Chapter 76: Sailor's List: Assorted Breads and Berry Cakes...

The sun has been shining brightly recently.

With the passing of the new year, the wintersweets in the backyard have lost some of their beauty, but the crooked willows by the river have sprouted new buds. It's only the beginning of February, but already, a hint of spring seems to be leaking out.

Amu has been at Meow Meow Bakery for more than half a month.

The Miaomiao Bakery in front of Tianqing Temple has hired six new employees, all of them women. She is the youngest, just sixteen years old. Her real name is Sun Mu. She said she was born without crying and only smiled at her parents, so she was named "Mu."

She has two older sisters and one older brother, making her the youngest. Her third brother said he always teased her with her name, saying she was like a log, not talkative. Who said she wasn't talkative? She just didn't like to brag to him about family and national affairs.

Her family wasn't wealthy, so she wanted to find a job, so she worked as a baker for a few days. It just so happened that Miaomiao Bakery was hiring, so she went with Wang the baker to take the job, and to her surprise, they hired her.

Manager Wei praised her and said that her voice was very nice, like a lark.

Everyone calls her Mu Mu Mu, but Shopkeeper Wei actually calls her a lark!

During her time here, she'd thoroughly enjoyed working at Miaomiao Bakery. This was Shopkeeper Wei's new shop, adjacent to Yunlaixiang. It could be entered through two separate doors, a small curtained door between the two shops, or directly from the backyard.

Both shops were beautifully and uniquely renovated, even the door curtains were double-sided embroidered. On Yun Lai Xiang's side was a cluster of jasmine flowers drenched in morning dew, while on their side was the Lucky Cat of the Six Cats family.

This door curtain was embroidered by Aunt Wang, a top-notch embroiderer. Wang's Tailor Shop is also located within the Miaomiao Bakery Workshop, and people often come into the shop to see Aunt Wang's newly embroidered children's clothing. When the morning sun streams in, Aunt Wang sketches by the window. In the afternoon, embroiderers from Shen's Cloth Shop come to learn her craft.

Amu thought that if she reached Aunt Wang’s age, she would also be as successful in her career.

"Amu, the freshly baked bread is ready, bring it to the lobby!"

The clay stove was still emitting heat, and the sound of evening mist came from the backyard.

Amu hurried to the backyard to get bread and reached out to take the bamboo tray handed to him by Wanwu.

The crust of the freshly baked sausage and meat floss bread is baked to a shine, and some freshly made meat floss is stuffed in it, which smells very salty and fragrant. Sliced ​​sausages are sandwiched in the middle of each bread, which are oily and translucent, and you can even see small bubbles popping up on it.

"Walk slower, don't spill it."

Wan Wu reminded him, and Amu nodded, carrying the tray steadily to the lobby.

The lobby counter was handcrafted by Carpenter Wang, divided into many compartments, very similar to Yunlaixiang's. Atop it were lined round bamboo baskets, their bottoms lined with neatly cut oil paper.

A thin bamboo screen stood in front of the counter, its strips woven so tightly that it blocked the guests' hands without obstructing their sight. Manager Wei had already said that food had to be clean. Guests pointed to what they wanted, and they passed it with bamboo tongs, but were forbidden to touch it.

Of course, we can't let customers get too close to touch it. Meow Meow Bakery is very popular with children, and sometimes they will touch it carelessly and spit into it easily.

Shopkeeper Wei pays great attention to the cleanliness of the shop and all the bread.

As soon as the sausage and pork floss bread were served, people gathered in front of the counter.

The woman in the front was wearing a green silk jacket and a peony hairpin in her hair.

It was still chilly in February. She gathered her cloak and fanned her nose gently with a handkerchief. Her eyes fell on the sausage and pork floss bread in the bamboo basket, and she frowned slightly. "This bread looks greasy. I'm afraid it will be too greasy to eat."

"What are you tired of?"

The woman in the black jacket next to him immediately responded, "It smells better when it's oily. Without the oil, wouldn't it just be a white flour bun? Try it and you'll know."

