"Hey, hey, hey, didn't you see this massive carriage? What's wrong with your eyes?" a Imperial Guard yelled angrily, waving his fist.
The young man glanced back at him, nodded slightly as if to apologize...
But the carriage was plain and dirty, and he felt like he had seen it somewhere before.
However, there was no time to dwell on such matters. The youth flicked his whip, his steed whinnied and reared its front hooves before quickly disappearing down the long street.
Xiao Xi Tian lifted the carriage curtain and asked dazedly, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, Sweet Baby, just now a young fellow was careless, riding his horse without looking where he was going, and almost crashed into your carriage..." the Imperial Guard said with a smile.
Xiao Xi Tian let out an "Oh" and gazed in the direction the young man had gone, feeling a vague sense of curiosity, "That's so strange!~"
"Sweet Baby, should I chase after him and bring that kid back?" the Imperial Guard asked.
Sweet Baby was a distinguished guest of the Emperor. If she were to express any dissatisfaction on the road, the Emperor would surely have his head...
Xiao Xi Tian shook her head, "No need, let's keep moving!~"
She really wanted to get back to the village soon. She hadn't delivered milk for a few days and had lost quite a bit of money.
"Alright, alright, let's keep moving. You all be sharp. If any daredevil dares to approach the carriage again, I'll break his legs!"
"Yes!~"
A quarter of an hour later, the carriage slowly drove out of the capital, making its way along a winding official road...
"Sister Shan Shan!" Xiao Xi Tian opened her bundle and took out a piece of osmanthus cake, offering it to Du Tie Shan, "Try this, it's delicious!~"
Before they left, Granny Jin and Granny Gao had specifically gone to the imperial kitchens to personally make several boxes of pastries for Xiao Xi Tian.
There were rose shortcakes, osmanthus cakes, sweet biscuits, and more – all of Xiao Xi Tian's favorites...
Du Tie Shan took a bite and smiled, "It tastes really good. Being with Sweet Baby, I get to enjoy the good things too!~"
Her sister-in-law was so beloved wherever she went. This must be what her parents called good fortune.
She usually wouldn't get to eat such exquisite and delicious pastries.
"Sister Shan Shan, please don't say that!" Xiao Xi Tian's eyes curved into crescents as she handed over the water flask again, "If it weren't for Sister Shan Shan bringing me to the capital, I would have gotten lost long ago myself..."
"How could that be?" Du Tie Shan felt a surge of affection. She took out a handkerchief and wiped away some pastry crumbs from Xiao Xi Tian's lips, "My sister-in-law is not only beautiful, but also very capable. If even you could get lost, then I wouldn't dare to go out anymore!~"
Xiao Xi Tian giggled at her words.
After the sisters-in-law shared a laugh, Xiao Xi Tian changed the subject to business, "Sister Shan Shan, I want to raise a few dairy cows and then open a shop in the county town that specializes in selling milk..."
Not only milk, but other dairy products would also be introduced, such as cheese, curd, and milk candy.
This idea had come to her suddenly, and she hadn't had a chance to tell her parents yet.
If she wanted to open a shop, the family would have to raise dairy cows, otherwise people would become suspicious.
Du Tie Shan was slightly taken aback, "Sweet Baby, do you know how much one cow costs? Let alone a large dairy cow, they are much more expensive than ordinary cattle..."
Given the family's current financial situation, buying even one cow would be difficult, let alone several.
Moreover, opening a shop in the county town would require renting a storefront, some simple renovations, and hiring people for errands, all of which would require a significant amount of money.
Xiao Xi Tian pursed her lips and smiled, blinking her large eyes, "Sister Shan Shan, don't worry, we won't spend any money to buy cows!~"
Du Tie Shan: "???"
What was going on?
Who would give her large dairy cows for free?
Would they just fall from the sky with a 'swoosh'?
"This is a big matter, Sweet Baby. You should go back and tell your parents..." Du Tie Shan murmured.
Actually, even if Sweet Baby didn't say anything, Du Tie Shan had a vague idea of what was happening.
Although she hadn't been with the Yun family for long, whenever the family was short on meat, her sister-in-law would always bring back a sheep or a deer.
Just last time, when she and Yun Erman went hunting in the mountains, they even brought back a wild boar...
Xiao Xi Tian smiled and said, "I'll tell them. Also, Sister Shan Shan, you're such a good cook, haven't you thought about opening a restaurant in the county town or something?"
Du Tie Shan looked helpless. She wanted to, but her pockets were emptier than her face; she couldn't afford it.
Besides, her eldest brother and sister-in-law had long wanted to open a restaurant in the county town, but this matter had been delayed repeatedly and hadn't materialized yet...
"I, I think it's pretty good now!" Du Tie Shan lowered her head and patted the dust off her clothes, "At home, I can take care of my parents and help with the chores. If I go to the county town to open a restaurant, I can't guarantee it will be profitable. What if it fails? I wouldn't be able to live with myself!~"
She knew the family's situation well. Supporting Jin Shan and Jin He's education was the biggest expense...
When she married Erman, it also cost a lot of money. Relying solely on her father's farming to support such a large family was a huge pressure.
If the restaurant didn't make money, she couldn't afford to lose it.
Not only would she be blamed, but she would also feel guilty.
Xiao Xi Tian reached out her small hand, pulled the carriage curtain shut, and then used the fire hook to stir the charcoal in the brazier, "Sister Shan Shan, what I mean is, we can open our shops together. You and Sister-in-law can both go. You're all skilled at stir-frying, cooking, frying, braising, and stewing. I'll sell milk in your small restaurant. We're a family, so we don't need to split the profits equally; we can just give them directly to Mom and Dad..."
This was Xiao Xi Tian's first time thinking about earning money to support the family.
Although she had the soul of a twenty-something, she was still quite playful at heart.
Since she had occupied this body, she had either brought back some food and drinks for her family or helped them overcome difficulties. She had never thought of starting her own business...
After seeing her eldest nephew go to study in another place, she finally understood that even a hero could be stumped by a penny. Whether it was ancient times or modern times, only when one's money bag was full could one speak with confidence.
"Sweet, Sweet Baby, your idea is really good, but... but if Sister-in-law and I are both busy at the restaurant, who will cook at home? Who will do the housework?" Du Tie Shan looked troubled.
Not to mention anything else, but feeding the pigs and chickens, chopping wood, cleaning the stove, washing clothes, and cooking – these chores weren't something just anyone could handle.
Although Jin Huai Hua helped at home, she couldn't manage it all by herself. Unless they wanted to work her to death.
Xiao Xi Tian listened and then turned her eyes, "Sister Shan Shan, don't worry, there will be a way!~"
When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. She wouldn't be defeated by such a small setback...
Du Tie Shan hummed in response, still not entirely reassured.
At the same time, in the study of Pingyang Marquis's mansion, Gu Mingyan frowned as he stared at the young man before him.