Chapter 632 Going Shopping

When someone says they're going shopping, it's obviously not just talk; it's not something that can be taken seriously.

Mother Li called over Second Sister-in-law Li, and the four of them sat down together to discuss what else they needed to add to their household this winter.

At the same time, we also need to arrange for us to go shopping together tomorrow, and who will stay at home to take care of things.

So, going out is really not an easy thing.

The next day, Li San Niang was woken up by her mother's knocking on the door. Having finally gotten a ten-day break, Li San Niang was naturally too lazy to get up early.

However, Li San Niang sensed that Lu Zhu'er in her arms had woken up, because Lu Zhu'er was rolling around in Li San Niang's arms at this moment.

Dewdrop was very excited about Li San Niang taking her shopping. Before going to bed last night, she excitedly talked to Li San Niang for a long time about what she wanted to buy to eat.

Since Lu Zhu'er turned three, Li San Niang had made an agreement with Lu Zhu'er that she would give Lu Zhu'er three copper coins every ten days. Lu Zhu'er could save the money or use it for expenses.

So, when you pick up the wooden box that Dewdrop used to store copper coins and shake it, it's already jingling loudly, and there are quite a few copper coins inside.

"My dear child, are you so happy to go out?"

"Mother, Mother, get up quickly, get up quickly, Grandma is urging you from outside."

"I'm so happy! My mom hasn't taken me out to play in ages."

With her own darling saying that, how could Li San Niang possibly stay in bed any longer?

After washing up, changing clothes, and getting ready, Li San Niang and Lu Zhu'er each had a meat pie stuffed into their hands. "Eat up, it's been sitting in the pot, still warm."

After Wu Qiaolan finished speaking, Li's mother said from the side, "It was specially bought from the market this morning, and we have already eaten it."

After Li San Niang and Lu Zhu'er finished eating the cakes, Li San Niang took Lu Zhu'er to visit Li Da Xiong and Li Da Sao in their courtyard.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry about anything. Just focus on taking care of your health."

"I'm just worried that you might want something from your mother's side. Tell me, and I'll remember it and buy it for you when I go out."

Sister-in-law Li put down the little Liulang in her arms, smiled at Li Sanniang, and specially invited Luzhu'er to come to the bedside to see the sleeping little Liulang blowing bubbles.

"Mother is so thoughtful, she probably already thought of all the replacements that our family needs."

If I had to say, Third Sister, could you check if there's any fresh fabric in the shop that's suitable for Qiaolan and Baoya to wear? If there is, could you buy me a bolt?

This time when I gave birth, not only were our own family members busy, but Qiaolan and Baoya also had to help out.

I don't think just saying thank you verbally is enough.

So, I thought I'd buy some fabric to thank them for coming.

"Sister-in-law, you're right."

I was thinking of giving Qiaolan and Baoya a big red envelope each during the Chinese New Year. My sister-in-law really owes a lot to them.

My mother was busy with the affairs of the Women's Assistance Association, and my elder brother and I both had to go to work. It was really thanks to Qiaolan and Baoya that they were able to take good care of my sister-in-law.

Okay, I've got it all in mind. I'll definitely have to pick something out carefully at the shop later.

With everything prepared, everyone went out.

This time, the Li family had more people staying behind, since there was a woman who hadn't finished her postpartum confinement and a baby who was less than a month old, so naturally someone had to stay to take care of them.

So Wu Qiaolan agreed to stay, while Bao Ya went out with Li San Niang and the others.

Father Li was naturally at home as he was supposed to be sitting in the ward. Second Brother Li went out with Mother Li and the others to take care of things. Second Sister-in-law Li did not go this time. She said, "Last time I took Xiao Wu out, I really couldn't keep an eye on him. I was running behind him. When I got home, I couldn't even lift my legs. I couldn't exert any strength."

"I'm not going today. Erlang is in charge of this household. I'll take care of things at home, so Mother doesn't need to worry."

As a result, fewer people went, and Li's father did not go.

No one went to the main branch of the Li family. Li Da Xiong and Li Er Lang still had to go out to work. Li Da Lang was at the border, and Li Da Sao and Xiao Liu Lang could not go out at the moment.

In the second branch of the Li family, Li Ersao stayed at home, while Li Erxiong took Li Sanlang, Xiao Silang, and Xiao Wulang out the door.

Li San Niang's group naturally remained the same four-person group: Li San Niang, Lu Zhu'er, Qiu Xiang, and Lao Shi.

Wu Qiaolan stayed home to take care of Li Dasao and Xiao Liulang, while Bao Ya went with Li Sanniang and Lu Zhu'er.

Although fewer people went, one carriage was still not enough, so Brother Li called for another carriage.

As the year draws to a close, the city of Chang'an is even more crowded. The earlier announcement by Emperor Wu that the border regions would be open to trade had already attracted many merchants, large and small, to come to Chang'an to inquire about the news. Now, with the year-end approaching, the number of pedestrians on the streets is countless.

With more people, the road narrows, and the carriage moves slowly.

However, the children, including Dewdrop, were very happy. They craned their necks to look out the car window, where various shouts and calls of vendors rose and fell on the street, which was quite interesting.

Finally, just in time for noon, the Li family arrived at the West Market.

After Lao Shi left the carriages and horses at the carriage shop, everyone quickly moved to a restaurant and sat down.

Although I didn't do much this morning, my stomach will rumble with hunger if I don't eat when it's lunchtime.

Each person had a bowl of soup noodles, along with the side dishes provided by the restaurant, making for a rather pleasant meal.

"We won't separate later. Today's main purpose is to buy New Year's gifts and household necessities, not to go out for fun."

If we want to have a proper time, we should wait until the Lantern Festival or the Shangyuan Festival.

When Li's mother said this, everyone responded, even Kogoro nodded with a serious expression, as if he really understood.

Looking at Li Sanlang and Xiao Silang, Li's mother said, "Your father has to stay by my side today. Sanlang and Silang, keep a close eye on Wulang. Don't let go of him. Who knows if there are kidnappers on the street?"

"Goro is so handsome. If I don't hold his hand, and a kidnapper sees him, he might snatch him away."

Although Li's mother's words were somewhat exaggerated, they were a precaution, as Kogoro was just too much of a troublemaker.

These words startled Xiao Silang. Although Xiao Silang was usually loud and boisterous, he actually remembered being kidnapped when he was a child. Now, after hearing what Li's mother said, Xiao Silang quickly reached out and grabbed Xiao Wulang's hand, looking very nervous.

After having a meal and a cup of tea, and resting for a while, the group left the soup noodle shop and headed into the West Market.

The things I need to buy are incredibly diverse, with a huge variety of items.

Such as the fabrics worn on the body, shoes, and some small odds and ends, such as cloth towels, handkerchiefs, purses, sachets, belts, hairbands, etc.;

Then there are those who can be of use at home, such as Sister Li who is in postpartum confinement and Xiao Liulang who is not yet a month old; that would be a big expense.

Not to mention the New Year's gifts to give as gifts, as well as the food and utensils needed for the New Year.

There are quite a few; the Li family is very busy today.