Chapter 32: Buying a Car

Seeing Tianshu’s hesitant and conflicted expression, Hong Xiaoduo knew this child was very sensible. He likely wanted something special but was too embarrassed to ask, wasn't he?

"Mother, actually, we can just buy the cheapest cotton clothes. I just felt them; the cotton ones are quite thick. The cotton stuffed inside should be the same as the ones we are picking now; the only difference is the outer fabric.

As long as the cotton clothes are warm, it's fine. If we wear clothes that are too good while traveling, they'll attract attention, and it would be heartbreaking if they accidentally got torn. Besides, the price difference is quite large," Tianshu said very earnestly.

So, was he trying to help her save money? Or was he afraid that if she spent all her silver, everyone would go hungry again?

Hong Xiaoduo almost blurted out, *Why don't you just keep all the silver yourself? Then you can manage the daily expenses as you see fit?*

However, from Tianshu's words, Hong Xiaoduo actually gained a bit of inspiration.

"Alright, I understand. But look, they've been busy for a long time and have helped us pick almost everything. How about we leave it at that for this time?" As she spoke, she gestured for Tianshu to look over.

Tianshu looked at the shopkeeper and his wife, who were patiently helping his younger siblings try on the selected cotton clothes, and could only nod.

He could naturally distinguish between good and bad intentions; he didn't feel that the couple was doing this merely for the sake of their shop's business. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone through the trouble of making hats for them.

Their mother was only bringing them past this place; they wouldn't be settling here, and after they left, it was unlikely they would ever return. Therefore, there was no reason to work hard making hats just to lay the groundwork for "repeat customers."

Seeing the shopkeeper waving to him, Tianshu quickly walked over to try on the clothes.

Without Hong Xiaoduo even having to ask, the lady at the clothing shop brought her a style she thought would be suitable.

When it came time to pay, Hong Xiaoduo thought to herself: *The autumn clothes cost over three taels of silver; these winter clothes must cost around ten taels, right?*

As it turned out, it was only five taels and eight mace.

Watching her pay, Tianshu felt a pang of heartache. If they had bought the most ordinary cotton fabric, they could have saved at least half the money.

Looking at the expression on Tianshu's face, Hong Xiaoduo wanted to laugh but couldn't. *What an insecure child who has endured all sorts of hardships!*

While the lady was busy wrapping the new cotton clothes and shoes for the little ones and tying them onto their backs, Hong Xiaoduo took the opportunity to ask the shopkeeper about the market price for donkey carts.

After understanding the prices, she led the children straight to the carriage dealership located at the northernmost part of the town.

The dealership was very quiet, without a single buyer in sight. The shopkeeper was sitting in a lounge chair, dozing off.

Hearing Hong Xiaoduo call out, he jolted upright: "Is the young lady looking to hire a carriage, or buy one?"

"To buy. I want to buy a donkey cart, but I'd prefer a carriage that is a bit larger than that one. I wonder if you have any in stock?" Having already checked the market rates, Hong Xiaoduo didn't even look at the horse carriages or ox carts upon entering; she pointed directly at the donkey carts.

"A larger carriage?" The shopkeeper finally took a clear look at the group of children beside her.

He stood up and said with a smile, "In that case, I would suggest the young lady buy a horse carriage. It's larger and more spacious, so you won't be cramped when sitting."

"My mother said to buy a donkey cart, so it's a donkey cart!" Before Hong Xiaoduo could speak, Tianshu, in his anxiety, rushed to emphasize it.

"Yes, Mother said to buy a donkey cart," Kaiyang repeated.

As if that wasn't enough, the other five children repeated it in unison.

The shopkeeper of the dealership looked to be under fifty years old. He had merely offered a suggestion, and judging by their attire, they seemed capable of affording a horse carriage. Furthermore, with seven children and one adult all carrying bundles, a horse carriage would clearly be more suitable for them.

Yet, these children were looking at him as if he were trying to swindle their mother to make more money.

*Good heavens, wait a minute... how old does this young lady look? Has she even reached the age of marriage?*

*One, two, three... seven? She's the mother of seven children?*

Seeing the complex look in the shopkeeper's eyes as he stared at her, Hong Xiaoduo no longer felt embarrassed. "Please, let me take a look. I am truly intending to buy."

