Chapter 83: Heading to Town to Buy Desks and Chairs

Hu Tieniu was ecstatic. “Alright, I’ll definitely be there! Zhaodi, you’re really something special. In Dawai Village, the person I admire most is you.”

Hu Zhaodi laughed and waved her hand. “Well, we’ll head back now. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Hu Zhaodi and the old scholar returned to the Ji household for dinner.

After dinner, Hu Zhaodi took out the clothing designs she’d drawn over the past few days to show Ji Chunhua.

Ji Chunhua’s eyes sparkled as she looked at them. “Zhaodi, these designs are beautiful! I can only imagine how wonderful the clothes will look once they’re made!”

Hu Zhaodi smiled. “Sister Chunhua, if you can make all the designs I drew, we’re just steps away from opening our clothing shop.”

Ji Chunhua’s face was full of determination. “I’ll make them as soon as possible. I’m looking forward to our shop opening.”

Hu Zhaodi clenched her fist in a cheering gesture. “Go for it, Sister Chunhua! I believe in you.”

After thinking for a moment, Ji Chunhua said, “Zhaodi, my younger sister, Chunlan, is also quite skilled with needlework. She married a good man and isn’t treated poorly at home.”

Hu Zhaodi nodded. “That’s great. Since she’s skilled, you could ask if she’d like to help out. She can earn some money, and her in-laws will respect her even more.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to her tomorrow to see if she’s interested in working with me.”

“Perfect. If she’s interested, that’s great. If not, we won’t force her; everyone has their own path.”

Ji Chunhua nodded. “Got it.”

Before bed, Aunt Ji kneaded the dough so it would be ready to make steamed buns in the morning.

That night, Hu Zhaodi practiced her inner energy cultivation for two hours before going to sleep.

—

The next day, Aunt Ji was up early to make breakfast.

Hu Zhaodi and Ji Chunhua got up early as well to help out.

After half an hour, a pot of white rice porridge, two small side dishes, a plate of pickles, and two baskets of steamed buns were ready.

Just as dawn broke, the old scholar and Hu Tieniu arrived at the Ji household.

Hu Tieniu had already harnessed the ox to the cart and brought it to the Ji family’s yard.

Hu Zhaodi quickly grabbed some fodder to feed the ox.

Hu Tieniu chuckled. “Zhaodi, I already fed it, no need to worry.”

“No problem, we’re eating, so the ox can eat a bit more too. It’s got work to do today.”

Hu Tieniu gave his usual warm smile. “Alright, then!”

“Come in and have breakfast. Once we’re done, we’ll head out.”

With that, Hu Zhaodi placed the fodder in front of the ox and headed inside.

Hu Tieniu’s eyes widened as he saw the Ji family’s lavish breakfast. White rice porridge and steamed buns made with fine flour weren’t luxuries everyone could afford.

After finishing breakfast, Hu Zhaodi loaded the medicinal herbs she had accumulated over the past few days onto the horse-cart, and then set off for the county town with Uncle Ji, the old scholar, and Hu Tieniu.

Meanwhile, Ji Chunhua took her two children to visit her sister, Ji Chunlan.

The old scholar, seated beside Hu Zhaodi with full of excitement, chattering away about plans for the private school. His energy was boundless, and he had high hopes, envisioning a classroom filled with eager students learning to read and write with him.

Upon arriving in the county town, Hu Zhaodi led Uncle Ji and Hu Tieniu to park the horse-cart and ox-cart in the back courtyard of Fumanlou.

As soon as Han Dongsheng heard that Hu Zhaodi had arrived, he hurried out to greet her.

“Oh, my busy little sister! It’s been half a month since you last visited Fumanlou. What can I get you today? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something special for you.”

Hu Zhaodi smiled. “No need to rush, Brother Han. We had breakfast before coming here, so we’re not hungry yet. But could you first take me to buy some desks and chairs?”

Han Dongsheng blinked in surprise. “The private school is finished?”

“Yes, it’s ready. Today, I’m buying desks, chairs, and books so the kids can start attending as soon as possible.”

Raising an eyebrow, Han Dongsheng replied, “Zhaodi, the desks and chairs have already been arranged by Brother Wu and me. We just need to pay the final balance, and you can take them right away.”

“Thank you both so much for taking care of that for me! Let’s go check it out!”

Han Dongsheng waved his hand. “No rush. Do you have anything else to take care of first?”

“Actually, yes. I still need to buy some fabric and books.”

“Then go ahead and get the fabric and books first. Take care of all your errands, and after lunch, we’ll pick up the desks and chairs.”

“Alright, I’ll start by selling the medicinal herbs I brought, then get the books and fabric.”

“Go on, I’ll have the kitchen prepare lunch.”

Hu Zhaodi took the herbs off the cart. “Uncle, you and Uncle Hu can rest here. Grandpa Ji and I will go buy the books and fabric.”

Uncle Ji shook his head. “No need to rest. You’re buying so many things, two people won’t be able to carry it all back. We’ll go with you.”

“Alright then, let’s go!”

With that, Hu Zhaodi hoisted the herbs over her shoulder.

A large hand promptly took the herb bundle from her.

“Zhaodi, let me carry that,” Hu Tieniu said, tossing the herb bundle over his shoulder without giving her a chance to refuse.

Hu Zhaodi smiled and nodded, leading the three men toward the medicine shop.

The common herbs sold for about two taels of silver.

Just as the shopkeeper handed over the silver, Hu Zhaodi reached into her pocket and pulled out a wild ginseng root.

The ginseng root was in good condition, estimated to be around seventy years old.

“Shopkeeper, how much will you give me for this wild ginseng?”

The shopkeeper’s eyes sparkled at the sight. “What a treasure! Young lady, you’ve got some luck on your side! Since you clearly know your herbs, I won’t lowball you. I can offer six hundred taels for this ginseng.”

In Fulin County, six hundred taels was a high price for seventy-year-old ginseng.

If it had been any older, Hu Zhaodi would’ve kept it for herself, unable to part with it. But with so many expenses piling up for her new house, she had to let this one go.

Meanwhile, Uncle Ji the old scholar, and Hu Tieniu were stunned. Selling one ginseng root for six hundred taels—it was an enviable sum!

But they knew well that Zhaodi had risked her life for it. Though they admired her resourcefulness, none of them harbored any unworthy thoughts.

Hu Zhaodi gave a faint smile. “Alright, six hundred it is. If I weren’t in urgent need of money, I wouldn’t be selling it.”

The shopkeeper, familiar with Zhaodi from past transactions, knew that despite her young age, she was exceptionally sharp. Fooling her was out of the question—in fact, he considered himself lucky if he didn’t end up on the losing end of their deals.

The shopkeeper stepped into the back room and returned with a six-hundred-tael banknote, which he handed to Zhaodi.

She took the note, slipping it into her pocket—or rather, into her storage space.

The four of them left the shop, and Zhaodi led them to the fabric store to purchase materials.

Once they’d bought the fabric, the old scholar took Zhaodi to buy the books.

Just as they were leaving the fabric store, Zhaodi noticed someone following her.