My humble days in ancient times

Some villagers were already in the fields harvesting wheat, while others were still chatting about family matters. Huang Guiyun, in particular, had heard that Wang Erdan's legs and feet were injured, so she specially called a few villagers to check on him. Seeing the bloody and mangled injuries, Huang Guiyun felt terrified. After listening to Wang Erdan's account of what had happened, Huang Guiyun couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying Xu Ruyi is crazy? Is she really crazy?"

Wang Erdan nodded and said, "How could it be fake? Many people saw it."

Huang Guiyun was delighted and said, "That girl is quite good at talking. I couldn't win an argument with her. I didn't expect you to be defeated by her as well. In the end, she even threw a basin of cold water on you."

Wang Erdan was furious when he mentioned this: "Not only did he get his legs and feet injured and had cold water poured on him, but he also had to pay Xu Ruyi twenty taels of silver."

What? Twenty taels? Not only Huang Guiyun was shocked, but other villagers were also shocked.

Wang Erdan played the victim and said, "Xu Ruyi is crazy. Not only did he choke me, he also poured cold water on me. I injured my legs and feet and wanted them to compensate me with silver, but they said Xu Ruyi was crazy and asked me to pay silver too. I asked for 100 taels, and they asked for 1,000 taels."

When everyone heard the words "one hundred taels" and "one thousand taels," they gasped, thinking Wang Erdan and Xu Ruyi's family were crazy. How much did the villagers earn in a year? But if you think about it carefully, you know Wang Erdan got what he deserved.

Only Huang Guiyun felt that Xu Ruyi had taken advantage of her again and was extremely angry.

At this time, Huang Guiyun and several villagers were sitting under a tree at the entrance of the village and chatting!

Huang Guiyun was vividly describing what happened when Xu Ruyi went crazy.

Someone asked, "You weren't there, how do you know?"

Huang Guiyun explained, "I heard it from Wang Erdan. How could anything he said be false?" Huang Guiyun looked at everyone waiting for her to speak, so she continued, "Xu Ruyi has really gone crazy. It seems like she really saw something dirty. Oh, a good girl is like this. It's a pity. It's hard to say whether she can get married in two years."

Widow Wang asked, "That's impossible. Didn't Doctor Qian prescribe some tranquilizers? Look, isn't the little girl fine now? I saw her setting up a stall a few days ago, and I saw her driving a donkey cart back. She doesn't look like she's frightened and gone mad. I think she's fine. Even if she was frightened then, she's fine now."

Aunt Li agreed, "That's right. You can't talk nonsense about this kind of thing. The girl will be getting married in two years. You can't talk nonsense. It would be bad if you delay her."

Huang Guiyun was a little unhappy when she heard Aunt Li speaking on Xu Ruyi's behalf, but she still held back and said, "If you don't believe me, go ask around now. She's been going crazy at home these past two days. She bought a yard full of jars, probably a hundred of them, and she doesn't even go out to set up a stall anymore. Oh, and she stir-fries chili peppers at home every day. I think she's probably crazy, obsessed with money."

Aunt Li was surprised and asked, "Is this true? If it's true, you can't spread rumors."

Old Li said, "There was indeed a jar in the girl's yard. I don't know what she was frying, but it was really choking. Many people passing by smelled it."

Huang Guiyun spread his hands and said, "You heard me, I'm not talking nonsense. Xu Ruyi is really crazy."

At this time, three carriages appeared at the entrance of the village, one with a shed and two without.

What's going on? Why are three carriages coming to our village? Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Shopkeeper Zhao got off the carriage and asked gently, "I don't know where Xu Ruyi's home is. Could you please give me some directions?"

Old Li looked at the neatly dressed visitor and pointed to Xu Ruyi's house in the north. He said, "Go past here, to the last row. You'll see the yard full of jars."

Just as Shopkeeper Zhao was about to leave, Old Li asked again, "We don't know you. What do you want from Ruyi?"

Shopkeeper Zhao smiled and said, "Xu Yatou and I are doing business together. I came here today to get some chili oil."

What? Business cooperation? Chili oil? Everyone was shocked.

If that's the case, then Xu Ruyi is not crazy, he is making money by making chili oil!