On one side of the dealership's courtyard, there was one of each: a horse carriage, an ox cart, and a donkey cart.

On the other side, under a shed, was a row of carriages—high-end, mid-range, and low-end, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled.

"Young lady, come over here and take a look. These few are designed to be paired with donkeys. I wonder what kind of wood you prefer?" The shopkeeper beckoned her toward the shed.

The seven little ones followed, whispering to each other: *Is Mother really buying a donkey cart?* Tianshu nodded, giving them his answer.

*Ah, really? That's great!* The six little ones were incredibly excited.

As she inspected the carriages, Hong Xiaoduo replied, "The sturdiest and cheapest one will do."

The shopkeeper introduced options made of beech, pine, and elm. However, the only ones currently in stock that met her requirements were pine and elm. Not knowing much about wood, Hong Xiaoduo stepped forward to tap the carriage walls with her hand and check the sturdiness of the wheels, eventually choosing the elm one.

After selecting a sturdy, mature donkey, the shopkeeper mentioned it was a gentle animal. He hitched it to the newly chosen carriage. Hong Xiaoduo stepped back and walked around it once, feeling quite satisfied.

Because she had already checked the market rates with the clothing shopkeeper, she had a good idea of the prices.

In the end, the donkey cost two taels and five mace, and the carriage was one tael and two mace, totaling three taels and seven mace.

Hong Xiaoduo asked him to knock a bit off the price, but the shopkeeper refused, saying that business was slow and he was already giving his lowest price.

Hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo didn't give up; she negotiated for a few soft backrests.

While paying, Hong Xiaoduo suddenly thought of a crucial question: "Shopkeeper, how many catties can this donkey cart pull?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "If it's carrying goods on its back, about one hundred to one hundred and fifty catties. If it's pulling a cart, around seven hundred catties shouldn't be a problem. However, for long journeys, it can't go continuously; it needs appropriate rest and fodder."

Hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo looked back at the seven little ones and estimated their combined weight. They were currently small and thin; even together, the seven of them wouldn't weigh three hundred catties. Her own weight was likely within a hundred catties, plus the carriage?

*Hmm, in terms of weight, there is still a large margin before reaching the donkey's maximum load capacity.* Feeling relieved, she paid the silver.

She also sought advice from the shopkeeper regarding precautions for driving a donkey cart, which was similar to what she had learned from the clothing shopkeeper—a gentle donkey is very obedient and easy to drive.

"Does the young lady need to hire a driver? I can help you find one; the wages aren't very high," the shopkeeper recommended.

"Thank you, shopkeeper, we can manage ourselves," Tianshu said quickly.

He was afraid that if he spoke too slowly, Hong Xiaoduo would agree, and then they would have to pay someone wages.

Since they had said so, the shopkeeper didn't push further.

Tianshu took the lead in holding the reins. The younger children wanted to get on the cart but seemed a bit afraid.

"Let Big Brother practice and get familiar with it. We'll follow behind for now," Hong Xiaoduo thought it was best to be cautious. However, she had them take off their bundles and place them all in the carriage.

Just as they were about to leave, the shopkeeper chased after them. He solemnly stepped forward and tied a piece of red silk to the carriage pillar, muttering wishes for a safe journey.

Hong Xiaoduo didn't find his actions superstitious and thanked him.

"Mother, are we going straight back to the inn?" Tianshu asked, turning his head. He was a bit stiff and nervous, yet excited as he drove the donkey cart.

"Yes, we'll go back to the inn to pack, have lunch, and buy some more things in the afternoon. We'll rest early tonight and set off tomorrow." Hong Xiaoduo thought for a moment; there was no harm in losing half a day. Besides, Brother Dong had helped so much; she had to treat him to a meal before they left.

At noon, Dong Yuefan, thinking of his friend who was in a bad mood, went to a restaurant to order a few dishes to accompany drinks and had them sent to his residence.

Just as he entered the small courtyard, a servant ran over and whispered a report: Master Mu's expression had been very grim since he returned this morning.

"Grim? He's still angry from just hearing those few words from Xiaoduo at Juxian Restaurant this morning? That shouldn't be possible..."