The woman pursed her lips and clutched the handkerchief in her hand. "I'm not buying this for myself, I'm buying it for my child. He just started school, and he always comes home with a sad face, saying, 'Mom, I don't want to go to school,' and saying he's going to blow up the academy with firecrackers. I'm really worried about him right now... He likes Yunlaixiang's Sun Tarts, and now that Manager Wei has opened a new shop, I want to buy some for him to try."

Having said that, the aroma of baked bread seeped in through the cracks in the bamboo curtain, mixed with the salty aroma of meat floss and the oily aroma of sausage, which was very tempting.

She hesitated for a moment, then said to Amu, "Cut a small piece for me first, just a bite."

"Okay, we can give you a sample of every piece of bread in the batch, please try it."

Amu quickly took a bamboo tongs, picked up a piece of bread and handed it to the chopping board, gently cut off a corner with a knife, and took a bamboo stick and handed it over.

The woman took it and took a small bite.

The sausage and meat floss bread has a freshly baked crispy texture on the outside and a soft inside. The salty and fresh taste of the meat floss is mixed with the oiliness of the sausage, and the bread is soaked in excess oil. It is not greasy, but chewy and tastes really good.

The woman glanced at the price clearly marked on the round bamboo basket and said to Amu with a smile, "Pack six for me."

"Oh, six is ​​not a small number!"

The rough woman next to him joked, "Your brother is only six years old, how can he eat so much?"

The woman took the oil-paper package from Amu and her lips curved even wider. "Who said to give it all to the child? I knew it after tasting it just now. I have to keep this bread for myself too."

Sister Wanwu was transferred from Yunlaixiang by Manager Wei to manage Miaomiao Bakery because she has a great talent for cooking and learned Manager Wei's skills very quickly. She has now learned many types and can handle the shop on her own.

The new guys had to help Sister Wanwu first, starting as apprentices, and slowly learning how much sugar and oil to put in a batch of bread.

Weirui was another waiter, named after her, "Zhazhahuhu." She had a loud voice and was efficient, a bit like a boss. But Weirui didn't learn the art of baking. She said she was in charge of the lobby's reception and the ambiance. When told how to make delicate pastries, she said her head swelled just hearing it, and her hands couldn't do it, fearing they'd ruin the pastries.

Sister Xiang was their boss. Shopkeeper Wei said she had been promoted to "Lobby Manager," managing two shops. Amu didn't know what a lobby manager meant, but he thought the title was impressive, just like the boss's job.

They have their own staff aprons, all made by Aunt Wang. Yunlaixiang is very different from Miaomiao Bakery. Theirs are embroidered with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, which is more elegant. The one on Amu's side is Miaomiao.

Amu likes Meow Meow, so naturally she likes this apron too. When Meow Meow cookies first came out, she also lined up to buy them.

Of course, the labels on their clothes were mostly the same, still embroidered with the Yunlaixiang logo and their names underneath. The only difference was the eldest's and Sister Si Yan's.

After all, the boss is the lobby manager, so he must be distinguished from them by a different color. Sister Si Yan relies on her brain and her mouth, and doesn't have to do any other work. Amu is extremely envious.

How could she come up with such a brilliant idea so quickly that she could sit at the counter with Shopkeeper Wei after finishing her storytelling, and even go to the backyard for a nap. Shopkeeper Wei called Sister Si Yan "Madam."

Madam, this is a really strange name.

If she works hard in the future, she may be able to get the title of "small hall manager".

Wei Jinyun sat on a bamboo chair at the entrance of Yunlaixiang, the beads on her abacus clacking loudly. After she finished calculating a bill, she casually tucked the account book into her arms and wandered over to the Miaomiao Bakery next door.

The February sun was warm, illuminating the storefronts of the two connected shops. You could smell the fragrance of bread without even entering the shops, and it was so comfortable that it made you walk lighter.

