MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 97

After resting in the village for two days, it seemed as if nothing had changed, yet it also felt as if everything had.

 

Villagers would often stop and stare at Qiao Suiman as they passed by, as if he were some rare spectacle. However, due to the scene Old Lady Li had caused that day, few dared to approach him rashly for their own gain.

 

Moreover, Qiao Suiman had delivered milk tea to those few households as soon as he returned, making it clear that he remembered who had treated him well in the past. Those who were unrelated or even had past grievances with him naturally did not dare to approach him.

 

Just like that, two days passed quickly. They tended to the bamboo grove, tidied the new house, and swept away the dust. Qiao Suiman also went to town with Lu Xuesong and Qiao Ruifeng to sell eggs once. On the way, they passed by Laifu Wine House and asked Wu Qi about it. Coincidentally, the wine house used a lot of eggs and often bought them from individual households. They ended up buying a significant number of eggs from both families.

 

In spring, chicken and duck eggs were plentiful, and though the price was not high, they still sold for three to four wen each. Qiao Ruifeng raised many poultry, and nearly forty chickens and ducks from last winter had started laying eggs. After saving up eggs for several days, he had nearly two hundred, earning him a fair amount of money. This work was steady, as the chickens and ducks could lay eggs for several years. Once the spring chicks grew up and started laying eggs, the number would only increase. It was a way to earn money while staying home to accompany his fulang, killing two birds with one stone. Thus, Qiao Ruifeng was very attentive in tending to the chickens and ducks.

 

Lu Xuesong had slightly fewer eggs, only about a hundred. However, he also bought twenty more chickens and ducks each. The weather was warm, and none had died. It was only a matter of time before he earned money, and he would surely be able to manage the egg and poultry business before Tang Guo’er married into the family.

 

Everyone had work to do and money to earn. Life was getting better and better, and Qiao Suiman had been in high spirits these past two days. Lu Dongqing was also happy.

 

They went to Hedong Village to speak with Master Tang about ordering goat milk to bring to the prefectural city and about sourcing goat milk from him for their business in the future. Master Tang was even more excited than they were, repeatedly promising to personally deliver the goat milk to their shop on the fourteenth. Qiao Suiman smiled and thanked him before riding the donkey cart back to the shop.

 

On the fourteenth, they would open the shop for one more day. From the fifteenth to the twentieth, they would be closed. By the time they returned from the prefectural city, the magistrate’s plaque would be ready. They would hang the plaque and start selling milk tea at the same time, ensuring no shortage of customers.

 

After making their plans, they returned to the shop and posted a notice. Lu Dongqing delivered the book boxes to several customers’ homes. Qiao Suiman chatted with Qin Xiaoyao for a while before thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of the shop, pondering the matter Zhou Shuifen had mentioned.

 

After the porridge was cooked, Lu Dongqing also came back. They closed the shop and sat under the eaves of the kitchen to drink porridge.

 

Qiao Suiman thought for a moment and said directly, “Dongqing, Aunt Shuifen asked if you would accept an apprentice. She wants Xiasheng to learn bamboo weaving from you so he can have another skill in the future.”

 

“Just bamboo weaving, so he can become a craftsman later. Bamboo carving takes too much time. Xiasheng is nearly thirteen already; he won’t have many years left to study. As long as he can do business in the nearby villages, that would be enough.”

 

Qiao Suiman continued softly, “Uncle Ping can continue farming vegetables for many more years, so they hope to find another path for Xiasheng. If it doesn’t work, then he can return to selling vegetables. Actually, Aunt Shuifen was too embarrassed to bring it up herself. It was Xuesheng who quietly told me. She only wants Xiasheng to learn bamboo weaving because she’s afraid it might affect your bamboo carving business.”

 

After all, everyone in the village knew that Lu Dongqing’s bamboo carvings were expensive and that teaching an apprentice would starve the master.[mfn]教會徒弟餓死師傅 jiāo huì túdì è sǐ shīfù – Chinese proverb which means if a master teaches his apprentice everything without reservation, the apprentice may surpass the master, causing the master to lose his livelihood (Wikipedia)[/mfn] Zhou Shuifen naturally wouldn’t ask Lu Dongqing to teach bamboo carving, as that is his prized skill. Even Lu Dongqing’s master had only taken him on as an apprentice because he was old and had no one in his family was willing to learn the skill.

 

Lu Dongqing thought it over. Recently, more and more people have been asking him to carve things. He wanted to earn money, and bamboo carving brought in the fastest income. However, to maintain the bambooware shop’s business, he still set aside time to weave baskets and bamboo mats.

 

If he could hand over the bamboo weaving part to someone else and focus on carving, it would be a good arrangement.

 

Lu Dongqing said, “Aunt Shuifen has taken such good care of you, so accepting Xiasheng as an apprentice is certainly not a problem. But if he wants to be an apprentice, he has to stay in town. We don’t have a place for Xiasheng to stay.”

