Famine and Chaos: Weaving Cloth in Exile to Escape the War

After listening to his sister-in-law's words and looking at Jing Zhichun's calm expression, Yang Xiaoniu felt that it made sense.

If Madam Shen really wanted to run away, there would be more opportunities in the mountains. Why wait until she entered the city?

Besides, the child is still at home; no mother would abandon her own child.

Yang Xiaoniu finally nodded: "Then... alright. We'll do as Second Sister-in-law says. Madam Shen, Second Sister-in-law, please be careful in the city, don't wander around, especially at night. We'll head back now, and we'll definitely come back to visit tomorrow... or at the latest the day after."

He then added worriedly to Yang's second sister-in-law, "Second sister-in-law, be quick-witted and take good care of Madam Shen."

"Don't worry, brother, I know," Yang Ersao replied.

With the matter settled, Yang Xiaoniu and Yang Erniu didn't delay any longer. After saying goodbye to Jing Zhichun and the other two, they turned around and hurriedly left in the direction of leaving the city, their figures quickly disappearing around the street corner.

Watching them walk away, Jing Zhichun turned to Yang Ersao with a genuine smile on her face: "Ersao, thank you so much this time."

"Hey, why are you saying this?" Yang Ersao waved her hand, then looked around at the noisy street. "So, should we... find a place to stay first?"

"Yes, let's find a cheap and clean inn to stay in first." Jing Zhichun nodded in agreement. "However, I'm not familiar with this city. Does Sister Yang have any recommendations for inns?"

Yang Ersao often went to the city to sell mountain products, so she was much more familiar with this place than Jingzhichun.

After a moment's thought, she said, "I know a few inns in the west of the city that are the cheapest. Most of the guests there are people coming to the city to work, and you can squeeze into a large dormitory room for twenty coins a night. But it's crowded and noisy, so it can be a bit chaotic. There are also some small inns near the city wall in the south. They're a bit more expensive, with a large dormitory room costing thirty coins a night, but they're quieter, and most of the guests there are small business owners or people visiting relatives and friends. It's up to you, Madam Shen, which one you'd like to choose?"

A dormitory-style room?

Jingzhichun never imagined living in a dormitory-style room.

She couldn't even get used to staying in hostels in modern times, let alone the large dormitory-style rooms of ancient times.

Moreover, their current attire is like that of beggars; it's been so long since they've taken a bath or groomed themselves. It's time they tidied themselves up.

Also, if she were to go to the Liu residence to collect debts, she would have to go at night. Crowded in such a large dormitory with so many people around, it would be inconvenient to move around and she wouldn't be able to sleep well...

Therefore, she wants to open a proper house to live in.

Jing Zhichun said somewhat embarrassedly, "Second Sister Yang, to be honest, I'm a light sleeper and easily wake up at the slightest noise. I'm afraid I won't be used to sleeping in that large dormitory-style room. Do you think there are any inns in the city with private rooms? A little more expensive is fine, we can squeeze into one room together. The main thing is to have some peace and quiet. Don't worry, I'll cover the cost of the accommodation."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ersao's face showed disapproval and heartache. "Madam Shen, those private rooms... they're incredibly expensive! I heard the most basic one costs at least two hundred coins a night! That's the price of ten nights in a dormitory! We farmers and hunters are lucky to have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. We've survived these past few days in the snowy mountains, and at least the dormitory has a roof and walls, providing shelter from the wind and rain. It's much better than sleeping in the open, and it's considered top-notch accommodation. Honestly, there's no need to waste that money."

She genuinely cared about Jing Zhichun. If they ran out of money, they could either go hunting in the mountains or work in the city; they had ways to earn money. But Jing Zhichun was a woman with a child and an exiled convict, so working in the city was out of the question. Even if she had some money now, it was money she had to spend carefully.

She felt it was unnecessary to spend so lavishly on accommodation.

