“Everything has a first-come, first-served order! This auntie spotted this iron pot first. Take your filthy paws off it!”
Song Xiaoyu’s expression immediately darkened.
With lightning-fast reflexes, she snatched the iron pot right back from the man’s hands.
The newcomer was none other than the arrogant worker from Zuixian Restaurant they had encountered earlier.
The apprentice instantly plastered a flattering smile across his face.
“Ah, it’s Master Yu Fugui from Zuixian Restaurant! I didn’t recognize you just now. My apologies.”
He hurriedly bowed.
“If Master Yu wants an iron pot, please wait a moment. I’ll immediately bring out the finest one in the entire shop.”
Yu Fugui’s face twisted with annoyance.
“Stop feeding me nonsense!”
He pointed directly at the pot in Song Xiaoyu’s hands.
“I want that one.”
Then he impatiently waved his hand.
“My old mother is still waiting at home to cook dinner. Don’t waste my time.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man in his forties emerged from the workshop.
Judging by his appearance and clothing, he was likely the master blacksmith.
Pulling the apprentice behind him, he lowered his voice and warned Zhou Rong and Song Xiaoyu.
“I’m the manager of this shop.”
His expression was serious.
“The backer behind Zuixian Restaurant is Squire Zhao. He has connections to the palace eunuchs.”
He glanced nervously at Yu Fugui.
“Offending him is the same as offending Squire Zhao. If you’re not careful, you’ll bring trouble upon yourselves.”
Throughout Dazhu County, Zuixian Restaurant was the most prestigious restaurant.
Its employees strutted around arrogantly wherever they went, and most people rushed to curry favor with them.
As for Squire Zhao, he was a notorious local tyrant.
Even the County Magistrate had to show him some degree of respect.
Song Xiaoyu heard every word clearly.
The moment she learned that Zuixian Restaurant belonged to Squire Zhao, her eyes turned cold.
An old enemy indeed.
Just days ago, this very man had tried to force her into a ghost marriage with his dead son.
To bury a living young girl alive in a coffin was a crime devoid of conscience or humanity.
There was no chance she would give up this iron pot.
The blacksmith sighed.
“Young lady, please give me some face today.”
He forced a smile.
“Let Master Yu have this pot. You may choose any other iron pot in the shop, and I’ll sell it to you at half price.”
Song Xiaoyu rejected the proposal immediately.
“No.”
Her tone was firm.
“There’s no reason for me to give up something I’ve already chosen.”
She took out the money.
“Four hundred copper coins. Not one coin less.”
Yu Fugui’s expression immediately changed.
Four hundred copper coins was not a sum ordinary peasants could casually produce.
Where had these country bumpkins gotten so much money?
His thoughts immediately drifted to Fulai Restaurant.
Perhaps they had sold something valuable there.
Still, he quickly dismissed the idea.
For more than half a year, hunters had brought nothing but pheasants and rabbits into town.
The wealthy patrons were already sick of eating them.
Most importantly, he still hadn’t forgotten the humiliation Song Xiaoyu had inflicted on him outside Zuixian Restaurant earlier.
With so many people in the blacksmith shop flattering him, he had to recover his dignity today.
“You little brat!”
He pointed at her furiously.
“You’re refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!”
His face darkened.
“If I don’t teach you a lesson today, my surname isn’t Yu!”
The moment he spoke, Song Wen stepped forward and stood protectively in front of his sister.
“If you dare touch my sister, you’ll have to get through me first.”
His fists clenched tightly.
Zhou Rong’s expression wasn’t any better.
“This is the Great Sheng Dynasty.”
She stared at Yu Fugui coldly.
“Do you really think you can assault people openly on the street without consequences? Aren’t you afraid of ending up in prison?”
Song Xiaoyu rolled her eyes.
“Mother, Brother Wen, why waste words on him?”
She casually stretched her arms.
“Move aside. I’ll make him shut up.”
Before anyone could react, her body suddenly shot forward.
Then she leaped into the air.
Bang!
Her kick landed squarely in Yu Fugui’s chest.
The force sent him flying straight out the shop entrance.
He crashed into an elderly vendor’s vegetable stall across the street, scattering vegetables everywhere and frightening nearby pedestrians.
The entire street fell silent.
Then everyone erupted into shocked exclamations.
…
Song Xiaoyu immediately walked over to the elderly vendor.
“Grandpa, I’ll compensate you for the damage.”
She took out some silver.
