An old lady's life

The sun was shining brightly, and Jia Zheng took two young servants to walk through several streets in central Beijing. Every street had a booming shop, a poor one, and a closed shop waiting to be rented out or sold.

"Jin Qiang, what do you think of this street?" Jia Zheng was at a loss as he stood at the corner of Xiangyang Street. There were many shops on both sides of the street, and it was very lively with customers coming and going.

Jin Qiang and Lin Fang are the servants beside Jia Zheng, and he has two long followers, but the long followers deal with the affairs around him, they are not needed for such trivial things as shopping.

Jin Qiang and Lin Fang are just two young people of seventeen or eighteen years old, and they don't understand things that the master doesn't understand.

"It's very lively. But my lord, I'm afraid this street is not suitable for bookstores, it's too noisy."

"It's just my humble opinion, the bookstore should be on a quieter street."

Jia Zheng thought for a while, then nodded, "That's right, it's as quiet as it is far away."

After a day of shopping, Jia Zheng finally returned to Rongfu dizzy and dizzy. Mrs. Wang had been worried about him all day. Seeing him coming back, she immediately greeted him and asked with concern.

While there was still some time for dinner, the couple exchanged opinions with each other.But because Mrs. Wang herself doesn't know much about reading, her opinions are the same as buying a shop to do cloth business, and the real content is very different.

Now Jia Zheng does not dare to discriminate against his wife, who has not read much, because she still knows how to run a house, and he can't even manage a house.

After a while, Jia Zheng frowned and said, "Mother's meaning is not as superficial as we think."

Wang Shi pursed her lips: "Then what is the mother's intention?"

Jia Zheng shook his head blankly, he hadn't even bought the shop yet.

During dinner, Jia She was not at home, it had been two days since Jia She was away, Zhang and Jia Hu missed him very much, but knowing that the master (father) was doing business, they were very stable.

With her son not at home, Hongye, as a mother-in-law, had to take care of her eldest daughter-in-law and grandson.

After dinner, Hongye left Jia Zheng to talk to Mrs. Wang, and Jia Hu followed Mrs. Zhang back to the East Courtyard. Ms. Zhang is a generous woman, and she would not speculate with the heart of a villain whether her mother-in-law secretly gave the second wife any benefits. .

"Mother, will father come back tomorrow?" Jia Hu was small and was afraid of hindering his mother, so there were two servant girls supporting Mrs. Zhang, and he walked behind as if he was a step behind.

Mrs. Zhang smiled: "Well, your father will come back tomorrow, but he has to go to Zhuangzi often these few days, and he doesn't have much time at home. After this busy period, he will stay at home. At the beginning When you were born, your father also guarded you, and when your younger brother was born, your father would not miss it."

Jia Hu grinned happily, and the mother and son walked back to the east courtyard slowly. Now Jia Hu's body has not cured the root cause of the disease, but it is no problem to walk from Rongxi hall to the east courtyard. Even if you run, you will only feel your heart beating. He sped up a little bit and was sweating hotly, but nothing else could be seen on the surface.The imperial doctor also said that with such careful recuperation, Jia Hu will be able to look like a normal person within five years.

Jia Zhu naturally stayed with her parents. Now that she knows a lot of words, it's time to be naughty, and he will listen to the lectures. Hongye is not to mention very satisfied with this grandson.

This is the normal behavior of children!

After listening to Jia Zheng's narration, Hongye had just traveled around Beijing for a day and carefully observed the situation in each street, but his mind was muddled and he couldn't be sure of anything.

"People grow up from not knowing to knowing. Others say a thousand words and ten thousand, it is not as good as experiencing it yourself." Hongye smiled and said, "Continue, mother hopes that you can buy it within half a month. The next bookstore."

Wang held her breath, thinking that her mother-in-law would say something long, but in the end she didn't say anything, so that the master's reading time was wasted, what will happen to the next imperial examination?

