Ugly girl only wants to farm

Looking at the somewhat crowded road, the uncle said apologetically, "Jiuhe, I'll have to trouble you to get off and walk around for a while. My oxcart can't go any further. I'll find an open space to park the oxcart and help you move these things over there in a bit. I'm more familiar with this town than you are. I'll find you an open space so you can set up your stall."

When Xu Chaoyan left, she put a bamboo chair on it so that Meng Jiuhe could sit down later. Now, the uncle went to help them find a stall, and Meng Jiuxia also helped carry things.

Seeing the people coming and going on the street, she couldn't help but be curious and began to look them over. This was the first time she had ever been to a market near the end of the year in ancient times, and she found it very unusual.

Smoke rose from the steamer of the bun shop, and the aroma of the buns wafted over. Xu Chaoyan couldn't help but swallow and mutter to herself, "Those buns must taste really good."

Meng Jiuhe's lips curled up slightly. Seeing Xu Chaoyan's tiny movement, he suddenly felt that she looked a little cute and much more pleasing to the eye.

As if by magic, she produced another basin of charcoal from the back of the car. Seeing her like that, Meng Jiuhe really admired her. This woman was so thoughtful when she went out, arranging everything so well that it was unexpected.

The uncle finally found a place for them and moved their things there, working up a sweat in the process.

Xu Chaoyan took out three coins and handed them to him: "Uncle, we'll have to trouble you to wait for us for a while. Take this and buy a bowl of wontons. It'll warm you up after the cold journey."

The man refused, saying, "I know how you are doing. Consider it a favor between neighbors, and I won't take the money."

Xu Chaoyan pushed the money back to her: "Just consider it as buying some wine to warm yourself up. I saw your face was all red from the cold on the way here. We should be thanking you for getting up so early to bring us here."

The uncle, though reluctant, put the money away, saying, "Fine, I'll keep it for now."

Xu Chaoyan first set up a small table for Meng Jiuhe, intending to light the charcoal in the basin and place it next to him. Then she covered him with a quilt, wrapping him up tightly, and even pouted and blew on it.

Meng Jiuhe reached out several times, intending to wipe away the black grime on her face, but he withdrew his hand halfway through.

Xu Chaoyan lit the charcoal and laid out all the stationery and paper that she had previously wrapped up for him.

Meng Jiuxia had already arranged all the bamboo weaving and dried tofu.

She pointed at Xu Chaoyan's face: "Morning Glory, can you wipe the dirt off your face? How can we do business with your face all filthy?"

Xu Chaoyan raised her sleeve and casually wiped her face a few times.

Meng Jiuxia looked disgusted, took out a handkerchief from her hand and handed it to him: "You'd better wipe it clean quickly."

Xu Chaoyan raised her face and smiled at Meng Jiuhe: "Husband, why don't you help me wipe it? I can't see."

Meng Jiuxia, being quite sensible, quickly picked up the handkerchief and haphazardly wiped her face a few times: "Hey, my face is really dirty, brother, could you please wipe it off for me?"

Seeing her look up with anticipation, Meng Jiuhe couldn't help but take out his handkerchief and gently wipe away the black marks on her face, carefully wiping them away bit by bit.

Meng Jiuxia couldn't stand it anymore and clicked her tongue a few times: "Big brother, stop rubbing. If you keep rubbing, you'll pop the pimples on her face."

Xu Chaoyan deliberately glared at her sister-in-law with a stern expression, for this was a rare opportunity.

At this moment, she pulled out a hand warmer from her bosom: "Little sister-in-law, come over here and rub one of your hands with me, so your brother's hands get warm, otherwise he won't be able to hold the pen properly."

The two of them rubbed their hands together, and their hands instantly warmed up. Xu Chaoyan then handed him the hot water bottle, saying, "You should sit here and rest for a while. My sister-in-law and I are about to start soliciting business. If you're really bored, pick up a book and read it. I packed one with me when I left."

