Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Good Price
“I reckon that what Gu Ya’s carrying looks a bit like game hunted from the mountains!”
Before Gu Ya could speak, the auntie next to him immediately smiled and said, “How could that be possible? Didn’t Gu Ya stop hunting in the mountains after the incident half a year ago? How could what he’s carrying be game?”
“Isn’t that the truth? Look at my memory! I really can’t remember things well.”
The exchange between the two women spared Gu Ya the need to respond.
When the cart driver saw that there were about four or five people on the cart, knowing that there weren’t many people rushing to the market due to the busy farming season, he did not wait for the cart to be fully loaded as usual before heading to the market.
After Gu Ya and his wife Su Yunjin boarded the cart, the driver urged the ox forward toward the market. The couple sat on the cart, paying no attention to the ongoing gossip between the two aunties, nor did the aunties notice the pheasants and hares Su Yunjin was carrying on her back.
It was Su Yunjin’s first time riding on such an ox-cart. Despite the thick layer of straw on the cart, she still found the ride uncomfortably bumpy.
Finally, when they arrived at the market, Su Yunjin was the first to jump off the cart, followed closely by Gu Ya.
In the village, taking the ox-cart cost two copper coins per person, and Gu Ya had the fare prepared well in advance. After getting off, he handed the money directly to the driver.
The two aunties and the older woman who had ridden with them seemed drowsy on the ride, and only after Gu Ya and his wife had paid and left, did they yawn and get off the cart to pay the fare.
This was Su Yunjin’s first visit to an ancient market and she stepped off the cart visibly excited, finding everything novel. Gu Ya followed his young wife, quickening his pace for fear of losing track of her in her eagerness.
After a round through the market, Su Yunjin noticed that it was just as lively as a modern street, with all kinds of things for sale.
The market was flanked by street vendors, restaurants, shops, and peddlers; this small market had everything that was expected. After looking around in fascination, Su Yunjin remembered the purpose of their visit and, turning to Gu Ya, asked, “By the way, where should we sell the game?”
“Let’s go to the Fuyun Tower ahead!” Gu Ya had always sold his quarry from the mountains to Fuyun Tower, and he planned to do the same this time with the game he had hunted yesterday.
Following Gu Ya, Su Yunjin reached Fuyun Tower, where it was clear Gu Ya was quite familiar with the place. As soon as Gu Ya arrived, the kitchen manager greeted him, and Su Yunjin handed over her basket to Gu Ya and waited for him outside.
Being a regular at this restaurant, Su Yunjin did not have to wait long; soon, Gu Ya came out having settled on a good price for the game.
Seeing Gu Ya come out, Su Yunjin immediately went up to him, “All sold?”
“Take a look!” Gu Ya handed over the three taels of silver in full to Su Yunjin’s hands, and her eyes gleamed at the sight of the silver, “This much?”
“I’m an old acquaintance of the manager, and he didn’t drive a hard bargain. He offered a very fair price!” Gu Ya said.