Chapter 356 Throwing the Embroidered Ball to Find Her Husband
The two adults, Cheng Wanwan and Lu Yingxue, were completely unaware of the incident that occurred downstairs.
Cheng Wanwan was terribly carsick. After drinking a bowl of white rice porridge, she slept soundly and woke up the next day full of energy.
She stood at the window of her room and looked down at the bustling street below. This street was very long, at least five times the length of the street in Ping'an County.
The streets were bustling early in the morning.
Cheng Wanwan turned and walked out of the room, and Lu Yingxue walked over with great interest and said, "I just saw some people doing acrobatics on the street from the window. Let's go and join in the fun."
"Where are the children? Have they had breakfast yet?" Cheng Wanwan asked. "There are lots of delicious snacks on the street. Let the children eat their fill before they come back to study."
Cheng Zhao and Yu Zhan got up early and stayed in their room to study.
Shen Zheng and Qian Hui sat in the lobby of the inn eating, and even met a few literati, engaging in lively discussions.
Cheng Wanwan was quite helpless. Was Xiao Zheng being too relaxed? Did he really believe he could definitely pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?
However, it's good to relax a bit before the exam; if you're too stressed, you're more likely to break.
She walked to Cheng Zhao and Yu Zhan's room and called the two children out: "Come on, go downstairs for a walk, have something to eat, and then come back."
Cheng Zhao never refused any request from her second aunt, so she immediately packed up her books and followed her out.
Cheng Wanwan noticed with her sharp eyes that Cheng Zhao was still using the same calligraphy brush from half a year ago, and it was even a bit rough. Could it be that he brought this calligraphy brush into the examination room?
She glanced at the inkstone on the table; it was the most ordinary and cheapest kind.
For such an important exam, we need to use better equipment.
Cheng Wanwan planned to go to the street later to buy a set of writing implements for each of the children, and give one set to each of them so that Zhao'er wouldn't refuse.
The group walked out of the Yuelai Inn.
“Auntie, let me tell you where to find good pastries, just that one.” Shen Zheng pointed to a spot not far away. “My dad brought me here last year. I know the streets and alleys of Huzhou very well. If you want to buy anything, just tell me.”
Qian Hui's lips twitched. This flattery was truly beyond his reach. No wonder Shen Zheng was able to live in Sui Ru's house.
He closed his paper fan and immediately leaned closer: "Madam Sui, our Qian family owns a shop called Jinxiufang in Huzhou, which sells ready-made clothes. We have many beautiful women's clothes. Would Madam Sui like to take a look?"
Cheng Wanwan's eyes lit up. There were no ready-made clothing shops in Ping'an County, so everyone had to sew their own clothes. However, she didn't know how to sew, so she always had to bother her eldest daughter-in-law. Gradually, she became less willing to make new clothes.
She nodded: "Lead the way."
Lu Yingxue was also very excited. No woman doesn't love wearing new clothes; if she does, it must be because she's too poor.
Shen Zheng raised his hand and shoved Qian Hui's lower stomach hard with his elbow. This bastard is shameless; he's openly trying to curry favor with his aunt.
Qian Hui gave him a provocative look. His mission in Huzhou was not to take the imperial examination, but to make friends with capable people. If he could befriend Lady Sui, his grandfather would definitely praise him.
Thinking of this, Qian Hui became even more attentive: "This is it, Qian's Embroidery Workshop, Madam Sui, Madam Yu, please come in."
It was Cheng Wanwan's first time visiting an ancient clothing store, and everything seemed strange to her. The store was huge, with half of it dedicated to women's clothing and the other half to men's clothing. After browsing through the women's clothing section, she was immediately stunned. All of them were those elaborate gauze skirts and ruqun with multiple layers of fabric and many intricate embroidered flowers. As a woman living in the countryside, she was not suited to wear such formal attire at all, and ultimately gave up with regret.
She walked to the men's clothing section. Perhaps because it was a patriarchal society in ancient times, the styles of men's clothing were actually more diverse, including short jackets, long gowns, robes, and various colors, suitable for people of all professions.
"Take down this moon-white one, this azure one, and this gray, black, and green one... all of them." Cheng Wanwan casually pointed, "Give me those two smaller dresses over there too."
If I can't buy it for myself, I'll buy it for the kids. They should at least experience the joy of shopping.
"Zhao'er, come here and try this one on. Xiao Zhan, you try this one on." She said with a smile. "Xiao Zheng, this azure blue one suits you. A Fu, you take this black one. You all go and try them on."
Qian Hui walked over with a shameless grin: "Madam Sui, what about me?"
Cheng Wanwan looked at him strangely: "This shop belongs to your Qian family. You can take whatever you want yourself. Do you need to ask me?"
Qian Hui: "..."
Well, he still couldn't fit in.
After buying each child a set of clothes, Cheng Wanwan went to the place to buy writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, again giving each child a set.
Lu Yingxue felt embarrassed: "Sister Wanwan, I can't let you keep spending money. I'll pay for this..."
“Master Yu teaches in Dahe Village and earns two taels of silver a month. Half of that goes to food. You can’t afford it,” Cheng Wanwan chuckled. “You call me sister, how could I let you pay for it? Don’t worry.”
Lu Yingxue: "..."
Well, ever since she married Lao Yu, one word has been etched onto her: poor.
Actually, the Lu family isn't poor.
She has been a devoted wife and mother for so many years, living a frugal life. Shouldn't she learn from Sister Wanwan and work hard to earn money?
The group strolled around and ate as they went. When it was almost time, they prepared to head back home. After all, they had come for the imperial examinations and couldn't relax too much.
"It's quite lively up ahead." Shen Zheng ate some snacks and stood on tiptoe to look ahead. "There's an embroidered pavilion over there. I wonder what they're doing."
The crowd on the street kept gathering in that direction, and the flow of people became more and more numerous and lively.
Qian Hui grabbed a passerby and asked, "What happened over there?"
"You didn't know this? The wealthy Master Leng of the Leng family is looking for a son-in-law."
"Miss Leng is throwing a bridal bouquet to find a husband. Any unmarried man can participate."
"If I become Master Leng's son-in-law, I'll never have to worry for the rest of my life. Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
Most of them were men, their faces full of excitement as they surged in that direction.
Cheng Wanwan's eyes widened immediately. The scene of tossing the embroidered ball, which she had only ever seen in period dramas, was actually happening right in front of her.
Shen Zheng excitedly unfolded his paper fan: "I've only ever seen stories about throwing embroidered balls in folk tales. I never imagined that someone would actually use this method to find a son-in-law. Let's go, let's go see the excitement."
Qian Hui immediately nodded: "Let's go see what's going on."
Afu followed along, thinking, "What if I manage to catch the embroidered ball? Wouldn't I be rich...?"
Shen Zheng hit him on the head with his fan: "What are you dreaming about in broad daylight?"
Lu Yingxue tugged at Cheng Wanwan's sleeve: "Let's go see what that young lady from the Leng family looks like. She must not be good-looking, otherwise she wouldn't use this method to find a man."
Cheng Wanwan turned around and said, "Zhao'er, take Xiao Zhan back to the inn first."
Cheng Zhao looked back at the road, which was densely packed with men who had come after hearing the news. He and Yu Zhan were going against the flow and could easily get separated.
He said helplessly, "Second Aunt, wait a minute, let's go and see what's going on."
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