Chapter 91: Refugees

Their next stop was Yongfengzhai. Due to the popularity of the crystal candy, the new black sugar pastries Sang delivered were also well-received, making her a favored guest to Yan Shopkeeper.

Yan Shopkeeper, always courteous, would offer refreshments whenever Sang visited, though her visits were infrequent due to her business-like approach.

With the children accompanying her this time, the hospitality stepped up a notch. The refreshments served were more varied, with many obviously aimed at the children’s tastes.

Yan Shopkeeper repeatedly urged the children to try the pastries. Following Sang’s lead and seeing her nod of approval, each child tasted just one piece.

They were full from their meal at Dongfu Lou, and additionally, they wanted to maintain a sense of modesty.

Unaware that the children had already enjoyed a large meal at Dongfu Lou, Yan Shopkeeper admired Sang’s upbringing skills, believing she had taught her sister-in-law and brother-in-law very well, which deepened his admiration for her.

Before leaving, all the pastries were wrapped in waxed paper for Sang to take back for the children to eat.

During this outing with the children, Sang unexpectedly experienced something akin to what’s often depicted in films - the feeling of taking children around during the New Year to receive gifts.

As they left Yongfengzhai, Sang herself felt amused. She had never experienced such things herself, but now, playing the role of a parent, she shared these moments with Shen An and Shen Ning.

Having completed their main errands, Sang took the two children to explore the county town.

There was no need to look for food; not only were the children well-fed, but they also had plenty of good food packed to take home, all stowed in her carrying basket.

Shen An and Shen Ning felt there was no need to buy anything else; with so many pastries and treats, some of which could last for a while, there seemed little reason to purchase more.

Sang agreed with this sentiment. She glanced at the children – they were dressed in new clothes from head to toe, weren’t they?

Well, not quite.

Sang’s gaze settled on Shen Ning’s twin buns: “Let’s go to the clothing store.”

Shen Ning tilted her head: “Sister, we have clothes, new ones.”

Sang smiled: “We’re not buying clothes, but a new hair ribbon for you.”

The ribbon in the little one's hair had faded and worn out from long use.

Shen Ning reached up to touch the hair ribbon on her head, which still seemed usable. Yet, the thought of a new, bright red ribbon seemed very appealing.

With this thought, her eyes lit up with joy, and she nodded eagerly!

Sang smiled and led the two children directly to the clothing store.

The clothing store didn't just sell ready-made clothes; it also offered a variety of hair ribbons, hairbands, and beaded flowers. Shen Ning, though only nine, was a young girl and, like all young girls, she had a love for beauty.

When the shopkeeper brought out three trays of colorful hair ribbons, hairbands, and beaded flowers, Shen Ning's eyes darted excitedly from one item to the next, dazzled by all the beautiful things she had never seen before.

Everything seemed beautiful and appealing, making it hard for her to choose.

However, the initial visual impact soon settled down, and she became more thoughtful and discerning with her choices.

Knowing that the exquisite items in the county shop wouldn't be cheap, Shen Ning bypassed the beaded flowers and hairbands, focusing instead on the hair ribbons.

There were many colors to choose from, over a dozen in fact. After looking them over twice, Shen Ning finally pointed to a bright red ribbon.

“Sister, I like this one,” she said.

Sang nodded with a smile and asked the shopkeeper to get it, along with a pink hairband, before paying and leaving the store.

As for herself and Shen An, Sang felt that bright red would be too striking, and flashy colors were unnecessary. Their plain clothes matched well with hairbands cut from similar cloth.

After buying the hair ribbons and hairbands, Sang remembered another item and asked the shopkeeper where she could buy ink and brushes.

The shopkeeper was somewhat surprised by her inquiry but still directed her to a shop near the former county school, where ink and brushes were sold.

The term "former county school" was used because the county school in Qiyang had been opened and then closed as per the orders of the previous emperor. Although the current emperor had decreed the reopening of state and county schools, the order hadn't yet been implemented in Qiyang County.

Therefore, children from wealthy families in the county had to rely on home education or private tutors for their schooling.

Thanking the shopkeeper, Sang left the clothing store with the children and headed towards the old site of the county school.

Having the memories of her original body, Sang knew that someone of her original social standing wouldn't typically buy ink and brushes personally; it was usually handled by servants or male family members. However, she was aware of common knowledge, like the fact that in smaller places, shops selling ink and brushes also often sold incense, candles, and miscellaneous goods.

Indeed, before the Great Qian Dynasty, social classes were strictly divided, and literate people were only born into specific classes. Ordinary people learning to read and write were rare. Even though the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty decreed the establishment of schools, the short duration and eventual discontinuation of this policy meant that the situation hadn't greatly improved.

Therefore, aside from the provincial capitals and the capital city, the consumption of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones among the common people in the smaller counties and towns was very minimal. There were no specialty shops for these items, and naturally, no bookstores either.

At that time, books were mostly privately owned and copied by hand. If someone wanted to buy books, they would have to look in larger places like the capital or provincial cities, where specific book markets existed. In a county-level region, books were not a popular commodity. There might be some sellers when the county school was operational, but since its closure years ago, it's doubtful.

Shen An had been excited ever since he heard his sister-in-law asking about a brush and ink shop. He was learning to write and had seen books before, so he understood what brushes and ink were used for.

As soon as they left the clothing store, Shen An asked, “Sister, are you going to buy us brushes and ink? Aren’t they very expensive? I think using the sand tray is just fine. It allows us to write as well, and it doesn’t cost anything.”

