They sat together and chatted for a while, then the gifts were given to Zhou Ruoyi.

Zhou Ruoyi happily thanked them, “Thank you, Sister Su. I will definitely wear this peace lock every day.”

He then put the peace lock around his neck and smiled at He Yanxiu.

“Thank you, Second Biǎojiù. I will definitely study hard and live up to your expectations.”

He Yanxiu was speechless. He should have kept the writing implements for Su Yujin to buy; things wouldn’t be like this now.

However, Zhou Ruoyi, despite his young age, spoke clearly and politely, and her proper bowing made her seem like a little adult—truly endearing.

He Yanxiu suddenly understood why Su Yujin’s smile was always gentler when she was with Zhou Ruoyi.

“Well said, quite ambitious.” He Yanxiu nodded approvingly. He’s destined for greatness.”

Old Madam Zhou and Madam Li exchanged a smile. The Zhou family had been merchants for generations, seemingly unrelated to scholarship.

Although the current dynasty wasn’t particularly harsh on merchants, nor did it consider them inferior, customs and beliefs from past dynasties still favored having someone in the family rise to prominence and become an official.

Zhou Ruoyi, though young, was diligent in his studies and quite talented. Even if he didn’t necessarily pass the imperial examinations, passing the lowest level (xiucai) would be a great honor for the family.

And now, Second Master He was presenting writing implements and saying such things…

They had heard rumors about Su Yujin’s Second Biǎojiù before, that he was an official in the capital.

A young talent, his future was likely limitless, and his vision was excellent. His words were auspicious, a good omen.

“Second Master He, you flatter him.” Old Madam Zhou said with a smile, instructing her servants to bring over some fresh tea and snacks.

After chatting for a while and enjoying some tea and snacks, a servant announced that lunch was ready. The meal included crystal shrimp dumplings, sweet and sour fish, roasted mutton, braised pork knuckle, cabbage rolls, osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root, ham and bamboo shoots, stir-fried longevity vegetables, eight-treasure rice, and tofu soup with egg white.

After lunch, red date and pear soup was served.

The group talked until sunset, and seeing that Old Madam Zhou was showing signs of fatigue, Su Yujin and He Yanxiu rose to take their leave. After seeing them off, they escorted Old Madam Zhou back to her courtyard to rest, while Madam Li accompanied Zhou Ruoyi as he tallied the congratulatory gifts received that day.

Besides gifts from Su Yujin and He Yanxiu, there were also gifts from some of the head managers, as well as presents from the household steward and personal servants. These included calligraphy brushes, Xuan paper, paperweights, shoes, socks, clothes, snacks, and trinkets…

More or less expensive or cheap, all expressions of goodwill.

Zhou Ruoyi, being a child, was overjoyed to receive so many birthday gifts, looking at this and taking that, unable to put them down.

Madam Li, her face full of affection and doting, helped sort and arrange them.

Madam Li opened a brocade box, inside which was a jade ruyi inlaid with gold.

“This is…”

“I heard from Uncle Steward that it was a gift from Manager Yun of Yunzhizhai,” Zhou Ruoyi said with a smile.

A gift from Yun Yongnian.

No wonder he gave such an expensive item.

No wonder he gave a ruyi…

Seeing Madam Li’s stunned expression, Zhou Ruoyi blinked. “Mother, what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with this ruyi?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it.” Madam Li snapped out of her reverie, touched Zhou Ruoyi’s face, and smiled. “I was just thinking that this gold-inlaid jade ruyi symbolizes good fortune and auspiciousness. I suppose it’s also a wish for your life to be smooth and successful in everything you do.”

“Not only do I want everything to go smoothly for me, but Mother, Grandmother, Sister Su, Uncle He, and everyone else—I hope everything goes smoothly for everyone too!” Zhou Ruoyi smiled, his eyes crinkling, revealing two small tiger teeth.

“Yes,” Madam Li replied with a smile, though her eyes were filled with an unyielding sadness.

Everything is going smoothly—where in this world can everything go smoothly?

What we want is always something we can only hope to encounter, not something we can force. And to gain something, we must ultimately give up something else.

Li Shi took a deep breath, forcing back the tears welling in her eyes, then glanced at the sky outside. “It’s getting late; tell them to prepare dinner.”

“Eat so early?”

Zhou Ruoyi felt his lunch was still undigested.

“If you’re not hungry, eat a little. I specially asked the kitchen to prepare some light and easily digestible dishes,” Li Shi said with a smile. “Today is your birthday, so naturally you should eat dinner early and then go release sky lanterns.”

According to local custom, children under the age of twelve must release sky lanterns on their birthdays, and these lanterns must be filled with blessings from elders. The children light them, and the higher they rise, the better.

This was the happiest thing for children on their birthdays and also something the elders cared about.

Zhou Ruoyi quickly nodded in agreement. “Yes, Mother.”

The mother and son chatted and laughed as they left Zhou Ruoyi’s study.

—

He Yanxiu stayed in Qinghe for a few more days.

With the Laba Festival approaching, He Yanxiu, mindful of the palace banquet he couldn’t take leave from, decided to bring Xing’an back to the capital.

Before leaving, he gave Su Yujin five hundred taels of silver notes.

“The end of the year is near; take this to buy some New Year’s goods. If I have time later, I’ll come to see you again and see if I can get any rewards from the palace. If there are any good ones, I’ll bring them to you.”

“Thank you, Second Master.” Su Yujin didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the money, but she raised an eyebrow.

This money was for buying New Year’s goods, not for repaying the jade pendant she bought last time?

Should she vaguely settle the debt, or should she keep it in mind and continue to keep track of it?

Touching the thick stack of silver notes and thinking about how He Yanxiu had also bought her quite a few fine fabrics, vases, and ornaments these past few days, Su Yujin felt that she should choose the former.

After all, He Yanxiu was generous and lavish, and she couldn’t be stingy like him, only accepting money from others but not contributing a single penny herself, becoming a miserly miser.

Thinking this, Su Yujin locked the silver note in a small box and hid it carefully.

Just as she finished these tasks, Zhao Shi and Yu Yongye arrived.

They were there to request a wedding date.

The groom’s family, based on the couple’s birth dates, had someone choose an auspicious day, prepared generous gifts, and went to the bride’s family to request her consent for the wedding date.

The date was set for the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, an auspicious day for all activities.

Requesting a wedding date was just a formality; unless there were special customs in the family, the bride’s family usually wouldn’t object.

Su Yujin and Shuangye discussed it and felt the date was fine, so they agreed.

After setting the wedding date, the next step was to prepare for the dowry.

The groom’s family prepares various rituals and banquet items for the wedding day, as well as decorating the bridal chamber. The bride’s family also prepares ritual items, but more importantly, they prepare the dowry for their daughter.

(End of Chapter)

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