Jing Zhichun naturally realized that Yang Ersao was trying to save her money, but she still insisted, "Yang Ersao, I really can't get used to living in a dormitory. Let's find an inn instead."

Seeing Jing Zhichun's insistence, Yang Ersao suddenly remembered that Jing Zhichun was a noblewoman from an official family before her exile.

Given that background, it's understandable that someone might not be used to living in a dormitory-style room and would be particular about their living arrangements.

Thinking of this, Yang Ersao sighed, "Ah, I know you used to be pampered and have never experienced this kind of hardship. Well... let's go look for it. I know a small inn called Yuelaiju near the South Gate. It seems to have private rooms with a small kang (heated brick bed). The price might be cheaper than elsewhere. Shall we go ask?"

Seeing that Yang Ersao had relented, Jing Zhichun was grateful and quickly nodded, "Okay, we'll do as Ersao says. Let's go to Yuelaiju and take a look."

Without further delay, the two followed Yang Ersao's lead, passing through the bustling streets and heading towards the South Gate.

As Jingzhichun walked, she subtly observed the ancient-style buildings on both sides of the street, as well as the pedestrians and various shops.

This was the first time she had ever truly strolled through ancient streets since her time travel, and everything she saw seemed so strange and wonderful.

Especially those few particularly eye-catching restaurants on both sides of the street.

Their storefronts were quite impressive, a stark contrast to the low-rise shops around them.

Many are two- or even three-story wooden buildings with flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters. Large red lanterns or exquisite plaques hang under the eaves, with gilded characters on the plaques in a flowing, elegant style.

Through the open window, one could vaguely see figures moving about, glasses clinking, and the faint sound of a zither drifting out, creating an atmosphere of opulent liveliness.

However, the further south you go, the less wealth and prosperity you find.

These are all fairly ordinary shops: cloth stores, general stores, blacksmith shops, and a wide variety of goods.

There was also an old man carrying a bundle of straw, slowly selling candied hawthorns. Along the way, many tails followed him, drooling and clamoring for candied hawthorns.

Also, on the open ground by the roadside, several peasant women with headscarves were squatting, with bamboo baskets or willow baskets in front of them, filled with chicken, duck and goose eggs, or radishes, cabbage and pickled vegetables.

What intrigued Jingzhichun even more was that a small open space in front of them was surrounded by people, and loud shouts and cheers could be heard from there from time to time.

Jing Zhichun's gossipy nature was aroused. Out of curiosity, she pulled Yang Ersao to the edge of the circle of people and stood on tiptoe to peek inside.

Upon seeing this, her eyes widened instantly, and she felt a wave of nausea and disgust.

Has anyone here ever seen animal hybrids?

In the center of the arena, a thin, slovenly man with cloudy eyes was leading a skinny, bony monkey and an equally skinny, bony black dog with a rope, and then whipping them, forcing them to do *that*.

Adults should understand this.

That's absolutely disgusting!

That's absolutely inhumane.

Beside him, an accomplice was banging a broken gong loudly, making a deafening noise, while shouting vulgar and obscene words to provoke the surrounding crowd.

Surprisingly, some onlookers, far from feeling ashamed, clapped their hands, shouted and yelled, and then threw a few coins at them.

"This...this is outrageous! It's indecent! It's simply...it's not something a human being would do!" Yang Ersao saw it clearly too, her face flushing crimson with shock and anger. She grabbed Jing Zhichun's sleeve, turned, and ran away, yelling, "Go away! Go away! It's an eyesore!"

Jing Zhichun also felt nauseous at the sight. She had a strong sense of physical discomfort and, without saying a word, immediately followed Yang Ersao and fled the place.

After walking away, Kyoto Haru felt uneasy for some reason after watching the acrobatic performance.

That's insane, to be honest.

I thought ancient times were quite conservative, but I never imagined there would be such despicable people and such underhanded methods...

Just then, Yang Ersao was heard cursing, "Pah! What a filthy, rotten thing! Is that something a human being could do?"

"It's something no human could do."