Snow Niang also looked over curiously.
The pelts were a bit smelly, no wonder the side room had a strange odor. It turned out to be from these things. She hadn't seen them last time she went in, wondering where they were stored.
"A total of three wolf pelts, two leopard pelts, five sable pelts, and ten rabbit pelts. Brother Xiao, how about 150 taels? Is that acceptable?"
Nan Pei quickly finished inspecting and counting, then stated the price.
The price was reasonable, and Xiao Shan nodded, "Yes."
The transaction was successful, and he had acquired high-quality goods. Nan Pei was in a good mood, "I'll likely be back after the New Year. Brother Xiao, if you get any good merchandise, be sure to save some for your brother!"
"Alright, I won't sell them to anyone else then."
Feng Yousheng was also pleased. As an intermediary, he would naturally receive some benefits from this business.
Nan Pei paid the money. Xiao Shan took out ten taels to give to Feng Yousheng, but he refused, "This money is from Brother Nan. Brother Xiao, you should keep it."
Xiao Shan didn't know how the two had discussed it. Since they didn't want it, he let it be.
Feng Yousheng thought of something else, "Brother Xiao, didn't you also hunt a fierce tiger before? Have you sold its pelt?"
Nan Pei's eyes lit up. A fierce tiger? He hadn't received such a rare item in over half a year. A VIP had even asked him to keep an eye out for one!
"Tiger pelt? As long as there are no flaws, regardless of size, I'll give you 200 taels, Brother Xiao. Are you still here?"
"That one isn't for sale," Xiao Shan flatly refused.
"What, is the price too low? We can negotiate this."
"It's not about the price. My wife is frail, and I plan to use it as bedding for the winter."
Ah? Several hundred taels of silver for bedding?
Feng Yousheng and Nan Pei looked at Snow Niang again, their expressions complicated.
Wouldn't it be better to buy a few more quilts?
Snow Niang also looked at Xiao Shan in surprise. 200 taels of silver for her bedding?
She hesitated, "Let's sell it. That pelt smells bad."
Feng Yousheng and Nan Pei nodded vigorously, their eyes shining as they looked at Xiao Shan.
He was so obedient to his wife; he must agree! It was settled. Nan Pei was already thinking about how many times he could mark up the price when selling it to that VIP.
However, Xiao Shan did not agree. His words were firm and irrefutable.
"No, it won't smell bad once it's treated. It will keep you warm. We can earn money again, but your health is more important."
The light in Nan Pei's eyes dimmed. He wanted to say something, but Feng Yousheng gave him a look and followed Xiao Shan's lead, "Brother Xiao truly dotes on his wife. Sister-in-law is so fortunate!"
This wasn't him being henpecked; it was clearly him pampering his wife!
With that, the two didn't linger. Xiao Shan helped load the pelts onto the carriage. Nan Pei couldn't help but say again, "Brother Xiao, if you hunt another tiger, be sure to save it for me!"
Feng Yousheng chided with a smile, "Do you think that tiger is a cat or a dog? They're not that easy to encounter. No one in Lin'an County has seen anyone hunt one in years."
Nan Pei chuckled sheepishly.
Xiao Shan nodded, "Fierce tigers are found in remote mountains where humans rarely tread. They are indeed difficult to encounter. If I have the chance to hunt one, I'll save it for you."
"Thank you, brother!"
Nan Pei was overjoyed to hear this. As long as Brother Xiao promised, there was hope. He had traveled far and wide collecting pelts and had seen many hunters, but he had never seen anyone with such excellent archery skills. That strong, imposing physique, and the thick logs in the courtyard, sawed into planks of consistent thickness. It all proved his strength and skill.
He believed that if he could encounter it, the tiger would surely not escape.
Xiao Shan saw the two off and returned to find Snow Niang coming out of the kitchen.
"How is it? Is the meat cooked?"
"Still needs a little more time." Snow Niang's clear eyes looked at Xiao Shan, and she bit her lip. "Why didn't you sell that tiger pelt just now? 200 taels of silver! That could buy a lot of quilts. Wouldn't thick quilts keep me just as warm?"
"That's different," Xiao Shan shook his head.
"How is it different?"
"Do you know why tigers are called the kings of beasts? Because they are majestic and brave, capable of awe-inspiring power. In Feng Shui, tigers can also ward off evil spirits. You have nightmares, don't you? With a tiger pelt, you won't be afraid anymore."
"Ah?" Snow Niang's small mouth parted slightly.
She thought it was just for warmth.
Why was he bringing up Feng Shui?
Snow Niang looked at his glistening, muscular arms and swallowed. Didn't he say he was a malevolent god? The tiger was killed by him, so could its pelt ward off his malevolent aura?
"You're not born in the Year of the Tiger, are you?"
"How did you know? I am."
"As the saying goes, 'One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers'," Snow Niang blurted out.
Xiao Shan: "..."
The next day, Snow Niang was going to the market with Xiao Shan to watch a play. She woke up early and couldn't sleep.
She ate little and then rested her chin on her hand, watching Xiao Shan eat. She made the usually carefree man feel a bit awkward.
When her eyes looked at someone, they were truly without restraint, sparkling and making the person's heart race.
"Has no one ever told you that you shouldn't look at men like that?"
"Xiao Shan, why are you only chewing with your left teeth? Is your right side broken?"
He had always used his left side to chew? He didn't know!
Xiao Shan took another bite of the steamed bun, this time deliberately moving it to the right side. No matter how he chewed, it felt awkward.
Snow Niang giggled, her pearly white teeth almost blinding Xiao Shan.
She was truly beautiful!
Like a peony in full bloom on a summer day, her eyes radiated a brilliant starlight that filled the room. Xiao Shan had never seen her so happy, he even stopped breathing.
"Snow Niang, are you perhaps a celestial fairy from the heavens!" he asked softly, as if afraid of startling her.
"No, I'm a mountain spirit, here to eat you."
"A fox spirit? When will you eat me?"
"You're the fox spirit! You silly!" Snow Niang pouted. "Hurry up and eat, I want to go to the market to watch the play!"
How dare he call her a fox spirit? Fox spirits were meant to seduce men, and she disliked those stinky men.
Xiao Shan finished his meal in a daze. Snow Niang, waiting beside him, was getting impatient. As soon as he put down the last bowl, she nimbly collected them and put them in the washbasin.
"I'll do it. You go wait outside, we'll leave soon." Xiao Shan embraced her waist from behind, then quickly let go. His large hand had already taken over the bowls and started washing them.
Good, Snow Niang's body hadn't stiffened just now.
Snow Niang moved away, her face flushed, and left the kitchen.
Was he doing that intentionally or unintentionally? Why was his body temperature always so hot? Even through clothes, his hand on her waist felt scorching.
Xiao Shan was large, so on the ox cart, he could occupy the space of two people. He couldn't squeeze in with the women, and he couldn't walk with Snow Niang. So, he had already arranged with Lai Cai to charter a separate cart, paying ten copper coins.
Snow Niang sat on the soft cushion, while Xiao Shan sat on the edge of the cart, still supporting her with his hand behind her.
Snow Niang had never been to the market before and was feeling a little excited.
"Xiao Shan, are there any of those red fruits at the market? I want to eat them again."
"Tanghulu. Yes, there are. I'll buy them for you when we get there."
Lai Cai grinned silently. Brother Xiao treated his woman like he was coaxing a child.
If someone didn't know, they would think he had raised a daughter!