Shen Ning nodded in agreement, “I also think writing with the sand tray is good.”

Shen Ning didn’t know if brushes and ink were expensive, but if something could be done without spending money, why spend? She had seen her sister-in-law buy only hair ribbons for her, while not purchasing anything for herself, and now felt a bit regretful about the money spent.

The cost of two hair ribbons and two hairbands amounted to six coins, which could have bought enough cloth for a tofu-making filter.

Sang laughed, “I have another use for them. You’ll see when we get back.”

After walking for about half an hour, they reached the street where the former county school was located. Indeed, upon a cursory glance, they spotted a shop selling incense, candles, and various sundries.

“Let’s go,” she called to the siblings, leading them towards the shop.

Shen An and Shen Ning followed Sang to the incense and candle shop and stopped in front of it, their faces filled with question marks.

"Aren't we supposed to buy brushes and ink? This is a shop for incense and candles."

Sang laughed, "This is the right place."

Leading the two children inside.

The shopkeeper eyed the trio as they entered and asked with a smile, “What does the young lady wish to purchase?”

“Do you have brushes and ink?”

The shopkeeper’s eyebrows twitched, and he smiled, “Yes, we do.”

As he spoke, he bent down and rummaged through the cabinet, soon presenting a brush and an ink stick: “Take a look, young lady.”

Indeed, don’t wonder why there weren’t a dozen varieties laid out for her to choose from; just having these items for sale was good enough. Choice? That’s too much to ask for; tough on the shopkeeper’s limited stock and on her wallet too.

Sang examined the items, her own knowledge limited, though the original body would have recognized these as relatively cheap goat hair brushes and lower-quality ink.

Asking the shopkeeper for the price, he replied with a smile, “The brush is thirty-five coins, and the ink stick is one hundred and fifty coins.”

Sang Luo clicked her tongue, noting that the original owner of the body must have spent considerably on books and stationery.

She drew two strings of coins from her purse, handed over 185 wen to the shopkeeper who, smilingly accepting them, counted the coins while inquiring if Sang Luo needed paper and inkstones.

Sang Luo quickly shook her head in refusal.

Inkstones, she thought, were replaceable with makeshift alternatives if not too particular, and as for paper, though available, was scarce and expensive, largely used by officials more than commoners.

For instance, Zhou Lizheng used official paper, while establishments like Dongfu Tavern kept some for contracts or receipts, sparingly used and often cut into small strips to save paper. Tokens were still used for transactions like crossing checkpoints.

Even the accountants at the tavern were frugal with paper use, so how could she, a forager in the mountains, justify such an expense?

Having purchased ink, Sang Luo stopped by a pharmacy remembering the dwindling supply of gypsum at home, and stocked up, along with star anise, essential for her daily preparation of spiced dried tofu. Star anise was quickly consumed.

However, to avoid drawing connections between star anise, dried tofu, and gypsum, she purposely bought the star anise from a different pharmacy.

Having completed their primary tasks, Sang Luo took the two little ones for a stroll through the east and west markets, partly to check on Qin Fangniang and others who were setting up their stalls.

Carrying her load, Sang Luo was initially mistaken for a vendor and stopped upon entering the market. But after a glance at her empty jars and miscellaneous small purchases, it was clear she was shopping for personal use, and they let her pass without requiring a market tax.

The siblings, who had spent the morning exploring the county’s main streets, taverns, pastry shops, and clothing stores, were now enthralled by the different ambiance of the east market, with its variety of small stalls.

Unlike their regular market days, this market offered a plethora of stalls selling a diverse, refined range of goods, leaving the siblings dazzled once more.

Sang amusedly observed the siblings' curiosity at the market stalls. Whenever they lingered longer at a food stall, she would ask if they wanted to buy something to eat. Yet, whenever she offered, they would shake their heads vigorously in refusal.

"No need!"

The basket was already full of snacks!

Sang didn't insist, knowing that they wouldn't lack for treats for the next week or so.

"Alright, just let me know if you see anything you'd like to eat or buy."

After making a round, they stopped at Qin Fang Niang's stall to chat.

The siblings found everything at the bustling eastern market fascinating, unaware that regular stallholders like Qin Fang Niang and frequent visitor Sang knew it was less lively than before.

Sang felt fortunate that their business with restaurants and eateries ensured nearly half their goods were pre-sold, with the rest for the market, a balance that worked well.

When Qin Fang Niang saw Sang with Shen An and Shen Ning, she naturally wanted to treat the children, but Sang stopped her, pointing out how full their bellies still were.

After some light-hearted talk, they moved to the western market. Once Qin Fang Niang and the others had sold all their goods in the eastern market, they regrouped and Sang bought two more jars, which were carried back on Qin Fang Niang's cart.

Just as they left the county town and hadn't gone far, Sang spotted a few ragged-looking individuals on the mountain path ahead. As they drew closer, Sang's pupils constricted: "Wait."

She stopped Qin Fang Niang, who initially seemed confused, but upon seeing the group of four or five people ahead, she tensed up, her mind going blank.

Refugees!?

Qin Fang Niang and Sang, having narrowly escaped disaster themselves, recognized the expressions and eyes of the refugees all too well.

Sang, holding onto a child in each hand, urgently said, "Let's head back to the county town first!"

Qin Fang Niang nodded quickly and turned her cart around, and they all hurried towards the city gates.