Jia Zheng nodded, his attitude was very serious and respectful. To be honest, he didn't really want to lose to his elder brother. After all, he can do what the elder brother can do.

"This bookstore is not an ordinary bookstore like today. Mother hopes that the shop you are looking for will be larger, with a front and back yard, and a single-family building is fine. What to do, after you decide, mother I'll tell you later."

Jia Zheng still nodded. Anyway, the first step has not been completed yet, so let's not take the second step that Xiao Xiang's mother said.

It was still dark at this time, Jia Zheng and Wang took Jia Zhu back to the west courtyard, and when Wang went to Zhang Luoxi courtyard, Jia Zheng took his son to wander in the garden.

As they walked, they came to the courtyard where Yu Qiu and Yu's mother lived.This courtyard is facing the small alley to the west of Rongfu, which is convenient for the mother and son to enter and exit.The last time the imperial physician came to see Jia Hu, Hongye also asked the imperial physician to see Yu's mother. After seeing the doctor, the imperial physician said that Yu's mother's health was not a big problem, but she had worked too hard. If you are tired, you can spend the rest of your life in peace. If you are hungry and cold, your mother will not be able to bear it, and your body will collapse soon.Of course, there is no shortage of medicinal materials in Rongfu, since it is to help people, it will help to the end, and the medicinal materials used by Yu's mother are only a little more expensive than usual medicinal materials.

Seeing Yu Qiu who was washing clothes by the well, Jia Zhu ran forward with short legs, "Sir, sir."

Because Yu Qiu insisted that he and Yu's mother did not use Rongfu's servants. He was responsible for both mother and son's daily life. Yu's mother occasionally did cooking and washing clothes, which required labor. Even if Yu's mother is in better health now, he doesn't dare to put her in cold water.

Jia Zhu stretched out her hand to play with the water in the basin, and said in surprise after a while: "Hey, sir, the water is warm."

Yu Qiu didn't get up, and greeted Jia Zheng with a smile: "Second Master, are you out for a walk?" He rubbed his clothes with his hands, looked at Jia Zhu gently and said, "The weather is not hot now, the water in the well It is still in the period of warm winter and cool summer.”

Jia Zheng touched the temperature of the water and felt that there was indeed a trace of warmth, so he was relieved of Fang's son Naughty.

"Turn up your sleeves, don't get your clothes wet." Yu Qiu told the elementary school students, while talking with Jia Zheng, he rubbed his clothes and fetched water to change them, and quickly finished washing the clothes in the basin.

Jia Zheng saw a row of clothes hanging on a bamboo pole in the corner of the yard, and his mood was complicated.

After Yu Qiu finished his work, he had special time to talk with Jia Zheng. Since he came to Rong Mansion, besides teaching, the person Yu Qiu had the most contact with was Jia Zheng.

He felt strange that Jia Zheng was not here today.

When talking about it, Jia Zheng didn't hide anything, he only said that the family would open a bookstore and his mother would entrust him with full responsibility.

Yu Qiu didn't have any better suggestions for Jia Zheng. The way of doing business he knew was just summed up by himself after seeing too much, but it may not be applicable, so it can only be used as a reference.

Even so, Jia Zheng was very grateful to Yu Qiu.

Hongye paid close attention to Jia Zheng's actions. On the first day, he might not be able to get over the hurdle in his heart, and he was not good at dealing with people. The news he brought back was less useful except for those few streets that were more lively. .

But after that, he got better day by day, and he took the initiative to ask people for prices. Some homeowners were more honest, and the prices quoted were all moderate prices. One thought after another, and the price quoted was extremely high, and Jia Zheng was shattered because he couldn't make up his mind. After all, he had to compare the value and price of the house several times. After such a comparison, he is not a fool!

After the tenth day, in the middle of the afternoon, Jia She is staying at home to watch over his wife's delivery. The barren hill he bought has already been planned, and the old family members who have moved to the foot of the hill have also settled down. Anyway, everyone The Moon Mansion will pay them for their employment, and they only need to plant trees according to the plan.Of course, Jia She rented some of the fields near Zhuangzi to them. Basically, Zhuangzi's affairs were settled, and he just went to inspect it every once in a while.

