by N/A
"Li girl, you also come help." Niu Jing said to Du Xiao Li.
"Okay." Du Xiao Li didn't refuse. With this many people here, Niu Jing can't possibly handle them all by himself. She came to Leng Er's side, first using alcohol to clean his wound before applying the medicine, and then bandaging it up.
"Since you didn't injure the muscle and bone, it's not that serious. It'll be fine after a few days, just don't touch water." Du Xiao Li said as she bandaged.
"I know." Leng Er replied.
After Du Xiao Li finished bandaging Leng Er, she went to help the others. Just as she finished, she saw Silver and Luo Qi arrive.
Silver ran to Du Xiao Li's side, rubbing against her leg with all his might. Smelling the blood scent on her, it restlessly moved.
"Silver." Du Xiao Li crouched down and rubbed its head. She then lifted her head and asked, "Big brother Luo Qi, how come you both came over?"
Seeing that Du Xiao Li didn't have any injuries, Luo Qi let out a breath in relief, saying: "Silver was very restless at home, continuously trying to dash out. I opened the courtyard gate, and he immediately ran here. And so I followed over. Did something happen?"
"Nothing." Du Xiao Li wrapped both arms around Silver's neck, turned her head to Niu Jing, and said, "Grandpa Niu, if there's nothing else, I'm going to head back now."
"Alright." Niu Jing replied.
Du Xiao Li took Silver and Luo Qi back to her own home and simply explained today incident.
"What's that boy's origins, to think that someone would actually come to kill him." Luo Qi curiously asked.
Du Xiao Li shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know either, probably some family's young master. Ai, forget it. I'm gonna go take a bath, feel so sticky all over."
After taking a bath, she then laid in bed, thinking about today's matters. No matter how it seems, this Han Ming Yi's identity wasn't simple. Also, those people's martial arts made her feel that she definitely needed to take the time to properly practice her martial arts. Else, she would not have any sense of security in this society.
In the following few days, Du Xiao Li had gone to Niu Jing's courtyard to look. Those bodyguards, after having their wounds bandaged, left right after, concealing themselves in a secret place carrying on protecting Han Ming Yi, while Leng Shi and the others* stayed behind. One side is to protect Han Ming Yi, and one side is to take care of Leng San.
(T/N: I'm guessing all the Leng brothers stayed behind, it doesn't exactly specify.)
After learning that Du Xiao Li had saved Han Ming Yi, Leng Shi and the others' attitude towards her changed. Although they didn't flatter and fawn over her, they did stop coldly frowning at her.
"Leng Er, how's your wound?" Du Xiao Li called out to the silent Leng Er in the courtyard.
Leng Er glanced at her and said, "You've come."
Du Xiao Li, seeing that he wasn't teasing herself like before, walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Why did you come over?" Leng Er asked.
"I came to see if there's still anything I can help with." Du Xiao Li said, "Also, see how Leng San's wound is doing."
"He's already much better. That day, it really is thanks to you. Else, Leng San......"
"It's nothing. You all normally take care of me a lot, so your brothers, I naturally have to save." Du Xiao Li said, "If it's someone I don't know, I wouldn't have saved them!"
"Heheh." Leng Er got amused by Du Xiao Li's words.
"The dead has already passed. Some things, once it has passed, there's no need to be too concerned about it. Although I don't know what happen in your past, people always need to look forward. Blindly thinking about the past will only let the past hinder your steps. Then you'll forever be unable to move forward. I like the previous energetic Leng Er!" Du Xiao Li finished saying, and then entered the house.
"She's right." Unknown as to where he came from, Leng Yi appeared next to Leng Er and said, "At the time, we all didn't blame you, and Leng San was also fine. That's why, don't continue to blame yourself."
Leng Er rubbed his face with both hands and heavily let out a sigh, saying with a smile, "I'll try my best. To think I actually got preached by that little girl, really...."
"Don't looked at how she's still small, sometimes her thoughts are even more meticulous than ours." Leng Yi said.
Master's thoughts, he understood the most. Don't know if coming here and meeting that girl is a blessing or a misfortune.......
T/N: Every time I eye that massive pile of work I need to finish I say to myself, who needs sleep....
