Xie Zhinuan smiled.
The little girl was furiously angry, shooting the boy a glare. The boy lowered his head with some unease.
The emotions of youth, so genuine.
Especially when not intertwined with too many interests.
It seemed that the boy liked the girl, and the girl liked him as well.
"Here is one tael of silver. I’ll take all of your cherries, but I’ll leave when the rain stops or lessens. You must deliver them to the Xie Residence in the county city. If you can’t find the Xie Residence, there’s an inn outside the city. Take it to Manager Meng; he knows where my home is. Alternatively, you can pick them every morning, and I’ll send someone to collect them. Later, I will give you a few more taels of silver. Is that agreeable?"
"Agreed, agreed. I’ll deliver it to the county city tomorrow!" Dong Dalang quickly assented.
His family had over a dozen cherry trees which could sell for a tael or two of silver in a year, but this year’s harvest was especially good.
He thought that by selling more, he could save enough for a betrothal gift to propose to Dong Mei.
And by delivering it himself, he could save the young lady the trouble of sending someone to pick up the cherries, and he might get a tip for his efforts.
Dong Mei, too, began to smile.
Xie Zhinuan handed over the silver and walked away with the cherries.
Dong Mei couldn’t help but praise them, "The cherries from Big Brother Dong’s family are very sweet and delicious. Would you like to wash a bowl and try some, miss?"
"No need. I’ll bring them home for the children to eat!" Xie Zhinuan declined politely.
This was her first time buying cherries this year.
She thought of resting for a while, letting the horse rest, eating something, and no matter if it rained hard or light, she would brave the rain to go home.
She wanted the two children to taste something fresh early.
However, Xie Zhinuan didn’t expect to encounter such a shrewish woman in such a humble farmer’s home.
"You, stop right there!" Sun Yiyi said sternly.
Her eyes fixed on the basket in Xie Zhinuan’s hand.
Cherries, she hadn’t expected to find cherries in such a remote and impoverished place.
"..." Xie Zhinuan stopped in her tracks.
Dong Mei also stopped, turning to look at Sun Yiyi.
Sun Yiyi stepped forward several paces and scolded, "Well well, you wretched girl, keeping the good stuff from me!"
"No, it’s not like that!" Dong Mei hastened to explain.
She had just happened to go to the beautiful lady’s courtyard when Dong Dalang came, and had casually asked about the cherries, never imagining that the deal would be struck.
Xie Zhinuan looked at Sun Yiyi, "If you like, I can spare a bowl for you!"
But giving them all away was out of the question.
She wanted to bring them home to satisfy her children’s cravings.
"One bowl? Are you trying to insult me? I want them all. You’d better be sensible, or else...!" Sun Yiyi raised her voice as a maid stepped forward to grab the basket.
"Or else what?" Xie Zhinuan retorted.
She stood with the basket, calm and unhurried, facing Sun Yiyi squarely and unflinchingly.
"Or else I’ll have my father throw you in jail. I’ll have you know, my father is the magistrate of Gaocheng County, hmph!"
Magistrate Sun...
So, she was Sun Yian’s sister.
"I was willing to give you a bowl, but now, I won’t give you a single cherry!"
Having said that, Xie Zhinuan walked away with the basket.
Dong Mei was surprised.
Sun Yiyi was also extremely shocked.
This was the first time in her sixteen years, after revealing her identity, that someone had refused to give her face.
"You stop, stop right there!" she shouted, commanding her maids, "Stop her for me, seize the cherries!"
Sun Yiyi’s maids and nannies rushed forth, but before they could get close to Xie Zhinuan, Duobao sent each one flying with a kick.
He stood before Xie Zhinuan and scolded sternly, "A mere magistrate’s daughter dares to rob someone in broad daylight? What an eye-opener indeed!"