A month passed in a blink of an eye, because posting books occupied almost all of Sang Nianyue's attention, and she had no time to pay attention to other things. Whether it was the old lady in the Marquis Wu'an Mansion, or Shen Tingjun, or Zhou Baolu and Zhou Bingkun, she no longer cared about any of them, and just used all her energy to reopen Chongwen Zhai.
On the day the study opened, no one else was disturbed. Only the brother and sister pulled down the red cloth on the signboard, which was considered open.
But even though it was quiet, this shop attracted the attention of many people in Nancheng District.
Because as early as when Uncle Ya led people to decorate, he made moisture-proof, insect-proof, and fire-proof treatments, and built full bookshelves. The people around here were not blind. They were all watching with wide eyes. As they watched the shop take shape day by day, everyone also found out that a study was going to be opened here.
How strange it is to open a study in Nancheng.
As we all know, the layout of the entire capital is rich in the east and rich in the west, poor in the south and humble in the north.
People in Nancheng are so poor that their pockets are cleaner than their faces. The people here are poor and lower class, and most of the men work as coolies. The women either walk the streets and alleys to wash clothes to earn two copper coins, or they work at home embroidering handkerchiefs and sachets day and night.
But there are still a small number of people who know how to needle and thread. Most women in Nancheng are shrewd and rude people. They don't know a single word and their hands are so thick that they can grind fabric into silk. They have a lot of energy that they can't use up. They wash this house and which house every day, so as to increase their enjoyment and reduce some burden on men.
The living standards of the people in Nancheng are at the lower level. The people can't even fill their stomachs, let alone study?
They really want to study, and they know that reading can help them get ahead, but a book costs at least two taels of silver, which is enough for a family to eat for a year. Who has the spare money when food and clothing are not enough?
The people were all waiting and watching, wanting to see who was not clear-headed enough to open a study in a place like this. As a result, they saw a young woman and child, a young boy?
That's it?
Is this the owner of the study?
Everyone was surprised at first, and then they couldn't help showing expressions of realization.
They just said, if there are some old and sophisticated businessmen, why would they open their study here? At first glance, it seems that he has no business acumen and has never done business before, so he chose this study place. Sure enough, the two owners who showed up confirmed their suspicions.
The people were talking a lot, asking whose family this girl was, and whose boy she was. How could she be so unreliable? This bookstore is a big business, and each book costs a lot of money. If you open a bookstore here, aren't you going to lose money?
Just as everyone was thinking this, they heard the young boy cough twice, take two steps forward and say something about "the opening of a new store". Just when everyone was listening, they suddenly heard the young master say some earth-shattering news.
"Books in the bookstore are allowed to be copied and circulated by scholars. The bookstore also collects copied copies and selects the best. The prices are divided into three grades according to the quality. There is a master in the backyard of the bookstore who can teach young people between six and fifteen years old to read and practice for free. However, the pen and paper used for calligraphy practice must be prepared by parents themselves.”
Putting aside the two pieces of news that shocked everyone's heads, the sister and brother Shi Shi entered the study and returned to the backyard.
They were busy with many things about opening the business, and now they were free. Little did they know that the people on the street almost exploded.
“Can books be copied for free?”
"Collect the transcripts and pay back?"
"The master will enlighten the children without charging any money. We only need to buy pens, inks, paper and inkstones for the children ourselves?"
The parents were all in a panic. They crowded upward one by one, almost pushing Uncle Mute and the two children next to him into the wall.
But Uncle Ya has experienced a big scene after all. He used to run the largest bookstore in Jinzhou City. Even though he was physically ill, he was still able to run the bookstore in a flourishing manner, which is enough to show that he was unusual.
And Uncle Mute is really capable.
Maybe it was the excitement of returning to his old business, but maybe it was the excitement of the people that reminded him of himself who had nothing and was down and out. Uncle Mute quickly fell into the role, and he also had the aura of guiding the country.
He made quick gestures, and the servants around him translated for him, answering the people's questions one by one.
First, students are indeed allowed to copy the books inside for free, but the pen, ink, paper and inkstone are at their own expense.
Second, bookstores do accept transcripts, but they must be transcripts without any errors or omissions and with beautiful handwriting. Of course, the better the handwriting, the higher the price of the copied books, and there is no limit to the maximum price.