Originally, there was still a little thing that he and the second child needed to do together, but because Jia Zheng was busy with the bookstore, he went to various villages to return the extra rent to the tenants, so he did it all by himself.

After many days of visits, Jia Zheng left three places as his final choice. Each of the three places has its own advantages. One has a very large area, but the street where it is located is very quiet, surrounded by residents and has no shops.One is on a street with a lot of traffic, and the front and rear yards are acceptable, but according to the long-term plan, this space will not be enough in the future.One is in a busy street, with bustling shops all around. It would be a good mood if you were looking for a quiet place in the middle of the bustle, but young people don't have such a high mood.

Jia Zheng got off the carriage, entered the Rong Mansion, and took out a stack of papers from his sleeve. This was all the thorough preparations he had made for buying a shop during this period of time.He went directly to Rongxi Hall, intending to discuss with his mother to determine the final choice of the bookstore.

Hongye didn't care when he saw Jia Zheng coming in a hurry, with bright eyes and a lot of dirt on the hem of his clothes.

Jia Zheng walked up to his mother, "Mom, I have already selected three places, and I have also discussed with the owner of the three places. The price is very suitable. If it is confirmed, I can go to the Yamen to transfer ownership tomorrow." His heart began to beat. Boom speeded up, and his face was a little disturbed.

Hongye nodded, beckoning him to sit down next to her, and took a stack of papers from him. She was quite surprised, because Jia Zheng drew the rough drawing of the house, "My second child did a good job." The drawing of the house can only be It was painted for her to see. This son really put his heart into it.

She looked carefully at the architectural graphics and detailed introductions of the three houses, looked at Jia Zheng and asked, "Which one do you think is better?"

Jia Amnesty only knew that Jia Zheng had gone straight to Rongxi Hall when he heard the report from his servants. He couldn't sit still, Zhang just laughed when he saw this, and told him to go whenever he wanted.

"Aren't I afraid that my second child will be cheated?" It takes a long time for my second child to buy a shop, which shows that my second child is really a nerd.

When Jia She arrived at the Rongxi Hall, Jia Zheng was about to reply to his mother's words. He glanced at his elder brother. Jia She sat on the side with a carefree attitude and didn't say a word. It was obvious that he was just here to see.

Jia Zheng recounted his views on these three places in detail. If he only started from the identity of a scholar, he would naturally take a fancy to that secluded place.But opening a bookstore is also a kind of business. You can't just lose money, otherwise the bookstore will not be able to maintain it. This is not advisable.Considering the combination of studying and doing business, it is natural to choose the second one.But his mother entrusted him to take care of this bookstore. He has never managed a bookstore before, so he has no confidence. The third store is in the downtown area with a lot of traffic. No matter how unreliable he is as a manager, he wants to come to this store The business of the shop can also be maintained.

Just because he had this awareness, Hongye already felt that it was very remarkable.

"You think well. The bookstore opened by my mother is different from other bookstores on the street. I want to benefit thousands of students in this bookstore. Nowadays, poor students can't afford pens, ink and books. There are many good books, The books handed down from ancient times are all hidden in the rich and powerful families. For example, the two libraries of our family are actually only feeding mosquitoes in the study room. It is a waste of those good books. The bookstore allows students to borrow books and copy them. Books, of course, you need to pay a loan fee for borrowing books. We will discuss this later. Copying books can also be done in the same way as in bookstores outside, or there are other methods. For example, for a good book, he can copy two books. Take one with you, and keep the other in the bookstore..."

Hongye talked a lot, and Jia Zheng's eyes became brighter and brighter. As a scholar, he didn't know that the slightly added rules in his mother's words could benefit many students who couldn't afford books and had no way to get them.

When Jia She waited for his mother to pause, he interrupted abruptly, "Mother, you are not a bookstore at all. How can a small store meet the needs of so many people? The bookstore is about the same."

