The fog is thick and the ship is moving forward slowly. Standing on the deck, you can hear the sound of the river water lapping against the ship's board. It makes people feel inexplicably relieved.
My vision was hazy, I couldn't see the way ahead clearly, and I couldn't tell the direction.
Shen Que was in a good mood, probably because he hadn't been out for a long time. Looking at the surging river, his vision widened and his heart suddenly became brighter.
She was standing on the third deck, and the villagers who had boarded the ship together were sitting on the second deck. Only a few steps away, she could see them sitting together and could clearly hear what they were talking about.
These people seemed to be a group of small merchants doing business. They found like-minded people, and Shen Que felt even better.
"Fengcheng is just ahead. Our boat can sail very fast and we'll be there in a while."
One of them pointed forward to signal to his fellow villagers.
"I heard that the market is very big. Have you ever been to it?"
"I've been there, but it was six years ago. It was very lively back then, and I think it will only be more lively this year."
Their chat aroused Shen Que's interest, and she turned around and walked down the steps to join them.
"Auntie, just now you said there was a market in Fengcheng, right?" Shen Que sat next to the fat aunt.
"Yes, it's Fengcheng Fair. It happens every three years and there are a lot of people." The aunt was very excited.
“The market gathers merchants from all over the world, and there are many exotic goods, which is an eye-opener.”
The man just now said, "I went there once six years ago. I was shocked. Today I am taking everyone to see it."
"Are you going to purchase goods?" Shen Que asked.
"Yes, Fengcheng is right next to Jin'an. If you have any good things, Jin'an is the biggest market. It's so convenient."
Shen Que nodded, his heart moved.
Just when Mutam asked her to have breakfast, Shen Que told him that Mutam readily agreed: "Is it true? There is such a good place. Why haven't I heard of it? Let's go and have a look." , I just wanted to get some food, we still have a long time on the ship."
With that settled, the big ship sailed in the direction of Fengcheng.
As expected, the folks on the deck had brought their own dry food and water. As they ate, the conversation in their mouths shifted from the Fengcheng market to yesterday's appalling parade.
"The Pingchang Marquis Mansion is really ambitious. I heard that a lot of irrefutable evidence of colluding with courtiers and accepting bribes was found."
"I heard that Yang Zhi wanted to commit suicide on the spot but was saved by His Highness the Crown Prince. If you ask me, I shouldn't have saved her."
"It's really disgusting to see their family marching and not feel relieved."
"It's easy for them to be sent to a bitter and cold land, but they have done bad things without affecting the nine tribes."
…
People like to watch the high-ranking powerful being pulled down from their horses and falling into the mud. While lamenting that their glorious yesterday will never happen again, they lament that it is better to be content and happy in life.
It turned out that Yang Zhi was not dead, it was Li Luansong who saved her, and he did not implicate the nine clans but exiled their family... Shen Que nodded silently in his heart, it turned out that he had listened to everything she said.
I wonder what will happen if he knows that he is gone. I hope he will be fine.
"Well, this year has been difficult and eventful."
"Yes, after the imperial examination fraud case, the official scandal, and the civil strife, something almost happened to His Royal Highness."
"One thing after another, I thought that Fu Jitai was coming, but who would have thought that there was another emergency military situation."
"What military information, how do you know about it?"
"Yesterday, someone saw a fast horse going straight to the capital. I guess something happened at the border."
Everyone sighed, and some women prayed directly to heaven for peace.
Shen Que felt worried and frowned.
Behind her, Mutam brought her a cloak, put it on her shoulders and said, "I also received a military report. Wala has been ready to make a move for a long time. At first, he provoked our Soto Kingdom. Li Luansong helped me, and then he stayed quiet for several years."
"Then now..."
"Who knows what medicine they took wrongly, and they actually swelled up to attack Daye directly." Mutam smiled calmly, "Don't worry, this little thing will not trouble your Highness the Crown Prince, but Shuofang's army has just been attacked. After being transferred to the capital, I guess Wala wants to take advantage of the loophole."
Shen Que understood clearly, lowered his head and said softly: "I don't understand these things, and they are not something we ordinary people should worry about."
Mutam glanced at her guilty look, and felt a slight ache in his heart. She didn't say anything, but she was still thinking about Li Luansong.
"It's all trivial. Why don't we discuss the arrangements for arriving in Fengcheng later." He changed the topic, "I'll go shopping first, and you and Zeelan will go to the market first. I'll find you when I'm done."
Shen Que said yes, "You don't need to buy too many things. It would be a pity if they get damaged if they are stored for a long time."
Fengcheng was very close to Jin'an, and the big ship quickly docked. The villagers left many specialties for Shen Que and Mutam to express their gratitude, and everyone went separate ways.
Sure enough, Fengcheng's market is famous far and wide. You can hear the bustle of people at the pier, and you know where it is without asking for directions.
