The next day, Shen Nian went to the government office early.
Xia Tian’s house is almost settled, but there are still many things that need to be purchased.
I might as well take Ningxue, Cuiyun and Cuiling with me to buy what I need.
She originally wanted to take everything with her, but Ningxiang said she would stay at home and take care of other things, so she didn't go.
Xia Tian didn't force it and prepared to take the three of them out for a walk on the street.
This is the south, and the weather is nice today. The sun is out and it's not too cold outside. The sun feels warm on my body, which is more comfortable than staying in the house.
As soon as she reached the gate, she met Mrs. Cao and Mrs. Wang who came to see her.
"What a coincidence, ladies! I'm just about to go out!" Xia Tian greeted with a smile.
"Oh, what a coincidence!" Madam Cao flicked her handkerchief and said with a smile, "I thought you had just arrived and would have a lot of things to buy, and you're not familiar with Sangluo City.
I'll come over with Madam Wang and ask you to go shopping together and learn your way around."
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Thank you, Madam Cao and Madam Wang." Xia Tian approached enthusiastically. "Would you like to come in and sit down first?"
"No, no, no." Mrs. Cao quickly waved her hand. "I know a teahouse with a quiet environment. We can go there and sit and drink tea."
"Okay, I'm fine with anything." Xia Tian readily agreed.
She also wanted to learn about the situation in Linzhou from the conversations of these ladies.
They had just finished breakfast and it was still too early to have tea, so they decided to go shopping in a carriage.
Mrs. Cao first took them to the rouge and powder shop.
"Mrs. Xia, let me tell you, the rouge and powder sold in this shop are the best in Sangluo City. You can come and have a look more often if you need them in the future." Mrs. Cao began to introduce her before she even entered the door.
Mrs. Wang also smiled and agreed.
Xia Tian followed them in to pick some, opened them, smelled them, and looked at them. They were indeed of the highest quality.
So they bought a few boxes each. After all, they could give these things to Ningxiang and the others when they got back, so they wouldn't be wasted.
After leaving the rouge and powder shop, I went to the jewelry shop.
Mrs. Cao seemed to be particularly familiar with this store. She recognized the owner and the clerk as soon as they entered the store and took them directly to the second floor to choose.
"Mrs. Cao, you come to this shop often, right?" Xia Tian asked with a smile. "I think the boss lady and the waiter all know you."
"Puff!" Mrs. Wang laughed out loud as she listened to the two of them talking. "Mrs. Xia, you don't know this, do you? This shop is owned by Mrs. Cao."
Xia Tian looked at Mrs. Cao in disbelief.
Madam Cao also looked at her with a smile, and pretended to scold Madam Wang, "Oh, how could you say that? I was planning to make some money from Madam Xia. How can I feel embarrassed when you say that!"
"So this is Madam Cao's shop!" Xia Tian joked, "Then I'm going to buy two more sets today. Madam Cao, please give me a discount!"
"What are you talking about? Madam Xia, just pick out whatever you like today. I'll give it to you as a gift." Madam Cao waved her hand generously.
"That won't do." Xia Tian quickly refused with a smile, "Let's put this aside. I can't take advantage of this. Madam Cao, just give me a discount."
Mrs. Cao narrowed her eyes slightly, but didn't insist. She smiled and nodded, "Okay, tell me which one you like. I'll give you a 20% discount."
"Thank you, Mrs. Cao." Xia Tian smiled until his eyes narrowed. "Then I have to carefully choose two sets today."
As they chatted and laughed, the proprietress brought out the best jewelry and head ornaments in their shop.
Xiatian picked out a pair of red agate bracelets and a set of blue gemstone headdresses.
Mrs. Cao asked her to pick a few more things, but she refused. "I already have enough. This is my first time shopping today. I can't buy too much. There will be other opportunities in the future."
After leaving the jewelry shop, they didn't continue shopping. Instead, Mrs. Cao took them to the teahouse she mentioned to have tea and snacks.
This teahouse was just as Mrs. Cao had described, elegantly and quietly decorated, a perfect place for chatting and discussing matters.
"Mrs. Cao, what do you usually do?" Xia Tian asked with feigned curiosity. "I don't know what to do all day. I used to have a few friends in Beijing to hang out with, but now I'm all alone here."
It was also Xia Tian’s first time to be the wife of an official posted abroad, and she really didn’t know what she should do.
In the past in the capital, although Shen Nian was also an official, the wives of the general families generally made the decisions when officials had social gatherings with each other, and she only had to follow the arrangements.
But it’s different in Linzhou. She is now the wife of the governor of Linzhou and has the highest status among the wives of officials here. She will definitely have a lot of social engagements.
And I don’t know what I said wrong, it would be bad if it brings trouble to Shen Nian.
So you have to be careful when dealing with these ladies.
This was also what Shen Hui specifically reminded her before they set off.
Seeing that she was asking seriously and not asking in a clichéd manner, Madam Cao smiled and said, "When I'm bored, I usually go shopping or play cards with a few other ladies.
We women don’t understand men’s affairs, so we can only find our own fun.”
"Yes, my master is often busy until midnight. Apart from being a housekeeper, I don't have anything else to do. I just play cards, go shopping, drink tea, etc. with Madam Cao and others." Madam Wang also said with a smile.
It seems that these ladies have a very comfortable life. I guess these will be things she will have to face frequently in the future.
"I heard that Linzhou suffered a serious drought at that time, and then there was an epidemic, but it seems not so bad along the way!" Xia Tian found another topic.
"Oh! How could we women know these things? But the drought was quite serious. At that time, my master asked us to use our own rice to make porridge at the city gate!" Mrs. Cao said evasively.
"Yes, my family also gave out porridge at the city gate! At that time, we tried to save our food rations as much as possible.
My master also said that if we save a little, the common people can have a few more bites to eat." Mrs. Wang nodded, and when she spoke of her sadness, she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Both gentlemen are good officials who serve the people. The people are blessed to have them." Xia Tian quickly praised them.
I don’t know whether what they said is true or not. If they were really good officials who serve the people, why would there be so many refugees fleeing famine to other places?
At that time, the emperor ordered the allocation of grain to relieve the disaster.
Moreover, after learning about the situation, they immediately reduced taxes and allocated grain from other places.
Another thing is, how could they have kept the outbreak secret? If the emperor hadn't sent someone to investigate, we probably wouldn't know what the outcome would be.
Otherwise, why would Lord Luo be imprisoned because of the plague?
But no other officials were implicated, which made Xia Tian very confused. According to the emperor's clear-cut character of rewards and punishments, he would not punish only Lord Luo.
Why are the others okay? This can't be just Lord Luo's fault, right?
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