Chapter 19 House Viewing
Xu Fu complained while thinking about how to make his senior sister happy. After hesitating for a moment, he handed her a hairpin from the jewelry store and said, "Senior sister, look."
Yu Huatang was surprised. How much silver would this hairpin cost? How would an apprentice like him get the money? "Refund it immediately. Besides, I often go to see it to see the craftsmanship, not for the hairpin itself."
Xu Fu hesitated for a moment, "How can I return something I bought? I think this hairpin suits Senior Sister the best. Last year on my birthday, Senior Sister made me longevity noodles, so this year I'll just consider it as a return."
"Besides, isn't it natural for a younger brother to give something to his older sister?" Seeing Yu Huatang looking at him in silence.
He gained more courage and said, "Sister, if you throw it away, I will cry. I bought this with great difficulty as a gift to my sister. If you don't wear it on your head, I will be really sad."
After saying this, he imitated the way people acted on stage and squeezed out a few tears.
Yu Huatang was convinced by him, "I'll keep it for you first, and when you find a girl you like, you can give it to her."
Xu Fu had no choice but to accept it. The two of them walked and stopped until they arrived at Yu Huatang's courtyard.
Xu Fu completed his mission and said goodbye before going back.
Inside the government office, Zhao Yan was sorting through files. When he picked up the paper with the signature of Yu Huatang, he paused for a moment.
The handwriting was clean and neat, just like the day of divorce, carefree and disappearing without a trace.
In just three years, she has mastered superb skills that have impressed others.
Today in the hall, she was calm and composed, her eyes were clear and bright, and she spoke in an organized manner.
It seemed as if she treated him as someone she had never met. Was it possible that she really didn't recognize him?
His writing hand stopped.
That night, Zhao Yan returned to the temporary room behind the government office. An Fu was tidying up the quilt. Seeing him come back, she hesitated and said, "Sir, I'm sorry you've been treated unfairly here. Please stay for a few days. I'll go look at a house tomorrow morning."
Zhao Yan had no objection. If he had lived in a shabby and miserable place in the past, he would have felt sad. But now that he had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, he had become much more open-minded.
The porridge and side dishes also have their own flavor.
An Fu saw that he didn't look upset, so he thought for a moment and said, "Sir, I came back from buying groceries today, and guess who I ran into."
"who."
An Fu said, "Today I seemed to see a woman who looked exactly like the Third... Third Young Master's wife. But then I thought about it and it shouldn't be the case. There was a man standing next to the woman who was the same height as her, calling her 'Senior Sister, Senior Sister'. I remember the Third Young Master's wife, she seemed to be an orphan, with no relatives..."
"People always change. They didn't have it before, but after learning from a master, it naturally appears."
This confirmed his thoughts. An Fu blinked and asked in surprise, "So, is that really the former Third... Young Madam...?"
"Yes." Zhao Yan said calmly, as if he didn't want to mention it. "Don't tell anyone about my relationship with her. It's not good for her."
Anfu nodded hurriedly, not daring to ask any more questions, picked up the bucket and went to boil water.
The next day, Yu Huatang came to the lantern master's shop to make lanterns as usual. The master had recently taken on a big business.
The customer wanted it urgently, and after finishing the government lantern festival two days ago, the lantern master's hall was busy again.
Li Ruotong held a water lantern skeleton and led Yu Huatang into the inner courtyard. "You were busy with the Lantern Festival yesterday, and today you're rushing to be a witness. If you feel tired, take a half-day break. You've been working day and night for the past three years, and our Lantern Master Hall has long since established itself. Junior sister, you can also take a break."
"You are a girl after all, so you should take care of yourself. If I hadn't reminded you, you would still remember to rest. Xu Fu is in the playful grade, and he will just eat and drink with you."
Yu Huatang was grateful for his senior brother's care. "Look at what you said, I'm not a porcelain doll. How can I fall ill so easily? Senior brother, is there anything wrong?"
Li Ruotong nodded. "Merchant ships have been having accidents frequently lately. Several times, they almost capsized. The lights on the lookout tower went out whenever it rained. It's very dangerous for merchant ships traveling far away to avoid heavy rain and lose their way back home."
"Brother, do you want me to think of a way to ensure that the lights on the merchant ship and the lookout tower don't go out?"
Li Ruotong explained, "I didn't want you to worry about it. But my father-in-law encountered bad weather several times and almost..."
Yu Huatang understood, "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will think carefully about how to transform it."
Li Ruotong patted her shoulder and said, "Don't be too stressed. Things are very busy right now. I originally wanted you to rest for a couple of days before I talk to you, but now that summer is approaching, I'm a little worried..."
"I know, Brother, I will combine work and rest."
Li Ruotong was relieved and said, "Okay."
The different lamp master halls are in good order.
Here, Anfu hurriedly asked Uncle Ji to take his son to look at houses one by one.
After visiting more than a dozen houses, the young man was still not satisfied.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Anfu became a little anxious.
Uncle Ji used to be a chatty person, but since he became this gentleman's driver, he doesn't dare to speak much.
Although the adult inside looked polite, he was very cold and distant to others.
Seeing that they were going back and forth but still not satisfied with what they had, he remembered that these scholars and officials all liked quietness.
The same thing happened to the lady Qiaodeng from the former Lantern Master Hall, so she bought a house on West Street.
Although it is some distance away from the government office, the courtyards there are all nice.
He rubbed his hands and said, "Sir, if you don't mind, I would like to recommend a place."
An Fu smiled, "Is the place you recommend habitable?"
Uncle Ji was a little annoyed. "Look at what the young man said. Can I recommend a place for you to go?"
Anfu wanted to say more, but his master signaled him to shut up.
Zhao Yan stopped Anfu's rudeness and said calmly, "Lead the way."
The three of them came to West Street, and as expected, the air was different as soon as they came in, mixed with a faint floral scent.
Zhao Yan looked up and saw a few osmanthus trees not far away. The courtyard was very clean, and there were roses planted on the fence at the entrance.
People in small towns generally don’t understand what elegance is. The roses and the green grass complement each other so well that he took a few more glances at them.
Later, Uncle Ji took them to see several courtyards, and Zhao Yan finally decided on the one diagonally opposite the osmanthus tree.
There are four bedrooms and a living room, and there is a big oak tree behind the yard, which is towering and gives people a sense of hope.
"That's it." Zhao Yan said.
Anfu is also satisfied with this place. The family across the street looks like they love cleanliness and it will be easy to get along with them in the future.
Zhao Yan walked around the yard again and stopped at the opposite fence to look for a long time. The fragrance of osmanthus in the air was very light, not the kind that would make people's noses choke, but rather had a sense of elegance.
He had been feeling a little upset ever since he was demoted, and hadn't felt at ease for several months. Today, in this small courtyard, the long-lost tranquility and leisure made him feel a little relaxed.
He stayed there for a long time, immersed in the scenery of the courtyard.
When it got darker, it was time for them to go back.
The carriage moved a few steps when a strong wind blew from nowhere and the lantern went out.
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