When Huang Guiyun heard this, her face turned unhappy and she said, "It's time to go back and do the laundry." Then she walked away in shame.

When he got home, Huang Guiyun was still furious: When did they start selling chili oil again? They really can make money.

Shopkeeper Zhao quickly arrived at Xu Ruyi's house, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw the thatched houses in front of him.

Seeing Xu Ruyi, Shopkeeper Zhao praised her, "Miss Xu is really capable. She finished it so quickly."

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "I don't want to delay the shopkeeper's business. Shopkeeper, please weigh and load the goods!"

Shopkeeper Zhao waved his hand and said, "There's no need to weigh it." After that, Shopkeeper Zhao casually took out a can, opened it, took out some and tasted it, and said with satisfaction, "I didn't expect that the quantity is so large, and Miss Xu can still ensure the quality and quantity."

Shopkeeper Zhao trusted the jars made by the porcelain shop. Since they were supposed to hold ten kilograms, it was impossible for them to hold eight or five kilograms. As long as each jar was filled to the brim, it would be fine.

"You're too polite, boss."

Shopkeeper Zhao ordered the men to load the jars. They handled them with care, and even stuffed straw between the jars to prevent them from colliding. After loading the jars, Shopkeeper Zhao paid and left.

Xu Ruyi felt relieved and looked at the silver in her hand with great joy.

The next day, Xu Ruyi dragged Xu Qinghe into the Silver Shop. Standing tall on a bustling street, its exterior was resplendent with gold and jade, featuring soaring eaves, brackets, carved beams, and painted buildings. The sign above the entrance etched the words "Silver Shop" in bold, powerful, and shimmering calligraphy. Inside, they were greeted by a dazzling array of exquisite gold and silver jewelry. Some customers were selecting their favorite pieces, while others were bargaining with the staff, creating a lively atmosphere.

The waiter from the jewelry store quickly came over to greet them and introduce the products. He did not ignore the brother and sister because of their small size or their clothes.

Xu Ruyi quickly selected two beautifully carved gold hairpins, one with a peach blossom pattern and the other with a plum blossom. Because they were hollow, they were inexpensive, costing only one tael of silver each. She also bought two identical silver hairpins with butterfly designs, each costing a hundred wen.

A total of two taels and two hundred coins were paid.

Xu Ruyi: Come on, one day is not enough to set up a stall, wuwu...

After leaving the silver shop, Xu Ruyi asked Xu Qinghe, "Brother, what do you and Qingyan like?"

Xu Qinghe was afraid to spend money and said, "I'd rather not have anything!"

"How can that be? If not, just buy some clothes." Seeing Xu Qinghe's reluctance, Xu Ruyi said, "Brother, we earn money to improve our lives. Sometimes spending money can make people happy."

Xu Ruyi pulled Xu Qinghe into the cloth shop. Xu Qinghe put on a blue patterned dress and couldn't stop smiling.

Xu Ruyi jokingly said, "30% depends on talent, 70% depends on dressing up. No, no, no, big brother is 70% talent, and the remaining 30% depends on clothes. Big brother is such a handsome and elegant young man when he puts on clothes."

Xu Qinghe felt embarrassed: "Little girl, why do you say anything?"

The cloth shop owner also helped Ruyi and said, "What the young lady said makes sense. Neat clothes will make others look at you with a higher regard. Many people can be brightened and liked by just changing their clothes. Clothes must fit you. If they don't fit you, not only will they not add points, but they will actually detract from you!"

Xu Ruyi nodded: "The shopkeeper is right, so life is full of knowledge, and people should have good taste in clothes."

Xu Qinghe laughed: "I've only heard of people's character, but never their fashion sense."

Xu Ruyi explained: "Simply put, fashion taste refers to a person's ability to choose, match, and grasp the overall style of clothing. A person's fashion taste can reflect their personality, temperament, and attitude towards life. Fashion taste also includes sensitivity to color, style, and material..."

Xu Qinghe was stunned by what he heard, and the shopkeeper was also fascinated. The more he listened, the more he thought it made sense. He thought the little girl was really smart and knew all this! She knew even more than the clothes seller himself!