Chapter 26 — Datong town • Selling Fish
Lingjia Village falls under Datong Town of Qingyang County, located in the central-southern region of the Qing Dynasty’s territory. Datong Town was neither particularly large nor especially small. Thanks to its unique geography, both water and land transportation were well developed, and there was no shortage of merchants passing through. However, neither Datong Town nor Qingyang County could be considered prosperous. The main reason was that tributaries of the inland sea caused nearly half of the land within the county to lie abandoned and uncultivated.
After jolting along on an ox cart for nearly half an hour, Ling Jingxuan and his group finally arrived in town. Today happened to be a market day, so stalls had already been set up throughout the marketplace. Shops lining both sides of the bluestone road had opened their doors early, welcoming the steady stream of customers. Sitting on the ox cart, Ling Jingxuan and the two little buns were all visiting the town market for the first time. Ling Jingxuan himself was fine—what hadn’t he seen in his previous life? At most, he felt a bit curious. The two little buns, however, were completely different. Their four eyes darted around busily, taking everything in, as if they wished they could jump off the cart and wander all over Datong Town.
“Brother Zhao, where are we heading?”
With an indulgent smile, Ling Jingxuan rubbed one little bun’s head and lifted his gaze toward Zhao Dalong, who was sitting in front. They had already been in the market for quite some time, hadn’t they?
“We’re taking you straight to the fish market. These past few years, under Magistrate Hu’s governance, Datong Town is no longer what it used to be. Every type of goods has its own designated selling area. The fish market is at the very back of the marketplace.”
The one who answered him was not Zhao Dalong, but Han Fei.
“Oh? Then this Magistrate Hu must be quite capable. But aren’t county magistrates usually appointed for three-year terms? I remember Magistrate Hu was assigned to Qingyang County five years ago. Why is he still here?”
Without proper planning, everything would descend into chaos. If it hadn’t been for him five years ago, the original owner of this body and the little buns would probably have died long ago. For an ancient official to have such ability—he could indeed be considered a talented man.
“Sigh… isn’t it just because he has no backing? Magistrate Hu is truly a good official. When his three-year term ended, we all thought he’d be promoted. Who would’ve known…”
Speaking of this, Han Fei couldn’t help but sigh repeatedly. Magistrate Hu was a good official who served both country and people—what a pity…
“Enough. Stop talking. If someone hears you, it’ll cause trouble.”
Zhao Dalong, who had remained taciturn all along, turned his head and scolded him in a low voice. Han Fei moved his lips but ultimately said nothing more. Indeed, matters concerning officials were not something common folk like them should be discussing.
“Heh…”
Seeing this, Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly. He understood Zhao Dalong’s actions. Officials protecting officials—it had existed since ancient times. Everyone knew it, yet no one dared to speak of it openly, because the consequences were not something ordinary people could bear.
“Jingpeng? And Jingxuan too—why are you here?”
When the ox cart passed a general store, a young man who had just sent off a customer suddenly called out to them. The instant he saw Ling Jingxuan, a trace of surprise clearly flashed across his fair, refined face, but it was quickly replaced by a bright, enthusiastic smile. With just a brief glance, Ling Jingxuan almost immediately recognized his identity—Ling Jingwei, the second son of the eldest uncle’s family, two years older than him. Because he had studied for several years, he had been helping out at the general store since his teens. Later, he married the shopkeeper’s daughter and became the accountant.
“Brother Jingwei,” Ling Jingpeng called out somewhat awkwardly, glancing at Ling Jingxuan before scratching his head shyly.
“These must be Ling Wen and Ling Wu, right? They’re so cute. Wait here—wait a moment…”
Ling Jingwei didn’t seem to mind their distance at all. Smiling, he patted the two children’s heads, then hurried back into the shop. In less than a few minutes, he rushed out again, holding three oil-paper packages, which he stuffed into the little buns’ hands. “These are osmanthus cakes. Eat them if you get hungry.”
“No need, we’re not hungry.”
Dodging his hand, the three little buns blushed and shyly refused.
“Uh… Jingxuan?”
