The streets are bustling with life and energy. Vendors were hawking along the street, their voices rising and falling. Chen Yuanyuan shuttled through the streets, carefully observing the people around her, and soon her eyes were attracted to a silk shop.
A variety of silks are displayed in the shop, with colorful colors and soft luster. She gently touched these silks and felt their delicate and smooth texture. She couldn't help but marvel: It turns out that in this era, the production of silk has been so delicate and beautiful.
The owner of the shop noticed Chen Yuanyuan. Even though she was wearing ordinary clothes, he still enthusiastically introduced her: "Young lady, you have such a good eye. This piece of silk is a new style that has just been shipped from the south. Now it is sold for two men a piece."
1 jiaozi is equal to 1,000 copper coins. Chen Yuanyuan touched the dozens of copper coins in her pocket. She saw them from the makeup box. She couldn't afford such expensive items, so she quickly said to the boss, "I'll take a look."
"Okay, go ahead and look at the other items. This piece of cloth is not bad, it costs 600 copper coins a piece." The boss saw that the young lady had no money to buy it, so he continued to promote other cheaper products, but Chen Yuanyuan was too shy.
She dug her toes into the ground in embarrassment. She was too poor, too poor. She really couldn't survive a day in this poor life. The Su family was considered a scholarly family in Meizhou and was still very prestigious, but there was nothing they could do about it. In terms of expenses, my husband is currently living at home and is unable to afford the money provided by the court.
Now Chen Yuanyuan is trying hard to recall what her predecessors would have done to make a fortune in ancient times. Sure enough, no matter what era, money is very important. Money is indispensable for food and clothing.
The main reason is that the capital is too small. The few dollars in her pocket are not enough to buy roast chicken. She was thinking as she walked, and suddenly it occurred to her that she could paint them. Before she wore it, she was an art student, painting characters or Landscape painting is simple. I recall the portraits of poets in previous textbooks. They only used a few simple strokes with a brush. How could they compare to her current painting skills.
Chen Yuanyuan was looking for a shop selling paints. She never thought that paints were so expensive, costing 100 copper coins per box.
She plucked up the courage and said to the shopkeeper: "Would you like to sell three boxes of 50 copper coins?"
The shopkeeper was obviously surprised by her bid, and he responded sternly: "I've never seen you bargaining like this. I can't even buy a box of 50 copper coins. My paint is commonly used even by girls from the theater in the north."
It was originally something used by theater girls, so it must be a good thing. This young lady bargained like this. It was the first time I saw a buyer bargaining so hard.
Chen Yuanyuan was not discouraged and asked again: "What about three boxes of 100 copper coins?" The shopkeeper replied firmly: "In a small business, there is no bargaining. If you want it in good faith, the minimum is 80 copper coins per box."
Even though her words were almost dry, the shopkeeper refused to lower her price by another copper coin.
Finally, Chen Yuanyuan asked: "Can we do it on credit?"
At this moment, a girl's low laughter came from behind the screen, seeming to be amused by this little bargaining show.
As the screen swayed gently, a slender woman stepped out slowly.
Her eyebrows and eyes were like smoke in the distant mountains, and the smile at the corner of her mouth was like the spring breeze blowing on her face, revealing an unearthly elegance. When her eyes fell on Chen Yuanyuan, there was a hint of playfulness and curiosity.
She opened her lips lightly and said, "Girl, this paint is indeed a bit more expensive. It is valuable for a reason. Red like this is made of annatto and madder, so it is naturally expensive."
80 copper coins is already low, and it won't be lower even if you tell the shopkeeper.
"Ah, that's it, but I only have 56 copper coins in my hand, which is really not enough to buy." Poverty makes me bow down, and I am too poor.
The beauty's eyes fell on Chen Yuanyuan's bun, which was only held up by a cheap wooden hairpin, but it was beautiful and tight.
So he asked, "The girl takes good care of her hair. Can you teach me how to do it? I can give the girl a few boxes of paints, just as a way to make a friend."
What a kindhearted person, he just taught her how to comb her hair. Chen Yuanyuan happily agreed, and then gently pulled out the wooden hairpin from her hair, letting her waterfall-like long hair fall gently on her shoulders.
She patiently showed the beauty every step, down to how to skillfully use hairpins to pull up her hair.
Chen Yuanyuan's movements were simple and smooth, and the beauty immediately tried to imitate them. She quickly learned the trick as she ran her fingers nimbly through her hair. Under her hands, the hair was artfully coiled into a bun that was both neat and elegant.
Chen Yuanyuan always felt that simply helping to teach her how to comb hair was not enough to pay for the paint. So I suggested, "I originally bought these paints for painting. How about this, how about I help you paint a painting?"
"I didn't expect you could paint! I thought you bought these paints for makeup." Her voice was full of surprise. Then he agreed to Chen Yuanyuan's suggestion: "Okay, then please draw me a portrait of me. But it's a bit late today, I still have some things to deal with, so I have to go back first."
"Can you paint for me again tomorrow? I live in Hu Ming Street, and my home is in the innermost building. My name is Hu Panpan, and I will be at home during the day." Her voice was sweet and pleasant, and Chen Yuanyuan was so happy to be here. I can meet a beautiful sister.
The two agreed on a time, and Chen Yuanyuan was preparing to go home with the paints. When she got home, she had to look through her husband's study to see what he could use at home. When he went out to buy things, everything was expensive and he really couldn't afford it.
Go back and look at the papers and brushes in the study. After finishing painting for Hu Panpan tomorrow, you can set up a stall to earn money.