Third, there is indeed a master in the backyard of the library. This gentleman failed the list in this year's Spring Festival. But because his home was too far away from the capital and too poor, he did not plan to return to his hometown. I have to work in the capital to earn money to support myself, and prepare for the Spring Festival in three years.
Sang Nianyue kept an eye out for such candidates who failed to pass the exam, and was lucky enough to find a few. However, the others disliked the smallness of her temple, and preferred to be hangers-on in the homes of powerful people, so they all rejected Uncle Mute's invitation.
Only this Ding Juren looks thin and inconspicuous, and a forty-year-old man looks like he is fifty or sixty years old. He was very old and ugly, so he had no intention of working for a wealthy family, so he followed his dumb uncle to Chongwen Zhai as a teacher.
This job is so good, you don’t have to worry about anything, and the employer is generous and gives you enough money. The students he has to teach are all poor children. There are no rigid requirements for the imperial examination. He only needs to teach them how to read and write. This does not waste much time at all. He does not even need to prepare lessons. The time saved can be used by himself. read.
With this in mind, Ding Juren moved into Chongwenzhai the day before yesterday and became the gentleman here.
There are many reasons why Sang Nianyue specially invited such a giant Buddha. First, in this era, only by studying in the imperial examination can one get ahead. The people in Nancheng were poor and the children did not even have the opportunity to study. This was very simple for her. It only takes a few taels of silver to solve this matter, how easy it is.
She actually does things based on the "humanistic" thinking of the Sang family, and she doesn't think it's anything special. After all, she had discussed this matter with her father long before his death, but before she could implement it, her parents passed away...
Second, only when there is demand can consumption be promoted. There are no scholars in Nancheng, and the Four Treasures of the Study cannot be sold here, but what if there are many scholars? Even if they cannot be called scholars, they can only be called students or students, but whether they want to learn to read and write, or want to write manuscripts to support their families, they need to buy the Four Treasures of the Study from the study. Fundamentally speaking, this can Let the pens, inks, paper and inkstones in the study sell better.
So in summary, this is actually a "win-win-win" deal. They earned money and fame, and Chongwenzhai will soon be able to establish a foothold in Nancheng; Mr. Zheng has a place to study in peace, earn money, and concentrate on preparing for the next examination; the children have the opportunity to climb up. Chances are, maybe because of this small move, their lives will never be the same again.
Qing'er was counting these "three wins" in the backyard, while looking at her sister with admiration, "My sister's brain is so good, I didn't even think of such a good idea. Originally, I was still worried. The people in Nancheng were poor and there were no scholars. , how can we continue to run the study. But with my sister's operation, the situation has been revived. And imparting knowledge is something that is beneficial to people throughout their lives. My sister has done a great good deed. "
"Don't praise me." Sang Nianyue said with a chuckle: "Please ask Master to teach children for free. This is something we discussed when dad was still alive. Speaking of which, dad reminded me. And Ding Juren is the one who teaches. , What he did was a great and great deed of great merit. I just had a few coins, so I just gave them away." And this money was also left by my parents. So if this is really a meritorious deed, then she hopes that this deed can be exchanged for her parents to live a good life underground, or that they can be reincarnated into a good family early, so that they can live freely in the next life, and preferably live a long life. 100 years old.
While the siblings were talking, they suddenly saw Ding Juren sitting by the window in the next room, shaking his head and endorsing. His voice was low, and his posture was silent and focused. The roar of the crowd outside and the conversation between the siblings did not disturb him at all.
Sang Nuanyue took her brother's hand and said softly: "Let's go, let's not disturb Ding Juren's study."
Qing'er responded "Okay."
The siblings first walked to the study, said hello to Uncle Dumb, and then left the study to go back to Sang's house.
The clinker was just a few dozen steps from the study to the carriage. The siblings were almost buried in people's "feelings".
It turns out that those common people heard that their children can come to learn knowledge for free. Even if they don't buy the four treasures of the study, it will be fine. They can learn to write on the sand table. This kindness was so great that the people could not repay it, so they rushed to their homes in excitement and brought home the old hens, salted duck eggs, big carp, as well as rock-hard wotou, vegetarian steamed buns, and a jar of pickles. Pimples etc...
