Chapter 689: Chapter 461: The Fourth Miss of the Marquis’s Residence
Because of the eggs, riding the horse couldn’t go too fast, but it was still much faster than walking.
Wei Ziang and Xiaomi asked for directions, and within less than an hour, they found the village where Zhang Xiaocao’s husband’s family lived.
However, to find out where they lived, they still needed to keep asking.
The two dismounted, led their horse on foot into the village, and happened to see an aunt nearby carrying some sweet potato vines, getting ready to plant.
Xiaomi was about to ask, but Wei Ziang stopped her with his eyes.
While Xiaomi was confused, Wei Ziang went over himself, "Excuse me, Auntie, do you know where the second daughter from the Zhang family, who was married from Xiangmu Village last year, lives?"
The aunt had spotted them from afar, and was already secretly observing them with curiosity.
Now that Wei Ziang had stepped forward to ask, she quickly responded, "Are you talking about the new daughter-in-law of the Fu family? The one from Xiangmu Village, named Zhang Xiaocao."
Xiao Hua, Xiaocao, Cui Hua, Gui Xiang, etc., are common names for girls, and once they grow up and get married, they become ’someone’s wife,’ so the name is only a token used in their natal family.
Wei Ziang nodded with a smile, "Yes, that’s her. Do you know where their home is, Auntie?"
The aunt quickly pointed in a direction, "Over there, the tile-roofed house is theirs. Who are you?"
The aunt discreetly assessed the two, noticing their good looks and fine clothes, instantly recognizing them as children from a wealthy family, especially since they rode on horseback.
The horse was tall and strong, of significant quality, different from those used for carts and undoubtedly expensive.
On the horse’s back were loaded goods, visible were some fine cotton fabric, several bolts worth, typically only bought by ordinary families during the New Year.
She had been curious watching them from afar, and now, hearing them inquire about Zhang Xiaocao, she couldn’t help but wonder about their relationship with her.
As she pondered, the handsome young man in front explained with a gentle smile.
"This is the Fourth Miss of the Marquis’ household, who has always been close friends with the second daughter of the Zhang family. She had been at the border before and only now learned about the marriage of the second daughter, hence the special visit."
The aunt was shocked, "Ma-Marquis..."
She was about to kneel in fear, but Wei Ziang held her up, "No need to be so afraid, Auntie, the Fourth Miss is just here to visit the second daughter. We really should thank you for giving us directions."
Saying this, he even placed half a tael of broken silver in the aunt’s hand, then turned and signaled Xiaomi to leave, leaving the aunt in disbelief and joy.
From the start, Xiaomi was confused, not understanding Wei Ziang’s approach.
They weren’t unaware of Xiaocao’s husband’s name, then why indirectly ask about Xiaocao instead of asking directly for the household?
But she didn’t ask at that time, waiting until they had walked far enough with no one around, to finally ask what he was up to.
To use the title of Marquis’ Fourth Miss was unprecedented.
Wei Ziang smiled, "You mentioned before about wanting to give Xiaocao some face, to prevent anyone from thinking her natal family is far away and bullying her?"
Xiaomi nodded obediently; given the inconvenient carriage paths, it was over four or five hours walking, not particularly far.
A girl married far away fears being bullied with her family unaware.
Though realistically, within these nearby villages, everyone is practically related, if something happened, Auntie Xiuyun and others wouldn’t be unaware.
But these were not Xiaomi’s concerns.
Wei Ziang continued explaining, "If we directly sought Fu Tao, others might presume just a relative of the Fu family, but now informing them that you are the Marquis’ daughter, Xiaocao’s friend, within a day the whole village will know."
Xiaomi suddenly realized, "Oh, that’s what you meant; I wondered why you said so much around the topic."
Ultimately, her initial intent was just that, and her elder brother merely helped her execute it flawlessly.
Because information spreading from Zhang Xiaocao or the Fu family can’t compete with the village folks spreading the news themselves.
"Let’s go; the weather is getting warmer, let’s rest at the Fu household."
With clear directions, they soon found the household the aunt referred to, standing afar as Xiaomi assessed it was quite alright.
At least a tile-brick house, not a thatched or mud house; the house was a bit small, less than that of Xiaocao’s home, which was also a tile-roofed one.
Yesterday afternoon she actually had inquired with Auntie Xiuyun, mentioning Fu Tao as literate.
But after failing an exam attempt, realizing his shortcomings, and his mentor advising no hope for civil examinations, Fu Tao decisively stopped further attempts to save family money.
In the end, he found a job at the nearby town as a shopkeeper for a small tavern; although small, the salary was decent, occasionally writing letters for others.
Besides that, when there was a break from the tavern, he returned to the village to teach children literacy.
Thus, Fu Tao’s reputation in the village was good.
As for how he and Xiaocao met, this involved Xiaomi.
The village being further from Cheng County, folks usually went to a closer town for market activities; Fu Tao studied and worked there too.
By this, he and Xiaocao practically had no connection.
Yet Xiaocao later learned hunting from Xiaomi, initially with modest yields, which improved with archery skills, leading to more catches.
However, at that time, the village’s chickens, ducks, geese, and wild rabbits were thriving, producing more eggs annually.
Not only Xiangmu Village, but others nearby were similar, reducing Cheng County’s demand for wild game.
Xiaomi constantly hunted, either consuming it personally or feeding the family helpers, hence no such worries.
Thus, father and daughter agreed, if Cheng County couldn’t sell at high prices, they’d try elsewhere, choosing from the many nearby towns, hence establishing contact with Fu Tao, and occasionally Xiaocao delivered goods.
Over time, Fu Tao’s tavern, due to the abundant game, thrived, resulting in a salary raise, expanding the tavern further.
Xiaocao profited from hunting earnings without loss, achieving mutual benefits.
Xiaomi knew these subsequent stories, aware of them selling game to other towns, but Fu Tao remained an unheard name.
Thinking back, she left around March or April last year, hadn’t seen Xiaocao with marriage intentions, naturally not mentioning men. ℯℯ𝘭.
Hence, shock at inquiring about him with Auntie Xiuyun.
Moreover, Auntie Xiuyun suggested they just started pondering marriage arrangements as Xiaocao wasn’t young anymore, yet Fu Tao promptly engaged a matchmaker, whisking her within three months.
Xiaomi touched her chin, "Auntie Xiuyun also said Fu Tao’s mother and two sisters-in-law aren’t easy to get along with; who knows how Xiaocao is now."
Otherwise, she wouldn’t aim to provide Xiaocao support against possible bullying.