Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Surprised or not? Unexpected or not? ...
The next day was the day to inspect the shop.
Xiaoman got up early, spread all her good clothes on the bed, and tried them on one by one.
Jinxiu was giving her advice. The ice blue made her skin look darker, which was not good. The navy blue was too staid, which was not good. The dark green was a bit dull, which was not good. The orange-pink looked good, but it didn't match her makeup...
The master and servant were so busy that they were sweating profusely. After a while, their eyes became blurry and they could not see anything.
I finally chose an outfit, but my makeup was ruined.
You have to wash up again.
This time even the maids came to help, fetching water, carrying basins, and holding towels for rouge, they were busy inside and outside the house!
Mother Fang saw this scene as she walked in.
While it was funny, I couldn't help but sigh. The third girl never cared about flowers or powder. Unless her wife forced her to dress up, she would always go out with a plain face.
This is the first time I’ve put so much effort into dressing something up.
Xiaoman put on the pearl earrings, looked around in the mirror, and smiled, "I look so pretty!"
Mother Fang burst out laughing. "Yes, yes, my dear girl, let's go. It's already three quarters past nine."
It’s so late!
Xiaoman immediately jumped up from the chair and hurried out.
Fang's mother was so panicked that she shouted again, "Slow down, slow down, oh, be careful not to fall!"
I rushed all the way and at least I wasn't late.
It was the rainy season, humid and hot, but Chen Ling'an still dressed meticulously, even buttoning his collar neatly.
"You don't mind the heat." Xiaoman waved a round fan, "You still need to wear light and breathable clothes in summer."
As she spoke, she deliberately turned around in front of him.
The dress with peach pink gradient to beige background and floral patterns unfolded like a blooming magnolia.
She was tall, with a slender and strong waist. She did not wear too many hairpins or rings on her head. She only used pearl ribbons to tie up her double spiral bun. The fluttering ribbons made her look even more light and lively, and very beautiful.
It immediately attracted several glances.
Chen Lingan seemed not to notice her outfit and turned away. "I only have half a day, you'd better hurry up."
Xiaoman wrinkled her nose. "Such a decent person is actually blind!"
She actually spoke to Chen Ling'an like that! Mother Fang was secretly surprised, but she was even more curious about Chen Ling'an's reaction.
"I'm not deaf." Chen Ling'an walked forward slowly, without any anger of being offended.
Xiaoman chased after him and said, "Look at this! I carefully selected each piece. I spent half an hour getting dressed! Doesn't it look good?"
"good."
"What do you mean okay?"
"fine."
"Then where do you think is good?"
"Everything is fine."
"Perfunctory! Take a good look at it."
One kept asking questions in a chattering manner, while the other seemed very impatient, but none of her words went in vain.
Mother Fang let out a sigh of relief, and her heart settled down temporarily.
Just as Chen Ling'an said, the three shops were located in a good location and had large storefronts. They were made of high-quality bricks, tiles and wood, and were cleverly decorated. It was obvious that the original owner had put a lot of thought into them.
Even though the seal on the upper part of the door panel was rattling non-stop, there was still a lot of traffic in front of the door.
Mother Fang was very satisfied and quietly invited Chen Ling'an aside. "Let's sign the deed today. Our wife said that the shop will be placed under the name of the third young lady. Don't let her know for now."
Chen Ling'an seemed a little surprised, "Mrs. Jiang really loves her."
"Yeah, it's almost the same as my own daughter."
"These three shops are not a small sum. Would Mr. Zhang agree to this? From what I know, he doesn't like his daughter very much."
"No..." Mother Fang was about to say that she disagreed but she had no choice, but the words stopped at her lips.
In today's society, a daughter who is not loved by her father will not be valued by outsiders.
She didn't want the third girl to be looked down upon, especially by Chen Ling'an.
Yin smiled and said, "No, the master likes the third girl very much. There are many children in the family, and if we give this one and not that one, there will inevitably be disputes. It's better to keep it a secret for everyone."
