Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 190 - 188: Journey to the Prefecture City

Chapter 190: Chapter 188: Journey to the Prefecture City

The Wang brothers have gone through all the families in the county town and the highest price they could get was 110 taels.

The two brothers returned to the village in despair with their tigers.

Xiao’er’s family was discussing their new year preparations on the sofa when the gatekeeper announced that the Wang brothers had come to sell the tiger.

Xiao’er laughed and said, "They really have thick skins!"

"Don’t buy! Tell them to never step foot in our house again!" Jinghao said angrily.

"We wouldn’t find another opportunity like this outside this village." Jingrui put his brush back on the brush rack after noting down the items for the New Year.

"Let them go! Tell them we’re not buying tigers anymore." Shen Chengyao waved his hand, asking the maid to deliver the message.

After the conversation was overheard, Wang Dafu cursed outside the gate like a scorned woman. But no one cared what he was saying.

A villager who also hunted tigers saw this and suggested: "Dafu, they clearly said yesterday that they wouldn’t buy it if you change your mind. You should hurry up and sell it in the town. Otherwise, it would be worthless."

"Even if we live in the same village, is it necessary to be so uncompassionate? This is only one night after all."

Strictly speaking, a night and the following morning have passed. Although it is now the middle of winter and the meat of the tiger will not go bad, its freshness certainly decreases with each passing day.

"Young masters and mistresses of my house often say that one cannot stand without credibility. The bigger the family business, the more one has to stick to his words. Otherwise, things will go haywire. If everyone comes back again and again like you two, our master wouldn’t have any time to get on with his day, right? So please leave quickly!" The gatekeeper tried to advise them.

This suit was saying that they lack credibility!

"Damn it! You’re just a servant, what are you putting on airs for! We don’t fancy selling it to you, alright!" Wang Dafu, feeling insulted by a servant, lost face completely.

The gatekeeper shook his head, closed the door, and didn’t bother anymore.

The brothers looked at each other, both saw the despair in each other’s eyes.

"What should we do?" asked Wang Dacai.

"Sell it to Gentry Wang. If the price is 110 taels, so be it."

"That way, wouldn’t we end up paying the villagers 20 taels out of our pockets!"

"What do you mean by ’pay’? Who can guarantee the profit or loss in any business! What’s wrong with my right hand these two days?! It gets numb out of nowhere and I can’t apply any strength" Wang Dafu was trying to push the cart, but his right hand was again unable to gather any strength. When he exerted power into it, it was as if millions of ants were biting, numb and painful.

"Maybe, you strained some muscles or bones while hunting. It’ll be fine in a few days. I’ll push." Wang Dacai took the cart and started moving.

Wang Dafu thought it made sense, and didn’t bother anymore. Since childhood, he had often bruised himself due to his mischief. After a few days, those bruises always disappeared.

In the end, the Wang brothers sold the two tigers for a hundred taels each. They tried to trick the villagers when they got back to the village, but who would refuse the silver? Moreover, an agreement had been signed at that time.

The two brothers didn’t pocket a single coin for all the efforts they put into transporting the two tigers and ended up losing all the silver they had been saving for years.

What’s more unfortunate was, nobody knew what happened to Wang Dafu’s hand, it was on-and-off and eventually lost all sensation, and became completely useless a month later. Plenty of doctors were consulted, but none of them could identify the cause.

Aunt Wang was wailing in the village every day.

Mrs. Liu naturally knew about the hunting incident. When she heard about Wang Dafu’s situation, she came back and told everyone about it, adding that it was divine retribution.

Xiao’er and Jinghao smiled at each other, the gods would surely have better things to do!

On the eve of the lunar New Year, Shen Chengyao, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Mrs. Tan, and Liu Jingshu, came to the prefecture city, while the boys stayed at home and studied with Shen Zixuan.

The prefecture city is indeed more prosperous than the county town, but when compared with the Imperial Capital, it appears less grand.

However, each place has its own unique culture. Some things just can’t be compared, it all comes down to personal preference.

Strolling along the main street of the prefecture city, they could see vendors everywhere. Yun’er saw a stall selling spiced donkey meat and demanded to try some.

Seeing the long queue in front of the stall, Shen Chengyao suggested, "Why don’t I stand in the queue, and the rest of you can go wait at the restaurant. Let’s have lunch there."

Mrs. Liu nodded, and along with Mrs. Tan, the kids entered the restaurant.

It was lunchtime, and all the private rooms were occupied but there was still a big table left in the main hall.

It’s just a meal. They decide to just settle, and they did sit.

Xiao’er ordered some of the shop’s signature dishes. While waiting, they chatted happily with each other.

Upon hearing people at the neighboring table discussing about the winery, Xiao’er started to listen attentively.

"The poor winery owner, all alone in his old age with his wife and children gone. His big winery would soon be without an heir."

"Exactly, he won’t even have someone to care for him at his death bed."

"He wants to sell the winery. But he stubbornly refuses to reveal the craft of brewing wine. Brewing is not something that anyone can do well. Even if someone pays him 10,000 taels for the wine and the winery, it’s useless without the secret craft!"

"10,000 taels isn’t a small number. With no secret recipe, a winery, and a few wine jars wouldn’t worth that much! But if the winery can’t be sold, after he’s gone, wouldn’t it be a bargain for his relatives?"

"Those kins of his are not human. They killed his wife and children when he was old, leaving him without any descendants. If it were me, I would let the winery burn rather than leaving it to my relatives!"

Hearing this, Xiao’er was intrigued by the idea of acquiring a winery.

Wine, although she has never brewed before and doesn’t know how to, but she can learn!

Her space has a study room full of books and she feels she could even brew Vodka!

She has an idea: First, open a winery. She will try to brew the famous wine from her previous life in her space. Once successful, she will get the winery to produce in large amounts.

Then, mix various cocktails, brew champagne. She believes that these wines will become an indispensable part of any banquet, poetry gatherings, flower appreciation parties hosted by the ladies and daughters of wealthy families in the near future.

Or, open a chain of bars in the prefecture city around the country.

Yes, a bar!

In this era, there are specialized places for drinking tea, for dining, but not yet for drinking wine!

A bar really needs to be opened!

She has come up with a way to repay Shangguan Xuanyi.

What is a bar? It is certainly a place where all kinds of people gather!

Usually, the more diverse a place, the more information one can gather there without leaving a trace.

Let alone, the truth often outs after drinking, it’s much easier to pry for information.

Some people say brothels are good places for information gathering, but also often requires alcohol as a prop, right?

Wine, many people love it. Some people may not desire lust, but they do love drinking!

She is sure that those at the top of the pyramid all hope to gather more information.