Old Deng, like everyone else, had been watching those two noblemen with envy and jealousy, wondering why they were bored enough to wander into the outer city's piles. He never expected these two noblemen to be so bored they'd walk towards his home.
"This is bad!"
Old Deng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly retreated into his home behind him, closing the door with a tremble.
Even though he didn't know why these two noblemen were looking for him, it was better to avoid any connection as a precaution. They were from different worlds, and even a slight connection could spell disaster for the Deng family.
"Hmm~ it seems he's not very willing to chat with you?"
Standing outside the closed door, Li Xinyue said with a half-smile.
"It's fine, he'll be willing to chat with me," Chu Chen smiled, full of confidence.
"You don't intend to use force, do you?" Li Xinyue frowned.
The two's conversation further terrified the surrounding commoners. Old Deng, hiding behind his door and not having gone far, looked even more bitter.
"How could that be? Do I look like a cruel person?"
Chu Chen helplessly tapped Xinyue's little head, then gently fumbled in his embrace, displaying it outside the door, and said with a smile, "Villager, don't be afraid. I'm a civil affairs investigator from the government, here to bring you warmth. Open the door quickly!"
"What?"
"Government civil affairs investigator, representing the government to bring you warmth. Villager, trust us, we just need to ask you a few questions, and you'll receive at least one tael of silver."
"One tael of silver!"
Old Deng, hiding behind the door, was shocked.
One tael of silver was quite a lot. At fifty wen a dou of grain, it could buy twenty dou!
"Dad, one tael of silver! Why don't we open the door?"
The half-grown boy's heart was moved, and he asked in a low voice.
"Awei, are you trading your life for money?"
Another girl, sixteen years old, frowned and reprimanded him.
"Mom, persuade Dad, the people outside don't look like bad people, and so many neighbors are watching. We don't have anything to hide, but if we open the door and answer the officials, we can get one tael of silver!"
Awei's eyes darted, and he spoke again.
The woman standing next to Old Deng was also tempted. She hesitated and said softly, "Husband, the child is already thirteen."
"..."
Outside the door, Li Xinyue covered her mouth and chuckled, "It seems someone's silver isn't working very well. I'd say you're too stingy. Only one tael of silver, who can you tempt with that? Why not just take out a silver ingot? They definitely won't be able to resist opening the door."
"One silver ingot is at least five taels to start with. Don't harm their family directly then."
Chu Chen lectured her irritably.
"Uh~" Li Xinyue stuck out her tongue. She had forgotten about that.
*Creak~*
The door was opened, revealing Old Deng's weathered, rough face.
He first cast a wary glance at the soldiers standing not far away and not approaching, then looked at the one tael of silver in Chu Chen's hand. He gritted his teeth and fully opened the door.
He apologized profusely, "Officer, please forgive us, officer. We were just a bit scared of those soldiers, so we closed the door and dared not come out."
Chu Chen weighed the silver in his hand, drawing the other's gaze up and down, and smiled gently, "It's alright. May we come in for a chat now?"
"Ah? Come in? This, this, alright."
How could Old Deng dare to refuse? The door was already open, and they were already involved. How could he dare to refuse them and close the door? Did he really think the soldiers they brought were just for show?
"Greetings, officer! Officer, please sit!"
As soon as he entered, Chu Chen heard a fawning voice.
Frowning, Chu Chen looked over and saw a boy, thirteen years old, wiping a stool and bowing obsequiously, looking at him with a flattering expression.
At that moment, Chu Chen thought he had seen some clerk trying to please him. This was truly...
"This is my eldest son, Awei," Old Deng introduced them nervously.
Chu Chen's expression was a little strange. He nodded and sat on the long bench. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that Xinyue had not sat down and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Hmm~ I'll just stand,"
Li Xinyue covered her mouth and nose and replied in a disguised voice, full of disdain.
"As you wish."
Chu Chen knew she couldn't stand the environment and didn't force her. Instead, he looked around.
Old Deng's home was a typical wooden house with mud and straw. Inside, there was only one table and three long benches, a few bowls, chopsticks, and a teapot. Besides the living room, there were four rooms, and the area seemed decent.
It was just that Old Deng's family was a bit small, with the couple and their two children, a daughter and a son.
Being scrutinized by Chu Chen, the thirteen-year-old Awei was very excited, while his older sister shyly lowered her head.
"This is my youngest daughter, Xiaolian."
Old Deng's heart became even more uneasy. What if this nobleman took a liking to his daughter?
Contrary to Old Deng, Mrs. Deng showed a look of joy. In her opinion, if her daughter were to be favored by a nobleman, it would definitely be a good thing. At least their future life would be much easier.
Feeling a slight pain from the flesh being tugged at his shoulder, Chu Chen's mouth twitched. He knew someone was jealous.
"Old sir, please sit down. I need to inquire about the people's livelihood."
Saying that, Chu Chen placed the silver he was holding on the table.
Just a single piece of broken silver weighing one tael, at this moment, deeply attracted the attention of this family of four.
"Certainly, certainly."
Old Deng happily took the silver and handed it to Mrs. Deng.
Then he asked, "What would the officer like to ask?"
"Just tell me about your family's food."
"Food?" Old Deng was confused, not knowing what use this question had, but he still replied honestly, "Normally, we get up at Mao Shi (5-7 AM) to cook porridge, then share some pickled vegetables and mixed vegetables. That's our family of four's breakfast. By Shen Shi (1-3 PM), after a day of hard work, we return home for a meal. At that time, my old woman will make a pancake or a steamed bun, with some pickled vegetables as a meal."
"If it's a festival, we'll be more generous and make three dishes with a bowl of rice."
"..."
Princess Xinyue, standing behind Chu Chen, fell silent.
"Do you think there have been any differences compared to last year since the new prime minister took office this year?"
"Yes, there's a big difference."
Speaking of this, Old Deng's face broke into a smile, his rough face smiling like a chrysanthemum.
"I'll say it, I'll say it!"
Awei saw that this nobleman seemed very approachable and gentle, and his heart became active. He immediately shouted.
Old Deng glared at him and was about to scold him, but Chu Chen waved his hand and smiled, "It's fine, it's fine. The child wants to show off, let him speak."
"You brat, don't talk nonsense, understand?"
"Don't worry, Dad, it's just about our daily food and drink, how much can it be?"
Awei said with a carefree smile.