"real?"
"Since your Excellency said so, why would I lie to you?"
Chen Ling'an nodded and looked thoughtfully at Xiaoman who was jumping for joy not far away.
Perhaps noticing his gaze, Xiaoman ran over with a grin, "Be a good person to the end, and send the Buddha to the west. If you have any way to make money, please introduce it to us!"
Chen Ling'an curled his lips. "There are 306 articles in this dynasty's criminal code, and each one contains a way to get rich quickly. You can learn from them."
Xiaoman's cheeks puffed up again.
Chen Ling'an resisted the urge to pinch her cheek. "In ten days, a ship will dock at Liujiagang, Suzhou, loaded with new gadgets from the West. If you have some spare cash, you could give it a try."
Xiaoman's eyes lit up. "I know, I know. Mr. Lin Ting has a Western chiming clock at home. Every half hour, a little wooden man comes out and beats a drum to tell the time. It's so fun!"
This surprised Fang's mother.
A cuckoo clock is very valuable, and even a wealthy wife can only have one.
How could a poor scholar from a remote village possess such an expensive thing?
She looked at Xiaoman suspiciously and said carefully, "Imported goods are good, but they're expensive. How many people can afford them? If they can't sell them, they'll be a waste."
Xiaoman smiled and said, "Buying directly from the port, without going through brokers, is much cheaper than other places. Besides, Master Chen wouldn't introduce us to a business that doesn't make money."
After putting on the compliment, Chen Ling'an snorted softly, without denying Xiaoman's words.
Mother Fang didn't dare to make a decision, and said with a smile that she would ask the wife for instructions.
This is the truth, and Chen Ling'an has no objection.
Once the formalities were handed over, since it was Chen Ling'an who made the connection, the treasurer who was responsible for selling the shop gave him the change of more than one hundred taels.
Mother Fang stuffed a hundred taels of silver into the man's hand and said, "It's so hot, sir. Please accompany us for half a day. Bring us some wine to cool down."
"I have to thank you for your help in turning the dead debt into living money!" Ku Zang Cheng said a few polite words and left with satisfaction.
Mother Fang handed Chen Ling'an the document for a 20% stake. "We know you're not short of money, so consider this as a way to reassure us. With your stake in this shop, no one else dares to take advantage of it."
Does anyone want to take over the shop?
Chen Ling'an raised his eyebrows slightly, didn't ask any more questions, and didn't refuse.
It was time to go back. Xiaoman secretly looked at Chen Ling'an and then at Fang's mother.
How could Fang's mother not know what she meant? After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Don't stay too late. Be sure to come back for lunch."
Xiaoman immediately smiled happily.
The sunlight flowed among the forest of shop signs, and Xiaoman and Chen Lingan walked slowly among the crowd.
Xiaoman suddenly stopped, and Chen Lingan followed her gaze and saw that it was someone selling sweet osmanthus taro sprouts.
"Do you want to eat?" Xiaoman asked.
Chen Lingan shook his head.
"Shopkeeper, give me a bowl, with more osmanthus sauce."
After finishing the meal with satisfaction, Xiaoman walked a few steps and came back excitedly with a box of dragon beard pastries, which were white, yellow, green and pink and looked very beautiful.
"Try it?" Xiaoman picked up a pink piece and handed it to Chen Lingan's mouth.
Chen Lingan turned his head away from her hand and shook his head, "I don't like sweet things."
"I remember you used to love snacks. Your appearance hasn't changed much, but your taste has changed a lot." Xiaoman took a bite of the dragon beard pastry and squinted her eyes happily. "The ones at the roadside stalls are still the best."
Chen Lingan reminded her, "Eating too much sugar is bad for your teeth. If you have a toothache, no one can help you."
Xiaoman suddenly laughed, "That sounds so familiar."
That summer, peddlers walking around the streets brought a box of treacle, which was translucent and golden yellow. Under the sun, it looked like a flowing golden wheat field.
