Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai rarely enjoyed a few leisurely days. As the New Year approached in just two or three days, Ji Mantun instructed Ji Ming to purchase New Year goods.

Ji Ming looked at the silver in his hand and asked hesitantly, “Father, should we include Ji Huan and her household in the fabric purchase?”

In previous years, they never included Ji Huan. Many of Ji Huan’s clothes were hand-me-downs from Ji Ming and Ji Yuan, altered into women’s styles. But this year was different, so Ji Ming asked.

Ji Mantun thought for a moment and then said, “Each family gets one bolt of fabric. For Ji Huan and her household, bring back half a bolt. It counts as buying for them and will silence the villagers’ gossip.”

“Alright, I understand, Father,” Ji Ming nodded and replied.

“Oldest son, go borrow the donkey cart from Er Zhuzi’s family. It’ll make shopping in the county easier for you and Ji Yuan,” Ji Mantun continued.

“Sure, Father,” Ji Ming said and walked out of the courtyard. After the time it takes to burn one incense stick, he returned.

Seeing Ji Ming empty-handed, Ji Mantun asked, “What happened? Where’s the donkey cart?”

Ji Ming scratched his neck awkwardly and said, “Aunt Wu refused to lend us the donkey cart. She said we could use it, but only if we paid thirty wen as a rental fee.”

“Not lending it? Since when did their family have such a rule? Do others have to pay to borrow their cart?” Ji Mantun asked.

Ji Ming felt even more embarrassed. He had met several villagers on the way, and they ignored him when he spoke to them. Finally, one villager told him that Aunt Wu’s family didn’t charge others, only Ji Mantun’s family. Wasn’t that a direct insult? He later asked other families with donkey or mule carts, but they outright refused to lend.

“Father, don’t mention it. Aunt Wu only charges our family. Isn’t that just slapping us in the face?” Ji Ming said, avoiding Ji Mantun’s eyes.

“What about the other families? Did you ask them?” Ji Mantun sighed heavily and asked.

“I asked. They were even more direct and just said no,” Ji Ming replied, staring at the ground, unable to meet Ji Mantun’s gaze.

Ji Mantun sighed heavily again, pulled thirty wen from his pocket, and said, “Take the money and go. Say some kind words. Our family’s reputation in the village is ruined because of Ji Huan’s matters.”

“Alright, Father, I’ll go,” Ji Ming took the money and left the courtyard again. This time, he returned with the donkey cart.

Ji Mantun thought for a moment and looked at Ji Ming. “Ji Ming, why don’t you ask Ji Huan if she wants to go with you? If you all go together, the villagers’ hostility might be less.”

Ji Ming nodded after thinking. “Alright, Father, I’ll call Ji Huan.”

“Mhm,” Ji Mantun sighed and lit his pipe.

Soon, Ji Ming reached Ji Huan’s door. Ji Huan opened it, saw Ji Ming, and asked directly, “What’s up?”

“Father told me and Ji Yuan to go to the county to buy New Year goods. He asked if you want to come along,” Ji Ming said, looking at Ji Huan.

Ji Huan’s fingers tightened slightly, and she nodded. “Alright, I’ll come over in a bit.”

She had long planned to visit the county. Since transmigrating into this book, her knowledge was limited to this small village. Ji Huan wanted to use this chance to do market research. Jiang Yubai had mentioned that people in this world loved drinking tea, but Ji Huan needed to see what kind of teaware they used.

Her only concern was Little White Rabbit.

Seeing Ji Huan hesitate, Jiang Yubai quickly said, “Sister, go handle your business. I’ll wait for you at home.”

Looking at the obedient Little White Rabbit, Ji Huan’s eyes softened, and she said gently, “Alright, we’ll be back by afternoon at the latest. Stay put and ignore the Ji family.”

“I know,” Jiang Yubai nodded.

Reassured, Ji Huan gave Jiang Yubai a few more instructions before leaving the room and heading to the dining hall.

Seeing Ji Huan arrive, Ji Mantun sighed and said, “Since you want to go, join them. I told your eldest brother to get half a bolt of fabric for you too. Your wife can make you a new dress later.”

Ji Huan felt something was off and asked, “What about Big Brother’s family? Do they all get half a bolt too?”

Ji Mantun looked embarrassed but said, “Your eldest brother’s family is large, so they get one bolt. The third son needs clothes for studying in the county, so he gets one bolt too. As for the fourth…”

Ji Mantun struggled to justify giving the fourth son’s family a full bolt. Before he could finish, Ji Huan let out a cold laugh.