Ch. 045 – Meeting the Country Magistrate's Wife
Meeting the Country Magistrate's Wife
T/N: Chapter (6/6) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
A few days later, Leng Er came to tell Du Xiao Li that they prepared another horse carriage. If she wants to go to the county seat to sell fruits, then she can borrow.
Du Xiao Li was very happy. In the last two days, she had been worrying about the tangerines having matured, yet not having a horse carriage to transport them, but that was solved now. Thus, in the afternoon, on that very same day, she and Luo Qi went and picked an entire basket full. And on the morning of the next day, they headed to the county seat.
The one driving was still Leng Er. This time, Han Ming Yi and Leng Yi didn't come, however Luo Qi did. Ever since Du Xiao Li encountered danger last time, whenever she needed to go somewhere far away, Luo Qi would always accompany her.
Today was also the same.
In order to prevent Luo Qi from getting discovered, Du Xiao Li did some work on his face. Thus his brows became rough, his skin also turned rough, and also got darker. By his mouth, he also got an additional mustache. He then put on Du Hai's old clothes, and even if it's someone familiar, they won't be able to tell without looking carefully.
After arriving at the fruit market, Leng Er went to go look for a place to park the horse carriage, while Luo Qi followed behind Du Xiao Li, helping her carry the basket.
As soon as Du Xiao Li arrived at the fruit market, she immediately felt the atmosphere was different from before. She came to her spot from last time, and just as she was taking out the cloth, the neighboring uncle started talking to her, "Little miss, why didn't you come in the last few days?"
"Something happened at home and couldn't leave, so I didn't come." Du Xiao Li had the tangerines taken out and properly set, as she replied to that uncle's words.
"Is this tangerine of yours still the same price as last time?" The uncle asked.
"No, this time, it's fifteen copper coins for a catty." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Why did it increase by five copper coins?" The uncle thought of something and asked with a frown.
"Yep, last time, because it was the first time selling, and everyone has never seen this fruit before, so I needed to make it a bit cheaper." Du Xiao Li said.
"Then you...." Before the middle-aged uncle could finish his words, he saw Hong Jie and a few middle-aged women come in from outside, directly heading towards Du Xiao Li.
"Little miss, why didn't you come in the past few days?" Hong Jie asked.
"Eh, something happened at home." Du Xiao Li repeated her words just now.
"The tangerines we bought back last time were very delicious. Our family's master and young master also liked them. That's why they all received some. Then, when our madam wanted to eat some, it was all gone. She kept pressing us to come buy. We came several times to look, but didn't see you, really worried us to death." Hong Jie said, "Our madam said, if you came, to let you come with me to the manor, madam has something she wants to ask you."
"Madam wants to see me?!" Du Xiao Li asked, somewhat astonished.
"Yes." Hong Jie said, "Quickly come with us. The tangerines here, carry them all back to the manor."
Hearing Hong Jie's orders, an older woman thus came forward and directly placing the tangerines into the basket. Afterwards, the group thus left.
The middle-aged un
cle, seeing Du Xiao Li and the others leaving just like that, slapped his thigh and said, "How did they come this quick!? Ai, a perfectly fine opportunity passed by just like that!"
Du Xiao Li followed Hong Jie to the county magistrate's official residence. Entering from the back door, and after passing through a few little courtyards, she arrived at the main courtyard in front.
"Hong Jie, you've finally returned, madam was just rushing us! Quickly go in." Du Xiao Li didn't have the time to carefully examine the surroundings here, when a girl dressed similar to Hong Jie came out from the courtyard, saw them, and urged.
"I understand." Hong Jie responded, letting Luo Qi and Leng Er wait outside the courtyard, while she lead Du Xiao Li into the courtyard and directly headed for the middle room.
"Madam, this servant has brought the selling tangerines little miss." After Hong Mei* entered, she bowed to the woman sitting by the window and said.
(T/N: I swear the author likes to randomly change up names without any cues. Hong Jie and Hong Mei are referring to the same person. The previous address Hong Jie is like calling her 'sister Hong', while Hong Mei is her actual name.)
"You finally found her today." The madam, Li Xue Mei, heard Hong Mei's words and turned around. She looked to Du Xiao Li and asked, "Her?"
