Chapter Twenty-Two: The Grand Shopping Spree

As soon as Yun Shuang stepped out of the Luo family’s gate, Yan Fang rushed over, beaming with excitement. “Madam Yun, the General ordered me to assist you in your work these days! I knew it—someone as clever as you would surely find a way to locate Madam Luo! At last, the General has agreed to heed my advice!”

Yun Shuang looked at the overjoyed Yan Fang, who seemed as happy as if it were New Year’s, and thoughtfully refrained from telling him that Jiang Xiao’s decision likely had little to do with his so-called suggestion. Still, she was surprised that Jiang Xiao had directly assigned Yan Fang to help her; she had expected the General to simply spare a random soldier.

She didn’t dwell on it and said, “Just do as I say, and we’ll certainly find Madam Luo.”

Yan Fang’s dark face was practically glowing. He asked eagerly, “What should I do?”

Their interest in this case went beyond the General’s connection to the late Master Luo; more importantly, the Luo family donated a sizable sum to their garrison every year. In a strategic town like Xiazhou, military expenses soared annually, while the imperial funds grew stingier by the year. Without the Luo family’s support, things would only get harder. After Master Luo’s passing, Madam Luo had continued her father’s legacy and donated every year, but if anything happened to her this time, the Luo family’s future would be uncertain, and who knew if their support would continue.

If he could help Yun Shuang bring Madam Luo back, it would be an outstanding achievement! Then, let’s see who in the garrison would dare call him simple-minded again!

Yun Shuang leaned in and quietly gave Yan Fang a series of instructions. He listened in growing bewilderment, scratching his head in confusion, but in the end, trusting Yun Shuang for reasons he couldn’t explain, he nodded earnestly.

After that, Yun Shuang told Yan Fang to meet her at the Tongxin Hall in the county if he made any discoveries. If she wasn’t there, he should send someone to Changsheng Village to notify her.

For someone living far from town with no carriage, exchanging information quickly was a challenge.

After leaving the Luo residence, Yun Shuang took Goudan to have a batch of winter clothes made. Children grew quickly, so she instructed the tailor to make the clothes loose so they would last a couple of years.

Er Ya wasn’t around to be measured, so Yun Shuang used Goudan as a reference. Er Ya was half a head shorter and slighter. The tailor, recommended by Old Li, was a kind-hearted woman. She smiled and said, “I’ll make the clothes based on this size first. When they’re ready, the young lady can come try them on. If there are any small adjustments, it’s easy to alter them.”

Yun Shuang agreed readily. In fact, she could alter them herself if needed. She hadn’t done needlework before, but since the original owner was skilled, she thought she could manage with a bit of practice.

Then, Yun Shuang bought a thick quilt and asked the shopkeeper to bind it and deliver it to the Tongxin Hall, before heading out to buy groceries.

Millet, flour, brown rice, eggs, firewood, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—Yun Shuang began a grand shopping spree with Goudan in tow, buying a heap of supplies. At last, she bought a fine cut of pork, which left Goudan so spellbound he nearly forgot to breathe.

He had never seen anyone shop so lavishly. Whenever his mother bought things, he instinctively edged toward the door, always fearing she would run short of money and they’d have to flee before being beaten for failing to pay.

Yun Shuang, absorbed in the favorite pastime of women everywhere, failed to notice Goudan’s unease. In the eyes of the villagers, the Yun family was still dirt poor, and she had no way to explain her sudden wealth, so she restrained herself and bought everything in moderation.

In the end, she asked the butcher for a burlap sack, packed all the food inside, and hurried back to Tongxin Hall.

The goods she bought today were all good value, and she bargained fiercely, but even so, she spent nearly three hundred coins—mainly on cloth and bedding.

Yun Shuang felt a pang of regret but consoled herself: out with the old, in with the new. Some things simply had to be spent on.

Still, the villagers were a suspicious lot. Until she had enough power to protect herself, it was best to keep a low profile. Er Ya would have to return to the clinic regularly over the next few days, so Yun Shuang decided to carry her purchases home bit by bit.

But Old Li had seen her enter Tongxin Hall with his own eyes, and she would need his help to get to the county again. It would be hard to keep things from Madam Hua. Fortunately, the Hua family seemed trustworthy, so Yun Shuang decided that the next time she returned to the village, she would tell them frankly about the sum of silver in her possession.

Upon returning to Tongxin Hall, she learned that Er Ya’s fever had finally subsided. Before Yun Shuang could thank Doctor Gao, he said, “Your daughter’s fever broke several times this afternoon, but each time it returned soon after. She’s rather weak. If you’re willing, it would be best to spend the night in the county, so you can respond quickly if anything happens.”

Yun Shuang’s heart clenched. Inns in the county weren’t expensive, but even the cheapest cost sixty or seventy coins a night. Moreover, the border towns were not particularly safe at night. Madam Hua had warned the original owner that before General Jiang’s arrival, bandits roamed Xiazhou, sometimes breaking into inns at night to rob travelers.

The better inns hired guards and kept staff on duty overnight, so they were safer. The cheap ones had no guards at all—one could only hope the innkeepers weren’t in league with the thieves.

Since General Jiang’s arrival, Xiazhou had become much safer, but he was no god and couldn’t eliminate every threat.

What if she was unlucky enough to run into trouble?

Her hand went to her nearly depleted money pouch as she took a deep breath, steeling herself to find a safe inn. Just then, Doctor Gao said considerately, “If you don’t mind, Madam Yun, you’re welcome to spend the night here at Tongxin Hall.”

Yun Shuang’s eyes lit up at once.

Tongxin Hall was a medical clinic, so the accommodations weren’t luxurious, but it was nestled in a side alley just off the main street, not far from the county office, with patrols at night. In terms of safety, it was ideal.

Gratefully, Yun Shuang said, “Doctor Gao, thank you so much. I was just troubled about where to stay. Please do accept payment for the accommodation.”

Doctor Gao waved his hands. “There’s no need for such formality, Madam Yun. I see you’re a woman with two children, which is not easy. Besides, I live nearby—if your daughter needs me in the night, I can come quickly. Just give me a few extra coins for the trouble, if you like.”

He then showed her around the clinic, pointing out a small kitchen in the back, usually used for preparing medicine. She was welcome to cook simple meals there, as long as she cleaned up afterward. He explained he would lock the front door, but the back door had an inner lock she could open herself if she needed to go out.

He left a young apprentice on duty for the night and then departed.

Feeling the world was still full of good people, Yun Shuang went to find Old Li to let him know she would be spending the night in town and that there was no need to wait for her.

Returning, she made up a bed for Goudan and herself beside Er Ya.

They were staying in a room in the rear courtyard of Tongxin Hall, which, according to the apprentice, was usually a ward for patients whose conditions were too severe, or whose homes were too far for frequent travel.

Fortunately, it was clean and tidy, and since it had been unoccupied for some time, Yun Shuang felt at ease.

After tidying up, she smiled at Er Ya. “I’ll go make supper for you both. Your brother will stay here with you.”

As she turned to leave, Er Ya suddenly reached out from the bed and gently tugged at Yun Shuang’s skirt.