The next day was the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. It was only half a day's journey to Qicheng. Quan Jinghuai had been to Qicheng and said it was quite big.
So Hong Xiaoduo decided to spend the Lantern Festival in Qicheng.
When I woke up in the morning, Tianxuan had already cooked millet porridge, boiled eggs, and stir-fried pickled vegetables with oil, which were a perfect match for the porridge.
Hong Xiaoduo got up early, which was rare for her. While eating, she listened to the children reminiscing about the noodles they had last night. She noticed that even though they had eaten delicious noodles, they didn't complain about the porridge and pickled vegetables for breakfast.
Hmm, not bad, not bad. In that case, we'll continue to invite them to try modern food in the future.
After finishing his meal, he calmly packed his things and set off. Inside the carriage, A-Ping glanced once more at the blue package hanging on the carriage wall—it was his.
It contained his savings; after spending the New Year with them, he had accumulated over a hundred taels of silver.
More than a hundred taels! He had seen it since he was old enough to understand, but it was never anything he could do. The richest he ever had in his life was a little over three taels of silver, and that was after he had secretly saved it up for several years.
Several days have passed since she left Yaozhen, and she hasn't shown any intention of taking the money back. It should really be considered hers now, right?
They had originally intended to carry the hundred-plus taels of silver with them, but Tian Shu and the others had put it in their own bags. Besides, the hundred-plus taels of silver weren't in banknotes, but in silver ingots, which were quite heavy and inconvenient to carry around.
So, following the example of Tian Shu and the others, he put some loose silver coins and a few dozen copper coins in his purse, and put the rest in his bundle.
For the first time in his life, he had become so wealthy. Ah Ping felt it was all too real, as if he were dreaming.
When he rested at night, he would touch the silver in the brocade pouch in his bed.
It's not that I'm afraid of losing my money or not; I'm just not sure if I'm still safe with them. Even highway robbers can't get the better of me when I'm with them, let alone thieves.
They weren't worried that their companions would steal from them; three adults wouldn't do such a thing, and the six children younger than them were all richer than them.
If I continue to follow them for a few more years, even if I leave them someday in the future, it won't be a problem. I can still do a small business, buy a small house or something.
With this in mind, Aping became even more determined to follow them.
They ate well, dressed well, and weren't treated like servants. Everyone volunteered to do any work, and they weren't mistreated. Most importantly, they received money. Even the stewards of wealthy families, who worked hard all year round, couldn't earn as much in their regular monthly wages as they did during the short New Year holidays if they didn't embezzle money in secret.
"Second brother, is there a recipe for glutinous rice balls in the recipes that Mother found for you?" Yao Guang asked very seriously.
Tianxuan smiled as she looked at her little sister and replied affectionately, "Your little head is only thinking about food. I do have the recipe, but I haven't tried making it yet, so I'm not sure if it will turn out well."
We still need to buy ingredients, and we also need the inn to let us use their kitchen.
"Mother said that food is the most important thing for people, so I think there's nothing wrong with wanting to eat, right? Second brother, why don't you give it a try? You're so capable, you can definitely make it." Yao Guang wasn't embarrassed at all, and even encouraged her second brother.
They arrived at Qicheng around noon. The farther they got from the capital, the more lax the gatekeepers became in their checks.
If you don't like someone, you'll stop them and question them.
People merely glanced at Hong Xiaoduo and her entourage with curiosity before watching them enter the city gate.
Quan Jinghuai had been here before, so Tian Shu didn't need to find an inn. He rode his horse to a well-regarded inn called Yunfu Inn, which was located on the main street.
After settling into their rooms, the group had lunch near the inn.
"I have to go out for a bit. You all go back to the inn and rest. After today, we'll start practicing calligraphy." After finishing her meal, Hong Xiaoduo put down her chopsticks and said to everyone.
The kids were a little surprised to hear that Hong Xiaoduo wasn't taking them shopping as usual, but since she said she had something to do, it must be something important.
Therefore, even the youngest Yao Guang didn't beg or plead to be taken along; she obediently nodded.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come along?" Quan Jinghuai asked.
Hong Xiaoduo shook her head: "Not for now, I'll come back to you if it doesn't work out."
Watching Hong Xiaoduo leave with her hands behind her back, Tian Shu and the others all looked at Quan Jinghuai again. What could be so worrying about their master?
"Settle the bill and head back to the inn," Quan Jinghuai said.
He wasn't asking because he was worried, but because he wanted to go with them.
However, the rules for doing business at Duobao Pavilion are a bit unusual.
They don't do business with female customers; those who know about it and want to buy information usually go through men.
He told Hong Xiaoduo about this, but she didn't believe him and insisted on going herself.
Quan Jinghuai felt that if she ran into trouble on her way there, the chances of her coming back to him were slim. With her explosive temper, which couldn't stand the slightest bit of frustration, she might just tear down the entire display shop.
No one knows the background of the owner of Duobaoge, only that he has extensive connections and influence in both the legitimate and underworld circles.
Even the odd jobs in the shop are all hidden martial arts masters.
Duobao Pavilion does two kinds of business. First, it openly sells antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare treasures, elixirs, unique ancient books, musical scores, chess manuals, etc.
Secondly, it involves selling information.
Following Quan Jinghuai's directions, Hong Xiaoduo quickly found the Duobao Pavilion, which looked very grand.
The shop assistant saw her, his gaze falling on the sword at her waist. He narrowed his eyes, then immediately stepped forward with a smile and said, "Young lady, what would you like to buy? Come in and take a look. Our Treasure Pavilion only sells good things that you can't buy anywhere else."
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