Lots of lucky money
“Young Master, Miss Wen said it’s one thing for another. Since you’re so curious, you need to exchange it for a question.”
The guard handed over a note, filled with warm rose petals and small begonia petals on either side—undoubtedly his seal.
Qi Guanlan flipped it over, "What's the question?"
The guard coughed and pointed to the paper in his hand, saying, "Miss Wen asked you to sign a written agreement before asking the question, guaranteeing that you would not cheat."
Qi Guanlan was immediately enraged, and the guard immediately bowed and said, "This subordinate will refuse her immediately."
"Wait!"
Qi Guanlan thought for a long time, wrote a few sentences, carefully folded them, and handed them to the guard, saying, "You can speak now."
"Do you prefer a slender figure or a fuller figure? She said she wants you to write it down on a piece of paper."
Qi Guanlan's face darkened, and he couldn't help but grind his teeth, thinking I was drunk and waiting for him here.
"Should I refuse her?" the guard asked again.
Qi Guanlan quickly scribbled the paper into a ball, put his hands on his hips, and said, "You ask her for me, does she prefer someone who is good at studying or someone who is good at martial arts?"
Xiao Shun lowered his head silently; he heard nothing.
Wen Ruo stood in front of the desk, unfolded the crumpled paper, tucked it into the booklet, and then marked the thin man with a hook. This should be worth a thousand taels.
Hearing the guard's question, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. Why was he asking the same question as Mr. Yi? "Is your young master angry again?" Wasn't he just curious about Miss Sun's affairs? Why was he arguing with her?
The guard nodded. "Young master, Miss Wen prefers those skilled in martial arts."
Upon hearing the answer, Qi Guanlan's expression appeared calm, but beneath his wide sleeves, his fingers, which had been twisted with tension, loosened slightly.
Do you prefer someone tall or petite?
Love at first sight and lust at first sight are common, but judging from her experience, beauty is subjective. She doesn't understand why two people suddenly fall in love, but if it's about matchmaking, it's best to start with height, weight, and body shape. Choosing someone based on these standards is always a safe bet.
Qi Guanlan gritted her teeth, "Petty, from a poor family or a noble family?"
The word "petite" was used with a slight hook, but the problem was indeed quite troublesome, and Wen Ruo thought about it for a long time.
"A poor family in plain clothes."
Qi Guanlan lowered her head, dipped it in ink, and looked calmly at the guard. The guard asked with a serious expression, "From a scholarly family or a military family, daughter of a general?"
Qi Guanlan wrote down the question again, but couldn't think of another one. The guard, who had been waiting, cautiously reminded him, "Young Master, would you like to ask another question?"
"Ask her what her next move will be against the Sun family of Nanyang?"
The guards left in compliance, and Xiao Shunzi no longer dared to raise his head. He seemed to have discovered a shocking secret.
Wen Ruo straightened the booklet and said only one word, "Wait."
Pomegranate Mother said that as long as Miss Yue doesn't come looking for her, she will shamelessly live on in this life and repay her kindness by being her slave in the next.
Qi Guanlan could hardly believe her ears. Could she really be so honest?
Seeing him looking at him, the guard assumed he wanted to hear a question and immediately said, "Three requirements for your future wife?"
Qi Guanlan spent a long time writing and drawing, then said in a frantic tone, "What can I ask for? Does being five zhang away from me count? Does being alone in an empty room count? Does not disturbing each other count?"
The guard swallowed hard, looking troubled. "Young master, in that case, I've come all this way for nothing."
"She only said 'wait,' isn't that just fooling me?"
"Then how about we just forget about it?" His voice held a hint of excitement. Qi Guanlan looked up. "Are you tired from running?"
The guard quickly shook his head, his gaze shifting to Xiao Shunzi, blinking rapidly. Xiao Shunzi felt like gagging. "Thirteen, who are you disgusting?"
He turned his face away. "Young Master, you don't really need to be so troubled."
You know?
"Once you're married, you've started a family. Since you're all family, it's not like you're lying when you write down your requirements for your family, right, Thirteen?"
Thirteen quickly lowered his head, "Brother Xiaoshun is right."
