Chapter 1002 - 1000: Li Jiu Shao’s Letter

Words : 1279 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 227 of "The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure" opens with: Chapter 1002: Chapter 1000: Li Jiu Shao’s Letter By noon, Wang Yongzhu, Old Granny Zhang, and... Find out what happens!

Chapter 1002: Chapter 1000: Li Jiu Shao’s Letter By noon, Wang Yongzhu, Old Granny Zhang, and Lady Qi had managed to whip up two large tables of dishes. The main table featured light and refreshing dishes, showing considerable thoughtfulness. Outside, a separate table was set up for the attendants, loaded with hearty dishes like chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Everyone was quite satisfied with the food and drink. Before leaving, under Lady Qi’s guidance, Wang Yongzhu prepared a few gifts. For Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, tea was an essential part of the gift. This time, Wang Yongzhu was particularly generous, giving each half a pound. Additionally, she included some local products from the farm, which were barely presentable. Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, having seen everything, were not easily impressed by anything else, except that tea, which truly was a delight and worth more than gold. They were increasingly satisfied with Song Chongjin’s perceptiveness and began to appreciate Wang Yongzhu more. It seems a woman who could become Imperial Doctor Du’s apprentice was indeed extraordinary. For example, she was excellent at gift-giving! Even the outside attendants received two jars of spicy mushroom meat sauce. It was handed with kind words: "This is just some homemade mushroom sauce, not worth much, just a small token! If you find the journey tasteless or if you’re not feeling like eating, this can be quite delicious with your meals!" Zhang Hu, having smelled the aroma of the mushroom sauce when accompanying the Baiyun Academy students the other day, didn’t hesitate, almost snatching it up, holding it to his chest, grinning so widely his teeth were showing: "Thank you, sister-in-law!" The ladies, including Wang Yongzhu, stayed at the estate, while Imperial Doctor Du and Song Chongjin escorted Governor Chen to the ship. At the dock, Lv Wenguang and others had been waiting for some time. Seeing Imperial Doctor Du and Song Chongjin arriving with Governor Chen, though surprised, didn’t dare show it on their faces. Respectfully sending off these prominent figures, they watched the official ship slowly leave Jing County and vanish into the distance before they breathed a sigh of relief. Finally sent them off; those days, with them in Jing County, everyone was on edge. As Imperial Doctor Du was about to take his leave with Song Chongjin, Lv Wenguang came over with a group, speaking courteously. Even around Song Chongjin, many people were striking up conversations. It was evident even to a blind person that following Imperial Doctor Du, Song Chongjin was now on a big ship, having numerous chances to gain favor before these eminent figures. On the verge of great success. Who wouldn’t want to gain some favor from Song Chongjin? Finally squeezing out of the crowd, Song Chongjin saw Gu Zikai standing at a distance looking his way, and as he came out, Gu Zikai greeted him from afar. Song Chongjin quickly walked over, and Gu Zikai smiled: "How does it feel to be the center of attention?" Song Chongjin wiped the sweat from his forehead, frowning: "Not great!" Gu Zikai chuckled: "I just stayed at the teacher’s place for a few days, and when I came back, you all weren’t home?" Song Chongjin then explained the reason in brief. After hearing it, Gu Zikai said: "Such an important matter, why didn’t you inform me? Am I not a friend to you, Brother Song?" How could Song Chongjin say that he had narrowly escaped death? How dare he tell anyone? He could only apologize. Gu Zikai wasn’t truly angry; seeing Song Chongjin apologize was enough. He was there looking for Song Chongjin: "The other day, didn’t sister-in-law want to find Lee Family’s Ninth Son? He is currently busy with matters in the Capital City and sent a letter for me to pass on to sister-in-law—" Before he finished speaking, he saw Song Chongjin’s face darken. Amused by Song Chongjin’s dark face for a while, he finally said slowly: "It’s to inform about the current tea trade situation in the Capital City and some other matters!" Song Chongjin’s face darkened further, and he reached out: "Where’s the letter?" Gu Zikai then took out a thick letter from his bosom and placed it in Song Chongjin’s hand. Looking at the thickness and weight of the letter, Song Chongjin wondered how much had been written. He was immediately displeased. Especially with Gu Zikai’s gleeful eyes enjoying the drama, but recalling what Yongzhu said last night about only being widowed and never divorced, he brightened up: Humph, what’s the point of writing a thick letter? Despite thinking that, back at the estate, when taking out the letter for Wang Yongzhu, he couldn’t help but sit beside her, eagerly watching her. Wang Yongzhu found it amusing, paid no mind to Song Chongjin, and focused on reading the letter. The letter from Ninth Master Lee mentioned that the tea business was going well, gaining acclaim from several tea masters through the Lee Family’s connections and earning some reputation in the Capital City. Particularly with Ninth Master Lee’s use of a starvation marketing strategy, not flooding the market but selling in small amounts after the tea became famous, whetting people’s appetites. For tea lovers, the fear is not high prices, but bad tea. The less available, the more one thinks about it after tasting it once or twice. As soon as Cloud Mist Tea hits the market, it’s snapped up instantly; those that get it are overjoyed, and those that don’t are left beating their chests. Recently, the Lee Family was striving to get this tea into the Ministry of Internal Affairs, trying to make it a tribute tea. The letter also mentioned that the tea business made his father see him more favorably, and coupled with the Auspicious Dye Workshop’s nationwide expansion plan now entering the implementation stage, he was incredibly busy and probably wouldn’t return to Qingzhou Prefecture until the work subsided. Regarding what Wang Yongzhu said about the Rouge Shop, he expressed interest and would discuss specifics upon his return. In the letter, it also said that Consort De loved the new ginger yellow and peacock green fabrics and rewarded them, specifically instructing that they be given to Wang Yongzhu. She also urged them to treat Wang Yongzhu well and not neglect her, saying that if there were new colors, they must be sent to her. These rewarded items have been sealed and are waiting to be brought back when he returns to Qingzhou. Additionally, regarding Jinhoo’s current situation, Zhang Yinbao had passed on news that Jinhoo was traveling westward with a caravan. Though small in stature, his diligence and insight made him quite popular with the caravan members. Although he faced hardships, he appeared to have made significant progress now. In about six months, he might return with the caravan. There were also issues at Yingzi Gully that the subordinates couldn’t decide on, so he and Zhang Yinbao didn’t have time to visit, asking Wang Yongzhu to handle it when convenient. Then came the usual talk about what clothes and accessories were trending in the Capital City, asking Wang Yongzhu if she needed anything and to write to him, so he could bring them back to Qingzhou Prefecture upon his return... A total of more than a dozen sheets of paper. Wang Yongzhu, after reading, looked at Song Chongjin, who was staring at the letter with such intensity it seemed as if it might burn, and wordlessly tossed the letter to him. Song Chongjin skimmed through it quickly, gritting his teeth in irritation. Having finally quashed Gu Zikai’s intentions, Ninth Master Lee, though far away, still remembered to undermine!

Chapter 1002 - 1000: Li Jiu Shao’s Letter

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