Chapter 11: Obtaining the Flower and Bird Pendant, Contacting the County Magistrate...
Xu You's letter was delivered to Zhang Ting that same day.
But Zhang Ting immediately recognized that it was not her work; the language was sophisticated and worldly-wise.
She narrowed her eyes and pondered for a moment before replying to the maid: "Go and inform your master that Zhang is deeply honored and will certainly attend the banquet on time tomorrow."
He then took a tael of silver from the money box and gave it to her as a reward.
That night, Zhang Ting lay on the bed with her hands behind her head, reviewing the day's events. She thought about how Xu You's mother or father would make trouble the next day, what she needed to prepare for her trip to the capital, and how she needed to visit Magistrate Niu to build a relationship.
Zhang Ting slept soundly without any dreams. After eating, she picked up her pen and wrote a letter to Li An, saying that she had met with Xu You and learned a lot. She also mentioned that she was going to the capital to try her luck, and that she might have some unexpected surprises. She thanked Li An again for her efforts on her behalf.
She then changed back into her clothes from yesterday, counted out twenty taels of silver and put them in her pocket, making all the necessary preparations before asking the driver to take her to the Xu residence.
The Xu family mansion is located in the east of the city, surrounded by white walls and surrounded by plum trees. Two stone lions stand majestically in front of the gate, making it an extraordinary place.
Zhang Ting was welcomed into the house by Xu You. After following her through the hanging flower gate, a completely new scene unfolded before her eyes.
The stone path winds through the courtyard, with rocks of various shapes standing in the pond. It is clearly winter, but the orchids on both sides of the path are in full bloom, creating a tranquil and elegant scene that is breathtakingly beautiful.
Zhang Ting thought she had misremembered the flowering period, but upon closer inspection, she noticed some fresh mud scattered on the orchid leaves, and several braziers were placed in the surrounding corners.
So it's all about money.
After Zhang Ting took his seat, Xu's mother also came out to "accompany" him, wearing a plain pine-green robe and with a kind face.
"This must be my nephew Zhang. I've heard so much about you, but seeing you in person is truly an honor. You are indeed a man of great talent and a promising young man!" Mother Xu earnestly invited Zhang Ting to sit down.
Zhang Ting bowed to her, saying, "Aunt Xu, you flatter me. I am deeply humbled."
“Oh, my dear nephew, you are mistaken. I have long heard of your talent and reputation. You are truly a remarkable person in this county. Why do you need to be so modest?”
She sighed again, pointed at Xu You who couldn't get a word in edgewise, and scolded, "If you had even a fraction of your nephew's talent and virtue, why would this old woman have to worry so much?"
Xu You didn't understand why she was being scolded by her mother, but she was very respectful and said with her hands clasped in shame, "Mother is right. It is your daughter who is unfilial."
Zhang Ting defended Xu You, saying, "Auntie, you are too kind. I think that although Sister Xu does not have the talent to manage the world, she is honest, humble and filial by nature, and is truly a commendable person."
Madam Xu smiled and asked the servant to pour her a cup of wine.
Xu You happily followed his mother in toasting Zhang Ting.
Zhang Ting returned each remark with respect and humility, her every gesture impeccable.
Madam Xu nodded approvingly and instructed the servant to present the gift prepared for Zhang Ting.
It was a jade pendant carved with flowers and birds in a bluish-white color. The jade was warm and lustrous, and the shape was full of vitality. It was obviously very valuable.
"I have heard that you are indifferent to fame and fortune, but I am a vulgar person with a house full of gold and silver. Only this jade pendant is elegant and interesting. Today I give it to you to enjoy, as a token of my appreciation."
Zhang Ting: "This...gift is too precious, I am humbled and dare not accept it."
Mother Xu waved her hand, "It's just a small gift, my dear nephew, please don't refuse."
Now that things have come to this, Zhang Ting would be offending her elders if she refused again. "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Auntie."
Later, Xu's mother talked to her about going to the capital, saying that Xu You was careless and asked Zhang Ting to take good care of him.
