The Little First Grand Secretary in My House

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She calculated in her mind what day it was and decided to go see her second sister.

Zhaoer's second sister Wang Zhaodi is not in Huyang Town, but working as a maid in Shen Mansion in Xia County. From Huyang Town to Xia County, it only takes half an hour by mule cart, but it is a bit expensive, costing fifteen cents.

By the time Zhao'er arrived at the county seat, it was already three o'clock in the morning. This was the right time to meet someone. If it was too early or too late, her second sister might not have time to meet her, and she would have to wait for a long time.

Zhao'er came all the way to the south of the city. Before he entered the archway where the Shen family was located, he saw two large flags over five feet high erected in front of the Shen mansion.

This is the Jinshi and rank flag. Only someone in the family can set up this flag.

This merit flagpole is divided into two structures, the flagpole sandwich stone and the flagpole.

The flag poles on the flag poles are also very particular. If you have a formal imperial examination background and pass the imperial examination, you can have two flag poles with flag poles. If he is the number one scholar, he will have three flag poles. If there is a member of the third rank or above, he will have four flag poles.

There are two big flags in front of Shen's house, one with three buckets and the other with four buckets. In other words, the Shen family had a champion and an important minister in the court.

The reason why Zhao'er, a country girl, knows this is because her second sister told her when she came to see her before.

The main entrance, the side entrance and even the corner entrance were not accessible to Zhao'er's status. She went around in a long circle before arriving at the back entrance of Shen's mansion.

The back door was ajar, and Zhao'er didn't dare to barge in. He respectfully went over and knocked on the door.

The door creaked open, and a chubby woman walked out and asked her, Who are you looking for?

This woman was just a doorkeeper, but she also wore a satin gown and jewelry on her ears and hands, which was enough to show the wealth of the Shen family.

The Shen family is indeed wealthy. In this Xia County, it can be said that if you stomp your feet, the county will tremble. The Shen Mansion here is the ancestral home of the Shen family. Except for the eldest and second masters of the Shen family who are working as officials, everyone else in the Shen family lives here.

Hello, mother-in-law, I'm looking for Su Lan. I'm her brother and I came here to see her.

This mother-in-law's attitude cannot be called warm, but she doesn't look down on others. At least from this point of view, it can be seen that the rules of the Shen family must be very strict. She asked Zhao'er to wait, then closed the door and went inside.

Zhao'er waited for a full stick of incense before the back door opened again, and a very beautiful woman walked out. I saw that her skin was as bright as snow, with phoenix eyes and red lips. She was wearing a water-red jacket and a moon-white pleated skirt. Her long, thick black hair was simply pulled into a bun, with a gold hairpin inserted into it.

Obviously her clothes and hair accessories were ordinary, but all these on her gave her a sense of beauty that no one else had. Her chest is bulging, but her waist is extremely thin, and she has a good figure.

This person is Zhaoer's second sister Wang Zhaodi, but she changed her name to Sulan when she arrived at Shen Mansion.

Zhao'er couldn't help but frown. The second sister had changed a lot since the last time she saw her. Not only the material of his clothes, but also the jewelry on his body, his complexion and even his figure have changed a lot.

She felt a little panicked, grabbed Su Lan, and walked to the corner where there was no one around.

Sister, did you really do it?

Seeing her sister scratching her sleeves carelessly, Su Lan asked impatiently: What can't you do?

It's that, that... Zhao'er hesitated for a long time, then said with a blushing face: You are not really going to have sex with the Sixth Young Master, are you?

The corners of Sulan's eyes raised, and the corners of her mouth also curled up: Why do you care about this?

Sister! Zhao'er couldn't help but stamp his feet.

Su Lan looked at her sister and remembered that she was sold by her family. Only her younger sister, Zhao'er, found out where she was from Ya Po, so she walked all day and night to see her. At that time, she was full of panic. The appearance of Zhao'er made her know that she was not alone and that no one would know that she would not die in this house, so she immediately softened her heart.

She sighed softly: Didn't I tell you before that I would never leave the house and live in such a miserable life. Although I am a first-in-law now, the sixth young master promised me that when grandma comes in, he will give me An aunt will do it.

Zhao'er's face was full of surprise and disbelief. She had already known this, but she was still shocked when she learned from her second sister that she had actually done such a thing.

For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to say. She hesitated for a while and said, That's it? If you treat me like a kid, I will be bullied by my big wife.

Zhao'er's only knowledge told her that there were only a few days when she was young that she could live comfortably.

Su Lan felt particularly uncomfortable at her sister's words, and she waved her hands indifferently. The snow-white and slender jade finger, with a gold cat's eye ring on it, exudes a faint light and is dazzling in the sun.

You don't understand. You don't have to worry about me being bullied. As long as Master Six is ​​on my side, even if Grandma Six comes in in the future, she won't dare to bully me.

