Chapter 8 No Merchant Without Deceit
After the money was exchanged, the old man stroked the mule and sighed. Lin Zhaozhao poked her head out and asked, "Would you sell this mule for two taels?"
"Young lady, my mule is lame and can't pull heavy things." After several setbacks, the old man had given up hope of making a profit on the mule. He just hoped it wouldn't be a liability. After all, a lame mule not only wouldn't fetch a good price, but it would also cost him feed.
"I won't be pulling anything heavy, I'll just do it myself." Lin Zhaozhao turned around, and the old man noticed her protruding belly. He immediately agreed.
Lin Zhaozhao bought a lame mule for two taels of silver. The price was too cheap. The mule cart was not included, so Lin Zhaozhao paid for it herself. After paying, the old man reminded her that the mule could only be used to carry things and could not be eaten because the meat was sour.
After towing the mule cart back, Lin Zhaozhao examined the mule's lame leg. The tendons and bones were completely broken. While others couldn't do anything about it, it was no problem for Lin Zhaozhao. Enveloped in her supernatural power, the lame leg was healed in no time.
As if sensing something, the mule sneezed and lowered its head toward Lin Zhaozhao.
"Zhao Niang, what about these mules?" In the blink of an eye, her granddaughter brought back two mule carts. Even the usually composed Old Lady Lin was shocked. She had inquired about the price of mule carts, and normally a good one would cost ten or more taels of silver, let alone now.
"I'll make up for it with the money. Your parents and I are still here, there's no reason for you to spend money." The money for buying the mule was most likely from the granddaughter's husband's pension. The granddaughter is still heavily pregnant, and there will be many places where money will be needed in the future.
"Grandma, I didn't spend much money. I'm heavily pregnant, and I'll still have to rely on you later."
"You brat." Old Mrs. Lin sighed and patted Lin Zhaozhao's hand twice.
It was nearly noon when the Li family finally arrived in Qingning Town.
From afar, Lin Zhaozhao saw a large group of people, each carrying large and small bags, sweating profusely as they hurried toward them. Once they arrived, their luggage was put down, and amidst the greetings, there were occasional complaints.
Old Lady Li fled from the south to Shizi Village. She later married Old Man Li and had two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Li Minghui, married Liu Yinxiu from Liujia Village and had two sons. The second son, Li Minghuang, married Zhang Dandan from the same village and had two daughters and a son. The eldest daughter is already married and did not come with them.
"Mother, Fusheng and I bought some dry food. You and your eldest and second brothers should rest for a while and then see if you need any more supplies." It takes two or three days to travel south from Qingning Town to the next town or county.
"This pancake is so hard, how can we eat it?" The one complaining was Li Minghuang's youngest daughter, Li Yunyun. Life was fine before, but this sudden hardship and exhaustion made her throw a tantrum.
Old Mrs. Li's face darkened, and she snatched the pancake away, saying, "If you think it's too hard, go buy your own."
"Mother." Li Yunyun burst into tears, feeling wronged. Zhang Dandan dared not speak out, but pulled Li Yunyun's hand away.
"Junsheng, take your mother and sister to buy some food." The old lady spoke, and Li Junsheng hurriedly led Zhang Dandan and Li Yunyun away.
"I'm sorry you had to see this." Old Mrs. Li looked away and then explained why they had arrived so late.
It turned out that Zhang Dandan was unhappy that Li Minghui had given Li Xiujuan two piglets, so she took advantage of the situation to send the remaining three piglets back to her parents' home. It would have been fine if she had just sent them back, but Zhang Dandan was unreliable and strong. Before she had even sent them back to her parents' home, the piglets' cries alerted the other villagers.
The result was that people were injured and piglets were stolen, which aroused suspicion in the villagers, who then guarded outside the Li family's house in the middle of the night.
Fortunately, Li Minghui was quick-witted and hid the grain he got in exchange for the wild boar meat, instead of taking it back with him.
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