Hua Wanxi looked left and right and still felt her outfit was a bit too plain. How could a housekeeper’s wife in a wealthy household only have a single silver hairpin on her head?
She suddenly remembered that after leaving the clothing shop earlier, she had seen a gold and silver jewelry store nearby. She decided to go in and add some accessories. Gold was a solid currency anyway—even if she didn’t wear it often, it could still be stored as wealth and wouldn’t be a loss.
She changed into her new shoes, checked herself from head to toe once more, found nothing improper, and confidently stepped out of the bathroom. She then walked in a dignified, swaggering manner toward the gold and silver shop.
Her arrogant bearing immediately caught the attention of a servant, who quickly came forward and bowed respectfully.
“Madam, what would you like to buy? This servant can introduce the items to you!”
Hua Wanxi didn’t even glance at him. “I want some gold jewelry. Take me to have a look.”
The servant’s eyes lit up. Gold jewelry wasn’t cheap. He lowered his head even further and replied obsequiously, “Yes, madam. Please follow me this way.”
He led her to a row of exquisite display cabinets, where Hua Wanxi sat down and carefully began selecting among the dazzling pieces.
She wasn’t choosing what she liked, but what was appropriate. In the end, she picked a rather heavy but simply styled gold hairpin and a matching gold bracelet.
“How much for these two? If the price is reasonable, I’ll take them,” Hua Wanxi said, giving the servant a warning look—meaning if he dared overcharge, she would simply walk away.
Intimidated by her presence, the servant didn’t dare inflate the price.
“Madam, these hairpin and bracelet are made of solid material. Together they cost 105 taels of silver.”
Hua Wanxi nodded. The price was fair, so she didn’t bargain further. Instead, she said, “I’ll take them both. But I have a few maidservants under me—if I only buy things for myself, they won’t accept it. Go discuss with your shopkeeper and give me some silk flowers or earrings as a gift so I can shut their mouths.”
She even felt a little heartache over the money and had no hesitation asking for freebies.
“Alright! Please wait, madam. I’ll go talk to the shopkeeper right away.”
The servant took the gold hairpin and happily ran off to negotiate. If the deal went through, he would earn a commission of one and a half taels of silver. Asking for a few small trinkets was nothing—he would definitely persuade the shopkeeper.
Soon after, the servant returned carrying a wooden tray. The gold hairpin and bracelet had been placed inside an exquisitely crafted wooden box. On the tray were also four silk flowers, a pair of small gold earrings, two pairs of small silver earrings, and a silver ring. Though small, the silver pieces were finely made—showing considerable sincerity.
Hua Wanxi was very satisfied and readily paid the 105 taels of silver. The servant happily escorted her out.
“Madam, please come again in the future! My name is Daxi!”
Hua Wanxi nodded and casually asked, “Daxi, do you know where the nearest livestock market is?”
“Oh! Just follow this street straight to the end, then turn right, and after about half a stick of incense’s time you’ll arrive. Would you like me to take you there?” Daxi said enthusiastically.
“No need. I can go myself.”
Hua Wanxi thanked him and headed in the direction he pointed.
On the way, she found a discreet place to enter her bathroom, replaced her silver hairpin with the gold one, put on the bracelet, stored all the gifted items properly, and carried enough silver with her before stepping out again.
Finally, she found the place.
Hua Wanxi knew how to drive an ox cart.
When she was very young, her parents divorced. She was given to her father, but he was too busy to care for her and left her with her grandparents in the countryside. Later, he started a new family and forgot even more that he had a daughter.
Her grandparents were elderly and could only provide food and shelter—they couldn’t really educate her. So Hua Wanxi grew up freely in the countryside, running wild with other village children, climbing trees, catching fish, and roaming the mountains. She even learned how to drive an ox cart during those carefree days.
Thinking of those childhood memories, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
After her grandparents passed away, she considered herself completely without family. So even after unexpectedly dying and arriving in this world, she felt no real reluctance to leave her old life behind.
Her thoughts were pulled back by a foul smell, and she quickly covered her nose.
This small street was filled with the stench of livestock manure. Wanting to finish quickly, she entered a shop that looked relatively clean and decent in size.
A shop assistant came forward.
Hua Wanxi went straight to the point, hands on her hips, putting on a very authoritative air. “Prepare an ox cart for me. The ox must be healthy and fully grown. The cart must be the strongest and most durable. Don’t try to fool me with inferior goods. Hurry up!”
She even waved her hand in front of her nose in disgust.
“Y-yes, right away, madam!”
Afraid of offending her, the assistant quickly called people to bring out the shop’s best ox. He didn’t bother wondering why such an imposing customer only wanted an ox cart instead of a horse carriage. He also had a sturdy cart assembled and carefully wiped off all dust and fingerprints.
Once finished, he brought the ox cart before Hua Wanxi and asked cautiously, “Madam, will this do?”
Hua Wanxi couldn’t actually tell the quality of the ox, so she pretended to inspect it. She could only see that it was strong and had good teeth. She also checked the cart—well-made wood, sturdy structure, clean and spacious inside. She was fairly satisfied.
“How much?” she asked.
“Madam, the ox and cart together cost 13 taels of silver,” the assistant replied respectfully.
After thinking it over, Hua Wanxi decided it was acceptable. Thirteen taels for an ox cart was fine—it would be her transportation during their escape journey.
She said proudly, “I’ll take it. But I don’t have fodder right now—throw in a cart of fodder as well.”
The assistant considered it. Fodder wasn’t expensive, and since she didn’t bargain, they still made a profit. He agreed and had several baskets of fodder loaded into the cart.
Hua Wanxi paid and drove the ox cart away.
At first, she was a bit clumsy, steering it unevenly. But once she got used to it, she handled it smoothly.
The ox was indeed excellent—clearly well-trained. No matter how she directed it, it didn’t get agitated and walked steadily. Just for that alone, the cart was worth the price.
Hua Wanxi stored all the fodder into her bathroom space, stacking baskets neatly all the way up to the ceiling.
She continued along the road, stopping every two shops to buy another cart of fodder. It was cheap—filling the entire cart cost less than half a tael of silver.
Although villagers would consider this extremely wasteful, Aunt Wang would definitely say, “Fodder is everywhere in the fields—why spend money buying it?” But Hua Wanxi was lazy. She wouldn’t have time to gather fodder later, and she wasn’t short on money anyway, so buying it all was more convenient.
She kept going until one corner of her bathroom space was completely filled—enough to last a long time—before finally stopping.