Mo Lixia sat at the front of the ox cart, occasionally exchanging a few words with Grandpa Li. For the most part, she remained quiet.
There were six or seven other people on the cart. Most of them had been treated by Mo Lixia at some point. Although she wasn't particularly talkative, she always greeted the villagers with a polite nod and a faint smile—neither too cold nor too eager. It was just right.
Two girls of her age were also on the cart. They seemed eager to befriend her, but seeing Mo Lixia's distant expression, they didn't know how to strike up a conversation.
"Miss Lixia must be around fourteen now, right?"
Mo Lixia was looking at the scenery when a voice came from behind. It was a woman in a green cloth skirt, about thirty years old, holding a basket. Deep wrinkles were already forming at the corners of her eyes.
Mo Lixia recognized her. She was the wife of Butcher Liu. Her name was Yang Cuihong, but everyone called her "Aunt Liu" or "Liu Cuihong."
Aunt Liu was known for being mean and sharp-tongued. Her husband, the butcher, was an honest man who had made some money, and rumor had it they had a relative who was an official in town. Because of this, Aunt Liu walked around the village like she owned the place.
Her youngest son, nicknamed "Er Dan" (Second Egg), was a known hooligan. He spent his days harassing young girls or flirting with widows. He had beef with almost everyone in the village.
Mo Lixia nodded slightly, acknowledging the question.
As the cart bumped along the muddy road, she thought about her age. Truthfully, I don't know either. Judging by her height and developing figure—her chest was beginning to swell like small apples—she guessed she was around thirteen or fourteen.
Walking was becoming uncomfortable due to the bouncing. Mo Lixia was actually planning to buy some soft fabric in town to make a modern bra. The ancient dudous (belly bands) provided absolutely no support.
"Miss Lixia, you're at the age where we should discuss marriage," Aunt Liu continued, her eyes gleaming with calculation. "Why don't I introduce you to someone? Let Doctor Qian take a look? My son, Er Dan, is a year older than you. We are just looking for a wife for him."
She laughed dryly and winked at the others, her meaning obvious.
Mo Lixia was stunned. This woman really knows how to talk nonsense.
She looked at the other two girls, who were clearly children. A thirteen or fourteen-year-old is ready for marriage? She hadn't even considered it. She stared at Aunt Liu blankly, not knowing how to respond.
Aunt Liu took her silence for shyness and was about to press on when someone cut her off.
It was Aunt Qiao, who had always been at odds with Liu Cuihong. She rolled her eyes in disdain.
"Your Er Dan? That boy idles around all day doing nothing! Look at the other young men in the village—who acts like him? Hmph. And you want to target Miss Lixia? That's a toad lusting after a swan's flesh!"
Liu Cuihong was furious. She pointed a trembling finger at Aunt Qiao. "What's wrong with my Er Dan? Our family doesn't need him to work! As long as he can carry on the Liu family line, that's enough! Unlike some families... busy working as servants all day. Your daughter-in-law has a big belly and still hasn't come home. That's a born slave's life! Hmph!"
"You..." Aunt Qiao was shaking with anger, unable to speak.
The others on the cart quickly pulled her back, whispering comforts. "Don't lower yourself to her level. She just bullies us because her husband kills pigs and has a few coins... People like her will suffer eventually!"
Aunt Qiao nodded, her face dark. Her husband was a carpenter. They made enough to eat, but they weren't rich. Thirty years east, thirty years west—fortune changes. Who knew what would happen in the future?
"Old Liu's wife," Grandpa Li, the elder of the village, spoke up with a stern tone. "Don't talk about your Er Dan. Even if you added up all the young men in our village, none of them are worthy of Miss Lixia. Don't let me hear such nonsense again. Look, there are unmarried girls on this cart. Have some dignity as an elder."
Others started to chime in, mocking her.
"Exactly. With Doctor Qian around, your Er Dan doesn't stand a chance. Haha..."
"Your son has no looks and no skills. Who would want to marry him?"
"Hmph..." Liu Cuihong was outnumbered. She rolled her eyes and fell silent, but she wasn't ready to give up.
She put on a fake smile and leaned toward Mo Lixia again, whispering.
Mo Lixia decided to shut this down completely. "Aunt Liu, I appreciate your 'kindness,' but I am still young."
Liu Cuihong choked on her words. She laughed awkwardly and sat back, embarrassed. However, her eyes darted around, calculating.
I'll just tell Er Dan to seduce this little girl when we get back, she thought viciously. She's just a child. Who cares if she has a cold face? If it weren't for her family's money and that mountain of herbs, who would want her?
Liu Cuihong's abacus was clinking loudly in her head. Little did she know, this scheme would eventually bring disaster upon her precious son.
Everyone on the cart knew Liu Cuihong was greedy and difficult.
Along the way, Liu Cuihong kept glaring at Aunt Qiao. In her twisted mind, if Aunt Qiao hadn't interrupted, Mo Lixia might have agreed. If she could facilitate this marriage, all the treasures on Mount Pei would belong to the Liu family.
By the time they reached the town, the market was already bustling. Peddlers shouted their wares, and people crowded the streets.
The two girls who had wanted to befriend Mo Lixia went their separate ways to sell embroidery at a shop that catered to the wealthy.
Mo Lixia ended up walking with Aunt Qiao (Qiao Lanzhi) to a fabric shop.
"My daughter-in-law is about to give birth. I need to prepare everything quickly. The young couple doesn't have time," Aunt Qiao said warmly, her anger from the cart ride forgotten.
"Do they work in town?" Mo Lixia asked politely.
"Yes. My son is a attendant for a wealthy family here. His wife was assigned to him by the master of the house. The food there is better than at home, even for servants. My daughter-in-law helps wash and cut vegetables—it's not heavy work. They didn't want to be separated, so they stayed there. But they sent a message two days ago saying they are coming back for the birth."