novelzi Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Before coming, Li Xin had carefully learned about the spring farming activities. She knew that the Golden Ox was made of mud and sand, with a layer of golden sand on the outside. When Li Xia asked, "Isn't it made of gold on the inside?" Li Xin replied, "No, it's mud and sand on the inside."
"This big Golden Ox has a layer of golden sand on the outside, which must have cost a lot of gold. We could buy so much delicious food with that gold," Li Xia said, feeling that it was such a waste. She thought it would be better to use the gold to buy food.
Hearing Li Xia's words, a smile appeared on Li Xin's lips. Her younger sister really had a strong desire for food.
"Sister, Father is coming over," Li Xia called out to Li Xin, indicating the approaching procession.
Looking down, Li Xin saw that Li Ming was leading the group behind the Golden Ox. Although he was in his middle age, Li Ming had always maintained a strict exercise routine, and his posture was upright. The blue official robe made Li Ming appear even more dignified. This was a side of Li Ming that they didn't usually see, and for a moment, Li Xin was speechless as she stared at him.
Li Xia waved her hand in front of Li Xin's face and said, "Sister, Father is looking dumbfounded."
Li Xia's words brought Li Xin back to her senses, and she laughed sheepishly, "I have never seen Father look so dignified."
Li Chou and Li Guang nodded in agreement from the side. Li Guang looked at Li Ming's official attire and admired, "I want to be a magistrate in the future."
"That's ambitious, Third Brother, keep up the good work," Li Xia made a gesture of encouragement. Li Guang chuckled foolishly. The others in the room laughed along with Li Guang, and the atmosphere in the room improved significantly.
As the procession passed by, stalls were set up on both sides of the street. Various snacks, tricks, performances, and different trinkets were displayed. Goods from all over the country were showcased. The vendors shouted, "Come and take a look..."
Impatiently drawn by the voices below, Li Guang really wanted to go down. He looked at Li Hui and asked, "Big Brother, can we go down now?" Li Xin and Li Xia also wanted to go down and take a walk. They looked at Li Hui with hopeful eyes.
In the face of their eager gazes, Li Hui calmly put down his teacup and said, "Go ahead."
Before the words had even settled, Li Guang ran downstairs. Li Chou couldn't care less about anything else and followed him with his servant. He had to keep an eye on Li Guang and make sure nothing went wrong. After the two left, Li Hui took out a purse and handed it to Li Xin and Li Xia, saying, "Buy whatever you want."
Li Xin and Li Xia took the purse and thanked Li Hui, saying, "Thank you, Big Brother."
"Alright," the shop owner responded and quickly prepared the pie for Li Xia. She took the pie and happily ate it, alternating between bites of meat and the pie.
Moving from one stall to another, Li Xia didn't buy a lot of each item and shared some with Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui. In this way, Li Xia not only spent all the silver given by Aunt Mei, but also exhausted the silver given by Li Hui.
Li Xia looked somewhat regretfully at the last stall selling wontons. She still had room to eat, but unfortunately, she had run out of money. Reluctantly withdrawing her gaze, she planned to return to the restaurant when she noticed a purse in front of her. Following the gaze, she saw Qiu Ju looking somewhat helpless. "Aunt Mei is worried about you," she said, leaving her sentence unfinished, but Li Xia understood what Qiu Ju meant.
Li Xia took the purse, tears welling up in her eyes, and looked at Qiu Ju. "Aunt Qiu, Aunt Mei is so kind. After we finish eating the wontons, let's buy her a gift." Aunt Mei, as a concubine, couldn't leave the residence easily. She needed permission from the Lu family, but Aunt Mei herself was too lazy to go out and unwilling to do so.
Just then, someone finished eating and left. Li Xia quickly walked over and sat down, motioning for Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui to sit down as well. At the same time, she called out to the owner, "Boss, three bowls of small wontons, please hurry."
"Alright, three bowls of small wontons," the owner quickly served the wontons. Li Xia took a deep breath, savoring the aroma. Ignoring the heat, she scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. After finishing the wontons, all three of them felt full. Not in a hurry to go back, they strolled slowly in the direction of the teahouse, following the crowd.
On the way, Li Xia bought a bag of chestnuts and five sour cabbage and pork-filled buns. Qiu Ju held onto these items. Li Xia was worried that if she held one, she wouldn't be able to resist eating it. While looking around, Li Xia fixed her gaze on a man carrying a child ahead. Judging by their figures, they appeared to be an ordinary father and son out for a walk.
"What's wrong, Miss?" Qiu Ju noticed that Li Xia's expression was off and stepped forward, asking in a low voice.
Li Xia whispered a few words into Qiu Ju's ear. Qiu Ju's heart tightened as she looked at Li Xia.
"Qiu Yi, go find Big Brother," Li Xia urged Qiu Ju.
"Miss, let's go together and find the Young Master," Qiu Ju refused to leave, observing that Li Xia intended to continue tracking. If something went wrong, it would also endanger Li Xia.
Li Xia pushed Qiu Ju. "Qiu Yi, hurry and go. I still have Qiu Shui here, so rest assured."
Qiu Ju glanced at Qiu Shui, who seemed completely clueless, and became even more worried. "Miss, should we find the patrolling constables on the street?"
"Qiu Yi, this is a matter of life and death. We can't afford to delay. You go quickly, and I'll wait for you here. Don't wander around," Li Xia assured her. Qiu Ju gritted her teeth, instructed Qiu Shui to "watch over the miss," and quickly departed.