Before the siblings could recover, their hands were filled to the brim.
These women had previously murmured that Sang Nianyue was "a young lady who was raised in a boudoir and did not know the sufferings of the world. Once she suffered losses, she would know that business was not easy to do" and so on. But looking at Sang Nianyue now, they felt that she was not a young lady who didn't know the sufferings of the world. She was obviously a living Bodhisattva who saved people from suffering.
The women knew that their own goods were not good, so they were reluctant to force them into the Bodhisattva's hands for fear of making her dirty. Qing'er, on the other hand, is a boy. In their family, a child of this age can be called half an adult, so naturally he has to hold all these things.
Qing'er's hands were stuffed so full that her nose was almost blocked...
Seeing that her younger brother was pitiful, Sang Nuanyue quickly took some from his hands, and then some big meat buns, handkerchiefs, and sachets were stuffed in front of her. Sang Nuanyue wanted to jump up and run out, but consider After all, we were in front of people here, and with so many people watching, she had to blush and keep saying: "Auntie, we can't take your things." "Aunt, stop stuffing it, I can't even take it off. "Auntie, please give this candy to your little grandson at home. I'm so old and I don't eat candy anymore..."
But no matter what she said, the people were still excited and kept stuffing it into her hands.
In the end, if Uncle Dumb and the others hadn't arrived in time, the Sang Nianyue siblings would have been crushed to death by the enthusiasm of the people.
After sitting on their own carriage and waving goodbye to Uncle Mute and all the enthusiastic people, the siblings took a breath with lingering fear, and then told Uncle Li who was driving the carriage: "Go quickly, go quickly."
Uncle Li chuckled and said, "Okay, let's go now."
The horses began to move "thumping", and the wheels of the cart rolled across the bluestone. The siblings watched Nancheng being left behind, and then they let go of their worries.
Sang Nuanyue handed a cup of tea to her brother: "Take a few sips to calm down the shock."
Qing'er looked frightened and said: "Sister, I was scared to death. If I knew the people would be so enthusiastic, I wouldn't even leave the study even if I were beaten to death."
"It's just for this day, just wait until the people calm down."
"But I think that even if they calm down, they will still be so enthusiastic when they see us siblings next time."
Sang Nuanyue choked at her brother's words, but she had to admit that her brother's words made sense.
When a person saves their child and gives their child a chance to pursue a career, which adult would be ungrateful?
Even she was grateful to Master Zheng for accepting Qing'er into his private school and devoted himself to teaching Qing'er knowledge.
She also gave Mrs. Zheng a bundle of repairs, and also gave tea, wine, cakes, fruits, etc. during festivals. She paid real money and was so grateful to Master Zheng. So how could these people in Nancheng not be grateful to Master Zheng, who allowed their children to learn knowledge without giving him any compensation?
Sang Nianyue was thinking about this, but Qing'er suddenly asked: "Sister, is this what the people want?"
"What?" Sang Nuanyue didn't understand Qing'er's question.
Qing'er said solemnly: "It is recorded in the history books that when an official resigned from office, the people burned incense and set up a memorial to see each other off along the way, crying and saying goodbye. Isn't it similar to today's scene?"
Sang Nianyue: "..." Did the people say goodbye to their siblings just now? It seems there is. If Uncle Mute hadn't stopped him all the time, I'm afraid they would have caught up with him.
Under Qing'er's burning gaze, Sang Nuanyue said bravely, "Of course."
Qing'er showed a longing look, "If one day when I leave office, the people will treat me so warmly and bid me farewell, even if my life ends abruptly at that time, I will feel that this life has been worth it."
Sang Nianyue slapped her younger brother: "What nonsense are you talking about? Are you still waiting for others to warmly retain you and say goodbye to you? You think too much. If you want to leave office, at least take office first. But now you can't even try as a boy. If you didn't take the exam, you are still a white body. This is not the past. In the past, you could get an official position based on your character and merit, but now, you can only get an official position through the imperial examination. Work hard, Qing'er. When you pass the imperial examination and become an official, you will have If you have a chance, tell your sister how you feel when you leave office."
It was already noon when the siblings reached the road, and their stomachs were growling with hunger. They simply didn't go home and chose a restaurant on the street and went in.
