Song He'er looked around but couldn't see anything Huan Ge'er could eat. The only thing she saw was steaming hot rice cakes in the rice shop next door.
This kind of food is quite soft, making it suitable for elderly people or children with poor teeth.
Following her gaze, Zhang Xiu'e also saw the steamer baskets outside the shop, steaming with white vapor. She smiled and replied, "I'll go buy Huan-ge'er some rice cakes."
Qin Xiaoniang stopped her and urged, "Buy more, aren't you hungry too?"
"Why would I be hungry? We'll buy a pot and make some vegetable soup later. Rice cakes are so expensive, we can't just eat them for fun!"
Before Qin Xiaoniang could speak, Zhang Xiue had already disappeared.
The rice cakes from the shop next door had just come out of the oven, attracting many passing merchants to buy them.
Zhang Xiu'e queued for a long time before she could buy two pieces.
Two palm-sized rice cakes were wrapped in yellow paper. Because of the heat, the outer paper was damp, and the rice cakes were sticky.
"It's not expensive, one Tongbao is worth two yuan."
After saying this, Zhang Xiu'e broke off a small piece and put it into Huan Ge'er's mouth.
"Eat up, my little one, eat lots and lots, grow strong and healthy, so you can help your mom with lots and lots of things!"
While feeding Huan Ge'er, Qin Xiaoniang replied with a smile, "You should leave some for Nian Jie'er and Hua Hua, and also for the child that Wang San left behind, he's quite pitiful too."
Zhang Xiu'e understood what she meant, so she divided the other piece of rice cake into several pieces and gave them to each child.
"We bought chicken legs today, but we're saving them for dinner. If any of you don't listen, you won't get dinner tonight..."
"Be good! We'll be good!"
"Alright, let's eat. We'll be on our way after we finish eating!"
The children were starving and wolfed down the rice cakes, finishing them in just a few bites. They even shared the piece that Huan-ge'er couldn't finish.
"There's a general store up ahead. Let's go buy a pot. We don't need bowls and plates, but we're in the middle of nowhere, so we need to cook a hot meal, right?"
"Okay, let's go."
After the children had eaten their fill, they were in a good mood and walked much faster.
Qin Xiaoniang and her companions bought a pot that was neither too big nor too small, and also some simple seasonings.
When I passed by the grain and oil store, I went in and bought noodles and rice.
We have plenty of food to eat right now; the only things we haven't bought yet are clothes, shoes, and most importantly, a carriage.
The carriage is expensive; it would probably cost several tens of taels of silver to acquire one.
Qin Xiaoniang asked several stores, but refused to buy from them all because of the price.
But if we continue like this, we'll soon be out of the city...
"Mom, whatever price it costs, we should just spend it if we have it. Why save that stuff?"
"You silly girl, talking nonsense! What will you do if you spend it all and have nothing to eat? Will you have to beg along the way?"
Song He'er lowered her head nonchalantly. With so much food in her space, she wasn't going to beg on the streets.
But we really need to buy a car now, even if we have to resell it in some remote place. We can't just walk all the way to Xinzhou like the other prisoners, can we?
That would really be exhausting...
"How about this, Auntie, go ask the price. If you really can't get a lower price, then we'll buy it anyway..."
Zhang Xiue shared the same thought, believing that solving the immediate problem was the right thing to do; if she had no other options, what was the point of having any way out?
Just then, Zhang Xiue volunteered, patting her chest and replying, "Okay! I'll definitely get you a good price."
Having said that, he went to a larger porterage shop with great conviction.
As soon as I opened the door, I happened to witness the boss and his wife arguing.
"What kind of person are you? Don't you even know what you're doing? How dare you go to a brothel to pick up women behind my back? I'll beat you to death today!"
"Insult me? You should take a good look at yourself! You old hag."
"Oh ho~ You've got some nerve, daring to insult me! I'll break your legs today, let's see if you still go!"
As soon as they finished speaking, the couple started fighting in the yard.
Both of them were skilled in martial arts, and they darted around, causing chaos in the courtyard.
There were several fine horses in the stable, and a small carriage in the eastern enclosure.
Zhang Xiue originally intended to ask about the price, buy it, and leave immediately; she didn't want to meddle in other people's private affairs.
Before she could even speak, the couple charged towards her, attacking her recklessly.
In no time, the vegetable jars were overturned, and the tables and chairs were kicked over, startling the customers who came to buy things.
"My dear wife, let's go check out another place. With our boss and his wife fighting, we probably won't be able to do business today! Let's go!"
"Hey buddy, I want to buy a little horse-drawn carriage, can you tell me how much it costs?"
"I can't make that decision! Our boss is incredibly powerful! If I shortchange her by even a little bit, she might cripple me! Madam, we're closing down for the day, you'd better leave now!"
As the waiter spoke, he began to push Zhang Xiu'e out.
But the next instant, an axe flew through the air and landed on the fence next to them by sheer coincidence.
The log was cut down, and the horses inside were startled. With a neigh, they galloped out of the fence.
"Ah? The horse's spooked! Boss, boss's wife, stop hitting it! Stop hitting it!"
The pony harnessed to the cart galloped straight off into the street.
Seeing her chance, Zhang Xiue casually tossed down some coins and ran after the carriage!
Such a strong horse is wasted if it runs away, so why not let her use it? Besides, she paid for it, though not much, but it's better than the horse running away on its own!
Zhang Xiue felt increasingly pleased with herself. Although she was a bit chubby, if she really ran as fast as she could, she could still catch up with the little horse that wasn't running too fast on the road!
In no time, Zhang Xiue successfully jumped onto the horse's back and brought it under control, preventing it from going berserk.
The people on the street were all talking at once, saying things that Zhang Xiue couldn't understand at all, and they weren't kind words.
Zhang Xiu'e ignored them, turned around, and went back to pick up Song He'er and the others.
Qin Xiaoniang and the others had already bought everything and were eagerly waiting for Zhang Xiue to return.
Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Nianjie was the first to cry out in surprise.
"Look! It's my mother! My mother bought a carriage!"
Everyone smiled happily, but before Qin Xiaoniang could speak, Zhang Xiue said urgently, "Hurry up and get in the carriage, we have to get out of the city quickly! Hurry!"
Song He'er frowned. "What's wrong, Third Aunt? Has something happened?"
"Shh, when I went into that shop just now, the old couple inside were arguing. They accidentally startled the horse, causing the horse and the cart to run away. I saw my chance! So I gave them some money and drove here to find you!"
……..
Children, light up five little stars!
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