Bizhu covered her mouth and laughed. She put the hairpin in my hair before continuing:
"They're not from Linyang, they're from out of town. City kids wouldn't ask for money. The son-in-law sent them away later. These kids would corrupt the city kids, it's better to send them away early."
"Linyang isn't paved with gold. If they were good kids, it would be fine, but they're disobedient, always wanting more than they have, spouting nonsense, and acting like rich young masters despite being poor."
Cui Ziyan was afraid there wouldn't be enough food, so he promised not to leave the house and would take good care of Cui Yuyan inside.
Seeing her eldest son's repeated assurances, Lu Shuangshuang finally picked up Cui Yang and carried him on her back. Cui Yang clapped his hands happily on her back, smiling broadly.
"Mom, when are you going to take me to sell grapes?" Cui Ziyan asked pitifully, holding Lu Shuangshuang's hand. He really wanted to go too.
"Mother will go see if the grapes sell well. If they do, we'll take you all with us when Yuyan gets better. If they don't sell well, Mother will keep all the grapes, make them into other things, and then sell them."
Lu Shuangshuang wanted to buy cloth and cotton to make winter clothes for the children first, and if there was any money left over, she would make some for herself. Everything was for the little ones.
Peacock walked ahead carrying a basket, followed by Lu Shuangshuang. Cui Ziyan leaned against the door, pitifully watching them leave until they were out of sight.
When they arrived at the entrance of the peach orchard, the peacock transformed into a small parrot, carrying a tattered bamboo basket and walking beside Lu Shuangshuang. Lu Shuangshuang placed her hands on the basket, so to onlookers it appeared as if she was the one carrying it.
Lu Shuangshuang pondered how much to sell, as she urgently needed money to buy fabric.
The little parrot led her to a wealthier town. There were several towns around, and the richest one was very generous, but it was a bit more of a journey.
Lu Shuangshuang is only thinking about money now. She wouldn't mind walking more, let alone walking across the river in the dead of winter.
It took them an hour to reach the town. Lu Shuangshuang looked at Cui Yang and was relieved that her youngest son hadn't caught a chill. Although their clothes were worn, they were clean and warm, and still smelled of soap.
As soon as they arrived in town, Lu Shuangshuang grabbed Cui Yang's calf with her free hand, worried that a tall, strong person might snatch the child away, as she didn't have much strength at the moment.
When they arrived at an open space, Lu Shuangshuang asked the old man next to her, and he said that she could temporarily set up a stall there, so Lu Shuangshuang sat down.
The old man had deep furrows on his hands and a bronze complexion, but he was in good spirits. As soon as Lu Shuangshuang sat down, he began to talk to her.
"Little girl, whose maid are you? I haven't heard anyone call me 'Master' in a long time."
"Grandpa, my parents are gone. I need to buy cloth to make winter clothes for the little ones and sell the grapes I grew."
"Your grapes are big and beautiful, they're sure to fetch a good price."
"Thank you, sir."
The old man felt sorry for Lu Shuangshuang because she was so well-behaved and had a toddler on her back. When people came to buy his vegetables, he would also introduce Lu Shuangshuang's grapes to them.
But those people were all poor; they were lucky if they could even afford to buy vegetables, let alone have spare money to buy grapes.
Lu Shuangshuang wasn't worried. She figured that around noon, wealthy ladies would come out in carriages and might buy something.
She used to enjoy taking Cui Ziyan and Cui Yuyan out of the city by car, and they would buy some delicious food along the way to bring home.
Now that she's selling food by the roadside, she understands even better what the women of wealthy families are thinking, so she sits there slowly and isn't in a hurry.
She held Cui Yang in her arms, and Cui Yang held Lu Shuangshuang's hand and shook it. Now that no one was buying grapes, it was fun to amuse her youngest son.
After lunch, no one came to inquire about her. Lu Shuangshuang stood up and looked at the people on the street. Why was there not a single person riding in a carriage or on horseback?
Cui Yang also stood up and hugged her trouser leg. Lu Shuangshuang wouldn't let him sit on the ground, worried that he would catch a cold. Although she could treat some simple illnesses, it was not good for the child's health to take medicine when he was young.
The old man had sold all his vegetables and was about to go home: "Little girl, if you can't sell them all, go home early."
Lu Shuangshuang was especially grateful to the old man and told him to be careful on the road and walk slowly.
Cui Yang pointed ahead: "Liangliang~"
Lu Shuangshuang followed his forearm and saw a wealthy businessman with a large belly. The jade pendant at his waist was very shiny; it was the same jade pendant Cui Yang had mentioned.
Lu Shuangshuang, carrying Cui Yang, went over to stop the wealthy merchant: "Sir, please buy some grapes to eat; they're good for your health."
"Where did this wild child come from! Blocking my way!" The fat businessman wanted to kick him aside, but when he saw people pointing and whispering, he had no choice but to stop.
"Get lost, don't get my clothes dirty." The fat businessman walked away, and Lu Shuangshuang felt a chill in her heart. No one here seemed to like eating grapes.
"Little girl, are you selling grapes?"
A kind-looking old lady pushed through the crowd. She had just seen Lu Shuangshuang and felt that this little girl was different from others.
I went to the pharmacy and on my way back I saw her again. She was holding a toddler and blocking the town's notorious bully. Luckily someone was watching her, otherwise she would have been in big trouble.
"Madam, are you buying grapes? They're very delicious."
Lu Shuangshuang could tell at a glance that the old lady was a good person, and hurriedly pushed the grapes towards her.
"I don't really like eating grapes, but I can buy some for my family."
“My bamboo basket is right there, go and take a look.”
Lu Shuangshuang carried Cui Yang and led the old lady over. The little parrot, worried that someone might take the opportunity to steal the bamboo basket and grapes, stood on the grapes the whole time. Luckily, it was watching, otherwise some beggars might have really taken them.
Seeing Lu Shuangshuang return with someone, it flew to the side.
"This is what you sold; it's very big and beautiful." The old lady had bought many varieties of grapes, but this was the most beautiful.
"Madam, if you want to buy it, I'll give you a discount."
“Good, I’ll take them all.” The old lady called over the servant behind her: “Erniu, take them back. I’ll be heading back to the manor soon.”
Erniu carried the bamboo basket away, and Lu Shuangshuang's eyes widened; she hadn't even mentioned the price yet.
The old lady pulled Lu Shuangshuang aside and said, "Little girl, this is the money for you to buy grapes. Keep it safe."
Lu Shuangshuang touched the money; it was silver. "Thank you, Madam. I... I can buy cloth and winter clothes for the little ones now."
"Winter is coming soon, it's time to buy cloth to make clothes. If you continue to sell grapes, send them to the Zhang residence every two weeks and say you're looking for Old Madam Zhang. They won't make things difficult for you."
"thank you!"
Lu Shuangshuang was so moved she almost cried. She was able to buy winter clothes for the three children, and once Cui Yuyan recovered, she could take them out for a walk and have some good food.
Lu Shuangshuang tried her best to lift it and weighed it; it was about ten pounds, but she couldn't lift it!
Looking at these beautiful grapes, Lu Shuangshuang was in a dilemma. How could she carry them out, especially with Cui Yang on her back?
"Let me tell you."
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