“What? Can’t come up with an excuse? So, only we get half a bolt, huh? And that half bolt isn’t even given willingly, is it? I bet you’re only giving it to avoid village gossip, right?” Ji Huan said, smiling at Ji Mantun.

For some reason, Ji Huan’s smile sent a chill down Ji Mantun’s spine. Thinking of past events, he quickly pulled out a few dozen wen, handed them to Ji Ming, and said through gritted teeth, “Get a full bolt for Ji Huan’s family too. Every family gets one bolt, no favoritism.”

“Alright, I got it, Father,” Ji Ming nodded quickly, pocketing the money. He had worried his father wouldn’t give Ji Huan a full bolt. If Ji Huan caused a scene in the county, he wouldn’t be able to handle her.

Seeing Ji Mantun’s compliance, Ji Huan chuckled and said, “Alright, thank you, Father.”

Her “thank you” was slow and insincere. As if recalling something, Ji Huan’s gaze shifted to Liu Fengmei.

Liu Fengmei stiffened, thinking she hadn’t provoked Ji Huan lately. Why was Ji Huan looking at her?

Ji Huan smiled and said, “I’m going out with Big Brother and the others. I hope you won’t bother Jiang Yubai. For lunch, please have Fourth Sister-in-law deliver it to our room.”

“Of course. Xiuxiu, you handle delivering the meal,” Liu Fengmei said, not wanting to provoke Ji Huan. She couldn’t outtalk or outargue her.

“Alright, let’s go, Big Brother,” Ji Huan urged.

“Sure, let’s go,” Ji Ming said, giving Li Yulan a look to signal her not to bother Jiang Yubai.

The donkey cart moved slowly, so the three didn’t ride. Ji Ming led the cart in front, Ji Yuan walked beside him, and Ji Huan trailed behind, leisurely observing the scenery and road. Once she separated from the family, she’d likely need to travel to the county often to sell tea bowls.

Along the way, they met many villagers. Most ignored Ji Ming and Ji Yuan, only greeting Ji Huan and exchanging polite words.

Ji Huan responded to them with her usual honest demeanor.

Ji Yuan, walking ahead, gritted his teeth. Ji Huan acted one way at home and another outside, no wonder the villagers were charmed by her.

Leaving the village road, they reached a main road where Dongniu Village and Xiniu Village met, also the confluence of two rivers. Ji Huan observed her surroundings with interest, occasionally asking Ji Ming about the roads and nearby villages, ignoring Ji Yuan.

After nearly an hour, they saw the county’s walls.

In the county, Ji Yuan became arrogant, unwilling to walk with Ji Huan and Ji Ming, feeling they lowered his status. But since Ji Mantun gave the meal money to Ji Ming, Ji Yuan reluctantly followed to avoid paying himself.

Ji Huan, visiting the county for the first time, noticed the difference from their village. County folks wore clothes without patches.

Wearing patched clothes, Ji Huan walked confidently, standing tall, unbothered by her appearance. Ji Yuan, however, found her embarrassing and distanced himself from the cart, pretending not to know her.

Ji Huan found Ji Yuan’s behavior laughable.

Soon, Ji Yuan met his county classmate Sun Tiansheng, who spotted him from afar.

Ji Yuan moved further away, fearing Sun Tiansheng would see him with Ji Huan.

“Brother Ji Yuan, long time no see,” Sun Tiansheng ran over happily. His family ran a small business in the county, and he got along well with Ji Yuan.

“Brother Tiansheng, greetings,” Ji Yuan returned a scholar’s bow, visibly tense.

“I’m out shopping. Haven’t seen you in a while. How’ve you been?” Sun Tiansheng asked, reaching Ji Yuan.

“Not bad, studying at home. With the New Year near, I came to buy things,” Ji Yuan explained.

“Yu Bin asked about you when I saw him. He planned a gathering at Qingfeng Tower and wanted to invite you.”

“Really? That’s unfortunate. Let’s meet after the New Year when the academy reopens. You’re probably busy shopping, right? Don’t let me hold you up,” Ji Yuan said quickly, fearing Sun Tiansheng would notice his connection to Ji Huan.

But Sun Tiansheng looked at Ji Yuan leisurely and said, “No rush. It’s rare to see you. Let’s chat more. Are you here alone to buy New Year goods? Where’s your family?”

Ji Yuan’s heart sank. Just as he was about to say he came alone, Ji Huan’s voice came from behind.