Zhang Ting readily agreed after receiving the items, beaming with joy: "Sister Xu is cautious and prudent in her actions, far beyond my reach. But if there is anything I can do to help, I will certainly do my utmost."
Xu's mother just smiled when she heard the first part of her story, but she was relieved when she heard the second part.
Zhang Ting is a shrewd and pragmatic person.
Xu You heard Zhang Ting praising her again and felt that she had made the right friend, as he always managed to discover her strengths.
After drinking more wine, Madam Xu summoned the household's entertainers to add to the festivities. The musicians played music, and young, beautiful boys danced in the courtyard, their figures soft and graceful, dazzling like butterflies, captivating all who watched.
One of the boys, who had a beauty mark under his left eye, even winked at her in the crowd.
Zhang Ting remained unmoved, believing that beauty was a money-devouring beast and a stumbling block on the road to success.
The music ended, the guests dispersed, and the banquet was over.
Zhang Ting politely declined Xu's mother's invitation to stay overnight and left the Xu residence to prepare her belongings.
It was the dead of winter, and the journey was long, so I first went to the pharmacy and got a bottle of Yupingfeng Pills and Rendan pills, just in case.
Afterwards, I bought some dry food, just in case. Suddenly I remembered that I needed a travel permit to travel far away, so I went to the government office to get one.
By the time Zhang Ting came out with the road permit, it was already late afternoon. Before it got dark, she hurried to Shopkeeper Lü's shop on the back street in the west of the city to buy clothes.
Now, only Manager Lü is in the shop keeping accounts; the place is deserted.
The last time I came to Manager Lü's place, there were fewer people, but at least there were two or three.
While selecting clothes, Zhang Ting casually struck up a conversation with him: "What's wrong with Manager Lü today? Business isn't very good."
Little did they know that this touched a nerve with Manager Lü. Manager Lü slammed the ledger shut and spat on the ground.
He stood with his hands on his hips, fuming, "It's all because of that old man Mi from the front street. He already has four shops and he's still not satisfied. Now he's opened a new clothing store to compete with me!"
"Greed knows no bounds; why doesn't that damned woman just devour the entire county?!"
Zhang Ting hesitated: "But what about the owner of the rice, cooking oil shop?"
"It's her, how come you don't know?"
Zhang Ting was embarrassed; it turned out that the man's real name was Boss Mi.
"I bought rice from her a few days ago. I only knew that she owned three shops, and I haven't seen her since."
Shopkeeper Lü complained to her incessantly: "That bastard surnamed Mi is a real scoundrel. Three days ago, he chased away Zhang Erniang from the front street. Zhang Erniang is a coward too. She just let that bastard open his shop there. Now, the only rice and flour in the county can be bought from her. She won't sell even a single grain of rice to anyone she doesn't get along with."
Zhang Ting realized: No wonder the rice shop owner only recommended her to buy seasonings that day. It turns out that the owner planned to monopolize hard commodities like rice, flour, and oil. You can't avoid buying from her even if you don't want to.
Zhang Ting finally chose a maroon Song brocade robe embroidered with cranes and a black satin robe with a lotus flower pattern. He then bought two sets of undergarments, a pair of leather boots, and a fur collar. Boss Lü readily rounded down the price to a total of eighteen taels and one string of cash.
After settling the bill, Zhang Ting had only one string of cash left after deducting the cost of his return journey.
Thinking that the capital city was prosperous and full of powerful people, the prices must be much higher than in the county town. She decided to use one string of cash to order a snow-white mink fur coat from Manager Lü, with a balance of nineteen taels and eight mace of silver, and agreed to pick it up the next day.
Manager Lü was truly impressed by her, and said in bewilderment, "Your daughter comes to me with more and more money each time; even robbing her wouldn't be this fast!"
Zhang Ting smiled but remained silent.
After they came out, the sun was almost setting. Zhang Ting didn't have time to send a letter to Li An, so he quickly called over a little beggar, gave her five coins, and asked her to deliver a letter to the Zou residence for him.
Zhang Ting then embarked on her journey home.
The next day, Zhang Ting started her business early in the morning. She took twenty-six taels of silver from the money box, took the tea she had prepared to serve guests, and went to the county town again.
