Crane Shadow Mountain Man
Nianci seemed to understand, but looking at Pei Qingwu's expression, she nodded vigorously.
"Some rules in this world are inherently wrong... We live not to follow wrong rules, but to strive to replace them with right rules, even if it's just a small change."
"Alright, throw this book away. It's all harmful stuff..."
Pei Qingwu glanced at the book "Admonitions for Women" with disgust, and Gu Heng immediately stepped forward and threw the book into the trash can.
Mr. is indeed not easy to find.
If you teach a boy, you can let him take the imperial examination. In the future, he might become an official or a magistrate. Even if he doesn't succeed, he can become a minor official in the government. That's better than anything else.
But what can a girl do? Get married, have children, manage household chores... it seems like she doesn't need the classics.
If she were a noblewoman from a high-class family like Zhao Wan or Li Yinzhu, she would have no worries about food and clothing, and could occasionally organize poetry gatherings to showcase her talents. But Nianci was not like that.
After learning about this, Li Yinzhu suggested, "My older brother's daughter is about the same age as Nianci. They have a female tutor at home to teach her. Why don't we let Nianci come and sit in on the classes?"
Although Pei Qingwu was somewhat tempted, he ultimately refused.
The Li in Li Yinzhu's name is the Li of the Longxi Li Clan, one of the five surnames and seven prominent families. They share the same ancestry as the current sage and are a top-tier aristocratic family. Nianci's household registration follows Pei Qingwu, and she is a merchant. In this era of clear distinction between superiors and inferiors, this is a world of difference.
She can teach Nianci to be neither arrogant nor humble, and to be neither elated by external gains nor saddened by personal losses. Li Yinzhu's niece may not look down on others either, but... those differences will eventually manifest in all aspects.
Even someone as successful as Song Lian would still remember his school days, when his classmates were all wealthy, which made his own financial situation stand out.
She didn't want Nianci to suffer these things too early.
Seeing that Pei Qingwu's brows were furrowed and he looked depressed because of this matter, Gu Heng felt sorry for him and suggested, "Why don't I accompany you, Master, for a good stroll to clear your mind? Maybe we'll find something useful."
"Alright."
West Market is a famous commercial district in Qinzhou. It is bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder, with shouts and clinking coins falling into pockets, creating a prosperous scene.
Pei Qingwu also has many memories of this place.
“Aheng, back then, your boss had just escaped the Sun family's hellhole and was penniless. He could only make money by setting up a stall here selling dragon beard candy.” Pei Qingwu scanned everything around him.
This seems like it happened a long time ago, yet it also feels like it was just yesterday.
Not long after she transmigrated, she opened her eyes to find herself all alone, penniless, and desperately trying to establish herself as a female household in the government.
Fortunately, she was lucky enough to meet Zhang Gong and Zhao Jue, a wise and discerning official.
otherwise……
Gu Heng didn't know how to respond, after all, he was still seriously injured and unconscious at that time.
"Setting up a stall must be very hard work..."
Pei Qingwu smiled and shook his head: "It's alright. That day was the first time I made pastries to sell. I didn't make many, but thanks to the care of the villagers, they sold out quickly. I didn't stay for long."
As she spoke, she pointed to a fabric shop: "It's getting hotter and hotter, let's go buy some summer cloth and make some new clothes."
As soon as they entered the shop, the owner immediately greeted them: "Wife, husband, what would you like to see?"
"Buy some light and thin fabric to make summer clothes."
The boss groped and squinted, looking Pei Qingwu up and down.
The young lady was tall and slender with a beautiful face and an elegant demeanor. However, there was one thing about her attire: a silver-red brocade blouse paired with a moon-white long skirt. Although the fabric was of good quality, it was not a precious silk fabric like brocade.
I imagine it's a merchant who works with me.
He immediately made up his mind, put on a fawning smile, and led Pei Qingwu and Gu Heng to the counter displaying summer cloth.