Can……

Okay, let's not talk about my business. Has your little husband recovered from his illness? I'm not talking about you. It's better for you to come into the house and be a girl to keep me company than to stay in that house and work exhaustingly. .Which woman is looking for a man who can’t protect her? It’s better for you to earn money outside to support your family.”

Isn't he still young? Besides, sister, it's not like you don't know. If it hadn't been for my mother and father, I might have been sold to someone else. You were lucky enough to be sold into the Shen Mansion. But there are also those who are unlucky enough to be sold into such a dirty place.

Sulan pressed her bright red lips tightly and said nothing.

The reason why she was sold into the Shen Mansion was not explained by good luck.

In the shimmering phoenix eyes, all kinds of rays of light fell silent. She let out a breath and cursed: That's why I don't like to see you the most. Every time you come, you make me angry and cause trouble for me.

Zhao'er kicked the pebbles under his feet: I just thought I hadn't seen you for a long time, so I came over to take a look at you.

How are you living? Then the Xue family didn't make things difficult for you, right? Just wait until I become Master Sixth's aunt. If anyone bullies you again in the future, I will help you deal with him.

Zhao'er felt warm in his heart. He couldn't help but lean over and hugged Sulan's slim waist coquettishly: Sister, don't worry. I'm such a naughty person. Who dares to bully me? You don't know how cowardly the Xue family can be. too much……

She recounted what happened to the Xue family recently.

Sulan's lips curled up when she heard this, and she said sarcastically: So this is the human heart. Don't test people's hearts. You will usually be disappointed. Don't rely on others. The truth is what you hold in your own hands.

Sulan was a little extreme, but Zhaoer knew why the second sister was like this. In fact, occasionally she would be extreme, but she rarely said it out loud.

Then what are you going to do now? If your little man really loses, then you won't be able to study anymore? Have you ever thought about this matter, if you win, if you lose, it will be difficult for you two The Xue family is established.

Of course Zhao'er understood this. She stood up straight and smiled: Sister, I know. Don't worry, I plan to find another way to do business. At worst, we will just be alone. If a dog likes to learn, let him learn. , Provide until I can no longer provide.”

Sulan hated the irony and poked her forehead with her jade finger: How old are you if you still can't pay for it? After a good day, you think you can't pay for it. Come on, don't say that Second sister, I don’t feel sorry for you. I know someone who is the third shopkeeper in He Rong Sheng. If you go to him, he can find some way for you to make money.

‘He Rong Sheng’ is the name of the pawnshop. There are many branches in Ping Duong Province, and there is also one in Huyang Town. Zhao'er usually came and went in the town, so he had naturally heard of this name.

This and Rongsheng are the Shen family's business? Sister, how do you know the three shopkeepers here?

A hint of vague complexity flashed in Sulan's eyes, and she said impatiently: Don't worry about it, you can just go find a person named Shen Ping. Okay, I won't tell you anymore, the Sixth Young Master will have lunch later. Now, I have to go and wait on you, lest those little hooves rush to show their courtesy again.

After a pause, she took out something from her sleeve and put it into Zhao'er's hand: Take it, it doesn't matter even if you really lose, we'll do it ourselves first. The Shen family's clan knowledge is famous throughout Pingyang Mansion, wait. I will become an aunt in the future. Let’s see if I can ask Master Six to let your little man come in as a companion or something like that. I really owed you a debt in my previous life, and I have to worry about every little thing.

Sulan's figure quickly disappeared through the door.

Zhao'er stood there, looking down at the silver ingot in his hand. After a long time, Fang held it tight and left.

*

Zhao'er didn't know where He Rongsheng was in the county, so she asked about it along the way.

When we arrived at the place, it just so happened that the third shopkeeper named Shen Ping was there.

Shen Ping is a very young man, with a good appearance and very mature and stable. He was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and looked about twenty years old, but he didn't expect that he was the manager of a pawn shop.

When he heard about Zhao'er's purpose, his eyes flashed: You must be Zhao'er. I heard your sister told you about you.

Zhao'er didn't expect that the second sister would tell this person named Shen Ping her name. She smelled an unusual smell. As he spoke, Shen Ping had already led her in.

When your sister told me about you before, I was thinking about what kind of business would allow you to do it for a long time. I thought about it again and again, and I felt that selling used clothes would be quite suitable for a girl like you.

The second sister's surprise when she even told the other party her gender did not last long. Zhao'er's attention was attracted by Shen Ping's words.

“What is selling used clothes?”

You should know what a pawn shop does. This pawn shop accepts everything and can pawn anything. The current period is divided into dead pawns and live pawns. If it is a live pawn, it means that the other party will come to redeem it. If it is a dead pawn, it means that the thing is not wanted. Of course, there are also those whose living pawns are overdue and are not redeemed, and naturally become dead pawns.

