Chapter 47 The Greatness of the World

  Qī Zhēnér found the place where she set up her stall yesterday, fortunately she left home early today and was familiar with the route, arriving much earlier than yesterday. Today wasn't a market day, so there weren't many people on the street, and the spot where she had set up her stall yesterday was still empty.

  They took out all the things in the baskets and sacks, Qizhen handed a bun to Huzi, and she also took one for herself. The buns were leftovers from yesterday that she had taken from the kitchen this morning. Although the buns were cold, the weather wasn't too bad either. Moreover, such white buns with a small amount of mixed flour inside, she used to be able to eat them only during the New Year's festival, now she could eat them and didn't care about the temperature.

  After finishing the buns, there were more people on the street, and vendors had almost taken up all the good spots on the street, and they started shouting.

  After yesterday, Qizhen has fewer worries now. Plus, she still doesn't know what to do with Huizi, so of course, she needs to save more money now.

  "Fresh wild fruit, sour and sweet~~~~"

  "Sweet fruit!"

  The little tiger thought his sister's shouting was very funny and joined in too.

  Qizhen'er smiled and looked at Huzi, shouting as she picked out the big and good-looking fruits to display outside.

  No wonder, it really attracted a lot of people. A little girl who looked about the same size as a tiger cub looked at the fruit arranged by Zhen'er and pulled her mother to buy some.

  The little girl's mother was entangled by her and had no way out. She came over to take a look, saw that these fruits looked really good, and hadn't seen them before. Afraid they wouldn't taste good, she asked: "What kind of fruit is this? Why haven't I ever seen it before?"

  Someone came to ask, Qi Zhen'er naturally warmly greeted: "Auntie, this is a wild fruit, I picked it from the mountain, called a thorny pear, it's sweet, you try one and you'll know how delicious it is." As she said that, she picked one out and handed it over.

  He took it, wiped it casually with his sleeve, took a bite and then handed it to his daughter. "Mmm, this is really good. How much does it cost?"

  "It's very cheap, only four cents a catty."

  That man shouted as soon as he heard it, "This wild fruit doesn't even cost a penny, and what you're selling is more expensive than that lettuce."

  Qizhen'er's heart sank, yesterday she coaxed a small maid to sell for four wen, today she thoughtlessly sold at this price, but she didn't expect that ordinary people couldn't afford this price.

  "Auntie, that's not right. The plums are also three cents a catty now, and they're not even sweet." Qizhen said. Yesterday she sold out too, and saw many at the market, the ones selling fruit at the market were just plums, some were selling wild fruit but none were as big or numerous as hers.

  "It's too expensive, I don't want it." The man said, pulling his daughter to leave. But the girl had eaten the fruit and thought it was delicious, she didn't want to leave and cried wanting to buy some. Her mother disagreed, and the two of them started tugging at each other in front of Qi Zhen's stall.

  Qī Zhēn ér originally wanted to give two fruits to coax that little girl, but then thought better of it. She was here to sell fruits, if she gave them away like this, what would she sell? That little girl didn't have fruit to eat, but had rice to eat, a place to live and her family's care, what did she have in common with Hǔ Zǐ? Wasn't it just relying on these few things to make some money? Looking at her mother's clothes, they weren't shabby either, yet she couldn't bear to spend this little money to get her child a tooth extracted, so she didn't need to be too kind either.

  Their commotion attracted many people to notice Qizhen's stall. Some of them recognized the wild fruits and came over to ask, "Little girl, how much are these prickly pears selling for?"

  "Uncle, four cents a catty." Qizhen'er said sweetly, this one looks like he knows his stuff.

  That man rummaged through Qizhen's basket and said, "Oh, there are still some mulberries. Are these few mulberries also at this price?"

  Jian Zhen'er nodded, and the man said: "Then pack these mulberries for me, and also get some prickly pears to make up two catties."

  "Good," Qizhen quickly weighed it, this was still the scale that Ye Lao gave her yesterday when she said she would pick wild fruits to sell.

  "Uncle, look." Qizhen'er held up the scale high for the man to see. The man nodded and started taking out money.

  After receiving the money, Qi Zhener added two more and said with a smile: "Uncle, take two to try, have a good trip."

  "The little girl is good at doing business." The man walked away with a basket, beaming with joy.

  Several people next to them also noticed the fruit and saw that Qizhen was doing a good business, so they all wanted to buy some. Some bought two catties, others one catty. Qizhen weighed and received payment with ease, while Huzi watched from the side without any issues.

  It may be that there are too few fruits sold in the market now, or it may be for freshness, Qizhen's basket and a half sack of wild fruit were quickly sold out.

