Chapter Eighty-One: Paying Respects

  Yesterday, many young people took advantage of the rain to catch a lot of fish and shrimp in the river. Those who usually go to the fields at night to set up eel traps also had to hurry to sell them in the city early. On days like this, those who drive ox carts to the city will wait at the village entrance, and people going to the city can get on the cart. The fare is also cheap, as with many people, it only costs five cents per person.

  Zhen'er and the others got on the cart, where three or four eleven- or twelve-year-old kids were already seated. Even the man who had sold fish to Zhen'er yesterday was there, and he smiled at her and Hu'zi as they approached. Zhen'er also smiled back at him. She was still young, and the rural customs weren't so strict that it would be considered improper for her to ride in a cart with these half-grown boys.

  After a while, two more young men came up, and someone shouted: "Uncle, we can go." The driver saw that the car was almost full, yelled out loud, "Alright!" With a crack of the whip, they set off.

  Maybe because of impatience, the people in the car started complaining about the two kids who came late, "Why did you come so late? Didn't we agree yesterday to go early and grab a good spot?"

  "My dad told me to come back earlier, otherwise he'll spank me."

  "My mother also said it's going to rain today, I have to go back and help with harvesting wheat."

  Everyone grumbled and complained, but the two latecomers remained silent. One of them, who looked clever, smiled at his companion in an attempt to curry favor. The other one kept a straight face, as if he wasn't the one who was late, but rather someone owed him money.

  It's not just Zhen'er who has this feeling, someone else can't stand his dark face either. They complain: "Cao Wei, who are you making that deadpan face for? Do you think everyone is happy to wait for you? If it weren't for Lai Fu's sake, who would bother with you? You're late and don't even apologize, acting like we owe you instead?"

  As soon as this was said, everyone else also had an indignant look on their face, but Cao Wei still didn't react at all. And that sly one should be Lai Fu, he chuckled and said: "Sorry everyone, don't blame my brother, it's my fault. Last night I went to collect the yellow croaker baskets. In the middle of the night, thinking about making money today, I couldn't sleep because I was too excited, so I got up late today. My brother kept calling me to get out of bed, but I was lazy, blame me, blame me."

  Those kids might be more familiar with him, and after hearing what he said, they didn't say anything else. They just reminded him: "Get up earlier next time." Then they happily discussed how much money each of them could make.

  "Spring water, you have so little goods, why are you still going to the market?" A dark and sturdy little boy asked a pale young man who was carrying a basket with seven or eight fish that weighed over three catties.

  That white and clean young man looked quite gentle, the clothes on his body were also good, Zhen Er felt that he didn't seem like someone who would go up mountains and down rivers to catch fish.

  Chun Shui smiled and said: "I just went to join in the fun. Grandfather said that studying every day can make people stupid. Let me go out, walk around and take a look."

  It turns out you're still a bookworm, no wonder your image and temperament are so different from those young guys in the car.

  Others also think this is right after hearing it, although they haven't been to school, but they believe in what adults say, especially this adult has some authority, "What the village chief says must be good."

  Zhen'er only then realized that the fair-skinned young man Ye Chunshui was actually the village chief's grandson, with a pretty good family background. He studied in the city and didn't think he was superior, but could still play with the village kids, proving that the village chief's education was indeed good.

  Others' eyes lit up when they heard the mention of Xuetang, and then dimmed again. Their gaze at Ye Chunshui also added a bit of envy and reverence.

  The sturdy young man with a dark complexion didn't think much, saying: "You're better off, able to go to school in the city and read books. I've heard that you guys get one or two silver taels as allowance every month." He clicked his tongue, "It's really expensive."

  Ye Chunshui smiled and said, "Where is there so much? It's just the first month of school that costs one or two silver coins. In addition to the tuition, it also includes the cost of new books. The second month will be less, only 200-300 wen will do."

  Others looked better on their faces after hearing this, they were all because of the lack of money at home and couldn't go to school, but after hearing this, if they catch more fish to sell this summer, maybe in autumn, they can also let their families send them to school. Thinking about it, everyone felt that the light was right in front of them, as if they could go to school tomorrow.

  Then several people surrounded Ye Chunshui and asked him a lot of things about the school, with a sound of surprise, as if they had heard something very surprising.

  However, this does not include the young Cao Wei, who even hummed in disdain after hearing Ye Chunshui's words. The humming was very soft, and if it weren't for Qi Zhen'er sitting next to him, perhaps no one would have heard it.

  All the way, listening to those young men talking about some interesting things in the countryside, was also very happy, Zhen Er listened all the way with relish.

  Yu Shu Village is in the southeast of Ji Yang County, the ox cart entered through the East City Gate, Qi Zhen'er got off with Hu Zi's hand, gave the car fare, thanked him, and headed north.

  Everyone in the car let out a silent sigh of relief.

  Zhen Er was not a stranger to them, that day the ancestral hall was so lively, they had also watched the excitement at the door, one or two even rushed in and kicked the hemp master's feet during the melee, but in the end it was this little girl who solved the problem, they were unhappy, more curious.

  Zhen'er's younger brother sat in the car, they always wanted to glance over there, but their eyes met a pair of bright and shiny eyes, the clear eyes reflected their figures, they felt that the muddy clothes on their bodies were so tattered, they could only look away in shame, unconsciously straightening their backs, using loud and boastful talk to cover up their embarrassment.