Zhou Rong had already given her fifty taels to manage her own expenses.
The old vendor waved his hands frantically.
“Little girl, what compensation?”
He looked embarrassed.
“These vegetables are worth only a few copper coins. Most of them are still fine.”
Then he glanced toward Yu Fugui and spat on the ground.
“Besides, that fellow deserves it.”
His face filled with resentment.
“He relies on Squire Zhao’s influence and bullies common people all day long. Especially us vegetable sellers.”
The old man smiled.
“That kick of yours was satisfying. It helped all of us vent out years of frustration.”
Nearby pedestrians immediately joined in.
“That’s right!”
“Yu Fugui is nothing more than Squire Zhao’s attack dog!”
“He helps Squire Zhao scout pretty girls!”
“Any family whose daughter catches Squire Zhao’s eye is doomed!”
While at Fulai Restaurant, Song Xiaoyu had exchanged some of their silver for loose copper coins.
Ignoring the old man’s protests, she placed one hundred copper coins into his hands.
The old vendor was stunned.
“Young lady, you’re too kind.”
His eyes became slightly red.
“Taking your money makes me feel ashamed.”
Song Xiaoyu smiled.
“Life isn’t easy for anyone.”
She gently pushed the money back into his hands.
“Use it to buy some new clothes for your grandchildren.”
The old man thought of the children waiting at home.
His eyes filled with tears.
In the end, he accepted the money.
…
Meanwhile, Yu Fugui finally struggled to his feet.
Rubbing his aching backside, he glared at Song Xiaoyu with murderous fury.
“Wretched girl!”
His face twisted.
“If you’ve got the guts, tell me your name!”
Song Xiaoyu folded her arms and smirked.
“Listen carefully.”
Her voice was calm.
“This auntie doesn’t change her name wherever she goes.”
She pointed to herself.
“My name is Song Xiaoyu.”
Then her expression turned icy.
“If you provoke me again, I’ll beat you again.”
She smiled.
“I’ll keep beating you until you’re completely obedient.”
Yu Fugui’s fists clenched tightly.
However, seeing the crowd gathering around him, he didn’t dare act.
Many people had already started throwing rotten vegetable leaves at him.
His face alternated between green and purple.
Finally, he pointed at Song Xiaoyu and shouted,
“Just you wait!”
Then he fled in disgrace.
…
After the crowd dispersed, Zhou Rong immediately dragged her children into a nearby alley.
“Xiaoyu.”
She sighed.
“We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be bullied, but kicking him immediately was a little impulsive.”
Song Wen nodded repeatedly.
He agreed.
Song Xiaoyu simply grinned.
“Mother, constantly yielding to people like him only encourages them.”
She lowered her voice mysteriously.
“Don’t worry. I already have a way to deal with him.”
Seeing the confusion on their faces, she beckoned them closer.
After listening to her explanation, Song Wen’s eyes widened.
“Xiaoyu!”
He looked genuinely shocked.
“When did you do that?”
He knew his sister had been making various medicinal powders lately, but he had no idea they were this powerful.
Song Xiaoyu chuckled.
“I guarantee Yu Fugui will soon wish he were dead.”
Her eyes gleamed mischievously.
“And the only person who can cure him is me.”
…
Afterward, the family continued shopping.
They bought:
New bowls, plates, and chopsticks
Three brand-new cotton quilts
Several sets of winter clothing
Additional raw cotton for future use
Originally, Zhou Rong wanted to buy her daughter a bright red winter coat.
She thought young girls looked especially lovely in red.
The moment Song Xiaoyu heard that suggestion, she shook her head so violently it resembled a rattle drum.
“No!”
Her face was filled with horror.
“Absolutely not!”
Wearing bright red would attract far too much attention.
Seeing her daughter’s resistance, Zhou Rong could only give up.
They also purchased twenty catties of newly harvested cotton.
Fresh cotton was softer and significantly warmer than old cotton.
…
After finishing their shopping, they returned to East Street to meet up with Song Beichen and Song Wu.
Having walked around all morning, everyone’s stomachs were growling.
The family found a small restaurant along the roadside and decided to treat themselves to a good meal.
The restaurant had no private rooms.
All customers sat together in the main hall.
At lunchtime, the place was packed.
Just as they sat down at an empty wooden table, Song Xiaoyu’s sharp eyes suddenly narrowed.
Two familiar figures had entered her field of vision.
To her surprise, both Song Beishan and Song Beihai had also come to the county town.