Jia Zheng nodded again and again, and said ecstatically, "That's right, so only the house on Xiyue Street is suitable. Mother, wait for me, I remember that there are a few other places that are also suitable."

After finishing speaking, Jia Zheng stood up, planning to go to the street to search again while there was still time.Hongye nodded and smiled, "Go."

After Jia Zheng left, Jia Amnesty blinked and leaned in front of his mother, and said in a slightly sour tone, "Mother, with the appearance of this library, the second brother's reputation will get better and better in the future, even if he fails the imperial examination." , can also become a celebrity.”

Hongye raised her eyebrows and smiled lightly: "Is it so easy to be a celebrity? And you are so disrespectful to your brother. He failed the imperial examination, so you have a bright face?"

"No, mother, why do you think of me like this? Am I such a despicable person? I wish my second son could win the first prize in the exam!" Jia She's face turned red, and he pleaded eagerly.The second son won the first prize in the exam, and his mother will not be so partial to him in the future.

Hong Ye looked at Jia She, and saw that Jia She's face was full of embarrassment, "I know you have a problem with the second brother, but boss, he is your brother, and you have only one brother in your life, he is so rigid that he doesn't understand. Workaround, mother is very worried about how your younger brother's family will live if I'm gone?"

Jia She's face was a little panicked, Hongye continued: "Your daughter-in-law is very good, Jing Shu was brought up very well by Zhang's family, she knows the general situation, she is your good helper, even if mother is gone in the future, there are Jing Shu and Hu'er Now, you will not do anything stupid. You can live a stable life in this life, and your mother can rest assured. But your brother is different. In the past, your mother ignored the upbringing of the Wang family. The Wang family cannot be compared with Jing Shu. Your brother Ignorant of the world, Mrs. Wang is so bold that she can encourage your younger brother to do wrong things that violate the laws of the court. If he is caught by the court, it will be too late. Mother wakes up a little late. I can do this now that your brother is like this. Teach him a little bit more. Your sister-in-law also needs to be taught more. Although you are not talented in studying, you are well-mannered and your elder brother is like a father. You should teach your younger brother more in this aspect, and your mother will also You can worry less."

Jia She's emotions were already agitated, but when he heard his mother's words, he felt even more uneasy, as if a stone had been crushed on his shoulders, not light, but not heavy, and he could still move forward.

"My mother didn't know her mind before, so she ignored you and wronged you." Hongye sighed, Jia She kept jumping up and down, didn't she just want to get her mother's approval?

Jia Amnesty's eyes turned red all of a sudden, he was half wronged and eighth happy, "No wrong, it's only natural for a son to be filial to his mother."

The mother and son said a lot of heartfelt words, and when Jia Amnesty left, the smile on his face was like a blossoming flower.However, when Jia Amnesty returned to the east courtyard, he plunged into the study room, took out a brush and kept writing and drawing, then crumpled up the waste paper and threw it aside.

What his mother said made Jia She suddenly realize that he is now the head of the Rong Mansion, with great responsibilities, not to mention that the eldest brother is like a father, but considering the future of the entire Rong Mansion, Jia She has to win Alexander.

In the evening, the sunset glow hangs in the sky, printing and dyeing half of the sky. The so-called morning glow travels thousands of miles without going out, and tomorrow will be another sunny day.

The Hanlin Academy got off work earlier today, but after Lin Hai walked out of the Imperial Academy, the coachman hadn't arrived yet, so he planned to wait a while, but he didn't expect Hao Ding to come instead of the coachman.

"Master Lin, are you off work? Where are you going?" Hao Ding came here specially to wait for Lin Hai. He will take a bath tomorrow. The eldest brother and the second brother are too thin-skinned to dare to go to Lin's house often. Go to Lin's house to eat and drink.

Lin Hai got used to Hao Ding's enthusiasm, and nodded: "The coachman hasn't arrived yet, the weather is fine today, it's still early, I plan to go to the book market."

