Chapter 139 (2/2)
Madam Liu hit Xiaocao on the back and soothed Zhao Han, “Don’t pay any attention to this little girl . She likes to say weird things from time to time . I really don’t know what to do with her! Everyone should quickly head out now, otherwise you might not make it to the prefectural city before it gets dark!!”
Xiaocao’s back hurt quite a bit from the hit, so she pouted and muttered under her breath, “If you hadn’t told me to change clothes, then we would almost be at the town right now . I was only teasing Brother Han a little, but you hit me so hard . Am I really your biological daughter?”
“We picked you up from a sweet potato patch!” Madam Liu scolded huffily . After escorting her daughter and husband to the gate and helping her husband support Xiaocao onto Little Gray’s back, she repeatedly reminded them, “You two don’t have great equestrian skills . Ride a bit slower and be careful on the road!”
The saddle on Little Gray’s back was the one that Zhao Han used when he was a kid, so it fit perfectly on the little donkey’s back . Fortunately, when Madam Liu was sewing the new clothes, Xiaocao had her change the skirt into culottes . This made it easy for her to sit astride on the saddle . The legs of the culottes were wide and s.p.a.cious, so it looked like two sides of a skirt arranged around the saddle . The fabric swayed along with the donkey’s steps .
At the beginning, Xiaocao felt a bit nervous riding on the donkey’s back . The father and son from the Zhao Family deliberately went at a slower pace to match the Yu Family’s comfort level .
Gradually, Xiaocao got the hang of it and no longer sat stiffly in the saddle . The little donkey felt its master relax, and its steps became much more cheerful and at ease .
After consuming lots of mystic-stone water, Little Gray’s intelligence was not any less than the two fine steeds from the Zhao Family . It didn’t need Xiaocao’s commands at all and had a fast and steady gait . It was even faster than Yu Hai’s steed, and ended up at the front of the group .
Xiaocao didn’t feel like she was being jolted on this ride, even though they were still on the same rugged and craggy mountain roads . It was much more comfortable than sitting on the donkey cart . It sparked a thought for Xiaocao: ‘Next time I go into town, maybe I should just ride on the donkey?’
Before long, Yu Hai’s equestrian skills also improved, and the speed of the group gradually increased . The Zhao father and son pair were amazed that the Yu Family’s donkey, no matter what the speed or distance, was able to keep up with the three horses .
Because the little donkey was more capable than they expected, the four of them arrived at the prefectural city two hours earlier than they had predicted .
The prefectural city was a city and thus was livelier and larger compared to Tanggu Town . Its streets were wide and smooth, with shops boarding both sides . The sun was slowly setting towards the horizon, and its lingering glow illuminated green tiled roofs, red colored walls, and the s.p.a.ces between buildings . There was a three-story building crafted from red bricks with a green-tiled roof, a shop sign fluttering high in the wind, and the sounds of horse carriages surrounded them . . . all of this showed that the prefectural city was prosperous and flouris.h.i.+ng .
Yu Xiaocao held the reins of the little donkey as stood on the road, watching the stream of people around her bustling busily . There were some who were elegant, some who were fresh, some who were sincere, and some who were experienced . Her ears were filled with the sounds of peddlers bawling their wares punctuated by the occasional high-pitched neigh of a horse . It was the scene of a golden age, flouris.h.i.+ng beyond her dreams . . .
Zhao Bufan had previously visited the prefectural city, so he was already used to the sight of all of the people . He softly consulted the Yu father and daughter pair for their opinions, “Brother Dahai, should we find a place to lodge first, or should we walk around first?”
Yu Hai looked at his daughter and asked, “Cao’er, what do you want to do?”
“How about we first find a place to stay first . We should feed Little Gray and the horses, and also freshen ourselves up . It won’t be too late to look around after doing that!” In any case, they were going to stay at the prefectural city for two nights, so they had all of tomorrow to walk around . They didn’t need to try to fit everything in tonight .
Zhao Han immediately expressed his approval, “Xiaocao, I know a night market in the area . It’s pretty exciting at night with a lot of snacks from different provinces and you can even find some good deals too . You will probably like it!”
“Okay, okay! We’ll go stroll around the night market tonight and eat some snacks!” In her previous life, Yu Xiaocao had started working to support her family when she was fifteen to sixteen years of age . She was always busy and had very little time to do things like walk around a night market and taste snacks . In this life, she still needed to make money; however, she could also take the time to have some fun and enjoy the scenes of life .
The group of four found a clean inn to live in that was near the night market that Zhao Han had mentioned . The prefectural city was considered a large city, so the expenses there were naturally higher . Although this small inn was located at a relatively remote area, it cost a hundred and fifty copper coins a night . In total, for four people, it came out to six hundred copper coins a night, which didn’t include food and drink expenses . For two nights, more than a tael would be spent!
Yu Xiaocao first went to the back courtyard and made sure to take good care of Little Gray and the three horses . On the way to the city, in order to conserve the animals’ strength, Xiaocao had fed them almost all of the mystic-stone water that was kept in her personal water pouch .
The inn provided fodder for the animals . The three horses had a decent appet.i.te . They had only had some water during the whole journey, so they had long been hungry . When the fodder came out, all of them ate it with delight . However, the little donkey had been raised by Xiaocao, so it was much pickier . It impatiently stomped its hooves and disdained the provided fodder as below its status .
This little inn was run by a family . The person in charge of feeding the animals was a young girl about the same age as Xiaocao . When she noticed that the gray donkey didn’t want to eat, she asked Xiaocao, “Is this donkey not feeling well? How come it doesn’t want to eat food ah?”
Yu Xiaocao smiled, “My family’s Little Gray has been spoiled rotten by me . It doesn’t like eating food that’s given to it by outsiders . Little sister, give the fodder to me, I’ll feed my donkey . ”
The little girl also had to go into the kitchen to light the fire . When she heard what Xiaocao said, she placed the fodder from her basket into Xiaocao’s hands and said, “Then I’ll have to inconvenience you, guest!”
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