Shen Que took Zelan straight to the market. Zelan liked to visit places like this the most. He was so excited that he kept talking about buying some rouge, gouache, jewelry and hairpins:
"I see that you don't like the new things I bought last year. It's time to get new ones."
Those were bought by Li Luansong before last year's lotus banquet. They were too gorgeous and flamboyant. Shen Que felt they were too exaggerated and laughed and said, "We are here to purchase goods. We took a look at the market to find out what kind of new gadgets are the most popular. "
Zelan said it was right, "I will only take care of my small stuff when you bring in your big stuff. My responsibility is to take good care of your lady."
The biggest advantage of Fengcheng, besides being very close to Jin'an, the capital, is that the transportation is extremely convenient. This is also the biggest reason why this humble town is so prosperous.
The market is indeed lively, with many merchants coming and going, and commerce is developed. Everyone is looking forward to the festival every three years, so it is crowded with people early in the morning.
All kinds of fresh goods are placed in front of the stall, including gorgeous tapestry products with majestic landscapes and plump beauties; exquisite handicrafts that are simple, cute, and vivid; and colorful pottery pots and utensils from exotic lands. , practical and chic...
Shen Que was attracted by the exquisite craftsmanship of a man. There was a lean elder sitting behind the stall. He was making things in his hands slowly, and the stall in front of him was also filled with his handicrafts. Gizmos.
Looking carefully, Shen Que shouted in her heart that these things are amazing. She pointed at a bunch of little monkeys and said:
"This is called 'Catching the Moon in the Water'. A bunch of little monkeys hanging upside down from the tree, with the shadow of the moon reflected in the basket below."
The old man chuckled and said, "Young lady, you have good eyesight, so take a look at what this is."
The old man took out a handicraft of a little monkey riding a horse. It was made of bamboo and wood. The monkey was riding a horse. It was not difficult to guess. Shen Que said: "I will be made a marquis immediately."
But what's rare is that this horse can still move. The little monkey on top swings the reins in his hand, and the horse seems to be galloping, with its four hooves raised, lifelike.
"It's really well done." She couldn't help but admire. She looked at each one one by one. Each one had its own uniqueness. The most rare thing was that each one could move. The movable joints were so delicately made that some even had their hair attached. The silk threads are all distinct and clear to the touch.
"Old man, how do you sell these?" Shen really likes them and feels that this kind of unique thing is the most worth collecting.
The old man asked: "Which one does the lady like?"
"I want them all." Shen Que smiled, "If you still have them, I want them too."
The old man was stunned and looked at her in disbelief.
She immediately asked Zelan to take out her purse and paid a certain amount of silver ingots into the old man's hand: "Old man, this is the deposit. You can do as much as I want. All of them can move. It's best..."
She thought for a while and said, "It can have allusions and content, and the price is easy to talk about."
The old man was so excited that he hurriedly said: "The things I made at home are not worth the money. The little lady gave me too much. The old man is a farmer. I went out to the market today to see if I can add some income to the family. My daughter-in-law just gave birth to a baby. My little grandson wants to help my mother and I recuperate."
Shen Que hurriedly congratulated, "You always seem to be a lucky person. Let's do this. I'll leave you an address. You can go back and do it slowly. When you're done, go to Jin'an to find the Shen family craftsman shop and shopkeeper Cao. He will follow You discuss the delivery time in the future. If you have no objection, we will make it."
"Young lady looks young, can you keep your word?" The old man was still hesitant.
Zelan said: "That's natural, this is our boss, you can just go."
The old man's face glowed with excitement and he thanked them repeatedly. Before leaving, he insisted on giving the two a pair of exquisite little rabbits.
Zelan took the little rabbit in his hand and clicked his tongue: "This handiwork is really unique. Madam, you have such good taste. This kind of gadget is the most popular among ladies and ladies."
Shen Que smiled and praised her: "Hey, our little lady Zelan is also very discerning now."
Zelan actually became shy when he said that.
The two of them wandered around the street and bought all the things they liked. But they couldn't carry them anymore, so they had them sent directly to the boat.
Shen Que stopped in front of a stall where puppets were made.
This is an exotic puppet, with a singing diva, a dancing dancer and a harp player. It is realistic and lively. Although the workmanship is not very exquisite, it is rich in color and full of exotic style. superior.
Shen Que was attracted by a beautiful Orchid doll. He held it in his hand and looked at it carefully. Her clothes and hair accessories were all detachable. The stall owner said in not fluent Mandarin: "You can also buy these clothes." Go back and change her clothes and hairstyle."
"Oh my god, it's fun." Zelan clapped his hands and said, "You have to pay for it."
Unexpectedly, just as he put the things back to their original places and was about to pay the money, a slender hand reached over and took away the orchid, along with other orchids of the same style:
"Boss, I want all of these."
Shen Que turned around and saw a fair and elegant face, a young man in his early twenties.
"Young Master, this is the one I took a fancy to first." Shen Que spoke to him politely.
The man didn't even look at her, took out the money, put it on the table in front of the boss, and said, "Whoever pays first has the money."
