Chapter 31: Visiting Hanshan Temple and Maple Bridge at Spring (Part 2)

  As soon as they entered Suzhou City, the three groups of people parted ways and went their separate directions.

  Zhiyuan deliberately chose the most bustling and spacious street in Suzhou to walk on. At dusk, the city of Suzhou was filled with people coming and going, and various snack stalls emitted waves of fragrance, enticing people to linger and forget to leave. The sugar sculptor, the buyer of osmanthus cake, and the cook of small wontons all delighted the children who surrounded them.

  Daiyu's carriage window was made of bamboo curtains, pasted with soft and delicate cloud-patterned silk. From the outside, one could not see the people inside the carriage, but Daiyu could vaguely make out the scenery outside.

  Yan's mother saw Daiyu sitting properly, but her eyes kept drifting towards the window. Yan's mother smiled slightly in her heart and didn't stop her, only asking: "Miss, the common people of Suzhou call this street 'Night Market', do you know why?"

  Daiyu came back to her senses and replied to Nurse Li's question, "Is it because everyone comes out to buy or sell things at dusk?"

  The old lady nodded, "Actually, Suzhou also has an early market. The waiters at the wine shops and restaurants will get up early to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. However, ordinary people prefer to come to the night market in the evening. Do you know why, miss?"

  She intentionally told Daiyu about these things, just not wanting Daiyu to become a young lady who didn't know the value of money in the future. It's not that anyone can guarantee they'll be wealthy and noble their whole lives, right? When Granny Wang was at the East Ping Duke's estate, the princess had bought some girls from families that had committed crimes as maidservants. Those girls were originally also born with a silver spoon, raised pampered and spoiled, but later when their families got into trouble, they still ended up being sold off. The ones who looked ordinary might have been able to enter a wealthy household and escape disaster, but the ones who were beautiful and charming were quickly sold off to those dirty places.

  Yan's mother was still a child when her father, who was also a second-grade official, got into trouble because he stood in the wrong position during the emperor's ascension to the throne. The whole family was either arrested or killed, and she herself was sent to the palace as a palace maid. Now that her youth has passed, she has become an old woman.

  When she first saw Daiyu, Mrs. Xue felt that this girl was pitiful and lovable, and the Seventh Princess also told herself that in the future she would probably follow Lin's daughter, so Mrs. Xue became more attentive, hoping that Daiyu could truly grow up.

  Daiyu is clever and quick-witted, but after all, she's not familiar with these things. Recently, managing household chores, her brother said that since she's still young, there's no need to look at the account books, just focus on learning how to handle trivial matters in the inner quarters first.

  "Daiyu guessed that it was because the people of Suzhou had to work from early morning and didn't have time to go shopping, so by the time they finished their busy day, it was already time to prepare dinner, which is why the night market was exceptionally lively?"

  She hesitated and looked at Yan's nanny, and she was not very sure of her own answer.

  If she were asked to write a poem or critique someone's painting, Daiyu would be a transparent person. However, when faced with Yuanyang's question, Daiyu was not so confident.

  After hearing the girl's answer, Madame Wang pointed to a small food stall in front of her, and Daiyu followed her gaze.

  There aren't many things, it's obvious that they're selling leftover vegetables and fruits. There are some inferior ones like potatoes, Chinese cabbage, green peppers, and white radish; and some better ones like spring bamboo shoots, etc., all mixed together. Three or four young brides are carefully selecting them.

  Yan Qie patiently explained to Daiyu, "Miss, look at these people, they are the most ordinary citizens of Suzhou. What they eat must be the cheapest. Tell me, when is it cheapest to buy things?"

  Daiyu suddenly realized that of course it was cheapest to buy vegetables at night. By the end of the day, these vegetables were no longer fresh, and the price would naturally drop a bit.

  "Granny, I understand now. Thank you for teaching me these things." Daiyu immediately grasped the meaning of Granny's words and felt even more respect for this old woman who had experienced many storms in the palace. When she saw Granny, she couldn't help but think of her own wet nurse, Wang Granny. After returning to Yangzhou, Wang Granny said that she missed her family and wanted to go back home to see them, so she didn't accompany Daiyu to Suzhou for the time being. Although Wang Granny hadn't mentioned leaving, Daiyu could tell that her wet nurse had already made up her mind to leave. However, since Wang Granny hadn't said anything explicitly, Daiyu couldn't ask directly, and at that time, her family was still busy with her father's funeral, so she didn't have the energy to deal with these matters. So Daiyu simply gave Wang Granny twenty taels of silver and told her to take a break for two days.

  When Daiyu and her brother Zhiyuan decided to leave Yangzhou, Fu Ling returned to his hometown. He also asked a young servant to invite Wang Xiang, but the wet nurse sent someone to tell him not to worry, that when Daiyu arrived in Suzhou, Wang Xiang would naturally come back to find her.

  Wang's nanny was not born in the house, but was bought from outside as a wet nurse many years ago. Daiyu heard people say this and entrusted the deed of sale to someone reliable to deliver to her nanny. Until today, there is no news about Wang's nanny at all.

  Daiyu also consoled herself not to be sad, these are common human feelings. Wang's mother did not want to leave her hometown again and wanted to reunite with her son. The girl should be happy instead. However, in Daiyu's heart, there was still a small regret and sadness.

  Daiyu tidied up her thoughts and suddenly remembered the daily necessities at home, so she asked Nurse Li: "Nurse, is there such a big difference between the prices of vegetables in the morning and evening? I see that our family's food every day is not repetitive, it must be quite expensive!"

