Farming Family's Pocket Dimension: A Charmed Little Lady Comes to Farm

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: That Girl is Not Ordinary

The Shopkeeper took the silver, weighed it in his hand, and chuckled. "No need for a scale. This is two taels. I’ve been doing this for decades and have handled more silver than I can count. I’m never wrong."

"Here’s your change—five hundred copper coins."

The Shopkeeper brought out a string of Copper Coins and set it on the counter.

Gu Fei took them and casually tucked them away inside her clothes.

The Shopkeeper watched her, his eyes crinkling. "You’re not going to count them? What if a few are missing?"

Gu Fei smiled. "I can tell you’re a decent man at a glance. Besides, you’re running such a big business. Why would you bother shorting someone a few Copper Coins? There’s no need to count."

With that, Gu Fei went outside to help Mrs. Chen.

The Shopkeeper watched her retreating figure and said to the young attendant beside him, "That little girl is no ordinary person. She’s got real presence—open and generous."

The attendant laughed. "What’s so special? She looks just like any other girl to me."

The Shopkeeper shook his head and gestured toward the village chief, who was still hesitating off to the side. "See him? Every one of these farmers counts each Copper Coin again and again, pinching them in their hands, reluctant to spend a single one."

"Look at her clothes; she’s not from a rich family either. But she’s so poised and charming when she speaks. Whatever family marries her will be getting an excellent woman to run the household."

"And think about it, what kind of family entrusts their Silver Coins to a little girl? What does that tell you? Either she’s the family favorite, or she’s just that capable. Neither one is easily achieved."

A young man dressed in cyan brocade was just passing the counter. Overhearing them, he glanced outside, but all he saw was a slender figure from behind, dressed in a blue floral jacket and skirt.

Ultimately, the village chief couldn’t bring himself to pay.

He went out into the courtyard to discuss it with the other families.

When the other families heard that Gu Fei’s family had spent one tael and five maces of silver on lodging and water alone, they were all stunned.

Back in the day, when they had plenty of grain to eat at home, that much silver would have lasted them half a year.

Ms. Qian was the first to cry out, "It’s too expensive! I don’t have the money to stay. I’d rather sleep in the wilderness!"

Boss Zhang shook his head as well. "Can’t afford it, can’t afford it. Fifty Copper Coins per person, and a hundred and fifty for a single bucket of water. At this rate, our savings will be wiped out in just a few days."

Shanzimama clutched her waistband tightly. ’It’s so expensive, there’s really no way we can stay.’

Everyone discussed what to do.

Finally, Gu Zhong offered a suggestion. "How about we try to bargain with the Shopkeeper? We’ll just rest in the courtyard at night. We’ll still have to buy water, though, and the mules need their fodder."

Everyone nodded. It was a good idea. By their calculations, each family could save several hundred Copper Coins.

After a great deal of pleading from the village chief, the Shopkeeper finally agreed to let them make beds on the floor in a corner by the stables.

The area by the stables, where the livestock urinated and defecated, stank of ammonia and dung. However, the people had no choice. At least the place offered shelter from the wind and a measure of safety.

Now that he had Lian’er, Gu Zhong didn’t have to lift a finger for water. He simply ordered Lian’er to follow the young attendant to fetch it.

Lian’er’s mother and younger brother didn’t dare step inside the inn. Instead, the two found a sheltered corner on the street where they were boiling cornmeal porridge.

Following the convoy today, they had finally managed to get some water.

Mrs. Chen set up a pot and started to cook.

Li Chunhua was chopping pickled vegetables, planning to make a sour vegetable soup.

Gu Fei sidled up to her mother. "Mom, are we not having any meat today?"

Mrs. Chen shook her head. "We’re not. We can’t."

"Didn’t you see? We’re the only ones who get to sleep on the communal platform and eat white-flour buns. Who here isn’t watching us with jealous eyes? We’ll have to find a way to eat that meat in secret later on."

Gu Fei licked her lips. ’Sigh. What a tragedy to have meat and not be able to eat it.’