 

“Uncle Ping’s elder brother lives in town. Xiasheng can stay there,” Qiao Suiman said.

 

“Then it’s settled. After we return from the prefectural city, we’ll go back to the village and discuss it in detail with Uncle Ping and Aunt Shuifen,” Lu Dongqing said, taking a sip of porridge with a smile.

 

“Good,” Qiao Suiman replied, also smiling. Then he asked, “What is the prefectural city like? Is it even better than town?”

 

“Of course. The roads are wider, the buildings are more impressive, there are more shops on the streets, and people are everywhere.”

 

Lu Dongqing recalled his memories of going to the prefectural city with his master to sell goods. “There are more nobles too. Anyone you meet on the road could be a young master or young lady from some influential family, so you have to be more cautious, so as not to offend people.”

 

“Is that so? How many days can we stay there? The Fragrant Drink Street is only open until the end of the wu shi[mfn]午时 : 11AM – 1PM[/mfn]. After it ends, we can go explore and try the food in the prefectural city.”

 

“Mm,” Lu Dongqing nodded with a smile.

 

Qiao Suiman felt both nervous and excited about going to the prefectural city. Even while working the next day, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

 

“Shopkeeper Qiao.”

 

A familiar face entered the shop. After handing the drink he just prepared to a customer, Qiao Suiman immediately went to greet him: “Yu-shiye.”

 

Yu-shiye chuckled. “Business is really good here.”

 

“It’s been even better since winning the competition. Would you like something to drink?”

 

“Immortal Peach Drink, then. I haven’t had it for days, and I’ve been craving it.”

 

Yu-shiye stroked his beard and pulled a wooden token from his sleeve. “This is the token for the Fragrant Drink Street in the prefectural city. You’ll need this to enter. Remember to bring your household registration documents as well.”

 

Qiao Suiman accepted it with both hands and said quickly, “Thank you, shiye, for making the trip specifically. We’ve already prepared everything and will set off tomorrow.”

 

“Shopkeeper, congratulations!”

 

“Man-ge’r, this is incredible! You’re even going to the prefectural city. I’ll go tell everyone later!”

 

The customers present all offered their congratulations. They felt a sense of pride seeing the drink shop they favored grow step by step. Among them, Aunt Xu, who came every few days and had even attended the competition, had become a loyal customer of Qiao’s Drink Shop. She couldn’t wait to go back and boast to the other women and fulang.

 

Qiao Suiman smiled brightly. “I must thank everyone for your support. When I return from the prefectural city, I’ll start selling milk tea!”

 

“That’s wonderful! I’ve been craving it for so long,” Aunt Xu said, swallowing hard.

 

Yu-shiye left after buying his Immortal Peach Drink, as he had two other families to deliver tokens to. Before leaving, he mentioned that Wang Er was already caught. After interrogation, his statement matched Xiao Shun’s. Both were sentenced to twenty lashes, and Xiao Shun was also fined fifty taels of silver.

 

“Serves them right!” Aunt Xu said indignantly.

 

“With such a fine, I doubt his shop will be able to continue.”

 

“It’s been closed for a long time already. Even if he has the face to reopen, no one will go.”

 

The people drinking and chatting in the shop exchanged comments one after another.

 

Qiao Suiman’s smile widened. Those villains deserved such punishment!

 

After finishing the day’s business, Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing closed the door and checked the items they were bringing to the prefectural city. Once they confirmed nothing was missing, they started cooking.

 

Just then, Master Tang arrived with the cart delivering goat milk. Lu Dongqing moved all the goat milk to the reserved spot on the cart. Master Tang was thorough; knowing they were traveling a long distance, he made sure the lids fit tightly and tied all the containers securely with rope to prevent spills.

 

Because they needed a lot of goat milk, there were four large bamboo baskets just for holding the goat milk bowls. Add to that the tea, sugar, dried flowers, and bamboo tubes, and the cart was completely full. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing could only squeeze in to sit.

 

After sending Master Tang off, they tied down all the items with thick hemp rope. Their clothing and silver were packed in bundles to carry on their chests.

 

After a quick dinner, Qiao Suiman was still worried and carefully checked the items in the cart again. In the end, Lu Dongqing forcefully carried him back to the room, extinguished the candles, and kissed him on the cheek. “Everything is ready. Sleep now. We have to wake up early tomorrow, and the journey will be tiring.”

 

Qiao Suiman found a comfortable position in his arms and gradually fell asleep listening to Lu Dongqing’s steady breathing.

 

The donkey cart sped along the official road, kicking up dust. They had already left Shuijing Town, passed through Ningyuan Town, and exited the county under Magistrate Liu’s jurisdiction.

