"I don't know when I'll be able to return to the capital this time. This trip to the capital is voluntary. If you are willing, follow me. When the time comes, you can continue to do what you are doing now."
"If you don't want to, just stay in your hometown."
Bai Chunniang called the servants in the house to ask them one by one.
After hearing this, the servants whispered to each other, saying, "The capital city, that's where the emperor lives."
Unexpectedly, they also had the opportunity to go. Most people were inclined to go, but some people were worried about their families. Their homes were nearby, and they only had one chance to go home a month. If they went to the capital, they didn't know when they could come back.
After a cup of tea, everyone made a decision.
Bai Chunniang took ten servants who were honest and hardworking away, and the rest stayed in her hometown to help the old housekeeper manage the business.
The old housekeeper's son also followed Bai Chunniang to Beijing and became the new housekeeper.
When they parted, the old housekeeper brought his son with him.
"After you resign from the capital, you must take good care of the affairs of the mansion and learn from those families in the capital. Perhaps they have different rules from us in the countryside. You must ask around and don't embarrass the young master and the mistress."
"Dad, don't worry," he said, his eyes filled with excitement. "After following you for so many years, I've also learned the skills of welcoming guests and managing household affairs. I will definitely not bring shame to the Madam and the Young Master."
"Okay." The old housekeeper patted his son's shoulder, his eyes full of relief.
On the way back to Beijing, I had to bring some female relatives with me, so my speed inevitably slowed down.
It took a full month and a half to reach the capital.
Looking at the emperor's feet, the Bai family's servants could hardly take in the sight.
Before they set off, they had already sent the silver to An Jingzhi. An Jingzhi stayed with the landlady for a few more days and only bought a yard after receiving the silver.
"Madam! Second Young Master!" Gong Rong stood not far away inside the city gate, waving and shouting loudly.
Now that they have bought a new house, An Yuping still doesn't know the exact location, so An Jingzhi asked Gong Rong to come and pick him up.
It is not certain when they will arrive in Beijing, Gong Rong comes every day.
After seeing the familiar face of the servant driving the carriage, he was sure that it was one of his family members.
He shouted as he approached the carriage, and An Yuping, who was inside, came out after hearing the voice.
"Second Young Master, the eldest young master has made all the arrangements. I will take you there right away."
An Yuping smiled and said, "Big brother, you handled it very thoughtfully. I was just wondering how to find you."
Gong Rong greeted Bai Chunniang again, and then led a group of people through many twists and turns until they stopped at the entrance of an alley.
Looking up, this courtyard seems ordinary, but the plaque at the door has the majestic words "An Mansion" written on it.
Not everyone can call their home a mansion. Only those who have obtained official status are qualified.
Mrs. Bai's personal maid helped him get off the carriage. Gong Rong ran quickly to report the news. While everyone was still marveling at the door, An Jingzhi came to the gate to welcome everyone.
In the past, he was not close to them in order to encourage his younger brother to make progress. Now that An Yuping has passed the imperial examination, there is naturally no need to act that way. It makes sense.
"Mom, welcome home." For the original body, it is difficult to say the word "mom", but An Jingzhi does not feel awkward. Bai Chunniang's actions are completely worthy of this title.
Bai Chunniang trembled all over as if she had heard it wrongly. She looked around and saw the servants who were equally shocked.
"You..." His lips trembled as he said, "What did Dalang call me?"
"Mom!" An Jingzhi shouted directly with a smile on his face.
"Oh!" Bai Chunniang responded with both tears and laughter.
An Jingzhi walked to the opposite side of Bai Chunniang and supported her arm: "Mom, I didn't mean to make things difficult for you these years..."
Just as he was about to explain, Bai Chunniang grabbed his arm tightly and said, "No need to explain, Dalang, mother, mother knows everything."
An Jingzhi was surprised: "How did you know that?"
An Yuping smiled and said, "Mother heard your conversation with Gong Rong that day."
An Jingzhi lowered his head and said, "Mom, don't you blame me?"
"Silly child, why should I blame you? If I have to blame someone, I should blame myself for not noticing your feelings earlier."
An Yuping also said with guilt: "Yes, brother, if I hadn't studied hard enough, you wouldn't have to suffer so much grievance and accusations."
"But don't worry, big brother. When I return this time, I've already told everyone in my hometown. Everyone knows that you've been doing this for me all these years. No one will tarnish your reputation anymore."
Everyone talked for a while at the door, and then they remembered to go into the yard.
An Jingzhi and An Yuping supported Bai Chunniang on both sides as they walked into the yard. He introduced the situation of the yard to Bai Chunniang one by one.
The yard is not big, divided into a front hall and a back yard, with a total of ten main rooms, ten side rooms, a large kitchen and two small kitchens.
"This yard is really nice. Although it is not as big as the one in our hometown, land is very expensive in Beijing. It is good to be able to buy a house like this." Bai Chunniang was very satisfied.
"Thank you for your hard work, Dalang."
Bai Chunniang heard that An Yuping's expenses during his study in Beijing were all supported by An Jingzhi, and she felt very grateful and distressed for him.
"You should repair the book and go home. At worst, you can sell Yuping's land."
"Mom, I didn't ask for help from my family because I was confident in my heart. Now, it can be said that by chance, I have found a way for us to settle down in the capital in the future."
"What's the meaning?"
Several people came to the cleaned front hall and sat down, while servants came in and out carrying luggage.
"I've decided to continue this business. It's not easy for the candidates who come to the capital to take the imperial examination to get a good education. They have money, but they just need a quiet place. I want to find a few houses specifically for these candidates to live in."
Although the imperial examination for Jinshi is held every three years, many people would come to Beijing and settle down a year or two in advance.
He planned to build two houses in remote areas, which could be used as inns for people coming to and from the capital. When a juren came to the capital to take the imperial examination, the houses would be used exclusively for the juren.
This year, we have made all the arrangements for this group of scholars, and I believe it will spread some reputation, which will make it easier to do business in the future.
Another thing is that he runs this business differently from ordinary merchants. He tells people that this is to help the candidates. Is he doing this to make money? Of course not! He opened the inn out of gratitude for the difficulties faced by the candidates!
It costs money to run and maintain an inn? So it's normal for him to make some money, right?
He's definitely doing good things!
After An Jingzhi expressed his thoughts, An Yuping immediately agreed.
"That's a good idea, mother. You don't know how difficult it is to come to the capital to take the imperial examination. If we hadn't arrived early and had my eldest brother to help us, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to find a place to stay."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com