Du Xiao Li glanced at Li Xue Mei, approximately twenty-five years old, wearing a lily hairstyle with two golden hairpins on there. She wore a relaxing clothes, presumably because of the pregnancy, it's a bit more comfortable like this. She had a pair of sharp phoenix eyes, making her entire person emit an astute light.
"Replaying to madam, yes." Hong Mei replied.
"Audacious peasant, still not greeting the madam?" A servant girl behind Li Xue Mei saw that Du Xiao Li didn't know to bow and berated.
"Ah? Oh, hello madam." Du Xiao Li said to Li Xue Mei.
"You...." That servant girl still wanted to say something, but Li Xue Mei lifted her hand and said, "Forget it, it's just a child."
"Yes, madam." The servant girl replied with a curtsy.
"Little miss, don't be scared, I only called you here to ask you a few questions." Li Xue Mei said.
"Madam please ask." Du Xiao Li saw that Li Xue Mei was quite amiable, nothing at all like what Xiao Cui had said last time.
"What's your name? Who all is in your family? Is this tangerine grown in your own home? Why have I never seen this kind of fruit before?" Li Xue Mei picked up a tangerine and asked.
When the tangerines had entered this manor, they were already separated from herself. Unexpectedly, they'd already sent them over to her this quick.
Du Xiao Li nodded and said, "I'm called Du Xiao Li. At home, there's only big brother and me. This tangerine used to grow in the mountains. Afterwards, I discovered it was edible, and thus began planting it myself to sell."
"Just you and your big brother? How old are you? How come you came to sell the tangerines and not your big brother?" Li Xue Mei asked.
"Big brother is currently studying in the county seat school. That's why, only I came to sell the tangerines." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Does any other family plant this?" Li Xue Mei asked.
"No." Du Xiao Li replied.
"This tangerine, how many more do you have at home?" Li Xue Mei continued to ask.
"Probably a thousand eight hundred catties." Du Xiao Li estimated the amount of tangerines on the tree and said.
"Oh? This many?" Li Xue Mei's finger tapped on the rocking chair, seemingly contemplating something. After a long while, she finally said to Du Xiao Li, "Your tangerines, don't need to sell them to anyone else, leave them all for me. As for the price, I won't give you any less, how about it?"
Du Xiao Li saw that Li Xue Mei wasn't asking for her opinion. She was merely just informing her. Thinking that it was all the same no matter who she sold to, she thus nodded and said, "Thank you madam."
"If there's anything, I will notify you in advance. In a bit, tell Hong Jie your address."
"Yes, madam." Du Xiao Li obediently replied, and then asked, "Don't know if madam wants sour ones or sweet ones?"
"What difference is there?" Li Xue Mei heard Du Xiao Li's words and asked.
"It's like this madam, if you want to eat sour ones, then this time right now, is the perfect time to pick them. Once it reaches the end of the eight month to the beginning of the ninth month, the tangerines will begin to turn sweet. By the middle third of the ninth month, they'll be sweet like honey." Du Xiao Li explained.
"So there's still these to pay attention to." Li Xue Mei looked to the tangerine in hand and said, "I understand, you can go back now. Xiao Hong, send her out."
"Yes, madam!" Hong Jie walked over from the side and said to Du Xiao Li, "Little miss, follow me."
"Bye-bye madam." Du Xiao Li smiled at Li Xue Mei, and then followed Hong Jie out of the courtyard.
A while later, a man wearing an official's gown walked in. It was precisely the Zhou county country magistrate, Sun Zheng."
"Master." The people in the room all bowed to Sun Zheng.
Li Xue Mei also got up from the rocking chair and greeted him, asking: "Why did master come back this early?"
Sun Zheng rubbed Li Xue Mei's stomach and said, "Came back to get some things. Just heard the servants say you let that tangerine seller have all their tangerine sold to you? Even if you like it, just let someone buy some, why buy that many?"
Li Xue Mei patted Sun Zheng's hand and said, "Master, did you forget, the prefectural magistrate's wife is also pregnant. Right now, nearly all sour fruits have gone out of season. If we have this tangerine delivered to the prefectural magistrate's place......recently isn't there a transfer? Perhaps, it'll be useful. Besides, this tangerine is also considered an uncommon fruit, sending some to the other officials, it would also seem rather special."