Two small wooden sticks stir a small ball of syrup. The more you stir it, the whiter the syrup becomes. When it turns into an opaque milky white color, it is ready to eat.
It was the first time she saw it and she thought it was very new, so she pestered the old lady to buy a big bowl.
The little person was sitting on the steps, with his little feet raised, stirring and eating, playing while eating. He was having a great time when he suddenly heard Chen Lingan say this.
She didn't listen, and when she woke up the next day, her teeth started to hurt.
She felt sore, numb, and even biting tofu would give her brain cramps.
She hadn't eaten for several days and had become thin from hunger.
Xiaoman rubbed her cheeks and put another piece of dragon beard pastry into her mouth.
Chen Lingan glanced at her and said, "You only remember to eat, not to be beaten."
Xiaoman laughed heartlessly.
A woman holding a child walked past them quickly, and in her haste, a small pearl flower fell.
"Your things fell!" Xiaoman shouted at her.
The woman didn't look back.
Xiaoman hurriedly picked up the pearl flower and chased after him, "You dropped your things."
"It's not mine." The woman lowered her head, her eyes evasive.
"I saw it fall from you with my own eyes."
"Oh, oh...it's mine." The woman took a closer look, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she struggled to free up one hand to take it.
Xiaoman pulled her hand back and asked, "Who are you to this child?"
The woman was startled and said, "This is my daughter."
"No! You're wearing cotton and linen, but this child is dressed in silk and satin. This flower, inlaid with pearls and jewels, is a palace style, and absolutely not something an ordinary person can afford."
"And this child..."
Memories that had been deliberately buried surged out: endless verbal abuse, threats, beatings, and companions who gradually became cold and stiff...
Xiaoman's hands were shaking violently, and her chest felt like a huge rock was pressing on it. She couldn't breathe or make a sound.
A hand gently rested on her shoulder and then left.
Xiaoman shuddered and came back to his senses from the nightmare.
Chen Ling'an took a barely perceptible breath, and his slightly furrowed brows relaxed. When he looked at the woman again, his eyes were filled with undisguised murderous intent.
He blocked the woman's way and said, "The child is sleeping soundly. Even such a loud noise can't wake her up. Did you give her medicine?"
"Nonsense, who are you..." The woman became more and more panicked. Suddenly, she threw the child aside and ran away.
Chen Ling'an reacted extremely quickly. He fell down and reached out to grab the child. Almost at the same time as he fell to the ground, the sleeve arrow flew out from his left hand and hit the woman's knee with a puff.
The screams attracted the patrolling yamen runners, who came over and asked what was going on.
Chen Ling'an turned around and glanced at those people.
"Master Chen!" The leader hurried forward and saluted. "You came here without saying a word, Master. Our Master got two jars of Fenjiu and hid them away, not even letting you smell them. We're waiting for you, Master!"
Chen Ling'an nodded slightly. "Please tell your master that I will come to bother you another day. This is a kidnapper. Take him back and interrogate him thoroughly."
The bailiff nodded and agreed, perhaps sensing that Chen Ling'an was in a bad mood at the moment, so he picked up his crutches and left in a flash, forgetting to take the kidnapped child with him.
The little baby looked about one or two years old, fair and round. He raised his arms and clenched his fists, sleeping soundly in Chen Ling'an's arms.
Chen Ling'an's brows furrowed again.
Xiaoman suddenly smiled: "Your posture of holding the child is quite standard."
Chen Ling'an glanced at her and walked back silently.
"Where are you going?"
"Yamen, do you think I should take the child home with me?"
His tone was not very good, but Xiaoman smiled and didn't care. She followed him closely, chattering non-stop.
"Where are those officers from? Are you familiar with them?"
"I'm from the Jiangning County Government. County Magistrate Zheng and I have some friendship, and your shop is on his territory."
