The clothing store owner displayed several garments in the store that matched the price range of the silver I had.
I glanced at it; while the fabric wasn't exactly low-grade, it wasn't high-grade either. I shook my head helplessly: "Boss, is this what you call high-grade fabric?"
To everyone's surprise, the shopkeeper scoffed, "With all your possessions, you can only afford clothes made of this kind of fabric! I do have a fine brocade robe, which is rare and precious. It's soft, flowing, and comfortable to wear. In our small border town, it's not something an ordinary family could afford!"
The boss's description satisfied me greatly, and I couldn't wait to see it: "How can you do business like this, so stingy! Bring it up for me to see!"
Seeing my persistence, the shopkeeper had no choice but to carefully take out an exquisite decorative box. After opening it, a silver garment with a pattern like the bright moon, and extremely fine fabric and stitching, was presented before my eyes.
Just as she was about to touch it, the shopkeeper dodged her, saying, "Miss, you can't touch it if you don't have enough money. This brocade robe is very precious."
"If I can't touch it or try it on, how am I supposed to know if the finest fabric will suit me? How much does this garment cost?"
"Ten taels of silver!" the shopkeeper said.
I was so shocked that I staggered: "Ten taels?" That's enough for Zhou Lang and me to live on for several years. The silver I have on me is less than a tael, not even a fraction of what I need.
I slapped my forehead, feeling quite hesitant, when suddenly I remembered my ancient ginseng, worth ten taels of gold.
"How about this, boss? Let my husband try them on first. If they fit, I'll use the money I have on me as a deposit, and I'll go back and raise the rest. If they don't fit, I'll just take these clothes from here for now, okay?"
After a moment's thought, the shopkeeper agreed, "Alright, then please be careful when you try it, young master!"
"Look how much the boss treasures it, don't worry!"
Zhou Lang obediently cooperated with me as I carefully put on the clothes.
It has to be said that the saying "clothes make the man" is absolutely true. A handsome young man full of spirit, dressed in such beautiful clothes, left me speechless with amazement. Even the shop owner stared at him, saying, "Oh my, this young master is not only handsome, but with these clothes, even the immortals in heaven would pale in comparison."
I was so captivated by Zhou Yu's handsome face and dashing figure that my eyes lingered for a long time. Without hesitation, I replied to the shopkeeper, "Sir, I'm taking this shirt! I'll go raise the money. Please keep it safe for me; I'll definitely come back for it tomorrow!"
After leaving the shop, Zhou Lang and I went to the pharmacy to inquire about how to sell the ginseng quickly.
When I arrived at the pharmacy, the young clerk wasn't slacking off or sleeping in today. It was rare to see him so busy; he was organizing the herbs. I immediately said, "Hey buddy, not slacking off today?"
The young man glanced at me and said, "Still slacking off? These herbs are almost moldy. Shouldn't they be aired out? Mr. Yuan hasn't been paying attention to anything at the shop lately, so I'm the only one running around doing all the work! You're here just in time to help me bring in the herbs that are drying in the courtyard."
I chuckled and said, "Keep it for now, I'll go check on Mr. Yuan."
When we arrived at the courtyard, Mr. Yuan's snow-white head was drooping listlessly by the fish tank, his eyes unfocused, and his hands were idly scattering fish food into the pond.
I don't know how long Mr. Yuan has been sitting here feeding them. He usually doesn't let me and Zhou Lang touch the big treasures in the fish tank. One of them has been so overfed by him that it has died and its belly has turned white.
"Uncle Yuan, you've killed all your fish by overfeeding them!"
When I reminded him, Mr. Yuan stared blankly at a koi carp that had floated belly-up in the fishpond for a long time.
Finally, she burst into tears, buried her head in the fish tank, and said sadly, "You still left! You still left..."
"Why...why are you crying?" I patted his shoulder: "It's just a fish, just buy another one!"
My tap on the head caused an uproar; Mr. Yuan burst into tears, just like a child, crying out, "That's different...that's different..."
It took me a long time to calm Mr. Yuan down, who was crying and sniffling. He then wrapped the broken fish in a white cloth and handed it to me, saying solemnly, "Ahua, when you go back, could you please release its body back into the stream at the entrance of your village?"
Why release dead fish into the river? Are they meant to be used as bait by other larger fish?
However, I still patted Mr. Yuan's hand and said, "Don't worry! I will definitely give it a proper water burial!"
I was happily walking back with Zhou Lang and the fish in tow when I heard the waiter's voice behind me: "Hey? Help me carry the herbs back?"
I immediately changed the subject and leaned closer to the shopkeeper to ask, "Among the tonics you usually buy at your shop, do you have any very wealthy and generous customers?"
"Yes! The young prince Shila from the Zhou Prince's Mansion on the outskirts of the city has been frail for many years and often relies on some precious medicinal herbs to prolong his life. In the past, our shop's business depended entirely on this sickly young prince! Recently, we've run out of medicinal herbs, and we haven't seen anyone from their mansion come anymore..." The young man sighed as he finished speaking!
"Such a great client has slipped away! What a pity! What a pity!"
Hearing him say that, I felt a glimmer of hope and patted the guy on the shoulder: "Thanks!"
He then led Zhou Lang outside!
"Could you help me move these herbs?" I was stopped by the deliveryman.
I glanced at the medicinal herbs in the courtyard. They were all moved very late. It's already late now, and I don't know when Wen Heng will show up today!
I could only say, "I'll come back tomorrow!"
The guy called from behind, but Wenheng and I had already disappeared.
All that could be heard behind me was the grumbling of a young waiter: "They all sit in a row when they're slacking off, but disappear when things get busy!"
Zhou Lang, holding the large fish in his arms, said, "Ah Hua, shouldn't we find a small river to release it back into the wild?"
I squinted at him and chuckled, "No need! This fish is already dead. Rather than becoming bait for other big fish, it's better to..."
"Not as good as what?" Zhou Lang asked innocently!
"Let's go home! I'll make you braised fish tonight!"
Although we didn't buy anything today, Mr. Yuan's fish is enough for Zhou Lang and me to have a big meal, which is pretty good.
I stroked the fish body in Zhou Lang's arms: "Little carp, little carp, your body is dead and your soul is scattered. As the saying goes, the sooner you die, the sooner you can be reborn, right? I'm helping you escape this sea of suffering! Don't forget my kindness when you're reincarnated in the underworld!"
When Zhou Lang and I finally arrived home, the sun had just set.
As soon as I got home, I grabbed the tools and started cleaning the fish and stewing the meat!
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