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墨書 Inktalez
"Uncle, your taste is really low!"
Shen Muhan glanced at Xia Muxin with a mischievous expression, a hint of calculation flickering in his eyes as he said with ill intent, "Muxin, have you forgotten? I kept watch over you all night last night, never leaving your side!"
Originally, he had only arranged this little drama to punish Zhou Cailian and that Feng Liulang for their arrogance. Ming Yi had not seen any movement, so he hadn’t thought much of it. But now it seemed that something had indeed happened; Zhou Cailian had been taken advantage of, and she herself didn’t even know who it was, yet she was trying to pin the blame on him.
This provided him with the perfect opportunity to tease Xia Muxin.
He watched her lower her head shyly, her face turning red.
Those who heard Shen Muhan's words displayed various expressions. Aunt Xia and her husband smiled with satisfaction, while Xia Muxin stared at her toes. She knew this guy had bad intentions last night, but Zhou Cailian... Suddenly, she recalled the redness of her lips and her shy eyes. Could it be...
In an instant, Xia Muxin looked up in shock towards Zhou Cailian. Her gaze immediately fell upon the exposed skin on her neck, where there were indeed faint purple marks. Having never seen a pig run but at least having seen one before, she could guess at a glance that Zhou Cailian had been seduced.
And now she was looking for Shen Muhan... Suddenly, Xia Muxin couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha..."
At her laughter, Shen Muhan frowned while Aunt Xia and her husband shot her puzzled reproachful glances. They thought their daughter had no sense of modesty at all; she was wilder than any boy. If she really got married in the future, she would suffer in her in-laws' house.
Although Zhou Cailian had not been in close contact with Shen Muhan, he gave off an air of nobility and detachment. He didn't seem like someone who would do something and then deny it. Biting her lip, she asked hesitantly, "Xia Muxin, is what he said true?"
Xia Muxin was taken aback for a moment but then nodded affirmatively. "Yes!"
In truth, she had fallen asleep afterward and had no idea where he might have gone.
“Color Lotus, last night the village chief came by and said that Liulang is missing. Young Master Shen even had Ming Yi and the others help look for him. What's going on? You look unwell!”
Indeed, last night Feng San Niang caused such a commotion that no one in the village could sleep. In the end, she brought a group of villagers to her home, but it was Young Master Shen who sent his people to help search. Feng San Niang insisted on seeing Muxin, and Young Master Shen allowed her to enter the house alone. Upon seeing the sleeping Muxin, she left in anger.
Hearing this, Zhou Cailian stumbled; if she hadn't grabbed onto a pile of firewood nearby, she would have fallen to the ground.
She shook her head in a daze, her face filled with fear and rage. Then, pointing at Xia Muxin, she shouted fiercely:
“Xia Muxin, it's all your fault! I will never let you have peace; may you die a terrible death... ah...”
After saying this, she clutched her head and let out a mournful cry towards the sky before unsteadily running back to her home.
Watching Zhou Cailian's frenzied state, Xia Muxin was stunned and speechless, unsure of how she had offended her. However, she could understand that in this feudal era, a woman's purity was of utmost importance. Losing it meant losing the right to choose happiness. But who could that person be?
A glimmer of murderous intent flashed in Shen Muhan's eyes. If it weren't for the inappropriate location and his concern for Muxin's family, he could have ensured that Zhou Cailian wouldn't see tomorrow's sun based on just that one sentence.
Moreover, she brought this upon herself!
Feng Family!
After returning home, Feng Liulang was restless and unable to sleep, his mind replaying the face he had seen over and over again.
How could it be her? How could it be her?
In his panic, he had run off without thinking.
Feng San Niang also hadn’t slept all night. After searching for most of the night without finding her son, she returned at dawn only to find him sitting in their home like a lost soul, his eyes dull and lifeless. She was terrified, thinking he had been possessed.
But before she could say more than two words to him, he pushed her out of the room.
They say a daughter grows up independent of her mother, and in her case, it was even more so.
She couldn't understand what was so special about Xia Muxin that had Liulang so captivated, making him lose his mind over her. This year was crucial; after the New Year, he would head to the capital for exams. If he continued in this dazed state every day, what hope did she have?
While the two of them languished in their thoughts, Xia Muxin's household was bustling with activity.
Early one morning, Xia Muxin prepared breakfast—rice porridge and Sourdough Steamed Buns. A few days ago, she had added wine to the fish, and now the Wine-Pickled Fish was ready to eat. She also pickled some Green Beans with chopped chili peppers, which would pair perfectly with the porridge and buns.
Songzi finished washing up early and was the first to sit at the table. Upon seeing the bowl of Wine-Pickled Fish, his eyes lit up, and he quickly grabbed a piece to taste.
"Wow, sister, this is delicious! Really delicious!"
As soon as he took a bite, he nodded enthusiastically, reaching for another piece before even swallowing the first.
"Sister, this Ginger Shreds is tasty too; it has a hint of sweetness from the wine."
Seeing Songzi so eager for food made Xia Muxin smile silently. If only the flavor of the freshly brewed wine could be replicated; unfortunately, they hadn't planted glutinous rice this year. Otherwise, by next spring, she could have brewed her own wine.
Last time she went to the mountains, she brought back a few seedlings that she planted. Thanks to her careful tending, they all survived but were still too small to identify their variety.
She had asked her family if there were any orchards or wild fruit trees nearby, but everyone shook their heads. The mountains produced different fruits each year, but they didn't recognize them. The children often picked them while they were still green; some turned out sour enough to make their teeth ache, others were too astringent to eat, and some even caused poisoning. They only dared to eat fruits they had seen sold in Town.
After finishing collecting Fava Beans from Dayao Village, she spent the last few days gathering over a hundred pounds from several villagers in the same area. She also asked around to see where else she could find more.
