Everyone pays to travel.
Those with horses and carts are happy to let them hitch a ride, making some convenient extra money.
Fifty coins for one person, a hundred for two, and the cart, apart from goods and driver, can carry up to five people.
It’s the same fare when returning from the county.
The money is easily collected, facilitating those going to town, making both sides happy.
Aunt Liu’s husband works as a long-term laborer for a wealthy household in the county town, a business involved in trading goods between the north and south.
The shop often needs people to move things; Aunt Liu’s husband is strong and has done short-term work before. The owner was satisfied with his strength and kept him on as a permanent laborer.
Although short-term work pays more daily than long-term work, it often involves working a day and being idle for three to five days, sometimes seven or eight days, or even half a month.
In the slow summer season, one might not find any short-term work for a month or two.
However, long-term work is paid monthly, regardless of how many days worked, and the agreed monthly wage is given.
Over a year, long-term work brings more money than short-term work, and Aunt Liu’s husband has been doing it for several years now.
Adding the harvest from their land and Aunt Liu’s side income from making pastries, the couple’s income is considered middle-upper class in the village.
They can’t eat lavishly every day, nor can every piece of clothing be silk, but Aunt Liu’s husband has never let Aunt Liu down in terms of basic food and clothing.
Aunt Liu arrived at the county town, at the shop where her husband works.
Her husband was very happy to see her, even took half a day off to accompany her, bringing her to a small living quarters arranged by the shop owner, buying a table full of good food and drink.
Aunt Liu didn’t eat, shy and bashful.
"I came to the county town, first to buy some tonic for mom; the country pharmacy’s tonics are of poor quality. Second, to buy some pens, ink, and books for Hu Zi. He’s almost eight and needs to start school." Aunt Liu said with a gentle smile.
The mom she mentioned is her mother-in-law, and Hu Zi is the son from her husband’s previous marriage.
She acts so virtuous yet shy.
Her husband’s admiration for her grew even more.
The brief reunion was like a second honeymoon; naturally, the couple was affectionate.
Aunt Liu was particularly enthusiastic, but to her shock and frustration, her husband couldn’t perform well.
"Yesterday, while moving things, I hit this spot; it’s still a bit painful. The doctor said it needs two to three months to heal." Her husband apologized.
Two to three months to heal?
Aunt Liu wanted to hit her husband!
She’s now a month pregnant; in three months, her belly will be four months along.
It’ll be showing; how can she hide that?
Damn husband, how could he damage that part!
Aunt Liu, in anger, pushed her husband away.
Her demeanor made her husband very afraid.
To mollify her and avoid her disdain, he gave her ten taels of recently saved money, "It’s rare for you to come to the county; buy yourself a nice outfit, buy a hairpin."
Aunt Liu cursed him in her heart, resented him, but only smiled as she accepted it.
Now, about the Second Princess, today’s business unexpectedly went well.
She happily returned home.
Li Yuzhu saw her smile and guessed that her business must have been good.
"How’s it going? Second sister, did all the pastries sell out?" Li Yuzhu deliberately asked to make her happier.
The Second Princess was proud, chuckling, "Of course, even a few flattened pastries sold at half price."
The Great Princess snorted, "That whatever cousin of Daniu, didn’t she make things difficult for you?"
The Second Princess made a sound of surprise, "She saw me then, and seemed very angry. But she just glared at me, then quickly walked away without saying a word, didn’t make things difficult for me."
"Wow, did the sun rise in the west today?" The Great Princess also expressed surprise.
However, recalling Li Yuzhu’s words, the Second Princess laughed, "Third sister guessed correctly again, she won’t trouble me; it’d be best if her husband is even more fierce, then she wouldn’t be in the mood to give me trouble."
Li Yuzhu nodded with a smile, "Yes, I also hope she stays docile."
The child in her belly will keep her restrained for half a year!
And in this half a year, as long as Aunt Liu doesn’t interfere with the Second Princess, the Second Princess can basically take over Aunt Liu’s business.
By the time Aunt Liu deals with the baby’s matter, nobody would want to buy her pastries anymore.
The next morning, the Second Princess was busy with her baking again.
She needed to make more today because tomorrow was market day again.
Additionally, Miss Chai would be coming over today, and Princess Consort Luling also wanted her to make some different styles.
Li Yuzhu drew several designs and also wrote explanations.