Chapter 13: Hu Ji, our boss, Moshang Jushi
Si Yao returned to the academy and just put down his things.
Mu Tong, who lived next door to her, came over.
She walked around her and looked her up and down. "Junior Sister Yao, why do you look so haggard after coming home? You seem a little weak."
Mu Tong suddenly moved closer to her and narrowed his eyes: "Are you going to do something bad?"
She knew that there were still many temptations at her age.
Mu Tong looked like an experienced person. He patted her shoulder and said earnestly, "Although this gentle place is nice, you must know how to be moderate. Although you are an adult, you can't be greedy or it will damage your health."
In this regard, she really should learn more from her.
"Senior Sister, you're overthinking it."
Si Yao slapped her hand away and said coldly, "I just took a cold bath at home and caught a cold."
After saying that, she coughed twice against her lips.
The vermilion lips became more and more bright red and gorgeous.
Mu Tong: “…”
"Hahaha…"
She laughed a few times awkwardly.
She looked a little uncomfortable, "I said Junior Sister Yao wasn't that kind of person. So that's how it is. So that's how it is."
Mu Tong looked at her with indifference.
He quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand me, Junior Sister. Actually, I haven't been to that kind of place many times. When I went there, I just drank and listened to music. I really didn't do anything else!"
She became more and more excited as she spoke.
"Senior Sister—"
Si Yao interrupted her directly and said, "You don't have to explain to me. I'm not interested in these things. Don't worry, I won't complain to the teacher."
After saying that, he turned around and packed his bag.
Mu Tong: “…”
She stared at Si Yao's slender back, which was as graceful as a pine or bamboo.
Not giving up, she approached again, "Junior Sister Yao, tell me the truth, you really don't have any thoughts on this?"
She is a young woman full of vigor and energy, and at an impulsive age.
Is he really like an ice man with no desires or wants?
Mu Tong opened the folding fan in his hand to cover the corners of his lips, and glanced at her with ambiguous eyes: "You haven't even had a spring dream?"
When Si Yao heard this, his movements paused slightly, but quickly returned to normal.
He blinked his dark eyes and looked at her straight, without saying a word.
Mu Tong: “…”
"Okay, okay, I won't ask."
She put away her folding fan and took a few steps back. "Junior Sister Yao is naturally different from ordinary people like us. It's you who has a narrow mindset."
He slapped his lips a few times as if to show off.
At this moment, a student suddenly walked in and said to the two of them, "Senior Sister Mu, Junior Sister Si, Master Qi wants you to come over."
Upon hearing this, the two of them did not dare to delay and immediately walked towards Master Qi's Jingxue Residence.
Master Qi has been waiting inside for a long time.
Seeing the two people come in, he raised his head and said, "You are here, come in and sit down."
"teacher--"
Si Yao and Mu Tong performed the student etiquette in a proper manner.
Master Qi raised his hand and addressed the two men directly, "The Autumn Examination is approaching. This year, both of you must take the test. I have taught you everything I can. Whether you can pass depends on your own ability."
As the saying goes, a master can only lead you to the door, but the practice is up to you individually.
Master Qi still has great confidence in these two direct students.
Especially Si Yao.
"Yao'er, you are now over fifteen years old and have reached adulthood. I, your teacher, have bestowed upon you the name 'Yuzhuo'. I hope you will live up to my expectations and be on the list of successful candidates."
"Thank you, teacher."
Si Yao bowed respectfully.
Master Qi was very satisfied with his humble and calm demeanor.
Her eyes shifted slightly, landing on Mu Tong beside her, and she couldn't help but frowning: "Learn more from your junior sister, and get rid of that arrogant and frivolous air in you. Don't always do those pretentious things, it makes me lose face as your teacher."
Master Qi snorted coldly, his gaze pausing on the folding fan in her hand.
Mu Tong hung his head like a sick cat, not daring to say a word. He seemed to have gotten used to it.
Anyway, ever since Si Yao followed Master Qi, she has never been treated well.
Sometimes Mu Tong was really jealous of his perverted junior sister.
"Don't think you can get away with it by keeping quiet."
Master Qi glared at me, his face full of seriousness. "If you do too poorly on the test this time, I will expel you from the academy to avoid tarnishing my reputation."
"Teacher, don't worry. I will definitely work hard."
Mu Tong found the right opportunity and grinned.
Master Qi turned his eyes away. "Alright, the reason I asked you to come here today is because the county magistrate sent a letter saying he's going to hold a banquet at the county government office and invites you students to come. It's to celebrate for you students who are taking the Autumn Examination."
She took out two invitations and handed them to the two of them.
"Three days later, you can take it back. Don't let the county magistrate down."
The construction of Yunlu Academy was also funded by the county magistrate.
Even a great scholar like Master Qi was willing to give her face.
She waved her hand and asked the two to leave.
After Mu Tong came out, his whole body suddenly relaxed.
She put her hand on Si Yao's shoulder and sighed, "Ah... No, it's Junior Sister Yuzhuo. Come and help me up, Senior Sister. Every time I see the teacher, my calves start to tremble."
Si Yao dodged.
He took a step back and bowed to her, "Senior Sister, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
After saying this, he didn't wait for Mu Tong to react.
