In early March, the peach trees planted on a small hill outside the Orange Courtyard finally revealed their true pink appearance. The misty water vapor in the mountains dotted the colorful pink balls, which covered the window frames of the west wing like a bright landscape framed by shiny mahogany.
Xianjin sat by the window with his chin propped up, his eyes wandering. Suoer followed Xianjin's gaze and exclaimed, "How beautiful."
Xianjin didn't hear clearly, so he nodded, "Yes, it's really delicious. It is said that peaches grown from beautiful flowers are the most delicious."
Suo Er: ...
"Aunt Du is here, and Sister Zhong is sitting with her in the front hall." Suo'er was a little happy, and her dark, healthy face smiled brightly. "Du Junning, oh no, Mr. Du is here too. He has grown so tall, and he doesn't look like he's sitting in our store crying anymore!"
Xianjin came back to his senses from the crisp peach and said with a smile, "Don't expose the scholar's secrets!"
As she spoke, she stood up and went to the front hall. Aunt Du looked very healthy, with her back straight and tall and her hair thick and dark. When she saw Xianjin, she stood up and bowed to greet him, "Boss!"
Aunt Du has been working in "Kaibaba" in Jing County in recent years. Xianjin took her contract with him when he left the Chen family. Although Xianjin bought a shop afterwards, there has been no progress. Zhou Ergou, the Zheng brothers, and Qiqiqi in the family are guarding the original "Chuan Ji" shop and renovating it for construction, while Aunt Zhong is working as an auditor, controlling the lifeline of the silver. To be honest, Xianjin really has no work to give to Aunt Du.
But the monthly allowance is still being paid as usual.
Aunt Du sent a message two days ago, saying that she would go to Xuancheng Prefecture in the next two days. Xianjin thought about it and sent a letter to Zhang Wenbo and Chen Zuo Niang, thinking that if Aunt Du was willing, he would ask her to go to Zhang's tea mountain in Huai'an Prefecture to help.
Xianjin asked someone to serve tea. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Aunt Du laughing and saying loudly, "Boss, this time I came here, first of all, to ask you to meet Du Junning. The young man who was as thin as a cat three or four years ago is now quite good-looking! Ask him to say hello to you!"
Xianjin looked happily at "that little fish" - "that little fish" that the little fish cared about.
Tsk, what a fair and clean little boy!
He is tall and thin, with rosy cheeks and a narrow face, which is the "child's first love face" that is very popular in later generations.
Xianjin laughed, "It's only been more than two years since we last met, how come you've grown so big!" Xianjin laughed, "When we were in Jing County, Shanzhang Qiao was stabbed away. He managed to protect Baozhu and squatted on the ground crying, tears streaming down his face, crying and yelling--"
"Woo woo woo! I'm never going to read again!"
“Studying is useless!”
"The court is in chaos, treacherous officials are in power, the country is on the verge of collapse, how are scholars like us going to cope... wuwuwu——!"
Xianjin squinted his eyes and looked up to the sky and pretended to cry, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He imitated the cry very well.
After the show, Xianjin laughed loudly. "I was thinking, where did this weird kid come from? How can he cry so hard and have such lofty ambitions and make plans for the country?"
Aunt Du and Suo'er burst into sweet laughter, and the whole hall was filled with a pleasant atmosphere.
The scholar, who is now fourteen or fifteen years old and in puberty, blushed and blue on his face: ...I feel like it's New Year's Day and a gossipy sister points at you and says, "Hey! I changed your diaper!"
Embarrassed and awkward.
After laughing, sister He Xianjin pursed her lips with a look of unsatisfied expression, "Aunt Du, I have already made arrangements with the Zhang family in Huai'an Prefecture. If you are willing, you can go there to help first. If you don't want to leave Xuancheng Prefecture, I can also talk to Mr. Shang and the Zhen family wharf--"
Aunt Du quickly shook her head, "No, no, no! I won't bother you! It's really shameful to receive money from the employer every month!"
"There isn't much work in the shop in Jing County. With a big boss like Manager Dong there, I spend my days like a freeloader! Now Manager Dong has retired to take care of his grandson. I can't take your wages for nothing, and you can't owe me a favor because of me."
Aunt Du glanced at Du Junning who was nodding his head. "Amitabha, I have finally reaped the rewards of my hard work. At least this kid passed the exam and has rice, oil and money every month. Principal Qiao also recommended him to study at the official school in Xuancheng Prefecture. He will be enrolled the day after tomorrow. He said that he should study there first, and in a few years, he will be sent to Yingtian Prefecture to study—"
Xianjin nodded: Master Qiao probably has to wait until the situation in Yingtian Prefecture settles down before he dares to send his people there.
Aunt Du continued, "Since he is not starving to death and has the support of a noble person, I can't think of working anymore. I will take good care of his food, clothing, housing and transportation, which will also make Mr. Qiao less worried! If Du Junning can't read, I will come to you to ask for a job, it's not too late!"
Xianjin nodded in understanding.
Being poor, everything is difficult. Du Junning does not have the material, human and spiritual support of a rich family. If he wants to study in Xuancheng Prefecture, food, clothing, housing and transportation will be difficult. Aunt Du accompanying him to study can at least solve the major problems of food and clothing.
"Let him continue to study!" Xianjin said loudly, and in a flash he found a job for Aunt Du. "Don't quit your job! Suo'er needs to prepare a dowry. You know us. She and I can't even make a duck with four hands. Would you like to take some time to help embroider some small items?"
Suo'er turned around in confusion: Should I... prepare... my dowry?
Xianjin nodded confidently: Yes, of course. The young couple who show their love every day should just roll into the grave of their marriage in advance!
Aunt Du thanked him repeatedly. After lunch, she was about to leave, but Xianjin kept her there, "...Does the official school have a house?"
Aunt Du nodded quickly. "There is no distinction between government and school. Dean Qiao has helped to take care of it. We will live in the post house until the previous tenant moves out in early April."
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