Chapter 29 Young Sir, Have We Met Before?

“Oh my, you silly girl, have you lost your mind? Why are you using so much water just to rinse a pot?”

Liu Jincui, standing nearby, was startled. She hurriedly snatched the ladle from Xu Xiuer’s hand and lightly smacked her as she scolded.

Xu Xiuer glanced around in panic, doing her best to avoid Li Chen’s gaze. She did not even know where to put her hands.

The little maid wife pressed her lips together in a smile and called out, “Sister Xiuer, come help me clear the table.”

As if granted a reprieve, Xu Xiuer ran over to help Yu Qingwan tidy up.

The feast came to an end.

“Goodness, you all can really eat. Not even a drop of soup is left!” Zhao Dashi said with a grin as he helped collect the bowls and chopsticks.

“This one meal cost enough to hire workers to build three deer enclosures, even with corners,” Hou Xiaobai muttered in distress.

“Enough, stop grumbling. This is called spending lightly to gather loyalty. In this world, people’s hearts are the most valuable,” Liu Chenxu scolded them.

“Well said!”

Li Chen looked at Liu Chenxu with appreciation.

“We can’t pretend to be rich and spend beyond our means. But when conditions allow, money is the least important thing. If we can use money to win people’s hearts and gain everyone’s support, that is truly priceless. You two should learn from Chenxu in this regard.”

Li Chen smiled.

After tidying up, he walked toward the foot of the mountain. “After you finish helping your sister-in-law, feed the deer and give them water. Apply fresh herbs to their wounds and rebandage them. Also keep an eye on them so they don’t kick loose the wooden planks in the wall. I’m going to the city to buy some things.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Chen!” The boys answered energetically.

Following Li Chen had filled them with hope for the future.

Li Chen headed toward the house to inform his little maid wife. He found her crouching secretly in the inner room, holding a small money pouch and counting coins.

As she carefully counted, her eyes were filled with heartache over each piece. Beside her, Xiao Hu yawned repeatedly, nodding sleepily.

When she saw Li Chen enter, she quickly stood up and called softly, “Husband.”

“How much is left?” Li Chen asked with a smile.

“There… there are 31 taels and 452 coins.”

Her precise figure made Li Chen want to laugh. She truly was good at managing the household.

“Wan’er, keep 20 taels. Give me the rest. I’m going to the city to buy some things.”

He extended his hand.

But she only counted out 1,400 coins for herself and handed over the remaining 30 taels of silver to Li Chen.

“Hm?” Li Chen weighed the silver and looked at her.

Her face flushed as she said softly, “You are a man. You can’t always ask your wife for money. People would think you lack manly dignity.”

Li Chen suddenly understood. She was quite thoughtful.

He smiled and said nothing more. “I’ll be back soon.”

He then headed to the city.

From the bandits last night, he had obtained five horses, though they were all geldings and unable to breed.

However, geldings were obedient and docile, and thus more valuable than ordinary stallions.

Li Chen kept one gentle mount for himself and led the remaining four, all over eight years old, toward the city.

Just after leaving Muer Village and stepping onto the official road, he saw a carriage approaching from the opposite direction.

A young man drove the carriage, with several others riding alongside. At a glance, it was clear this was a wealthy household’s entourage.

Seeing Li Chen leading several horses, they looked at him curiously and glanced twice.

As he passed the carriage, the curtain was lifted, revealing a radiant and beautiful face.

Li Chen froze for a moment and instantly recognized her. It was Zhang Yuer, the girl he had rescued unintentionally last night.

Zhang Yuer was speaking to the driver. “Xiao Liuzi, take the side road ahead. I want to go look around there.”

“Yes, Young Mistress,” the driver replied.

She was about to lower the curtain when she happened to glance toward Li Chen. She let out a soft sound of surprise, uncertainty flashing across her face.

Li Chen remained expressionless and continued forward.

So she was a young mistress, likely from a merchant family, he realized.

“Young sir, please wait.”

Zhang Yuer called out hurriedly, signaling the driver to stop.

“Does the young lady need something?” Li Chen asked calmly.

“This young… sir, have we met before?”

Zhang Yuer stared at him. Her bright, deep eyes carried an intense sense of familiarity.

“No.”

Li Chen shook his head decisively.

He had killed so many bandits. He could not admit lightly that he had saved her, lest it cause unforeseen trouble.

“Are you certain we haven’t met?”

The voice sounded familiar to her. Her heart pounded. Could this be the man who saved her that night?

If it was him, why would he not acknowledge her?

“I am certain. Does the young lady need anything else?”

Li Chen shook his head again.

“Oh… then nothing. Sorry to trouble you.”

Zhang Yuer lowered the curtain, looking somewhat lost.

But listening to the hoofbeats outside, she thought for a moment and said, “Xiao Liuzi, turn back and follow him.”

“Yes, Young Mistress.”

The driver quickly turned the carriage around and followed behind Li Chen.

Li Chen frowned slightly but ignored it, continuing toward Pingyang County City.

He returned to Immortal Flavor Pavilion. This time, he brought several rabbits and twenty large birds, which made the plump owner beam with delight.

However, Li Chen did not ask for silver. Instead, he exchanged them for a 5-kilogram jar of ordinary sorghum liquor. The owner readily agreed.

Grain was expensive these days, and liquor even more so.

Yet along the way, he could still faintly sense someone following him.

He then went to the livestock market. He traded the four old horses for four three-year-old mares and two foals, along with a wooden cart with iron-rimmed wheels.

His purpose was simple: build a foundation through breeding. Like the deer herd, the more he could raise, the better.

For now, conditions were limited. Later, when he had the means, he would acquire a stallion for breeding.

Two of the young mares had recently foaled and were still producing milk, perfect to serve as nurse mares for Xiao Hu.

Xiao Hu would grow hungrier as he grew. A single mother dog’s milk would not suffice. With these mares, milk would no longer be a concern.

After leaving the livestock market, he passed a calligraphy shop and bought some old scrap xuan paper.

It was not for writing. He simply could not stand using clods of earth or leaves after relieving himself.

In this era, there was no toilet paper. Common folk solved the problem this way.

Those slightly better off kept a bamboo scraper in the latrine. After finishing, they scraped with it and were done.

But that bamboo scraper was used by countless people, polished smooth over time.

Only wealthy merchants, high officials, or the imperial palace used silk or cloth, which was far too extravagant.

For now, Li Chen could only make do with used scrap paper. At worst, he would wash off the ink stains so he would not stain himself black.

Leaving the shop, he prepared to visit the salt store. Today, he intended to discuss refined salt business. This matter had been delayed for days and needed to be put on track.

Just as he was about to leave with the cart and horses, a faint fragrance drifted through the air.

Zhang Yuer appeared at his side once again.