Xiao Yue nodded, her expression turning shy. "Brother Xiaobei, I, I just started working, the money, I can return it to you in a few days."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. "I told you, the money is yours. Don't mention this again."
Xiao Yue shook her head slightly. "No, I'm already very grateful that you lent me the money, how can I not repay it?"
"I work for Master Zhao Yi, and I'll get 50 wen a month. I'll save enough to pay you back."
Just then, a few more children appeared in the distance. It was Xiao Mu, leading a few others, running towards them.
He also saw Chen Xiaobei and stopped far away, not daring to approach.
Xiao Yue obviously saw this too, and after a few more words, she hurried away.
Watching him leave, Wu Zhong looked at Chen Xiaobei in surprise. "How did you get involved with her?"
Chen Xiaobei looked at Wu Zhong, very surprised. "What about her?"
"Alas, if it were someone else, I wouldn't care. But since it's her, I have to say a few words."
"Her name is Feng Xiaoyue. Speaking of her father, Feng Pengju, he was quite a figure in our Qingniu County. He even served as an official in the capital. Later, for some reason, he was dismissed and sent back to his hometown. But then, for some unknown reason, he was arrested and exiled to the border, and his property was confiscated. Poor Feng Xiaoyue, from a young lady of a noble family, became a beggar on the streets."
What? This girl Xiaoyue actually had such a tragic background. This caught Chen Xiaobei by surprise.
But then again, in this era, the difference between wealth and glory and losing one's head was just a word, a matter of an instant.
"Although the Emperor hasn't arrested her now, it doesn't mean he won't in the future. So, you need to be careful."
Chen Xiaobei smiled. "Brother Wu, don't be alarmist. Didn't she just say she's working for Master Zhao Yi? If they dare to hire her, doesn't that mean there's no problem?"
"Hey, you don't understand the logic here."
"Zhao Yi has connections in the capital, so he's not afraid. But it's different for us commoners."
Speaking of Master Zhao, Chen Xiaobei's mind suddenly stirred. "Brother, this Zhao Yi, Master Zhao, didn't he lose his grandson a while ago? I heard he was going to buy young boys and girls to be buried with him."
Old Wu quickly made a shushing gesture and looked around. Seeing that no one was around, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't talk about this to anyone. Just keep it to yourself. If someone overhears it, be careful not to get into trouble."
Alright, we can't afford to offend such powerful and influential people.
Before noon, the vegetables were sold out.
A total of over fifty catties. After paying Wu Zhong five coppers, Chen Xiaobei had fifty-two left.
Wu Zhong was also generous, giving him nearly ten catties of vegetables.
On the way home, Chen Xiaobei started thinking. Without a scale, it wasn't feasible to always use Wu Zhong's.
So, when his planting area expanded, he would need to get a scale. However, scales were a rarity at this time and not cheap, costing at least ten coppers.
There was no tobacco in this era, so Chen Xiaobei bought some pastries.
This way, he could give Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er a treat, and also save some for the craftsmen tomorrow as a small token of his appreciation.
He also bought some seeds. Some of the green leafy vegetables had been harvested today, and he needed to replant them quickly.
Driving the donkey cart, he ambled back slowly. By the time he reached Hetou Village, it was almost noon.
The village, which should have been quiet, was very lively. Many people were busy heading towards his home.
Chen Xiaobei quickly stopped someone and asked, "Third Uncle, where are you all going?"
The person replied without looking back, "Da Chun is moving. We're all going to help him send off."
Chen Xiaobei knew that Chen Dachun was moving, as he had told him before, but he didn't expect it to be so soon.
Perhaps because Cui Hongyu was kidnapped, Chen Dachun was scared and decided to leave quickly.
From a distance, he could see that Chen Dachun's house was surrounded by a lot of people, and two horse-drawn carriages were parked at the entrance.
The drivers were not from the village, they must have been hired from outside.
Some villagers were helping to move bedding, while others stood at the entrance watching the fun.
While it was lively over there, Chen Xiaobei's side was quite deserted.
He led the donkey cart straight into the courtyard and tied it up.
Cui Hongyu came over and said to him, "Brother Dachun is moving. I wanted to help, but I couldn't squeeze in."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and smiled helplessly. "Then there's no need to go. Brother Dachun will understand our intentions."
Cui Hongyu hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and went to prepare lunch.
Meanwhile, Chen Dachun also walked out of his house with a smile, cupping his fists and bowing to everyone. "Thank you all for your help, thank you, thank you."
Behind him was Xiu Mei, carrying a cloth bag.
The bag contained flatbreads made from white flour.
Xiu Mei distributed some to everyone, saying a few polite words to each person.
White flour was already a rarity, and making flatbreads required oil to mix the dough, which was even rarer.
It was usually only made for special occasions.
After receiving the flatbreads, everyone offered more congratulations and gradually dispersed.
By the time the commotion died down, Chen Xiaobei had finished his lunch. He stood up, intending to go over and take a look.
As he stepped out of the main gate, he almost bumped into Chen Dachun.
"Brother, you're leaving today!" Chen Xiaobei's tone was still a bit sad. As the saying goes, a distant relative is not as good as a near neighbor. Having such a neighbor, they could look out for each other.
Chen Dachun nodded. "Yes, the house in the city is all tidied up. It's at the end of the second alley on the right side of the east gate. You must come and find me when you come to the county town."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "I've noted it down. I'll come and see you next time I'm in town."
Chen Dachun gently patted his shoulder, then extended his right hand to him, palm open, holding a key.
"This is the key to my house. I'm giving this house to you."
What? Chen Xiaobei looked incredulous.
The land granted by the court, he could understand receiving it for free. Now he was giving him this house for free?
"Brother Dachun, this isn't appropriate. If you come back, you'll need a place to stay."
Chen Dachun chuckled. "If I come back, I'll stay at your place. My mother said that without you, where would our family have gotten so much money? So this house..."
Frankly, Chen Dachun's house was much better than Chen Xiaobei's. It had five main rooms, side rooms on the east and west, a main gate, and walls. It had been renovated a few years ago when Dachun got married.
Reluctantly, they saw Chen Dachun off.
Chen Xiaobei sat under the big locust tree and discussed with Cui Hongyu.
"Hongyu, now that Brother Dachun has given us his house, I think tomorrow, when we're renovating, we should knock down the wall between our two houses. We can tidy it up together, and then we can live in whichever side we prefer."