With a piece of thatch in his mouth, Hao Ding grinned and said, "I'll go with you."

Lin Hai smiled and said, "Are you resting tomorrow?"

Hao Ding nodded, Lin Hai thought it was true.

While the two were talking, the coachman came, boarded the carriage, and told the coachman which street to stop at. Lin Hai then went shopping in the book market, and Hao Ding leisurely followed behind him.

Hao Ding was thinking, if he asked Lin Hai about Jia pardoning Jia Zheng, would Lin Hai feel strange?Will he not answer?

Lin Hai looked around. There were many people on this street. From the corner of his eyes, he found a very familiar figure from the back on the street opposite the street. He stood there, as if he was talking to someone. Lin Hai couldn't control his steps. Going there, Jia Zheng had a friendly conversation with the owner of the house. After saying goodbye, he turned and walked back, and saw his brother-in-law standing at the intersection of the street.

"Second brother." Lin Hai bowed his hands, and Hao Ding stood behind him, feeling a little guilty for some reason.

A smile appeared on Jia Zheng's serious face, "Ru Hai, why are you here?"

Lin Hai introduced Hao Ding to Jia Zheng, he didn't say what he was doing, he just said that he was a friend, but Jia Zheng took a second look at Hao Ding, and said: "I know Mr. Hao, elder brother mentioned that he hit it off with Mr. Hao. "

Hao Ding smiled reservedly: "Yes, Enhou and I hit it off right away, and the second son will go back and say hello to Enhou on my behalf." He touched his nose, still a little guilty, after all he had stolen Jia She and Jia Zheng's test papers .

They didn't stay here for a long time. Of course, Lin Hai also knew that Jia Zheng wanted to buy a shop, and he was looking for it. After the two parties parted, Lin Hai was still wondering, did Jia Zheng need to do it himself to buy a shop?

Lin Hai and Hao Ding strolled around the book market. In the end, Lin Hai bought a dozen books, most of which were geographical travel notes, and the two returned to Lin's house in a carriage.

Hao Ding jumped out of the carriage one step ahead of Lin Hai, and rushed into Lin's house as fast as the wind, heading straight for Huifang Courtyard.

Jia Min bumped into Hao Ding at the second gate, and Hao Ding stopped as if braking suddenly, "Sister-in-law, long time no see!"

Jia Min pursed her lips and smiled: "Guard Hao, welcome. Mother is in Taolin, and Guard Hao wants to find her to go to Taolin. Do you want me to order someone to show you the way?"

Hao Ding waved his hand: "No need, sister-in-law, I know the way." He took two steps forward reservedly, then swished, and quickly disappeared in front of Jia Min.

When Jia Min returned to the main courtyard, Lin Hai had already changed his clothes.

"Hao Huwei went to find his mother?" Lin Hai's expression was very calm, and Jia Min suppressed a smile and nodded.

The husband and wife headed towards Taolin, the old lady and Hao Ding had already returned, and they met on the way.

"Old lady, after the imperial examination is over, my eldest brother and second brother can only rest. How pitiful!" Hao Ding gloated.

Ai Cao laughed and said: "Hao Ding, with your expression, it's no wonder your brothers want to beat you up. If it were me, I would want to beat you up too!" Just like the employees of the same company, the boss is busy all day, and the subordinates are busy all day long. On vacation, the boss will definitely not understand his subordinates, no matter whether they are good brothers or not.

Lin Haixin said, the imperial examination is on March 15th, which is the day after tomorrow, but it all ends on No. [-], so in less than ten days, Guard Lou and the others will come to Lin's house together.

Thinking of the last barbecue meeting, Lin Hai felt "a gust of north wind blowing" in his heart.

Ai Cao is worrying these days, and she has no idea about the flower viewing party and outing party in April. She can't find the person with great energy at all, and she feels stuck!Or the next time I see Hongye, see if Hongye can recommend some princesses to her.