The male master of the Shen family knew nothing about what happened in the courtyard. After being dismissed from the Hanlin Academy, he said goodbye to his colleagues and walked out of the Yamen.
However, he did not go home as usual, but turned to the main street and strolled slowly.
Kyoto is prosperous, and there is no shortage of shops selling things. Even if the sun is about to set, there are still many customers coming in and out. There is an endless stream, and it is as lively as ever.
Shen Xingluo shuttled among the crowd. Thanks to his dark red official uniform and extraordinary temperament, he attracted many surprised looks along the way.
The person involved walked calmly and stopped in front of a jewelry shop for a while. He saw that there were no customers at the counter and walked in.
At this time, the shopkeeper had just sent away several female relatives and was taking stock of today's results. He opened his mouth when he heard footsteps approaching from far away.
"What does this guest want to buy? Oh, you, are you Lord Shen?"
Shen Xingluo's visit was beyond his expectation.
There is no shortage of officials in Kyoto, and there are countless young talents. Most of the Imperial College students who come from official families are a bit rebellious in their nobility. The children of aristocratic families from all over the world and the poor students Wen Liangjian make them elegant and graceful. , but people like Zhuangyuanlang are extremely rare.
The black eyes are bottomless, and the temperament is indifferent and cold, which makes people unforgettable.
"Hello, shopkeeper."
Shen Xingluo nodded in acquiescence. It was not surprising that the shopkeeper, who dealt with customers all day long, knew him. After all, it had only been a few days since the student parade.
After saying hello, those black eyes swept over the jewelry in front of him.
The jewelry shops on the main street of Kyoto represent the most cutting-edge fashion of the Great Yan Dynasty. The products at the counter are dazzling. There are gold hairpins, silver ornaments, pearls, jade and other rare treasures. In the corner, there are wooden hairpins of complex styles and colors. Although they are not outstanding, they are all ingenious.
Shen Xingluo thought, "Is there any jade that has never been carved?"
"."What?
The shopkeeper was stunned and nodded subconsciously.
“Yes, yes!”
“Please take it out and have a look at the shopkeeper. I want to pick a few pieces.”
“Okay, please wait for a while.”
The shopkeeper turned around and walked behind the counter, and soon came back with several wooden boxes.
"These are the rough stones that the shop bought recently. They are all old rip-offs. Does Mr. Shen like them after taking a look?"
The wooden box has three layers, the first layer is the quality. Compared with ordinary jade, the lower two layers are much better, and the price is naturally much different.
The shopkeeper is able to open a jewelry shop on the most prosperous main street in Kyoto, and his conduct is naturally far above ordinary people. He knows that Shen Xingluo comes from a poor family, so the rough stones he selects are of all shapes and sizes.
Shen Xingluo lowered his head and picked a few pieces.
"Are there any engraving tools for sale in the shop?"
"This" has really never been sold.
He has never sold even rough stones!
The more exquisite things in jewelry shops are, the more popular they are. Ordinary people don’t have the skills to carve them by themselves. This is really strange.
The shopkeeper muttered in his heart, but his mind was racing:
"There are some engraving tools in the store that have never been used. If Mr. Shen wants it, how about I transfer it to you at the purchase price?"
"Thank you very much, shopkeeper."
Shen Xingluo picked out a few more pieces. , "How much silver do these add up to?"
"The raw stone is cheaper without engraving. With a set of engraving tools, the total is fifty-five taels."
"This is silver."
Shen Xingluo took out a fifty-tael silver note and fifty-tael pieces of silver from his purse, took the wooden box containing the rough stone and carving tools, and walked out of the jewelry shop.
The shopkeeper held the banknotes and broken silver for a long time without putting them in immediately. Looking at the door, he still felt novel.
***
Shen Xingluo's trip didn't take much time, and he didn't attract the attention of his family when he got home.
Su Zhan and others moved quickly. After the aunts bought the pork, they went home with the free ribs, and the small courtyard returned to its former quietness. As usual, dinner was five dishes and one soup cooked by Shen Xingqi and Wang Shu. Mr. Xu happily sipped wine and ate the dishes, not to mention how comfortable it was.
The charcoal fire in the iron stove in the living room is burning red and warm.
“I haven’t seen much sun these days, and it looks like it’s going to snow.”
“Kyoto is located in the north, and winter is colder than Lin’an Prefecture. There is enough firewood in the kitchen. Use? ”
“There don’t seem to be many. ”
Shen Xingluo looked at Su Zhan, who immediately understood, "I will go out for a walk tomorrow, buy more and put it back."
"Buy more charcoal and install iron stoves in each bedroom. Don’t save money at night, keeping warm is important.”
“Yes.”
Charcoal used for heating in ancient winters was not cheap, but the Shen family only looked poor on the surface, but in fact it was not at all. There is no shortage of silver flowers.
Mr. Xu listened to the casual discussion of several people. He didn't say much at all, and his expression became more soothing while drinking a small drink.
Ah~ So this is the day when you have children (?) and take care of yourself until old age?
It’s so comfortable!
"Apprentice, is it best to warm up by eating charcoal barbecue on such a cold day?"
"Yes, you are really wise."
Cheng Xi laughed and said, "Tomorrow I processed the remaining wild boar. How about cutting up some more meat and roasting it at night?”
Xu Laokong pointed at Jiangshan with his free finger, "Heat up another pot of good wine!"
"Okay, you should take it easy and don't drink too much every day."
"Don't do that. I underestimated your master’s medical skills, but I’m still in good health.”
Everyone believes this.
Not only Mr. Xu, but also the other three people except Shen Xingluo and Cheng Xi felt the difference in their bodies. Shen Xingqi not only felt stronger but also as light as a swallow. She was tireless when she was usually busy.
As a Jianghu person, Wang Shu has some hidden scars on his body. Recently, those scars have not only disappeared, but his internal strength has also greatly improved, which is no longer the same.
Su Zhan was the one who felt it the most. It only took half a year for him to go from a weak scholar who could not carry his shoulders or lift his hands to a master of martial arts. This kind of thing would cause a sensation no matter where he said it.
Everyone looked at the food and fruit wine on the table and knew it very well, and they spoke very tightly.
The peaceful after-dinner time of warming up by the fire was interrupted by a heavy and powerful knock on the door. Before everyone had time to wonder who was coming to the door late at night, they heard a familiar roar.
“Xi Yatou!”
"Son-in-law!"
"I'm here!"
Cheng Daqian's voice was surprisingly loud. He was afraid that his daughter, who lived in the second courtyard, wouldn't hear her and brought a few percent of his inner energy with him. Neighbors all over the place poked their heads out of their cold rooms to take a look.
Shen Xingluo stood up first, put on a cotton coat and pushed out the door.
Cheng Xi followed closely and his face became more joyful.
Her father is here!
The thin figure quickly passed by Shen Xingluo and ran quickly to the door, opening the wooden door with one stroke.
“Dad, my daughter misses you so much!”
“.?” Didn’t we just meet her not long ago?
A big question mark appeared on Cheng Daqian’s forehead, “Daughter, what’s wrong with you, are you bullying your son-in-law again?”
"." What does it mean?
Has she ever bullied Shen Xingluo?
Cheng Xi felt that she was more wronged than Dou E. A gust of cold wind blew in and made her feel cold. The feeling of closeness that had not arisen for two years disappeared instantly without a trace. (End of this chapter)