"My lady has excellent taste. The summer heat is already upon us; it's time to prepare some light and breathable fabrics. Please take a look here—"
He deftly brought out several bolts of cloth: "This is top-quality kudzu cloth. The material is loose and breathable. It's made with local craftsmanship. It's cool and comfortable to wear without clinging to the body. The price is also reasonable. It's perfect for everyday clothes."
Then he picked up another piece of cloth, slightly darker in color and with a finer texture: "My lady, take another look at this hemp cloth. It's finer and crisper than kudzu cloth. It won't wrinkle easily after washing, and it'll make a presentable dress for going out to meet guests."
As he spoke, he deliberately rubbed the fabric between his fingers to check its thickness and drape, showing it to Pei Qingwu.
"If you want something even more comfortable, I have some white linen from the south. It's soft, absorbent, and softer and more comfortable than linen when worn next to the skin. But it's three or four cents more expensive than linen."
He pointed to several pieces of fabric with elegant colors and noticeably softer textures on the side and said.
These cotton fabrics lack vibrant colors, which suits the restrictions imposed on the merchant's identity, but they are still comfortable and presentable enough.
"If my lady wishes to add some bright colors, why not take a look at this shawl made of fine silk? It's as thin as a cicada's wing, breathable when worn, and adds a touch of color without overstepping the bounds of propriety."
It refers to thin silk fabrics that are either plain or simply printed.
Pei Qingwu reached out and gently stroked the textures of the hemp cloth, ramie cloth, and cotton cloth, feeling their breathability and softness, and carefully comparing them.
Aside from herself, the women like Yinlan, Qiantao, and Jinniang also needed new clothes, not to mention the two children, Nianci and Mingyi, who were growing rapidly and changed every day. This morning, she even noticed that Mingyi's shirt was a bit too short.
Children's skin is delicate and needs to be breathable, so white folded cloth is the most suitable material.
The adults can wear linen. Anyway, she has money now. The rules don't allow her to use good materials, but she can still make sure she's comfortable within her means.
After buying several brightly colored bolts, Pei Qingwu pointed to Gu Heng and said, "Boss, please pick out two bolts of fabric that he's wearing."
Gu Heng was taken aback, and before he could even speak, the very perceptive shopkeeper hurriedly came forward: "Oh my, this young master must be the young lady's husband, right? He looks quite handsome, and he looks good in any color..."
"I...I'm not..."
The shopkeeper didn't give him a chance to explain. He took a piece of lake-blue linen and held it up against Pei Qingwu, asking as he did so, "What do you think of this color, my lady? Your husband is as white as snow porcelain, this lake-blue suits him best."
Indeed, against the backdrop of the lake's blue water, Gu Heng's skin appeared even more fair and his features even more striking.
But her delicate and beautiful face was now as red as a ripe apple in autumn.
"Yes, it looks good." Pei Qingwu smiled and said, "Our Aheng is so good-looking, he looks good in any color."
"Isn't that right? Young lady, take another look at this color. It's all the rage among the young men in Qinzhou City these days." The shopkeeper brought over another light green one.
This color tends to make one look darker, but Gu Hengsheng's fair skin actually makes it even more beautiful.
"Then these two bolts will do. Please, boss, wrap up all the fabrics I've chosen and have someone deliver them to the An Ye Fang Su Shan market."
After selecting two more horses for Shi Dayong, Pei Qingwu paid the money, gave him some instructions, and then left with Gu Heng.
"Master, just now..."
"Huh? What just happened? It's just making a couple more sets of clothes for summer. Don't worry, your boss has plenty of money." Pei Qingwu patted his chest generously.
"I mean, just now..."
The fabric shop owner thought the two were a married couple...
Just then, Pei Qingwu was attracted by the steamed sugar cheese sold on the street.
An old woman was guarding her load. After she lifted the lid of the wooden bucket, a sweet milky aroma, mixed with a faint fragrance of fermented rice, wafted out.