  "Large households are all like this, the young master and the young lady are vegetarian, so three meals a day don't cost much money. It's just that in recent days, the young master has had many guests, and the young lady has asked the cook to make some good dishes, which may require some silver. As for the people in the courtyard, the two aunties can order food, while others eat from the main kitchen. You and the young master are kind-hearted, so the servants' food is also good. Even so, adding it all up doesn't amount to much silver. So the young lady asks you not to worry."

  Daiyu originally had meals with old lady, Baoyu, Ying Chun and others in Jia's house. In Jia's house, there was a water sign written every day to indicate what to eat today and tomorrow, the kitchen clearly wrote it down. Daiyu has always been careful and never asked the kitchen to make anything separately, but Baoyu occasionally had cravings and often asked people to go to the kitchen to make new dishes, Grandma Jia just smiled and said that Baoyu had a good appetite.

  Now that she's in charge of the household, Daiyu starts to pay attention to these small matters. Every day, apart from reading books, she doesn't always stay cooped up in her room. The Lin family is neither big nor small, and there are quite a few miscellaneous things to attend to every day.

  Yuan's aunt pointed out to Daiyu on the way, which shops in Suzhou city were often visited by famous ladies, whose goods were suitable for gifts, whose gold and silver jewelry was made most exquisitely, and whose embroidery products were fine works presented to the imperial palace. Daiyu remembered them one by one in her heart.

  The sky gradually darkened, and a group of people finally arrived at their doorstep.

  Daiyu returned to visit Mei's pavilion, and Yanrong and others hurried forward to serve Daiyu in changing clothes and washing her hair.

  "Have Cousin Young Master and Cousin Young Miss eaten dinner?" The two little ones, especially Rong Zhe, were overjoyed to see Dai Yu and flung themselves into her arms, chattering away about their day's activities.

  Yingxiang called Xiangshan and others to light up all the lamps in the house, the lamp fire reflected on the glass lampshade, shining brightly inside the house. She heard Daiyu ask her own question, smiled and replied: "Miss, don't worry, they have already eaten."

  As soon as the words fell, Xiao Rongze raised his big head, his eyes shining brightly at Daiyu, and shouted in a crisp voice: "Eat, eat, fried shrimp, pancakes, cakes" Suddenly stuck, tilted his head, counting the short and stout little fingers, "and also"

  Rong Zhe thought of telling his sister to tell Dai Yu, but he still forgot.

  Daiyu saw the little guy's eyes blinking, as if he was about to cry, and hurriedly comforted him: "Okay, Rongze is really great, able to remember so many delicious things. What do you like? Tomorrow I'll ask Bixia sister to make it for you."

  Zi Juan, Yan Rong and others looked at the expression of Shao Ye, laughing with their heads thrown back. But no one noticed the envious gaze in Xue Qi's eyes.

  Daiyu had dinner in her room and personally escorted Rongzhe back to the Yunxiao Pavilion. The two of them held hands, walking under the moonlight, feeling an indescribable warmth.

  When they arrived at Zhiyuan's residence, it was Xiangxuan who came out to greet them.

  Daiyu didn't see Zhiyuan's shadow, so she asked: "What? Is brother not here? Is he still watching the mountain building?"

  Xiang Xuan shook her head helplessly: "I don't know what these people are thinking, although our young master has a good temper, he can't come every day. Just now, he just came back and hadn't even entered the house yet, but went to the study."

  Daiyu had also wanted to take advantage of today to go to Hanshan Temple, and also get her brother to relax a bit. She hadn't expected that it was already so late, yet these people still hadn't left? She secretly worried, this wasn't a solution either, her brother was busy every day answering other people's questions, and at night he had to stay up writing essays, how could his body take it?

  "Xiang Xuan sister, do you know who has come? Have they been waiting here since morning?"

  Xiang Xuan replied, "That's not true. I just heard from Luo Guan Jia that he came in the afternoon and sat in Fei Yan Tang all the time. Since Young Master was not at home, Luo Guan Jia didn't dare to let him go see Shan Lou. He didn't say a word and just sat there. I heard from Zheng Chong that they had changed his tea water four times already. He said he came from Yangzhou, but judging by his appearance, he's quite shameless!"

  Daiyu arrived at Zijuan's place to pick her up, but Zhiyuan had not returned to Yungao Hall. She could only instruct Xiangyun to take good care of her brother and then headed back to Meigui Pavilion.

  Zi Juan made the bed while secretly observing Dai Yu's expression, and saw that the young lady looked worried. She guessed that she must have some concerns, so she asked Dai Yu: "Miss, are you worried about Young Master?"

  Daiyu was still holding a book in her hand, but her mind wasn't on it. When Zi Juan asked this question, she sighed and said: "Yes, I'm also worried about my brother. He's busy running around every day, without any time to rest. Mr. Shen has assigned him a lot of homework, and he still has to deal with these trivial matters. When will it ever end?"

  Yinglian heard Daiyu's words and was moved in her heart, saying calmly: "This is also true, the young master is a kind-hearted person, but after all, he is still young and inexperienced. If there are some elders around to help him make decisions, it would be better."

  "I also thought so, wanting to advise him to go to the capital early, but my brother said he still needs to wait for a while, at least until after this year's imperial examination. My brother wants to go to the capital with several good friends who are also scholars, and it seems like he plans to buy a house in the capital."

  "Exactly, if we wait until next year to go, it will be even more troublesome, what with finding a house and preparing for the exam. Young master won't have time for all that. Why not make plans early? There are many scholars in the capital, young master can visit them earlier. Besides, didn't second master also like to help those who are eager to learn? Haven't you forgotten, miss, the Mr. Jia who taught you how to read is now an official?"

  Zi Juan's words seem reasonable at first glance, but upon closer inspection

  P.S: I want PK's votes, kneeling and begging~~~ Tears streaming down ⊙﹏⊙ sweating