Zhou Cheng had already seen through his son's thoughts and was overjoyed. He handed the things in his hands to him directly.

As Zhou Ling'an left, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing Song Ning.

Song Ning was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) in a daze when she heard voices coming from outside.

"Uncle Dahai, is Erya home?"

"I'm here, you can go in."

Song Ning didn't shy away from the situation, lying sprawled out on the kang (a heated brick bed). When Zhou Ling'an came in, she patted the kang and said, "Sit down."

Zhou Ling'an held the box he hadn't given away last time and handed it to Song Ning: "Er Ya, this is for you."

Song Ning looked at the box, then at Zhou Ling'an's blushing face, and finally understood.

I sat up and opened the box; inside was a small hair accessory.

The design is simple, but because it's light pink, it's quite pretty.

Since Song Ning came here, she hasn't tied her hair up.

The girls here have such complicated hairstyles. Every day she just wears a high ponytail, wraps the braid around it, and sticks a hairpin in it.

She really doesn't need this.

"How much did you pay for this?"

"...Five hundred coins."

Song Ning's eyelids twitched: "How much?"

Although it wasn't her money, Zhou Ling'an was really a spendthrift to spend half a tael of silver on something like this.

Song Ning put the item back in the box, snapped it shut, and pushed it next to Zhou Ling'an: "I can't accept this."

Zhou Ling'an was immediately embarrassed: "Why...why don't you want it?"

Song Ning glanced at him, her expression unreadable: "Brother, do you have money to burn? Half a tael of silver for a hair accessory? You weren't swindled, were you?"

Zhou Ling'an lowered his head and remained silent. It was his first time buying these things, and he didn't know much about them. He just thought they were very pretty and wanted to buy them for Song Ning, but it seemed... she didn't like them.

"I can make several of these in fifteen minutes."

Zhou Ling'an's face turned even redder, and she felt a little embarrassed. Song Ning suddenly felt that her words were too blunt.

People give her gifts, but she not only doesn't accept them, but also complains about them, making people feel awkward. It doesn't seem very good.

He coughed lightly and said, "However... this is also your kind gesture. Although I cannot accept the gift, I appreciate your sentiment."

Zhou Ling'an raised his head again: "You still don't want it? Don't worry, I don't mean anything by it, it's just... you've taken such good care of our family, and you've been very kind to me lately, so I just wanted to buy you something."

After saying that, probably afraid that Song Ning would refuse again, he quickly got up and ran out.

"Why......"

Song Ning pursed her lips. "Why are you running?"

She picked up the box and examined the hair accessory in her hand.

That's why they say women's money is the easiest to earn. These hair accessories, which require absolutely no skill, sell for half an ounce of silver, and people actually buy them.

Suddenly remembering something, Song Ning's lips curled into a smile.

But...maybe she can also get a piece of the pie in this industry?

Wouldn't we be able to earn a lot more then?

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice someone entering the room.

As soon as Zheng Gaoyi entered the room, he saw Song Ning holding a hair accessory and grinning foolishly. He went up to Song Ning and waved his hand in front of her, but she didn't react.

Who sent it?

Song Ning snapped out of her daze and quickly put the hair ornament back into the box: "Lord Zheng is here, please have a seat."

When Zheng Gaoyi came in, he saw Zhou Ling'an rush out in a panic. When he came back in, he saw Song Ning grinning foolishly. How could he not understand?

"Was this a gift from the Zhou family boy?"

Song Ning nodded: "Yes, they said it was to thank me for taking care of their family."

Zheng Gaoyi sighed inwardly, "Alas, Xie Linzhou lost at the starting line."

Zhou Ling'an has the advantage of being close to the source, while Xie Linzhou... well, good luck to him.

Zheng Gaoyi spent the New Year with only Shi Tou. The county government office was really deserted, so Song Ning invited him to his home to celebrate the New Year together.

Zheng Gaoyi didn't treat himself like an outsider, acting as if he were at home, chatting and laughing with Song Dahai.

In their minds, officials were not people they could talk to, but Lord Zheng was different.

Now, only Liu Yuelan is left in the family, and she seems to be acting strangely towards Zheng Gaoyi.

Although the magistrate had previously explained that she looked very similar to someone he knew, Liu Yuelan still felt uneasy.

Zheng Gaoyi acted as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing with the Song family as usual.

When evening came, Song Ning lit all the paper lanterns they had made, and the courtyard instantly felt like it was New Year's Day.

The colorful lanterns were placed in the yard, and they looked beautiful.

The family was staying up all night to welcome the New Year, but Lord Zheng didn't keep them and took the stone back to the county office.

This is also Song Ning's first time celebrating the New Year in ancient times.

Although the Lunar New Year has become less interesting since I got older, at least I could still play on my phone and watch TV. But now, the whole family just stares blankly and endures it.

Song Ning lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) getting more and more sleepy. Eventually, she couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep without realizing it.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying in bed, and it was already daylight outside.

Song Dahai came in from outside, brushing the snow off his clothes: "The snow outside is getting heavier and heavier, so don't go out today."

Song Ning got dressed, ran to the door and took a look. It was all white outside, and she couldn't see anything.

Everyone thought it was just a snowfall for the New Year, but unexpectedly, it snowed for three whole days.

Fortunately, the snow stopped on the fourth day; if it had continued, it would have been a disaster.

As soon as the snow stopped, everyone took their shovels and spades and started shoveling snow.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!