Mark Hunter led the way ahead with a burlap sack on his back. Lucky, carrying his own sack, whispered to Lily Evans, "Wife, I'm really strong too!"
As he spoke, he raised his arm to show off his sturdy muscles.
Lily immediately recalled that time Lucky had taken off his shirt, revealing a well-built, perfectly toned body. Her ears reddened. "Of course I know you're strong."
Lucky blinked innocently. "Wife, how do you know that?"
Lily coughed. "It's not like I haven't seen your..."
"Lily, what did you see?" Cynthia Wu slowed her steps and grinned, sidling up to Lily. "Lily, why are you blushing so hard?"
"Walking is tiring!" Lily's face turned a deep shade of red from embarrassment.
"If you're tired, I'll carry you!" Lucky made a move to squat down and give her a piggyback ride.
"There are so many people on the street, don't carry me! Hurry up, I'm not tired." Lily's face was burning, while Cynthia Wu teased her from the side: "Hehe, Lily, your husband really dotes on you. I bet if you asked for the moon, Lucky would climb up and get it for you!"
"...You cheeky girl, so you've learned to tease me now! Just wait until you get married—I'll make sure to tease you back!" Lily spat playfully, and the two girls burst out laughing together.
Mark Hunter didn't say much, steadily leading the way at the front.
Soon, they arrived at the medicine shop where Cynthia Wu often sold herbs. Since they were regular customers, the transaction was quick, with the goods weighed and payment made.
Cynthia Wu took the money and insisted on treating everyone to tea, especially wanting to thank Mark Hunter for helping her carry the sack.
"Sure, thanks, Cynthia. Once we've sold the game, let's find a tea stall." Mark Hunter was quite pleased.
The four of them then went to the market, with Mark Hunter leading them to a shop that specialized in buying wild game. The prices were indeed fair.
After getting paid, the four wandered around the market and found a tea stall to sit down and have tea.
Lily hadn't really explored the market before, so she curiously looked around. She noticed a crowd gathered around several large stones and couldn't help but take a few extra glances.
Cynthia Wu was curious too. "What are those people doing? Selling rocks? What's so special about rocks? There are plenty up in the mountains."
Mark Hunter explained, "Cynthia, they're gambling on jade."
"Jade gambling? What's jade gambling?" Cynthia Wu's interest was piqued.
Mark Hunter explained, "These stones are shipped from places that produce jadeite and gemstones, but no one knows whether there's jade inside. So buyers purchase the stones and bet on their luck. If you're lucky, one slice reveals a treasure and you make a fortune. If you're unlucky, you could lose everything—even go bankrupt."
Cynthia Wu stuck out her tongue. "This is a rich person's game. Us poor folks can't afford it—just having food on the table is good enough."
Lily Evans didn't really understand jade gambling. Although she'd seen people play it in the modern world, Lily was practical and not a gambler at heart. She preferred to earn money through hard work, so she never touched anything that depended on luck.
Lucky, who had been silent, kept his eyes fixed on the jade gambling crowd. After a while, he turned to Lily Evans and said, "Wife, I want to go have a look. Is that alright?"
"I want to see too!" Cynthia Wu said, her curiosity piqued by the spectacle.
So, after finishing their tea, the four of them headed over to the jade gambling stall.
At the stall, Leonard Li shook his golden silk fan and pointed at the stone by his feet. "I've bought this stone! I refuse to believe I won't get something good out of it today!"
Lily Evans recognized him immediately—wasn't this the same arrogant young noble who'd made a scene at Savory House, insisting on buying the chef who made spicy rabbit heads and taking him back to the capital?