Chapter 147, Stationery Distribution
Xingzhou, Yanfu.
As the end of the year drew closer, Madam Li was extremely busy. She had to prepare New Year gifts, attend banquets held by various mansions, and calculate the profits of the farm. She was so busy that she even pulled out the rice flowers.
"Your father was promoted to prefect this year, and the New Year gifts exchanged are several times more than last year." Mrs. Li was checking the list of New Year gifts sent by each family while talking to her daughter who was doing the accounting.
Daohua said without even looking up: "As the official gets higher up, there will naturally be more people fawning over him."
Madam Li glanced at her daughter and scolded her with a smile, "Don't say that outside."
Daohua raised her head, stuck out her tongue, and said playfully, "My daughter is not stupid."
Mrs. Li said unhappily: "Yes, you are the most capable." As she said that, the corners of her mouth curled up. This year it was really thanks to her daughter, otherwise she didn't know how annoyed she would be at this time.
The more New Year gifts are exchanged, the more expenses there will be. If it weren't for the money made from the watermelons on the farm, this year's New Year gifts would probably seem shabby again.
Thinking of the gifts her family had given back to the other families, Mrs. Li showed a hint of pride on her face, and said to her daughter in a cheerful tone, "This year, our family's return gifts include the vegetables and flowers you planted. It can be said that they are the best in Xingzhou City."
Scarcity makes things valuable. Vegetables and flowers are scarce in winter and it is difficult to buy them even if you have money.
Although some other families also have greenhouses, the vegetables and flowers grown there are not as good as those in our own home.
The Zhou family is quite wealthy, but in order to eat their own food, don’t they ask their daughters to get close to their daughter every few days?
As proud as Madam Li was Yan Zhigao who worked in the yamen.
This year's New Year gifts from his family really made him gain a lot of face in the provincial government. Every day someone came to thank him, saying that the vegetables he sent were delicious or that the potted plants were beautiful. This immediately brought him closer to the officials under his command.
Especially in the yamen, those old-fashioned people who stick to the rules and have strong connections behind them, because of the New Year gifts and thoughts they sent to him, they reduced some obstacles and criticisms on his work at the end of the year, which made him feel a lot more relaxed.
At this moment, Yan Zhigao was sitting in the study in the outer courtyard in a good mood, admiring the calligraphy and paintings sent by his subordinates.
Suddenly, Butler Sun came in holding a rather large box. "Master, this is a New Year's gift from Magistrate Wang."
Yan Zhi raised his eyebrows: "Bring it here so I can see it?" Qian Tongzhi had secretly told him before that Du Canyi was standing behind Wang Tongpan.
Wang Tongpan was a capable man, and he did everything he was told to do. As long as Wang Tongpan didn't try to trip him up, he wouldn't make things too difficult for him.
Of course, there will be no reuse.
Butler Sun gently placed the box on the table and opened it carefully.
It is a complete set of stationery.
Pens, ink, inkstones, pen washers, pen lickers, inkstone drippers, rulers, armrests, etc. are all available.
Yan Zhigao picked up the brush and looked at it. It was a top-quality Xuan brush. Then he looked at the inkstone. It was actually a Duan inkstone. "President Wang is really willing to spend this."
This whole set of equipment, not to mention its value, would probably take a lot of effort to get.
Yan Zhigao looked at the stationery on his desk. They were all newly purchased, but he didn't need this new set for the time being.
"father!"
Just then, Yan Wenbin walked in.
Yan Zhigao put down the brush in his hand and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"
When Yan Wenbin saw the stationery on the table, his eyes lit up. He was still lacking a set of high-quality stationery, and this set was just right.
In the past, seeing his beloved little son showing a longing expression, Yan Zhigao would definitely take the initiative to ask him to take it, but this time, he said nothing.
Seeing this, Butler Sun, who was standing aside, had an idea.
He had been serving his master since he was yet to take the imperial examination. Over the years, he had witnessed how much he doted on the Lin children.
When Fifth Master entered the room and saw the stationery, he thought that this set of stationery might be taken away by Fifth Master. But looking at the look on Master's face at the moment, it seemed that he was not going to give the stationery to Fifth Master!