Chen Ling'an glanced at her and didn't say anything. Xiaoman pursed her lips and smiled secretly. Chen Ling'an mumbled something indistinctly, but couldn't help but smile slightly.
There was a commotion on the street. Someone shouted "Over there!" and a group of people came rushing over, surrounding a lady in gorgeous clothes.
Chen Lingan subconsciously hugged the child and dodged.
"Give me back my child!" the lady cried heart-wrenchingly. Without asking a single question, the followers rushed forward with their weapons, ready to beat Chen Ling'an to death.
Xiaoman was so anxious that he shouted, "Stop! You've got it wrong. We are not kidnappers. We saved this child!"
"Would a kidnapper carve 'kidnapper' on his face?" the steward shouted. "Someone saw a woman carrying off my daughter. I think you're..."
He suddenly stopped talking, with a strange expression on his face, "Chen, Chen..."
"Chen Ling'an!" The noblewoman recognized the man before her, but she became even more agitated and angry. "Why did you steal my daughter? Are you trying to get revenge on my husband? He just scolded you a few times, and you're trying to destroy our family!"
Xiaoman's head buzzed, her heart began to beat rapidly, and she felt all the blood in her body rushing up, tears welling up in her eyes.
She suppressed her dizziness and shouted, "You misunderstood. We didn't steal your daughter. The kidnapper was caught by Chen Ling'an. If you don't believe me, ask the patrolling yamen runners!"
Someone interrupted, "Yamen runners? Everyone knows that Chen Ling'an's methods are cruel, so how dare they tell the truth?"
The noblewoman looked at her daughter, who was so close yet unable to be held in her arms, and could no longer control her emotions. "How could you kill such a young child? Are you still human? I, I will fight you!"
For a time, the crowd was outraged and cursed non-stop. Many people with strong and upright personalities raised sticks and wanted to fight Chen Ling'an to the death.
"You are such big fools who confuse right and wrong!"
Xiaoman's palms were sweating from clenching her fists, but it was no use; her attempts to defend herself were quickly drowned out.
Bang, someone threw a clay pot at Chen Ling'an. The pot fell to the ground, and dirty water splashed everywhere, splashing onto the corner of his sky-blue robe, which was extremely glaring.
Chen Ling'an had no expression on his face. He gently put down the baby girl in his arms and reached his right hand into his left sleeve.
Those people suddenly became quiet, and the sound of teeth chattering could be faintly heard.
Even Xiaoman thought he was going to take action.
However, Chen Ling'an just silently arranged the hidden arrow in his sleeve, then turned and left without even looking at them.
Xiaoman actually saw on those people's faces the relief of surviving the disaster and the confusion of not knowing what was going on.
The little baby on the ground yawned and murmured a few words, which immediately woke up the stunned lady.
She knelt on the ground, hugged the child tightly and burst into tears. The attendants tried to persuade her, wiped her tears, and even shouted for the master to file a complaint with the emperor...
It’s so lively.
Xiaoman left all the excitement behind and hurriedly caught up with Chen Lingan, "Are you okay?"
Chen Ling'an raised his eyebrows and looked at her, and that look made Xiaoman feel that she had asked a stupid question.
"You are quite patient..." Xiaoman muttered, took out a handkerchief and squatted down.
Chen Lingan took a step back and said, "No need."
"Don't move!" Xiaoman glared at him and wiped hard with such force that it seemed as if she wanted to tear the corner of the robe to pieces.
Chen Lingan couldn't help but laugh, "It can't be wiped clean. This is Hang Luo material. If it gets even the slightest stain on it, it'll be ruined."
Xiaoman didn't say anything, just lowered her head and wiped harder.
Chen Ling'an reached out and pulled her up, but was startled. "Are you crying?"
"No!" Xiaoman turned around and rubbed his eyes. "What a shame about this dress. I really should ask them to compensate me!"
A soft glow stained those eyes that were like a cold night. Chen Lingan's voice became low, "I..."
