Along the way, Zhao Qing was overwhelmed with things to do and found it incredibly annoying, but she couldn't be too cold-faced.
He didn't even recognize many of the people who greeted him.
Upon arriving at the main entrance of Huicui Pavilion,
"Look, this is your third aunt's business. We've taken advantage of your third aunt today."
Once you're inside, whatever you want to eat, your third aunt will take care of it.
However, there's one principle: our own business must not be wasted, understand?
The children cheered immediately.
"Okay, okay, I understand. Third Aunt/Auntie is so amazing, this place looks so high-class."
Are all the things expensive? Maybe we shouldn't waste Auntie's money; the food at home is delicious too.
The kids are really honest. Despite their enthusiasm before, they became reluctant to spend money when it came to it.
Zhao Qingbei waved his hand.
“Your third aunt has already spoken to them. If you don’t go in to eat, wouldn’t that be a waste of your third aunt’s good intentions?”
"Come on, your uncle will show you around today."
Zhao Qingbei's magnanimous manner made it seem as if he were the one who should pay the bill.
Despite the children's loud shouts outside, they didn't act like country bumpkins when they actually went inside.
Those people seemed to have seen such luxurious places hundreds of times before.
But as soon as they entered the private room and the waiter left, the children immediately went wild.
"Uncle, this place is really beautiful."
Who designed all this? They're so talented! Uncle, is the food here good? Why is it all so expensive?
I just saw the price, and I was almost scared to death.
My dad's annual salary isn't even enough for two meals here.
"Oh dear, with my parents in office, our family is already living quite well. My mother is quite good at making money, but it's nothing compared to life in the capital."
It was Sanbao who spoke. In his heart, his father was the most capable.
His greatest goal has always been to become an honest official like his father.
Now, he wants to make more money and do a business as big as his third aunt's.
That way, his mother can buy whatever she wants.
In fact, his mother's annual income from her business was quite considerable.
I just didn't give the brothers much pocket money.
After all, there are more than just the two brothers in the family; there are also younger siblings.
Each of them is a money-devouring beast; raising them well and making them grow up requires a lot of money.
Putting everything else aside, just considering the amount of food consumed, the daily expenses are quite substantial.
Therefore, on this trip to Beijing, they stayed at their third grandfather's residence, and their father brought them three thousand taels of silver, saying it was for their living expenses.
Sanbao felt heartbroken at the time; three thousand taels was enough for an ordinary family to live on for a hundred years.
Now that we've arrived at Huicui Pavilion, this meal alone will cost at least 150 taels of silver, according to his rough calculation.
Suddenly, I felt that the three thousand taels he brought were nothing.
That was their living expenses.
How many months' worth will this last? Sanbao's little head feels a bit confused, very confused.
Kids will be kids. Just a moment ago they were calculating the accounts, but as soon as the waiter brought out the appetizers, Sanbao instantly forgot all his worries.
Actually, the pre-meal snacks weren't anything special; it was just a fruit salad for everyone.
Each person received a small bowl, served in a glass bowl.
The highlight wasn't the fruit salad itself, but the fruit in it.
Surprisingly, they had green grapes, cantaloupes, and watermelons. These fruits are clearly not what's in season.
Therefore, despite its small size, this bowl costs as much as 3 taels of silver.
Sanbao ate each bite with utmost care.
After all, every bite of fruit costs money.
Next came a variety of signature dishes, some of which they had eaten at home, and some of which they had never even seen before.
The children, even though they're at an age where they can eat a lot, still couldn't finish all the food.
In the end, they had it packed up and sent back to the Zhao residence.
They also told us not to throw it away, that they would go back and eat it again.
After dinner, we listened to a storyteller tell the children for a while.
However, today's content is not suitable for children.
It's a traditional story, *The Romance of the Western Chamber*. These days, telling a love story is considered a bit risqué.
However, after finishing the story, the storyteller also gave a special commentary.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is just a story. Please do not imitate it."
When choosing a wife, it's essential to know her background and be well-matched in terms of social status; never fall in love at first sight.
If you happen to encounter a kidnapper, or even a bad person...
Losing money is a small matter; losing your life is a big one.
The audience was marveling at the allure of love one second, only to be met with a cold shower the next, leaving them quite dissatisfied.
"If that's the case, why tell such stories? Why not just tell us how to prevent abduction and fraud?"
The storyteller closed his folding fan. "The story of preventing abduction and fraud can only be told tomorrow."
The audience was thus tricked into coming back tomorrow to hear the story and have a meal.
These days, kids mature early.
After listening, the children, especially Daya, shook their heads. "That young lady has some mental problems, or even some stupidity."
What if that young master is a wicked man and tricks her out of the manor to sell her to a human trafficker? Ah, that's terrifying.
Liu Jin nodded.
"Yes, my mother said that men also need to protect themselves. What if that young lady is setting a honey trap?"
The children's discussion amused the people listening to the story nearby.
The young man looked towards Zhao Qingbei's seat and saw a group of children discussing the story. Surprisingly, it seemed only children were immune to being misled by appearances.
But aren't the children in this family a little too smart?
Upon closer inspection, the one wearing the royal blue robe was none other than Zhao Qingyi.
Their family became famous after Zhao Qingyang became the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination.
In addition, Zhao Qingyang's wedding attracted a lot of attention.
Seeing Zhao Qingyi outside with a group of children, he developed the idea of befriending her.
"Young Master Zhao, I've heard so much about you..."
Zhao Qingbei chatted with the other person for a long time and said that they would discuss the article together in the future if there was an opportunity.
Da Bao asked, "Uncle, do you know who that person was just now?"
Zhao Qingbei shook her head.
"I don't know him. Lately, so many people are greeting me like this that I feel like I've become a heartthrob."
Why do so many people recognize me?
Zhao Qingbei's confused answer drew many eye rolls.
"Uncle, you're wrong. The person who greets you isn't asking for something now, but might ask for something in the future."
Based solely on my uncle's good looks, forgive my unfilial behavior, but I don't think my uncle has that much charm.
In terms of scholarship, my younger uncle is not as learned as my fifth uncle.
In terms of background, at most, his status as the stepson of a princess is somewhat reliable.
In terms of looks, one has to admit that my uncle is not bad-looking, but he is already taken.
Therefore, there's really nothing to gain from my uncle.
So, if someone has ulterior motives, they're definitely after relationships with other family members.
For example, Grandma Princess, Third Aunt's husband, and Fifth Aunt.
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