Ling Jingwei couldn’t hide his awkwardness and looked to Ling Jingxuan, who had not spoken a word, for help.
“Take them,” Ling Jingxuan said calmly.
“Thank you, Second Uncle!”
With Ling Jingxuan’s approval, Ling Wen and the others no longer dared to refuse. After a brief hesitation, they accepted the cakes. Ling Jingwei immediately broke into another smile, his gaze toward Ling Wen and Ling Wu carrying a twisted, unsettling kind of indulgence. Taking it all in, Ling Jingxuan’s eyes darkened.
“Brother Jingwei, we still have things to do. We’ll catch up another time.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Dalong tacitly flicked the whip and urged the ox cart forward, not even giving Ling Jingwei a chance to object. Ling Jingwei stood there dumbly at the shop entrance until the cart disappeared into the sea of people. Only then did he clench his fists and turn back into the shop.
“Brother, don’t get too close to Brother Jingwei. He…”
Ling Jingpeng started to say something, but when his eyes swept over the little buns, he forcibly swallowed the rest of his words. His young, tender face was filled with difficulty and inner conflict.
“Heh… let’s talk about it after we get back.”
At first glance, Ling Jingwei seemed extremely warm and enthusiastic, but upon closer thought, his behavior was riddled with inconsistencies. Who in the family didn’t treat him and the children like monsters? They wished nothing more than to completely erase him, this family disgrace. Yet Ling Jingwei, of all people, was overly enthusiastic from their very first meeting, even giving gifts—far too obvious. Though Ling Jingxuan couldn’t yet guess his purpose, one thing was certain: if he were to be schemed against by someone like that, then he, Ling Jingxuan, might as well smash his head against a wall and die.
“Mhm.”
Ling Jingpeng nodded, yet his gaze kept drifting—intentionally or not—toward Ling Wen and Ling Wu, his eyes filled with an unmasked mix of worry and anger.
The fish market was located at the very back of the marketplace. Although they had left early, they had been delayed quite a bit along the way, and most of the good spots had already been taken. Zhao Dalong could only drive the ox cart to the farthest corner. The four adults worked together to unload the large wooden barrels, while the three little buns obediently stood to the side, clutching their oil-paper packages.
“This is the only place left to sell,” Zhao Dalong said. “But your fish are big and fat—you won’t have trouble selling them. We still need to go to the blacksmith’s shop. We’ll come back to pick you up later.”
“Alright, sorry to trouble you, Brother Han,” Ling Jingxuan replied.
After seeing off Zhao Dalong and his family of three, Ling Jingxuan lifted his eyes to scan the nearby fish vendors. His eyes spun slightly, and he waved Ling Jingpeng and the two little buns over. The four of them huddled together, whispering for quite a while before finally splitting up.
“Fresh fish for sale! Home-raised medicinal fish—big and fat! Little girls will grow prettier after eating it, young men will be bursting with vitality, elders will nourish both body and spirit…”
“Pretty big sister, buy a fish to take home! This is a medicinal fish my daddy raised with all kinds of precious herbs—big sister will definitely become even prettier after eating it!”
“Uncle, buy a fish! Daddy fed it with tonic herbs—super tasty!”
“Fresh fish for sale—exclusive medicinal fish, big and fat…”
Before long, the four of them were calling out one after another. Passersby stopped and gathered around. The two little buns were sweet-mouthed and well-behaved, calling everyone “big brother,” “big sister” without discrimination, coaxing smiles out of even the most wrinkled uncles and aunties. Ling Jingxuan and his brother were no less impressive, praising their fish until they were practically heavenly.
“These kids really have sweet tongues. Oh my, this fish is really big! Was it truly raised on medicinal herbs? How much is it?”
“Of course,” Ling Jingxuan replied smoothly. “I studied a few years when I was young and know a bit about medicine. These were fed with nourishing herbs like codonopsis and astragalus. Only ten copper coins per jin. Big sister, would you like one?”