Inside the bucket was a milky white paste, like solidified jade, its surface trembling and rippling. It was drizzled with a layer of amber-colored honey and sprinkled with crushed almonds, raisins, and bright red cherry preserves. In the afternoon sunlight, it was crystal clear and tempting.
Pei Qingwu's eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over: "Grandma, give me two servings."
The old woman smiled and agreed, then used a thin bamboo sliver to take two portions, placed them in a small celadon bowl, and handed them to her.
Pei Qingwu couldn't wait to scoop up a small piece with a porcelain spoon.
The cheese is soft and smooth, melting in your mouth. The rich milk flavor, the sweetness of honey, and the sweet and sour taste of dried fruit blend together, and the cool and refreshing taste instantly dispels the summer heat.
After savoring it carefully, she squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
Gu Heng stood aside, the explanation about the misunderstanding between the "husband and wife" had been swirling on his lips for a long time, but now he could no longer utter it.
The embarrassment and restlessness in my heart eventually turned into a very soft sigh, which quietly dissipated into the hustle and bustle of the city.
"Ah Heng, this is delicious, you should have one too!"
Pei Qingwu handed him another copy.
"Okay, thank you, boss."
After receiving the cheese, he lowered his eyelashes and forcefully suppressed all the inappropriate emotions, along with the words he hadn't yet uttered, back into the deepest recesses of his heart.
Pei Qingwu spent a lot of money shopping today. Besides fabrics, she also bought some jewelry and flowers. She asked the shopkeeper to send the larger items over, and had Gu Heng carry the smaller items.
As they passed a bookstore, Pei Qingwu called out to him, "Let's go here and buy two books for Nianci."
The bookstore owner and Pei Qingwu were acquaintances. When he saw her come in, he immediately smiled and stepped forward: "Boss Pei, what a rare guest! I just happened to receive a batch of new books. If you like any of them, feel free to take them."
“We’re all in business, how can I just take your things?” Pei Qingwu said, turning to read a children’s primer.
After picking out two books, I took a few more storybooks.
Just as he was about to leave, Pei Qingwu looked up and saw a painting of plum blossoms hanging on the wall of the bookstore.
The old plum tree in the painting has gnarled branches like iron, strong and twisted, stretching out proudly.
A few plum blossoms on the branches are painted with only a very light ink, slender and elegant, without any makeup, yet exuding a sense of aloofness and solitude.
The ink strokes are perfectly balanced, the branches are dry and withered, as if they have endured countless storms, while the few light ink plum blossoms seem to be quietly blooming in the biting cold wind, their fragrance wafting in the air, and the artistic conception of the wind and snow still lingering on the paper leaps off the page.
The painting has a unique and striking composition, with slender, firm, and solitary brushstrokes, and a lingering charm.
Pei Qingwu paused and gazed at the inscription for a moment before carefully examining it. At the end of the inscription, he wrote the elegant name "Heying Shanren".
"Boss, this painting is..."
The shopkeeper glanced at it and said, "Oh, this was brought over by a young lady surnamed Zheng. She said her pen name is Crane Shadow Mountain Man."
"Young lady?" Pei Qingwu's interest grew even stronger.
"Yes, he looks to be in his early twenties. He came to Qinzhou alone, probably two or three months ago." The shopkeeper thought for a moment, "He doesn't seem to know anything else, but his calligraphy and painting are truly exceptional. Whenever he hangs them up in my bookstore, they sell out very quickly."
"Mr. Pei likes it? No problem, I'll give you a friendly price, I'll take it from you..."
“No need.” Pei Qingwu raised his hand to stop him: “I will buy the painting at the original price, but I have another request.”
The bookstore owner had already guessed a little, but being a shrewd businessman, he didn't point it out directly. Instead, he said, "What kind of request is it, Mr. Pei? Please speak."
"I'd like to ask the boss to introduce me to this Hermit of Crane Shadow Mountain."
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