Chapter 14 Scolding Dad
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the intersection of Zhuangyuan Street, and Yun Wan and Asui got off.
The people of Da Qi were open-minded and lived and worked in peace and contentment. The capital was prosperous, densely populated and well-stocked. Women could go out on the streets just like men, and they did not need to wear a veil.
Yun Wan chose a famous study room to go into.
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up when he saw her wearing brocade clothes, a pearl hairpin on her head, and servants following behind her. He knew she was a member of a wealthy family, so he immediately greeted her warmly:
"What would the Madam and the Young Master like to buy?"
Yun Wan glanced down at Asui and said, "My son will be starting elementary school soon, and I'd like to pick out some suitable pens and ink."
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Madam, you have finally come to the right place. Our calligraphy is second to none in Kyoto!"
"You and the young master, come with me. Take your pick. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
He made a 'please' gesture and led the way.
When you come to the inner hall, you will see a wide variety of reading supplies arranged in different categories on the shelves, including pens, inks, paper, inkstones, pen washers and ink boxes...a dazzling array of things.
Yun Wan let go of Asui's hand and said softly, "Asui, choose what you like."
There weren't many people in the shop at this time of day, and Asui wandered around for a quarter of an hour before he finished choosing.
Yun Wan was surprised when she saw it, because Asui only picked up the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and nothing else.
"Is that all you need? You don't want to be picky about the pencil case and book bag?"
Ah Sui shook his head, and the headband swayed with it. "Mother has done a great job. I don't want to use anything else. These are enough."
Yun Wan nodded and did not force it. She knew that Asui was a very thoughtful child. If he said he didn't need it, it meant he didn't like it.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Then let's pick out a bookcase to store your books and important things. My mother doesn't know how to make this."
Asui thought it made sense, so he ran to the place where book boxes were sold, and finally picked out a small square ebony book box with a sea pattern carved into it.
In her spare time, Yun Wan added a few more items and put them on the paper tray.
Just as I was about to pay, I felt a tug on my cuff.
Asui pulled Yunwan's sleeve and said, "Mother, I want to buy some books."
Yun Wan glanced around but didn't see any bookshelves. Then, remembering that the shop was called "Shu Zhai," she asked, "Boss, are there any books here?"
"Uh." The shopkeeper hesitated and said, "Yes, it's on the second floor, go up on the left side, please feel free to go."
"But you two should keep down the noise. There are book lovers reading in the compartment who like quiet." He reminded.
Yun Wan nodded, "We'll come down after we pick out the books."
As soon as I stepped onto the second floor, the surroundings suddenly became much quieter.
There weren't many customers buying books, only a few here and there, plus the waiter who was cleaning and tidying up, there were no more than seven or eight people in total.
Seeing someone coming up, they all looked over, but quickly looked away and continued what they were doing.
I don’t know if it’s Yun Wan’s illusion, but I always feel that these people don’t look like scholars at all.
Not only did he look rough, but it seemed like one of them was holding the book upside down.
But these have nothing to do with them, maybe it’s just their reading habit.
Shoes inevitably made a slight noise as they stepped on the wooden boards. Yun Wan turned around and found a round stool by the window on the inside to sit down, letting Asui pick out the book he wanted.
As soon as he went up to the second floor, Asui's eyes lit up. Seeing the bookshelves on the floor, he was like a fish entering the sea. He kicked off with his short legs to find the books he wanted to read.
Yun Wan was not worried. Although Asui was only four years old, he knew quite a few words, perhaps even more than a six or seven-year-old child. She could probably guess what book Asui wanted to buy.
Sure enough, a moment later Asui came over slowly holding a few books.
The weight of several books was too much for him, and his handsome little face turned red with fatigue.
"Mother, I've chosen!"
Yun Wan reached out to help him pick up a few books. When he looked down, he saw that they were indeed the Four Books, and they were all annotated versions by Xu Daxueshi.
It can be seen how much Asui likes Xu Daxueshi.
"Huh?"
Asui turned to the second page of the book and let out a surprised cry.
Yun Wan was puzzled: "What's wrong?"
Ah Sui pulled out a bamboo plaque with a price engraved on it and said, "Mother, this book is so expensive! One copy costs one tael of silver!"
He whispered with his lips half covered, his eyes wide and his expression unable to hide his shock.
Yun Wan also thought it was expensive, but "Xu Daxueshi's annotated edition is naturally more expensive."
After all, he was a famous Confucian scholar of the time, full of knowledge, who had served in three dynasties and served as the emperor's teacher many times. Now he had many students under his wing, and he had unique insights into books such as the Four Books and the Five Classics. Reading them was very beneficial, and he was therefore sought after by countless students.
It's understandable that it's sold at a higher price.
But Asui, who had learned from his mother at a young age that money is hard-earned, did not understand.
He frowned and said in a condescending manner, "But this is too expensive. A regular one is only a hundred coins, but here it's several times more!"
After saying that, he shook his head in disappointment and whispered to Yun Wan, "Mother, let's not come to this store anymore."
"Why?"
Ah Sui's expression was complicated: "Because the owner of this store seems to be a profiteer..."
Yun Wan couldn't help but burst out laughing, pinched his cheek and asked, "Do you know what a profiteer is?"
"That's it." Asui put his hands on his hips and pointed at the price tag on the bamboo sign with a heroic look on his face.
He was filled with righteous indignation and said, "If Xu Xueshi knew that someone was profiting from the manuscript he annotated, he would definitely be furious!"
Yun Wan laughed: "I don't know if Xu Xueshi would be angry if he knew, but I am sure that if the store owner knew what you said, he would be furious. So you can't say this casually, especially since we are still on their territory. It would be bad if the store owner heard it, okay?"
Ah Sui nodded quickly and said softly, "I'm only telling this to Ah Niang."
"When I become an official appointed by the imperial court, I will definitely crack down on this kind of behavior, so that the people in the area under my jurisdiction can afford to read and buy books!"
Yun Wan nodded: "Okay! Our Ah Sui has great ambitions, and Ah Niang believes in you."
"It's getting late, let's go downstairs."
Asui was greatly encouraged and went downstairs with the book to pay the bill.
A hidden tea room separated by a door.
The room was filled with the aroma of tea and was warm and cozy, but the person serving on the side felt as if he was in the cold winter and was trembling with fear.
Wow——
A page turned, breaking the quiet air.
"Jiang Fusheng, do I look like a profiteer?"
Emperor Jingxuan was leaning against the couch, his legs casually crossed, his wide robe with large sleeves hanging to the ground, his posture showing laziness and his tone leisurely.
Jiang Fusheng, who was named, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said with a forced smile: "Your Majesty, children's words are not to be feared, children's words are not to be feared."
This young master of the Lu family is truly a living ancestor. Yesterday he attempted an assassination, and today he called His Majesty a profiteer. Although outsiders do not know that the owner behind this study is His Majesty, it can be said that ignorance is not a crime.
but--
How come His Majesty happened to hear it?
Originally, His Majesty had just decided to go out of the palace for a stroll on a whim, but then he felt bored and settled down in the study. He didn't expect to hear such words from a child.
Emperor Jingxuan curled his lips: "Huh."
How could a young boy who was still wet behind the ears be so arrogant and become an official appointed by the court? Not to mention whether he could successfully take the imperial examination, it was not certain whether he could pass the high school entrance examination organized by the Hongwenguan in March.
Don’t run home crying when you fail the exam.
Emperor Jingxuan sneered.
He closed the book with a snap, stood up and left.
Seeing their master coming out, seven or eight disguised guards put back the books in their hands, threw down the tablecloths, and followed one after another.
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