This is the first time ever!
Are you going to keep it for me?
That’s right, the eldest master is the eldest son after all. Even if the master favors the younger son, he will not ignore the eldest master.
Yan Wenbin was slightly disappointed when he saw that his father didn't even mention giving him any stationery. "Dad, I don't understand some of the content in the textbook. I'd like to ask for your guidance."
Seeing that his youngest son knew how to work hard and make progress, Yan Zhigao was very happy: "Show it to me."
Afterwards, Yan Zhigao explained to Yan Wenbin in detail the parts he didn't understand.
The highlighted question had been answered, but Yan Wenbin was still hesitant and didn't leave immediately.
Yan Zhigao: "Why, do you still have questions?"
Yan Wenbin moved his lips and wanted to ask for the set of stationery, but after thinking about it, he decided to go back and tell his aunt and let her ask his father for it.
As long as my aunt asks, my father will almost never refuse.
After Yan Wenbin came out of the study, he went straight to Shuangxinyuan and told Aunt Lin about the stationery.
Aunt Lin saw her son's anxious face and thought something was wrong. After hearing what he said, she immediately smiled and said, "It's just a set of stationery. I'll help you get it. Look how anxious you are."
Yan Wenbin looked embarrassed and said, "My son really likes that stationery set."
Aunt Lin smiled and said, "Okay, okay, wait until your father comes to Shuangxin Courtyard, no, wait until your father comes back from the outer courtyard, and then I will go find him and promise to get the stationery for you."
Yan Wenbin was a little worried: "Mom, will Dad give it to me? In the past, Dad would take the initiative to ask for something his son liked, but this time, his son stayed in the study for so long, and Dad didn't say anything."
Aunt Lin was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's the end of the year, and your father is busy with things. Maybe he didn't expect it." After saying this, she pondered for a moment and called the maid over, "Go to the hanging flower gate and watch. If you see the master coming back from the front yard, tell me."
Outer study.
After Yan Wenbin left, Yan Zhigao looked down at the stationery on the table. Thinking that he had never given his eldest daughter anything, he called over the housekeeper Sun and said, "Go, take this set of stationery to Daohua. That girl has good handwriting, so she might need it."
Hearing this, Butler Sun looked surprised.
Don't blame him for this. Among the five children of the eldest wife, the eldest master is the most valued; and the fifth master and the third daughter are the most favored.
The eldest girl and the fourth master being caught in the middle, well, it was actually a bit awkward.
At least, in the past, when the master had good things in his hands, he rarely thought of these two.
Although Butler Sun was surprised, he did not show it on his face. He smiled, covered the stationery, then carefully picked it up and walked towards the main courtyard.
Main courtyard.
Daohua had just finished calculating the annual income and expenditure of Madam Li's dowry shop and was about to take a stroll in the yard when she saw Butler Sun coming in holding a box.
"Madam, this is the stationery that the master gave to the eldest girl."
Butler Sun bowed to the two of them and placed the stationery on the table with a smile.
Daohua was a little shocked: "For me? Are you sure?" Her cheap father actually thought of her?
When Butler Sun saw the disbelief on the eldest girl's face, the corners of his mouth twitched. Look, even the eldest girl herself didn't believe it, so it was normal for him to be surprised before.
"Yes, Master said the young lady has a good handwriting, which is just right for this set of stationery."
Mrs. Li glared at her daughter and urged her, "Open it quickly and take a look."
Daohua put aside her doubts and opened the box. Seeing the complete set of stationery inside, she couldn't help but feel happy: "I was just telling grandma that I didn't have a ruler or armrest, but now I don't have to buy them."
Mrs. Li saw that each stationery item was made of the finest material and said with a smile, "Then you have to thank your father."
Daohua looked through the stationery without saying anything.
Shuangxinyuan.
Butler Sun took the stationery to the main courtyard, and Aunt Lin knew about it immediately.
She also found it hard to believe.
How could it be given to the older girl?
Even if it’s not given to Wenbin, it should be given to me.
The eldest daughter often talks back to the master. Doesn’t the master dislike this daughter very much?
(End of this chapter)
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