  Today, they sold about thirty catties, earning a total of one hundred and twenty copper coins. Qizhen pinched the money in her pocket, happily collecting their things. Alas, she was still too young, carrying twenty catties on her shoulder and holding ten or so catties in her hand, exhausting her like something. Along the way, they rested several times. This was all thanks to Huzi helping her from time to time, allowing them to arrive at the market so quickly. If only she could carry heavy loads, these free wild fruits would definitely be picked and sold at the market for a good price.

  But Qizhen didn't have a greedy heart, anything that was free would be sold for a profit, and having these things made her very satisfied.

  While packing, Qizhen thought about how to talk to Old Ye. The old man would definitely not agree with them leaving, but if they didn't leave, the villagers' gossip would be enough to drown her and her brother. Alas!

  "Little girl, where are your fruits? Sold out?"

  Qī Zhēnér raised her head, and it was the maid from yesterday. Today she had changed into a crimson purple skirt, with two buns on either side of her head, giving off a delicate and elegant vibe.

  "Sister came late, all the fruits are sold out." Qizhen'er said.

  The maid looked somewhat disheartened, "How could it be sold out so early? My mistress said that the fruit was quite unusual and asked me to come back and buy some more. Do you know where else sells this fruit?"

  Qizhen'er thought for a moment and said: "Sister, I saw some selling on East Avenue yesterday, but not as many as mine."

  The maid frowned and said: "Forget it, let's go take a look. Even if I don't buy as much as you, I still need to get some back home, or else how can I explain?"

  Zhen'er listened and also thought it was reasonable, quickly packing up her things, holding Tiger's hand to let the maid lead the way.

  As they chatted along the way, Qi Zhen'er learned that her name was Pan'er. Her family's master had the surname Zhou and had just moved to Jiyang County. The young lady of the house liked novel and beautiful things. The wild fruit she bought yesterday was both visually appealing and delicious, and the young lady used it to entertain guests, with many people praising it and wanting more, which greatly pleased the young lady and earned her a reward of silver coins. Today, Pan'er had come to buy some more for the young lady to give as gifts.

  This is a small place in Jingyang County, with few fresh things. The young lady from her family has just arrived and must want to bring some novelty to leave a good impression on people.

  Arrived at Dong Street, after searching for half a day, I finally found one. The fruit they sold was not only small, but also not as red and luscious as Zhen's fruit, and some were even bruised. Xiang'er frowned, "Isn't there anywhere else that sells fruit?"

  Qī Zhēnér shook her head, "Not many people are interested in this thing. It's almost time for the busy farming season, and everyone who can work at home needs to go down to the fields. I only picked some fruit to sell because I had nothing else to do."

  Wan'er listened to her and thought it made sense, but she couldn't buy it back after leaving, she would definitely be scolded. "Will you come to sell again tomorrow?"

  Zhen'er fell silent. She didn't even know where she would be tomorrow, let alone dare to think about coming here to sell fruit again.

  Wan'er thought she was silent because she would have to work in the fields tomorrow and couldn't come, so he hastily said: "Tomorrow, just send the fruit directly to our mansion, it won't delay your work, and I'll give you an extra 50 coins, how about that?"

  How could Qizhen not be delighted with such a wonderful thing?

  "All right, sister said your house is where, I'll send it over tomorrow." Qi Zhen'er said.

  Wan'er took a look at the crowded market, then pulled Qi Zhen'er all the way to the back door of the Zhou Mansion. She said to Zhen'er, "Here is the County Magistrate's residence. Tomorrow, you can deliver the goods here. I've already spoken with Pan Pozi, the gatekeeper, and she'll let you in." Then she called over Pan Pozi to meet Zhen'er.

  The gatekeeper was generally a discontented person, and Pan Pozi was no exception. Seeing the favored maid beside the young lady, she fawned on her, patting her chest and saying that she would take care of things.

  After discussing how many fruits and the price, Qizhen took Huizi to stroll around the market, and even bought a string of sugar gourd for Huizi, who was eating happily.

  On the way back, Qizhen was overjoyed. Even Huzi couldn't help but smile, "Sister, do we really have that much money?"

  The hundred or so coins they just got from selling fruit.

  Is this money enough? Qizhen looked at Huzi, she had seen more money before, just her selling price was 30 taels, not to mention the money she got from the Qi manor at the risk of her life. However, that money was not as safe as this one, Qizhen was very satisfied with such a small day.

  After being reborn, her thoughts and understanding of the world were no longer so superficial. After sleeping for a night, she thought carefully again, people are all selfish, and it's not unreasonable for the villagers to drive them away for their own safety. It can be said that they were also deceived by others. What's despicable is that someone called her siblings jinxes, with such an evil heart, this is going to ruin her siblings.

  Since they can't stay here anymore, Qizhen'er has already planned to take Huizi and find another place to settle down. Is there really no place in the world where this brother and sister can live?