These things were collected by the pawn shop and given to the owner in exchange for money. Naturally, they have to be resold. Like some of the used clothes that were pawned, we directly resell them to embroidery workshops or ready-to-wear shops. If you are willing to do this business, you can go to Get some old clothes here to sell.

As Shen Ping spoke, Zhao'er's eyes flickered again and again, and he asked, How much does it cost? Is it calculated per piece or what? Since it is used clothes, they certainly won't be as expensive as new clothes, right?

Shen Ping glanced at her: You are very smart. He turned around and went to the outside: Come with me, I will take you to see.

Zhao'er followed him all the way back. The yard behind the pawn shop was very large, and it looked like they were all warehouses.

I met many people in pawn shops on the road, and they were all respectful to Shen Ping. Zhao'er followed him to a warehouse. Neither of them went in. A man who looked like a clerk dragged a large bag of things out and opened it in front of the door.

This big bag is full of clothes, some are worn out, some are 80/90% new, and there are even brand new ones that have never been worn twice. The clothes are also made of various textures, some are made of cotton, some are satin, and some are made of silk, but they are all of good quality, anyway, better than the coarse clothes Zhao'er wears.

These are usually mixed together, because they are all collected at low prices, so the asking price is not high. Give me two taels for such a package of clothes, and it will be yours.

Zhao'er couldn't even see it, so in order to make sure it was a viable business, she stepped forward and looked through it.

There are at least a hundred pieces of clothing in such a package.

Even if a piece of clothing is sold for twenty cents, it is enough for her to recoup her capital. Moreover, some of the clothes were sold for more than 20 cash based on her visual inspection. What can you do with twenty cents? It takes at least six or seven feet of cloth to make a suit of clothes, and one foot of the lowest quality cotton costs seven or eight cents.

Not to mention that there are some good fabrics and even some cotton clothes. Even if they are not sold, you will not lose money if you wear them yourself.

Zhao'er's mood was agitated, and it took him a while to regain his composure.

After she calmed down, she asked Shen Ping: Shopkeeper Shen, these clothes are only twenty taels in total. Will the pawnshop lose money? Are you doing it to take care of me...

Zhao'er didn't finish the rest of the words, and Shen Ping also understood.

He laughed, but he actually appreciated Zhao'er's frankness in not wanting to take advantage of others: These were resold to garment shops or embroidery workshops, and the price was the same. Regardless of the large quantity, in fact, there are only a few good pieces that can be sold for a high price. They have been picked out long ago.

Zhao'er thought about it. The people in the county naturally have different opinions than the people in the country, let alone a big pawn shop like this. What they think is not good is actually good for the people in the country to see.

She breathed a sigh of relief and said, I want this package of clothes from Shopkeeper Shen, and I'll give you the money right now.

Are you rich now?

Of course she has money, Zhao'er now has more than two taels of silver in total, and Su Lan just gave her another five taels, which is naturally enough.

At the same time, Shen Ping laughed a little, Well, I forgot that you came here to see her. She wouldn't take advantage of me. The words were very low, almost murmuring, and Zhao'er only cared. I had to look at the clothes and didn't hear clearly.

I'll find a guy to call a car for you. Even a little girl like you can't transport these things.

Thank you, Shopkeeper Shen.

After sending Zhao'er away, Shen Ping turned around and entered the pawn shop.

Although he is named the third shopkeeper, he is not the third shopkeeper of this store, but the third shopkeeper of the entire 'He Rongsheng'. It is only at his deliberate request that he will be permanently stationed in Xia County.

Shen Ping is a son of the Shen family. His father is the chief manager of the Shen Mansion, and he has been working with the third young master Shen Fu as a boy since he was a child. When he reached adulthood, he was released and became a shopkeeper.

If she comes again next time, just do as I told you before.

Yes, shopkeeper.

*

Just after noon, the waiter Ah Cai came to deliver food to Xue Tingyan.

Boss Chen said it was a simple meal, but in fact the food was not bad, with meat and vegetables, and a soup. Xue Tingyan knew that Boss Chen was taking care of him deliberately. How could anyone hire someone to copy books and take care of tea and meals, and the wages they paid were not low.

It was because he knew in his heart that he didn't refuse verbally. In this case, refusing still preserved his character, but it seemed too petty and pretentious.

It can only be repayment in the future, Xue Tingyan thought lightly in her heart.

After eating, when the waiter came to clear away the dishes, he said he could rest for an hour. There is a royal couch available in this room. Of course, you can also go to the front and read a book to pass the time.

In fact, the last sentence is the key point. Xue Tingyan was not pretentious. After cleaning her hands, she went forward.

This store may not seem big, but it has a lot of books of all kinds, ranging from rural novels to books about the imperial examinations. Among them, there are many books about the imperial examinations.

