“After you return, pass a message to the proprietor of Bazhenzhai. Tell him to start spreading the word early that Master Wuming intends to paint a set of four flower-and-bird hanging scrolls. Anyone interested in acquiring the paintings may submit their offers in advance.”

Xing’an, “…”

A four-panel screen is a set of four paintings. It can be hung on the wall as decoration or framed as a screen. In any case, a four-panel screen is more magnificent and grand than a single painting and is highly favored by high-ranking officials and nobles.

Especially since it was a four-panel screen made by Master Wuming, which had never been done before, it would be even more sought after, and the price would naturally rise accordingly.

If Second Master’s painting can be sought after for three thousand taels of silver, this four-panel screen must be worth twenty thousand taels of silver, right?

In the past, people had to beg and plead to get a painting made. Now, it’s good that people paint one every now and then just for money.

Second Master was indeed worthy of working in the Ministry of Revenue. He had really fallen into the trap of money!

…

After the Cold Dew, the weather became increasingly cold.

Su Yujin asked Ai Cao to buy some chrysanthemums to make jujube and chrysanthemum milk tea.

The chrysanthemums, jujubes, brown sugar, and milk were simmered until incredibly fragrant and sweet; a sip warmed the stomach and body.

Su Yujin made a generous portion, placing the milk tea in a clay pot and handing it to Ai Cao, saying, “Send some to Su Ji.”

Shuangye and the others were all young ladies, and she figured they would like the taste; besides, a warm drink was good for their health in autumn.

“Yes,” Ai Cao replied, taking the pot and placing it in a bamboo basket, then lining the basket with several layers of cloth to keep the milk tea warm.

At Su Ji’s, the fragrant, sweet milk tea received unanimous praise from Qingkui and the others.

“This milk tea is so delicious!”

“Is there anything made by Miss that isn’t delicious or tasty?”

“That’s true, but we don’t know how to make it. Would she be willing to teach us? If she would, we wouldn’t have to bother her anymore, and we could have it every day…”

A group of girls chatted noisily together, with Ai Cao occasionally chiming in.

Looking around, Ai Cao asked, “Where’s Sister Shuangye?”

“Just now, Qiaohui came to talk to Sister Shuangye, wanting her to help her choose some silk thread for making tiger-head shoes. She said her sister is showing signs of pregnancy, and as her aunt, she wants to make some tiger-head shoes and hats for her future nephew. I guess she’s at the fabric shop right now.”

Qingkui replied.

Hu Qiaohui was a girl about the same age as Shuangye, living near Su Ji.

The young girl had older brothers and sisters, and younger brothers and sisters. She was quite pretty, and most importantly, she was gentle, quiet, hardworking, and had an excellent reputation among the neighbors.

Because she often came to Su Ji to buy various foods, she gradually became acquainted with Shuangye and others.

And because Hu Qiaohui was kind-hearted, Shuangye and the others also liked her quite a bit, and they often visited each other in private.

Ai Cao knew Hu Qiaohui and had a good impression of her, so she nodded upon hearing this, “Okay.”

Since that was the case…

Ai Cao blinked, “While Shuangye isn’t here, you can tell me about Shuangye and that scholar, right?”

Qingkui and the others looked at each other and giggled.

“Okay, you want to secretly keep it from me and enjoy it yourselves?” Ai Cao put her hands on her hips, her cheeks puffed out, “If you do that, I’ll get angry!”

The kind that can’t be appeased!

“From now on, whatever food Miss gives me, it’ll all go into my stomach alone. I won’t share it with you, hmph!”

Seeing Ai Cao so angry, Qingkui quickly came over.

“Don’t be angry, Sister Ai Cao, I’ll tell you.”

“But just knowing is enough, don’t tell Shuangye in front of her, she’s shy, I’m afraid she’ll be embarrassed…”

“Of course, do you think I’m the kind of person who doesn’t understand?” Ai Cao raised her chin.

“That’s true.” Everyone nodded, then they began to tell Ai Cao about Shuangye and Yu Yongye…

Yu Yongye lived nearby. He had a widowed mother and was an only child. His deceased father had worked as an accountant, so Yu Yongye knew many characters from a young age. His widowed mother, Zhao, was also quite knowledgeable. Even after her husband’s death, she raised her child alone and insisted on sending him to school.

Yu Yongye was also exceptionally diligent in his studies. He had passed the tongsheng examination last year, and had just earned the xiucai degree in this August’s prefectural examination. If he could pass the keshi examination next year, he would be eligible to sit for the provincial examination for the juren degree the year after.

“As for his appearance and physique, he’s on the thin side. After all, he’s a scholar. He uses his brain a lot, and everything he eats goes into his brain, so being thin is normal. His features are regular, not exactly handsome, but he has thick eyebrows and big eyes, and is quite pleasing to the eye. Most importantly, he’s very humble and polite, a very kind person.”

“Oh, right, I also found out that Scholar Yu’s mother, Zhao, is a kind and easy-going person. She doesn’t seem to spoil Scholar Yu, and he does most of the household chores himself. She doesn’t seem like the kind of widowed mother who devotes all her attention to her son after losing her husband.”

Ai Cao vividly recounted the gossip she had gleaned from Su Ji to Su Yujin, and then nodded affirmatively. “If that’s really the case, then if Sister Shuangye marries into the family, the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship probably won’t be as difficult as you might think.”

Su Yujin nodded slightly, but also had some questions. “However, since Scholar Yu is a scholar, he must be busy studying at the academy most of the time. How did he and Shuangye meet?”

“This must be a twist of fate!”

Ai Cao exclaimed again, vividly recounting the story. “It all started when Yu Xiucai was still a student. Back then, he didn’t study at the county school, but at a small school in the county town. He would go to school every morning and return home in the evening, always passing by our Su Ji restaurant.”

“That spring, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, one evening when there weren’t many pedestrians on the road, Sister Shuangye was leading everyone to prepare the seasonings and ingredients needed for the next day. Suddenly, she realized she had forgotten one seasoning, so she quickly went to buy some. As a result, she bumped right into Yu Xiucai at the corner of the alley.”

“Shuangye fell to the ground, scattering her purse, and Yu Tongsheng’s books and pens also fell to the ground. The two quickly picked up their things, apologized to each other because they were in a hurry, and then rushed off to do their own things. When Shuangye returned from shopping, she saw a book tucked between a stone block at the alley entrance and a crack in the wall. It looked similar to the books Yu Tongsheng had scattered earlier, so she guessed that Yu Tongsheng had probably dropped it accidentally. Thinking that since it was a book, it was probably something he needed urgently, she decided to return it.”

(End of Chapter)

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