Shopping is a daughter’s favorite thing, but for n, it may not be a matter they particularly enjoy.
Fortunately, Lu Yuanfeng and Yu Liulang were cooperative enough.
The won bought things, while they carried them, occasionally offering a few sensible opinions.
Of course, the first items to be reserved were lon seeds and peanuts.
These items are to be laid out on the table when relatives and friends co, serving as an appetizer before the al.
To put it plainly, it’s to pass the ti while guests wait for the als to be served.
Both wedding and funeral feasts entertain the whole village, which ans at least ten tables, and if each table requires a pound, then it’s at least a dozen or so pounds.
Fortunately, this ti, Yu Liulang had enough money set aside for buying household items.
Along the way, the quantities purchased were relatively large.
After buying the fruits, Yu Liulang suggested looking at jewelry.
Jewelry and earrings and such things are not cheap, and ancient jade earrings were particularly popular, but truly, what everyone liked most were gold items and gold jewelry.
Gold has been a currency in the Da Ning Dynasty, so things made of currency are naturally expensive, followed by silver-made accessories.
"You two n don’t need to go in, I’ll go with Shuangshuang!"
Feng Xiaohua rarely took the initiative to ask Yu Liulang to do sothing. Of course, she was eager to stay outside, even giving Feng Xiaohua the money pouch.
Mu Shuangshuang also refused Lu Yuanfeng.
What a joke, she wasn’t interested in those pieces of jewelry, unless it was a silver ingot she might consider.
Once inside the jewelry shop, Feng Xiaohua’s first request was for Mu Shuangshuang to find her the cheapest.
"Why?" Mu Shuangshuang was curious.
"Your uncle treats very well, taking care of all the money matters, but this ti he spent too much, and that’s not how a household should be run. Save wherever possible."
Feng Xiaohua lost her mother at a young age and had only a crippled old father at ho. The fields were mostly managed by Yu Liulang, while she relied on raising chickens and ducks to support herself and her father.
She knew well that every penny must be spent wisely; only then can real savings be accumulated.
She had a long-term view; currently, she had several dozen taels, but once new furniture was added, along with bridal bedding, the money would flow like water.
Adding to that, Yu Liulang was already twenty-six and needed a child sooner, lest they wait indefinitely for him to have a son.
After listening to Feng Xiaohua, Mu Shuangshuang felt her uncle had truly found a gem.
Which woman doesn’t dream of a fairy-tale wedding, envied by all, radiantly beautiful?
But ultimately, marriage is the affair of two people; outsiders find it glorious, yet the sweet-sour and bitterness still have to be tasted by oneself.
As long as that man is willing to give his all for you, likes you through actions, treats you well instead of just talking, then even without those outward displays, it’s inconsequential.
Anyway, a woman after marriage should hold the financial power!
Spend what you may now; it’s still yours.
Understanding this, Mu Shuangshuang began actively responding to Feng Xiaohua’s words, looking for the cheapest jade earrings with the most beautiful design.
After much selection, she chose a pair of small flower-shaped earrings that matched Feng Xiaohua’s na perfectly.
As for the remaining items, Feng Xiaohua didn’t want them, but Mu Shuangshuang still picked a bead hairpin.
Single pins, double hairpins, there were many rules in the Da Ning Dynasty, and after marriage, a daughter’s ho couldn’t lack a hairpin.
Two items cost one tael and two qian (200 wen), which made Feng Xiaohua ache inside.
Their faces were less cheerful, and the four strolled around again, now it was already noon.
The four had initially planned to finalize the nu at a restaurant, then order the materials for the day.
They chose a restaurant that looked relatively cheap, ordered a few vegetarian dishes, had a pot of tea, while having this talk over tea.
"Shuangshuang, what do you suggest we order?"
Yu Liulang and Feng Xiaohua were both serious people. Last ti after hearing Shuangshuang considering being a chef, naturally, this opportunity should go to family.
Mu Shuangshuang too was a very serious person. She had previously thought she could provide Yu Si Niang so work, to save her from being used as labor every day by Old Mrs. Mu.
At the sa ti, the communal feast usually takes place during the farm’s downti, not delaying matters while earning money.
Now Mu Shuangshuang wanted to do this because it’s a good way to get through various villages—the more places she goes, the better her chance of finding Lu Yuanfeng’s mother.
In every village, as long as she builds good relationships with one family, she can get to know several others, and people finding people, word of mouth must be the easiest way to find soone in the Da Ning Dynasty.
"Chicken and fish plus appetizers and soup are indispensable; Shuangshuang has no objection. As for the rest, I plan like this: so atballs, a green vegetable, a bean sprout dish, and finally a dry pot spicy intestines..."
Mu Shuangshuang nad each dish one by one, ntioning the ingredients and prices.
She planned the spicy intestines as the main dish mainly because they were cheap and readily available.
The bean sprouts and greens were already at ho, especially the vegetables; those planted earlier had grown quite a bit.
Mu Shuangshuang’s house had plenty in the vegetable garden; greens only grow when eaten.
"Alright, we’ll go by what Shuangshuang said. After lunch, we’ll go and make purchases!"
Everyone’s afternoon al at the restaurant wasn’t particularly good. The portions were insufficient and quite expensive.
Yu Liulang ate without savor, rembering the delicious als at ho, pondering it deeply.
"Shuangshuang, if you say, how great would it be if we had that cook? Wouldn’t we be eating and drinking well? Plus having a restaurant in town, when visiting next, we wouldn’t have to rush back."
Yu Liulang expressed his thoughts.
"But I heard opening a restaurant requires several hundred taels. We don’t have such money," Feng Xiaohua said.
"Uncle, Aunt, not hiding from you, Fengzi and I have discussed our future path and considered opening a restaurant or shop, but not now—firstly, we don’t have enough capital. Secondly, we’re preparing for spring to send our two younger brothers to school."
"This involves considerable expense, yet within three years, at most, Fengzi and I will surely find a stable career!"
Selling cold noodles, hunting—these activities can only earn small amounts. The third branch, along with Lu Yuanfeng and many others, requires a lot monthly for food, clothing, and essentials.
First, we must ensure food security, then go on to expand business; that is the way to survival.
"Alright, your uncle and aunt will join in. We don’t have much, but we’ll contribute twenty taels."
"Uncle, why don’t you discuss such a big decision with my aunt?" Mu Shuangshuang said teasingly.
"Haha, it was discussed, and this is exactly what your aunt ant. She said you know how to do business; surely you’ll earn money following you."
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