Today is her day off, and she is going to visit Magistrate Niu.
Zhang Ting disembarked from the carriage in the west of the city and bought some pastries and a basket of pears at Yuanji Pastry Shop.
After inquiring about the number of people in Magistrate Niu's household from the shopkeeper, Zhang Ting also prepared two small purses, each containing five qian of silver.
Zhang Ting arrived at the county government office, told the gatekeeper his purpose, and gave her a coin to help him pass on the message.
Once the money was received, things became easier, and the gatekeeper soon came out to lead Zhang Ting inside.
The county government office has flying eaves and brackets, and is magnificent in appearance. The buildings are neat and symmetrical, and orderly, showing a solemn and majestic atmosphere.
Following the gatekeeper to the backyard of the county government office, the gatekeeper reminded Zhang Ting: "To the left is the Niu County Magistrate's house, and to her right is the Song County Magistrate's family."
Zhang Ting thanked her and then went to the left.
County Magistrate Niu happened to have tidied his clothes and come out to greet them, followed by a servant.
"Junior sister, why didn't you send an invitation beforehand? It's made me feel like I haven't been proper with my manners today."
Zhang Ting handed the water gift to the servant and bowed to Magistrate Niu to apologize: "It was my junior sister who was impolite. Please forgive me, senior sister."
“My senior sister invited me to dinner the other day, but I had something to do. I’ve been tossing and turning and feeling ashamed for the past three days. Today, my junior sister has prepared a small gift to apologize.”
When Magistrate Niu saw that the gift she brought was quite impressive, including a tin of tea, which was the famous Da Hong Pao, he smiled and pointed it out to her, thinking to himself that this junior sister was quite knowledgeable and savvy.
He invited her in, and even called his wife and daughters to come and meet her in the hall.
The husband of Magistrate Niu, surnamed Yu, was a handsome young man, gentle and dignified, yet also charming. His graceful bow to Zhang Ting was quite alluring.
His daughter was sixteen or seventeen years old and looked very much like the county magistrate. She came out with a sour face and glared at her father, showing that the two did not get along well.
Zhang Ting knew that County Magistrate Niu had a son, but for some reason, he hadn't come out to meet him.
County Magistrate Niu introduced his daughter, saying, "This is your Aunt Zhang. Hurry up and pay your respects."
The daughter had no objections to Zhang Ting and obediently bowed. Zhang Ting then gave her a small purse as a greeting gift.
The daughter casually tucked the purse into her bosom. She had seen plenty of nice things and didn't care much about Zhang Ting's gift.
County Magistrate Niu said to Zhang Ting, "This is my daughter, whose given name is Hong. She has been unruly since childhood, and I hope you will forgive her, junior sister."
Zhang Ting praised Niu Hong for his dignified appearance, straightforward nature, and optimistic and cheerful disposition, and told County Magistrate Niu not to underestimate himself.
County Magistrate Niu was delighted to hear this, and in return praised Piao Ting's outstanding talent and virtue, even asking her to tutor Niu Hong in his studies when she had time.
Niu Honghou, standing to the side, saw Zhang Ting agreeing with his mother and thought she was the kind of person who would curry favor with others. He couldn't help but feel contempt. He was young and impetuous, and when he heard his mother asking Zhang Ting to teach her, how could he be willing?
He made an excuse that he had something to do and hurriedly went back to his room.
The county magistrate was so angry that he scolded her, but she remained unmoved and ran away like a gust of wind.
Madam Yu came over to comfort her, telling her to take care of herself and not to get angry. She said that her daughter was a little immature and rebellious at the moment, but she would get better in time.
County Magistrate Niu became even angrier upon hearing his words, "How ignorant! How ignorant! He's sixteen and still doesn't know any better! Disrespectful to his father, disobedient to his mother, what a wretched child!"
Every family has its own troubles. Zhang Ting, though refuted, didn't lose face. Instead, he advised Magistrate Niu that all children are like that and they will naturally understand when the time comes.
County Magistrate Niu let out a heavy sigh, then told his husband to prepare lunch, leaving Zhang Ting behind to speak.
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