathing and washing her hair, and upon coming out, began drying her hair with a cloth towel while having someone bring steaming noodles.
An old custom says dumplings when leaving, noodles when returning.
Now that her daughter had returned, surely a bowl of homemade noodles would be best.
Wang Yongzhu had been surviving on dry rations in the mountains and hurriedly returned, pausing briefly in Yunzhong County, eating casually along the way home.
Seeing this bowl of noodles now — golden noodles topped with large chunks of beef, a poached egg, accompanied by fresh greens, sprinkled with green onion, and sprinkled with a dollop of fiery chili oil, looked incredibly appetizing.
Wang Yongzhu devoured the noodles in one go, even drank all the soup, finally feeling like herself again.
This hearty appetite brought tears to Old Granny Zhang; heaven knows what days her daughter lived through!
With her fill, Wang Yongzhu lay on the heated bed, with her mother gently drying her hair, allowing her taut nerves to finally relax.
Murmuring a couple of words to Old Granny Zhang, she quickly drifted off to sleep.
Seeing her daughter so exhausted that she slept after just a couple of words, Old Granny Zhang felt deeply worried.
Carefully instructing everyone serving them to leave, she guarded her daughter herself to prevent any disturbance.
The news reached Song Chongjin at the Yamen, saying that the Madam has returned, and he could hardly stay put.
But he had enough patience to settle his tasks for the day, checked the time, instructed that the remaining tasks be tackled tomorrow, and hurried home.
By the time he arrived, Wang Yongzhu had taken a brief nap and just awoken.
Refusing to wear formal clothes, wearing only inner garments, she was snuggling against Old Granny Zhang playfully, coaxing a smile from her, which at this moment, if her daughter asked for the moon, she might just grab a ladder to fetch it.
Song Chongjin dashed in, seeing Wang Yongzhu acting like a little girl, unable to help his Adam’s apple bobbing, eyes locked on her, stepping forward: "Yongzhu, you’re back—"
Old Granny Zhang rolled her eyes; this son-in-law was currently only seeing his daughter, not acknowledging anyone else.
She refrained from interfering, got up to make space, and Song Chongjin promptly sat on the bed, grabbing his daughter’s hands, eyes fixated on her.
It was simply too much! Old Granny Zhang rubbed her forehead, headed out to order dinner, remembering to close the door, instructing the maids not to enter.
Such endless concerns!
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