Chapter 21 Entering the City

  Liu Jian drove out of the car when Chunxiang's mother was again curiously chatting with Lanniang about the two siblings, Erni and Zhi Xiao, living together on the mountain.

  This is also the hottest topic in the village recently. Today Chunxiang's mother happened to meet the person involved, of course, she also wants to know more about it.

  Everyone in the village knew about Zhi Xiao's notorious reputation, and no one thought it was a good idea for Er Ni and her brother to move up the mountain with him. Even the siblings' uncle and aunt, who had driven them out of their home, were still saying, "If only I had sold them off earlier, they would have had a better life, and wouldn't have ended up moving up the mountain where Zhi Xiao can harm them."

  The whole village heard this and perked up their ears, everyone waiting to see the outcome.

  Lan Niang reluctantly acknowledged Chun Xiang as her daughter-in-law, and with a stiff face, it was not hard to see that she was already on the verge of exploding.

  She glanced at her mouth that wouldn't stop moving and thought to herself, "Is this old lady messing with me? Why does she have so much to say?"

  When Lian Niang saw Liu Jian leading the cow out of Liu Lao's house, she exclaimed with joy, finally able to get rid of her. Today her patience had been exceptionally exercised, and as soon as she stood up, Chun Xiang's mother's mouth never stopped.

  Lan Niang let out a sigh of relief, immediately put on a smiling face and bid farewell. She didn't even bother with Chun Xiang's mother who still had many questions to ask. Quickly bending down to pick up the large pot, she placed it on the cart, sat sideways on the board, and hurried towards the mountain.

  "Liu Jian's girl is also coming with us into town today?" Lan Niang asked from behind, somewhat worried.

  "How come you still don't want to give in and follow, it was already agreed upon yesterday. Moreover, Qiao Zheng has always lived outside, and over the years, he hasn't mentioned anything being wrong with that..."

  Liu Jian turned around and saw Lan Niang not making a sound, then continued:

  "I've also thought about it, our girl is grown up now, we really can't control her too tightly anymore, otherwise she'll definitely become suspicious. And what if that person has already given up and isn't investigating anymore? We're still being so cautious, aren't we being overly careful? Are we really planning on hiding for a lifetime?"

  Lan Niang sighed and said, "Don't you remember those days of fleeing, how brutal the battles were, how many people died? Now there are only a few of us left, hiding in this small mountain village, afraid to make any mistakes, and Qiao is still taking care of things outside.

  "Who would forget, but you don't have to be so serious about it. That girl is quite clever, how will you explain it to her later? Just let things happen naturally. It's fine, otherwise, what's the point of Qiao Zheng staying outside with his wife and kids?"

  Liu Jian said again after a while: "He was strict, but it was also just the first few years when he started. Didn't Qiao Zheng say that there's nothing unusual outside now?..."

  "Although his current official position is said to be even greater, there will not be fewer people watching him. He will still send out so many people in such a reckless manner, which will inevitably arouse other people's vigilance..."

  "Moreover, because of his wife's sudden disappearance due to her own reasons, he still hasn't told anyone about his past until now. Although your family doesn't have many relatives left, the aristocratic status is still there, so people keeping an eye on him won't decrease, only increase. He dares not to be so blatant and launch another fierce battle like before."

  "Moreover, at that time, our martyrs who followed us all the way were brutally killed outside, and he didn't spend less time erasing these traces everywhere."

  Lingnu nodded, it's the only way, but in her heart, she was still not very willing to let this girl enter the city, wait until these pumpkins are sold and then take care of her.

  Lan Niang thought helplessly in her heart.

  ……

  Five people sat in a row on an oxcart, slowly and leisurely swaying into the city.

  As they approached the city gate, Zhi Xiao led Er Ni and Mu Tian through a hole on one side of the gate.

  Mù Tiān was excited, earning five wén coins, which could buy five big meat buns. Thinking about it made him happy. He counted the copper plates again and again, his face filled with joy as he thought that tomorrow might bring another opportunity to earn more.

  Erni was a bit afraid of being caught, so after entering, she looked around nervously, fearing that others would catch her in the act. After seeing Zhi Xiao and Mu Tian enter last, she pulled them to run towards Lan Niang's direction without daring to look back.

  When she finally stood in front of Lan Niang and the others, she let out a sigh of relief, her tense body heaving with exhaustion as she patted her chest, causing Zhi Xiao and Mu Tian to burst into laughter along with the two adults.

  Lan Niang said with a tone of blame: "Now we don't lack those few dollars, you want us to save money, but you, at such a young age, have already become infatuated with money."

  "That's the same, this money is not too much to dislike, Mochen you say is it this reason." Knowing not only to refute, but also to find a firm ally.