The siblings didn't take anyone with them when they went out this time. Su Xin Su Jin, including Zhu Ye Zhu Qing, were all left at home by them.
The big project of displaying books at home is still going on, there is really a shortage of manpower, and Sang Nianyue doesn't want to buy some maids in a short time, so she can only work hard to squeeze the servants at home.
——Although only a small part of the books from Jinzhou were shipped to the capital, there were at least tens of thousands of them.
Sangzhai was only a third-in-command, and including the servants, they were only about thirty. Even if I post books all day long, how much can I post? What's more, whether the sky is cloudy or sunny, there will be strong winds, and sand and gravel will fly all over the sky. It is impossible to post books in this kind of weather, so even though I have been busy for more than a month, I can only post a thousand books now.
All these books were sent to Chongwen Library, which was only a quarter full. A steady stream of books was needed to be transported there to satisfy the students' desire to learn.
Without the maids and servants around to serve him, Sang Nianyue took care of her younger brother herself. However, since moving out, Qing'er has become more and more like the "head of the family". Now she can take care of her sister easily, serving tea and water, etc., which seems to be quite easy.
Since there were only two siblings, we only ordered four dishes and one soup today.
Uncle Li abides by his duties as a servant and will not dine at the same table with them. Just now when the two siblings entered the restaurant, Uncle Li drooled over the soy sauce beef opposite, so Sang Nuanyue let Uncle Li eat by himself.
Because it was dinner time, the restaurant was busy now, and the food was served very slowly. The two siblings were sitting in a small cubicle on the second floor, drinking tea leisurely to moisten their mouths. Because the room was small, they spoke in low voices, and could intermittently hear the voices next to them.
When Sang Nianyue suddenly heard the word "Hou Mansion", she had not yet connected it with the Wu'an Hou Mansion. But when the maid asked again, "Last year, when it snowed heavily in the capital, the Marquis went to Wangyue Pavilion to enjoy the snow. He took it with him There is a female family member who is as beautiful as a flower. You girls have lived in the Marquis Mansion for five years, so you must know something. Please tell me carefully. As long as what you say is useful, these one thousand taels of silver notes will be yours."
Qing'er saw his sister frowning, seeming to be thinking about something. He opened his mouth to call "sister", but suddenly he saw his sister put her finger to her lips and let out a soft "shhh".
Sang Ningyue pointed to the next door, and Qing'er realized something. But he felt that he was a gentleman, and it was indecent to do eavesdropping. But when the two were quiet, someone next door said, "How is the Hou Mansion?" Qing'er didn't care about being reserved anymore, and quickly pricked up her ears and listened. heard the movement over there.
A female voice with a slightly playful voice said in a greedy tone: "Seriously give me all these banknotes? This is a thousand taels."
"Give it all to you. As long as what you say is useful to our master, I will give you another gold bracelet."
"Gold bracelet?"
"right."
"Give them all to me?"
"right."
The female voice was very moved, but, "I have also heard the rumor you mentioned, but although our girl has lived in the Hou Mansion for five years..."
As soon as these words came out, Qing'er glanced at her sister. No wonder her sister started listening to the corner for no reason. It turned out that this matter might be related to someone they knew.
There are three key words: Houfu, five years, and girl. It feels like the person speaking is the maid next to Wang Xiuwen.
But whether it is true or not remains to be heard.
Qing'er raised her ears and continued to listen, then heard the maid continue to say, "But I can guarantee that the woman who followed the Marquis to enjoy the snow and dine at Wangyue Pavilion that night is definitely not our girl."
Wangyue Pavilion, Lord Marquis, enjoying the snow and having a meal. Woman, combined, isn't this the woman who was enjoying the snow and eating with the Marquis at Wangyue Pavilion that night when the snow fell? That woman was far away in the horizon and right in front of me. She was not her own sister. ?
So this is my sister’s gossip?
Qing'er suddenly smiled.
"You outsiders may not know some things, but anyone who is from the Wu'an Hou Mansion should understand that although my girl has been pestering the Marquis for five years, the Marquis has never looked at my girl twice. If it weren't for the Marquis's ruthlessness, , which makes our girl feel cold. How could our girl marry the fifth son of the Xun family? Besides, according to the date you mentioned, our girl is embroidering a dowry and preparing to marry into the palace of the Minister of Civil Affairs. How could she hook up with the Marquis? Hooking up?”