"It's still madam that is thoughtful." Sun Zheng said with a smile, "The prefectural magistrate's madam's side, I'll have you take care of it."
"Don't worry master, this wife has already thought it through." Li Xue Mei said, as she grabbed a tangerine, peeled the skin, and handed it to Sun Zheng.
Ch. 046 – Tangerine's Special Usage
Tangerine's Special Usage
Du Xiao Li followed Hong Jie and arrived outside the courtyard. Seeing Luo Qi and Leng Er, who were waiting under a tree, she waved towards them.
"Done talking?" The two walked over and asked.
"En." Du Xiao Li nodded and said, "We can go back now."
"Xiao Li, since you've come to an agreement with madam, those tangerines of yours by all means can't be sold anymore. Understand?" Hong Jie reminded.
"I know, rest assured Hong Jie." Du Xiao Li said. "Just the tangerine trees are planted a bit far, if possible, when you want them, come in the mornings, or notify me the day before. That way I can pick them and wait for you all."
"I will tell madam." Hong Jie replied.
Arriving at the back door, those old servant women were already waiting there, holding Du Xiao Li's basket. Seeing Du Xiao Li, one said, "Total of forty catties. Madam said, seeing that you're young, to give you twenty copper coins for a catty. Eight hundred copper coins altogether. Here are some silver fragments, hold them tight."
While saying that, she took out some silver fragments to give Du Xiao Li.
When Du Xiao Li had heard that woman say eight hundred copper coins just now, she'd thought that she would really give herself that many, and it really scared her. Fortunately, they chose silver fragments.
"Alright, I'll just send you all off from here, in the future, if you need me for something, you can just directly tell the guards at the gate that you're looking for me." Hong Jie walked them to the gates and said.
"Thank you Hong Jie, goodbye Hong Jie!" Du Xiao Li waved her hand at Hong Jie, before heading towards the fruit market with Luo Qi and Leng Er. She sat back onto the horse carriage, and they headed back to Du village.
Returning back at Niu Jing's house, Du Xiao Li got down from the horse carr
iage. Seeing Han Ming Yi and Ji Liu Feng lying under the eaves, she waved towards them, yelling: "Big brother Yi, big brother Liu Feng."
"Girl, how come you returned this early today?" Seeing Du Xiao Li come back, Ji Liu Feng, who'd gotten a hold of a guifei couch from somewhere, sat up and asked.
"The county magistrate madam had all the tangerines bought." Du Xiao Li walked in and said.
Han Ming Yi asked sat up and asked, "And then you just came back?"
"Yep!" Du Xiao Li moved two stools over and gave one to Luo Qi. Afterwards, she came to Han Ming Yi's side and sat down, saying: "Let me tell you all something."
Du Xiao Li told them about Li Xue Mei wanting for herself to sell all the tangerines to her, and asked, "Say, what do you all think she's buying that many tangerines for?"
"Isn't that simple, to gift to others." Ji Liu Feng said.
Ji Liu Feng although was born into a martial family, his head was more quick-witted than his old man's. Towards the matters of the court, he also saw things rather clearly. As soon as he heard Du Xiao Li's words, he immediately understood Li Xue Mei's intentions.
"To gift to others? Do you need that many to gift to others?" Du Xiao Li glanced to Han Ming Yi and asked.
Han Ming Yi nodded, agreeing to Ji Liu Feng's words, saying: "This tangerine you discovered, no one has ever seen before. If used as gifts, it can also be considered unique and unmatched. This Sun Zheng, as the county magistrate, most likely has a lot of interactions with the other officials. Currently, the emperor is unrestrainedly punishing corrupted officials. A lot of people all do not dare to give bribes or accept bribes. Money and whatnot, they all didn't dare to send out. But if it's giving tangerines, then it was nothing more than just a plain fruit. It wouldn't be counted as bribery. It was both special and could also be used to draw in relations."
"There's even this kind of connection inside?" Du Xiao Li thought of how she'd also seen this kind of thing before in the past. Just, she didn't expect that now, her tangerines would become the bridges between these officials. "Then, if a certain official were to get dragged down, would I also get implicated?"