Chapter 270: Picking Up Bargains

Zhulan shook the banknotes in her hand, "Tell me, why didn't I find counting money so exciting before? Now, 4,500 taels of banknotes, I counted them twice and still didn't think it was enough!"

Zhou Shuren hit the nail on the head, "That's because you've never been poor since childhood."

Whether in modern times or ancient times, he always likes the feeling of counting money, especially the feeling of saving money.

Zhulan thought that it was true, she carried the box to the bed and took out the banknotes at home, "There are more than five thousand taels at home, when can we go to the capital?"

Zhou Shuren had made up his mind: "Wait until the provincial examination is over."

Zhulan locked up the silver and put it away. "According to the date, the people from the clan who are going to take the provincial examination will arrive in a few days."

"Yes, this year, including Chang Lian and Chang Zhi, four people in the clan passed the county exam. It's a good sign."

Among the members of the clan who took part in the provincial examination this time, only Chang Lian and Chang Zhi were from the Chang generation, the other two were from the Ming generation, and the next generation had also risen.

The Zhou family received a sum of money, but Zhou Shuren and Zhulan were not prepared to tell others. Even if there were rumors outside, Changlian and Changzhi could not get in touch with them. None of the Zhou brothers knew what their father had done!

The Zhou brothers only knew that recently more people came to visit their home, including businessmen and some scholars. Zhou Shuren and He Juren, who was participating in the competition, had a common hobby, and Zhou Shuren wanted to learn more about antiques that spanned dynasties, so they came closer.

The two families interacted more frequently, and Zhulan also went to visit the He family with Zhou Shuren.

He Juren's house is not big, it is also a two-story house, and its location is better than Zhou's. Because He Juren loves antiques, there are quite a few antiques in his house.

It was just that Zhulan didn't like Mrs. He very much. She was born into an official family and was very arrogant. She was very picky about Zhulan and spoke in a weird tone. Sometimes her words sounded like orders. Zhulan went there once and never went again.

Zhou Shuren also only interacted with He Juren and no longer visited him.

After the heat brought by Zhou Shuren died down, the Zhou family finally became a little quieter.

The Qian family came again. This time Qian Shengbao brought his eldest son with him. After Zhulan and the others left, she asked, "Is it still about your grandson's schooling?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "My grandson's admission is one reason. Second, the Qian family has heard about my competition. They have a few paintings and calligraphy in their possession and hope I can help them identify them."

Zhu Lan immediately grasped the key point, "Qian Shengbao knows that Mr. Xiheng's calligraphy and paintings are valuable now, and even if they are fake, people still want them. He doesn't want to take them to an antique shop for appraisal to avoid trouble. He wants you to identify the authenticity, and then use the calligraphy and paintings to help his grandson study in academy?"

Zhou Shuren added, "They also want to use me as a connection to make new friends. Recently, many people have asked me if I have any calligraphy or paintings, and why the Qian family didn't come a few days ago. It was all planned."

He really didn't like being schemed against, especially since Qian Shengbao had cheated him once before and failed last time. This time he wanted to take advantage of him behind his back. Qian Shengbao had no choice but to bleed.

Zhulan curled her lips and said, "The Qian family has a lot of antiques. We don't want much in return. Just one antique will do."

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "That's what I thought too."

The Qian family dares to take advantage of us, so don't blame them for taking action.

The next day, Zhulan was curious. She had never been to the Qian family before, so she followed Zhou Shuren and went to the Qian family in the carriage that the Qian family came to pick her up.

The Qian family is also Zhou Laoer's in-laws' family, so Zhou Shuren also brought Zhou Laoer along.

Ten miles out of the state capital, the road is not so flat anymore. There are many villages like Qianjiacun. Zhulan discovered that Qianjiacun is a wealthy village. Most of the houses are made of blue bricks, which really lives up to the name.

