Chapter 108: “Call Him Ancestor”

Ye Xin Ran hurried home and immediately told Xiao Huai’an about what had happened.

“I don’t think Zhang Da Shan was just passing by. He must have been going up the mountain to look at something or following me deliberately.”

“Zhang Da Shan… He really hasn’t changed!”

Xiao Huai’an recalled how that mother and son pair had bullied the three children.

He had let them off the hook once, but now Zhang Da Shan dared to show up again.

A plan formed in Xiao Huai’an’s mind, though he didn’t show it outwardly.

He comforted Ye Xin Ran, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Zhang Da Shan.”

“Alright!”

Ye Xin Ran felt slightly relieved.

“I’m not too worried about anything else, just that he might try to interfere with our business. But thinking it over, I doubt he has the capability.”

“He certainly doesn’t,” Xiao Huai’an replied calmly.

And it would be best if he didn’t even entertain the thought. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how he met his end.

Over the next few days, Ye Xin Ran kept an eye on Zhang Da Shan’s movements.

To her surprise, Zhang Da Shan stayed home obediently. He didn’t go anywhere or try following her again.

“Maybe I was overthinking it,” Ye Xin Ran said.

A few days later, Xiao Huai’an’s leg fully recovered.

The two decided it was time to head to the county and buy a carriage.

When Xiao Huai’an appeared in the village, everyone was stunned.

At first, people couldn’t put their finger on what seemed different about him.

Then someone pointed to his leg, and the realization dawned on everyone.

Xiao Huai’an’s limp was gone.

With his leg healed, Xiao Huai’an appeared even more elegant and distinguished.

Some of the women in the village, who had previously pitied Ye Xin Ran, quickly changed their tune and began expressing envy.

“I always said that Xiao Huai’an’s only flaw was his limp. Now that his leg is healed, he’s undoubtedly one of the best young men in our village.”

“Didn’t you once want your daughter to marry him? Bet you regret it now!”

“What’s the use of regretting? Our girl doesn’t have Madam Ye’s skills.

Look at the two of them now, such a perfect match, like a couple made in heaven.”

“Exactly! Just look at them walking together, they’re so eye-catching. A handsome man and a beautiful woman, truly a sight to behold.”

“They’re wealthy too! Their new house is already being built!”

Amid the villagers’ envious praise, Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an boarded a bullock cart and headed to the county.

Upon arriving, the couple first visited the horse market to select a horse.

The shopkeeper pointed at a chestnut horse and said, “If you’re looking to buy a horse, this chestnut one is your best choice, tall, strong, and powerful.”

Ye Xin Ran glanced at the horse and thought it looked fine.

But Xiao Huai’an shook his head. “This horse may look tall and strong, but it’s old, and its leg is injured, it won’t run fast.”

In the end, Xiao Huai’an went into the stables himself and selected a spirited horse.

The horse was entirely black, except for a tuft of white hair on its forehead. Its eyes were round and bright, making it look strikingly handsome.

Ye Xin Ran immediately liked it at first sight.

“You’ve got a sharp eye, sir,” the shopkeeper said, eager to please. “This is the finest horse we have. Its previous owner claimed it even went to battle! Horses like this are known for their stamina and loyalty. Once it recognizes you as its owner, it’ll always find its way home, no matter where you leave it.”

“Then why didn’t it go back to its last owner?” Ye Xin Ran asked casually.

“Well…” The shopkeeper hesitated. “Our stables are well-secured, of course, so it couldn’t escape.”

“Then if we take it home, won’t it try to run away? Wouldn’t our silver be wasted?” Ye Xin Ran looked concerned.

“That’s… not likely,” the shopkeeper stammered. “It’s been away from its previous owner for so long, it probably doesn’t remember them anymore. Horses don’t have great memory, maybe a month at most. Yes, just a month, and it forgets.”

Xiao Huai’an found Ye Xin Ran’s earnest questions amusing.

He observed the horse’s gait and said, “This horse hasn’t even had its hooves shod. Shopkeeper, and you’re telling me it’s been to war?”

Caught off guard by their knowledge, the shopkeeper realized he was dealing with an expert.

Unable to argue further, he gave in and said, “Fine, fine, you just want a lower price, don’t you? Fifty taels, no haggling. If you want it, take it.”

“Fifty taels, is that expensive?” Ye Xin Ran asked Xiao Huai’an.

“It’s reasonable,” Xiao Huai’an replied after another look at the horse.

“Alright then,” Ye Xin Ran agreed, pulling out her money pouch. She handed over a silver note and asked the shopkeeper, “Do you also have suitable carriages? I’d like to buy one as well.”

“We do. Eight taels for the carriage,” the shopkeeper replied lazily.

After Xiao Huai’an nodded in approval, Ye Xin Ran handed over the silver note.

“Then we’ll take one horse and one carriage. Shopkeeper, please throw in some soft cushions for the carriage too.”

Although this sale didn’t bring much profit, even a mosquito’s leg is still meat.

The shopkeeper called over a clerk, who led them to choose a suitable carriage and then took the horse to get its hooves shod.

Ye Xin Ran picked out the largest cushion for the carriage, and only then did the two of them drive the horse-drawn carriage out of the stables.

Ye Xin Ran initially wanted Xiao Huai’an to learn how to drive the carriage from the clerk, but to her surprise, Xiao Huai’an didn’t need any lessons.

He tightened the reins, picked up the whip, and, as if he’d done it countless times before, skillfully drove the carriage into the street.

Watching the street scenes flash by, Ye Xin Ran casually asked:

“So, you know how to drive a carriage?”

“Mm.”

Xiao Huai’an simply nodded.

Then, raising the whip, he sped up and drove the carriage straight to Yong Le Hall.

Shopkeeper Li saw the carriage approaching and thought it was another customer.

When the two jumped down from the carriage, he was taken aback.

“You two came together today?”

“Wait, something’s off, Xiao Huai’an, you’re here? And your leg… it’s healed?”

“Isn’t that too many questions?” Xiao Huai’an responded expressionlessly, answering with a question of his own. “Where’s Li Mo?”

“The boss is in the backyard. I’ll go fetch him!”

Li Qiao was about to head to the backyard when Xiao Huai’an waved his hand.

“I’ll go myself.”

With that, he led Ye Xin Ran to the backyard.

Li Mo had been working on the accounts all morning. When the two entered, he was standing by the lake feeding fish to clear his mind.

Seeing Xiao Huai’an walk in, Li Mo rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Huai’an, your leg is really healed? You can walk normally now?”

He hurried over, grabbing Xiao Huai’an’s arm and looking him up and down.

“This is amazing, absolutely amazing!”

“I knew it! Your wife is a miracle doctor. It’s all thanks to her that your leg healed!”

Ye Xin Ran smiled and shook her head modestly, signaling that he was being too polite.

However, Xiao Huai’an curved his lips into a meaningful smile and said, “Why are you calling her sister-in-law? Call her “Ancestor” instead.”