Unlimited estates for rural beauty

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Auntie Wang chided gently, "Silly girl, one should not treat reputation as child's play," Feng Xi also seemed anxious on the side, but his sister did not allow him to come forward and argue. His pent-up strength was of no use, leaving him red in the eyes with frustration.

Uncle Feng Ming also tried to persuade, "Yes, girl, you do not understand the kind of person the Jiang Family is. Without taking a whole day, the entire Feng Family Village and the surrounding area will know of it, and then you will carry the reputation of a jinx."

Feng Xuxu looked at Uncle Ming and Auntie with gratitude for considering so much and so far ahead for her. With misty eyes but a firm tone, she said to Uncle Ming and Auntie, "Uncle, Auntie, a person's tongue can turn any story pliable. Even if I were to beat Jiang today, and she didn't go out and talk about it, there's no guarantee others won't talk. Do you suggest I beat everyone who talks?"

"But in doing so, girl, you would never get a good marriage proposal, and it could ruin your entire life."

"Don't worry, Auntie, I'm still young. If it really comes to that and people believe that I'm a jinx, such people aren't worth marrying. To marry them would actually ruin my life." Sighing, Auntie exhaled deeply, while Uncle Ming waved his hand, "Let it be, children and grandchildren have their own blessings,"

The morning star faded, and the sky quickly changed color from fish-belly white to dark blue. From a distance came the mooing of a cow, and soon enough, a bullock cart appeared in everyone's view, drawing closer from afar.

At this moment, everyone crowded around the bullock cart, paying two copper coins before hurriedly boarding, eager to find a good seat and fearful of being left behind.

Feng San, the cart driver, seeing that everyone was seated, called out, "Let's go," his whip cracking in the air.

After about half an hour, they arrived outside the walls of Longgang Town. Feng Xuxu looked at the ancient city wall, built with large stones laid one upon another, the massive wooden gates requiring several people to push open together.

Feng San stopped the bullock cart and said, "Those taking the bullock cart back, gather under that big tree by Shen Time in the afternoon." Pointing to a large tree outside the city wall, the response from everyone was a unanimous "Got it!" and they quickly disbursed to the market to find a good spot to sell their goods, seeking to trade their homemade products for some silver to purchase daily necessities.

In the marketplace, Uncle Ming went off to work, building a house for a wealthy family. It paid twenty copper coins for a day's labor and included lunch. Though the sum wasn't large, at least there was a steady income. Auntie went to sell eggs produced by her own chickens.

Feng Xi carried firewood and a basket of mushrooms, seeking out a busy spot. After setting down the firewood and opening the basket of mushrooms, he was ready to sell.

Feng Xuxu took her bundle and bid her brother farewell before setting off. As Xuxu walked, she inquired about the best embroidery shop in town, and learned that the one called Yunyi Workshop was the biggest and had the best reputation.

Upon entering the Yunyi Workshop, Feng Xuxu saw rolls of fabrics neatly arranged on the counter. The wall behind the counter displayed various pre-made garments, ranging from those suited for the elderly to the young, in an array of designs and materials. There were clothes worth hundreds or thousands of silver, and also those only costing a few dozen coins. The counter on the left was dedicated to undergarments, while the one on the right sold embroidery like purses, screens, and handkerchiefs, offering a wide variety of samples.

From the moment Xuxu entered the shop, Yunniang's gaze followed her. She noticed that despite Xuxu's interest in the expensive, beautiful clothes worth hundreds or thousands of silver, there was no trace of greed in her eyes; nor did she show disdain for the cheaper ones costing only a few dozen coins. Although the young girl was wearing patched clothes, they were clean. Entering such a grand embroidery shop, she did not show any sign of intimidation and confidently inspected the products—calm and composed, clear evidence that she was not ordinary.

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