Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

26, Dog Seller (3 more updates)

Azhu watched from the side, feeling a mixture of envy and pity.
She envied Xie Zhinuan’s excellent cooking skills, her embroidery talents, her beauty, but felt sorry for her because she had no family.
Xie Zhinuan, however, did not concern herself with Azhu’s conflicting feelings. When Madam Yuan arrived, she informed her that she would return to Xiaohe Village the day after tomorrow and asked Madam Yuan to help find a donkey cart for the journey.
Although surprised, Madam Yuan agreed to help.
On one hand, she wanted to keep Xie Zhinuan, offering her son as a match, but on the other hand, she considered that Xie Zhinuan had no relatives and couldn’t be an asset to her son. It would be better for her to return to Xiaohe Village to avoid complications if she stayed longer and potentially involved Madam Yuan’s two sons.
Yuan Cheng was reluctant to see her go, but Xie Zhinuan was determined to leave, and he couldn’t well insist that she stay. Business at the tavern was booming that day, with several tables already reserved for the evening.
Xie Zhinuan didn’t go to the kitchen that evening. Instead, she sat under a window working on a small garment. Her speed was incredibly fast, and since the garment was small too, she finished one quickly, followed by a pair of little pants, also completed swiftly.
After finishing both sets, Azhu came to invite her to dine with Madam Yuan.
When Xie Zhinuan arrived, only Madam Yuan was there.
“My two sons won’t be back from school, and your sister Ya is married, so it’s impossible for her to come and keep me company. Your uncle is busy out front, so tonight, it will just be the two of us having a simple meal!”
Though she said it was to be a simple meal, the dishes served were quite good, a mix of seven different meat and vegetarian options.
Xie Zhinuan nodded, sitting beside Madam Yuan, and ate quietly.
She was beautiful, well-behaved, and skilled; Madam Yuan’s thoughts shifted-she couldn’t be the main wife, but she would indeed make a favorable concubine!
Thinking this, Madam Yuan’s warmth towards Xie Zhinuan increased, leaving her confused and only able to express her gratitude, “Thank you, Auntie!”
“Eat more!”
After the meal, Xie Zhinuan remained puzzled by Madam Yuan’s sudden warmth, unable to understand it, and thus decided not to ponder it anymore.
She went to sleep peacefully.
After all, she would be leaving the day after tomorrow. Upon departing this time, who knew when she would return to the county seat again-why trouble herself with overthinking?
However, in the middle of the night, there was a commotion in the backyard.
Azhu was called to boil water, and Xie Zhinuan sat up groggily, only to learn that Yuan Cheng’s eldest son had come home. He reportedly caught a chill at school, was running a high fever, and had returned to see a doctor and rest.
The backyard was noisy for a while before it settled down.
Xie Zhinuan lay back down and continued to sleep.
Come morning, she opted not to go out to buy groceries. Yuan Cheng felt awkward about asking her to go, so he went himself with others. Xie Zhinuan got up and heard from Azhu that there was a wonton shop at the gate, reputed to have delicious wontons.
Xie Zhinuan decided to try them out.
“Then I will go inform the lady!”
Madam Yuan naturally agreed and insisted that Donghua accompany her, and to also buy a portion for their eldest young master, Yuan Wang.
The wontons at the street corner were not as tasty as Azhu had said-the skins were thick, the meat not tender enough, and overall they were just average.
After finishing the wontons, an old man came by leading a large yellow dog and carrying a basket on his back.
Xie Zhinuan curiously looked on.
“He’s here to sell the dog!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan, thinking of getting a dog herself, approached curiously for a look.
The old man saw a young girl staring curiously at his basket, which contained a small yellow dog.
“Miss, are you interested in buying a dog? This female dog is very obedient and sensible, quiet by nature. Whatever I say, she understands. This is the only puppy from her litter. I’m only selling because things are tough at home. I just hope the miss will buy it to guard the house and look after the yard, and not eat it for meat!” the old man said, his eyes reddening with reluctance.
The yellow dog beside him seemed even more obedient and sensible, as if tears streamed down from the corners of its eyes.

Chapter 28