Chapter 32: Buying a Car

Observing Tianshu’s hesitant and conflicted expression, Hong Xiaoduo knew the child was sensible. He likely had something he really wanted but was too embarrassed to ask for.

"Mother, actually, just buying the cheapest cotton-padded clothes is fine. I just felt them, and the cotton-cloth ones are quite thick. The cotton stuffing inside should be the same as the ones we’re picking out; the only difference is the outer fabric. As long as the clothes are warm, that’s what matters. If we wear clothes that are too nice, it will draw attention while we’re on the road, and I’d feel terrible if they accidentally got torn. Besides, the price difference is significant," Tianshu said with great sincerity.

So, was he trying to save her money? Or was he afraid that if she spent all her silver, they would all go hungry later? Hong Xiaoduo almost said, "Why don't I just let you hold the silver and handle the daily expenses?" However, Tianshu’s words gave her some inspiration.

"Alright, I understand, but look, they’ve already been busy for a long time helping us pick things out. Let’s just go with this for now," she said, gesturing for Tianshu to look over.

Tianshu looked toward the shopkeeper and his wife, who were patiently helping his younger siblings try on their clothes, and had no choice but to nod. He was wise enough to distinguish between kindness and mere sales tactics. They wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of making hats for them otherwise. Since his mother was only passing through and they weren't planning to settle here, there was no need for the shopkeeper to curry favor for the sake of repeat business. Seeing the shopkeeper beckon, Tianshu hurried over to try on his clothes.

Without needing Hong Xiaoduo to ask, the shopkeeper’s wife brought over styles she deemed appropriate. When it came time to pay, Hong Xiaoduo thought that since the autumn clothes had cost over three taels, the winter gear would surely be around ten. To her surprise, it was only five taels and eight mace. Tianshu watched her pay, his heart aching; if they had bought the most common cotton-cloth ones, they could have saved more than half. Seeing the expression on Tianshu’s face, Hong Xiaoduo wanted to laugh but couldn't—he was just a child who had endured so much hardship and lacked a sense of security.

While the woman helped the little ones bundle their new clothes and shoes onto their backs, Hong Xiaoduo inquired about the local market for donkey carts. After getting an idea of the prices, she led the children straight to the carriage shop at the north end of town. The shop was quiet, with no other customers in sight, and the proprietor was dozing on a lounge chair. Hearing Hong Xiaoduo call out, he jerked upright. "Are you looking to hire a carriage, young lady, or buy one?"

"I want to buy a donkey cart, but I’d like a carriage box that’s a bit larger than usual. Do you have any in stock?" Informed about the market, Hong Xiaoduo didn't even look at the horse carriages or ox carts, pointing directly at the donkey carts.

"A larger carriage box?" The proprietor finally noticed the group of children. He stood up and said with a smile, "In that case, I suggest you buy a horse carriage. It’s larger and more spacious; you won’t feel crowded."

"My mother said to buy a donkey cart, so it’s a donkey cart," Tianshu interrupted anxiously, fearing she might be swayed.

"Yes, my mother said a donkey cart," Kaiyang repeated. The other five children echoed this in unison.

The proprietor, looking less than fifty, was merely offering a suggestion, thinking they looked well-off enough to afford a horse carriage. Plus, with one adult and seven children, all carrying bundles, a horse carriage would clearly be more suitable. Yet, the children looked at him as if he were trying to swindle their mother. *Goodness,* he thought, *how old is this young lady? Has she even reached adulthood? And these seven are all her children?*

Seeing the complex expression in the proprietor’s eyes, Hong Xiaoduo no longer felt embarrassed. "Please, just show me what you have. I am genuinely looking to buy."

On one side of the courtyard sat a horse carriage, an ox cart, and a donkey cart. In a shed on the other side were rows of carriage boxes: high, medium, and low-end, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled. "Come over here, young lady. These are all meant for donkeys. What kind of wood would you like?"

As they followed him, the younger children whispered to each other, asking if their mother was really buying the cart. Tianshu nodded, answering them. The six younger ones were absolutely thrilled.

Hong Xiaoduo looked at the boxes and replied, "Just the sturdiest one that is reasonably priced." The proprietor introduced wood types like zelkova, pine, and elm, but only pine and elm were in stock. Hong Xiaoduo, unfamiliar with the materials, tapped the walls and checked the wheels before choosing elm.

After selecting a sturdy, calm donkey and fitting it with the chosen carriage box, Hong Xiaoduo walked around it, quite satisfied. Since she had already learned the market rates from the clothing shop, she had a clear idea of the price. The final cost was two taels and five mace for the donkey, and one tael and two mace for the carriage, totaling three taels and seven mace. When she asked for a discount, the proprietor refused, claiming business was slow and the price was already at the bottom. Hong Xiaoduo didn't push further but asked for a few soft cushions for the backrests instead.

While paying, Hong Xiaoduo suddenly thought of a key question. "Proprietor, how much weight can this donkey cart pull?"

The proprietor laughed. "For carrying loads, about 100 to 150 jin. For pulling the cart, 700 jin is no problem at all. However, on long journeys, you can't push it too hard; you must let it rest and graze."

Hong Xiaoduo looked back at the seven little ones, estimating their weight. They were small and thin; even together they didn't weigh 300 jin, and she herself was light. With the weight of the carriage, they were well within the donkey’s capacity. She paid with peace of mind.

After asking for tips on driving the cart—which matched what she had learned from the clothing shop—she was told the donkey was docile and easy to manage.

"Would you like to hire a driver? I can help you find one for a reasonable wage," the proprietor recommended.

"Thank you, but we can manage ourselves," Tianshu said quickly, fearing that if he were too slow, Hong Xiaoduo might agree, which would mean paying a wage.

Since they had declined, the proprietor said no more. Tianshu took the reins, while the younger ones hesitated, a bit afraid to board. "Let your big brother practice and get the hang of it; we’ll follow behind for now," Hong Xiaoduo said, deciding to be cautious. She had their bundles moved from their backs into the cart.

As they were about to leave, the proprietor chased after them, tying a red silk ribbon onto the carriage pillar with great solemnity, muttering prayers for a safe journey. Hong Xiaoduo didn't find it superstitious; instead, she thanked him.

"Mother, are we going straight back to the inn?" Tianshu asked, turning his head while driving the cart with a mixture of stiffness, tension, and excitement.

"Yes, we’ll tidy up at the inn, have lunch, and buy a few more things this afternoon. We’ll rest early tonight and head out tomorrow," Hong Xiaoduo thought. Half a day wouldn't make much difference, and since Brother Dong had helped them so much, she should treat him to a meal before they left.

At noon, Dong Yuefan, worried about his moody friend, ordered a few dishes and wine to be sent to his residence. Just as he entered the courtyard, a servant ran up to whisper that Master Mu had been in a foul mood ever since he returned that morning.

"A foul mood? Could those few words from Xiaoduo at the Juxian Restaurant really have bothered him this long? That seems unlikely..."