Old Man Wang had a good temper and was always smiling. His two sons had been studying hard for years. Although his eldest son had passed the county-level examination and become a xiucai last year, and wedding arrangements were already being discussed, nothing had been finalized yet.
Now that he was getting older, he longed to hold grandchildren in his arms. That was why he especially liked these three boys who looked sturdy and lively. Sometimes he would even help them out and buy them candy figures.
“Oh my, Er Mao, this is something big! You’re going to Master Zhuang’s private school now, and you even have proper names! Good, good—study hard. Only by studying can you gain knowledge and become like your eldest uncle, a xiucai!”
Huai Yu shook his head and corrected him seriously like a little adult. “It’s not private school. My mother is teaching us to read. My mother knows a lot of characters—she’s very amazing!”
“Really?” Old Man Wang was startled and quickly turned to look at Chu Fuyu, who was standing aside with a gentle smile. “Lady Chu, I didn’t expect you to be so well educated!”
He deeply respected scholars; otherwise, he wouldn’t have worked himself to the bone just to support his two sons in studying for the imperial exams.
Chu Fuyu quickly waved her hands and smiled. “Uncle Wang, I only know a few characters, not anything impressive. I’m going to the market today to buy some things for the children, so I’ll be troubling you to give us a ride.”
As she spoke, she took out two eggs and handed them to him with a smile. “We can’t ride your cart for free. Please take these eggs.”
Old Man Wang hurriedly refused. “We’re all from the same village—we see each other all the time. Besides, I’m going to town anyway, it’s just a coincidence. Eggs are precious, keep them for the children—they’re growing!”
But Chu Fuyu insisted. “Uncle Wang, how can we trouble you for nothing? If you don’t take them, I won’t feel right asking for your help next time!”
Hearing this, Old Man Wang finally accepted. He carefully placed the eggs into a basket at the back of his donkey cart and padded them with dry straw.
After everything was settled, he called them onto the cart—but he couldn’t shake a faint feeling that something was different.
He had dealt with Chu Fuyu before. She used to have a fiery temper. Otherwise, how could a woman alone raise three children? She was even a bit too strong sometimes.
It was said that even rude troublemakers in the village had been beaten by her until they bled.
Otherwise, with her pretty face, many matchmakers would have already come knocking. She had always claimed she was divorced, and despite having three children, her looks still attracted attention. People were just scared off by her temper.
But today…
She was wearing clean clothes, looking well-fed, her complexion much fairer than before. She looked far more beautiful than a few days ago.
And her demeanor had changed too—no longer sharp and aggressive. Instead, she spoke softly, gently, like a young lady from a wealthy family in the capital.
Old Man Wang sighed inwardly. With her looks already famous in the countryside, and now even gentler in temperament, there would surely be even more people trying to trouble her.
Thinking of the children, he decided to help her whenever he could in the future.
He turned around, and saw the mother and three children already seated. With a light whip crack, the old donkey began moving forward.
Chu Fuyu was riding a donkey cart for the first time. It felt novel. Though not as comfortable as the carriages in dramas, it was still far better than walking on foot.
After about half an hour of swaying along, they finally arrived at the town.
Xing’an Town near Lishui Village was one of the larger and more prosperous towns in the area, considered quite well-developed even near the capital.
As soon as they entered, they saw a constant stream of people, donkey carts, and even horse carriages.
On both sides were quaint shops, and not far away stood a large restaurant. Street vendors shouted continuously.
“Wontons—big stuffed wontons!”
“Fresh vegetables! Fresh bok choy!”
“Mutton soup—Yang family’s mutton soup!”
The three children’s eyes widened as they looked around. Everything was new and dazzling, and the smells of food kept drifting into their noses.
Even though they had eaten scallion pancakes and fried eggs in the morning, the aroma of mutton soup and wontons made them hungry again.
Old Man Wang turned back. “This is Xing’an Town. The market is just ahead. Lady Chu, what do you want to buy?”
Chu Fuyu thought for a moment. “Uncle Wang, I’d like to exchange some silver for copper coins, and then buy a donkey cart. It would be more convenient for carrying things. Where did you buy your cart?”
Old Man Wang was surprised. He hadn’t expected Chu Fuyu to suddenly have money. He had heard she used to work for Madam Yang and likely saved up quite a bit.
He enthusiastically explained, “There’s a horse market in the west district. The largest stable there is honest—the owner is a man named Zhao. I’ll take you to the bank first to withdraw money, then to the horse market so you won’t be cheated.”
Chu Fuyu was delighted. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Uncle Wang.”
“It’s nothing,” he waved it off. “I’m just here to buy ink, brush, paper, and inkstone for my younger son anyway.”
So it was settled.
He drove them to the bank first.
Before getting off, Chu Fuyu told the children to stay obediently and not wander. After she exchanged the money, she would buy them food.
The three boys nodded eagerly, eyes fixed on their mother.
The bank was not large, but it was the biggest one in Xing’an Town.
As soon as she entered, a clerk greeted her. After thinking it over, Chu Fuyu exchanged fifty taels of silver into fifty strings of copper coins.
In daily life, small purchases were all in cash, so copper coins were more convenient than silver or gold.
But when she saw the pile of coins, she was slightly stunned. There were too many to carry. No wonder people in ancient times always carried purses.
The clerk, noticing she had no pouch, thoughtfully brought out several new ones and smiled. “Miss, these are for you—no charge.”
Chu Fuyu thanked him and began packing the coins. Not wanting the pouches to be too heavy, she discreetly transferred most of the copper coins into her spatial storage, leaving only a small amount in the pouch for show.
After leaving the bank, she took the children to a bun shop and bought five large meat buns, even giving one to Old Man Wang.
Huai Yi happily bit into his bun. “Mother, how did you know we were hungry?”
Chu Fuyu pinched their little cheeks with a smile. “Do I even need to guess? You were practically drooling just looking at food.”