CHAPTER 1295: CHAPTER 1294: LET IT SIT

Wang Yongzhu listened to Jinhoo’s complaints, such a heart-wrenching tale that instead of shedding tears, it made her want to laugh.

Old Granny Zhang couldn’t hold back either: "Are you stupid, huh? You were out there, tagging along with the merchant caravans, how did you end up running around and couldn’t even get full meals? At least it was your aunt and uncle’s ship, how did you end up in such a sorry state?"

Jinhoo felt utterly wronged: "Nanny, aunt, wasn’t I doing it all for the family’s reputation? I couldn’t face being seen as a useless glutton, could I?"

Old Granny Zhang, hearing this, thought this kid wants to get cheeky, huh? Daring to talk back now?

She reached out and grabbed Jinhoo by the ear, giving him a good scolding.

Wang Yongzhu watched Old Granny Zhang so full of energy, she couldn’t help but smile. Leaving the Capital City truly restored her mother’s repressed nature.

They noisily arrived at the Du Family’s door, just as the sun set.

The steward had been waiting at the door since the afternoon, seeing the carriage arrive, he hurriedly came forward to greet them.

"Miss and Old Madam have arrived, please come in. Our Madam and Master have been waiting for quite some time."

He motioned to lead the way.

Wang Yongzhu waved her hand, "No need to trouble yourself, do we really need directions at my master’s house? I brought some local specialties I bought along the way for my master and mistress, they’re not worth much, just something fresh. I also have a few folks with me, please bother to arrange for them."

The steward quickly bowed and agreed before leaving.

Directly into the backyard, Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi were talking to Lord Du. Before they could say to invite Wang Yongzhu and the others in, Wang Yongzhu had already entered with Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang paid respects to Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi.

Wang Yongzhu went forward, kowtowed a few times to Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi. Before Old Doctor Du could ask her to rise, she stood up herself, hugging Lady Qi’s arm and shouted: "Mistress, I’ve missed you so much! It’s been months since we’ve met, you’ve gotten thinner. Did you miss me so much you got thin? We’re truly connected, look, I missed you and lost weight too—"

With that, she extended her arm for Lady Qi to see.

Lady Qi couldn’t stop smiling, "Yes, yes, it’s all because we missed you!"

Old Doctor Du couldn’t help but roll his eyes: "You’re just growing up! You can talk anyone into anything, your mistress is the only one falling for this."

Wang Yongzhu was long unafraid of Old Doctor Du, just made faces at Lady Qi: "Mistress, my master is jealous, I missed you, not him!"

Lady Qi glanced at her own husband with his awkward look, agreeing: "Indeed! He’s jealous, let’s not pay him any mind!"

She pulled Wang Yongzhu over, asking about the hardships of the journey. Lord Du also thanked Old Granny Zhang.

Everything was lively and harmonious.

Lord Du was dumbfounded, his grandfather had always been strict, and even his grandmother wasn’t exactly the nurturing type. His impression of his grandmother often was that she would look at his mother with a frown, with some resignation.

Such tolerant and indulgent behavior was unfamiliar.

Thinking back to the dock, his grandfather first noticed his little master’s aunt and only later discovered his presence, feeling he couldn’t help but be bitter.

Anyone unaware might think Wang Yongzhu was their biological child and that he was picked up.

Jinhoo was quite calm; back in Qilidun, his own grandmother favored his aunt, even more so than this. He was long accustomed to it.

Glancing at Lord Du’s dumbstruck state, he couldn’t help but feel superior: so little makes you uncomfortable? There’ll be more in the future.

After seating, Old Doctor Du cared most about the happenings of Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin in the Capital City. Though there was correspondence, it wasn’t detailed enough.

In the few months they were gone, Song Chongjin became a Scholar, and it was nothing, but how did he recognize his father, how did he become the Princely Heir, the recognition ceremony with the Gu Family, and the dispatch to Chicheng County.

So much has happened in such a short time, it was overwhelming.

Little did they know how perilous those times were.

Looking around the room, Old Doctor Du said directly: "Brother Jun, it’s said that Jinhoo looked after you greatly while on the ship. Now that Jinhoo is here, as the host, take Jinhoo out for a stroll."

Lord Du understood the adults had important business to discuss and wanted to send the kids out.

Nodding his head, he agreed, turned, and gestured to Jinhoo.

Jinhoo wasn’t foolish and cheerfully retreated with Lord Du.

Lord Du was new here himself; he hadn’t even gotten familiar with Old Doctor Du’s residence in Jing County, how could he take Jinhoo for a stroll?

Leaving the yard, he didn’t know which way to go.

Fortunately, Jinhoo didn’t intend to stroll with Lord Du. Returning to Jing County, he felt like a fish in water, with a relaxed feeling of being home.

Even if entertaining visitors today, he didn’t wear those good-for-nothing clothes, just usual cloth garments, casually sitting on the doorstep: "Let’s just guard here, to avoid people sneaking in to eavesdrop."

Lord Du saw Jinhoo sitting so carelessly, wanted to say something, but being the guest, he held his words.

After hesitating for a while, he lifted his robe, carefully placed a handkerchief on the doorstep, and sat down.

Neither spoke for a while, then Lord Du probed Wang Yongzhu’s circumstances.

Before in the Capital City, he only knew she was the little master’s aunt, grandfather’s closed-door disciple. Though from ordinary lineage, a farming girl, she married a Graduate, doing business and earning Silver.

Becoming the Wife of the Heir-Apparent seemed just pure luck, marrying well.

This was something Lady Yan repeatedly mentioned, he remembered.

Before coming to Jing County, when Lady Yan tried stopping them, Lord Du heard Du Zhongjing say: "That’s Brother Jun’s closest grandfather; could he harm him? They’ll surely take good care; no need for us to worry."

In all his years, this was his first time leaving his parents, going thousands of miles away; he was scared.

Father’s words reassured him; he wasn’t going elsewhere, but to his grandfather, the ancestral home of the Du Family, what was there to fear?

Yet, upon arriving in Jing County, Lord Du realized everything wasn’t as expected.

He imagined grandparents thrilled, as if in the Capital, they’d hold him dearly, but it wasn’t so.

Grandfather brought him home from the dock, no conversation all the way.

Arriving home, greeted grandmother, who asked briefly then arranged a place for him to rest.

Jing County didn’t seem as welcoming.

Lord Du felt quite disappointed, yet comforted himself: it’s just their manner.

Seeing grandparents’ behavior towards little master’s aunt, Lord Du felt uneasy.

Being the eldest son in the Du Family, his parents cherished him, had high hopes, always surrounded by people outside, he had never faced such coldness.

Once Lord Du and Jinhoo left the yard, Wang Yongzhu frowned, "Senior brother is just like that, not sure what he’s thinking, making us ignore Brother Jun as well. Isn’t he afraid of chilling the father-son relationship? I’m just worried Brother Jun won’t like me as the little master’s aunt!"