Wang Yongzhu smiled, gave Song Chongjin a pat, leaned against his chest, and then asked, "Did Yuan Majian show any flaws today? Did he really swallow his pride?"
"You know, I went and smashed his house, his wife got slapped by my mother, and his son’s cuckoldry is spreading all over the county because of us. The Yuan Family’s face was trampled on by us yesterday; anyone with a bit of pride wouldn’t tolerate such humiliation."
"But from what I’ve heard about this Yuan Majian, he actually tolerated it, and even said his wife would co to apologize to in a few days! Isn’t that like offering the other cheek after being slapped? Is he really so spineless to control the horse farm for over a decade? Or maybe he’s secretly plotting sothing?"
Song Chongjin soothingly stroked Wang Yongzhu’s hair, "This old fox must have sensed sothing. He was exceptionally respectful today, implying that he would follow my lead in everything. I wonder if he’s genuinely scared because he knows sothing and wants to redeem himself, or if he’s pretending to submit with a hidden agenda."
"But it doesn’t matter anymore; in a few days, the net will be cast, and none of them will escape. But you and mother, try not to go out in the coming days, just in case they get desperate. They won’t dare act at the County Yan or our backyard, but outside, it’s unpredictable."
Wang Yongzhu nodded.
The two talked a little longer before falling into a deep sleep.
The next day, Wang Yongzhu specifically gathered the maids and old won at ho to instruct them not to go out unless necessary in the coming days.
Yao Da and Shitou should bring more people with them when they go shopping.
For instance, they could go with the arrest officer and governnt officials from the County Yan who patrol the streets regularly. After shopping, they could bring a little sothing for them, and they’d be pleased.
Yao Da and Shitou understood the situation at the front and accepted their orders.
Old Granny Zhang realized sothing must be happening outside, recalling the task her son-in-law had. Coming to Chicheng County was to offend people.
Her son-in-law was likely going to take action.
She knew in her heart, but since Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin kept it from her, she pretended not to know.
Seeing Old Granny Zhang bored and just idling in the courtyard, Wang Yongzhu felt a bit sorry for her.
Thinking about it, in this ti and space, whether in Jing County or the Capital City, it seed everyone had very little entertainnt.
Those high-status ladies, with money and leisure, could attend various banquets, listen to operas, or hear storytellers.
Young ladies of noble birth had it better; they could attend poetry etings and compete in playing instrunts, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
In their boudoir, the usual entertainnt involved embroidery, flower arranging, and tea tasting. Among noble won, playing pitch-pot was once popular.
But ever since the Imperial Court started valuing literature over martial arts, it’s gradually disappeared.
Young won of noble families are all developing into the genteel, elegant type.
Not to ntion ordinary folks, who struggle all year just to make ends et, with only the two days of the New Year to relax a bit. How can there be any entertainnt activities?
Just like before in Qilidun, going to a market fair or a temple fair once a year was enough to recall for the entire year.
Like in a previous ti and space, where ’ten billion people, nine billion played Mahjong, and one billion watched,’ it doesn’t exist in this world!
Before, Wang Yongzhu was busy making money. Once she started to see results, upon arriving at the Song Family, she was busy slapping faces and really didn’t have free ti.
It was indeed boring to be cooped up in the backyard of the County Yan.
With the long winters in Chicheng County, having to stay indoors for the most part of three to four months, without anything to do, it could drive one crazy.
After so thought, Wang Yongzhu felt that Mahjong, this powerful weapon, should be introduced to the world!
It would not only entertain Old Granny Zhang but could also be sent back to the Capital City as a New Year gift, providing her maternal grandmother and aunt-in-law in the Gu Family sothing to enjoy during the winter months.
Once the idea struck her, she decided to act on it, telling everyone not to disturb her unless necessary.
She locked herself in the room and after a day’s effort, managed to create 136 Mahjong tiles and dice.
Then she called Yao Da, explained the dinsions and materials to be used, and instructed him to find a top craftsman to make them.
Yao Da looked at the drawings on the paper and how seriously Wang Yongzhu instructed him. He assud it was sothing important, so he carefully folded it and left.
A couple of days later, Yao Da returned with a sample set, asking if Wang Yongzhu needed any modifications.
Wang Yongzhu’s eyes lit up upon seeing it.
This set of Mahjong was made from animal bones, ivory in color, and felt nice to the touch. The bamboos, characters, and circles were engraved and colored as per her drawings.
The ’one bamboo’ tile I drew had a cartoonish little chubby chicken, and the tile indeed showed an amusing little fat chicken.
As for the east, south, west, north, red, green, and white dragons, and the character tiles, because my handwriting was only average, the craftsn perfectly replicated my crooked, soul-less writing.
Despite being critical of my own handwriting, I was quite self-aware.
Just as Song Chongjin returned, I hastily asked him to write the east, south, west, north, red, green, and white dragons, along with the character tiles. His strong and lively strokes instantly changed the atmosphere.
I handed over these writings to Yao Da, instructing him to have the craftsman make a new set of Mahjong with Song Chongjin’s handwriting.
I specifically requested him to destroy Song Chongjin’s handwriting after the craftsman copied it, ensuring it would not leak.
Yao Da nodded and agreed before leaving.
It was only then that Song Chongjin observed the Mahjong on the table and curiously asked, "What is this?"
Wang Yongzhu chuckled, "The long winters here in Chicheng are boring, so I thought of creating sothing to pass the ti. This is called Mahjong, played by four people; it’s quite entertaining."
She began explaining the Mahjong rules in detail.
As Song Chongjin listened, his eyes lit up, and he couldn’t stop handling the Mahjong tiles, insisting that he wanted to experience it too.
The couple happily took the Mahjong set to Old Granny Zhang’s room.
Old Granny Zhang was contemplating whether to plant so cabbage indoors the next day when she saw the couple arriving and imdiately bead, "Why are you both here so late? Is there sothing you need?"
Wang Yongzhu placed the Mahjong set on the table, ntioning it was for passing ti. She explained the rules; then she couldn’t resist suggesting, "Why don’t we give it a try today?"
Old Granny Zhang was interested, nodded eagerly, and called for the table to be cleared and the largest candles to be lit.
Since they were one player short, Wang Yongzhu pointed at Li Xia and asked her to join the ga.
With the new maids trained, Li Xia had gained so respectability in front of Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang and had beco bolder.
Hence, she didn’t refuse and took a seat, listening to the rules once more from Wang Yongzhu to familiarize herself with them.
The four of them sat around the table, shuffled the tiles, set them up, rolled the dice, and began the ga.
At first, they were a bit awkward and clumsy, but they got the hang of it after a round.
Among the four at the table, Wang Yongzhu was the most experienced due to her previous play.
Song Chongjin was even better. In just one round, he could morize and strategize with the tiles.
As for Old Granny Zhang, though she was uneducated, once familiar with the rules, she played deftly.
Even Li Xia, who seed inconspicuous initially, played skillfully after a couple of rounds; the four ended up about even in wins and losses.
Without realizing it, they played round after round until Gu Yu couldn’t hold on and ntioned that it was almost noon and they should rest.
It was only then the four realized that they had been engrossed and played into the night without knowing it.
Old Granny Zhang was the first to snap back to reality, reluctance evident, but acknowledging it was indeed late; she said, "Let’s continue tomorrow."
Only then did they retire to their rooms.
Song Chongjin lay in bed for a while before saying, "This Mahjong is truly sothing; ti passes by unnoticed. Although it’s great for passing the ti, if everyone falls in love with it, it may lead to neglecting duties and idleness!"
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