There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 18 An unexpected surprise

People around eagerly wanted to see it; those who could read read it aloud to those who couldn't, and some even copied it down on the spot to tell others.

In less than a day, the whole capital knew about it.

*

Many days have passed, but people at the inn still talk about it as a topic of conversation after dinner; even the youngest children know about it.

Li Shuchen also paid attention to Aunt Zhang's condition and found that she was happy and smiling every day, which put Li Shuchen at ease.

Li Shuchen got up unusually early today. He stretched and breathed in the fresh air at the entrance of the inn, noticing that all the men on the street were rushing in one direction.

There were children aged twelve or thirteen, young people around twenty, and adults in their thirties.

What is she trying to do? Did she sleep too soundly last night and forget some important date?

Li Shuchen: "Grape, what's the date today?"

Grape: "Today is March 20th, the day of the entrance exam for Ruhai Academy. Young Master has probably already gone."

Li Shuchen: "I see. Let's go buy some fresh vegetables later to celebrate."

No matter how Xiao'er does on the exam, we should celebrate.

Manager Xu stroked his sparse beard and said, "Miss, the estate delivered quite a few fresh vegetables today. After deducting the inn's expenses, there should be plenty left over. Miss, could you go and take some for the young master?"

Li Shuchen asked in surprise: "Zhuangzi?"

Manager Xu: "Yes, there's a farm in the suburbs of Beijing that the old lady bought many years ago, specifically to grow vegetables for the inn."

Li Shuchen was overjoyed. "Zhuangzi is such a pleasant surprise. She just happened to want to plant something."

Li Shuchen: "Uncle Xu, please take me to see it."

Manager Xu: "There's nothing much going on at the inn right now, so let's go. I'll go hire a carriage, Miss, please wait a moment."

Li Shuchen watched Uncle Xu leave, thinking that when he had money in the future, he should buy a carriage to make travel more convenient.

Before long, Manager Xu arrived in his carriage.

Li Shuchen: "Uncle Xu, you can even drive a horse-drawn carriage!"

Shopkeeper Xu laughed heartily: "When I was young, I made a living driving a horse-drawn carriage."

As Li Shuchen got into the carriage, he said, "You're not old at all; you're still young and strong."

Shopkeeper Xu chuckled and stroked his beard: "You're just trying to make me happy. Miss, please sit down. We're leaving now."

Li Shuchen was riding in a carriage for the first time, and the experience was quite novel. He would occasionally lift the curtain to look outside. The carriage swayed a bit, but it was tolerable.

About half an hour later, Li Shuchen felt dizzy.

What's wrong? Can't you be carsick?

Oh no, my mouth is full of sour fluid, I feel like throwing up.

I can't even say what's wrong.

Li Shuchen gagged.

Grape rushed to help Li Shuchen, saying in a panic, "Miss, what's wrong, Miss? Uncle Xu, stop the car quickly!"

Manager Xu immediately tightened the reins: "Whoa~"

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, Li Shuchen sprinted and jumped off. The whole process took less than a breath (2-3 seconds).

"Ugh, ugh," Li Shuchen started to vomit, but nothing came out; it was just dry heaving. He hadn't eaten breakfast.

Manager Xu frowned in self-reproach: "Miss is suffering from carriage sickness. It's my fault for not thinking of that; I should have prepared some medicine."

Grape: "It's all my fault for not thinking of that. Poor Miss."

Grape gently patted Li Shuchen's back: "Miss, are you feeling better?"

Li Shuchen waved his hand: "It's alright. I didn't even know I would get carriage sickness, so don't blame yourselves."

Li Shuchen stood up and took a sip of water: "Uncle Xu, how much longer until we arrive?"

Shopkeeper Xu: "Soon, only about 15 minutes (half an hour)."

Li Shuchen boarded the carriage: "Let's go, I'm ready."

Li Shuchen sat quietly in the carriage, not moving around. No wonder the ancients said "traveling by carriage is tiring," it really was uncomfortable; she had already developed a backache from sitting for so long.

Li Shuchen kept his eyes closed, trying to distract himself.

Grape kept nervously watching Li Shuchen.

Manager Xu tried to keep a steady hand on the wheel.

I do not know how long it has been

Shopkeeper Xu: "We've arrived, Miss."

Shopkeeper Xu's savior-like voice rang out, and Li Shuchen felt as if she had come back to life.

I quickly jumped off the carriage, stretched, and saw the "Li Family Estate." It looked large from the outside, and even larger inside.

Li Shuchen's mouth dropped open: "Wow, what a huge village! How big is it?"

Manager Xu: "This estate covers ten acres."

Ten mu of land is approximately 6666.667 square meters.

There are 6 houses on the east side.

Li Shuchen glanced around and saw that about two-thirds of the space was empty, completely bare.

An old woman walked over; she looked to be around forty years old and had a mole on her chin.

"Greetings to Miss. My surname is Zhou, you can just call me Granny Zhou. I've heard long ago that Miss has recovered, and seeing you today confirms it. I'm truly happy for Miss."

Granny Zhou waved to a man in the distance: "Xiao Zhuang, come here and pay your respects to Miss."

Xiao Zhuang: "Good afternoon, Miss."

Xiao Zhuang, true to his name, is exceptionally strong and muscular, probably over 1.8 meters tall.

Li Shuchen, who is only 1.55 meters tall, has to crane his neck to see him.

Li Shuchen: "Good afternoon, Xiaozhuang, how old are you this year?"

Xiao Zhuang was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Li Shuchen to ask his age.

Xiao Zhuang: "I'm already sixteen years old this year."

Li Shuchen said enviously, "You're so tall!"

Xiao Zhuang didn't know what to say, so he managed to say, "Miss, you'll grow taller again."

Li Shuchen also hoped she would grow taller.

Granny Zhou said with a smile, "Now, it's just my son and I looking after this courtyard."

Pointing to the empty plots, Granny Zhou said, "There aren't many seeds left, so these plots are empty."

Manager Xu: "Miss, do you have any plans for this estate?"

Li Shuchen looked at the ground, squatted down, and grabbed a handful of soil. It was black soil, fertile, and the vegetables were growing well, but there weren't many vegetables, and the variety was also somewhat limited.

There are cabbage, cucumber, spinach, radish, carrot, and pepper.

There are also some seasonings, scallions, ginger, and garlic.

Li Shuchen brushed the dirt off his hands: "Let's plant vegetables first. I'll buy some seeds and bring them over when I get back."

Granny Zhou: "It's almost noon, Miss, why don't you have lunch here before you leave?"

Li Shuchen lowered his eyes in thought. Eating before leaving would mean vomiting the whole way, which would be unbearable. Besides, the carriage would stop frequently, which would be both inconvenient and a waste of time.

Grape, seeing the young lady's expression, knew she was worried about vomiting in the carriage after eating.

Seeing that Li Shuchen remained silent, Granny Zhou thought she had said something wrong and began to think about how to make amends.

Grape said at the opportune moment, "Miss, you get carsick. You've eaten, so you might vomit in the carriage."

Upon hearing this, Granny Zhou clapped her hands and said, "Oh dear, I thought something was wrong. It turns out Miss is just carsick."

Miss, don't worry, I have some medicine for motion sickness, I got it from Doctor Sun, it's very effective."

Li Shuchen was also starving; everyone else must be hungry too, so he nodded.

"Let's have lunch here then."

Granny Zhou: "Alright, Xiao Zhuang, come and help."