Quick Wear: Reversing Life

Chapter 492: The eldest daughter-in-law of a wealthy family (14)

Hongxiu was very surprised and said, "Madam! It's the Marquis! The Marquis is back!"

Fu Huaiying didn't react much. After all, Marquis Dingbei did come back at this time in his previous life.

"Madam, the Marquis is back. Should we go back home now?" Hongxiu asked.

Fu Huaiying said, "Why go back? He must come to see the emperor first after returning victorious. Besides, there's still a long way to go from Mingde Gate to Zhuque Gate at the foot of the Imperial City, and it's still early."

After returning from a victorious battle, the general's ceremonial guard had to be displayed on the main road. It was also a way for the emperor to consolidate his power and show the prosperity of the country.

"Let's go. We can still have time to go back after a walk."

Fu Huaiying walked on the street with Hongxiu, looking at the strangers doing business on both sides of the street.

Many Sogdian stalls only had an exotic carpet spread on a straw mat, on which were placed spices and gems from the Western Regions, as well as many small items brought from the West.

Fu Huaiying found pepper neatly arranged on many Sogdian stalls.

Pepper was considered a luxury in that era, sometimes even comparable to gold. Pepper could even be used as salary, but ordinary people generally could not afford it.

At this time, pepper was only used as a spice, not a seasoning.

Fu Huaiying asked the stall owner, "How do you sell pepper?"

"One liter of pepper, ten ounces of silver."

Hongxiu's eyes widened: "Ten taels of silver?" Her monthly allowance was only eight taels of silver!

Ten taels of silver are enough for an average family to cover expenses for half a year.

Fu Huaiying took note of it secretly.

At this time, an Arab merchant at a nearby stall shouted in broken Mandarin: "Come and take a look! This is the rose water used by the Emperor of Fulin!"

This statement really attracted many people to stop at his stall.

If Fu Huaiying remembered correctly, the Kingdom of Fulin should be the Byzantium of the West.

The Arab merchant opened the gilded floral dew bottle in his hand, and a rose fragrance emanated from the bottle.

The merchant poured a soybean-sized amount of liquid onto the back of his hand. When the transparent liquid was spread, it indeed had a very strong rose fragrance. A young woman bought a bottle of it immediately.

"Three taels of silver for a bottle of rose dew, isn't that too expensive?"

The merchant said, "This bottle is worth one or two ounces of silver! The price is very fair. I won't cheat anyone!"

The gilded bottle was indeed beautiful and novel in shape. As expected, it attracted several ladies who were out with it, and each of them took away a bottle.

The merchant beamed. "My ladies, you have good taste. This rose water not only nourishes the skin, leaving it radiant, but also leaves a lingering fragrance. I only brought a dozen or so bottles, and they're sold while supplies last."

After these words were spoken, many women paid for it.

Hongxiu said to Huaiying, "Madam, is this business so easy to do? Without a physical store, we can make a lot of money just by relying on this mobile stall."

Fu Huaiying said: "Most of what I earn is hard-earned money."

These merchants didn't know how far they had to travel to transport these things from the West, and then transport the silk and tea from the East to the West.

Not only do you have to deal with the harsh environment on the road, but you also have to be wary of robbery.

Going further, there is another snack street.

There are young vendors selling Persian iced drink "Gula Water" and candied dates for two cents a string.

The aroma of Hu Bing lingers in the streets, along with a variety of exquisite crystal cakes.

As the master and servant were walking, they passed by a tavern run by a Hu girl. Through the open door, they could see a Hu girl dancing the Zhezhi dance on a flat couch in the room.

The tables of diners on both sides were filled with food such as Biluo, Gulouzi, and the popular wine jelly in Liangzhou.

Fu Huaiying sighed: "It is indeed the case that 'the customs of the barbarians are everywhere, and the merchants are full of food'."

No matter how many priceless cultural relics are unearthed a thousand years later, it is better to see with your own eyes the magnificent scene of Chang'an where "people from all over the world come to pay homage to the emperor."

After shopping enough, Fu Huaiying and Hongxiu went to her dowry shop to check it out.

Fu Huaiying has a total of five shops in Xishi: a bookstore, two pastry shops, a jewelry shop, and a fruit shop.

The larger shop among them is the fruit and flower shop.

When Fu Huaiying went to see it, business was pretty good and the flowers were well taken care of.

The owner of the fruit and flower shop was the only female among all the shops she brought as a dowry with her.

It seems her name is Yang Jindie.

When Fu Huaiying walked into the shop, Manager Yang was introducing peonies to a lady with a smile on his face.

...

After selling a pot of peonies, Yang Jindie turned around and saw the boss standing in the store.

"Oh, Madam, why are you here?" Yang Jindie came up to greet her with a smile. "Are you going to take some flowers back? The peonies are in full bloom right now, and we've cultivated some in the shop."

"I just came here to look around casually." Fu Huaiying said with a smile, "But I do have a business matter that I would like to discuss with the shopkeeper."

Fu Huaiying wanted Yang Jindie to collect the unsold flowers or fallen petals in the shop and sell them to Tianxiang Pavilion at a low price.

This is also a source of income for the flower shop and a stable source of incense-making materials for Tianxiang Pavilion.

After talking with Yang Jindie, Fu Huaiying went to inspect the remaining shops. After meeting with the shop owners, he prepared to go home.

When the carriage reaches the main road, Zhuque Street is in front.

When crossing Zhuque Street, Fu Huaiying lifted the curtain and saw from afar the tail end of the military carriage, which had already entered the Zhuque Gate.

Hongxiu also saw this and said from the side, "The Marquis has probably already seen the Emperor by now, right?"

Fu Huaiying lowered the curtain without much interest.

Hongxiu said, "I don't know how long the Marquis will stay at the mansion this time. Miss Ying is getting married soon, so he will probably stay at the mansion until she gets married, right?"

The carriage slowly passed through Suzaku Street.

The royal relatives favored by the emperor basically lived in Pingkangfang, and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion was no exception.

From Pingkangfang on Zhuque Street, you will pass Anshangmen.

When passing the Anshang Gate, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Hongxiu asked, "Why did you stop?"

The driver outside said, "Madam, there's someone blocking the way."

Pedestrians on the road had to give way to carriages. If someone blocked the way and delayed the carriage, he would be thrown into jail and educated.

Fu Huaiying lifted the door curtain and found that it was an acquaintance.

Zhao Ying’s husband in her previous life, Wang Qinghe.

He seemed to be struggling with someone.

"I clearly gave you five taels of silver that day, so why are you here again today?"

"Sir, what do you mean? I clearly don't know you!"

"If a man lacks trust, he is not worthy of trust! If you have any difficulties, you can speak frankly. Why do you have to deceive me?" Wang Qinghe's eyes were filled with disappointment. "I won't take back the five taels of silver, but if you continue to deceive me, I will report you to the authorities and have them investigate."

Fu Huaiying took a glance and saw a woman in plain clothes kneeling opposite Wang Qinghe. Her face was haggard and her eyes were red and swollen. In front of her was a piece of white paper with four big words written on it: "Sell yourself to bury your father."

Fu Huaiying guessed it almost immediately.

Wang Qinghe gave her ten taels of silver a few days ago, but a few days later the woman came out again to "sell herself to bury her father."