Shen Xiaoyan was accustomed to this. No matter how tiring the first day was, Zheng Wei would still get up early the next day to learn martial arts. It was his habit.
After getting dressed, Shen Xiaoyan saw Zheng Wei teaching Shen Xiaoming to practice the horse stance, which Shen Xiaoming had requested himself.
He also wanted to practice martial arts, but he was still a child and did not possess Shen Xiaoyan's divine strength, so he could only start by practicing the horse stance.
After greeting the two, Shen Xiaoyan went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. By the time breakfast was ready, Shen Xiaoming and Zheng Wei had also finished their training for the day.
The three of them ate breakfast together, then studied characters together before sitting down to chat.
They were still talking about the new house. Although the house was completed and the furniture was being made, they still needed to buy bedding, curtains, and other miscellaneous items, which was quite troublesome.
Shen Xiaoyan took out all the money again and counted it. The remaining money from selling the striped watermelons was 150 taels.
Lu Taobao had brought 220 taels yesterday. The wages for the craftsmen and the two old masters totaled 60 taels and 5 qian, leaving 1509 taels and 5 qian.
Adding it all up, they had a total of 300 taels of silver. Shen Xiaoyan looked at the full money cabinet and felt satisfied.
Zheng Wei also did not expect that after the house was built, there would still be so much money left over.
Although they still needed to purchase things, those items did not require much money.
The 300 taels they had could ensure they did not have to worry about their livelihood for a very long time.
Shen Xiaoming brought the brush and ink. Shen Xiaoyan dictated, and Zheng Wei wrote, listing all the necessary miscellaneous items.
After a while, they finally finished writing, filling nearly 5 pages.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at the list of miscellaneous items on the paper and was a little worried, "With so many things, how will we bring them back?"
Zheng Wei chuckled, "So, should we buy a cart?"
Shen Xiaoyan was surprised, "Buy what kind of cart? A carriage?"
With their 300 taels of silver, they couldn't afford a good cart, let alone a horse, and besides, they wouldn't know how to raise a horse.
Zheng Wei had already thought about this, so he said, "Not a carriage, a donkey or a mule will do."
Shen Xiaoyan considered it for a while. They really needed a cart, as it would make purchasing things much more convenient, and traveling would also be easier. Although, she would at most only go to the town.
"Can you raise one?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Zheng Wei uncertainly, as she definitely couldn't.
Zheng Wei suddenly felt a surge of pride. Finally, there was something he knew how to do that this little woman didn't. In the days they had spent together, he had almost lost his confidence due to her.
"Of course I can," Zheng Wei said outwardly, but inwardly he was filled with emotion.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded to Zheng Wei. It was good that someone knew how to raise one.
However, looking at Zheng Wei's expression, it seemed a bit strange. But when she looked closely, he appeared the same as usual, with a stern face. Was it her imagination?
Zheng Wei also felt uncomfortable under Shen Xiaoyan's scrutinizing gaze. This woman was truly perceptive.
Pushing away the thoughts in his mind, Zheng Wei said again, "Then tomorrow morning, I'll go to town to have a look. If I see a good one, I'll buy it right away."
"En, good," Shen Xiaoyan agreed readily. But a moment later, she added, "I'll go with you. Will Xiaoming go?"
Shen Xiaoming happily nodded, "I want to go too."
The three of them made their arrangements and then went about their own tasks.
The next morning, before dawn, the three of them were already awake. They locked the doors of their house and set off for town.
By the time they reached the town, the sun had already risen, and the sunlight on their bodies made Shen Xiaoyan and the other two sweat.
It was August, still hot. They had left before dawn, and if they had left now, the journey would have been scorching.
Fortunately, if all went well, they would have a cart soon, and the return journey wouldn't be so difficult.
As they walked to the livestock market, they were hit by the smell of animal manure.
The market was already bustling with people, with shouts of vendors and haggling echoing everywhere.
Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming followed Zheng Wei, walking and stopping, as Zheng Wei would frequently pause to look at the mules or donkeys beside them, and sometimes even at the cattle.
Shen Xiaoyan knew nothing and could only follow behind, watching the commotion.
It was already half an hour later when they had circled the market. Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei and was about to go forward to ask if he had chosen one.
Then she saw Zheng Wei walk towards a man selling mules. Shen Xiaoyan quickly recognized that it was the same stall they had looked at earlier, but Zheng Wei had not approached the man to speak.
"Young man, judging by your appearance, you must have already looked around. How is it, do you still think my mule is the best?" the man asked with a smile as he saw Zheng Wei approaching.
Shen Xiaoyan was surprised, "How did he know they had looked around?"
Zheng Wei's expression remained unchanged as he walked forward and patted a black and white mule.
Shen Xiaoyan also examined the black and white mule. It was very strong and gentle. When Zheng Wei touched it, it showed no signs of displeasure.
The man looked at Zheng Wei's actions, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and said, "Look at this mule's teeth. It's just reached adulthood and is at its peak for work. Buy it, and you definitely won't lose out."
Shen Xiaoyan was a little curious, so she asked, "When do mules reach adulthood? How old are they when they are adults? How long do they live?"
As soon as Shen Xiaoyan finished speaking, the man burst into laughter, and several people who were looking at the mules also laughed along.
Seeing everyone laugh, Shen Xiaoyan's face instantly turned red. Had she said something wrong? Why were they all laughing?
The man saw Shen Xiaoyan's embarrassment, stopped laughing, and explained to Shen Xiaoyan, "You can tell a mule's age by its back teeth. If it has X back teeth, it's X years old. My mule is just 3 years old, it has reached adulthood and is strong enough for work. As for its lifespan, if well-cared for, it lives a long time, usually over 30 years is no problem."
After answering all of Shen Xiaoyan's questions, the man looked at Zheng Wei, "What do you say, young man?"
Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan, seeking her opinion. Shen Xiaoyan felt embarrassed enough already and didn't understand anything, so she could only say, "You decide. I don't understand."
After saying this, Shen Xiaoyan's face turned even redder.
Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan's shy appearance, and his expression softened considerably. It was rare to see the little woman like this; it was truly amusing.
He patted the mule again and said to the man, "How much for this mule? Give me a fair price, and if it's acceptable, I'll take it."
The man was delighted. Although the three of them were young, they looked like serious buyers. He immediately said, "Let's not haggle. A fixed price, 20 taels."
Shen Xiaoyan had expected it to be more. Hearing that it was only 20 taels, she breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Zheng Wei did not agree. He did not answer the man's words but said to Shen Xiaoyan, "Let's go. I saw another stall over there with a mule that was also very good."
After speaking, Zheng Wei turned around and prepared to leave. Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan quickly pulled Shen Xiaoming and followed.