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

Chapter 463 Buying a Coffin

Tang Yu immediately went to find Shen Yi.

The two men led Shen Mu and Shen Dagou toward the coffin shop.

Shen Yi's heart was heavy the whole way, his legs felt like they were made of lead. When they were almost at the coffin shop, he asked in a hoarse voice, "When did Grandma get sick? Why didn't you tell me?"

Shen Yi's gaze fell on Shen Dagou with a hint of reproach.

Shen Mu hurriedly explained, "Da Gou didn't know either. It was just a common cold. The child's mother asked Xiao Tai for a medicine, and that medicine was very effective. My mother recovered as soon as she took it. She could talk and laugh and was perfectly fine. At that time, Da Gou was running outside."

I didn't want her to worry, so I didn't mention it. It wasn't until after the New Year that I realized my mother wasn't feeling well. She was always tired and wanted to lie down. I called a doctor, but he said it was normal and didn't even prescribe any medicine.

We were really worried. Big Dog had been staying with my mother the whole time, and we tried everything, but nothing worked. Yesterday, Big Dog's mother asked Xiao Tai for another pill, but it didn't work either. The village chief told us to prepare in advance.

As Shen Mu spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Tang Yu felt a pang of sadness seeing this and quickly said, "Uncle, don't be sad. The important person will be coming back to Shenjiazhuang with us to see the old lady in a little while. You have to cheer up!"

"What important person?" Shen Mu looked blank. The most important person his family knew in the county was Shen Yi. Wasn't Shen Yi right there?
Tang Yu said meaningfully, "They come from the capital. I can't say too much, but please don't slight this distinguished guest."

Shen Mu was immediately stunned and subconsciously looked at Shen Dagou, "Dagou, you have to do this, Dad can't!"

Of the whole family, only Shen Dagou had seen the world, and whenever something happened, Shen Mu would think of his eldest son.

Shen Dagou seemed to be thinking about something, and lowered his voice to guess, "Is it related to my second sister?"

"Smart!" Tang Yu gave him a thumbs up.

Upon considering that possibility, Shen Dagou's eyes widened like saucers. He licked his lips and spoke in a trembling voice, "Yes, yes, six."

Shen Yi covered his mouth, "Hurry up, don't delay the important matter!"

The four entered the coffin shop and specifically requested the most expensive and best coffin in the shop.

The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment, then quickly led them to see the shop's prized possession. "If you ask what our shop's best coffin is, it's this one. It's made of top-quality century-old nanmu wood. It's been made since my father's generation, and it wasn't finished until three years ago. The entire bottom of the coffin, the saddle, and the side panels are seamlessly integrated without any gaps. This coffin is extremely heavy; it would take seven or eight people to lift it."

The four of them immediately took a liking to it, and Shen Mu cautiously asked, "Shopkeeper, how much silver?"

The shopkeeper's expression changed. He sized up the four people and held up five fingers. "Five hundred taels, no bargaining!"

"Five hundred taels!" Shen Mu jumped up in disbelief. "Shopkeeper, you're robbing me!"

"I don't like hearing that!" The shopkeeper pouted unhappily. "Our family specializes in making coffins. We are honest and fair to all, young and old. Those who know their stuff can tell the difference between good and bad."

To tell you the truth, this coffin in my family was originally prepared for Master Zhu. When my father started making this coffin, he even hinted to the Zhu family that they wanted to buy it when Madam Zhu passed away. However, it wasn't finished yet, and the Zhu family couldn't wait, so they had to settle for something else.

If you think this is too expensive, you can choose the kind that Madam Zhu used, which costs two hundred taels of silver per coffin and is made of top-grade nanmu wood.

"Of course, there are more ordinary ones too. The cheapest thin coffin in my shop is only a few hundred coins." Shen Mu couldn't make up his mind.

Without a second thought, Shen Yi made the decision, "This is it. I'll pay five hundred taels first."

"No, no, no, I brought the silver notes with me, let me do it!" Tang Yu stopped Shen Yi and handed the silver notes to the shopkeeper first.

The shopkeeper accepted the silver notes, his face crinkling with laughter. "Very well! You gentlemen are indeed wealthy and generous. You wait here, I'll have someone help send the coffin over. Where is it going to be sent?"

Shen Yi said expressionlessly, "Have twenty people come and take turns carrying the coffin to Shen Mu's house in Shenjiazhuang, Moshi Town. I'll pay for it."

The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and went out to call for help without saying anything more.

It just so happened that spring plowing hadn't started yet, and there were plenty of people idle at home. With his call, twenty strong men were quickly gathered.

Shen Yi gave each of them one tael of silver and solemnly instructed them, "This is a deposit for you. Carry this coffin to Shen Family Village properly. After we inspect it and find no problems, we will give each of you another tael of silver."

"Wow!" The eyes of the twenty men lit up. They could earn two taels of silver just by carrying a coffin? What a great deal!

Seeing their suspicion, the shopkeeper quickly said, "This is the county magistrate, would he lie to you?"

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Without the shopkeeper urging them, they went to find ropes and sticks on their own. Some even asked the shopkeeper for tattered straw mats to carefully wrap the coffin before carrying it away, not caring if it accidentally bumped into something on the road.

Seeing their thoughtfulness, Shen Yi led Tang Yu and the other two back to the county government office to accompany the Sixth Prince to Shen Family Village.

No sooner had the convoy left than the coffins from the coffin shop were carried out of the county town.

The fact that a coffin required ten people to carry it was quite eye-catching, and the news quickly reached Master Zhu's ears.

Master Zhu called the steward over and said, "Go to the coffin shop and ask the manager which coffin he sold today."

The steward didn't dare delay and rushed over to inquire. Upon hearing this, the steward felt as if the sky had fallen. He panicked at the coffin shop, "Manager Wu, our master ordered that coffin a long time ago. How could you sell it?"

Manager Wu was displeased. "Steward Zhu, let's talk business. I just spread the word that there are good things in the shop. Master Zhu didn't give a deposit or a definite answer. Now that someone is willing to pay five hundred taels for a coffin, how could I refuse?"

"If it were Master Zhu, would he turn down business that's practically offered to him?"

The butler was stunned for a moment, then became extremely annoyed. "I think you don't want to stay in Zhaohua County anymore!"

Shopkeeper Wu's expression tightened, and his attitude softened considerably. "Steward Zhu, I'm just a small business owner, so please don't make things difficult for me! The county magistrate brought people to buy that coffin, and they said they wanted the best and had plenty of money! I can't afford to offend those gentlemen."
"Your Zhu family is powerful! But the county magistrate directly oversees my business, what can I do? If Master Zhu had given me a deposit beforehand or sent someone to give me a definite answer earlier, I could have explained myself more easily, right?"

The butler, with a gloomy face, quickly returned to the Zhu family and told Master Zhu the details.

Master Zhu was so angry that he smashed a table full of teacups. "This is outrageous! He's just a minor county magistrate, do you really think I can't do anything to him? Go! Bring me the eldest young master!"