Shen Xingmian wasn't familiar with the prices of mountain products. After hearing the village chief's quote, he knew he wasn't lying to him, so he started weighing and settling the bill one by one.
She really wouldn't have needed to buy these things if it weren't to help these villagers.
She doesn't really like mushrooms, especially dried mushrooms, the kind with long stems and small caps.
As she grew older, her taste buds developed, and she was able to accept more and more flavors. That's when she started trying mushrooms, and she thought they were pretty good.
But to say I like it that much, I really don't.
The best ones can be given as gifts, or you can keep them temporarily in the house and take them out when someone in the family wants to eat them.
She had originally thought it would be perfect to eat in winter, but then she realized that she doesn't lack fresh vegetables in winter, so who would want to eat dried goods?
After settling all the payments, there was still more than half of the money left in the bag.
This was the price she had negotiated with the village chief, which was slightly more expensive than transporting it to town, but it didn't cost her much money.
This shows just how difficult it is for farmers to earn a living.
After deducting the heavy taxes each year, there is hardly any surplus left, making life really difficult.
Shen Xingmian waited until dark, and when the villagers couldn't see a single bamboo shoot no matter how wide they stared, before finally returning.
After settling the accounts for the bamboo shoots, the villagers, who had worked hard all day, were overjoyed and warmly invited Shen Xingmian to stay for the night.
Shen Xingmian refused, but left the village chief a packet of brown sugar and two packets of salt as a thank-you gift, which was considered a "generous gift" in the village.
After doing all that, she didn't forget to emphasize her affection for the little girl, Er Ya, amidst the joyful atmosphere.
Her grandmother happened to be there too, and seeing how much Shen Xingmian, this "god of wealth," liked her money-losing granddaughter, she was a little puzzled.
Don't be fooled by her usual dislike for Hu Zi; much of that dislike stems from envy. If he were her own grandson, she would spoil him rotten.
How could the "God of Wealth" dislike Tiger and instead favor their little girl?
I don't understand.
However, her family had just earned nearly two taels of silver, and this was the happiest time of their lives. She had no intention of offending such a noble person.
He chimed in, "Yes, yes, my granddaughter has been lovable since she was little, and she's incredibly clever and quick-witted!"
Everyone present knew she was talking nonsense; they had often heard her curse Er Ya as a money-loser.
But at this moment, no one cared about her; they were all focused on how much they had earned and how much others had earned.
She was calculating in her mind so much that sparks were practically flying off her feet.
In front of the villagers, Shen Xingmian gave Er Ya a silver hairpin, emphasizing that it was a dowry gift for Er Ya and should be kept by her mother for the time being, and that no one was allowed to covet it.
The hairpin was simple and elegant in design, and it actually cost less than two taels of silver, but in the eyes of the villagers, it was already extremely valuable.
Some people, upon seeing this, immediately harbored ill intentions.
Shen Xingmian picked up Er Ya directly, ostensibly giving her instructions, but actually intimidating the others:
"Er Ya, this is a hairpin that your sister gave you. If anyone dares to ask for it or try to take it, go with your mother to the General's Mansion in the capital to find your sister, and she will stand up for you."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, and someone couldn't help but ask, "The General's Mansion? Is that General Shen, who guards the northern border?"
Shen Xingmian would certainly not admit to this, fearing it would bring trouble to Er Ya's family, so he denied it, saying, "It was General Jiang Chongwen who guards the southern border. In short, don't let me know that someone is bullying Er Ya."
"Uncle Village Chief, please also help look after them. Thank you very much."
She wasn't worried that such protection would make Er Ya arrogant and domineering; neither she nor her mother had that potential.
Even with the intimidating reputation of the General's Mansion, this mother and daughter will likely continue to suffer at the hands of their mother-in-law. Hopefully, if they ever find themselves in dire straits, they'll know to seek help from others.
Seeing that the village chief solemnly agreed, Shen Xingmian felt a little relieved. After saying goodbye to the villagers, she rode away on horseback into the night.
After turning around and seeing no one, she and her horse returned to their space. After washing up, she hurried to sleep, as she would have to ride her snowball back to retrieve the mountain goods later that night.
As soon as Shen Xingmian left, the villagers began to discuss it enthusiastically. The main topics of discussion, besides the fact that the money they earned in that day was almost equal to their annual savings, were Er Ya's silver hairpin.
Some people couldn't help but speak with a hint of sourness, especially Tiger's mother. She thought that her son was the real clever one, but he didn't get any benefit from it.
"A benefactor," my foot! You have no taste!
However, she only thought these words in her head and dared not say them out loud. After all, that benefactor was the village chief's savior, and the village chief was asked to take good care of that little girl.
If she talks too much, she won't get any benefit from it.
When the village chief saw the hairpin, he felt a momentary discomfort, but he quickly suppressed it.
His leg can heal completely, something that no amount of silver could buy back. He can't be that kind of ungrateful person.
After thinking it through, the village chief cleared his throat and said seriously, "Everyone has benefited today. You all know the price our benefactor gave us; it's much more expensive than carrying it to town to sell."
Don't be ungrateful and become a heartless ingrate.
"My benefactor said the hairpin was for Er Ya, so it's hers. If anyone dares to covet it, I, as the village chief, will be the first to object."
Hearing the village chief say this, the people below became obedient. They were somewhat envious, but they also knew that what the village chief said made sense.
If it weren't for the arrival of this benefactor, they would definitely have gone hungry before the autumn harvest, never having enough to eat, as they had always done in previous years.
Today is different. With that money, we can buy some brown rice and the whole family can have enough to eat.
Thinking about it this way, everyone cheered up again. Isn't it also something to be happy about if you don't look at others and only look at yourself?
After the village chief finished giving his instructions, he waved his hand to signal that they could leave. He needed to take the brown sugar back to the house to make a bowl of sugar water for his wife.
Such a precious thing, my wife only drank it when she was in postpartum confinement years ago, and she hasn't been able to bear buying it again all these years.
Following him is truly a miserable experience.
Especially during the time he injured his leg, his wife did everything, which was really hard on her. She deserves to be well taken care of.
Meanwhile, at Tiger's house, Tiger's mother grew increasingly angry and couldn't help but nag in front of her son:
"Tell me, what's so likable about that brat Er Ya? What did the nobleman see in her? He actually gave her such a beautiful silver hairpin, what a waste!"
"Your mother is so old, and I haven't even bought myself a silver hairpin to wear. Oh, it really makes my heart ache."
"Oh, Mother, that sister already said that it's Er Ya's dowry, and she'll take it to her husband's family later. If I marry her, she'll bring her to our family, so what's there to be jealous about!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