It's said to be market day in Linzhen, but the town isn't actually that big. There are only about two streets with all sorts of small vendors setting up their wares on both sides of the road.

A burly man walked by carrying a stick of bright red candied hawthorns. Meng Jiuxia glanced at it and couldn't help but purse her lips.

Xu Chaoyan glanced at her: "Little sister-in-law, you want to eat candied hawthorns? We'll shout and sell them all later, and then we'll buy one for you and Jiudong each to take home and satisfy your cravings."

"Who wants to eat that junk? It's a waste of money. I only glanced at it a couple of times because it looked pretty good."

Xu Chaoyan didn't expose her. It has to be said that the time near the end of the year in ancient times was indeed much more lively than in modern times, and it also had a stronger festive atmosphere and a more lively feel.

The lantern stall was filled with strings of red lanterns, which Xu Chaoyan found very enviable. She turned to Meng Jiuhe and said, "Look, those lanterns are so beautiful. It would look great to hang a couple in the yard during the New Year. When we go back today, let's buy some red paper and make a few lanterns. What do you think? We should have some New Year's spirit and celebrate the New Year in a festive atmosphere."

Meng Jiuhe nodded: "Okay, I can help you with those, but you'll have to ask Xiaomei and the others for help with making lanterns. They're better at that."

"Come on, come on, I'm selling dried tofu! It's the perfect snack to enjoy with drinks during Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve. Dried tofu with alcohol is so delicious you won't get drunk. The more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes, and the more you chew, the more hopeful you feel. Everyone, come and take a look."

When Meng Jiuxia saw Xu Chaoyan reciting a rhyme, she chuckled and said, "Morning Glory, where did you learn that? What are you shouting about?"

“Just shout it out loud. I was just saying it offhand. Look how cold it is. Let’s sell it early so we can go home sooner. It’s not good for the uncle to keep waiting for us. Let’s weigh some candy and take it to his house later. He’s helped us so much.”

Meng Jiuxia nodded: "Yes, I heard from your mother that she told us to bring some candy back for her grandson before you left."

Meng Jiu and Zhi's stall didn't have much business at first. Xu Chaoyan saw that he was sitting there very reserved. She asked him to read a book, but he seemed unable to concentrate at all, just watching the people coming and going.

I doubt he'd be embarrassed to shout a few times; he's truly useless. He's a scholar, so we mustn't discourage him. At least he came out with us.

So Xu Chaoyan started to make arrangements for him: "Come on everyone, don't miss out! We offer cheap prices. A couplet will only cost about two coins, and if you write three, it will only cost five coins. Basically, we give away freebies for the bulk purchases."

Meng Jiuxia pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Wouldn't it be too much of a loss for us to buy and give away morning glories like this? My older brother spent a lot of money on these papers and ink back then."

Xu Chaoyan held her hand and explained, "It's okay, it's almost the New Year, let's just treat it as a small profit but quick turnover. Anyway, your brother has nothing to do, let him come out and interact with people, talk to people, and pick up his pen again. It will make him feel better, it's better than staying at home all day."

Meng Jiuxia then noticed the faint smile on her elder brother's face.

Qi Tianci pouted and complained to his mother with some dissatisfaction: "Mom, why did you drag me to the market in this freezing weather? I told you I didn't want to come to this wretched place, but you insisted on making me come. Look at this godforsaken place, it's much worse than our town."

As the woman walked, she coaxed him, "Tianci, didn't your mother tell you before? I used to be sick all the time, and it was a miracle doctor here who cured me. That's how you came to be. We have to come here every year to thank him and get some medicine too."

He spoke the last sentence very softly.

As Qi Tianci walked, he complained, "Worship, worship, worship, what's the point of worshiping? I've seen you worship for so many years and you haven't made any progress."

Suddenly, he was drawn to something ahead: "Mom, why don't you go and wander around? I think I see someone I know. I'll go take a look."