Today, since the Wine-Pickled Fish was ready and all the Orchid Beans had been prepared yesterday, they could head to Town after breakfast.
Her father had been busy gathering Firewood these past few days; their stockpile was nearly full. He planned to take yesterday's haul to sell today. Ming Yi and his group had also brought back quite a bit of Game Meat; it was a good opportunity to sell everything together. With little silver left in hand, she was racking her brain on how to earn more money and expand their business, but unfortunately, her capital was limited.
As her father pulled a cart full of Firewood, Xia Muxin followed behind to help. Shen Muhan wanted to tag along, but Xia Muxin wouldn't allow it. Instead, she drew a model on the ground and asked him to find a dozen fine steel wires for her urgent needs when she returned.
Helpless, Shen Muhan could only let Ming Peng follow them secretly.
As soon as they arrived at Town, someone recognized them.
"Little girl, it's been a while since I've seen you in town. Do you have any Orchid Beans today?"
"Yes, yes! My husband is even competing with the kids for them. Can you believe it?"
"Oh, isn't this a wild chicken? Little girl, how much are you selling this wild chicken for?"
"Right, right! I heard wild chickens are better than farm chickens. My child just started school this year; I need to give him a good supplement."
What began as a single comment quickly turned into a crowd surrounding them, each person chiming in.
Xia Muxin maintained the most dignified smile of a merchant. Seeing that everyone had said enough, she raised her voice and said, "Yes, yes! All of you, please line up over there. I'll unload the goods right away and serve you one by one!"
Upon hearing this, everyone hurried to line up. Ming Peng noticed and helped the father and daughter unload their goods.
"Today, we have not only Fava Beans and Game Meat but also my family's special fish. You can taste it; if you like it, then buy some. However, the price is relatively higher—fifteen taels per pound—because these fish are all wild from the river. The preparation also takes time; it took me over three months to make this batch."
Xia Muxin cheerfully took out a bowl and used chopsticks to scoop some fish from the Jar. She then placed some homemade toothpicks beside it.
As soon as the jar was opened, a rich aroma of wine wafted out, accompanied by another scent that no one could quite identify. Even several young men watching from the side were drawn over.
"Miss, do you still have five flavors?"
The first to step forward was a well-dressed elderly lady. Upon seeing the separated Fava Beans in front of Xia Muxin, she asked while reaching for a toothpick to pick up a small fish and popping it into her mouth. After finishing that, she grabbed some Ginger Shreds.
Xia Muxin looked at the surprised expression on the old lady's face and cheerfully said,
"Yes, ma'am, five different flavors. Would you like to try some of each?"
"This child is quite perceptive," the old lady remarked with a smile, impressed by Xia Muxin's keen understanding.
Xia Muxin chuckled, scratching her head in amusement.
In her memory, this was the first time she had met the old lady, yet there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"I'll take one pound of the Orchid Bean, one pound of the fish, and two wild chickens," the old lady stated after putting down her toothpick and pointing at the items she wanted.
"Sure thing!" Xia Muxin grinned widely, feeling incredibly happy as she busily weighed the items. "Ma'am, how far is your home? Let my brother give you a ride later; it would be quite inconvenient to carry all these things."
The old lady appeared to be at least seventy years old but looked sprightly and had good teeth. She spoke clearly and wore an old-fashioned yet dignified hairpin. Xia Muxin guessed that she must have a remarkable background. Moreover, the sparkle in her bright eyes hinted at a shrewd businesswoman. Out of kindness, Xia Muxin smiled and said,
"Alright! Let your brother escort me home then."
The old lady accepted without hesitation, speaking kindly.
The wild chickens were priced at five taels each, the Fava Beans also five taels for five pounds, and the fish was fifteen taels per pound. The first customer paid twenty-five taels without complaint. The old lady gave Xia Muxin and the stunned Summer Forest a meaningful glance before asking Ming Peng to carry her purchases away.
With this successful start from the old lady, sales picked up rapidly afterward. Everyone wanted to taste the Wine-Pickled Fish and nodded in satisfaction after trying it. Although they didn't buy in full pounds, they requested two taels each instead. In just half an hour, Xia Muxin sold out all her goods.
The Orchid Beans sold for about one hundred taels, the Game Meat also for one hundred taels, while the Wine-Pickled Fish fetched nearly two hundred taels. Fortunately, her jar was large enough to hold about fifteen pounds.
Xia Muxin tidied up her belongings and let her father take Firewood to the Fortune and Longevity Restaurant, while she ran to a pawnshop to exchange most of her silver into silver notes, all in denominations of ten taels each.
Seeing her father sell Firewood, she pulled him along to buy some household items before happily heading home.
At that moment, Ming Peng was utterly impressed by Xia Muxin. Even small things she made could bring in money...
He felt that his boss was about to strike it rich, having found such a capable and articulate wife.
Upon returning home, Xia Muxin immediately went to check on the progress made by Liu Mazi and the others. After nearly half a month, the weeds in the new land had been mostly cleared. Now, it looked barren, and Xia Muxin began to formulate a rough plan in her mind before skipping into the house.
“Muxin, come take a look! Is this okay?”
As soon as she entered, her brother called out to her, holding up a brick-shaped mold and waving it in the air.
Xia Muxin walked over, took a look at what he was holding, and then gave him a thumbs-up.
She had drawn it according to modern brick dimensions; it wasn't difficult to make—just needed to stack several flat pieces cut to the right size together.
They were rectangular.
At that moment, Shen Muhan also returned with a bundle of steel wire. Seeing the mold in Xia Muxin's hands, he walked over for a closer look and handed her the steel wire, asking, “How about this?”
- End of Chapter -
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