When she entered the Meow Meow Bakery, she saw the newcomer Amu changing the wax paper on the bamboo basket carefully and meticulously.

Wei Jinyun walked over, raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder, "Amu, do a good job."

"I will definitely work hard, Shopkeeper Wei!"

Amu turned around when he heard the voice and saw that it was her. His eyes lit up and he quickly stood up straight with his cheeks a little red.

She looked at Wei Jinyun with eyes full of admiration.

The shopkeeper Wei in front of him was only two years older than himself, but he owned two shops, Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery. When he smiled, the aroma was sweeter than the aroma of the bread in the shops.

Amu couldn't help but think in her heart that Manager Wei was really amazing, both capable and beautiful, and she wanted to be like her in the future.

Wei Jinyun looked for a few shops and then went out to bask in the sun. She leaned on a rattan chair at the entrance of Miaomiao Bakery, the sun making her bones feel soft.

The six new hires picked up the pieces quickly and kept things running smoothly. Chao Jiu and Wan Wu split their time between Yun Lai Xiang and Miao Miao Bakery, managing everything perfectly, giving her a chance to relax.

The high wall that once separated the two shops in the backyard had long been demolished by her. In the past, people would have to decide which land belonged to which person, but now there was no such thing as a quarrel. The entire backyard was connected, and the fragrance of the wintersweet and the shadow of the locust tree were all hers.

The bread is being baked on this side and the shortbread is being made on the other side, it smells so good.

She was holding Yuanbao, squinting her eyes and was about to fall asleep when she saw three people walking towards her from the corner of the street.

Walking in the middle was He Wenyan. He wore a dark brocade robe and a jade belt. Beside him stood two men: one in a dark blue gown, with a square face and a short beard; the other in a light gray robe, clutching a folding fan, looking gentle and refined.

Although the two men were not wearing official uniforms, their demeanor could not be concealed. It was obvious that they were officials of the same rank as He Wenyan.

Wei Jinyun quickly stood up to greet him, and just as he was about to kneel down to salute, He Wenyan raised his hand to stop him, "No need to be polite, we just came here to have some snacks and talk to you about that business."

"Okay, okay."

Wei Jinyun immediately reacted, responded, and asked with a smile, "Sir, where would you like to go first? Yun Lai Xiang's dim sum or Miao Miao Bakery, both are ready."

He Wenyan glanced at the two shops and said with a smile, "No need to choose, just try what the soldiers will eat in the future."

Wei Jinyun led He Wenyan and the other two to Meow Meow Bakery. When they opened the door, they were greeted by the aroma of bread that was even richer than outside.

The tables and chairs in the shop were all made by Carpenter Wang based on the image of Li Nu.

The round seat of the stool was woven bamboo, resembling a cat's belly. The legs were carved into short cat paws, and the backrest had two ears. The curtains hung around it were either pale pink or light yellow, swaying gently in the wind. Even the small pots in the corners were filled with delicate flowers.

He Wenyan sat down on the raccoon chair, put his hands on the table, and couldn't help laughing and shaking his head. "The three of us old men sitting here seem like we've accidentally wandered into a place for young people. We're so out of place."

"The prefect is not old at all."

Wei Jinyun quickly replied, handing over the tea the waiter had brought. "The people of Pingjiang Prefecture all praise you for your compassion and good health. How could you be an old man?"

This made the two people beside them laugh, and He Wenyan also laughed.

He pointed to the two people beside him and introduced them, "This is Cai Tongpan from the prefecture, and this is Li Tuiguan. The bread and snacks you sent to the inspection officers during the New Year were so satisfying and they talk about them every day. I was right when I gave you a probationary period."

"Shopkeeper Wei's craftsmanship is indeed excellent."

Judge Cai spoke up, "The quantity we ordered this time is quite large. We'll need it for a long time as dry rations for the garrison troops and the imperial guards. Could the price be lowered a bit?"

"Don't worry, Master Cai. The price for soldiers is already low. No matter how many you order or what kind you want, the price will remain the same."