Come on! The identity of this maid has also been locked. If nothing unexpected happens, she must be Wang Xiuwen's personal maid.
The other maid heard this and seemed to believe what she said. After all, Wang Xiuwen was not on their suspicion list. If Wang Xiuwen was really capable and asked Wu Anhou to accompany him for a romantic romance, Wang Xiuwen would not have married into the house of the Minister of Civil Affairs at this time, but would have become Shen Tingjun's second wife.
It's not Wang Xiuwen, but Wang Xiuwen is the woman closest to Shen Hou. If there is any movement around Shen Hou, Wang Xiuwen will definitely be the first to discover it. This is also the reason why this maid found Wang Xiuwen's maid.
I heard her ask: "I know it's not your girl, but do you have any idea who it is? During that time, Miss Xiuwen's family also came to the capital. I heard that there were two pretty girls among them. , and the guests living in the Hou Mansion also have daughters... Who did the Marquis get close to during that time?"
The maid thought hard.
She wanted the thousand taels of silver very much, and she also wanted the golden hairpin very much. However, how could she know how close the Marquis was to that female family member?
Because the two ladies and Aunt Cui are the housekeepers of the Wu'an Hou Mansion, the family is a little loose, but it is definitely not so loose that the servants can peek at the master's whereabouts at will.
Next, the Marquis appears and disappears. How difficult is it to know his specific itinerary?
But since this maid suspects that the beautiful woman enjoying the snow with Mr. Hou that night is from the Hou family, shouldn't she just say it? After all, I just asked her to say what she suspected, but didn't ask her to confirm it. She can earn money by speaking out. As for the truth or falsehood, that is the other party's business.
The maid immediately spit out the names of several people. They were all distant relatives who came to the Hou Mansion to seek refuge, and they were out of the fifth service. Although everyone's surname is Shen, they are too far apart, so it is not impossible to have anything; there are also some Qingke's sisters and daughters, and the two younger sisters of my own girl - these two are concubines. When people have never seen Mr. Hou, they are as stunned as a demon. His face was red and smiling stupidly all day long, and he looked very angry at his girl.
The maid pushed these candidates out, and the other maid asked: "Are these the only ones? If you think about it carefully, are there any other suspicious candidates?"
There was silence in the private room for a while, and after a long time, the maid finally spoke: "If sister asks you that, it reminds me of someone else."
For some reason, when they heard this, Sang Nuanyue and Qing'er suddenly became concerned, and both siblings had a bad premonition.
Sure enough, as if to confirm what was wrong with the siblings, the maid said: "There are quite a few beautiful women in the Hou Mansion, but there is one person, I think only she can be called a stunning beauty. Allure."
"Oh? Who is it?" The voice was playful and wary.
The maid said: "She is the cousin of the third lady in our mansion, but her identity is flawed. She was widowed and was tortured by her husband's family until she had no way out, so she was taken into the mansion by the third lady."
The maid's tense nerves instantly relaxed: "A widow?"
"right."
"Very beautiful?"
"Very beautiful."
"That's impossible." The maid who spoke was Queping. She was the eldest maid beside Princess Changrong. Having grown up in the palace with Princess Changrong, Que Ping was able to secure the position of maidservant, so she had some assets.
She has beautiful appearance, graceful figure, good manners and better manners than some noble girls from aristocratic families. Moreover, she was tactful and playful, and many guards were attracted to her.
But for such an outstanding talent like her, the Marquis has never even taken a second look at her. She couldn't even look down on her, and even dismissed Princess Changrong's request for peace. Shen Hou was arrogant and arrogant in his bones. How could she, such a proud emperor, fall in love with a poor widow who came to catch the autumn wind?
This is absolutely impossible.
Que Ping asked a few more questions. Wang Xiuwen's maid was really racking her brains, so she thought of Cheng Yi's sister again.
Cheng Yi's sister is a little girl named Biyu, who can barely be called beautiful. It is not impossible to say that Cheng Yi's sister and Mr. Hou are together.
Queping memorized all these names in his mind, focusing on the character of Cheng Yi's sister and making it more emphatic. After all this was done, I pressed him several times, but I couldn't find anything anymore.
