Chen Xiaobei watched Chen Qiaoer constantly fanning her nose. He knew the smell must be too strong, so strong that he couldn't smell it anymore because he had been there for too long.
Being in the company of fishmongers, one soon becomes accustomed to the stench. Su Dan Novel Network
"Um, I'll go wash up in the river first," he said.
Cui Hongyu nodded. "I'll bring you clothes later."
With that, she turned and went back into the house.
Chen Xiaobei came to the riverbank and looked around. It was quiet, with no one in sight.
Indeed, it was dinnertime.
Chen Xiaobei quickly shed his clothes and jumped into the river.
As it was already late summer, the river water was still a bit cool.
However, the coolness helped Chen Xiaobei clear his head.
He began to calm down and think about the recent events. The most pressing matter was Cui Dana's intention to seize the apple trees on the mountain.
Even though the apple trees weren't his, they certainly didn't belong to Cui Dana either.
Judging by the fact that Geng Sheng had brought him a letter with Mao's personal seal, it was highly likely that Hu Fan was unaware of this. Although the boundary survey results needed his seal of approval, he knew that if they bypassed him and went directly to the county or prefecture, there would still be ways.
After all, he wasn't entirely clear about Cui Dana's strength, so he couldn't afford to be careless. If Cui Dana managed to seize the trees, he would regret it too late.
Therefore, to be safe, he would inform Hu Fan tomorrow that he intended to incorporate the entire Qingniu Mountain into Hetou Village.
What originally belonged to everyone, if Cui Dana wanted a piece of it, he would get nothing.
As he was lost in thought, he heard footsteps. Cui Hongyu had arrived.
In the dark, Cui Hongyu was a little scared. Before reaching the riverbank, she called out, "Husband, husband."
Chen Xiaobei quickly slapped the water, making some noise.
Cui Hongyu followed the sound and placed the clothes on the bank. "Husband, would you like me to wash your hair?"
Wash his hair. Heh heh. Chen Xiaobei suddenly recalled a risqué joke from his previous life.
He deliberately emphasized his tone. "Yes, please wash my hair for me."
But it was clear that Cui Hongyu was unfazed by such jokes.
This indicated that in this era, there was no concept of such innuendo.
Cui Hongyu stepped forward, gently untied Chen Xiaobei's topknot, and began to comb his hair meticulously.
Wow, she had even thoughtfully brought a comb.
How considerate.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei felt a sudden urge. He reached out, grabbed Cui Hongyu's arm, and intended to pull her into the water.
Cui Hongyu was startled and quickly pulled back. "No, no, I told Qiaoer I'd come back after dropping off your clothes."
Chen Xiaobei instantly sobered up. Right, there was still that little tagalong.
"Alright, you go back first. Wait for me tonight." Chen Xiaobei was no longer hinting; he was being direct.
Cui Hongyu blushed. "I... I'm not convenient right now."
This.
Chen Xiaobei felt a bit disappointed.
He had just experienced a moment of profound connection.
Cui Hongyu clearly sensed Chen Xiaobei's change in mood. She suddenly said softly, "Why don't you... take another wife, husband?"
What!
Chen Xiaobei's body trembled, and he almost jumped.
He suddenly remembered all the jokes from his previous life. In ancient times, it was indeed common for people to encourage their husbands to take more wives.
But at this moment, Chen Xiaobei gritted his teeth and refused. "Oh, Hongyu, I'm not even tired of you yet. How could I possibly take another wife?"
Cui Hongyu smiled. "It's okay, husband. Wouldn't it be even better to have another sister to serve you?"
Good heavens, this Great Cang Kingdom is truly wonderful.
After washing up and during dinner, Cui Hongyu pressed, "Husband, when will we go to pick up Ziyan and the others tomorrow?"
Chen Xiaobei frowned slightly.
Indeed, tomorrow was going to be a busy day. Not only did they have to pick up Ziyan, but he also had to visit Hu Fan, buy sulfur, and go to Xiao Family Town.
He couldn't manage it all.
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment and decided to send Chen Xiaobo to Xiao Family Town.
This would barely make the schedule work.
Hearing his plan, Cui Hongyu sighed. "Alas, if only we had another cart. Then I could go pick up Ziyan myself."
Her words were unintentional, but they struck a chord with Chen Xiaobei.
Indeed, he was selling fish and vegetables. His transportation capacity was limited to the donkey cart the county had provided to the village, plus the one he had bought.
This was far from enough. Moreover, now that the villagers had money, their travel needs had increased.
Right, he would get two more donkey carts tomorrow.
Hearing his plan, Cui Hongyu objected. "Husband, don't buy donkey carts. Let's buy horse-drawn carriages instead. A horse can also be ridden when not pulling a cart. This would also make your trips to the countryside more convenient."
One had to admit that Cui Hongyu's thinking was comprehensive.
He hadn't thought of this step yet. She was truly a good helper.
The next morning, they both got up and began their busy day.
Chen Xiaobei called Chen Xiaobo over to help him load a cart of apples, destined for Xiao Family Town. He also loaded over two hundred catties onto his own donkey cart, intended for Old Wu and the restaurant in the county seat.
While having breakfast, they repeatedly cautioned Chen Qiaoer to listen to her second aunt, Xiūmei.
Chen Qiaoer nodded obediently. "Brother, Sister-in-law, don't worry. I'll be good."
Cui Hongyu got up, took some meat from the kitchen, and took Chen Qiaoer's hand as they left.
Although Chen Xiaobei knew that Da Chun's family would treat Qiao'er well even if he didn't give Xiūmei anything, that wasn't a long-term solution.
He entered the house, took fifty taels of silver, and then a silver note worth one hundred taels.
The silver was for buying a horse-drawn carriage, and the silver note was for Hu Fa.
At this time, one hundred taels of silver was not a small sum.
After all, he wanted the entire Qingniu Mountain, so he had to spend some money.
Perhaps Cui Dana would follow suit, but his hundred taels had given him a head start.
With everything in order, Chen Xiaobei and Cui Hongyu set off.
Along the way, the villagers cast envious glances at them.
Chen Xiaobei was also quite proud. Look, starting from nothing, he had married a beautiful wife.
And this wife was even helping him find a second wife.
How virtuous! He felt delighted!
Chen Xiaobei closed his eyes and leaned back on the donkey cart, lost in a pleasant dream. Not long after leaving the village, he suddenly heard Cui Hongyu exclaim with surprise, "Ziyan, Ziyan."
Chen Xiaobei quickly opened his eyes. In the distance, he saw a grand procession of four horse-drawn carriages approaching.
On the first carriage, the driver was Ziyan.
Chen Xiaobei quickly reined in the donkey cart.
Cui Hongyu hurriedly jumped off the cart and went to meet them.
Shen Ziyan also reined in her carriage and jumped down.
As her carriage stopped, the carriages behind it followed suit.
From the second carriage, Xiao Hua, whom Chen Xiaobei had met before, disembarked.
The third carriage, a woman in yellow clothing, alighted.