Chapter 260: Lantern Festival (Part 1)
Lu Qiniang wrote her name crookedly on the deed.
After completing the formalities, Xiao Yan smiled and handed the deed with the government office's big red seal to Lu Qiniang.
Lu Qiniang carefully folded it up and put it in her arms, saying, "Where should I put it when I get home? I have to put it under my pillow to sleep at night to feel at ease!"
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "This thing is kept by the government. If you lose it, you can come and replace it. Although the procedures are complicated, it can be replaced."
"That would be such a hassle! Let's just keep it to ourselves and not cause any trouble to others."
"Um."
"Abandoned mother."
"Um?"
"I will give you a grand wedding." Xiao Yan said solemnly.
They saw someone getting married at the dock, and Lu Qinniang kept watching with a silly smile.
Xiao Yan thought, she must be envious.
She was married twice, but was never treated like a bride.
Some people say that the happiest day is the day you get married, and all that comes after that is hard work.
But his abandoned mother worked hard all the time, and there was no happiness that day.
Xiao Yan didn't want Lu Qiniang to have any regrets in her life.
Lu Qiniang blushed instantly when she heard this, "Daya is getting married soon, why would I do something so embarrassing?"
After she said this, she was stunned.
Her first reaction was shyness, rather than not wanting to marry Xiao Yan?
God, when did she start to think of herself as Xiao Yan’s real wife?
What’s going on?
Isn’t it agreed that “wealth and honor cannot lead to debauchery”?
She read this book like a pig.
She and Xiao Yan have already started to "be lustful".
Xiao Yan pretended not to notice her expression and said, "Let the kids and Yun Ting come over to look at the shop. Let's see how to put things in order."
"Okay, okay." Lu Qiniang said in a panic.
Xiao Yan lowered his eyes.
Some things, although the process is tortuous, are also rare and beautiful memories in the future.
The most excited one was Erya.
Especially when I heard that this shop would set aside a piece of land for her to use.
"Dad, Mom, here, here, I want to mark off this area." Erya gestured, "Open a door here to separate me from you. Also, I want a second floor, and I want to build my own stairs to go up there. This way, the women can drink tea and enjoy the canal scenery alone on the second floor. I'm going to ask about the price of Ming tiles. I want to exchange for a few pieces..."
If the price allows, she also wants to replace the windows with wood-shell windows, which have a hazy beauty and allow her to see outside without worrying about being seen by people outside.
The first floor receives ordinary customers, and the second floor receives distinguished guests, so they must be well decorated.
Erya has already started to dream sweet dreams impatiently.
"Why are you so fussy? Shouldn't we do it step by step? I'll first give you a place, and when you make money, you can clean it up yourself." Lu Qiniang said, "We haven't collected your rent yet! You'll have to pay the rent when you make money."
After all, there are three daughters, so they have to be treated equally.
Otherwise, what would Daya and Sanya think?
"No problem." Erya agreed readily, "I'll clean it up after I make some money."
The rent she pays is for her own family, so she is willing to do so and doesn't feel bad about it.
Daya helped plan the location of the kitchen and counter, and also fully considered the convenience of moving things in and out. She suggested spending some money to repair the side near the canal to facilitate docking of ships.
In this way, many people can buy things and put them directly on the ship without having to carry them.
They also bought a small boat and hired two people to row the boat to deliver goods to the big ship.
Xiao Yan wrote them down one by one.
However, we won’t be able to find someone to work until after the Lantern Festival, so it’s estimated that the shop won’t be officially opened until February.
However, the canal has not thawed yet, so there is still time.
Finally, the Lantern Festival arrived.
The lights on Zhuque Street are like overturned stars, winding along the bluestone road.
Erya called the whole family out early in the morning.
——Business is booming, so you should set up your stall early.
Unfortunately, their shop is at the dock, which is a bit remote, so we won’t use it this time.
You have to go to the most crowded place to get a good seat.
But even so, Arya didn't get the position she wanted most.
After asking around, I found out that the person had taken the place two days ago.
Erya suddenly felt a little depressed.
"We sell rouge and powder, so there's no point in occupying the food stall here." Yun Ting comforted Erya.
"But places that sell food have the most people." Erya said, "Forget it, forget it, just make do with it."
Daya said, "I think we should change positions."
"Where to change?"
"Bridgeside and city gate." Daya said.
"Bridgeside and city gate? That's so remote!" Erya was not very happy.
"Although it's out of the way, there are a lot of women there." Daya laughed, "Have you forgotten what to do during the Lantern Festival?"
Erya slapped her head and said happily, "Big sister is still smart."
In addition to viewing lanterns, there are other activities during the Lantern Festival, such as walking away diseases and touching door nails.
Many young women would walk across the bridge in groups to pray for all diseases to go away, so the bridge is a must-go place.
Touching the door nails refers to women who want to have children. They wear white silk clothes, go in groups, hold incense and touch the door nails to pray for children.
"Then let's go to the bridge." Erya said, "Most married women are reluctant to spend money on themselves."
For example, it is very difficult for anyone to earn a penny from my mother.
Daya said, "I think we can separate them. Dad and Mom can go to the city gate to set up a stall, and we'll stay here. Dad and Mom can put more combs, wooden hairpins, and bath beans, which are practical things, and less rouge and powder."
Xiao Yan looked at her approvingly.
It has to be Daya.
"That makes sense. If we sell them separately, we will definitely sell more." Erya made a quick decision and decided to divide the stall into two.
So, Lu Qiniang and Xiao Yan went to the city gate to set up a stall, while the three Daya sisters and Yun Ting set up a stall by the bridge.
"Don't look so sullen, be cheerful." Erya instructed Yunting, "Be sweet-mouthed too. We're here to make money, not to be shabby."
"Okay, don't worry."
Suddenly there was a cheer from the front.
A few people looked in the direction of the sound and saw a Nuo dancer wearing a bronze mask with an animal head leaping across the street to the beat of the drum. His wide sleeves fluttered like dark clouds pressing down on the city, and the fangs outlined in cinnabar on the mask flickered in the firelight.
The Huxuan dancer wore a butterfly-shaped face veil decorated with gold foil, revealing only a pair of affectionate eyes. When her skirt swirled open, it was like a sandstorm from the Western Regions carrying a strange fragrance, attracting young men to throw flowers after her.
"It's really beautiful!" Erya said, holding her chin up. Suddenly she remembered something and said to Yun Ting, "If you're afraid of being embarrassed if you meet old acquaintances, I'll buy you a mask."
Wearing masks is popular during the Lantern Festival.
The poor used bamboo paper to paper the masks, while the nobles used various gold, silver, enamel and gem inlays. In short, they all joined in the fun.
"No need." Yun Ting said, "While there are so many people here, hurry up and shout. Business is more important."
His face is worthless.
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