Chapter 51: The Young Sister-in-law Is Beautiful, but a Bit Slow-witted

After dousing the area with water, Bai Yan scooped up handfuls and sprinkled it over the prepared “mushroom bundles.”

“Where did you learn this method?” Jiang Chengyan watched her deft movements and could tell this wasn’t her first time.

Busy with her work, Bai Yan gestured toward a certain direction. “Up on that mountain, an old lady lived there a few years ago. She grew mushrooms this way.”

“So you stayed with her during those years?” As always, Jiang Chengyan’s curiosity led him down different paths.

“Yes, she grew mushrooms just to feed me.” As she spoke, her tone turned a little indignant. “Now I’m growing mushrooms to feed my husband.”

Jiang Chengyan chuckled softly, but his gaze drifted over the courtyard wall toward the mountain Bai Yan had pointed out.

There had indeed been a cottage on that mountain once; her words were not untrue.

...

Every half day, Bai Yan would water the mushroom bundles, but this morning, she had no choice but to accompany Jiang Chengyan to the county town.

She was still half asleep when, at dawn, Jiang Chengyan carried her on his back to the Ruyi Tavern.

Just as they reached the entrance, Zhao Chujio called out in his booming voice, “Big brother, you’re finally here! Manager Li, this is my big brother. Hand him your account books—he’ll have them sorted in no time.”

A thin, refined-looking middle-aged man stepped out from behind Zhao Chujio. With a gentle smile, he greeted Jiang Chengyan, “A pleasure to meet you. Truly, talent blooms early in youth!”

Jiang Chengyan didn’t say much, only explained, “There’s no one at home to look after things, so I brought my wife along.”

“No trouble at all. I’ve had several bookkeepers look over these accounts already, but none could make sense of them. If you can, not only will I owe you for this small favor, but I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely,” Manager Li replied with a smile, leading the three of them to a table in a quiet corner. He even brought over a few plates of pastries.

Bai Yan, still half asleep, immediately roused at the delicious aroma wafting from the pastries.

“My sister-in-law is quite pretty, but not the brightest, it seems,” Zhao Chujio remarked from across the table, unable to help himself.

“None of your business.” Jiang Chengyan glanced up, his eyes cool.

Zhao Chujio quickly fell silent as Bai Yan nibbled contentedly on her pastries.

Perhaps realizing he couldn’t insert himself into the couple’s atmosphere, Zhao Chujio left after a while. Jiang Chengyan, meanwhile, sat flipping through the account books with one hand and tapping on the abacus with the other.

Bai Yan was quietly eating her pastries, but soon her attention was drawn to the scene outside the window.

The tavern sat on a wide street lined with various stalls. Directly across, Mrs. Zhao was berating a stall owner, her face twisted with anger. “You heartless cheat! I paid you every penny, yet you sold me beans like those!”

Mrs. Zhao kept scolding the stall owner relentlessly. She had spent a hefty sum on those beans—they looked large and glossy, but yielded nothing good when ground.

The stall owner, however, wasn’t angered by her tirade. Instead, he smiled amiably. “Madam, our beans are clearly labeled. They’re cheap and may have minor flaws. Ours are less expensive than the grain shop’s, and as for your complaints, we haven’t seen what you made. If you wanted better beans, the grain shop’s are superior! If you can afford it, why not buy from them instead?”

Seeing Mrs. Zhao at a loss for words, the stall owner’s tone grew even more genial. “Look, we also have these ugly beans, even cheaper. Our regulars know what they’re getting. If you’re trying to swindle me, there’s nothing I can do to compensate you—business is about mutual consent, after all.”

Mrs. Zhao was utterly speechless. She had bought a hundred catties from this stall, unwilling to pay the grain shop’s higher price, since these cost one penny less per catty.

But now, it turned out none of the beans were usable.

Just as Mrs. Zhao hung her head in defeat, a small hand suddenly tugged at her skirt.

“Mother, let’s buy these ugly beans—all of them!”