Chapter 168
Early in the morning, shortly after the sun rose, the streets were already bustling. Water sellers pushed small wheelbarrows, the wheels creaking as they rolled over the bluestone pavement. Firewood sellers carried bundles of firewood on their shoulders, hawking their goods. Vendors selling wonton and shaobing had already set up their stalls, and the aroma of various foods filled the air.
[烧饼 (shāo bǐng): a traditional Chinese baked or pan-fried flatbread, often layered and flaky, that can be sweet or savory, filled with ingredients like red bean paste or sesame]
After the New Year, the couplets and spring blessings pasted on every family's door still looked fresh. Walking along the street, passing by umbrella shops and lantern shops, the umbrella makers and lantern craftsmen had already hung up their wares. When the wind blew, the umbrellas and lanterns swayed gently.
A mule clopped down the street, its hooves tapping rhythmically. Shen Xuanqing sat at the front of the cart it pulled, driving it into the alley next to the brothel
Early in the morning, all the other shops and stores were open, with clerks and owners bustling about. Only the people in the brothel rose late.
He knocked on the small door, announced his name, and soon someone came to open it. Together, they unloaded the rabbit cages from the cart. After moving them inside, Shen Xuanqing took back the empty cages from last time. Today, he didn’t run into Luo Biao, and he didn’t ask the kitchen helper to call for him. Everyone had their own tasks to attend to, they could meet next time.
The six rabbits sold for 270 copper coins. After tucking the money away, he bid farewell to the kitchen helper and drove the mule cart back home.
In another month, by mid-February, the litter of 56 rabbits would have been raised for half a year and could be sold. Some green grass had already begun to sprout, and in a few days, they could dig for wild greens in the mountains. Feeding that litter would surely fatten them up more than now.
Besides the brothel, the tavern owned by Yang Xian in Jixing Town also required regular deliveries. Since they were close acquaintances, and with the influence of Lao Yangtou and his shiniang, Shen Xuanqing sold the rabbits there for 35 copper coins each during autumn and winter when the rabbits were plump and their fur thick - slightly cheaper than the market price, but reasonable given the bulk purchases. Each delivery consisted of ten rabbits, as the tavern wasn’t a lavish place like the brothel. If Yang Xian (Lao Yangtou's son) didn’t need the pelts, Shen Xuanqing could sell them separately.
[师娘 (shīniáng): the wife of one's master (师父, shīfu), especially in traditional apprenticeships (martial arts, crafts, etc.)
Rabbits truly bred quickly and in large numbers. They couldn’t keep raising them indefinitely. Whether sold at high or low prices, as long as they were sold, it meant income,
they wouldn’t lose out. This winter, their earnings were already higher than previous years. Sometimes, Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing would also bring a cartload of firewood to sell in town. Every handful of copper coins saved up added to their daily expenses.
With so many people in town, it wasn’t easy to let the mule run freely. Shen Xuanqing barely flicked his whip. When he reached the silver shop, he tugged the reins to stop the mule, climbed down from the cart, and called inside, "Clerk, help me bring out the item."
Coming alone, if the mule got spooked and ran off in the street, it would be hard to chase.
The clerk inside, polishing silverware, heard the noise, peeked out, and recognized him. He quickly retrieved a silver bracelet wrapped in red cloth and hurried out.
The clerk cradled the red cloth in his palm and unfolded it, smiling broadly. "Take a look."
Shen Xuanqing picked up the silver bracelet and examined it carefully. This bracelet was slightly thicker than the one he had bought for Lu Gu before. Under the sunlight, it gleamed brightly, engraved with patterns of grain ears - a design he had previously commissioned from an old craftsman, now expertly replicated.
[谷 (gǔ) in Lu Gu's name means grain]
"This is the one." Satisfied, he wrapped the bracelet back in the red cloth and tucked it into his pocket before opening his purse to pay the clerk. Since the shopkeeper hadn’t come out, he added, "That settles the payment."
"Indeed, indeed. The shopkeeper had instructed that the deposit was already paid, only the remaining sum was needed." The clerk accepted the money with a smile, then repeatedly wished him a safe journey before returning inside to settle the accounts.
In the courtyard, Lu Gu sat in the sun, idly doing embroidery. A clay stove under the eaves had been fueled with firewood, and a large earthen pot on top simmered with several meat bones. The dogs, big and small, circled the stove, with Guaizi even whining softly. The puppies had learned to mimic his sounds.
The meat bones were stewed for Lu Gu himself. In winter, there were few vegetables to eat, mostly just cabbage, radish, and winter bamboo shoots. Lately, he had developed a craving for meat, so Shen Xuanqing frequently bought some, either from town or from Meng Dayue’s place.
The rich aroma of the stew made his mouth water. Thinking there were plenty of bones, he decided to wait for Shen Xuanqing to return so they could eat together. If his mother-in-law and elder brother came over, they could also help themselves to a few, it was very convenient.
The clay stove and earthen pot were both scalding hot. Though a couple of long bones stuck out from the pot, Lu Gu had previously scolded the greedy Guaizi, smacking his butt a few times. With Da Hui keeping watch, none of the other dogs dared to steal a bite. The two puppies, being shorter and unable to reach the pot, required no extra attention.
Guaizi was so desperate that his whines sounded almost tearful. Lu Gu bit off his embroidery thread and looked up at him. Guaizi immediately whimpered and rubbed against his leg, wagging his tail furiously to curry favor.
"Why are you so greedy? Wait a little longer. Let it stew more. When Er Qing returns, you can have a bone." Lu Gu had no choice but to pat his head and console him softly.
Seeing Lu Gu unmoved, Guaizi whined a few more times, then plopped his head onto Lu Gu’s lap, acting spoiled and coquettish.
"Ah, ah, get down! You’re getting fur all over my pants." Lu Gu tried to push the dog’s head away, washing pants was troublesome. But Guaizi refused, and the two engaged in a playful struggle.
Only when Da Hui and the others barked and ran toward the gate did Guaizi reluctantly move away. He didn’t go to greet Shen Xuanqing, instead standing by the clay stove, staring fixedly at the meat bones. It wasn’t until Shen Xuanqing entered the courtyard that Guaizi gave a half-hearted wag of his tail.
Having raised so many dogs, Shen Xuanqing prided himself on treating them well. Never had he expected Guaizi to be so shameless as to forget his "dad" for the sake of meat bones. Smiling, he bent down and gave Guaizi’s rump a light smack.
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