The Prime Minister’s Little Wife

Chapter 24: Successfully Tricked

Seeing Xu Zhizhi so confident, the family had no objections and happily set to work, some splitting bamboo and others stripping it into thin strips.

Xu Zhizhi used diluted spiritual spring water to water the bean sprouts, preparing to deliver them to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion (Zuixiang Lou) in town the next morning for their first transaction.

She planned to take Xu Dahu with her, intending to hand over the task to her cousin in the future so she wouldn’t have to go herself.

She mentioned going to Second Uncle’s house to inform Xu Dahu about the trip to town the next morning, but Xu Daniu wasn’t comfortable letting his sister go alone.

Father Xu also said, “You two go together. It’s almost dark.”

The siblings arranged with Xu Dahu to deliver the bean sprouts to town the next morning, and Xu Dahu happily agreed.

Their family had also grown several baskets of bean sprouts, which would be ready to sell in a few days.

While watering, Xu Zhizhi also sprinkled some spiritual spring water on their bean sprouts.

As the siblings walked back, Xu Zhizhi noticed Wang Shishi walking alone toward the bamboo forest. She found it strange.

Wang Shishi, who was usually inseparable from her maid, was now alone. Something was definitely up. Xu Zhizhi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she decided to follow.

Seeing that they were almost home, Xu Zhizhi made an excuse for Xu Daniu to go inside first.

She turned back and headed straight for the bamboo forest. As she got closer, she saw Jin Zijun lurking in the bamboo grove.

No way! Is she secretly meeting Jin Zijun in the bamboo forest?

Did my trick from this morning actually work? Xu Zhizhi felt like singing in triumph.

She strained her eyes to watch Wang Shishi and Jin Zijun talking, but they were too far away to hear clearly.

Xu Zhizhi slowly crept closer, trying not to make a sound.

“Who’s there?!” Jin Zijun suddenly shouted, looking around sharply.

Xu Zhizhi was so startled that she immediately hid in her space. From inside, she could see and hear everything outside.

“Brother Jin, it’s already dark. Who would come up here?” Wang Shishi was also startled and looked around, but there was no one.

“Did you see anyone on your way here?” Jin Zijun frowned. He had clearly sensed someone, but now they were gone.

“No, I was very careful on my way here, avoiding the villagers. Qingzi also looked around.”

“Good. Miss Wang, why did you ask to meet me here in the bamboo forest?” Jin Zijun asked excitedly.

He had fallen for this heavenly beauty. After she had rejected his marriage proposal, he had been heartbroken. But now she had asked to meet him alone. How could he not be excited?

“Xu Zhizhi has been holding a grudge against me because of what happened last time. Whenever you and I talked, she would make sarcastic remarks. But it’s really my fault. If I hadn’t talked to you, she wouldn’t have misunderstood and lost her engagement.” Wang Shishi’s brows were furrowed with worry, and she spoke with a tone of guilt, as if everything was her fault.

With the villagers gossiping and Jin Zijun busy with his studies and taking care of his mother, she hadn’t had a chance to “accidentally” run into him like before. Since she had rejected his proposal, they hadn’t seen each other.

That’s why she had Qingzi arrange this meeting in the bamboo forest. She needed someone to take her to Luocheng, and she had to leave this village.

“Shishi, you know this has nothing to do with you. Even without you, I would have broken off the engagement. After I pass the provincial exam, I’ll go to Luocheng to take the imperial exam. How could she ever be worthy of me? Why are you taking the blame on yourself?” Jin Zijun felt that the fairy he adored was so understanding and couldn’t help but move closer.

“I…”

“I…”

Both spoke at the same time but then paused, gazing at each other with deep affection. Silence spoke louder than words.

Just as Xu Zhizhi thought the two would stare at each other until the end of time, Jin Zijun finally spoke.

“Shishi, you know how I feel. But I also know I’m not worthy of you now. I was planning to send a matchmaker to your house after I pass the provincial exam, but I’m confident I’ll pass, so I wanted to settle this earlier to focus on my studies.”

“You’re capable, I know. But this is too rushed. What will the villagers think of me? Many are already saying behind my back that I deliberately stole Xu Zhizhi’s engagement. With all the pointing and gossiping, how can I stay here?” Wang Shishi deliberately lowered her head as she spoke.

“So you’re willing, but the timing is wrong?” Jin Zijun was anxious. He had finally met a fairy-like beauty and thought all hope was lost, but now there was a turn of events. He was at a loss.

“Shishi, don’t worry. I will definitely pass the provincial exam this time. I truly adore you,” Jin Zijun said tenderly.

“Yes, let’s wait a little longer. Once everyone forgets about Xu Zhizhi, I’ll agree,” Wang Shishi thought to herself. *Next month is August. Once you pass the provincial exam…*

Hearing that the fairy he adored had agreed, Jin Zijun couldn’t hold back and gently embraced her.

“Brother Jin…” Her voice trailed off softly.

“Call me Zijun Gege…”

Xu Zhizhi…

Watching a kissing scene up close, Xu Zhizhi felt like cursing.

It’s not even completely dark yet! You can still see clearly! Weren’t ancient people supposed to be conservative? And they’re already kissing! Wang Shishi is really going all out!

Seeing the two so entangled, Xu Zhizhi regretted following them. She had come purely to eat dog food.

It wasn’t until the moon rose high that the two finally parted, their faces flushed and their clothes slightly disheveled.

“Zijun Gege, how could you…” Wang Shishi covered her mouth, her eyes shimmering, her delicate figure even more enchanting under the moonlight.

Looking at a beauty under the moonlight, the more you look, the more beautiful she becomes, especially when she’s acting so shy. Jin Zijun almost lost control again.

But Wang Shishi skillfully avoided him, taking in his infatuation.

She was a renowned beauty in Luocheng. Even her brother-in-law had fallen for her charms. A country boy like Jin Zijun was easy to manipulate.

For men, the harder something is to obtain, the more they cherish it. Making Jin Zijun deeply infatuated with her was to her advantage.

“Shishi, don’t worry. I will definitely pass the provincial exam,” Jin Zijun vowed.

The two finally sneaked back.

Xu Zhizhi waited until she could no longer see their figures before cautiously emerging from her space.

Looking at the moon, it was already so late. What a disaster!

The cool night breeze in the bamboo forest made her shiver. She quickly hurried back.

The family was already asleep. Xu Zhizhi tiptoed back to her room and entered her space to take a bath. She was used to bathing every day.

She had just witnessed a huge scandal but had no one to share it with, nor a phone to post about it. What a pity!

After a good night’s sleep, before dawn, Xu Dahu arrived with Third Uncle’s ox cart. They loaded over a hundred pounds of bean sprouts into several baskets. Xu Daniu had to work in the fields, and Father Xu could now move around a bit with his crutch, so Xu Xiaowu went along to town.

(End of Chapter)