  At this moment, Zhen's younger brother got off the bus, and they finally felt really relaxed, and their straight waists could also bend for a while.

  The northern district is commonly known as the "Rich and Noble District". People who live here are either rich or noble. Even Qi Zhen'er, who has been here once before, feels a sense of solemn luxury when walking through the alleys.

  She knocked on the door at the corner, and it was still the old woman who opened the door last time. Qizhen thought that there were many people coming in and out here usually, so the old woman must not remember her, and she was about to explain, but unexpectedly the old woman recognized her at a glance, and said: "Little girl, are you here to find Xiang'er?" with a very enthusiastic attitude.

  Zijin'er couldn't understand why she had such a good attitude, but still smiled sweetly and said: "Auntie, I'm here to find Xiang'er sister, but she doesn't know I'm coming. Can you help me inform her?" She thought this would be troublesome, and the aunt would definitely not be happy about it. But unexpectedly, the aunt's face lit up with an even brighter smile, and she repeatedly said: "Okay, okay, I'll go inform her. Miss, follow him. Is he your brother? Come in and sit." As she spoke, she led Zijin'er's younger brother inside, exchanged a greeting with another aunt in the gatehouse, and then hurriedly rushed towards the inner courtyard of the mansion.

  As she walked in the garden, the old woman thought that last time she had shown Zhen'er the way and the young lady had rewarded her with 200 coins, which was equivalent to a month's wages. This time if there were good things again, it would be less for her troubles.

  As she was walking through the garden, just about to enter Miss's garden, she got excited and didn't notice the road, and suddenly collided with someone coming from another intersection.

  "Which dead girl is this, so flustered? Ah, my old waist! It's killing me." The old woman usually guarded the back door and wasn't very good at learning the rules of the house. As soon as she was in pain, she started yelling loudly.

  That little girl who was bumped into wasn't anyone else, it was actually Pan'er. Thinking that she was the big sister's personal maid, wherever she went people would show respect, how could she have suffered this kind of treatment? Not only was she bumped into but also scolded, her heart felt unjust. Standing up with her hands on her hips, she scolded: "Where did this dead old woman come from? Wipe the dirt from your dog eyes and take a look at who I am! What place is this? You still dare to open your dog mouth and spout dirty words everywhere?"

  That old woman scolded and immediately knew she had caused trouble for herself. Not to mention that she was just a gatekeeper, not allowed to enter the inner courtyard at will, let alone her identity. In the inner courtyard, even an ordinary maid has a higher status than hers. How could she not control her mouth and shout loudly?

  The gatekeeper's wife didn't care about anything else at this moment, and hastily apologized while accompanying Xiaoxin. But how could Meng'er let her off so easily? This gatekeeper's wife had already made her lose face, if she didn't pursue the matter, who would still look up to her in the future.

  They were making a big fuss, and the little girls nearby had already noticed the situation, with many people gathering around to watch. And that wicked man, pretending to be fierce, was scolding the gatekeeper, shouting loudly: "This unruly woman should be beaten and thrown out!" Others who heard this also cheered in agreement.

  At first, Xiang'er thought that everyone was on her side and was thinking of making an example out of someone to intimidate others. But when she heard the words "beating the board", she suddenly woke up: wasn't there someone who beat the board in the mistress's room this morning? Who wants to harm her?

  As soon as she thought that she had almost been taken advantage of by someone else, a chill ran down her back. Looking around, she couldn't figure out who was trying to harm her, so she suppressed the cold feeling in her heart and forced a smile: "What's with all this nonsense about hitting or not hitting? We're all just servants in the mansion, I suppose this woman didn't mean any harm either. Alright, you can go now, if there's anything else, find someone to pass on the message at the second gate, don't just barge into the inner courtyard again."

  The old woman was delighted to hear that Guan'er had let her off so easily, but when she heard the words "send her back to the corner gate", she quickly said: "Guan'er young lady, I'm Yan Baozi, who guards the corner gate. You asked me to bring a little girl in last time, and now that little girl is here again, saying she has something to do with you."

  Wan'er thought for a moment, and vaguely remembered that it was the time when Zhen'er came, she had found an old woman to bring her in. How did Zhen'er come again? Miss doesn't like eating that fruit anymore, besides, Miss isn't in the mood to eat now.

  "You just said I was busy, and sending her away would be fine."

  The old woman was stunned and had to return to the corner door with a gloomy face. Because she didn't get any reward money, she was very unhappy in her heart, and she also didn't have a good expression towards Zhen'er and the others.

  Out of the door, Zhen'er was still puzzled, it seemed she had thought too simply. The big maid beside Miss was not easy to see. Anyway, she was also thinking that last time she borrowed Miss Zhou's name to save the ancestral hall, and the villagers thanked her for Miss Zhou's credit, thinking that having this precious strawberry sent some to let her taste it was also a kind of kindness.

  Zhen'er looked at the tightly closed door and was about to take Hu'zi out to buy some things they needed, when the door creaked open again. Xiang'er appeared before them, panting heavily, and seeing that they were still standing in the doorway, felt a sense of relief and leaned against the door.

  "Xiang'er sister, why are you in such a hurry?" asked Qizhen.

  "Fortunately you haven't left yet. The young lady heard that you've arrived and had me come find you, let's go."

  Qī Zhēn ér didn't know what Miss Zhou wanted with her, but she still followed along with Meng'er into the house.

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