Xiaoman responded and looked over. The moment she met his gaze, her face suddenly felt hot.
"Hey, Master Chen!"
A sudden sound interrupted the delicate atmosphere between the two. They looked in the direction of the sound, but saw a man in brocade clothes jumping and waving across the street.
It was Zhou Yongchang!
Zhou Yongchang squeezed through the crowd and bowed happily.
Chen Ling'an asked him what was the matter.
"Hey, thanks to you, my mother was released. I wanted to thank you. I wonder when you are free? I will treat you to a meal."
"No thanks, I've settled my account with you, you don't owe me anything."
"Then my father..."
"Don't even think about it. He committed a serious crime. He's lucky to be alive."
"That's right, that's right." Zhou Yongchang smiled bitterly.
Chen Lingan paused and said, "You should apologize to Mrs. Jiang and Miss Zhang."
"I thought of this before you, sir." Zhou Yongchang said with an apologetic smile, "I just came back from the Zhang family. I saw that there were distinguished guests at the mansion, so I didn't dare to disturb them. I thought I would go out for a walk, and it was a coincidence that I ran into you two."
Zhang Xiaoman didn't believe it. "You're really good at taking advantage of others. If he hadn't mentioned it, you wouldn't have thought of apologizing to us. You're a distinguished guest, how could I not know someone was coming to my house?"
Zhou Yongchang said anxiously, "Really? I saw Princess Jingxuan's carriage heading towards your house with my own eyes!"
-
In the front yard of the Zhang family, three clean tiled houses are shaded by a grove of green bamboo. Two male voices can be clearly heard talking, and bursts of cheerful laughter can be heard from time to time.
Aunt Yao stood behind the bamboo forest, her joy mixed with anxiety.
She was genuinely happy that her son and Liu Jinshu had a very pleasant conversation.
But once his son started talking about academic subjects, he would forget everything. Princess Jingxuan would come up with something as soon as she spoke. She had to find a way to let them be alone together, and she couldn't let Liu Jinshu steal the limelight from her son.
After thinking for a moment, she went to find Zhang Junyi and said, "I'll find an excuse to call your brother out. Wait for a while before you go in."
Zhang Junyi was unwilling to do so. "The princess will be here soon. I'll go to the door to meet her."
"There are people waiting for the princess. Just take good care of Master Liu."
Seeing that her daughter still didn't move, Aunt Yao's tone became more blaming.
"You shouldn't have argued with Zhang Xiaoman in front of Qin Jueping. Now everyone knows that you admire Liu Jinshu."
"If you don't marry into the Liu family, you will be the biggest laughing stock in the capital."
"Let's not talk about Zhang Xiaoman, even that fat girl, the fourth girl, would step on your face to get ahead and laugh at you from a high position. Can you tolerate it?"
"If you don't want to live like this, then do as I say." She patted her daughter's hand and said earnestly, "This is your last chance."
Zhang Junyi clenched and unclenched his fists, and finally gritted his teeth and nodded.
The mother and daughter came to the front yard. Aunt Yao tidied her clothes and walked into the study with a smile.
After a few laughs, Aunt Yao came out, followed by the reluctant Zhang Bi.
Zhang Junyi took a deep breath, picked up the tea and snacks prepared by his aunt, walked out from behind the bamboo forest, and gently pushed open the door of the study.
The sunlight shines through the bamboo forest, staining the walls and the ground with star-like scaly light. The wind blows gently, and the scaly light sways like waves, and the swaying bamboo shadows become intertwined water plants.
The handsome and gentle man stood there with a book in his hand, tall and graceful, with a faint smile on his face, and inadvertently became the most popular man in the world.
Does she really want to use the method taught by her aunt to force him to marry her?
How would he view himself, with contempt, disgust, or even being too lazy to look at himself?
Just thinking about it makes me feel like my heart is being torn out.
This was the person on whom she had placed all her hopes and dreams, and who had occupied her entire mind!