“Here. I’m his second sister. The one leading the donkey cart is his eldest brother. Are you Ji Yuan’s classmate?” Ji Huan asked calmly, looking at Sun Tiansheng.

Sun Tiansheng glanced at Ji Huan’s heavily patched clothes, then at Ji Yuan’s dark blue cotton robe. His expression grew awkward. After a moment, he said dryly, “Greetings, Second Sister. I didn’t expect Brother Ji’s family to be so… modest?”

Ji Yuan nearly gritted his teeth to pieces. Before he could speak, Ji Huan cut in, “Exactly. All the family’s money goes to Ji Yuan’s studies. We eat one meal and starve the next. As his classmate, please look out for him.”

“Uh, Ji Yuan, I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll go now,” Sun Tiansheng said awkwardly, greeting Ji Yuan before hurrying off.

Ji Yuan wasn’t frugal at the academy, so Sun Tiansheng assumed his family was wealthy, like landlords, which is why they befriended him. He never imagined Ji Yuan’s family was so poor, with his sister’s clothes covered in countless patches, barely better than a county beggar.

Seeing Sun Tiansheng leave, Ji Yuan glared at Ji Huan. “Ji Huan! Are you trying to ruin me? Why did you butt into my conversation with my classmate? I’m done with you. Can’t you stay out of trouble?”

“I didn’t do anything. What? Think you’re above us villagers after a few days studying in the county? Don’t want to acknowledge Big Brother and me? How can you be so snobbish?” Ji Huan said, stepping back with disdain.

Ji Ming, seeing Ji Huan confront Ji Yuan, chimed in cheerfully, “Exactly, Ji Yuan. Are you ashamed of us for embarrassing you?”

“Big Brother, why are you siding with Ji Huan?” Ji Yuan fumed, worried about what Sun Tiansheng would tell their classmates.

“We’re speaking the truth. Alright, let’s buy fabric first, then some candies and food. Let’s go,” Ji Ming said, leading the donkey cart to the fabric shop.

Ji Huan, having teased Ji Yuan, followed in good spirits. Among the three, only Ji Yuan was in a foul mood, still thinking about how to explain things to his classmates.

At the fabric shop, Ji Ming let Ji Huan and Ji Yuan choose their fabric. Ji Huan browsed but avoided bright colors. Living in the village, she and Jiang Yubai needed durable, dirt-resistant colors. She picked a bolt of cyan fabric.

One bolt could make about two outfits, enough for her and Jiang Yubai.

When Ji Ming and Ji Yuan chose their fabric, Ji Huan lost interest and said to Ji Ming, “You guys pick. I’ll walk around nearby.”

“Alright, come back to find us. If we’re not here, we’ll be at the candy shop ahead,” Ji Ming said casually, focused on choosing fabric. Last year’s purchase earned him a scolding from Li Yulan for being ugly.

Ji Huan left the fabric shop and asked a passerby, “Brother, where can I buy teaware around here?”

The male Qianyuan glanced at Ji Huan’s clothes with slight disdain and said, “It’s around that corner, but I advise against going. The teaware there is expensive. Even the cheapest costs over a hundred wen. It’s not a place for common folks like us.”

Noticing his disdain, Ji Huan smiled and thanked him. “Thanks. They’re open for business, so can they stop me from entering?”

With that, Ji Huan headed to the teaware shop. The man shook his head as he watched her leave.

At the corner, Ji Huan saw a large teaware shop with a sign: Qingya Teaware Shop.

Seeing its size and second floor, Ji Huan thought it likely carried the Great Liang Kingdom’s most popular teaware.

She lingered at the entrance, then stepped forward. As her left foot crossed the threshold, a shop assistant stopped her.

“What do you think you’re doing? We don’t have money to give you. Leave, quick,” the assistant said, mistaking Ji Huan for a beggar due to her patched clothes.

Ji Huan looked at the assistant and asked, “What? You run a business but block customers? Is this your way of hospitality?”

“You beggar, don’t throw fancy words at me. The shopkeeper said people like you aren’t qualified to enter,” the assistant said, still blocking her.

A crowd gathered at the entrance. The shopkeeper, seeing the commotion, came over and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Shopkeeper Wang, this beggar insists on looking around our shop,” the assistant said, glaring at Ji Huan.

Ji Huan looked coldly at the shopkeeper and said, “What? Isn’t your shop open for business? Do you rank people by their clothes? If I’m not well-dressed, I’m not allowed in?”

“Why’s this beggar so argumentative?” the assistant snapped, reaching to push Ji Huan, but the shopkeeper stopped him.

