She laughed and said, "Okay, I'll also bring you two big winter melons, I guarantee they'll be sweet and delicious, and some lotus roots we dug up from our yard, and maybe even some pretty lanterns. What else do you want?"
Xiao Dong thought for a while, wiggled his feet, and said, "I don't really want anything anymore. I'll tell you when I think of something. There's still a long way to go."
Qin Yuan then asked Cui Ming to take out the picture albums she had collected a few days ago and give them to Xiao Dong.
"These are all books on how to draw flowers and plants. There are also copies of famous artists' paintings of flowers, plants, and insects. Take them back and take a look. If you're waiting for Sixth Master, you can take some paper and pen and draw for a while. I'll have someone inquire about Sixth Master's movements. If you're waiting for the Marquis, I heard that he has more guests ahead of him. I don't know when they'll leave. If you just want to talk to me, I'll have someone bring some food. You can sit here and keep me company while I handle some chores."
Xiao Dong took it and said with a smile, "Then I'll eat for a while. Master is still waiting for me at Renhetang. Senior Sister, you don't need to come and keep me company if you're busy."
His dark, bright eyes were full of a sly, happy smile, clearly showing that he was very comfortable and relaxed.
Qin Yuan said, "I have lots of delicious food here, so don't eat until you can't walk."
Xiao Dong said, "Then Senior Sister, please have Steward Cao prepare a car for me and take me back."
"Haha," Hongye couldn't help but laugh, and instructed the maid outside, "Go and get two bowls of su lao luo, with extra chunks of melon and honey. Also, get some soft and sticky pastries, and two of each of the fruits that were sent from the south a couple of days ago."
As Xiao Dong listened, he chanted Amitabha Buddha's name. After Hongye finished speaking, Xiao Dong said, "Sister Hongye, you are so kind."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh as she watched him clown around.
Xiao Dong is very good at finding joy in himself. He grew up without parents and was raised by Dr. Li. Yet he still feels sorry for others who have lost their mothers. It's hard to believe that he's so young and has managed to get through all these years.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but want to cherish him more.
Seeing this, Cuiming said, "Miss, I'll have the sewing room prepare clothes, hats, shoes, and socks for Doctor Li and Xiaodong to wear during the festival. They'll be ready before the festival."
Qin Yuan praised, "Your arrangement is excellent. With so many things to do, there are bound to be some unexpected situations."
Cui Ming smiled and said, "I'll ask the kitchen to make some eight-treasure pumpkin rice and some snacks for Xiao Dong to take back to Doctor Li. These won't be a problem to leave them for a day."
"You go and make the arrangements."
Qin Yuan glanced at Xiao Dong, who was sitting in a chair with his mouth stuffed full, walked to the desk, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, wrote a few lines, and then put it down.
Since it's going to be used as a competition stage at the Imperial Academy, it should be carefully crafted.
Qin Yuan wrote intermittently, occasionally exchanging a few words with Xiao Dong.
Hongye asked, "Miss said she wanted to summon Shen Changle, and now she's here."
Xiao Dong asked, "Should I excuse myself?"
Qin Yuan said, "No need, it's all trivial. Just don't tell anyone."
Xiao Dong remained seated in the chair without moving.
Qin Yuan let Shen Changle in. Shen Changle saw Xiao Dong and, though somewhat surprised, showed no sign of it. After greeting him, she asked, "Does Madam want to talk about the poetry collection?"
Qin Yuan countered, "Why do you say that?"
Shen Changle said, "The Marquis ordered someone to give him a thousand taels of silver, saying it would be used as a prize for the arena. I don't have any ideas yet."
Qin Yuan knew he was just saying it casually and that he must already have a plan in mind, so she asked, "Are you worried that the money won't be enough?"
“Of course not,” Shen Changle quickly said, “I just think it’s too much. One hundred taels of silver would be enough. The rest could be spent on printing. The Yuyuantan Poetry Collection uses illustrations by Sixth Master and the painter. Although it’s a bit troublesome, it looks exquisite and beautiful, far superior to its peers. Scholars like to collect it, and some will buy it to give to young ladies to admire. I thought that the extra silver could be used on printing plates.”
Scholars appreciate elegance, and young ladies in their boudoirs prefer exquisite things. Shen Changle is indeed meticulous. Qin Yuan said, "As you wish. Even if we don't offer a single penny, the students will still be tempted to compete. Having a prize will only make things more interesting."
Shen Changle said, "If that's really the case, it would be better to set an elegant prize, such as writing brushes, ink, paper, or jade pendants or ornaments."
Qin Yuan said, "That's right. Since the arena is set up in the name of Sixth Master, we can use the spices from Ranxiangju. Scholars like elegant names, so using these as prizes is very fitting for their status."
Shen Changle laughed and said, "Then I'll arrange it like this. It'll be more interesting to have different prizes for each event."
Qin Yuan said, "You make the decision. If things don't go as expected, you can act accordingly."
A smile appeared on Shen Changle's round and kind face as she said, "Since Madam trusts me so much, I will definitely find a way to do a good job and will never let Madam down."
Qin Yuan said, "Your ability to get things done is there, why wouldn't I trust you? Just do it, and if you're unsure about anything, come and ask me."
Shen Changle said, "Ever since I came to the Marquis's mansion with my master, my luck has turned around. I have gained the favor of my masters. I always think that I am really lucky to have met my master in this life."
Qin Yuan said, "You have ambition and ability. You are the most useful among my concubines. Alright, Shen Changle, stop lamenting. Go back today and gather up all those who were spreading rumors. Someone will handle this matter later. Tell Gu Shiliu and Gu Shiba's people about it too."
Shen Changle was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Qin Yuan said, "If you have nothing else to say, then go ahead and get busy."
Shen Changle asked, "Doesn't Master want to look at the account books for the poetry collection?"
Qin Yuan said, "No rush, let's see after you get it up and running."
The implication was that they were giving Shen Changle some time to maneuver and wouldn't interfere too much with his finances, which was quite generous and trusting.
Shen Changle was even more loyal when he left than when he arrived.
Xiao Dong was puzzled and asked, "Is Senior Sister going to print another new collection of poems? Are Master Gu's poetry collections selling very well? And, Master Gu's paintings are selling very well too?"
Doctor Li kept telling him that Master Gu was a spendthrift, and only a rich young master could afford to squander money like that.
Unexpectedly, my senior sister is going to print a new collection of poems, and according to Shen Changle, it seems to be selling quite well.
"Didn't I say that I would print your medical records once you could draw them? This is not just empty talk. Shen Changle is now in charge of my dowry shop in the West Market. Last time, she printed a collection of poems for Sixth Master, and it sold quite well. I'm planning to make a larger one. By the time you can draw them, my dowry shop might already be a well-known bookstore. Just wait for me to print your medical books."
Xiao Dong was shocked: "Senior sister is thinking that far ahead?"
"Of course! One should think long-term and proceed cautiously in everything one does. Haven't you heard the saying, 'You won't go poor from eating or drinking. You'll only be poor if you don't plan ahead.' Xiao Dong, you'd better work hard."
Xiao Dong suddenly lost his appetite.
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