Xu Lanzhou pulled out a purse from her bosom, then took out a pair of plum blossom silver earrings from the purse, and said with a smile, "This is a birthday gift I bought for my sister at the Nanping Silver Shop. The shopkeeper said it was a new model from Jiangnan. June 12th is my sister's birthday, and mother said she wanted to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for her."
On June 12, Xu Lanyin turned sixteen. Because the original owner secretly sold the land the previous year, the family was angry and didn't celebrate her fifteenth birthday, nor did they hold a ji ji ji ceremony. As a result, Xu Lanyin still wears her hair in twin buns. Qin Shi wanted to celebrate her birthday properly this year and then hold a ji ji ceremony.
This pair of earrings is very exquisitely made and must have cost at least one or two taels of silver.
Xu Lanyin looked at Xu Lanzhou, whose chin was pointed, and asked, "Where did you get so much money?"
Xu Lanzhou said, "Anyway, it wasn't stolen. Sister, please don't be angry with your brother. Mom scolded me so harshly, I won't be stingy anymore."
Xu Lanyin said, "You are growing now, so it's time to eat. Don't save your food. If you don't grow strong, how can you take the martial arts exam?"
She took the earrings and took out a silver coin and stuffed it into Xu Lanzhou's hand.
Since there was no time to go out and buy meat today, Xu Lanyin killed a rooster and made roast chicken with mushrooms, cold chicken slices, scrambled eggs with leeks, and fried leeks with dried tofu, two vegetarian dishes.
After the old couple and their two children came over, the family had dinner.
Qin also talked about her idea of holding a coming-of-age ceremony for Xu Lanyin.
The old lady looked at Xu Lanyin, who was becoming increasingly fair and steady, and said, "Yin girl is a capable child. I have prepared the silver hairpin for her. I also thought of reminding you today to give Yin girl a decent coming-of-age ceremony. I hope she will find a good family in the future and enjoy a happy life..."
These words touched Xu Lanyin a little.
Qin was so happy that she thanked him repeatedly and added, "I would like to invite you to be the guest of honor."
Old Mrs. Xu naturally agreed.
Qin had previously wanted to make the ceremony more grand, inviting Madam Min to be the guest of honor and Min Nan to be the chief judge. Xu Lanyin disagreed, citing the disparity in status between the two families and the inconvenience of asking them for help.
Zhao Wu came back at the beginning of the hour of Hai.
When Xu Lanyin heard the noise, she stood up and looked out the small window. Zhao Wu was also looking at her from the window, smiling brightly at her and making an "OK" gesture with his hand.
This was what Xu Lanyin taught him. It was their secret code. This gesture meant that everything was fine.
Xu Lanyin also gave him an "OK" gesture, and then the two of them left the small window. Xu Lanyin rested while Zhao Wu went to the grove to practice martial arts.
The next day, everyone was at home, and after breakfast, they took a donkey cart to the county town to look at houses.
Fifth Grandpa and the others laughed and said, "Everyone's here today, let's go to the dim sum shop?"
Xu Lanzhou nodded in agreement.
After entering the county town, they first went to the shop. Xu Lanyin discussed with Xu Dashi and Xu Lanzhou that dim sum sales were booming, and it was time to expand. They should take back the small shop next door that had been rented out for odd jobs and hire a dim sum apprentice, a buyer and waiter, and a housekeeper to do odd jobs. This would give Xu Dashi and Li some more time, and would also help take care of Xu Yuan when he came to the county town to attend private school.
The position of buyer and waiter is a position specially tailored for the "secret agent" by Xu Lanyin and Zhao Wu. It allows him to monitor the Yi Ju Restaurant in the shop and have plenty of free time.
After the discussion, Xu Lanyin went to the shop in front and saw the old woman in gold and silver. In the past few days, the old woman had been asking people to keep an eye on the Xu family shop and to tell her if Xu Lanyin came.
Seeing the old woman like this, Xu Lanyin guessed that her son must have become successful and came to show off to her.
Old Wife stroked the golden hairpin on her head and said proudly, "My son has been betrothed to Miss Su Er. He is now the son-in-law of a noble family and a nobleman. He has also been promoted to a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, second only to the county magistrate. Soon I will be moving to the capital to live in a mansion and enjoy life. Humph, a peasant dares to look down on my son. Pah!"
It turned out that Gu Wangchen and Su Qing were already engaged. One had finally gotten married, while the other had to settle for the second best and use the backup plan they had been preparing. This was the fulfillment of their wishes. Furthermore, he had actually joined the Ministry of Revenue. Unlike the book, he had indeed entered the upper echelons of society.
Xu Lanyin said indifferently, "Oh, congratulations to them."
Xu Lanyin's calm demeanor stunned Gu Pozi for a moment. Shouldn't this damned girl be so angry that she curses or says something sarcastic? She wanted to show off a little more, but was persuaded to leave by the old woman who came over.
Afterwards, Xu Lanyin and a few others went to the brokerage firm, and the broker said that the two second-floor houses had not been sold yet.
The group took a bullock cart and went with the broker to look around at the two houses. The house next to the north gate was adjacent to the slums, with a narrow road in front of the gate, a dirty and messy environment, and the houses in the yard were also very old.
The broker knew Zhao Wu, the most handsome constable in Nanping County, and because of Zhao Wu's appearance, he didn't dare to quote a high price. He said that the house could be sold at a lower price, for one hundred taels of silver.
We then went to Huaishu Street, where the streets were wide, the houses were new, the yards large, and there were many trees and flowers planted inside. It was very close to the shops and the county government office, and there was even a private school in the alley above.
The broker said that the house could be sold for ten taels less, one hundred and ninety taels of silver, which was the lowest price offered by the seller.
Xu Lanzhou wanted to buy cheap ones, while Qin, Xu Lanyin, Xu Lanting and Zhao Wu all wanted to buy expensive ones.
Xu Lanzhou's face flushed with anxiety as he shouted, "The difference is ninety taels of silver. We can buy eleven acres of good farmland or a house. We're not wealthy, so why bother losing face?"
Xu Lanyin said, "We are not embarrassed at all. Our family already has the financial resources. If we want to live here, we should live comfortably."
Qin and Xu Lanting both agreed with Xu Lanyin.
Xu Lanzhou still gritted his teeth and disagreed, "I am the eldest son of this family, and I have the final say on this matter."
Xu Lanyin didn't hesitate and said, "I earn most of the money in the family, so I should have the final say."
Zhao Wu had been saving money, just to make Xu Lanyin live more comfortably. He said, "Sister, I earned nearly two hundred taels of silver and deposited it with you. I'll pay the remaining ninety taels and some for the renovations."
Xu Lanzhou's face lit up with joy, and he was about to agree when Qin stopped him.
Qin blushed and said, "We have money, so how can we ask you to pay us? Good boy, we appreciate your kindness." She then said to Xu Lanzhou, "You are a man, but you are always thinking about taking advantage of others and you have the nerve to buy a house for your family with other people's money. All those years of studying have been in vain, and all the things I taught you have been in vain. Go home and kneel down in front of me. Don't get up until you figure it out. There is no need for you to study anymore."
Qin's words were usually gentle and tactful, but this time she was furious, scolding Xu Lanzhou to tears. After she finished, she turned and walked out of the pawnshop. Xu Lanyin went to hire another donkey cart, and the others returned disappointed.
In the car, Xu Lanzhou shed tears silently. Xu Lanyin ignored him. This child needed a proper education.
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