Chapter 45: Luo Jinan leaves the Xu family and plans to add someone else
Xu Nian returned to the room and opened the letter. This was the first time she saw Luo Jinan's handwriting. Unlike his frail image, the handwriting on the paper was vigorous and powerful, like a wandering dragon or snake, exuding a sense of power.
Xu Nian was moved. What she envied most was people with beautiful handwriting. Without even waiting to read the content of the letter, Xu Nian had already taken out paper and pen to imitate it. Although she had some basic skills in calligraphy, the words she imitated were still soft and fluffy.
Xu Nian put down his brush only when his wrist ached, and then he remembered that he had not read the letter yet.
In addition to the two pieces of letter paper, the envelope also contained a two-hundred-tael banknote and a smoky purple Hetian jade pendant. Xu Nian looked at the jade pendant with her mouth wide open in amazement. Was Luo Jinan too generous? She had only seen such jade material in the information.
She carefully placed the jade pendant in a wooden box, then put the wooden box back in space. Finally, she bowed to the God with some concern.
"Please don't take the space back on a whim. Even if you want to take it back, please return the jade pendant to me first. Please, please."
Xu Nian has decided that the next time she sees Luo Jinan, she must return the jade pendant to him. If she accidentally loses or damages it, ten of them will not be enough to compensate her.
After reading the letter, Xu Nian realized that the jade pendant should be a token of trust. Luo Jinan told her that she could show the jade pendant if she encountered any trouble.
Xu Nian took out the jade pendant from the space again and examined it carefully. He then discovered that there was a dragon engraved on one side of the jade pendant. When he held the jade pendant from a distance, he saw the word "Chang".
Xu Nian was a little confused at the moment. Wasn't it true that only the emperor of the Sheng Dynasty could use the "dragon" pattern? Could it be... could it be that the Prince of Zhenbei had the intention of rebelling?
Xu Nian was shocked by her own guess and quickly put the jade pendant away. She didn't dare to show the jade pendant, what if someone snapped it.
Xu Nian, who originally wanted to take a break and take a nap, was not sleepy at all at this moment. In order to calm himself, he took out paper and pen and continued to practice calligraphy.
Only when he heard some noise outside did Xu Nian put down his pen and walked out.
"Grandpa, you are awake. I will make you a cup of honey water. Please go sit in the main room and wait."
Old Man Xu responded happily and went to the main room in the front yard.
As there were many rooms on the manor, Xu Weian, Xu Ji and three others lived in the front yard, and the others lived in the back yard. Xu Nian also realized her wish of having her own room, which made it much more convenient for her to do anything.
By the time Xu Nian made a pot of honey water and brought it to the main room, everyone in the family had already gotten up and gathered in the main room.
"Dad, Mom, the house is now tidy. We will go back to the county government office first. If there is anything, just let the second son and the others come to me."
Old Man Xu waved his hands.
"You don't need to worry about the family. Just help the county master with his work."
When Xu Nian heard that her parents were leaving, she hurried to the backyard and moved out several pots of cherry tomatoes.
"Dad, Mom, take these back to the county government. New Year's Day is only half a month away, so it's time to go shopping for gifts."
Tian smiled and said, "Mother is here to take care of all these things. Why should you worry about everything?"
When Wang heard this, she was unwilling.
"If it weren't for the eldest girl worrying about everything, how could we have such a good manor? What's the matter? You think I am meddling in your business."
In front of so many people, Wang humiliated Tian and her face turned red with embarrassment.
As soon as Xu Nian saw it, she knew that Wang had misunderstood, and she quickly explained, "Grandma, my mother is worried about me. You also know that I will go to Old Madam Mei's girls' school after the New Year, so I don't have time to take care of this or that."
"Dad, Mom, you guys should go back. Your uncles are at home..."
After seeing off Xu Yaozu and Tian, Wang tapped Xu Nian's head.
"You are such a heartless little girl, you only know how to speak for your mother."
Xu Nian chuckled, and clinging to Wang's arm in a naughty way, he said, "How could that be possible? The person I love the most is my beautiful and kind-hearted grandmother, Ms. Wang Zhen."
"You say weird words every day, are you bullying your grandma because she can't read?"
Xu Nian gloated and tried to get away with it, she meant bald lip.
Seeing that it was a rare occasion that all the family members were together, Xu Nian expressed his plan.
"Grandpa, grandma, I plan to buy a few servants for my family."
"What? Why spend that money? I and your aunts are at home, so why not buy it?"
But Old Man Xu did not refuse outright. Instead, he asked, "Big girl, do you have any opinion?"
Xu Nian then explained, "Now that Third Aunt is pregnant, she may not be able to bear the brunt of the burden. If Grandma and Second Aunt are the only ones at home, they will not be able to handle it.
Besides, it’s New Year’s Day soon, and the hostess needs to take care of the family’s receptions and farewells, so how can she spend her energy on these trivial household chores?”
Seeing that her granddaughter's words were well-founded, Wang did not object, but said, "Then buy two back."
Xu Nian chuckled, "Grandma, two are not enough.
One is needed for the maid who does the laundry and cooking, one is needed to pick up Xiao Liuzi from school, one is needed to take care of the household chores, and one is needed to run errands. For now, four is enough."
Wang thought that her eldest grandson, Nuzhen, knew how to enjoy life, so this was enough for her.
Zheng and Xiao Wang were mostly happy; they had never imagined that they would be able to live the life of ladies of the Shangguan family for the rest of their lives.
Wang was still feeling bad about the money she had to spend, but she didn't expect there would be a sequel.
"Grandma, I think it's time to give monthly allowances to our family. Otherwise, when my uncles go out, they won't be able to go out without money. This will make people look down on them."
When the three Xu Fugui brothers heard this, their eyes lit up.
Wang had no objection to this matter. Since her family came to the Northern Frontier, they had spent at least several dozen taels of silver to subsidize their eldest son. The children were all grown up, so it was inevitable that they would feel unhappy.
In the end, it was Xu Nian who decided the monthly salary. Old Xu and his wife received five taels of silver per month; the second and third wives received two taels of silver per month; Xu Weian received one tael of silver per month, which was increased to two taels after he got married; the three Xu Ji brothers received 500 wen per month; Xu Nian and Xu Ling also received 500 wen per month; as for the sixth child, he would receive his monthly salary after he turned seven.
Every time Xu Nian said something, Wang Shi calculated it in her mind. The monthly salary for everyone in the Guang family was nearly fifteen taels of silver.
Xu Nian heard Wang's mumbling and smiled, "Grandma, this money is only valuable when it is spent. If you don't spend it, who will sell my potted plants to?"
The Xu family's eyes lit up when they heard this, they were going to make money again.
"I plan to sell all the potted plants in my house before New Year's Day. Now is the time when families are preparing for holiday gifts. These potted plants will definitely be popular."
Wang suddenly felt relieved and said with a smile, "I am happy just looking at that bright red pot. I am sure someone will buy it."
Seeing how quickly Wang's expression changed, the Xu family members all laughed quietly.