Que Ping was satisfied, while the other maid seemed to have been evacuated from her body. She stared at the banknote on the table and said greedily: "Can I take this banknote?"
"Look at your little potential, it's just a banknote. Since I promised it to you earlier, you just take it."
"Alas, alas, thank you very much, Princess. Princess Changrong is really generous. After receiving Princess Changrong's reward, I will definitely recite sutras to the Princess every day and pray to Buddha to bless the Princess to live a long life."
Princess Changrong?
Sang Nuanyue and Qing'er's hearts, which had just been slightly relieved, suddenly became raised again.
It turned out that Princess Changrong specially sent her maid to find the woman who was enjoying the snow and dining with Shen Tingjun.
Sang Nuanyue lowered her eyes slightly. Qing'er thought her sister was scared, so she quickly grabbed her hand and held it in her palm.
When Sang Nianyue looked over, Qing'er smiled reassuringly and said silently: "Sister, don't be afraid. As long as you don't say anything, I won't say anything, and if the Marquis doesn't say anything, even if Princess Changrong comes, she won't know what happened that day." It’s us who have dinner with the Marquis.”
Sang Nuanyue nodded.
The two siblings were affectionate here, and Wang Xiuwen's maid over there took the banknote and asked again: "Sister, didn't you say that as long as I answer well, you will give me a gold hairpin? Sister, I have racked my brains to get it." I’ve told you everything I know, but you can’t just keep your word.”
"I said that if what you said is good, I will give you the gold hairpin. But whether you said it is good or bad, shouldn't I verify it? As long as I verify the few people you told me, among them If you are really what the princess is looking for, then I will give you the hairpin. Otherwise, you can make up a few people for me with empty words to fool me, cheat me of my banknotes and then cheat me of my gold hairpin. What do you think? We are all stupid, so we are just going to let you fool us?"
The maid suddenly became weak and said, "No, I didn't."
"Okay, you don't need to say anything. Wait until I go back and inform the princess of the matter and find out who it is. If you are really right, it will be of great benefit to you. If not, then you can take your One thousand taels, don’t just go out and wander around without anything else, otherwise if you lose your life that day, you don’t even know how you died.”
"This, this, how can you talk about life and death? Sister, please spare your life, the worst, the worst, I don't want this bank note, why don't I give it to my sister as my filial piety?"
"Forget it. Do you think anyone is as petty as you? It's only a thousand taels of silver. Look, you are so scared. Come on, shut your mouth tightly and don't spread this matter. Otherwise, you dare to let out a word. Watch your life."
"I know, sister, I know everything. Promise, I promise not to say a word."
There was the sound of the door opening and closing in the private room next door, as someone walked out. Qing'er was about to speak when Sang Nuanyue suddenly shook her head at him. Qing'er finally came to her senses. By the way, there was another person next door.
Sure enough, I heard a voice coming from the next door: "Bah! What the hell, give me a sweet date with a stick, you think I am a dog. Isn't she just a maid? She is like a superior. What can happen if you follow a good master? ? A poor person with a good background has ruined his own future. By marrying this one and then that one, do you really think that all the men in the world are just cabbages in the field and can be picked and picked by you? But he is really a jackal. Go up and look for deer antlers, it’s so whimsical.”
The maid muttered something again, and finally kissed the banknote twice, then put the banknote in her arms with a giggle.
When she went out, she happened to bump into the waiter who was serving food in the private room next door.
Normally, she would have glanced at the guests next door and wondered if they had heard their voices.
But she had just done something shameful and made ill-gotten gains. Now it was too late to run away. How could she stay and see who was behind her back?
The maid ran too fast and didn't see her. The moment the waiter opened the door, Qing'er suddenly turned to Sang Nuanyue's side. After he made this move, he only exposed the back of his head to the door, and at the same time blocked his sister's face. Even if someone peeked, they would not be able to recognize the two siblings unless they were extremely familiar with them.
When the maid rushed over, Sang Nuanyue pushed her younger brother in the eyes of the waiter in surprise, "There is nothing in your hair. Really, I just lied to you. You are such an adult, but you are so shameless." After being lied to, you will believe whatever I say."
Qing'er was also smart. She blinked and immediately answered, "Sister, how could you do this? I really thought there was a bug on my head. If someone hadn't come in, I would have jumped up."
