A Lai bit a persimmon cake and sneered, "Third brother, you still want to bully Sister Zhiliao? I think you are tired of living."
Xu San slapped A Lai on the back in embarrassment and said, "What does a kid know?"
A Lai grinned, "That's right."
This girl sounded rather savage, and Xu Jiang was overjoyed. She then asked, "Is her name Zhiliao?"
"My full name is Wang Chan, and my nickname is Zhiliao." Xu San's face flushed when he mentioned his future wife's name.
Xu Jiang was a little worried. "But the marriage agreement should be written by the elders of the clan. Would it be inappropriate for me to write it?"
Xu San waved his hand and said, "My elders are all in my hometown, and they're all farmers. They can't read or count. Rural people don't get married like we do in the capital. They just hire a sedan chair to carry the bride in, have the ceremony, and invite relatives and friends for a feast. They don't understand or care about these things. But I think we're all in the capital now, and other people's weddings have these things, so I want her to have them too."
Under the smiling gazes of the others, Xu San scratched his head and continued, "I've asked Uncle Cao and Aunt Cao to help with everything else, but I still haven't found anyone to write the engagement letter. After much thought, I still think the boss is the most suitable. The boss has good handwriting, so the letter of engagement will definitely look good."
Since there were no concerns, Xu Jiang readily agreed. "Since Third Brother Xu doesn't mind, then give me the engagement letter. I'm sure you and Miss Achan will be satisfied."
"Well, I'll trouble you, Master." After saying that, Xu San blushed again and said softly, "I'm used to calling her Zhiliao on weekdays, but today I heard you call her Miss Ah Chan, and I think it sounds better."
A Lai immediately spat out a mouthful of tea and wailed, "Third brother, that's enough."
Xu Jiang and Cao Shu burst out laughing.
After seeing the three off, Xu Jiang set up a stall, displaying myths and legends, stories about demons and ghosts, and notes on local anecdotes and customs. Many people looked, but few bought. Xu Jiang remained unfazed, even bringing out some stools for people to sit and watch.
After a while, a lot of people gathered at the door.
Xu Jiang watched with a smile, thinking that it didn't matter whether she bought anything or not, as long as she could see the lively atmosphere.
"Hey, this is it!" A crisp voice came. Xu Jiang looked up and saw that it was the group of girls from the Double Ninth Festival, coming in groups again today.
"All's well, girls," she greeted with a smile.
"Hello, sister." The round-faced girl showed a pair of shallow dimples, and then pulled out a somewhat thin little girl from behind her.
The little girl looked at Xu Jiang timidly, gestured to her, and then lowered her head shyly.
Xu Jiang was stunned. The round-faced girl explained, "She can't speak."
So that's how it is. Xu Jiang smiled at her and asked the others, "What would you ladies like to choose today?"
"Let's take a look first."
"good."
Several girls gathered around the stall and chattered. Girls of this age are the most carefree and innocent. No matter how noisy they are, they don't bother people and are just cute.
"The book 'Female Master' that I bought last time was taken away by my mother. Fortunately, I finished reading it, otherwise I would have cried to death."
"That's because you didn't hide well. Remember to find a good place next time."
"Mine was also taken away, and I was scolded."
Listening to their conversation, Xu Jiang had a smile in her eyes but a sigh in her heart.
The girls made their choices and asked Xu Jiang to calculate the money.
"I'll give you the same price as last time." Xu Jiang counted the books they had chosen, did some calculations in her mind, and quickly gave a figure, "3,500 coins."
It was still the silver given by the round-faced girl. Xu Jiang accepted it, asked them to wait for a while, and then went to the store to get the remaining few portions of bean paste and ribs to give to them.
"It's just a small token of my appreciation, as a festival gift. I hope the girls don't mind it."
The round-faced girl nodded to the maid who followed her, and the maid stepped forward to take it. The thin little girl took a look at it, felt a little curious, and pulled the sleeve of the round-faced girl.
The round-faced girl handed her a copy. She couldn't wait to open the oil paper, and then her eyes widened in surprise.
"Hey, is this a bean curd bud? So cute."
"There are peach blossoms and magpies."
“And rabbits.”
After a while, several pieces of bean curd buds were opened. The girls thanked her one after another, and then each took a bag and left happily.
A man who was reading a book was envious of the bean curd buds, so he asked, "Madam, do you have any more of those bean curd buds?"
Xu Jiang shook his head, "No more."
"Forget it." The man stood up, put the book he was reading into his arms, and paid the money. "Come back next time."
Xu Jiang took the money and sent the man away with a smile.
There is a temple fair during the Lower Yuan Festival, and people worship the Water Official and Water God, praying to them to relieve the disasters on earth. As the temple fair and sacrifice were about to begin, the readers left one after another.
Xu Jiang had participated in various Lower Yuan Festival ceremonies, the most interesting of which were those held on the rivers and in the rural areas of the south—lively, mysterious, and solemn. She wondered how this Lower Yuan Festival in the capital would differ from the ones she had attended.
"Madam Xu, why are you still standing there? Let's go to the temple fair." Shopkeeper Wang was about to go to the street with his family.
Xu Jiang greeted the family and said, "You go first, I will follow."
The sacrifice was held on the inner riverside of Shoukangfang. There was no need to take a car or ride a horse to get there from Yonghefang. I guess there were many people going to the sacrifice today, so it would be inconvenient to go there by car or horse.
The stalls around were gradually removed. Xu Jiang also packed up her stall, changed into a plain skirt, tied her hair up high, and went to the inner river with a basket of offerings.
She was alone and walked quickly, so it didn't take long for her to catch up with Shopkeeper Wang and his family.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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