Chapter 36

In such frigid weather, for a restaurant to be able to acquire eggplants and chili peppers is a cause for great joy.

Without any hesitation, Bai, the shopkeeper, purchased a whole cartload of vegetables at triple the price of autumn.

He also bought all the wild rice stems, allowing the chef at the restaurant to figure out how to prepare them.

Returning to the dilapidated temple,

Zheng Ruqian calculated his expenses.

When he set out, he had brought two taels of silver, and after deducting the costs of food, drink, and gifts, he had probably earned one and a half taels of silver from selling vegetables.

In total, he had made five taels of silver from delivering them to You Ran Ju.

If he could cut down on the expenses for food and drink, it would mean a profit three times higher.

It was even more than what he earned from collecting and delivering vegetables in the neighboring Xieyang County.

The only drawback was the hardships on the road, but for Zheng Ruqian, he wasn't afraid of hardships and difficulties. Making money was what mattered most.

If it weren't for being stopped, he would have wanted to make another trip to Yunshui County right now and bring back a cartload of vegetables.

The reason for being stopped was quite simple.

The New Year was approaching.

Jiang Sheng didn't know the customs of the New Year, but she only knew that it emphasized the two words "reunion" and that the whole family needed to be neat and tidy.

New clothes had to be bought, new shoes had to be bought, and meat had to be bought.

The dilapidated temple was too desolate, so it would be best to hang a couple of red lanterns.

On the streets of Shili Town,

Jiang Sheng ran ahead, and her older brothers followed behind, panting.

Xu Mo held six cotton jackets in his arms, almost completely blocking his entire body.

Zheng Ruqian carried a large pig's head, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Fang Heng carried a sack of vegetables.

Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan were given special treatment and only carried two small packages.

After much effort, they finally reached the street. Jiang Sheng stared blankly at the brightly colored fruits.

In the past, when she had no money, she could only watch others eat sugar-coated haws. Occasionally, if she was lucky, she would pick up a discarded one and put it in her mouth, savoring the sour and sweet taste that lingered on her lips and teeth. It became Jiang Sheng's most vivid memory of the New Year. "Sugar-coated haws, sugar-coated haws, six wen per string!"

The vendor shouted loudly, attracting the longing gazes of the poor and the extravagant purchases of the wealthy.

Zheng Ruqian stopped behind Jiang Sheng and followed her gaze. "Jiang Sheng, if you want to eat, go ahead and buy. We have money now."

Yes, they had money now.

Earned by their second and third brothers, a total of thirty taels of silver.

A smile appeared on Jiang Sheng's face as she hurried to the vendor and waved her hand. "Give me six strings."

With six strings for the six siblings, they each held one and started to nibble.

Actually, sugar-coated haws weren't that tasty. The hawthorn taste was a bit too sour, and the sugar coating was too thick, making it quite chewy.

But Jiang Sheng still cherished every bite.

When she was about to throw away the sugar-coated haw sticks, she felt like someone was behind her.

She glanced at Fang Heng and saw that he was furrowing his brows, hinting to them, "Don't look back, keep walking."

This was Shili Town, not the county seat. Who would be following them during the New Year?

Jiang Sheng soon found out.

Fang Heng was very skilled at evading pursuit. He led everyone into an alley, taking several turns and finally hiding in a secluded corner.

Not long after, a tall and robust figure rushed out frantically.

Looking left and right, and not finding anyone, he muttered a curse under his breath.

Jiang Sheng took a step forward and asked, "Pang Dashan, why were you following me?"

The sudden voice startled Pang Dashan, causing him to fall on his buttocks.

He turned his head and saw Jiang Sheng and her siblings standing in a row. He nearly wet himself and said, "I didn't... I didn't mean to. I just... I just saw you all. I didn't have any other intentions."

"Do you think I believe you?" Jiang Sheng's face turned cold. "Pang Dashan, I haven't settled the score with you for the incident at the ruined temple. And now you come knocking at our door. Well, let my third brother teach you a lesson and show you the consequences of your actions."

With that, she took two steps back, revealing Fang Heng holding a long staff.

Pang Dashan gasped in fear.

He could count that he had already experienced Fang Heng's strength twice before, and each time ended with him being knocked unconscious.

If in the past he deserved it, today he really didn't.

Pang Dashan covered his crotch, tears and snot flowing. "I didn't come here to cause trouble. I came to warn you about that high-ranking yamen officer. I'm genuinely concerned. Please don't beat me."

Jiang Sheng didn't believe him.

A leopard can't change its spots. Who knew if Pang Dashan's words were true or another trap?

Fang Heng furrowed his brow but remained silent.

Chang Yan suddenly approached with a candied hawthorn on a stick, tugging at Jiang Sheng's sleeve, gesturing for her to look down. Then... Jiang Sheng saw a pale yellow liquid on the ground.

Her expression froze.

Pang Dashan, this useless person, had actually wet himself out of fear.

Did that mean he was genuinely scared?

Jiang Sheng couldn't quite figure it out.

Xu Mo took two steps forward, leveraging his greatest advantage as a man of letters. "Hello, Pang Dashan. Could you tell us the real reason why you were following us today?"

Compared to this group of fierce individuals, Xu Mo appeared gentle and refined, making him the easiest to talk to.

Pang Dashan quickly got up from the ground and explained, "It was indeed me seeking revenge against you the last time, and I was the one who brought the yamen officer to the ruined temple. But the young master of the Jiang family suddenly appeared and humiliated the yamen officer, making him very unhappy. His men beat me up and accused me of being inefficient."

"He clearly fears the Jiang family but turns around and blames me. He's really despicable. Today, I happened to see you on the street and wanted to tell you the truth. Although I, Pang Dashan, have deceived, tricked, and stolen from people, I never lie. I swear on a lifetime of meals that the yamen officer has a grudge against you and will definitely target you again."

To swear on a lifetime of meals as a beggar was quite vicious.

Jiang Sheng was somewhat stunned. Although she had already suspected these things, hearing the truth still made her feel despondent.

There's a saying that the common people don't fight with officials.

Moreover, they were just a group of children who had recently earned a little money. What could they use to fight against the county yamen's officers?

Seeing that they were listening, Pang Dashan didn't dare linger any longer. Clutching his crotch, he left.

Jiang Sheng called out to him.

"Thank you, Pang Dashan. Wait here for me," she said solemnly.

After speaking, she quickly ran to buy three candied hawthorns and handed them to Pang Dashan.

Just now, she noticed that although Pang Dashan was speaking, his eyes kept glancing at the candied hawthorns in Wu Ge's hands.

As a beggar, Jiang Sheng understood all too well.

Pang Dashan never expected to receive three sugar-coated haws as a gift, and he left with a complicated expression.

Chang Yan observed the grand feast without revealing any emotions.

Having already purchased everything they needed, the siblings returned home by donkey cart.

On the way, they discussed the credibility of Pang Dashan's words.

Zheng Ruqian believed it was completely unreliable. "Who knows if he's colluding with the high-ranking officials to deceive us again?"

Fang Heng nodded in agreement. "Even if the high-ranking officials punished him, we've also dealt with him. Why should Pang Dashan suddenly show goodwill towards us?"

And it was such an abrupt display of goodwill.

Even Xu Mo thought the same.

Wen Zhiyun, who rarely interjected in such discussions, remained silent.

Chang Yan, the only one left, pondered for a while before saying, "I don't think so."

The five pairs of siblings' eyes turned towards him in astonishment.