Following Old Wu's directions, Chen Xiaobei quickly found the Cao Manor.
The gatekeeper, after learning the situation, immediately turned and scurried off to call for Steward Cao.
Soon, Steward Cao came out with his men.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei carrying two wild chickens, Steward Cao's smile widened, "Ah, young man, you have made me wait with bated breath!"
"My apologies, Steward Cao. I was delayed by some family matters a few days ago," Chen Xiaobei mumbled by way of explanation.
Steward Cao directly pulled a silver ingot from his robe and pressed it into Chen Xiaobei's hand.
It was a one-liang silver ingot, but Chen Xiaobei found himself in a dilemma.
He hadn't expected to be given change.
Two fish had sold for only five copper coins.
Besides this, he hadn't brought a single cent.
"Steward Cao, I am truly sorry, but could you possibly exchange it for copper coins? I don't have any copper coins to give you as change."
Steward Cao laughed heartily and waved his hand.
"Young man, there's no need. This time, I owe you a favor. If you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to come to me. Though I, Cao Yuanxiang, am merely a steward, I still have some standing in Qingniu County." With that, he turned and left.
This.
Not only was he given more money, but he was also owed a favor. What had happened here?
Chen Xiaobei was utterly bewildered.
Thinking it over, he decided he had to find Old Wu again to see if he knew why.
Chen Xiaobei turned his donkey cart and headed back to the vegetable market. From a distance, he saw a person standing at Old Wu's stall. Judging by their figure, they seemed somewhat familiar.
Upon closer inspection, it was Feng Xiaoyue.
Yes, it was indeed Feng Xiaoyue.
Seeing her arrive, Old Wu looked helpless, "Miss, I've told you many times, Chen Xiaobei hasn't come to sell vegetables for a long time. You should find someone else to relay your message."
However, Feng Xiaoyue's attitude was resolute, "Uncle, since he sells vegetables, if he came once, he will surely come again. Please..."
Before she could finish, Old Wu looked up and saw Chen Xiaobei approaching. He quickly coughed and deliberately raised his voice, "Oh, stop talking. I really haven't seen Chen Xiaobei."
These words were clearly meant for Chen Xiaobei to hear.
But Chen Xiaobei, for a moment, didn't quite understand. He couldn't help but reply, "Old Wu, what are you saying? I'm here now."
Hearing his voice, Feng Xiaoyue suddenly turned around. Seeing that it was Chen Xiaobei, her face lit up with surprise, "Brother Chen, you, you've finally come."
As she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes.
Seeing Feng Xiaoyue in such a state, Chen Xiaobei was very confused.
This, this.
Was she so excited to see him?
"Miss Xiaoyue, you, you don't cry. Let's talk slowly about whatever you have to say."
Feng Xiaoyue wiped away her tears and bowed to him, "Brother Chen, I, I am leaving Qingniu County. I, Feng Xiaoyue, am not someone who defaults on debts. Please rest assured, I will repay the money sooner or later. I had intended to have Brother Wu pass on a message to you, but I didn't expect to meet you today."
After speaking, she bowed to Chen Xiaobei again.
This time, Chen Xiaobei was even more baffled, "Xiaoyue, why are you leaving Qingniu County, and where will you go?"
Feng Xiaoyue sighed, "Leaving is truly out of necessity. I requested leave to recuperate for a few days, but Madam Sun, wife of Old Master Zhao, was relentless. She pursued me all the way to the ruined temple, not only refusing to pay me wages but also threatening that I must leave Qingniu County within three days, otherwise, she would, would, harm Yanzi and the others."
Following this, she began to weep again.
After listening to her tearful plea, Chen Xiaobei was filled with righteous anger.
Children without parents are pitiable enough as it is, but this Madam Sun was so unyielding.
Chen Xiaobei turned and looked at Old Wu not far away.
"Brother Wu, what is the background of this Old Master Zhao and Madam Sun? They are so arrogant."
Old Wu glanced around, "Xiaobei, can you lower your voice a bit?"
"That Old Master Zhao comes from a family of officials for generations. As for Madam Sun, she is even more formidable. Her maternal family holds official positions in the capital. You, you cannot afford to offend them, cannot afford to offend them."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart tightened.
He had originally planned to bring the waist token given by Liu Rumei tomorrow and help Feng Xiaoyue resolve this matter.
But, with Madam Sun having such powerful connections, it was unlikely that Liu Rumei's influence would be of any use.
Feng Xiaoyue wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Yes, their family has strong backing. Even reporting to the county yamen would be useless. I can only take the children and leave."
Chen Xiaobei also fell into silence.
Indeed, one could not fight against a stronger force. There was no other option but to leave.
Chen Xiaobei shook his head again, "But where can you go with a group of children?"
Feng Xiaoyue seemed quite resigned, "I'll go wherever fate takes me. The children are used to wandering anyway."
Just then, someone behind them suddenly shouted, "Whose donkey cart is this? It's eating my vegetables."
Chen Xiaobei quickly turned to look. And indeed, he had been so engrossed in talking to Old Wu that he had forgotten about his donkey.
With no restraint, the donkey, seeing the vegetables displayed by a nearby stall, naturally began to graze.
Chen Xiaobei hurried forward, grabbed the reins, and sighed in relief. It was a close call, almost good to eat.
However, upon seeing the donkey cart, an idea sparked in Chen Xiaobei's mind. Yes, since he had encountered this situation today, he should see it through and give Feng Xiaoyue a ride in his donkey cart.
Upon hearing his suggestion, Old Wu secretly winked at him. Feng Xiaoyue also repeatedly declined, "Don't trouble yourself, Brother Chen."
But Chen Xiaobei was insistent, "Alright, if you refuse again, we'll be strangers."
With that said, Feng Xiaoyue had no choice but to bow to him again, "Then, Xiaoyue will not refuse. I will go back and pack immediately."
After speaking, she hurried away.
Watching Feng Xiaoyue walk away, Old Wu sighed, "You, I told you long ago not to get involved with her, but you wouldn't listen."
Chen Xiaobei interrupted Old Wu's continued words. "Alright, Brother Wu, I knew you had good intentions when you winked just now. But she has a group of children with her, they are too pitiful."
Old Wu shook his head, "You are just too kind-hearted. If she asked you to take her to the capital, would you go?"
This question stunned Chen Xiaobei. He hadn't really considered that. However, on second thought, Feng Xiaoyue shouldn't be that kind of person.
"Old Wu, you're overthinking it. I don't think Feng Xiaoyue is that kind of person."
Old Wu's eyes widened, "The human heart is a mystery. How do you know what she is thinking?"
"If you ask me, you should just take her to Xiaojia Town. It's close to the main road, and there are inns and restaurants in the town. She can at least find a way to make a living."
Hearing Old Wu's suggestion, Chen Xiaobei smiled.
Xiaojia Town was about ten li southeast of the county town.
Coupled with Hetou Village, it formed a roughly standard isosceles triangle.
"Old Wu, thank you. I'll ask her opinion later."
With that, he jumped onto the donkey cart and left.
Watching Chen Xiaobei depart, Old Wu sighed helplessly. Finally, he looked up again, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes, "A good person, a good person. Old Master Feng, good deeds are rewarded."