Fan Zehao shoved the silver ingot back to him: "Having said so much, and having disturbed your business, I'll keep the rest of the silver. You just need to deliver these things to the inn for me. Mainly, my wife likes your things, and I just want to make my wife happy!"
The vendor rubbed his hands, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Well, this... how could I accept it so readily!"
Unable to shake off his unease, the vendor finally remembered they were staying at the inn. He then offered: "If the two ladies don't mind, you can stay at my house. I still have an empty room, and it's very convenient for meals and lodging. Staying at this inn for a night will cost quite a bit, not worth it!"
Fan Zehao remained silent. He glanced at his wife, his eyes asking for her opinion. She thought for a moment. Although staying in the countryside would be inconvenient, it was also the closest to the truth of the matter.
"It is better to accept your kindness than to refuse. Let's go. We won't be staying long anyway!"
Zhao Jiaqi's words echoed Fan Zehao's thoughts. The couple followed the vendor into the village. Although Te Shou was unclear about his master's intentions, since he wasn't called upon, he remained hidden.
The name of this village was quite amusing.
Zhao Jiaqi pointed to the archway at the village entrance, which bore three characters: Gang Xia Village!
"If I remember correctly, there's a village called Gang Shang Village ahead. Your two villages differ by just one character!"
The vendor placed his carrying pole on the ground, looked up, and smiled: "There's a story behind our two villages!"
A story?
The couple loved to hear all sorts of stories, so they immediately asked him to tell it!
The vendor looked at the couple and saw they were honest folk. He then said: "Originally, this was one village, and it was very large back then!"
"Originally, Gang Shang Village had a pair of twin daughters, who married into our current village, which also had a pair of twin sons. The two families became in-laws!"
"When the daughters were married, it was agreed that no matter which of these two pairs of newlyweds gave birth first, boy or girl, they would give one to the family of the married-out daughter. But the mother-in-law's family reneged on the deal!"
"This caused a dispute. Later, the elder sister of the twins, being kind-hearted, intended to divorce her husband and return home to find a son-in-law. But her husband was very fond of this kind elder sister. After much discussion, they severed ties with the husband's family and moved in with the wife's family!"
After finishing his story, the vendor couldn't help but reveal a look of regret: "Because they were in the same village, the wife's family was the village chief. However, the husband's family was a prominent clan in the village with many relatives. This back-and-forth dispute eventually led to the division of the village!"
"The wife's family's side was called Gang Shang Village, and the husband's side was called Gang Xia Village. From then on, the two villages almost had no contact."
"Later, after decades, people gradually forgot about the past, and the village chiefs no longer mentioned those old matters. So, occasionally, they do maintain contact and even intermarry now!"
This story... was all caused by the lack of sons, which had brutally split one village in two. It was fortunate that the village was large and populous, otherwise, it would have been completely dismantled!
The story concluded, and they had also arrived at the vendor's home.
Earthen houses, wooden fences, and creaking wooden doors – a place like this would make even a thief shed tears.
"Dad, Mom, we have guests!"
As the vendor entered the courtyard, he called out towards the house. Happily, he placed the goods in the storeroom, and then brought them water: "It's a bit dirty in the countryside, um... please wash up first, I'll go boil some water for you!"
Although he said it was dirty, it was just mostly yellow earth and dilapidated houses. However, the courtyard was tidied up quite neatly. Despite being a mud floor, it was swept very clean, with not a single dirty fallen leaf.
Inside the house, those who heard the commotion came out. One was blind, and the other was lame. They supported each other as they emerged.
"Quan'er, do we have guests?"
The old woman fumbled, calling out to Zhang Quan. The lame old man beside her answered for his son: "Yes, a young couple has arrived!"
Zhao Jiaqi could hardly believe her eyes. The vendor was already pitiful enough, and his family was even worse... this was truly adding insult to injury.
Zhao Jiaqi walked over and helped the old woman: "Auntie, we are traveling merchants, staying at your home for a few days."
The old woman's face lit up upon hearing the delicate voice. She fumbled for her hand and touched it: "Such soft and tender skin, it's wonderful!"
She held Zhao Jiaqi's hand, reluctant to let go, and her heart yearned for the daughter she had lost.
Zhang Quan came out of the kitchen and saw his mother holding the lady's hand, unwilling to release it. He blushed, smiling awkwardly at Zhao Jiaqi: "My mother is holding your hand, she misses my sister. My sister's hands were also very tender!"
Zhao Jiaqi glanced around the courtyard but didn't see the sister he mentioned. She must have been married, otherwise, she would have come out of the house.
Uncle Zhang helped his wife back into the house and warmly greeted the couple.
The room was very dark. On the eight-immortal table, missing a leg, bowls were placed. Zhang Quan poured them bowls of water and brought them over: "Please don't mind, this is all we have."
"When traveling, a bowl of hot water is a great blessing. How could we possibly be picky? We just didn't expect your family's situation to be like this. If we had known, we would have brought more things!"
This made the couple, who had arrived empty-handed, feel very embarrassed.
Mainly, the couple hadn't expected the vendor's family to be in such straits, almost similar to their situation when they first got married.
However, they were luckier; the mother-in-law was in good health.
Zhang Quan said honestly: "Brother, you are too polite. The ten taels of silver you gave us are enough for our family of three for several years' worth of food. If you were to bring more things, I would truly have no face left."
Laughter and chatter filled the room, making it lively. Zhang Quan's parents were very happy. It seemed their home hadn't been this lively in a long time.
For dinner, Zhang Quan cooked. He killed an old hen and stewed it. Although the taste wasn't exceptional, in this home, it was considered a top-tier delicacy.
The meal tasted different. To Zhang Quan's family, it was delicious. To the couple, they tasted the bitterness of this family's plight.
After dinner, Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi washed up and went to rest. Zhang Quan, however, was still busy outside.
The couple lay by the window and looked out. They saw the young man lighting a fire and, illuminated by its glow, sitting and carving.
Zhao Jiaqi sighed softly: "This young man is truly diligent. After a busy day, he still has to work late at night. He's really trying his best for a living!"
Fan Zehao put on his outer garment and said: "This young man is honest, and honestly, I like him."
Zhao Jiaqi looked at him preparing to go out and smiled: "What, are you planning to take him as your son?"
This Zhang Quan looked at least twenty-four or twenty-five years old, so being a son was out of the question! However, he could be a bodyguard.
Fan Zehao snorted: "Why a son? What if he becomes my son-in-law!"
With such an honest person, even if their daughter married him, they wouldn't have to worry about Yu Meng being bullied!
He said this and left, leaving Zhao Jiaqi inside the house thoroughly shaken.