CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: JOURNEY TO THE COUNTY TOWN

EDITOR: INSCHAIN

The county town was about twenty li away from Qingshan Village. Before dawn, Yun Jiao was awakened by Mrs. Chen.

Not just her, even San Ya and Liu Lang were woken up.

Taking advantage of the county market trip, bringing the two children to see the hustle and bustle, and also to visit San Lang at the academy.

Yun Jiao got up to wash and found that not only her house but the lights were also on in the second and third houses, all seemingly preparing to go to the big market.

With farming being off-season now, they mentioned yesterday that they planned to find work in the county town.

After eating coarse grain cakes, the family set off.

There were vehicles available in the village for the trip to the market, with many people going, making the trip worthwhile. However, Mrs. Chen did not plan to take a vehicle as they charge per person, four coins each, costing sixteen for their four members, which she found uneconomical.

Walking it is then, Yun Jiao held San Ya’s hand, strolling on country trails under the moonlight.

Liu Lang, half-grown and energetic, quickly ran ahead. Mrs. Chen was unafraid, for the roads were crowded with local villagers heading to the market, all connected in kinship and relation.

Liu Lang surely went to find familiar companions.

As they walked, the sky gradually brightened.

Twenty li was far; even in her past life, Yun Jiao hadn’t walked this far, not even in this life, given Mrs. Chen’s brisk pace.

Halfway through the journey, Yun Jiao was overwhelmed, her face flushed and panting heavily, like a bellows.

Seeing her in this state, Mrs. Chen quickly seated her on a fallen tree by the road, "I forgot, your family had a good life before, always taking a carriage when going out, never walking such distances."

"If a vehicle comes by later, we’ll take it."

Yun Jiao nodded, truly unable to keep up.

After resting for a while, they continued onward.

Yun Jiao admired Mrs. Chen; she carried a bundle on her back containing a pair of shoes made for San Lang, some pickled vegetables, and some dried mushrooms meant for sale.

The bundle likely weighed over ten jin, yet Mrs. Chen walked faster than Yun Jiao with empty hands.

After much waiting, a mule-drawn cart finally came by, but upon inquiry, it was too crowded, the mule could not pull more.

No choice but to continue walking.

Upon reaching the city gates, Yun Jiao felt she never wanted to walk again in this life.

Looking around, even San Ya seemed unfazed.

Entering the town, Yun Jiao did something she hadn’t in either of her lifetimes, sitting down without care for her image on the bluestone steps of a shop’s entrance, waving a hand, "I can’t walk anymore."

"Mother, do what you need to do, let’s meet at the city gate in the afternoon."

Mrs. Chen, eager to sell the mushrooms, replied, "That works, you keep San Ya."

Yun Jiao waved her hand, "Mother takes her along. You’re going to see San Lang, I’m not going."

Mrs. Chen pondered, "Let’s meet at the city gate in the afternoon."

The county town was small, only a few streets, not worrying about getting lost, one might encounter each other while walking.

Mrs. Chen took Liu Lang and San Ya and walked away.

Yun Jiao rested for a good while, wiped her sweat, then stood up, heading to the county’s only pharmacy.

Above the pharmacy, four big characters, "Wang Family Pharmacy," were simple and clear.

Yun Jiao entered, seeing it bustling inside, given the market day, the pharmacy business was booming.

In front of the doctor sitting in the hall, there were over a dozen people waiting.

Two clerks at the counter, busy as spinning tops.

An older middle-aged man, likely the shopkeeper, was also in the counter area, examining prescriptions and dispensing medicine.