Chapter 991 - 989: Repaying Kindness with Enmity

Words : 1387 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 217 of "The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure" starts here: Chapter 991: Chapter 989: Repaying Kindness with Enmity "Some time ago, I heard that the flower... Discover what happens next!

Chapter 991: Chapter 989: Repaying Kindness with Enmity "Some time ago, I heard that the flower garden owned by the Tian Family was quite famous, so I went to see it myself and liked it very much, especially the area by the foot of the mountain. I was hoping you might be willing to sell that part to our family; the price can be discussed," Wang Yongzhu said, eyeing a piece of land by the mountain. The mountain wasn’t tall, and there was a vast flower garden at its base. Midway up the mountain, amid trees and flowers, a small manor stood quietly located. Lady Huang was startled, not expecting Wang Yongzhu to make such a simple request. She quickly regained her composure, replying, "Scholar’s Lady, don’t worry. I’ll immediately get the government office to directly transfer that mountain and fifty acres of the surrounding flower garden to your name!" This flower garden, though famous, was tended by the Huang Family for generations. Wherever they went, they could cultivate flowers and plants just the same. To use this small mountain and fifty acres of flower garden to repay such a favor was something Lady Huang gladly agreed to; she’d be willing to give up another hundred acres. Thus, she eagerly agreed, wanting to transfer the property to Wang Yongzhu’s name without delay. Those present understood Lady Huang’s intentions completely. Wang Yongzhu replied earnestly, "If that’s what Lady Huang says, then I dare not accept it! I like the flower garden because it was originally in the Tian Family’s hands, and I thought it wouldn’t be purchasable. Now that Lady Huang is willing to part with it, I’m already very satisfied and have no intention of taking advantage of the Huang Family. If you cannot sell it at market price, then Lady Huang should reconsider. We didn’t actually help much with the Huang Family’s case; we merely passed a message, so there’s no need for such courtesy." This put Lady Huang in a bind since the key to overturning the Huang Family’s case was in getting the petition to the County Magistrate and persuading him to thoroughly investigate the matter. Without Scholar Song, even attempting every conceivable method to deliver the petition to the County Magistrate would have been futile. Lady Huang had long heard the intricacies involved. Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s genuine refusal, she pondered for a moment before saying, "Since that’s the case, I will brazenly name a price. When our Huang Family initially bought this mountain and garden, it only cost five hundred taels of silver. Although we’ve spent some effort on it, it’s not worth much. If the Lady wants it, then for five hundred taels of silver, I’ll have them transferred to your name today." Beside her, Xiao Wu was anxious to speak, but was silenced by a stern look from Lady Huang. Thinking of his still aching backside, he managed to hold his tongue. Hearing Lady Huang agree, Wang Yongzhu smiled, "Then it’s settled! Please wait a moment!" She then went inside, retrieved a small box, and pushed it in front of Lady Huang, "Inside are silver notes worth one thousand taels. Lady Huang, do keep them safe. Once everything is settled, just send over the property deed. I know you’ve been busy these days with many matters, so we won’t keep you here any longer; come by for a visit when you have more free time." With that, she prepared to serve tea and see her guests off. Lady Huang hurriedly declined, "Scholar’s Lady, there’s no need for so much money; this is overwhelming for us!" But Wang Yongzhu responded, "To be honest, we too have old grievances with the Tian Family, and taking them down wasn’t just for your Huang Family. So if you really wish to thank us, just accept the money. Otherwise, just act as if I’ve never mentioned this! And we won’t dare take the garden!" Lady Huang, seeing Wang Yongzhu’s insistence, felt even more grateful, realizing that the Scholar’s Lady had likely understood her feelings and was making her feel secure. She gratefully accepted the silver notes, saying, "The great kindness of Scholar Master and Scholar’s Lady will be remembered by our entire family!" She then took Xiao Wu and prepared to leave. Xiao Wu put on a stern face, following behind Lady Huang for two steps before gritting his teeth, turning around, and kneeling in the middle of the main room, knocking his head on the ground three times toward Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu: "Master and Lady’s great benevolence, I, Huang Xiaowu, will forever remember. Though I’m still young and can’t do much to assist you Noble Patrons! Please rest assured, as I grow older, I will surely repay the kindness of both Noble Patrons! Though I, Huang Xiaowu, am young, I keep my word! In the future, should Noble Patrons need anything, even this life is yours!" This made Lady Huang’s face change drastically, both awkward and annoyed. She laughed apologetically while pulling Xiao Wu up, "What nonsense are you speaking in front of Noble Patrons!" Xiao Wu stiffened his neck, "I’m not speaking nonsense! I mean every word! Scholar Master and Scholar’s Lady, please rest assured, I, Huang Xiaowu, am not someone who forgets favors and turns ungrateful!" Saying this, he wiped his tears and ran out. Lady Huang was filled with shame and mortification, wishing she could bury herself underground, yet she feared Wang Yongzhu would misunderstand, so with reddened eyes, she apologized to her. Old Granny Zhang waved her hand, "It’s alright! These are children’s words, not understanding your mother’s pains! Just go home and explain things to him clearly, so he understands, and you won’t be wrongly accused for your good intentions!" Lady Huang was both grateful and sorrowful, replied her thanks, and turned to chase after Xiao Wu. She chased for almost a mile before catching up with Xiao Wu, smacking his back in frustration, "You little brat, what nonsense were those things you said earlier? Are you suggesting I’m ungrateful?" Xiao Wu wiped his tears, "Isn’t it true? Mother always taught us to repay favors and avenge wrongs! If not for Scholar Song, could our family’s great grudge be avenged? Yet mother with so many thoughts feared Scholar Song’s family would demand we repay them for their help. Even I can see this; how could Scholar Song and Scholar’s Lady not see it?" "We have only just received this great kindness, and the matter is far from over. But mother is already eager to repay the debt with just a bit of material wealth; isn’t that ungrateful? If word gets out, and people know our Huang Family crosses bridges and burns them without integrity and conscience, who will still associate with us?" Lady Huang was angry too, but managed to suppress her temper: "Didn’t you hear me say I was willing to give half our estate to thank Scholar Song? It’s Scholar Song’s family who declined, you heard that too! You’re still young and don’t understand the intrigues involved. If Scholar Song’s family were to actually accept half of our estate and word got out, wouldn’t Scholar Song’s family be seen as those who only helped for our estate, tarnishing the reputation of our benefactors?" Xiao Wu paused at this, "But if we don’t repay the benefactor’s immense kindness, are we leaving it unrepaid? Even if we gave that manor and garden away for free, it would be fine! Yet, you took their one thousand taels!" "Xiao Wu! Today, I must teach you! Repaying a kindness isn’t just done by following your immediate thoughts! If just as you thought earlier, we rashly give our whole estate to Scholar Song’s family, and tarnish the benefactor’s reputation, that’s not repaying kindness; it’s seeking revenge!" "Besides, as long as we remember the benefactor’s kindness, there’s plenty of time in the future to help where we can, right? Not to mention, we could at least help tend to that manor and garden, easing the Lady’s worries, as a small show of our gratitude!" "Moreover, when Scholar Song achieves the scholar rank, we can, under the guise of congratulatory gifts, present the benefactor with a residence and farmland, which is both legitimate and doesn’t affect the benefactor’s reputation!" Lady Huang explained patiently.

Chapter 991 - 989: Repaying Kindness with Enmity

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