Granny Du managed a weak smile. "It's alright, it's alright. Everyone, eat and drink well."
He then turned and went into the house.
She didn't want to lose face by picking up those ten coins!
Those who were nearby immediately scrambled to grab the ten copper coins.
"The Du family has really struck it rich; they don't even want ten coins!"
"That's right, he's a scholar now!"
Du Pengzhi looked at the ten coins, and a slight crack appeared in his smile, but he quickly composed himself and continued drinking.
He knew his mother had borrowed money to host the banquet, and his heart ached, but he couldn't show it.
...
I woke up from a long afternoon nap.
A light drizzle began to fall outside, tapping softly on the thatched roof, creating a unique and pleasant sound.
One autumn rain brings one chill.
Ye Panjiu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly put on her shoes and ran out of the house.
She found Old Lady Ye under the eaves. "Mother, did my eldest brother go to deliver charcoal?"
Grandma Ye nodded, somewhat worried, "It started raining shortly after we left, and we didn't bring a raincoat. But it's alright, getting wet while working is common. A bowl of ginger soup when we get back will do the trick."
Ye Panjiu turned around, put on the raincoat, and, still holding the remaining raincoat in her hand, was about to walk into the rain.
Grandma Ye grabbed her arm, "Where are you going? It's raining so hard, you're not well, how can you stand it!"
Ye Panjiu frowned and said urgently, "Mother, we can't let my eldest brother sell the charcoal that got wet in the rain."
In business, integrity is paramount. If the charcoal seller actually sells this batch, the charcoal business will definitely be severely affected.
From then on, Laifu Inn would no longer accept charcoal from her family, and when they went to other shops, the prices would never be so high again.
Ye Panjiu broke free from Old Lady Ye's hand and rushed into the rain without looking back.
Grandma Ye was so anxious that she kept jumping up and down.
Because of the rain, walking on the muddy ground was extremely slow.
Ye Panjiu's shoes were soaked with mud and water, and rainwater flowed down the edge of her straw hat, wetting her shoulders.
Ye Panjiu was shivering from the cold.
But then I heard the melodious sound of a flute.
A jingling, ornately decorated carriage drove past her, the sound of its whistle emanating from within.
The wind lifted the carriage curtain, and a glimpse of a pale green ruqun skirt swayed by.
The flute music stopped, and a gentle voice, as soft as the wind, came from behind, "Where are you going, young lady? A carriage can take you there."
"Thank you, but no need." Ye Panjiu's voice came from behind her, and she had already walked several steps away.
She didn't want to get involved with someone who was obviously rich and powerful. Before she had enough strength, having a relationship with the powerful would only make her a pawn or cannon fodder.
The whistle sounded again, and the carriage jingled as it drove away into the distance.
Ye Panjiu walked for another fifteen minutes, her whole body shivering from the cold.
She then saw the parked oxcart, breathed a sigh of relief, and hurried over.
"Brother Da Niu, we definitely can't make it today, let's go back!" Ye Santian advised.
"No, I promised to deliver the goods, not even a day less!" Ye Daniu's stubborn voice rang out.
Ye Panjiu's older brother was kneeling in the mud, pushing hard against the wheels that were stuck in the mud. He was soaked to the bone.
"Brother, it's better not to send any than to send inferior charcoal to sell. This charcoal got wet in the rain, so we should keep it for ourselves!" Ye Panjiu shouted, draping a raincoat over Ye Daniu's shoulders.
Ye Daniu immediately looked up, grabbed the raincoat and put it on her, "How could you come?! Get in the cart! Santian, hurry, pull the oxcart home!"
Ye Panjiu was pushed onto the oxcart by him and sat down. Ye Daniu then draped his raincoat over her and squatted down to continue pushing the oxcart.
Pushing forward is difficult, but pulling backward is quick.
Ye Santian put on a straw raincoat, led the ox, and turned back towards Ye Family Village.
The road was muddy from the rain, and the charcoal was even heavier after getting soaked. Ye Daniu followed behind the oxcart, pushing it every now and then.
"Brother, put on this raincoat!" Ye Panjiu took off the raincoat and handed it to Ye Daniu.
Ye Daniu, who had never been fierce to her before, turned cold and said, "If you take it off again, don't call me 'Big Brother' anymore!"
He got angry when he saw his frail younger sister coming to him in the rain.
Ye Panjiu paused for a moment, then put the raincoat back on.
It warmed my heart a lot; I never knew what it felt like to be cared for by family.
She recalled that in her past life, when she was sick, she was alone in a luxurious villa, so quiet that she could hear the sound of water dripping.
When the oxcart arrived at the Ye family's door, Ye Daniu quickly pulled Ye Panjiu back into the house.
"Mother! Quickly, let little sister drink some ginger soup!"
He left those words behind and quickly disappeared into the rain; he needed to unload the coal from the oxcart as soon as possible.
With tears welling in her eyes, Ye Taohua looked at Ye Panjiu, knelt down, and took off her shoes, which were now soaked with mud. "Mother..."
Ye Panjiu patted her head, "Mother is alright."
This little darling is getting more and more considerate.
Ye Taohua sniffed, took off her socks, and went outside to wash her mother's shoes and socks.
Liu brought a bucket of hot water into her room, saying, "Little sister, quickly take a hot bath."
Ye Guihua followed closely behind, also pouring hot water into the bathtub.
Mrs. Sun was wringing out her wet hair with a cloth, saying, "Women suffer a lot when they catch a cold. You, really!"
With a pained expression, Grandma Ye handed her a bowl of thick red date and ginger tea, her voice trembling with tears, "What can I say? It wasn't easy for your mother to give birth to you, you must take good care of yourself!"
Ye Panjiu felt warm and sweet inside from the brown sugar. "Mother, I was wrong. I won't do it again next time."
As he was speaking, he sneezed.
"Take off these wet clothes quickly and go soak them in the water." Old Mrs. Ye said, and started to take off her clothes.
"Mother, I can do it myself." Ye Panjiu was a little uncomfortable.
She still prefers to shower alone.
"You're even shy in front of your mother now. I'm going outside. Call me if you need anything." Old Mrs. Ye poked her head, then pulled her two daughters-in-law and turned to leave.
As soon as the door closed, Ye Panjiu quickly took off her wet clothes and stepped into the hot water tub to soak.
After taking a bath, Ye Panjiu saw Ye Daniu, who had also changed his clothes.
"Big brother."
Ye Daniu asked with concern, "Is there anything that's bothering you? I'll go and get a doctor to take a look at you."
He was about to leave when he said that.
Ye Panjiu quickly grabbed him, "I'm fine. Maybe I've been eating well lately, and I don't feel unwell."
Ye Daniu was relieved. "That's good. Little sister, you must always remember that your health is the most important thing."
Ye Panjiu nodded obediently.
"Brother, from now on, when you deliver charcoal, please bring a raincoat, just in case. Also, put a layer of oilcloth on the charcoal."
"Alright, I hope Accountant Qin won't be upset." Ye Daniu frowned.
Qin the accountant was the accountant of Laifu Inn.
Ye Panjiu shook her head, "No, Laifu Inn definitely has charcoal stored. We should go to town and tell them when the rain stops."
Ye Daniu nodded in agreement.
The rain continued to drizzle for another hour before finally stopping.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