Qian Shengbao was waiting at the door. Zhou Shuren helped Zhulan get off the carriage. Qian Shengbao was stunned for a moment, but soon recovered and walked forward, "My dear, my mother-in-law has worked hard on the journey. Please come in."

Zhou Shuren said, "You're welcome."

Zhulan followed him into the Qian family's house. The house was quite large. Qian had been a servant in a wealthy family and did not like farmers' houses. The house was built similarly to those in the city.

Zhulan went all the way to the main courtyard. Fang didn't know Zhulan had followed her. She stood in the courtyard for a moment, then quickly put down the basin in her hand and wiped her hands, "Mother-in-law is here, please come in quickly."

Zhulan followed Fang into the house. Zhulan sat down and Fang said, "Mother-in-law, please sit down first. I'll go make some tea."

Zhulan was indeed thirsty, "Excuse me, mother-in-law."

Fang was glad that Yang could come. "It's no trouble, no trouble."

Zhulan looked around the room. It was very clean. The floor was paved with bluestone, the cabinets were all made of good wood, and there were needles and threads used by Fang to make clothes on the kang.

After a while, Fang came back. Zhulan listened to the noise. Fang also made a pot of tea outside. She sighed in her heart. Fang was a stepmother and had no biological daughter-in-law to serve her. She said she was filial, but she just stopped bullying her. She couldn't serve them. When there were guests at home, Fang still had to run around.

Fang came in with tea and snacks. "My cooking skills are not very good. The snacks are bought by the boss in the city. They are Ruyi snacks that are very popular in the city. Mother-in-law, please try them."

Zhulan was indeed a little hungry. "My dear mother-in-law, you are too modest. My cooking skills are really bad."

At least Fang can cook a table of dishes, but she can't.

Fang smiled. She knew that the lady had told her that Yang's cooking skills were really bad.

The curtains in the room opened again, and a boy who was about three years old came in, "Mom, Dad asked me to come and see Auntie."

Fang pulled her son over and introduced him, "This is my youngest son, Qian Shunqing."

Zhulan looked at the little boy, who looked like Fang and was quite honest. Well, the name was not bad, at least it was not vulgar. She took out a purse and said, "This is given by my auntie. Take it quickly."

Zhulan put one or two silver coins in her purse, which she specially prepared when she came.

The young man took the purse. It was probably the first time he received a gift. He smiled happily and thanked her, "Thank you, Auntie."

Fang motioned her son to go out first, and after he left, she said, "This kid is in the front yard following the nephews to be enlightened."

Zhulan didn't ask why only Qian Shunqing came to see her, thinking that Mr. Qian was holding her back, "Did the family invite a gentleman?"

Fang nodded, "We can't invite a scholar, we can invite an old student."

Zhulan smiled. Qian Shengbao really had a good idea. He didn't send his grandchildren to private schools, but enlightened them at home since they were young. He even wanted to send them to academy!

The following topics were dominated by Fang. Fang did not want to talk about her past, nor did she want to talk about her days in the Qian family. She was happy to listen to stories about her daughters and granddaughters.

Zhulan is also happy and doesn't need to find topics to talk about. She can just chat. She likes children. She has taken care of Yushuang and Mingrui, and the children have a lot of fun.

Don't be fooled by Yu Shuang's quiet appearance. This girl is very cunning. She has cheated Ming Teng many times, and Ming Teng is still a fool. Sister Yu Shuang is the best.

At noon, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren stayed for lunch. There were only Zhulan and Fang at Zhulan's table. When the meal was served, Zhulan also saw the daughters-in-law of the Qian family. They all looked shrewd. They kept looking around. She tried to ask Fang to stay with her several times. She guessed that if Fang got Qian Shengbao, she would not keep any of them.

Zhulan was happy and relaxed, and the two of them ate more freely. The Qian family was indeed rich, and they had twelve dishes, including goose, lamb, and roe deer meat.

Fang saw that Zhulan ate more goose meat, "Does my mother-in-law like goose meat?"