Wei Jinyun agreed with a smile, then stood up and walked towards the counter. "How about everyone try some freshly baked bread first? It's best eaten while hot, and you can also see if it suits the soldiers' taste."

Weirui walked over lightly with a tray. On the tray were five loaves of bread of different shapes and three porcelain cups beside them.

“There are so many kinds.”

He Wenyan said as he looked at the bread on the tray.

"There are honey buns, puff pastry pineapple buns, sesame lava buns... Meow Meow Bakery will release new flavors and make them in different ways in the future, so the soldiers don't have to worry about getting tired of them."

Wei Jinyun said, motioning them to taste it while it's still hot, "Adults, try it first and see if it suits your taste."

Judge Cai picked up the tea first. Seeing the dumplings in the cup, he scooped some out with his spoon and took a sip. "Is this tea sweet?"

Taro paste sank to the bottom of the cup, slightly melted by the spoon, and mixed with the round, snow-white dumplings floating up and down. A light layer of milk foam and peanuts floated on the top.

"This is taro paste pearl milk tea. The little balls inside are made of glutinous rice, and the taro paste is also steamed and mixed in."

Wei Jinyun explained.

Judge Cai took another big sip and couldn't help laughing. "It's really delicious. It's perfect to drink on a cold day. My little granddaughter loves sweet things like this. If she sees it, she will definitely rush to drink it."

Wei Jinyun smiled and continued, "Master Cai, if you don't mind, please bring your granddaughter here often in the future. The milk tea in the store will be warm for you at any time."

"That's natural."

Judge Cai ate his sausage and pork floss bread leisurely. "The magistrate's family loves the sun tarts from your shop, and they always bring my little granddaughter to eat them too."

He Wenyan picked up a sesame bun and took a bite.

The moment you bite into the bread, the sesame filling flows out. You first taste the softness of the crust, followed by the richness of the sesame, which is sweet but not greasy, mixed with the aroma of melted lard, and slides into your mouth warmly.

"This stuffing is so runny it nearly burned my mouth."

Wei Jinyun nodded quickly, "This should be eaten while hot. When it's hot, the filling is runny, but when it gets cold, it solidifies into a dense sesame ball. It tastes good whether it's hot or cold, don't worry."

"Just use the small stove on the ship to heat it up for the soldiers."

He Wenyan nodded. "Our Pingjiang Prefecture is safe and sound thanks to the soldiers fighting on the river. We must pay them well and not let them suffer any injustice."

Li Tuiguan, who was standing by, was holding a puff pastry pineapple bun. The pineapple filling inside was sweet and sour, mixed with the fragrance of the crust. The sweetness was lightly salty with milk, and the taste was distinctly layered.

He swallowed the bread in his mouth, smiled and nodded, "Not bad, there are sweet and salty ones, and they can be changed. The soldiers won't get tired of eating them every day."

He Wenyan put down the tea bowl in his hand and said, "Then we'll order a month's supply first, so the soldiers on the water can try it out. If they like it, we can order on an annual basis. An official will come to discuss the specific amount with you later."

Wei Jinyun was overjoyed at the end of her probationary period. She hurried forward and said anxiously, "Sir, please give me some information so that I can prepare flour and stuffing in advance to avoid being in a hurry at the last minute."

He Wenyan was amused by her, leaned forward slightly, and whispered a number in her ear.

Wei Jinyun's eyes widened after hearing this, and then she nodded vigorously, "I will do it perfectly! I guarantee that the soldiers will be satisfied, and I will never let down the governor's trust!"

She is really going to get rich!

It turned out that Pingjiang Prefecture had so many sailors, and she sent quite a few of them to land during the New Year.

"If you want to thank someone, you should thank Master Lu."

Judge Cai put down his half-eaten sausage and pork floss bun and jokingly said, "If he hadn't always paid for the soldiers' supplies out of his own pocket, we wouldn't have thought of finding some delicious snacks to treat our brothers on the river."

