Madam Wang looked at Madam Fan's kind face, and she didn't dislike their group of old women, and she liked her very much.
"Cousin's eye for people is as good as ever. She can tell this child is patient and has a good temper, unlike other young wives who carry an air of arrogance. I like this new wife!"
Zhao Jiaqi wanted to laugh. These elders probably had no young people to talk to, which was why they were like this!
Liu Qinshi was very confident in her judgment of people. She proudly raised her eyebrows at her cousin: "Out of all the people I've said were good, were any of them bad?"
Madam Wang didn't say anything, but another old woman spoke up: "That's true. We sisters admire you very much for that!"
Madam Wang also nodded repeatedly, smiling so happily.
"This is Madam Mengsun, who moved here a few years ago. Her family lives next door to you. Her husband is a peddler who travels from street to street. If you have anything you want to sell, just let her husband take it for you!"
This was a good idea. A peddler traveling from street to street would have a good understanding of local prices.
"Aunt Meng, hello!"
Madam Mengsun touched her hand, and after a subtle touch, her expression changed slightly: "Oh my, your hands are so soft, you can tell you've never done any heavy work. Your bones... you're destined for great wealth and honor!"
Zhao Jiaqi was a little surprised and quickly withdrew her hand, covering it with a smile: "My husband rarely lets me do chores. He rushes to do any work himself, so my hands are a bit fair, and I don't have any calluses!"
Madam Wang and Liu Qinshi were not surprised by her words. After all, this young wife was eloquent, and it was possible for her to be doted on by her husband, especially since they didn't have children yet. When a couple whispers sweet nothings to each other, a man can become even more smitten.
However, Madam Mengsun did not see it that way. She didn't dare to claim her skill in reading bones and physiognomy was superb, but she could definitely recognize the bones of people destined for great wealth and honor.
This person was no ordinary person, but she didn't expose it. Just like their couple, hadn't they also come to this village to hide from certain people?
But looking at Zhao Jiaqi, her hands still itched, as if she wanted to touch her skull. Only after touching it could she determine the extent of her great wealth and honor.
But then she thought, what difference did it make to her how rich or noble she was? Afterward, her gaze moved away from Zhao Jiaqi's head and she joined the laughter of her old sisters.
Liu Qinshi saw that they had arrived and had been there for two cups of water. She was almost finished with her second cup, but Madam Fan hadn't brought out anything yet, which puzzled Liu Qinshi.
"Madam Fan, you see, all three of us are here. Take out your things, and the three of us will teach you and make cotton clothes and pants for you!"
Zhao Jiaqi suddenly realized and exclaimed with embarrassment, looking at the three aunts: "Aunts, I'm truly sorry. I just moved in yesterday, and I haven't bought anything yet. The main thing is that I don't have much spare money!"
"My husband is a hunter. He went into the mountains after dinner. After some time, when I've saved enough money to buy things, I'll ask the three aunts to teach me then!"
Zhao Jiaqi really hadn't expected Fan Zehao to make her truly experience a life of hardship and remembrance. Otherwise, she could have taken the money and bought cotton and fabric directly, and then made clothes, which would also be a way to recall the past.
But he insisted on rigidly replicating the life of the past.
Alas!
Seeing Madam Fan's predicament, they understood. They had all lived through hard times and could empathize.
Madam Fan?
A hunter!
Her bone structure indicated great wealth and honor, which gave Madam Mengsun some ideas.
She recalled that the current lord of the inner city was surnamed Fan. He was originally from a hunting family, but by chance, he joined the army and later rose through the ranks to become the lord of the inner city.
The emperor of Yun Country had bestowed a title upon him, the Regent, to facilitate his movements.
However, these were just legends. Only they themselves knew if they were true.
Looking at this young wife with her delicate eyebrows and eyes, though not strikingly beautiful, she carried a certain presence between her brows.
Zhao Jiaqi felt a flutter in her heart under her gaze. She was truly afraid of encountering a charlatan, or even a witch doctor.
She wondered what these people ate to be so accurate, and what made them so uncanny, capable of solving even things that modern technology couldn't.
"Aunt Meng, why are you looking at me like that? Are you still wondering if I'm destined for great wealth and honor?"
Madam Mengsun naturally picked up the conversation and smiled: "There is still a long road ahead in life. No one knows what their future holds."
"What if you fall and pick up a piece of gold? That would be wealth!"
"Don't you agree!"
This statement was so auspicious that Madam Wang decided to go for a walk later and stumble a few times, hoping to pick up some more gold.
With that said, not to fall meant being at odds with gold.
Zhao Jiaqi also wanted to go out and try stumbling a few times, especially since what the woman said about her seemed to have some basis.
They say three women make a lively scene, but today, there were four women in this room, making it like a grand performance.
They chatted and laughed, and time passed quickly. The room grew dim, and seeing this, the women started to rub their hands, preparing to leave.
"There are still people at home waiting for dinner. If it were up to me, I wouldn't mind skipping a meal!"
Madam Wang said softly, prompting Liu Qinshi to say: "That makes sense. Not eating saves a meal. We spend the day by the stove and the night by our children and husbands, busy all day!"
Madam Mengsun said: "That's right. The children have grown up and flown away like birds with wings. All that's left is to revolve around our husbands!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the other two burst into laughter. It was true, their lives were just like that!
As they spoke, they walked out of the house and happened to run into Fan Zehao, who had returned from hunting!
"Oh my, this is Madam Fan's husband, is he called Fan Laoda!" the village chief's wife exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the man before her.
She had heard the name from her husband, and it was easy to remember.
Fan Zehao was a little stunned to see the group of old ladies. But hearing Liu Qinshi, who was about the same age as his mother, he busied himself nodding: "Yes, I am Fan Laoda of this household!"
Liu Qinshi, seeing his simple and honest demeanor, could understand why his young wife said he didn't let her do any chores.
However, when her eyes fell upon the items in his hands and the load on his shoulders, her eyes widened in astonishment.
"Oh my, you hunter are truly amazing! You shot down that fast-running roe deer! This deer is a valuable thing, but auntie advises you not to sell it in the town. Go to the prefectural city or the inner city to sell it, and you'll definitely get a good price!"
Liu Qinshi genuinely admired the sika deer and reached out to pet it a couple of times, but was scorned by the deer, which immediately turned its head away from her touch.
Madam Wang had never seen so many hunted animals before. She praised the young man and his wife, saying they were both good people.
Fan Zehao blushed with shame. He dragged the deer and carried the roe deer into the courtyard amidst a flurry of praise. After his wife exchanged a few more words with them, the women left together.