  Admire the sky with a silly grin and lowered head.

  Lan Niang couldn't help but sigh, this girl is really something, if her sister knew that her own child was crawling through tunnels to save a few bucks for going into the city, she wondered what kind of expression would be on her face.

  Erni and Mutian also entered the city for the first time. After her mother married into Liujiacun Village, she had never left the village. Today, she finally opened her eyes to new sights.

  Only on both sides of the road are earth and wood houses from different villages, and the houses here are not only made of bricks and stones, but also have several two-story attics standing on both sides of the road. The storefronts of the merchants all hang out large signboards with blue background and golden letters or red background and golden letters, which look bright and dazzling under the sunlight, almost blinding people's eyes.

  Some smaller shops also have red backgrounds and black letters, but the clerks standing at the door to greet customers are all dressed in bright and beautiful clothes.

  The doors and windows on both sides are painted with bright colors, shining brightly, and look very different from the village.

  There are many people on the road, men wearing magnificent brocade robes with various accessories at their waists, fragrant sachets and beautiful jade hanging from their waists. The women's attire is even more exquisite, everything they wear on their heads and bodies showcases delicate craftsmanship.

  Those who looked like wealthy women, with maidservants following closely behind them, their clothes were truly representative of the times. They wore colorful embroidered jackets and pleated skirts made of various materials, with intricate and beautiful flower patterns embroidered along the hems, which fluttered open in the wind as they walked, swaying gently from side to side, twisting their waists and swinging their hips. Zhai Xiang and Er Ni were stunned, their eyes wide with wonder.

  When they were met with scornful and disdainful glances, the three of them couldn't help but look away in embarrassment, only to turn their attention to the next interesting person.

  Knowing that the last time I came to the city, I didn't have the mood to pay attention to people's clothes, today with my parents, my mood can't help but relax, sitting in the cart and admiring the cultural scenery along the way, it's also the first time I've opened my eyes since coming here, with a fresh curiosity like Erni and others who have never been to the city, turning my head to look around.

  Listening to his parents discussing the price of pumpkins in front, his eyes were darting around non-stop, afraid that something interesting would pass him by.

  "Let's first send the wild vegetables to Wang Zhuang, and then try selling the pumpkins at the fish stall where they usually sell them. What do you think, Lan Niang?" Liu Jian asked, turning to Lan Niang who was sitting beside him.

  Lan Niang turned around and saw that the three children had no objection, "Then let's go to Wang Zhuo first. To be honest, this shopkeeper is not bad, he doesn't have the greedy eyes of ordinary businessmen. We've only met him a few times, but he seems to like us quite well, and has given us many things."

  Ling's daughter thought back and said.

  It turns out that it's indeed the case. Actually, those were all made by Wang Zhuangui's daughter, including the embroidered pouch with four mismatched sides and the embroidered shoes that didn't fit well, etc. After mother took them over, she spent a lot of effort reworking them, but they still won her heart.

  "Mother, don't forget to leave a few calabazas for Mr. Wang to taste later, he's been quite good to our family." Zhi Xiao said casually, without turning his head to look at Lan Niang.

  "I know, no need to remind me." Lan Niang smiled as she looked at her daughter. Her daughter was actually a grateful person, and Lan Niang was pleased about this. Although it didn't show much on her face, she was actually soft-hearted despite her tough exterior. Lan Niang thought to herself that although her daughter seemed fierce and stubborn most of the time, she was actually easy to coax.

  Erni asked on the side, "Is the brocade pouch that Dama tore apart and re-embroidered last time inside?" She knew about that brocade pouch, which was placed together with her money box under the bed, still treasured.

  I've seen this silly girl several times already.

  "That's right, it is."

  Erni suddenly realized and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, the fabric of the brocade pouch was good, but the embroidery was too poor, no wonder Danni thought it was a pity, she had taken it apart and re-embroidered it, at that time she still thought it was an expert's work and didn't have the nerve to ask.

  Ke Ernie didn't know that Zhi Xiao Lian's degree wasn't even up to par.

  Zhi Xiao only smiled and didn't speak, but thanks to Ling's clever hands, it has been transformed into a lively and interesting little animal now. Zhi Xiao likes it very much, just like a handicraft that is worth treasuring. Today, she also hung it inside her chest-front clothes. If she had hung it at her waist, she was afraid of accidentally tearing it, which would be a pity. Zhi Xiao still treasures this brocade pouch very much.

  The ox cart creaked and swayed as it moved forward, and before they reached the Wang's wine tower, the shop boy at the door was already looking in their direction.

  He merely called out a greeting towards the shop, then hastily ran in the direction he knew.