"Loyalty, honesty, and trust."
Wen Ruo stared at the note for a long time. At first glance, it seemed simple, but few couples could achieve such a thing. The princess's residence had a small population, and His Majesty and the Empress were not incompetent, so it was not difficult.
After Thirteen put the note away, she immediately said, "Three requirements for my future husband?"
"Your young master still has problems? I thought that was the end of it."
Thirteen chuckled twice, "Our young master just won't admit defeat."
"Rich, but without elders, and sick."
As soon as Shisan finished speaking, Xiaoshunzi laughed and teased, "Does Wenruo want to become a widow?"
Qi Guanlan raised his eyelids, his eyes flashing with a cold light, like arrows piercing the air, his laughter abruptly stopped, and Xiao Shun lowered his head, "Young Master, I was wrong."
What gift would you most like to receive?
Upon seeing the large characters on the paper, Wen Ruo scoffed and gripped the booklet tightly, saying each word clearly, "Incomprehensible."
There were no more footsteps on the roof. Qi Guanlan collapsed onto the bed, crossed his legs, and said leisurely, "This young master is busy with the year-end sacrificial ceremony, so I won't play with her anymore."
As the year draws to a close, the Princess's Mansion and the Prince's Mansion have been sending gifts one after another, including silk fabrics, honey fruits, cured meats, and fine wines.
Wen Ruo put down the scissors, wrapped the neatly arranged booklet in a box, tied a pretty bow, and handed it to the guard. "This is a return gift for Her Highness the Princess. Please make sure she gets a look at it beforehand."
Thirteen smiled knowingly. Princess would surely like it. After the sacrificial family banquet, there would be officials offering New Year's greetings. The Emperor and Empress would also host a banquet for the families of officials. Young masters and ladies would attend in their finest attire, ostensibly to share the joy with the people. This would give the young master a headache.
On New Year's Eve, the doors, windows, and tree branches in the backyard of the shop were decorated with paper-cut window decorations made by Wen Ruo herself, and the door couplets written by Mr. Yi were pasted on the shop door. Even the crabapple tree in her hometown was tied with red ribbons by Wen Ruo.
Under the bright moonlight, in the brightly lit shop, dumplings were being cooked on the stove. With a scoop of an iron ladle, each round dumpling floated on the surface of the water, steam rising from them.
There were six dishes and a soup on the octagonal table. After Mr. Yi took his seat, Wen Ruo showed a hint of reluctance on her face. Shi Liu Niang and A Chu were almost fully recovered. "Sir, please try the imperial wine."
"No rush, I haven't given out the New Year's money yet."
Wen Ruo exclaimed in surprise and looked at Shi Liu's mother, "Mom, can I still receive New Year's money at my age?"
Pomegranate Mother rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like I didn't give you any in previous years."
Wen Ruo playfully stuck out her tongue, and A Chu silently pulled a dagger from her sleeve. "Take this for self-defense."
"Mine looks better."
Mr. Yi narrowed his eyes, flipped his palm, and a golden incense ball wrapped around his wrist. "Young lady, this was specially made by an old man. See the tortoise and crane on it? It will bring you good fortune and longevity, and help you turn bad luck into good."
Pomegranate Girl glanced at the two of them and said, "You two are so generous, I can't even offer you a red envelope."
Wen Ruo snatched her purse, her lips curving into a wide smile without even glancing at it. "Even a penny is a token of love. I understand. Thank you, Mother, Mr. Yi, and A Chu. Every cloud has a silver lining. I've suddenly gained the care of two elders. I'll be laughing in my dreams."
Wen Ruo stood up and said with a smile, "Please accept my bow!"
"Alright, let's eat. Ah Chu and I put peanuts in the dumplings. If we eat them, good things will happen next year, so you can get married."
As she spoke, her gaze met Ah Chu's, and the two smiled at each other.
After dinner, all four of them went out. Wen Ruo, as always, leaned against Shi Liu Niang. In previous years, she could only play at the door for a while, as people with thin clothes could not go far on New Year's Eve.
