Chapter 194 A Pleasant Conversation
Li Yong's family members indeed didn't pay attention to anyone else.
Zhang Jian also brought several helpers, who became increasingly aggressive, clamoring for betrothal gifts, demanding more and more each time.
Before Li Yong could even get a word in edgewise, Zhang E's aunt, uncle, and other relatives were arguing fiercely on behalf of Old Man Feng and Zhang E's father, demanding money from him.
Yao Man followed Song Chunxue toward their house, and the further they walked, the more absurd and regretful she felt.
How could she ask a woman she'd only met a few times for money without even realizing it, without fear of being retaliated against?
Even though the other party agreed, she still suspected there might be a trap involved.
But she is currently short of money. She has the goods in the shop, but business is not good. A few days ago, something happened at home, and she simply can't make ends meet.
Anyway, they were all widows. She had also heard that Jiang family widow Song Chunxue was an honest and dutiful mother who had raised her children over the years and the children were all in school.
She greatly admired this kind of woman.
"You..." The journey had been quiet, with neither of them speaking, when Yao Man broke the silence, "Are you very familiar with Lord Xie?"
"We're not very close, but we've crossed paths before. We bumped into each other a few times when I went to the county. Lord Xie saved me because of the grain tax collection. So you could say we became acquainted through a fight."
Although Song Chunxue was the one who got beaten up and Lord Xie saved her, they could be said to have become acquainted because of the fight.
“I’ve heard about it,” Yao Man said, giving a thumbs up. “What Sister Song did has benefited the people of the whole county. I admire Sister Song’s courage.”
"I was only doing this for myself. Thanks to Lord Xie, otherwise I might have been beaten to death."
"Yes, those officials are quite something. They're like dogs relying on their master's power. Because of the county magistrate's protection and indulgence, they've been running rampant and doing nothing for years. But since Lord Xie came to the county, all the dogs in our Zhuanglang County have become much more obedient and have learned to tuck their tails between their legs and behave like dogs."
Yao Man said indignantly, "You may not know this because you often stay in the village, but all those local thugs and ruffians in the county have now been caught by Lord Xie and are being used for plowing and building walls. The streets that used to be like donkey pens are now clean and tidy. Lord Xie is our upright and just official."
She looked at Song Chunxue with envy, "To be acquainted with Lord Xie, you must have something special about you, Sister Song. I wonder if there will be a chance for you to introduce me to him next time?"
Song Chunxue suddenly looked at Yao Man.
Upon closer inspection, isn't this the future innkeeper?
With her figure, her looks, her eyes, and her abilities, isn't she the perfect woman to match Lord Xie?
Yao Man felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze. "I was just saying it casually..."
“Next time I go to town, I will definitely go to see Sister Man. Lord Xie will definitely like... oh no, he will definitely stand up for you,” Song Chunxue asked with a smile. “I wonder where Sister Man lives? Where should I go to find you next time?”
Yao Man felt that her gaze was strange, but not malicious.
“I work in the noodle shop next to the West Wind Inn, and the rouge shop across the street is also mine,” Yao Man said with a smile. “Then Sister Song, you mustn’t go back on your word.”
"No, I'll definitely come to see you next time."
Thinking that she could introduce a soulmate to Lord Xie, Song Chunxue was a little anxious. If the two of them got together, it would be a great favor to him.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the Jiang family home, chatting and laughing.
Song Chunxue took out ten taels of silver and solemnly handed it to her.
“This is all my savings. I don’t want to borrow money, but I want to take a gamble for myself. If you make money in the future, you can share some with me,” Song Chunxue said earnestly. “I want to join in.”
Yao Man was shocked. "Sister Song, are you... sure you want to join?"
"Do you know how many people are avoiding me now? They all hope I close down the shop, go home, and remarry?" She wiped away her tears, overwhelmed with emotion. "You're still joining? Aren't you afraid of losing everything?"
Song Chunxue placed the buckwheat buns she had made in front of her. "Hey, but judging from your face, your future will be prosperous and successful, making those who once looked down on you unable to reach you."
Yao Man smiled, then shook her head to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She reached out and broke off a piece of buckwheat bread. It was soft, very elastic, not sticky at all, and had the unique sweetness of buckwheat, making it very delicious.
"Sister Song's cooking skills are really good. I'm not good at cooking. I can't even make white flour pancakes. The children eat food bought from the street. I can't even make poached eggs."
At this point, Yao Man sighed, "Originally, we had maids at home, but recently the business has run into some trouble, so I sent the maids away. I have to cook for myself now. The children think my cooking skills are not good, so they have learned to cook for themselves."
Song Chunxue smiled and said, "Everyone has their own ambitions and strengths. Sister Man is suited for business."
“I think so too,” Yao Man said with a joyful expression, feeling the relief and excitement of meeting a kindred spirit. She took a couple of bites of her steamed bun and moved closer to Song Chunxue. “I have a bold idea. My husband used to run a noodle shop, but since he passed away, business has been getting worse and worse. I’ve decided to do something else.”
These days, she has heard too many people's objections and obstructions, but when she meets Song Chunxue, she talks non-stop like a chatterbox.
Yao Man poured out all her thoughts to Song Chunxue, even though she knew Song Chunxue probably wouldn't understand or want to hear them.
But Song Chunxue was very good at agreeing with her and even encouraged her to do things her own way. At worst, she would lose money and start doing something else. Anyway, she was such a cautious person that she wouldn't lose much money.
Before they knew it, it was lunchtime. Song Chunxue asked Yao Man to stay for lunch, and she accepted without hesitation.
Yao Man followed behind Song Chunxue, helping her with the fire, her clever mouth never stopping.
When the fourth brother returned from outside, he heard two women talking in the kitchen and was a little curious.
He peeked into the kitchen and found a woman he had never seen before, who seemed to be about the same age as his mother.
But this woman was dressed smartly and glamorously, so she must be from the city.
"Fourth brother, this is your Aunt Yao," Song Chunxue introduced, "Quickly greet her."
"Hello, Aunt Yao," the fourth brother said with a smile. "How come I've never seen you before?"
"You'll see her often from now on. She's Li Yong's cousin, and we hit it off immediately."
The fourth brother laughed and said, "It's a good thing."
Over the years, my mother has had little contact with anyone, especially after she was framed and wronged by Niu Xiuhua. She also doesn't interact much with the women in the village.
Song Chunxue looked at the mud on his feet and the firewood on his shoulder, "Where did you go?"
"Many of the students in the village are just staying at home doing nothing, so I'm going to play hide-and-seek with them." The fourth brother smiled sheepishly. "I'm going to check my belongings."
"This child must have been hiding in someone's haystack, his hair is covered in wheat husks," Yao Man laughed. "Is this your fourth child? Is he studying?"
"I'm not going to study anymore, Auntie. I plan to go out and make my way in the world with my classmates after the New Year."
"So what kind of path do you want to take?" Yao Man asked seriously. "You're still young, don't listen to those clueless kids messing around. Your classmates shouldn't be that old."
"Well," the fourth brother said guiltily, touching his nose, "they said they were going to take me to the caravan to lead camels."
"What?" Yao Man exclaimed in surprise, "You're so young, and you're already leading camels? Aren't you afraid you'll never come back?"
"Fourth brother, your Aunt Yao's family is in business, so she knows more about this than we do."
"oh."
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