Starting from the previous dynasty, the eight-legged essay was used as the standard style for imperial examinations. The regulations were strict and even restricted the length of sentences, the number of words, the rhyme and rhyme, and even the range of topics.

The title of the eight-part essay comes from the Four Books and Five Classics. It consists of eight parts: breaking the topic, carrying the topic, starting, starting, starting the part, middle part, back part, and closing part. It seems rigid and rigid, but in fact it is not easy to write a good eight-part essay. If you really think that just reading the Four Books and Five Classics is enough, you are wrong. Not only do you need to know astronomy and geography, but you must at least be involved in all aspects before you can write a good article that is full of flowers and colorful and meaningful.

In that dream, Xue Tingyan won the Jinshi with the 21st place in the second class, and then passed the imperial examination and was admitted to the Hanlin Academy. He was supposed to rise steadily from then on, but unexpectedly, because he offended someone, a high-ranking Hanlin Academy was demoted. That kind of official position is the kind of place where a bird has nothing to do.

Xue Tingyan pursed his lips slightly, feeling that he had thought too much. After all, he was not even a child now, so he should think about the present.

Then, without thinking too much, he took out a book from the bookcase and started reading it quietly.

During this period, customers came to the bookstore to sell some pens, inks, paper and inkstones, or to buy books, which always interrupted Xue Tingyan's reading.

Boss Chen saw this and said: Brother Xue, you can take the book to the back and read it.

Xue Tingyan looked at him in surprise: This...

It doesn't matter, I won't miss this volume for you.

Xue Tingyan was silent, bowed deeply as a courtesy, and then went back.

At this glance, he lost track of time. When Xue Tingyan woke up, he heard Boss Chen talking outside, and at the same time, he heard Zhao'er's voice.

Where did you get this big bag of stuff? Boss Chen looked at Zhao'er in surprise, asking for the bag at her feet that was much bigger than her.

Zhao'er was sweating profusely and said: Uncle Chen, I got it from the county, and the guy from the car dealership also helped me drop him off at the intersection, and then dropped me off. I originally wanted to drag him to the car dealership, but But I think my brother is still here...

Boss Chen laughed and called to the waiter: Ah Cai, come and help little brother Zhao'er carry the things in. Then he said to Zhao'er: Come in, have a drink of tea and rest before leaving.

Uncle Chen, how can you be so embarrassed?

You were not polite when you were bargaining with me, but now you are more polite. Boss Chen pretended to stare.

Overall, Boss Chen is an elegant yet humorous person.

Xue Tingyan also came out to help and asked: What's in it? Why is it so heavy? Where did you get it?

Not to mention how heavy it was, Ah Cai tried several times but failed to lift it, so it could only be carried by three people.

I got it from the pawn shop. If I can sell this bag, I will have enough money to send you to Qinghe Academy.

Zhao'er hadn't realized that he had let slip the truth, but Xue Tingyan had discovered it. He glanced at Boss Chen. At this time, Zhao'er understood what he had said and looked at Boss Chen with a guilty look: Uncle Chen, I will explain to you later.

She was a little anxious, so she picked up the big bag and put it on her shoulders without letting the two of them help. The big bag weighed her down, but she managed to stand still, and she quickly carried the things inside.

Ah Cai praised: Look, she's not strong either, but she's so strong.

Here, Xue Tingyan looked at the back and tightened the corners of his mouth, while Boss Chen's eyes darkened.

Xue Tingyan looked up at Boss Chen and walked towards him.

…

Zhao'er found a place to put down his big bag, then went to wash his hands and face and tidy up before being led by Ah Cai to see Boss Chen.

Seeing Boss Chen, Zhaoer felt a little guilty. But she didn't plan to continue to lie to Boss Chen, because Boss Chen was a good person. Not to mention the benefits he had given her before, Zhao'er couldn't continue to deceive her because he asked the little man to copy books for such a high price, and he also asked him to read here and take care of the food at noon.

In fact, Zhao'er didn't lie, it was just that she concealed her gender, and the so-called work was just collecting some vegetables to sell and make purses.

Uncle Chen...

Boss Chen sighed and waved his hand: Okay, you don't have to say it anymore. It's really difficult for a girl like you.

Zhao'er looked surprised, his round eyes widening.

Boss Chen laughed a little and said, Your little husband has already told me everything.

He, what did he say... Zhao'er stammered, still a little unbelievable. Because she knew that the little man always cared about face and had many things on his mind. He didn't like to mention that she was his child bride and the Xue family's troubles in front of outsiders.

I've said everything that needs to be said. After a pause, Boss Chen asked, Looking at how surprised you are, is this still a secret?

Zhao'er laughed awkwardly and hesitated: Not really, it's just that he is young, and the people in our village are very annoying. There are always people who make fun of him by saying that I am older than him, and that my wife coaxes men.