Seeing someone take the bait, Ling Jingxuan bent down and picked up a silver carp weighing at least six or seven jin, gesturing vaguely as he spoke. His lean, handsome face bloomed into a warm smile. His coarse hemp clothing—patched almost everywhere—could not hide his natural composure and elegance. Every movement carried the refined grace of a scholar.
“Well, since you’re saying it so nicely, I’ll take one,” the woman said.
“Alright then, big sister, please wait a moment.”
“I want one too…”
“Give me two carp…”
“Me too…”
Once the first sale was made, business picked up immediately. The onlookers all began clamoring to buy fish. The two little buns were overjoyed, calling out even more enthusiastically. Ling Jingpeng busied himself weighing the fish. Working together seamlessly, they quickly sold off two full barrels. Copper coins piled up in the small wooden box at their feet.
“Daddy, we made so much money!”
Business came in waves. After the first rush of customers left, things gradually slowed down. The four of them, who had been running around nonstop, finally had a chance to catch their breath. The two little buns stared at the money in the box, so excited they practically howled. Ten copper coins per jin! At first, they had thought it wouldn’t sell at all—after all, they usually sold for only eight copper coins per jin back in the village. Who would’ve thought… the people in town really were much richer than those in their village.
“Heh… as long as you’re happy,” Ling Jingxuan said with a chuckle.
After shouting for so long, his throat felt a bit uncomfortable, and he didn’t feel like talking much more. Judging by the sky, it was getting late—the market should be at its liveliest now. Ling Jingxuan turned and asked, “Jingpeng, you’ll be fine watching this by yourself, right?”
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll just shout the way you taught me. It shouldn’t take long to sell the rest.”
“Alright then. You stay here. I’ll go see if I can sell the jam, pick up medicine for Jinghan, and buy some daily necessities.”
As he spoke, Ling Jingxuan stood up directly. The little buns, still immersed in the joy of so many copper coins, didn’t notice at all. The two brothers exchanged a glance and couldn’t help laughing—once the money was already in their pockets, was it really going to sprout wings and fly away?
“Xiao Wen, Xiao Wu, we’re going to sell the jam. Do you want to come along?”
Holding the two jars of jam, Ling Jingxuan lowered his gaze and looked at them with an amused smile.
“Yes! I want to go with Daddy!”
One little bun rushed over without a second thought and hugged his leg. The bigger bun, however, glanced back and forth between him and the money box, his small face full of struggle. After quite a while, he looked up at his father hesitantly.
“How about… I stay and help Little Uncle sell fish?”
Alright, he admitted it—he couldn’t bear to leave the money behind. He wanted to stay and earn more.
“Oh? Then I can just buy whatever I want?” Ling Jingxuan raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“No!”
The next second, the big bun’s pupils shrank. Standing stiffly with his hands behind his back like a tiny grown-up, he stared at his father and said sternly, “Daddy will definitely spend money recklessly again. I’d better go with you.”
As he spoke, the big bun squatted down, pulled out a battered old coin pouch from his clothes, and—looking extremely “pained”—counted out twenty copper coins to put inside. Ling Jingxuan’s mouth twitched. He almost collapsed on the spot. They had so many things to buy—what could twenty copper coins possibly cover?
“Ahem… Brother, just let him be,” Ling Jingpeng said, barely holding back laughter as he sympathetically patted Ling Jingxuan’s shoulder. Having such a stingy, tightfisted son—life really wasn’t easy for him.
Ling Jingxuan shot his gloating little brother an annoyed glare. He had originally planned to make the big bun go without any money at all, but after that “thunder strike,” he decisively gave up on arguing. Turning around, he picked up the jars and walked off.
“Daddy, wait for us!”
Seeing this, the two little buns hurriedly grabbed each other’s hands and followed after him. The father and sons were soon swallowed by the crowd. Ling Jingpeng, who had been holding it in for ages, suddenly burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
Ever since his older brother woke up, their household seemed to be getting livelier—and more interesting—by the day.
If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! A little support goes a long way!
Translator: LazyHermitGal
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal. A little support goes a long way! If you’d like to help me keep creating, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/lazyhermitgal
