The carriage stopped beside a house on the roadside, and when they got out of the carriage, another group was also taking shelter from the rain.
Usually, the houses built by the roadside were comparatively large, with spacious courtyards and rooms designed to provide rest and shelter from rain for passing travelers. They would prepare some food, and travelers with money would certainly give a generous reward, while those without would still offer a few coins. Over the course of a year, this could be more profitable than farming.
As soon as the host saw the carriage enter the courtyard, he immediately came out to greet them.
He paused upon seeing Duobao, the young man was quite handsome.
Seeing Xie Zhinuan getting out of the carriage with a long sword, and Duobao holding an oiled paper umbrella to shield her from the rain.
"..."
This girl was even prettier, could they be a couple?
Not until they were under the eaves did Xie Zhinuan speak, "I’m fine; you go take care of the carriage. Let the horses relax a bit!"
"Yes!" Duobao replied solemnly and prepared to turn around to tend to the task.
The man hurriedly said, "No need for the young man to trouble himself, I’ll have my boy take care of it. He can lead the carriage to the shed, disassemble the carriage frame, and feed and water the horses!"
Duobao looked over at Xie Zhinuan.
Xie Zhinuan nodded, took out her pouch, and fetched a five-tael silver coin to give to the man, "Thank you for your trouble!"
The man took it with a smile that squinted his eyes, "No trouble at all, no trouble at all!"
"Miss, please have a seat for a moment; I will make arrangements right away!"
Receiving the five taels of silver made the man very pleased.
He hurried to the kitchen to have hot water prepared, instructed his son to take care of the horses and also to wipe them down and feed them the best fodder.
He then called his daughter to arrange a room for Xie Zhinuan, in case the rain lasted too long and they were unable to depart, necessitating an overnight stay.
"Thank you!"
The young girl, in her teens, blushed slightly.
She led Xie Zhinuan to the house.
The house was somewhat surprising, with a small central hall and one room on each side.
Xie Zhinuan chose one room and suggested Duobao stay in the other.
"If the rain continues, we won’t leave just yet; we can wait until tomorrow to depart!"
Rain in February and March was still cold.
"Yes!"
Duobao again responded, with much respect.
Xie Zhinuan smiled and entered the room.
She mused to herself that Duobao’s stubborn temperament indeed needed to be challenged.
Tea and snacks were served.
They had rice cakes steamed by the farmers themselves, as well as sunflower seeds, peanuts, and wild fruits picked from the mountains.
"Miss, would you like some Yingtao?" the young girl asked quietly.
"?" Xie Zhinuan looked at her.
"There’s a family in the village that has them. They came to ask me if any distinguished guests would like to buy some. Miss, would you like some?" The girl asked, her face blushing slightly.
Yingtao?
Xie Zhinuan hadn’t had any this year yet.
She had been keeping an eye out for them, planning to buy some for the two children to eat and to make extra into jam.
"I’ll take a look!"
Truth be told, she was a bit tempted herself.
Following the young girl to the back door, they found a boy wearing a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat, carrying a basket; inside the basket were bright red yingtao, looking extremely fine.
The basket was carefully covered with an oiled paper umbrella, apparently picked before the rain started, with the intention of selling them to those seeking shelter from the rain.
"Hmm, how much? I’ll take it!" Xie Zhinuan murmured softly.
She reached for her pouch.
Inside, there were a few one-tael silver pieces and some copper coins.
"One..."
"One tael?" Xie Zhinuan asked.
Actually, a basket of yingtao wouldn’t really cost a tael of silver.
"A hundred wen!" the boy said quietly.
"..."
Xie Zhinuan let out a soft laugh, "Do you have more at home?"
"Yes, but after the rain, they will be knocked down by the rain, and the ones that get wet won’t keep for long. Yingtao are sweetest when picked during sunny weather," the boy explained earnestly.
Obviously, he was suggesting that Xie Zhinuan should not buy them.