Although Zhang Xiu was satisfied with the price, she hesitated when she saw Lin Lan.
"Young master, this is no small sum..."
Before Zhang Xiu could finish speaking, Lin Lan frowned: "What? Do you think I can't afford this money?"
“That’s not what I meant,” Zhang Xiu hurriedly explained.
"Young master, you are still very young. If I were to sell this pearl to you, your master and mistress might think I have cheated you..."
Having said that, Lin Lan, being quick-witted, already understood.
"So you were afraid I couldn't make this decision..."
Zhang Xiu rubbed the corner of his clothes, but did not refute.
"Very well, then you may take your things and come home with me. Once I find someone you feel can make decisions for you, you'll be able to trust me, won't you?"
So Zhang Xiu and Wanwan got into Lin Lan's carriage and went to the Lin residence again.
The Lin family was indeed a prominent and influential family in this town.
Years ago, the Lin family ancestors went to Beijing to build a fortune. In their old age, they returned to their hometown, which is how the Lin family became so wealthy.
Upon entering the Lin residence, the two waited in a side hall while Lin Lan went to see Old Madam Lin.
After explaining their purpose, the old lady had someone invite Wanwan and Zhang Xiu into the house.
Passing under the covered walkway, through the central corridor, and past the main hall, one arrives at the main courtyard. Water lilies are grown in pots in the courtyard, along with many other delicately cared-for flowers and plants.
A maid in a pink jacket and green skirt stood on the steps. Upon seeing the two people, she led them into the house.
An elderly lady with silver hair was sitting in the main seat inside the room, drinking tea. When she saw the two of them, her gaze lingered on Zhang Xiu for a moment before turning to Wanwan.
"What a beautifully crafted doll..."
Upon seeing Baili Wanwan, Old Madam Lin couldn't help but exclaim in praise.
At this moment, Wanwan was holding Zhang Xiu's hand, looking around the ornately decorated house with some curiosity. Her face was as pink as a peach, with a faint smile on it. Although her eyebrows and eyes were still childish, one could tell that she would surely grow up to be as beautiful as a painting.
"Grandmother, I've found something I really like and I'm thinking of giving it to you as a congratulatory gift. Would that be alright?" Lin Lan quickly said upon seeing this.
Since Lin Lan had been spoiled since he was a child, Old Madam Lin readily agreed when she heard him say that.
So Lin Lan asked Zhang Xiu to bring out the pearls so that Old Madam Lin could see them.
Upon closer inspection, the old lady indeed found it quite interesting!
They immediately sent someone to fetch the silver and bought the pearls from Zhang Xiu.
When the maid placed the box containing one hundred taels of silver in Zhang Xiu's hands, its heavy weight did nothing to lessen her dreamlike sense of unreality.
"Thank you, Madam, thank you, young master..."
Fearing that people would think they were poor and ignorant of etiquette, Zhang Xiu quickly bowed and thanked them after accepting the money.
Wanwan, who was at the age where she was just beginning to learn manners, followed suit and replied, "Thank you, Grandma..."
The old lady felt a sweet warmth in her heart at the sound of the soft, sweet voice, and she grew even more fond of the little girl.
"Come here, Grandma will give you some fruit..." The old lady reached out and picked up a piece of jujube cake from the glass plate, beckoning to Wanwan.
Having remembered her previous experience, Wanwan was very interested in the unfamiliar food, but she stood still and didn't move.
She looked up at Zhang Xiu, as if asking for her opinion.
Zhang Xiu's heart softened even more, so he reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, saying softly, "Go..."
Wanwan then walked up to Old Madam Lin, took the jujube cake she offered, and politely thanked her.
Grandma Lin looked at Wanwan with a smile, feeling very pleased with her.
The Lin family has few descendants; in this generation, Lin Lan is their only son, and the whole family dotes on him.
If the Lin family had another little girl with such rosy lips and white teeth, they would definitely cherish her like a precious jewel...
Thinking of this, Old Madam Lin couldn't help but ask her, "My dear girl, what's your name? How old are you?"
Baili Wanwan took a bite of the jujube cake, and the sweet taste filled her entire taste buds. She squinted her eyes because she found it so delicious.
But upon hearing Old Madam Lin's words, she didn't forget to reply, "My name is Wanwan, and I'm three years old..."
"Wanwan, would you like to come to the Lin residence as a guest in a few days? I happen to be short of a servant boy."
"He Tong? What's that? Can you eat it?"
Baili's cheeks puffed out, like a little squirrel hoarding food.
Grandma Lin laughed heartily at her innocent words, and jokingly added, "Of course there will be delicious food! Only when you come will there be lots and lots of delicious food, and lots and lots of fun things to do..."
Baili Wanwan was too young to know what He Tong was, but Zhang Xiu, who was standing next to her, was quite surprised.
This is a long-standing local custom.
On the birthday of an elderly person, it is customary to find several clean, cute, and lovable children from good families to act as birthday children. This is believed to bring good fortune, prolong life, and symbolize that the elderly person can regain their youth and become even healthier.
Ordinary people don't usually follow these rules; only wealthy families adhere to them. Moreover, there are many rules involved, which are beyond the reach of poor families like theirs.
Now that Old Madam Lin has specifically asked Wanwan to go, it seems Wanwan is a blessed person.
Just as Zhang Xiu was lost in thought, Wanwan had already turned her questioning gaze to her.
Children are easily satisfied when they hear that there are delicious foods or fun toys.
Seeing the expectant look on Baili Wanwan's face, Zhang Xiu knew that she really wanted to agree.
She also wanted Wanwan to broaden her horizons, so she smiled at her and said, "This is a good thing, why don't you quickly thank the old lady..."
Baili Wanwan nodded in confusion, then obediently thanked Old Madam Lin.
Grandma Lin was very happy, holding her chubby little hand with eyes full of affection.
Thanks to Wanwan's kindness, Zhang Xiu enjoyed a cup of fine tea at the Lin residence. Before leaving, Old Madam Lin packed a lot of food for her in a food box.
The two of them returned home with bags and packages.
Baili Wanwan very proactively shared the snacks she received with Wan Yuekui and Wan Yuechi.
While cooking, Zhang Xiu told Wan Suizhou about how Old Madam Lin had specifically requested Wanwan to be the congratulatory child.
When Wan Suizhou was an official in the capital, he had attended banquets at the homes of his colleagues and knew that only children with good looks and luck could be chosen as He Tong.
So when he heard this, he nodded and said, "This is a blessing for Taiwan..."
Zhang Xiu knew that these words meant that Wan Suizhou also agreed with her approach.
“But the Lin family is a scholarly family, and scholars have many rules. If we go rashly like this, we might make ourselves a laughing stock…” Wan Suizhou
After thinking it over, he decided to teach Wanwan some manners.
Although it was tedious and boring, fortunately, Baili Wanwan was very intelligent, and Wan Suizhou only had to teach her once before she could basically remember everything.
By the time the steam from the kitchen drifted outside, Wan Kongshan had arrived home in the late afternoon.
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