The shopkeeper sighed inwardly. When Madam Zheng and her two companions first visited, they were in tattered clothing.
Yet, after only a few months, they had already built a new house. Judging by the list of required items, the house was likely not small.
Furthermore, they had purchased a brand-new, large cart. While the interior of the cart was not made of precious wood, nor was it exquisite or luxurious, the cart and the mule together cost dozens of taels of silver.
One must not underestimate anyone.
If he or any of his shop assistants had been dismissive or disrespectful when they first arrived, they would have likely lost a potential major customer.
As the shopkeeper mused with relief, Shen Xiaoyan had already finished taking measurements with her assistant and walked back.
As soon as the apprentice entered the shop, he walked to the counter and noted down the measurements on a piece of paper.
Shen Xiaoyan stood to the side, speaking with the shopkeeper. "Tell me everything you need. I've already discussed it with him," she said, pointing to the apprentice who was writing. She continued, "I'll leave a deposit of 10 taels of silver here. When I come to collect the goods in ten days, I'll pay you the rest."
"Certainly. I can tell you're a person of your word. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's done beautifully," the shopkeeper replied, more polite than Shen Xiaoyan and beaming.
Shen Xiaoyan exchanged a few more words with the shopkeeper and then took her leave.
Watching her go, get into the large cart, and drive away, the shopkeeper turned and returned to his shop.
"Boss, this is quite a large order," the apprentice said with a sheepish grin as he approached.
"Good, you know your stuff. This is a significant customer. If they come again, treat them well," the shopkeeper said.
"Yes, yes," the assistant nodded repeatedly.
"Alright, quickly take these to the embroiderers. There are quite a few items," the shopkeeper said, handing several papers to the assistant.
As the assistant scurried towards the backyard, the shopkeeper stood behind the counter and began calculating his accounts.
Meanwhile, after Shen Xiaoyan got into the cart, Zheng Wei slowly drove towards the front, urging the mule forward.
Along the road, at various shops, Shen Xiaoyan would get down and buy things.
For example, bowls, chopsticks, plates, wooden basins, vases, tea trays, teapots, porcelain cups, and countless other small items. Finally, as the sun reached its zenith and the cart was filled to capacity, Shen Xiaoyan declared, "We're done buying."
Shen Xiaoming, curled up and looking at the overflowing cart, said with a pout, "Sister, I'm so hungry."
Shen Xiaoyan slapped her forehead. That's right, she had felt like she had forgotten something, and it turned out to be meals.
They had left early that morning and hadn't had time to make breakfast. After arriving in town, they had been so busy buying things that they completely forgot about eating.
"Xiaoming, what do you want to eat? Sister will treat," Shen Xiaoyan said magnanimously, waving her hand.
Shen Xiaoming's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Shen Xiaoyan tilted her chin up proudly. "Of course. Would I lie to you?"
"You're the best, Sister. Then, I want to eat wontons," Shen Xiaoming said, looking at Shen Xiaoyan with bright, hopeful eyes.
Shen Xiaoyan patted his head. "Okay, let's go eat wontons."
There was a wonton shop in town that made exceptionally delicious wontons, and they often sold out quickly. It was lunchtime now, so they should be able to make it in time.
Zheng Wei had naturally overheard the siblings' conversation and immediately drove the cart towards the small wonton shop.
Fortunately, the wonton shop was not far from their current location, and they arrived in a short time.
As expected, the small shop was already crowded with people. Fortunately, a few tables were also placed outside the shop entrance, so it didn't feel too cramped.
Zheng Wei parked the cart by the entrance of the shop, and the three of them didn't rush inside.
After a while, when the people at the table next to the cart stood up and left, the three of them walked over and sat down.
The wontons were made by a middle-aged couple, and their son likely helped them. The three of them worked quickly and efficiently, with smiles on their faces, making it a pleasant dining experience.
Shen Xiaoyan ordered three bowls of wontons, which were served shortly.
Each bowl cost 10 li, which was not expensive, and the portions were generous.
Shen Xiaoyan tasted one and her eyes closed in satisfaction; the flavor was as good as ever.
As Zheng Wei ate his wontons, he occasionally observed Shen Xiaoyan. This young woman was truly easily satisfied. A bowl of wontons was enough to make her eat with such delight.
It seemed that ever since they got married, she had been like this, content with everything.
When they had no money and lived in a thatched hut, she was cheerful every day. Now that they had money and ate a bowl of wontons, she was still the same, unlike some people who, with wealth, would indulge in extravagant feasting and delicacies.
"Why have you been staring at me?" Shen Xiaoyan finally couldn't stand Zheng Wei's overt gaze and asked.
"Oh, I was wondering if you were full. If not, I'll order another bowl," Zheng Wei said nonchalantly, his expression unchanged, as if that was precisely what he had intended to ask.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't quite believe him. If he just wanted to ask if she was full, why would he stare for so long?
Even if he hadn't said anything, she was too lazy to ask. She lowered her head and continued eating her wontons.
After the three of them finished their wontons, and even drank the broth, they contentedly put down their chopsticks.
"I'm so full, it was delicious," Shen Xiaoming said, patting his distended belly and smiling sheepishly at Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei.
After paying, the three of them began heading home, as they had no more needs.
It truly was different with a cart. They reached home in only half the time it took them to get there.
And this was without hurrying. If the mule had gone faster, they would have taken even less time.
However, since there was no urgent matter, this speed was perfectly adequate.
For Shen Xiaoyan, not having to rely on her own two feet to go anywhere was the greatest happiness.
Upon arriving home, they opened the gate of the old courtyard and drove the large cart in.
There was only a courtyard wall between the old house and the new house. When building the house, they had people create two doors in the wall, one in the side courtyard of the first section, and another in the side courtyard of the second section.
Both doors were three meters high and two meters wide, allowing the large cart to pass through directly.
They drove all the way to the second courtyard of the new house, where the three of them took the items out of the cart and temporarily placed them in the main room.
These items were all for the new house. Rather than moving them again later, it was better to put them here now to save trouble.
After placing all the items on the kang, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two sat down. Naturally, they sat on the kang, as the furniture had not yet been delivered.
"Where will this mule be kept?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Zheng Wei.
It would need to be fed and watered daily, so it likely couldn't be kept here for now, right?
Indeed, Zheng Wei replied, "It will be kept in that courtyard. It's only a few days, so we can quickly build a wooden shed here."
"Alright then," Shen Xiaoyan nodded in agreement.
It didn't matter where it was kept; she wouldn't be the one looking after it anyway. It would ultimately be up to Zheng Wei.
After tidying up the items slightly, the three of them returned to the courtyard.