Chapter 135: Strolling through the Night Market(2)_1
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They had dinner in the inn. Since Mu Zhongqing was in poor health and couldn’t eat anything too greasy, Lady Du ordered dumplings with pork and cabbage filling, extra cabbage, less pork, plus a plate of boiled peanuts, a plate of cold spinach, and a plate of stir-fried bacon with dried shoots.
Ever since her transmigration, Cai Wei’s appetite had intensified. She was never satisfied without meat in her meals. Such a light meal was not to her liking. After hastily eating a few bites, she was ready to explore the night market.
Seeing Cai Wei’s enthusiastic preparations, Lady Du and Mu Zhongqing couldn’t bear to refuse her. After dark, they let Zhang Bo drive the horse carriage and the whole family set off for the excursion.
As the New Year was approaching, it was peak time for shopping for the New Year’s goods. Every shop on the street, in an effort to attract business, had colorful lights hung up. Even the small stalls set along the roadside had a couple of red lanterns hanging up for the occasion. The line of stalls and shops stretched the length of the night market. Illuminated by thousands of lanterns, the entire night market was as bright as day and exceptionally bustling.
Some people who were busy working during the daytime were now out and about, leisurely wandering about the bustling market. Many stalls sold various items, most of which sold fireworks and firecrackers, couplets and lucky character posters. There were also stalls selling bits and bobs, cotton cloth, or pots and pans, cooking essentials. The market stalls filled the street from end to end, creating a lively scene.
Cai Wei and her siblings crowded at the carriage window, happily watching the night scene. Under the watchful care of their parents, Cai Wei felt like a real thirteen-year-old girl, lively and cheerful. She was interested in everything she saw. When she saw a stall selling roast duck pancakes, she insisted on going to eat.
Lady Du was worried that the food outside wouldn’t be clean and discouraged her a bit, but to her surprise, Mu Zhongqing stopped the horse carriage and said to Cai Wei, "Let’s go, Wei’er. Dad will take you to eat."
Upon hearing this, the younger kids also clamored to go. Lady Du pretended to be angry and shot her husband a glance, complaining, "It’s all your fault. As soon as you come back, you teach the children to create a disorder. Wait till you spoil them. What will you do then?"