Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 46 Market
"Greetings, young master," the people who came over bowed to Gao Jingming one after another.

After that, Geng Hong and others who knew Chen Xuan smiled and nodded at him as a greeting. At this time, Gao Jingming must be the leader, so it was not appropriate to exchange small talk.

Besides, there was nothing much to exchange with a child like Chen Xuan. The brief moments they had spent together on the boat over the past two days had gradually faded. That was the reality...

Gao Jingming, thinking that the guards were related to his own safety, did not ignore them like the other servants did. Instead, he smiled at Geng Hong and the others to show his goodwill, then waved his hand and said, "Let's go!"

When no one else was paying attention, Wang Hai gave Chen Xuan a look of gratitude, as if they understood something tacitly. Then he stepped forward and said respectfully to Gao Jingming, "Master, please get in the car."

As he said this, he pretended to support her.

There was an ox cart parked on the side, pulled by a big buffalo. It had no carriage, but had an umbrella to provide shade and a two-foot-high guardrail. It could be considered a flatbed cart, but Chen Xuan didn't know what it was called. The driver was Old Wu, whom he knew.

Chen Xuan smiled and remained calm at Wang Hai's gesture, thinking to himself that this guy was a man of action. It was only human nature for him to get close to Gao Jingming whenever he got the chance.

Such behavior may be a bit too eager for quick success, but such people should not be despised or ridiculed. Because those who love to show off may climb to the top at any time, or they may fall hard. In any case, if you want to gain something, you must be prepared to pay something. It's fair, isn't it?

Anyway, the opportunity has been given, and Chen Xuan has already let go of the matter of Wang Hai stuffing the money into his pocket.

Gao Jingming didn't pay any attention to Wang Hai, and walked forward and said, "I've been away from home for a while, let's go for a walk."

Wang Hai naturally did not dare to disobey, and followed behind with a slight bow.

Chen Xuan arranged two servants for this trip, including Wang Hai. The other one, Hou Jin, looked more honest. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old and did not strive to show off. He fell behind and slowly caught up with Old Wu who was driving the coach.

Geng Hong and his companions followed in different directions.

After walking two steps, Gao Jingming looked back at Chen Xuan and complained, "Xuan'er, I hate riding in a car. I rode dozens of miles yesterday and almost fell apart. I have to ride in a car again tomorrow morning. I feel like vomiting just thinking about it."

"That's better than walking," Chen Xuan comforted.

Gao Jingming was powerless to refute: "Ah... that's right"

At this moment, Chen Xuan almost laughed out loud. Although Wang Hai was good at handling things, it seemed that his flattery hit the wrong horse. Especially when Gao Jingming was complaining, Wang Hai probably realized it and his expression froze slightly.

But you know what, under the complex personnel structure of this wealthy family, many details are quite interesting if you pay attention to them.

Soon the group left the Gao family mansion and headed towards the downtown streets.

Things are different now. Things have settled down and are no longer as confused and hesitant as they were some time ago. Only then can Chen Xuan look at everything around him with a calm mind.

Although all he saw was an old atmosphere and the hard life of the lower class, to Chen Xuan everything was full of freshness.

But you can't look at it too closely, nor can you think about it too much, because that will make you feel bad.

Take the skinny beggar on the street corner, his tattered clothes caked with clumps, his hair a mess of lice crawling through his hair, looking like a piece of rotten wood in the warm sun. Is he unwilling to work hard for a better life? Perhaps he lacks even the basic conditions for hard work.

Everything has an owner. Without land, how could he farm? How could he find a job? In those days, any business hiring an apprentice required a guarantor. Even for labor, not only did he lack the strength, but even if he had it, no one would give him work unless he joined the labor organization...

Noticing Chen Xuan looking around curiously, Gao Jingming turned around and asked in confusion: "Xuan, what's so interesting along the way? I've looked countless times and can't see a single flower."

"Master, this is my first time out of the house, and I'm not familiar with everything around me."