 

The closer they got to the prefectural city, the more bustling the scenery became. There were many courier stations[mfn]驛站 yìzhàn – relay station for post horses; places where officials who were transmitting military intelligence could eat, stay, and change horses during their journey; it also provides rest and supply services for people and horses[/mfn] along the official road, and people dressed in vibrant colors came and went. There were even quite a few foreigners.

 

Qiao Suiman watched in amazement along the way, exclaiming in wonder from time to time. The world outside was indeed different. No wonder people always wanted to go out and see so many different things. He was very excited.

 

They stopped at a courier station at noon to eat the meat buns they had brought and drank water. After resting for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, they continued their journey, finally arriving at the prefectural city at shen shi[mfn]申时 : 3–5 PM[/mfn].

 

The city gate was built high with square stone blocks, and the words “Songjiang Prefectural City” were written in majestic characters. Qiao Suiman recognized the characters for “Songjiang” and exclaimed, “The city walls are so tall.”

 

Lu Dongqing jumped off the donkey cart and led Da Guai slowly forward. As they walked, he said, “Songjiang Prefectural City is close to Jiangnan. There are many wealthy families here, so the city walls are more impressive.”

 

There were guards at the city gate. Lu Dongqing took out their tokens and household registration documents and had them checked before continuing to drive the cart forward.

 

Only after entering the prefectural city did Qiao Suiman understand what true prosperity meant. The streets were filled with vendors everywhere. Luxurious carriages were a common sight, some even with curtains embroidered with gold thread. It was common for people on the road to wear gold and silver, and the jade pendants at their waists came in various styles, all of which were very valuable.

 

The shops along the street were exquisitely decorated, with lights shining brightly. There were incense shops, clothing stores, taverns, and cookhouses everywhere, and the sound of conversation was endless.

 

Qiao Suiman swallowed nervously. Fortunately, there were also plenty of commoners on the road, so their donkey cart didn’t stand out too much.

 

Lu Dongqing followed the address on the wooden token, slowly driving along two main roads while keeping an eye out for inns along the way. Finally, he stopped at an inn on the corner of Songjiang Street.

 

An attendant immediately came forward to ask, “Will you be stopping for a meal or taking lodging, honored guests?”

 

“How much for a room?” Lu Dongqing asked.

 

“The Celestial room[mfn]this is the tier of the rooms, like first class, second class, and so on[/mfn] is one tael of silver per night, the Earth room is eight mace, and the Mysterious room is five mace. Feeding your donkey and watching your belongings are included.”

 

So expensive!

 

Qiao Suiman clicked his tongue. The prefectural city was indeed the prefectural city. The room they reserved for Miao Lianhua before was only eighty wen per night. This inn didn’t look as impressive as the ones they had seen earlier, yet it was still so expensive. Those others must be even pricier.

 

They needed to stay here until the twentieth. Even the cheapest Mysterious room would cost them two taels and five mace for five nights.

 

Qiao Suiman whispered, “Dongqing, let’s look for another place.”

 

Although the county office had given them an extra tael of silver as a subsidy, he still could not bear to spend so much silver just to sleep.

 

“Mm,” Lu Dongqing thought the same. After thanking the attendant, he led Da Guai onward.

 

Qiao Suiman had been sitting all day, and his back ached and his legs felt sore. He also jumped down to walk for a bit.

 

They went on for two more streets before finding a rather plain-looking inn. Lu Dongqing went to ask the price: three hundred and fifty wen per night, with an additional twenty wen for donkey feed.

 

The two of them were somewhat tired. They saw that the inn’s attendant was feeding the horses of other guests with great care and even combing their hair, so they chose this one.

 

The innkeeper is a ge’r. Qiao Suiman took an extra glance at him. Hearing they wanted to stay for five days, the innkeeper even rounded down the price, charging them one tael and eight mace.

 

The goat milk was stored in the cellar, which was good for preservation. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing moved the other ingredients to their room, leaving the rest for the inn to look after.

 

Seeing how careful they were, the innkeeper smiled and asked, “Where are you from? Did you win the drink competition?”

 

The drink competition was announced by the prefectural city, so people there naturally knew about it. Everyone was looking forward to the Fragrant Drink Street on the seventeenth and eighteenth.

 

Qiao Suiman smiled. “We’re from Shuiqing Town. Yes, you have a good eye, innkeeper.”

 

The innkeeper smiled again. “That’s great. I’ll go take a look then and try your drinks.”

 

Usually, people came and went from the inn frequently, most staying only for one night. It was rare for guests to book five nights at once like them. It was a sizable business, so the innkeeper chatted a bit more.

 

Their room was Mysterious Room Six. It wasn’t large, in fact, it was even smaller than the room at Fudong Inn in Shuijing Town. However, land was expensive in the prefectural city. Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing weren’t too surprised. Though small, the room was complete, with bedding and washing supplies all neat and clean. It was good enough.

 

 

 

 

 

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