The emotions that had been suppressed desperately came surging back, a mixture of sourness and bitterness, rushing against the waves and bumping against Zhang Junyi so hard that he could hardly stand.
Liu Jinshu looked at her in surprise.
"I, I..." As soon as Zhang Junyi opened her mouth, tears began to fall uncontrollably. Her throat was blocked by tears and she couldn't speak for a while.
"Are you okay?" Liu Jinshu put down the book. "I'll go get someone."
"I'm not a shameless, lowly person! I just... I just like you too much..."
Finally, she said what was in her heart, but Zhang Junyi did not feel relieved at all. The huge shame came over her like an overwhelming force. She could no longer bear it, so she squatted on the ground, covering her face and crying.
The tray fell suddenly, the teacup shattered into pieces, the water stains soaked the soft and thin embroidered shoes, and the exquisite snacks rolled everywhere.
The ground was in a mess, just like she was now.
Liu Jinshu stopped walking out, sighed softly, and handed her a handkerchief.
Zhang Junyi didn't answer, "I don't want your pity."
"You don't need anyone's sympathy." Liu Jinshu extended his hand forward.
After hearing this, Zhang Junyi took the handkerchief.
Liu Jinshu glanced at her wet shoes, hesitated for a moment, and then silently picked up the broken porcelain pieces on the ground.
"Don't belittle yourself. I never mean to look down on you, girl." He threw the broken porcelain in his hand into the tray and said in a gentle voice, "You deserve better."
The door opened softly and he left.
Zhang Junyi suddenly remembered that she was still holding his handkerchief, and hurriedly got up and chased after him.
She ran slowly, and the distance between her and Liu Jinshu grew larger and larger.
Seeing that he had reached the screen wall and that the gate was just around the screen wall, she couldn't help but get anxious and shouted panting, "Wait for me!"
Liu Jinshu looked back.
Zhang Junyi was overjoyed and tried her best to drive her sore legs and feet to run to him, "I'll give it back to you."
"It's just a handkerchief, just throw it away." Liu Jinshu said with a smile, but did not take it.
Zhang Junyi stretched out his hand stubbornly, as if to say, "If you don't take it, I will chase you to the end."
Liu Jinshu shook his head helplessly and took his handkerchief back from her.
After a short pause, he continued, "Please give your brother my apologies. I left today because I had something urgent to attend to. I hope you won't mind. His essay was excellent. I'd like to ask him for more advice someday when I have some free time."
At this time, I was still thinking about saving her face.
Zhang Junyi nodded, suppressing the sadness in his heart, but a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.
"I also have my pride, and there are some things I never intended to say in my lifetime."
She lowered her head slightly and said shyly, "I know you don't have any feelings for me, but Zhang Xiaoman doesn't have any feelings for you either. She's a stubborn person, and you'll have to suffer in the future."
"If one day you are heartbroken by her and you are tired and exhausted, you...just look back."
She clenched her fists and her voice grew louder.
"I'll always be waiting for you. As long as you look back, you'll see me!"
All she hoped for was a response from him, even if it was just a perfunctory "hmm".
Unfortunately not.
This time he really left.
Zhang Junyi stood there in a daze, feeling as if a large piece of his heart had been hollowed out. At the same time, the emptiness and depression that had been weighing on his heart seemed to be dissipating.
Even she herself didn't understand what she was really thinking at the moment.
"Why are you leaving so soon?" Suddenly, Aunt Yao's voice, surprised and slightly teasing, came from the other side of the screen. "Did my son's poor hospitality annoy the scholar who won the third place in the imperial examination?"
Zhang Junyi was shocked, fearing that Aunt Yao would say something that would embarrass Liu Jinshu, so she hurried around the screen and said, "Aunt, please don't ask. Young Master Liu..."
The next moment, she was stunned.
A large crowd of people crowded in front of the screen wall: Auntie, Big Brother, Princess Jingxuan, and...
Lu Jiayi?!
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