"Then you just watch it. It's boring after watching it too much." Gao Jingming immediately ignored him and asked Xiao Cai for food. In a few seconds, his cheeks were bulging like a hamster.

Xiao Cai was busy serving him food and drinks, and she even asked Chen Xuan if he wanted some, but he shook his head and declined.

"You old man, go further away when selling firewood. Don't block my business." "I'm sorry, I'm leaving now."

A waiter at a teahouse on the street rolled his eyes and impatiently drove away an old man selling firewood at the door. The old man had no choice but to hunch over and carry the heavy load of firewood and walk away.

"Your basket is over the line. If you don't move it, I'll kick it over for you."

"Open your dog eyes and see, where am I putting your territory? If you dare, try kicking me!"

"Just try it... Ouch, if you dare to hit me, I'll fight you."

These were two vendors standing next to each other who had a dispute over a certain position and ended up fighting. People nearby gathered around to watch the fun and even added fuel to the fire.

"Grandpa, can you buy me some candy if you sell these eggs?"

"My dear granddaughter, the candy seller is dead again, so you can't buy any today. Wait until grandpa finishes selling the eggs, and we'll go back before dark to make you some pickled mustard greens. They taste equally good, whether sour or salty."

"Okay, but it's a long way back. Can Grandpa carry me on his back?"

"Okay, okay, Grandpa is still strong. Carry my little granddaughter on your back. Day by day, she will become an older granddaughter. By then, Grandpa will be old and won't be able to carry my darling granddaughter anymore..."

It was a conversation between a grandfather and his grandson who were selling eggs on the street corner. Across the street was a candy vendor who glared at them, but for some reason, despite being clearly "cursed", he didn't roll up his sleeves to argue.

Walking and stopping, on the streets of Yang County, noisy, quarrelsome and hawking sounds continued to come from all directions, immersing Chen Xuan in the strong atmosphere of the city.

It’s great! This is a truly vibrant world, full of vitality, unlike the Gao family compound, which is a bit dull and boring although everyone is friendly.

As they passed by, pedestrians on the street automatically gave way.

It wasn't because they were as vicious as street-sweeping tigers, but because ordinary people could tell they were no ordinary people once they saw them. No one wanted to cause trouble for them, and even some sneaky thieves would stay away from them...

As Gao Jingming said, such scenes are quite interesting at first, but after seeing them many times, they become boring.

He unconsciously withdrew his gaze and noticed that Gao Jingming seemed to be heading straight for the destination. Thinking of what he said to him yesterday, Chen Xuan subconsciously looked at Geng Hong beside him.

Although he was alert to his surroundings, Geng Hong still noticed Chen Xuan's gaze. He asked in silence, "Why are you looking at me, Xuan'er? Did I go out without cleaning my face?"

As he spoke, he subconsciously wiped his face, as if he was worried that it would embarrass the young master.

"That's not the case," Chen Xuan shook his head, then he asked, still expressing his curiosity, "Uncle Geng, the other day you said you possessed remarkable internal strength. Yesterday, the young master and I happened to chat about some martial arts. Um, what I want to ask is, can your internal strength make your weapon glow?"

Chen Xuan was really curious, how handsome that would be.

When did I ever say that my internal strength is not bad? Although he is not inferior to others, Geng Hong muttered in his heart when he heard it, but he smiled and said: "Xuan brother is flattering me. I can't make the weapon show its edge. The skills I practice are not very advanced. If you want to make the weapon show its edge, you need to practice superior skills and possess pure internal strength to do it. I am still far from it."

"Oh, I don't know the reason. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Uncle Geng," Chen Xuan said a little embarrassedly.

Geng Hong said nonchalantly, "It's okay. Every martial arts technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. A superior technique is not necessarily stronger. It all depends on the person."

Chen Xuan nodded without comment, but at this moment he keenly noticed that when he was saying this to Geng Hong, Leng Bing, who had a cold face, raised a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth.

I don't know if he was laughing at the childishness of Chen Xuan's question, or if it was due to some small sense of superiority...

(End of this chapter)