Wei Jinyun's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't dodge. Instead, she looked up at He Wenyan and said, "I will take good care of him. By the way, Lord Zhizhou, do you know what Lu Lan likes?"

"Why are you asking this suddenly?"

"I want to propose to him."

Wei Jinyun said frankly, taking a sip of tea without any ambiguity, "I have to find out what my sweetheart likes."

As soon as these words fell, He Wenyan nearly spit out the tea he had just drunk. Judge Cai raised his spoon, and Li Tuiguan choked on his bread. The three of them coughed profusely, and it took them a long time to catch their breath. They exclaimed in unison, "Huh?!"

Wei Jinyun said confidently, "There's really nothing I can do about it. I'm attracted to him and have taken advantage of him, so naturally I have to be responsible for him."

He Wenyan coughed so hard that his chest felt stuffy. He pointed at her for a long time, unable to catch his breath. "No, no, I'm taking advantage of Lu Changce... Does Lu Lan... Does he know?"

"I think he is also fond of me. As for the proposal..."

Wei Jinyun shook her head honestly, "He probably doesn't know. I haven't told him yet. But now that I've done this business with the government, when I make more money in the future, I'll be able to prepare the betrothal gifts and propose to him sooner."

Judge Cai touched his chin and laughed breathlessly, "That kid Lu Changce... apart from his official duties, he usually just stares at Jiang Shang. I really don't know what he likes."

“He likes the water of the Yangtze River.”

Li Tuiguan finally stopped coughing and said half-jokingly, "Every time I patrol the river, I stand at the bow and watch for a long time. I pay more attention to it than anything else."

"I know he likes the water of the Yangtze River."

Wei Jinyun said helplessly, "It's the water from the Yangtze River again. How can we deliver this water? Can I carry a load for him?"

He Wenyan finally calmed down. Seeing her serious expression, he suddenly became interested and leaned over to ask, "So when are you planning to propose? Can I go and watch?"

Judge Cai and Magistrate Li immediately nodded and said in unison, "I want to go too!"

Wei Jinyun thought for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the warm sunlight outside the window. He smiled and said, "Why not set it in March? Then we can pick an auspicious day and have a lively party."

“Okay, okay!”

The three of them quickly agreed and actually raised their hands to clap.

Finally, someone can control the kid from the Lu family.

very nice.

very nice!

People were coming and going in Meow Meow Bakery, with many couples sitting at the tables, their laughter mingling with the warm aroma.

The wind chimes were swaying, and Tang Yin followed Shen Qiuxiang in. The former was holding an embroidery frame in his hand, and the latter was holding a book and a folding fan.

Chen Chuxiang was wearing a pink skirt. As soon as she sat down, she raised her hand to tidy up her hair. She said helplessly, "I have to go learn embroidery from Master Wang soon. I can't delay. Tell me what's going on."

"Amu!"

Tang Yin nodded quickly and shouted to the counter, "One berry cake and two cups of taro bubble milk tea."

Amu quickly came over with a tray.

The berry cake on the green porcelain plate was filled with pink cream, decorated with a few fresh red berries, and drizzled with jam.

Tang Yin stared at the cake for a long time, and finally looked up at Chen Chuxiang, his voice stumbling, "Chu, Chuxiang, that...that I..."

As soon as he started talking, he saw the door curtain between Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery shaking, and Zhu Zhishan and Wu Sheng poked their heads in. They glanced at Tang Yin's table, then quickly retracted their eyes and hurried towards Yunlaixiang.

Before Tang Yin could recover from his shock, the door curtain swayed again, and the two of them walked back and forth several times.

The courage that Tang Yin had just gathered was shattered by the figure swaying back and forth. He looked up and saw Zhu Zhishan and Wu Sheng just walked out, and the door curtain was shaking again.

Lu Lantang was holding a pen, Zhou Zhuqing was holding a scroll of poetry, and even Lu Lingxiang followed. The three figures were crowded at the door, glancing over here curiously, walking slowly, just like Zhu Zhishan and Wu Sheng just now.

