Wu Qingchuang and Dan Si said goodbye to Xu Jiang and the others, and then went to the government office. The three thousand taels belonged to their good friend, so they decided to go and help.
"What a delight! What a delight!" Zeng Zhui returned to the carriage contentedly, intending to return to Yuan's residence with Yuan Zuzhi and Hu Xu. He thought that they would have to drink and chat today, and would certainly be nagged by Du Hui.
Yuan Zuzhi invited her, "Madam Xu, why don't you come to my house for a drink? Yanyan often tells me that she hasn't seen you for a long time and misses you very much."
Xu Jiang said with a smile: "I am busy at the market, so I won't go today. Please tell Yanyan that I will come to visit her another day."
Yuan Zuzhi glanced upstairs but didn't see Lou Yunchun. Guessing that the two had more to say, he didn't force them and drove away with Zeng Zhui and Hu Xu.
Xu Jiang didn't have to wait long before Lou Yunchun came out of the restaurant, followed by a man with a deep hatred and deep resentment.
"Goodbye, Lord Lou."
"Um."
When Lou Yunchun turned around, the man immediately bared his teeth at him. Xu Jiang couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw this.
Lou Yunchun turned around and saw that the restaurant owner was still smiling and looking respectful, which made him very confused.
Turning around to look at Xu Jiang, he saw her smiling and shaking her head, then she got on the donkey's back and walked forward pulling the reins.
Lou Yunchun and the other servants brought the horses, bowed and said goodbye to the restaurant owner, then mounted the horses and reined in to chase after the donkey, following the donkey's hoof prints.
After Lou Yunchun walked away, the restaurant owner's face turned green. He spat several times, then intercepted the basin of water brought by the waiter for washing the tables and chairs and splashed it out the door.
"Bad luck!" Then he said to the shopkeeper who was calculating the losses, "Put him on my blacklist and don't let him serve you anymore!"
The shopkeeper tossed the heavy purse in his hand and said, "But he gave a lot of silver."
The restaurant owner was stunned and snorted, "Then don't tell me when he comes to visit next time."
Then he took the purse, put it in his arms, and went upstairs.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Xu Jiang did not return to the bookstore. Since she had come to Shoukangfang, she naturally had to visit the Cao family and take a look at how the two couches were doing.
She walked slowly, and soon she heard the sound of horse hooves behind her. She pursed her lips, knowing who was coming without thinking, but she deliberately did not look back, which made people anxious.
Lou Yunchun rode his horse after him and called out softly, "A Jiang, wait for me."
Xu Jiang pulled the reins, turned around with a smile, and asked, "Don't you need to go to the government office to keep an eye on it?"
"No need." Although Magistrate Luo was lazy, he was a smart man with a keen eye for detail. He had a clear sense of what to do. Moreover, with so many people watching, and the people from the bookstore checking him, he couldn't, and didn't dare, show favoritism.
Seeing that Xu Jiang was not heading towards the bookstore, Lou Yunchun asked, "Where are you going?"
"Let's go to Cao's house and see if the custom-made low couch is ready." Xu Jiang immediately invited, "Would you like to come with us?"
Lou Yunchun nodded, "Yes."
Xu Jiang narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Let's go."
The two men turned into the alley, and the stubborn donkey, knowing the way, stomped its way towards Cao's house. People might be satisfied by watching the excitement, but it couldn't. Just now, it had been about to reach the basket of leaves, but someone had smashed it. Now, it was so hungry that its intestines had become thin.
The two of them quickly arrived at Cao's house. After landing, Xu Jiang shouted twice into the yard. After a while, Aunt Cao and Zhuang came out to greet them.
"Oh, what a rare guest! It's been a while since the master has been here." Aunt Cao happily stepped out of the courtyard. When she saw a young man coming with Xu Jiang, she quickly straightened her clothes, restrained her behavior, and asked with a smile, "Who is this?"
Zhuang couldn't help but look at it curiously.
Xu Jiang introduced them, "This is Lou Yunchun." Then she introduced them to Lou Yunchun, "This is Aunt Cao, and this is Mrs. Zhuang."
Lou Yunchun bowed to the two of them and said, "Sorry to bother you."
Just stating your name without revealing your identity is the same as revealing your identity.
Aunt Cao and Mrs. Zhuang understood, and then stepped forward to take the horses and donkeys from the two people and led them to the stable to give them water and feed.
Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang waited in front of the door, and only went in together after the two men came over.
Aunt Cao and Zhuang both secretly looked at Lou Yunchun. Although he was serious, he always took care of Xu Jiang in his actions. They both felt good about him and their smiles became more friendly.
Upon entering the courtyard, Xu Jiang was immediately struck by the scent of tung oil. She peered inside and saw Cao Shu and Xu San applying tung oil to wood. Seeing them enter, they looked up, greeted them, and then lowered themselves to resume their work.
Seeing that Lou Yunchun looked unfamiliar, Xu San couldn't help but look at her a few more times. After Xu Jiang introduced the two to each other, they had nothing more to say.
Aunt Cao and Zhuang went to prepare tea and food, and asked Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun to watch over it first and call them later when it was ready.
Xu Jiang walked closer and saw that Uncle Cao and Xu San were buying the two couches she had customized. She took a quick look and her eyes were involuntarily attracted by the Tai Chi-shaped couch.
The low couch reaches only calf height, divided into two poles, yin and yang, with four legs at each pole, allowing for sitting separately or together. The couch's surface is seamlessly fitted, smooth and delicate, with a water pattern carved in relief two inches from the edge. The legs are curved and graceful, with cloud-like, thin relief patterns carved in relief. The overall design is simple, rustic, and light and flowing.
Uncle Cao said, "This is the last coat of tung oil. Wait until the oil dries and then grind off the thorns. Then you're done."
It is painted with cooked tung oil, which has a dark color, dries easily, and is moisture-proof and insect-proof.
Xu Jiang noticed the wood's color had changed and asked, "Has this wood been smoked?"
Xu San was surprised and said, "Boss, you have a good eye. It has indeed been smoked."
Fumigation repels insects and also removes moisture, making the wood more durable.
Xu Jiang thanked them both and said, "Thank you for your trouble."
Uncle Cao smiled and said, "As you should." He pointed to the wooden couch inside and said, "The tung oil on this couch has dried and it has been polished. Would you like to try it, boss?"
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