Shiliu Niang gave Wen Ruo a bright white purse, with two crabapple blossoms embroidered on the front and a gold ingot shape on the other side. "You don't need to take care of her this year. You and A Chu can go play."
"Mother, why don't you go to the terrace to listen to the opera?"
A terrace has been built in front of the main gate tower of the palace, with colorful ribbons fluttering in the breeze, and guards on both sides. Later, the Imperial Music Academy will present a performance.
Colorful flags fluttered upstairs, and magnificent red lanterns hung high. Yellow-edged curtains hung from the gate of Xuan'an Tower, and a colorful canopy was built with yellow silk. In the center was the emperor's throne, with four other thrones on either side. Anyone with eyes could tell who they were reserved for.
Achu looked at the brightly lit street and her mouth involuntarily opened. Brilliant fireworks burst open from time to time under the magnificent night sky, and vendors and laborers came and went in an endless stream. The acrobatic dragon dance was surrounded by cheers.
Perhaps it was because she was aloof and rarely went out, Wen Ru thought to herself, so she took A Chu's arm and walked past one stall after another. It was more fun to be together than to be alone.
At the mask stall, the variety of masks was dazzling. Wen Ruo looked around and slowly picked up a fox mask and put it on her face. "You have good taste, sir. This one is the fastest selling today. This is the last one in my shop."
"I want it."
"I want it."
Wen Ruo turned her head, and as soon as she spoke, she heard an echo, "Miss Sun? What a coincidence!"
The shopkeeper shrank back, the silver lying on the table, but he didn't touch it. Based on his many years of experience traveling all over the country, he knew the two had a grudge and he might accidentally cause trouble at the shop.
"Give it to me."
Sun Yueyou held out her hand. "I paid."
"Using the same trick again, you never come up with anything new." Just as Wen Ruo was about to say something, A Chu's right hand moved with lightning speed, grabbing her wrist and paying with her left hand.
Sun Yueyou cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes. In the dim light, the little girl's brows furrowed slightly, looking pitiful. Anyone else would surely feel pity for her.
However, Ah Chu's heart was as cold as iron, and she remained unmoved, coldly saying, "First come, first served."
Wen Ruo was stunned for a moment. A Chu was quiet but gentle in front of them. She didn't expect A Chu to take action directly. "A Chu, let her go. If we give Mr. Yi work on New Year's Eve, he will be furious."
"If you like it, you can have it."
Sun Yueyou: "Fake kindness."
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the red fingerprint on her wrist, so glaring that she unconsciously clenched her teeth. Sun Yueyou quickly hid her right hand behind her back, afraid that it would be caught again.
Unexpectedly, Aunt Fu Jingjiang, who seemed indifferent, was so protective of Wen Ruo, and Wen Ruo had no advantage whatsoever.
Wen Ruo picked up another beast head with a blue face and fangs. Just as she picked it up, another hand grabbed the other half. Wen Ruo raised an eyebrow and looked at the person who had come. The man tactfully let go of her hand.
"Miss, what else do you like? I'll give it to you. Please forgive my sister's rudeness; she's been spoiled by her elders."
"Brother Changfeng." Sun Yueyou's tone instantly rose. She had just lost face in front of Aunt Fu and was now being lectured. She felt extremely wronged, her cheeks flushed with anger, and her chest heaved violently.
It turned out to be the fourth young master who had entered the academy. Wen Ruo gave a faint smile, "No need, I was fine to begin with."
Sun Changfeng said sternly, "A-Yue, apologize now."
Sun Yueyou's eyes reddened, but under her brother's stern gaze, she still bowed and said in a low voice, "I was wrong just now, and I was very disrespectful. Please forgive me, Sister Wen and Aunt Fu."
Achu said calmly, "No need, it's nothing."
Sun Yueyou's eyes showed a hint of pain, but she put on a smiling face and said obediently, "So Miss Wen's news was true. Seeing you today, Aunt is indeed very heroic and valiant, worthy of being a woman of the martial world."
Beneath the mask, Wen Ruo curled her lips into a smile, glancing at Sun Yueyou. If looks could kill, Sun Yueyou would have died a hundred times over.
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