Next came groups of students from the provincial school. They came to Meow Meow Bakery, then returned to Yunlaixiang, and all walked through the door.

Tang Yin couldn't hold it in any longer and shouted at the door curtain, "Are you pangolins transformed into spirits? Why are you drilling back and forth?"

Zhu Zhishan poked his head out from behind the crowd and said with a fake smile, "Oh, what a coincidence, Brother Tang! Are you having snacks here too?"

As he spoke, he quickly glanced towards Chen Qiuxiang, then quickly averted his gaze. "I was just passing by, really just passing by. I didn't see you just now. I'm leaving now, leaving now!"

Wu Sheng, Lu Lantang and others behind him also nodded quickly, repeating "Yes, yes, yes, just passing by", but their feet were fixed on the spot, their eyes glancing between Tang Yin and Shen Qiuxiang.

When Amu passed by with a tray, he couldn't help but smile secretly.

Tang Yin was so angry at their unwillingness to leave that his forehead throbbed. He shouted, "Everyone, order—go back to Yunlaixiang! Don't hang around here!"

"Understood!"

Zhu Zhishan and his companions responded straightforwardly. Lu Lantang pulled Zhou Zhuqing, Zhu Zhishan pushed Wu Sheng, and the group of people, like a string of candied haws, hurriedly tried to get through the door curtain in the middle, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Chen Qixiang put down the milk tea she had just picked up, looked at the fluttering door curtain, and turned to look at Tang Yin who was still gasping for breath.

She asked in confusion, "What special training have you been doing at the prefectural school lately? It seems like you're used to following orders."

"No, there's no training... They just have nothing to do and are just making trouble."

The blush on Tang Yin's face hadn't faded yet, and this question made it even hotter. He quickly pushed the berry cake towards Chen Chuxiang, "Eat it quickly. If the cream on top melts, it won't taste good."

Chen Chuxiang picked up the spoon and gently scooped a mouthful of berry cake. She looked up at Tang Yin, who was still mumbling, and urged him, "Hurry up and tell me. If you delay any longer, Master will be waiting anxiously."

Tang Yin, holding a tea bowl, blushed profusely. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Wei Jinyun not far away, his ear almost touching his. Even He Wenyan and the other two nearby, seeing this scene, forgot their identities and quietly moved their raccoon chairs over to him.

Chen Chuxiang was helpless by the situation and was about to get up when she heard Tang Yin take a deep breath and shout loudly.

"Qiuxiang! From now on, I don't want to be just a friend who eats snacks with you. I want to follow you every day, watch you embroider, watch you read. I even want to finish my classes at the prefectural school early, just to be with you a little longer. Just like this winter, when I was with you, you were enjoying the plum blossoms and the snow, and I..."

He lowered his head, his face red enough to bleed, "I'm enjoying the fragrance of the catalpa trees."

Chen Qixiang exclaimed "Ah" when she heard this, and her face instantly turned red, spreading from her ears to her neck. She didn't say anything for a long time, just lowered her head and stared at the berry cake on the plate.

At this moment, the door curtain shook violently, and a group of figures in long green cloth robes fell in with a crash.

Zhu Zhishan was on top, Wu Sheng's book fell to the ground, and the other students from the prefectural academy were all upset. Lu Lantang and Zhou Zhuqing leaned against the door, and Lu Lingxiang was staring straight in their direction.

Zhu Zhishan struggled to stick his head out from the crowd, but still forced a smile and waved at Tang Yin, "Okay, what a coincidence, Brother Tang! We were just... just passing by and wanted to come in to buy a piece of bread to try, but we slipped, hehe..."

Tang Yin looked at the people huddled together on the ground, his face flushed red. He pointed at Zhu Zhishan and gritted his teeth, "You were just passing by! Did you hear everything I just said?"

