After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Meanwhile, the caravan returned.

Seeing them would only give Su Tai another headache. Once it starts snowing, it will be time for seafood to be served. This year, Shen Yi definitely won't be able to help her; she'll have to do it herself.

Fortunately, we had the experience from last year, so it's still acceptable.

Su Tai was calculating and dividing the money in front of everyone when she casually asked about things in the capital.

Shen Dagou smiled brightly, "When we arrived, my second sister's belly was already very obvious, and everyone in the Sixth Prince's mansion was watching her like she was the apple of their eye."

The wealthy Master Ma in our town has two concubines, yet the Sixth Prince doesn't even have a new bride. All the words my mother told me to use to comfort my second sister have been completely useless.”

Su Tai was somewhat surprised, "The Sixth Prince doesn't even have a concubine?"

Shen Dagou nodded firmly, "I also found it strange, and I even asked Uncle Liu. Uncle Liu said that the Sixth Prince was born with congenital deficiencies and has been weak and sickly since birth. The master of the Buddhist temple once said that he was suitable to enter the monastic life to cultivate his mind and body. The Empress was reluctant to part with him, so she kept him by her side to protect him, not letting the Sixth Prince touch women, and often took him to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures."

"This time, the abbot of the Buddhist temple said that my second sister and the sixth prince were a match made in heaven. Her Majesty the Empress meant that the sixth prince only needs one caring person by his side; he doesn't need so many women."

Su Tai immediately gave a thumbs up, "It's true what they say, good fortune is worse than good birth. Look at our Tian Tian, ​​tsk tsk tsk. She's really something else. She should have given birth by the time you go there next time, so you'll have to prepare a generous gift."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Su Zhan drank a large bowl of hot ginger tea and let out a comfortable sigh. "Sister, those things are easy to handle. Just make sure you get plenty of seafood. What kind of seafood do you have this year?"

Su Tai glared at him, annoyed. "How should I know! The caravan hasn't arrived yet! They can't come until it's completely frozen. Did you see any other merchants selling seafood in the capital?"

“There really is!” Su Chuan moved closer to Su Tai. “And it wasn’t just one company. I heard that several large trading companies went to Qiongzi together and apparently managed to get a large quantity of goods. But the weather wasn’t right, so the goods couldn’t be stored for long. They were sold halfway through the journey. What they brought back to the capital were mostly salted fish or dried seafood, so the price was naturally not very high. Overall, they still lost money.”

But they wouldn't give up, saying they'd do the business again when it gets cold. Do you think our business will be affected?

"No!" Su Tai said with certainty.

She knew the situation in Qiongzi well. Those fishing boats still left from her side, and they might really catch a lot of cargo. But crossing the ice field from Qiongzi back to Langya Kingdom in the dead of winter was a journey with risks that most people could not foresee. It would take at least ten days. By then, their caravan would have already set off for the capital.

Since the other party cannot seize the initiative, it will naturally not affect their business.

Su Chuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "I believe you! Let's tidy up these next few days, and if you need any help, just let us know."

Su Tai distributed the silver to them, and then asked Su Chuan to deliver the village's share to the village chief's house.

When the villagers saw Su Chuan walking towards the village chief's house, they knew that money was about to be distributed again, and they all ran home happily.

Ye and Zhou's mother were working diligently in the wool processing workshop. The stove next to them was burning brightly, with five large pots cooking various things on it. Two of the pots had steamers on them, filled with freshly steamed meat buns and vegetarian buns. There were various fillings, such as beef, mutton, pork, cabbage, sauerkraut, chives, and egg and vermicelli. You could choose whatever you wanted to eat.

The third large pot was simmering with mushroom and lean pork congee. A bowl of this in this weather would warm you right up.

The fourth large pot was used to brew milk tea, its rich aroma of milk and tea mingling together, filling the air with a wonderful fragrance. The last pot contained boiling water.

Everyone worked with the boiler at the center, feeling full of energy.

Ye and Zhou's mother could also have a meal here, saving a lot of food.

As for Zhou Ran and her two children, when it got cold, someone from the village school's kitchen would come over every day to make them a snack. It might be flatbread with hot soup, beef noodle soup, or various steamed buns and mantou with milk tea. They would have something different every day, and those snacks would be enough for them.

"Mother, what would you like to eat later? Steamed buns with porridge or milk tea?" Madam Ye asked with a smile.

Mother Zhou said with a radiant smile, "I've tried all the meat-filled buns these past few days, and wow, they're absolutely delicious. They can't compare to any buns in the city. Today, let's try the vegetarian ones. How about an egg and vermicelli bun? I've never even seen one before. And make me a bowl of milk tea too. It's so sweet and delicious; it makes me feel wonderful."

Madam Ye glanced at Zhou's mother, whose spirits had improved considerably, and nodded emphatically.

Just then, a woman ran in excitedly, "The caravan is back! Su Chuan went to the village chief's house, everyone hurry home and get your money bags, quick!"

"Right away!" All the women who were working hurriedly got up and ran outside, afraid that if they were a step too slow, they would miss out on their share of the money.

Ye and Zhou's mother exchanged a blank look.

Seeing a few people still sitting and working steadily in the workshop, he asked curiously, "Aren't you going?"

Grandma Zhang said cheerfully, "My legs can't carry me, I can't go! Anyway, the village chief has already kept the accounts, we just need to go and check the numbers, there won't be any discrepancies!"

After a moment's thought, Ms. Ye asked, "Is it the money from selling the strawberry jam and the wool sweater?"

"That's right!" Granny Zhang said with a happy face, "The villagers rely on strawberry jam to save up their savings. The wool sweaters are Shen Yi's business, and we just earn wages. But these wages are enough for our family to live on. We'll save the rest of our money to find a son-in-law for my precious granddaughter in the future!"

"That's great! Your village is wealthy, so there must be quite a few men who would want to marry into the family!" Zhou's mother said with envy, regretting that they weren't from Shenjiazhuang.

The woman next to Granny Zhang said, "Auntie, if you ask me, your family isn't doing badly now. It shouldn't be difficult to find another filial and virtuous wife for Dalang. Although Shen Xi is a good child, she's not your own, is she?"

The joy on Granny Zhang's face faded a little, but she shook her head without hesitation. "Whether the child is her own or not is not important. Filial piety is the most important thing. My granddaughter is really good to me and to her father. We can't be greedy. It's good as it is now."

If it weren't for Shen Xi, who knows how her son would be living such a miserable life! She wouldn't go looking for trouble and break up a perfectly good family.

The woman pursed her lips, thinking that Granny Zhang was senile, but didn't say anything more.

Ye and Zhou's mother lived in the village school, so they naturally knew Shen Xi.

He immediately praised, "Shen Xi is indeed a good child. She is intelligent, quick-witted, generous, and polite. She always says she wants to save the good things for her father and grandmother. It's clear she is truly filial!"

"Right! I told you our Xiaoxi is the best!" Granny Zhang's face was beaming with smiles again. (End of Chapter)