Looking at the three women who were extremely tense, Lu Qing smiled and said, “Relax!” Han Qiuniang shivered in fear. They truly could not relax at all. Carrying so much money made even walking feel unreal.
“Husband, are we not dreaming?” Zheng Yulan looked at Lu Qing. Lu Qing pinched her cheek and asked, “Does it hurt?” Zheng Yulan nodded.
“Husband, let’s hurry home. I feel this place isn’t safe. It’s like everyone is staring at us,” Cheng Su’e said. She felt going home was the safest. Walking outside with this much money was too dangerous. “Yes,” Han Qiuniang agreed. Carrying so much money outside was unsafe; what if someone tried to rob them?
“It’s just a little money. Even if it’s lost, it doesn’t matter,” Lu Qing said casually. A little money? Doesn’t matter if it’s lost? Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e went blank inside. Was that something a human would say? This was 25 taels of silver. If spent carefully, it would keep them fed for ten years. Ten years! How could anyone call that small money?
“I’ll take you three to eat first.” On the way, Lu Qing had heard all of their stomachs rumbling, but the three women held back and didn’t say anything.
Lu Qing brought them to the best restaurant in Luliang County. “Husband, this place is too expensive. We can just eat something simple,” Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e said nervously. A place like this was not somewhere they could afford to eat. It felt wasteful. “It’s fine,” Lu Qing said, leading them inside.
Once they entered, the three women were like country bumpkins entering a grand manor. Everything was new and fascinating. It was truly the first time they had ever been inside such a luxurious restaurant.
“Sir, dining or lodging?” the waiter asked. “Dining,” Lu Qing replied. “Right away!” The waiter led them to an empty table and handed over the menu carved on wooden boards hanging on the wall.
“Steamed carp, braised chicken, one kilogram of beef, and ten meat buns…” Lu Qing began ordering. “Husband, husband…” Zheng Yulan hurried to stop him. This was too extravagant. “Husband, that’s too much!” Han Qiuniang added.
“It’s fine. If we can’t finish, we’ll pack it to take home,” Lu Qing said with a bold tone. They were now considered the wealthiest family in Manglong Village, so they needed the bearing of a wealthy household.
Soon, dish after dish was served. Lu Qing gently said, “Eat.” The three women stared at the food, not daring to move their chopsticks, afraid it was all a dream that would disappear once they touched it.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Qing asked. “Husband, I feel like I’m dreaming,” Han Qiuniang said, looking at him. She had never expected to eat such rich dishes. Not even during New Year had she ever tasted something like beef. It was a luxury. “This isn’t a dream. It’s real. Eat,” Lu Qing comforted her. New chapters come out on novelping.com first.
“Husband, you’re too good to us,” Cheng Su’e said with teary eyes. She never expected that after marrying Lu Qing, she would be able to eat such delicious food. Lu Qing said, “You’re my wives. If I don’t treat you well, who should I treat well? Eat up. Let’s finish everything.”
All four began eating. Ever since Lu Qing transmigrated, he had eaten nothing but wild greens. Now he finally had proper food, so he devoured it eagerly. “You three eat as well,” Lu Qing urged. Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e hesitated. “Husband, we’re full,” Cheng Su’e said, afraid to eat too much. They feared Lu Qing would dislike them for eating more than they had originally claimed.
“Don’t worry about eating too much. I may not have any other great skills, but I can provide for all three of you. I’ll feed you until you’re fair and round so you can give me big, healthy sons,” Lu Qing said while placing food onto their plates. “You must finish all of these dishes. If it’s not enough, I’ll order more. Today you three will eat to your hearts’ content.”
Seeing his firm tone, the three women exchanged glances and began eating again. Soon, the entire table was cleared. They were truly hungry. Their small bellies were already round and full.
“Are you full?” Lu Qing asked. “Mm,” the three women answered happily. Sometimes happiness was that simple—just a good meal.
“Let’s go.” Lu Qing placed one tael of silver on the counter. Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e felt pain in their hearts. One meal cost one tael of silver. They silently swore never to eat something this expensive again.
“Husband, did we make you spend too much?” Han Qiuniang whispered with guilt. “Not at all. I earn money for my wives to use. And looking at your bodies, you should eat well to replenish your health,” Lu Qing said. He understood their worries, but changing such deeply rooted thinking wasn’t easy.
“Let’s go.” He led them out of the restaurant. “We’re not going home?” Zheng Yulan asked. Lu Qing shook his head. “We need to shop.”
They went to the clothing shop in Luliang County. “Sir!” the shopkeeper greeted. Lu Qing nodded and said, “I want to buy some clothes for my wives.” Han Qiuniang panicked. “Husband, no need. Our clothes still fit.” But Lu Qing glanced at her worn, patched, and undersized outfit. She blushed. It was something she had worn since she was ten.
“It’s wearable,” she murmured. Lu Qing said, “Listen to me,” like a domineering young master. He told the shopkeeper, “Pick three sets of clothes for each of them, and two for me.” Read this novel at novelping . com for the best experience.
The shopkeeper brightened immediately. This was a big customer. He quickly selected outfits costing one guan. To Lu Qing, that amount was nothing. He made the three women change into their new clothes. Their entire temperament transformed. Truly, clothing made the person.
“Husband, what’s wrong?” Cheng Su’e asked, nervous under his stare. Was something wrong with the clothes? “Let’s go buy jewelry!” Lu Qing said. “Huh?” All three were stunned. Clothes weren’t enough—they were buying jewelry too?
Zheng Yulan shook her head. “Husband, let’s save money.” “No need. I can earn,” Lu Qing said.
He bought them jewelry, rouge, powder, and everyday necessities. He even purchased grain worth five taels of silver. After one full round of shopping, Lu Qing had spent ten taels. The three women felt heartache, but Lu Qing felt it was worth every coin.
Finally, he bought a wheelbarrow so they could transport everything. They loaded the goods and headed back to Manglong Village.
The mountain path was rough, but after a full meal, the three women seemed full of energy. By sunset, they arrived at Manglong Village.
“Hey, isn’t that Lu Qing?” “Are those three women his wives? He didn’t divorce them?” “What are they pushing?” “Looks like a wheelbarrow.” “Impossible. A wheelbarrow costs two guan. How could Lu Qing afford one?”
Villagers watched from a distance. Once he entered the village, they confirmed it really was a wheelbarrow. “It really is a wheelbarrow!”
“Lu Qing, where did you get this wheelbarrow?” Zhao Tiezhu rushed over and inspected it carefully. In Manglong Village, having a wheelbarrow was like owning a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
“Bought it,” Lu Qing replied. “Bought it?” The villagers widened their eyes. How could Lu Qing afford it? “Lu Qing, are you joking?” someone asked.
“It’s real,” Lu Qing said with a calm smile. Sun Magan stared suspiciously and said, “Lu Qing, aren’t you afraid your tongue will twist from bragging? You’re a poor Xiucai. Where did you get money for a wheelbarrow?” Lu Qing answered, “No comment.”