Wu Sheng poked his head out from the crowd, reached out to grab the fallen book, and nodded with a chuckle, "It seems... I heard everything. Brother Tang, is this turning hidden love into bold love?"

"Good for you, Mr. Wu!"

Tang Yin was so angry that he wanted to get up, but Chen Qixiang gently pulled his sleeve.

He looked back and saw that Chen Qixiang's face was still red, but she was smiling secretly.

His temper instantly faded, and he just shouted, "Everyone, get up! If you keep making trouble, don't even think about me bringing you guys for snacks!"

Zhu Zhishan and the others quickly got up, dusted themselves off, and joked, "I understand, I understand. We won't make a fuss anymore. So, Brother Tang, did Miss Shen... agree?"

Tang Yin turned around, not daring to look up at Chen Chuxiang, his face almost buried in the cup of milk tea in front of him, "Chuxiang...what are your feelings? If, if you think I'm being abrupt, I will...never say these words again."

Chen Qiuxiang looked at his tense back and suddenly asked softly, "Aren't you still wearing the sandalwood fan I gave you?"

Tang Yin was stunned and looked up suddenly, "Huh?"

"That fan was given to my grandmother by my grandfather. My grandmother said that if she met someone she liked, she should give it to him."

Chen Chuxiang's voice was very soft, but her cheeks turned even redder, and she lowered her head after she finished speaking.

Wei Jinyun was laughing as he watched from the side. Tang Yin's face was so red that it was probably hot enough to fry an egg or toast bread.

The people around were in an uproar. Zhu Zhishan clapped his hands and shouted, "Oh...I see! Brother Tang, you've finally got the girl!"

Tang Yin was stunned in place, and it took him a long time to react, his voice was trembling, "Qiu Xiang...you, you mean..."

Chen Qixiang didn't say anything, just nodded slightly.

Tang Yin felt really happy.

His sweetheart also likes him.

He didn't enjoy his beauty for long before Chen Qixiang got up and went to Wang Qiulan's shop.

Tang Yin held the sandalwood fan. The fan frame was made of warm boxwood, and when he got close, he could smell the faint sandalwood fragrance. The handle of the fan was tied with a light green string, and a white jade pendant dangled from it, which swayed gently when he shook it.

He clutched the fan tightly and said, "I must keep this fan well and use it as a family heirloom."

"Didn't you treat it as a family heirloom?"

Wu Sheng came over and joked.

Tang Yin didn't argue. Instead, he smiled and raised his hand to the counter, shouting, "All the bread and pastries today are mine. My fellow students from the prefectural school, enjoy!"

"Okay, then we won't be polite!"

Zhu Zhishan was the first to respond. He pulled Wu Sheng and ran towards the counter. Lu Lantang and Lu Lingxiang also followed with smiles.

Amu stood behind the counter, watching the students rushing over, and quickly picked up bamboo tongs to help them pick up bread. The students were also polite and picked everything.

He Wenyan looked at the noisy scene and said with a smile, "Manager Wei, I'm right, aren't I? This place is full of the energy of young people. Looking at them makes me feel decades younger."

He looked towards Tang Yin again, with a hint of approval, "I know this Tang Yin. He won first place in the college entrance examination two years ago. He is a talented young man."

Judge Cai nodded in praise and laughed, then turned the conversation back to Wei Jinyun. "It's so lively and bustling, and I'm happy to see it. Shopkeeper Wei, you'd better hurry up and prepare the betrothal gift for Lu Lan!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the wind chimes rang, and Lu Lan walked in. He was wearing a crimson official uniform, and it was obvious that he had just finished patrolling the river.

What betrothal gift?

Whose betrothal gift did she accept?

You are so good, Wei Jinyun. A few days ago, you were still biting him and saying that you would be responsible for him. How come you have other plans in the blink of an eye?

Whose betrothal gift!

-----------------------

Author's Comment: Jinyun: Great! I can earn some money to give Lu Lan as a betrothal gift. [Starry Eyes]

Lord Lu: Who are you? [Breaking into tears]