“Dear guest, we’ve been inhospitable. Since we’re open, we welcome everyone. Our assistant was negligent. Please, come in,” the shopkeeper said, gesturing politely, though his tone and attitude remained arrogant, assuming Ji Huan wouldn’t dare enter.

Ji Huan glanced at the shopkeeper and stepped inside without a word.

The assistant tried to stop her, but the shopkeeper held him back.

Shopkeeper Wang eyed Ji Huan coldly, curious about what this young person wanted.

Ji Huan ignored the other customers’ gazes and focused on the teaware on the shelves. Most were purple clay or similar-colored items, with many cyan pieces resembling Ru kiln teaware. Purple clay dominated, from teapots to cups.

Ji Huan reached for a cyan teacup but was scolded by the assistant.

“You dare touch it? This is from Pingzhou’s Liu clan kiln. You couldn’t afford it even if you sold yourself.”

Ignoring the assistant’s mockery, Ji Huan asked, “This little teacup? How much silver does it cost?”

The assistant, seeing Ji Huan didn’t know the Liu clan, sneered and said, “It’ll scare you. This is just an ordinary piece from their kiln, and it costs five taels of silver. Someone like you couldn’t save that in years without eating. Put it down to avoid trouble.”

Ji Huan smiled at the assistant and said politely, “Thank you for telling me.”

She examined the teacup closely. Its glaze was even, a light cyan she recognized from her past life, well-crafted but mostly cyan-toned.

Ji Huan set it down and looked at other teacups, but none matched what she sought.

The assistant, seeing her search, asked impatiently, “Are you buying or not? These cyan porcelains cost several taels. You can’t afford to break them.”

Holding a few teacups, Ji Huan asked the assistant, “Don’t you have any with ice-crack patterns?”

The assistant burst out laughing, drawing other customers’ attention.

“You pretend to know but don’t. Cracked porcelain is defective and thrown out. How could we sell it? Just leave,” the assistant said, rolling his eyes at Ji Huan.

“So, none of your teaware has cracks?” Ji Huan pressed.

“Nonsense. I said cracked means defective. We’re the biggest teaware shop in Qingyuan County. How could we sell flawed items?”

Ji Huan nodded, getting an idea. She scanned the shop again and asked, “Do you only have cyan porcelain and purple clay teaware?”

“That’s not enough? These are the best-selling teaware in Great Liang. Purple clay is slightly cheaper than cyan porcelain. Oh, you’re probably looking for ordinary porcelain, like the bowls you eat from. We don’t have those cheap ones. Go to the southern market,” the assistant said impatiently.

Ji Huan got the information she wanted and didn’t mind the assistant’s mockery. She continued browsing with interest.

The more she looked, the wider her smile grew. The shop’s porcelain was mainly cyan and purple clay, with no Jianzhan teacups. If she could successfully produce Jianzhan, given Great Liang’s love for teaware, Ji Huan believed hers would fetch a good price.

After serving some important customers, the shopkeeper noticed Ji Huan still there and wondered why this poor young person was so interested in teaware.

Ji Huan, having gathered enough information, left the shop. As she exited, she saw Ji Ming and Ji Yuan leaving the fabric shop.

Ji Yuan’s eyes widened seeing Ji Huan emerge from Qingya Teaware Shop in her patched clothes. “Ji Huan, are you crazy? You dared enter a place like that?”

Ji Huan glanced at Ji Yuan and retorted casually, “I’m not stealing or robbing. Why wouldn’t I dare? What, does the teaware shop eat people?”

“I don’t care. When you cause big trouble, you’ll see it’s not a place for you,” Ji Yuan said.

Ji Huan, thinking of the southern market the assistant mentioned, told Ji Ming where to meet and headed there alone.

Ji Ming stared at Ji Huan’s back, puzzled. “When did Ji Huan get interested in tea?”

“Who knows what madness she’s up to,” Ji Yuan said disdainfully. After all, tea-tasting was for city elites or scholars like him, not for villagers like Ji Huan.

Ji Huan walked alone to the southern market. Her patched clothes weren’t conspicuous in the village, where many wore mended clothes, but they stood out in the county.

Unfazed by passersby’s stares, Ji Huan walked for about an incense stick’s time and reached the southern market. It was lively, with vendors on both sides shouting and attracting customers.

She went to a nearby money changer, exchanged one tael of silver for a thousand copper coins for convenience, then found a quiet alley. She kept a hundred wen on her and stored the rest in her space to avoid carrying heavy coins. After that, Ji Huan continued into the market.