Chapter 114: Zhang Lao San

She even specially gave ten more; buying candied haws this early morning is really difficult—if she didn't know the news, she really wouldn't know how long she'd have to run.

But she didn't want to break her promise to the children.

"Hey, miss, you gave ten extra copper coins." The aunt was also an honest person; after counting, she directly wanted to return the money to Jiang Yunchu.

Jiang Yunchu smiled: "Auntie, we'll still need you to take us there later; just consider these ten copper coins as the errand fee."

As a stranger going over, it would inevitably raise suspicion, which would be inconvenient then.

Better to let the aunt take us there—she knows the background, and we can resolve it quickly.

She also wanted to go home early.

"Ah, small matter, auntie go cook the noodles first." That aunt beamed with joy; she had just run into the God of Wealth when she went out, gaining ten copper coins for free, enough to buy a sugar figurine for her grandson when she got back.

This noodle stall had quite a few customers, but only two people: the old man and the old woman; the old man mainly made the noodles, the old woman boiled them and cleaned up.

The two had worked together all their lives, very closely.

"Wang—" Shadow was about to speak, but seeing Jiang Yunchu's gaze, he immediately swallowed his words.

Just now the Princess Consort's gaze carried killing intent; he…

"I've ordered noodles; let's all sit down and eat." After returning to the capital, the others had been sent away; Shadow brought seven people plus twelve little ones, making nineteen in total.

Including her, that's exactly twenty bowls of noodles.

For a moment, the noodle stall was completely filled with seated customers.

"Wang… older sister." Jiang Yi really didn't know what to call her.

But not addressing her seemed impolite as well.

Wang older sister?

What kind of weird title is that?

Jiang Yunchu helplessly smiled and said, "Just say it directly."

"We could go back to eat; outside food is too expensive, right?" This is the capital of Da Ning State; he had just heard that a bowl of noodles costs five copper coins.

Uncle Wang Han had taken them to the small market before; there a bowl of noodles was only three copper coins.

That's a big difference in copper coins.

Even though it's three copper coins per bowl, he's never eaten it.

Jiang Yunchu looked at them; these kids unconsciously swallowed saliva, each gulping, yet their gazes were proper—they weren't even staring at the pot boiling the noodles.

"It's fine, Older Sister Wang is treating you." Jiang Yunchu couldn't help teasing.

Jiang Yi's face turned slightly red; the title "Older Sister Wang" was what he had just shouted.

"Miss, the noodles are here; these are all your children, right?" The aunt chatted casually.

This miss dressed ordinarily, but somewhat better than those ten-plus kids; it seemed her family conditions were not bad, though those kids wore rather ragged clothes.

The aunt's expression didn't change; having done business for years, she knew idle chat was fine, but one shouldn't ask what shouldn't be asked—just honestly make her noodles.

"Yes, my children." Jiang Yunchu agreed calmly; anyone who didn't know would think she was speaking the truth.

These twelve children all understood; even the youngest, Jiang Twelve, showed Jiang Yunchu a bashful smile.

Jiang Yunchu couldn't help reaching out to ruffle her hair.

Jiang Twelve, though still young, could be a companion for Yue Yue.

Yue Yue is four; Jiang Twelve doesn't know her exact age, but according to Uncle Wang Han's estimate, she's about five; however, years of poor nutrition have left her frail, making her look even younger than Yue Yue by a bit.

"You're all growing well, the noodles are ready—hurry up and eat." After saying that, the aunt turned back to boil the noodles.

After a short while, several old customers came again: "Older Sister-in-law, business is good today."

"Of course, when has the older sister-in-law's business ever been bad?" The aunt laughed warmly, her voice full of sunshine; although she lived an ordinary life, she was very open-minded.

"Here, your large bowl of hot soup noodles." Before the old customer could speak, the aunt placed the hot soup noodles in front of them.

Jiang Yunchu watched the twelve little ones eat noodles carefully; she smiled gently, she didn't eat much, but she drank plenty of the broth—hot and soothing, easing her stomach pain.

It's the fourth day; the pain persists, and she doesn't know how many more days it will last.

"Miss, I see you've finished; my customers are few, my old man can handle things alone—shall I take you over?" The aunt wiped her hands clean and walked over from there.

"Good."

The group stood up; just moments ago the noodle stall had been full, and suddenly three or four tables left.

"Zhang Lao San, Zhang Lao San?" The aunt called out a few times.

A voice came from inside immediately: "Older Sister-in-law, come in."

"He has trouble moving; his food is bought by neighbors helping out, or he exchanges his handicraft for grain and such." The aunt introduced while walking inside.

"Miss, you want to buy candied haws—make them for her." The aunt, being straightforward, entered the house, saw Zhang Lao San, and directly said.

The house was very run-down, but one could tell the owner was a cleanliness lover; the place was swept spotless, with no sloppiness of a solitary dweller.

"Good good good, how many roots? With so many kids, at least three strings are needed." Zhang Lao San looked at the line of children and laughed heartily.

Jiang Yunchu shook her head: "Give me fifty strings first."

"If the taste is good, come again for another fifty."

Our own children are many, plus those little masters from Ningguang Yuan; although called little masters, they're not old either—still half-grown kids.

"That many? My stored hawthorn isn't enough!" Zhang Lao San gave a bitter smile; he usually sells to neighbors or trades for goods.

In two or three days he can sell a few strings, barely enough to half‑fill himself; anyway, this cripple doesn't do much labor, and half a meal is enough to keep him alive.

But suddenly fifty strings, fifty strings—where is he supposed to find hawthorn?

"Hey! That's not hard to handle." The aunt slapped her thigh.

"Miss, I'll go get the hawthorn; you wait here."

"Zhang Lao San, I'll finish up with the old man soon and come help you; you've finally gotten this work, don't push it aside."

This aunt is a quick‑acting person; she just accepted the matter right away.

"Old Sister-in-law……" Zhang Lao San hadn't finished speaking when that old lady had already run out.

Although old, the legs are quite nimble.

Jiang Yunchu couldn't help but laugh; she began to inspect the house, and having just seen that it was clean, she decided to buy here—if the house weren't clean, she wouldn't dare buy the things made there!

Zhang Lao San's leg is lame; he leans on a small stick and needs to move while half-lying on the ground.

"Are these things carved by you?" she asked, looking at the displayed items—these were wooden carvings: little birds, some small flowers, grasshoppers, all sorts, arranged in a line, vividly lifelike, as if real.