Early the next morning, both families got up early.

Jiang Xiangnan and Jiang Xiangbei first went to retrieve the eel traps and brought back the eels.

Their mother had said the night before that today’s eels would be kept for their own meal after buying the necessary seasonings, so they hadn’t set too many traps—just enough for the family to eat.

After breakfast, Jiang Xiangnan and Jiang Xiangbei were about to leave when they saw Carpenter Guan pulling a cart to their courtyard entrance, with Guan Xiaoshan sitting on the cart.

“Uncle Guan, Xiaoshan, have you eaten yet?” Jiang Xiangnan greeted them warmly.

Carpenter Guan beamed with a smile. “We’ve eaten, we’ve eaten! We’re troubling your family today. Once we get to the city, I’ll have Ali buy you something delicious as thanks.”

In the past, his wife had been frail, and he had to work as a carpenter to earn money while his daughter took care of the family.

Even though Xiaoshan had long wanted to go to the city, there was never a chance.

But today, it was finally happening.

What a wonderful day.

On the cart, Guan Xiaoshan tilted his head up to look at his father, suppressing his excitement as he whispered, “Dad, I earned wages! I can treat Brother and Sister to something tasty, and Auntie too!”

Auntie had said they would settle wages after selling the brushes, so they shouldn’t worry.

He wasn’t worried at all, but the thought of earning his own money and being able to buy good food filled him with excitement!

Carpenter Guan quickly lowered his head and murmured, “Xiaoshan, didn’t we talk about this last night? Your sister has money with her. If you want something, just ask her.”

Remembering his father’s repeated instructions from the night before, Guan Xiaoshan hid his anticipation.

His father had said that there was no guarantee the brushes would sell.

If they didn’t, mentioning wages would only put pressure on Auntie Jiang, who had kindly brought them along in the first place.

Today was just a chance to see the city and broaden his horizons.

He obediently nodded.

Carpenter Guan gently patted his son’s head with affection.

Shen Qing and the others soon came out, and as Huo Bing, Jiang Xiangdong, and Carpenter Guan watched the departing group disappear down the road, they remained standing until they could no longer see even a shadow.

The morning mist had not yet lifted, and the rising sun cast golden light through the thin haze.

A lively group, mostly young people, made their way along the road, their chatter as noisy as five hundred ducks quacking together.

Jiang Xiangnan, Jiang Xiangbei, and Guan Xiaoshan started by talking about fishing nets, then slingshots, then eel traps, then wooden boats—before finally moving on to swords and knives.

The two teenagers and the younger boy all looked equally fascinated and envious.

Guan Li glanced at her little brother, who sat on the cart brimming with excitement.

Her eyes grew slightly moist.

She turned her head away and changed the subject, chatting lightly with Jiang Shui. “When we get to the city, I want to buy a hairpin. What about you?”

Jiang Shui’s bright eyes sparkled as she focused on the dirt road ahead, her entire body tense with excitement.

Hearing Guan Li’s question, she happily replied, “I want to buy some fabric to make a new dress. I calculated my wages, and I have enough for a big piece of cloth.”

She had never owned a new dress in her entire life.

She always wore hand-me-downs from her sister-in-law, who in turn wore clothes handed down from their mother.

Their mother never cared for her clothes much, and by the time she passed them to her sister-in-law, they were already patched up.

By the time Jiang Shui got them, they were practically in tatters.

She had once seen little Ying Gu’s daughter wearing brand-new clothes—soft, pink, and beautiful.

She had dreamed of owning her own new dress ever since.

Guan Li skipped over the topic of wages and said softly, “My father gave me some silver. I plan to buy some fabric to make Xiaoshan a set of clothes. If I find any scrap fabric, I’ll get some to make Father a pair of cloth shoes too.”

Her father often met with business managers to take carpentry orders, and wearing straw shoes wasn’t appropriate.

Jiang Shui looked down at her own straw shoes and asked, “Are cloth shoes really comfortable?”

At least they wouldn’t prick her feet like straw shoes.

Guan Li wasn’t sure either, but she had made cloth shoes before.

She nodded. “They should be! Think about how soft fabric is—if it wraps around our feet, how could it not be comfortable?”

Jiang Shui thought of little Hua’s tiny, tender feet and nodded. “I should have some leftover fabric from what I buy. Could you help me make a pair of cloth shoes for little Hua?”

Her sister-in-law could make clothes, but not shoes.

Their straw shoes were simply woven, and their mother’s shoes were just layers of cloth wrapped inside straw.

Real cloth shoes were different.

“Why are you being so polite with me?” Guan Li laughed.

Shen Qing had been quietly listening from the side.

She couldn’t help but sigh.

This family was too poor.

They lacked in food, clothing, and shelter—none of their basic needs were truly met.

Fortunately, the city marketplace allowed them to sell fish, shrimp, and eels for money, which at least solved their hunger problem.

But clothing, housing, and travel all still required earning silver.

Once they sold this batch of brushes, they wouldn’t have to worry about fabric.

And once they had enough money, she would have to start considering transportation for their eventual escape…

After paying the entrance fee, they passed through the massive city gate.

The half-grown children were immediately captivated by the dazzling array of goods and the lively shouts of vendors.

Jiang Shui was more reserved, while Guan Xiaoshan, sitting on the cart, kept exclaiming in excitement.

Jiang Xiangnan and Jiang Xiangbei took turns pulling the cart, while the one resting would scan the surroundings, afraid to miss anything.

After all, entering the city cost two copper coins per person!

They had to make the most of it.

But no matter how excited they were, they didn’t forget their main purpose today.

Everyone stayed close to the cart, careful not to get separated and delay their important task.

Shen Qing had already asked Jiang Xiangzhong about where brush shops were located, so she led the group straight there—her responsibility today was heavy.

She wasn’t just carrying her own hopes.

She was carrying the hopes of both families.

Jiang Xiangbei examined the row of six or seven scholar supply shops and whispered, “Mother, the smaller storefronts probably belong to the actual shop owners.The bigger ones, with more merchandise and wider storefronts, are likely managed by hired shopkeepers. Should we go directly to the owners?”

Shop owners could make direct decisions about purchasing, whereas hired shopkeepers would ask a bunch of questions, then have to consult their employer—often ending in no sale at all.

He had experienced this many times before when selling fish and eels.

Jiang Xiangnan tensed up. “Mother, I… I won’t go inside. Just thinking about it makes me nervous.”

He didn’t know why, but the idea of speaking to a shopkeeper made his legs tremble and his palms sweat.

This was too important.

He was afraid of messing it up.

Jiang Shui quickly added, “Me neither! I’ll stay outside with Xiaoshan. Let Fourth Brother go with you instead.”

Jiang Xiangbei’s dark eyes sparkled with excitement, waiting for his mother’s decision.

Shen Qing didn’t mind.

She turned to Guan Li and asked, “Do you want to come in with us?”

Guan Li was tempted, but as an outsider—and a girl at that—would it be appropriate to go in when even the Jiang siblings stayed outside?

“I… I’d better stay and look after Xiaoshan.”

Before Shen Qing could respond, the three staying outside spoke in unison:

“Sister Li, if you want to go, go! Otherwise, you’ll regret it later!”

“We’ll take good care of Xiaoshan. Don’t worry!”

“Go, Sister! We’ll be waiting for you.”