Just leave quickly.
Left Mu Tong standing there, sighing twice in dissatisfaction.
*
Three days later, it was the day when the county magistrate held a banquet.
At the same time, Fang Zhiyue also came to the town early in the morning on Aunt Zhang's ox cart.
After saying goodbye to Aunt Zhang, he carried his small bag and walked towards the town.
I always stop at every antique calligraphy and painting shop I pass by.
In the small bundle were three walnut carvings that he had carved. Fang Zhiyue wanted to try his luck and see if he could sell them.
He mustered up his courage and chose a shop to go into.
The waiter sitting behind the counter saw someone coming in and immediately greeted him with a smile: "Sir, is there anything you need? Our shop has everything you need."
Fang Zhiyue nodded at her stiffly.
Then he opened the small bundle in his hand, placed it on the counter, and asked her quietly, "I wonder if the store will accept this?"
When the waiter saw that he was not buying anything, his attitude suddenly became much colder.
She glanced at it casually, then paused. She raised her head again and asked, "What is this?"
"This is a walnut carving I made, of a jade rabbit embracing the moon."
"Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon?"
The waiter picked up one and looked at it carefully.
He carved flowers, rabbits and a full moon out of the small peach pit, making it look lifelike and a masterpiece of craftsmanship. It is indeed a rare item.
but……
She looked at the reserved man in front of her and noticed his ordinary clothes.
He threw the peach pit carving back and shook his head deliberately. "This little thing is indeed exquisite and ingenious. But it's so small that it's not very practical. It can only be placed for appreciation. And no matter how exquisite it is, it's just made of peach pits. It's really not worth much. Since you are willing to sell it, I will accept these three little things for one or two taels of silver."
One or two taels of silver is a huge sum of money for a poor family.
But Fang Zhiyue learned this from Chen's husband, that each of his walnut carvings could be sold for one or two taels in the capital.
He was a little hesitant.
"how?"
When the waiter saw him like this, he immediately became unhappy.
She deliberately raised her voice as if to scare him, "I'm already giving you one or two taels of silver, which is too much. If you take it to someone else, it won't be worth even a hundred coins. If you really don't want to sell it, then get out of here. Don't block my business!"
Although he said this, his eyes were always eagerly fixed on the three walnut carvings.
Fang Zhiyue was indeed intimidated by her.
He moved his lips a few times as he was about to speak.
A woman's voice suddenly rang out from the side, "My dear, don't be fooled by her. Your craftsmanship is not something that can be bought with just a few ounces of silver. This walnut carving may be small, but it is a work of exquisite craftsmanship. If it were brought to the capital, I'm sure many nobles would fight over it."
"Who are you?"
Fang Zhiyue immediately looked in the direction of the sound.
She saw a plump woman in rich clothes looking at her with narrowed eyes.
He has a round face and round eyes, and looks very kind.
The waiter glared at the woman as soon as he saw her. "Boss Hu, you've even taken our business away! When our boss comes back, she'll definitely demand justice from you."
"Fair? Ugh!"
The woman called Boss Hu sneered and glared at the waiter. "You deliberately deceived this gentleman, and you still have the nerve to ask for justice? Old Xie is also very short-sighted. He actually hired someone like you. It's really a disgrace to us merchants."
She scolded the waiter.
She turned her eyes and looked at Fang Zhiyue again, and said in a gentle voice: "Young Master, I am very interested in the walnut carving in your hand. Why don't you come to my shop and have a seat together?"
Boss Hu pointed to a place not far away. "Look, it's right there. It's just a few steps away."
After saying that, he squinted his eyes and smiled.
Fang Zhiyue looked at her kind face and finally nodded.
I picked up my bag and followed her out.
The waiter was scolded by Boss Hu. Knowing he was in the wrong, he didn't dare to stop him. He could only curse the two men behind their backs and say how unlucky they were.
Fang Zhiyue quickly followed Boss Hu to her shop.
He looked up at the plaque.
Boss Hu introduced him kindly, "It says here that this is Hu's Calligraphy and Painting Shop. Of course, we don't just sell calligraphy and paintings, we also sell books, literature, and rare antiques. Anyway, I sell anything that can make money."
She led Fang Zhiyue into the store.
The waiter who was guarding the shop saw her come back and whispered in her ear, "Boss, the big boss is here. He's staying in the elegant room on the second floor right now."
"oh?"
Boss Hu's eyes lit up.
In front of Fang Zhiyue, he asked the waiter directly, "Did the master come up with something new? Is it a calligraphy scroll or a landscape painting?"
"I don't know about this, and the boss hasn't told me either."
The waiter shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Boss Hu waved his hand and asked her to leave.
She looked at Fang Zhiyue standing nearby and asked, "Would you be willing to show me your carved walnut? It just so happens that our eldest lady is here too. You must have heard of her name, Moshang Jushi. She's a famous person in our town. Since she's here today, I'll show her to her too. What do you think?"
"Boss, please do as you please. I trust you."
Fang Zhiyue handed the bag to her directly and smiled at her with the corners of his lips pursed.
"Well, then, my dear, please wait here for a while."
Boss Hu took the bag from his hand and went straight upstairs.
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