Chapter 64: Auspicious Fruits

  That young fellow scowled and said, "Little girl, don't think that just because we're from out of town you can charge us an arm and a leg. What kind of fruit is this that's so expensive? Do you think it's ginseng, that eating it will make you immortal?" His monthly salary was only two taels of silver, enough to buy only two catties of fruit.

  Zijin also reacted and realized that she had asked for too high a price. However, if she lowered the price now, she would be in a weak position, and it was uncertain whether the deal could be made.

  "Little brother, you're right. This fruit is almost as good as ginseng. It's a wild fruit that grows on the mountain behind the Songshan Temple, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, collecting the essence of the sun and moon. It's a blessed fruit protected by the Buddha, which will ensure the health and longevity of our elders when we take it back home." Qizhen'er spoke nonsense with a straight face, as if she were telling the truth.

  That little fellow still wanted to argue, but hearing someone outside the teahouse urging him on, he thought that this must be his young master buying some fresh fruit for his wife to taste. The fruit didn't taste bad either, so gritting his teeth and hardening his heart, he bought six catties from Qizhen'er.

  She took six taels of silver and looked at the remaining crooked gourds and cracked dates in the basket, Qizhen's eyes were narrowed from smiling. Hu'er had never seen silver before, seeing his sister smile so happily, he also smiled along with her.

  Today is not only sunny, but also a lucky star shining brightly.

  "What? You're buying this for just one or two silver coins? And you've bought so much, are you an idiot?" The young master said sternly as he took the fruit from his servant. He thought to himself that despite being so clever, how could he have such a foolish servant? Every time he went out to buy things, he would still haggle over prices, why couldn't he learn?

  The owner of the tea house was just pouring tea, and after hearing the young master's words, he secretly clicked his tongue. The little girl was small in stature, but she didn't show any mercy when it came to killing people, daring to sell at a price of one or two silver coins per catty. However, he didn't say anything, these people were obviously of high status, and if they caused trouble, it wouldn't be good.

  The young servant was scolded and covered in dog blood, but he didn't dare to argue. He originally wanted to buy two catties, but the little girl said that two catties were not enough, not even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth, and if they passed this village, there would be no more shops. He said he wanted three catties, but the little girl said it was unlucky to buy singles, who buys things for a happy occasion without buying in pairs? He thought about it and agreed, so he said four catties. The little girl had something to say again, four is unlucky, six is better, six six big luck, and also said that if the young master knew, he would praise him for being capable. His heart was filled with joy, so he bought six catties. Unexpectedly, there were no praises, but plenty of scolding.

  He didn't dare to say these words to the young master, or he would be scolded even more severely. The little servant licked his lips and said in a low voice: "Young master, that little girl said this is what's grown behind the temple mountain, blessed by the Buddha, you see these fruits are all unseen, and they look auspicious too, I've tasted them, the taste is good, offering them to the madam, isn't it just right?"

  The fruit has been bought, and scolding him is useless. The young master thought for a moment and said, "Wash it and send it to the lady." After finishing speaking, he was still unhappy in his heart and resentfully said, "In the future, don't let me see that girl again, otherwise I will not forgive her, I must make her suffer."

  The young servant saw his master's dark face and felt a pang in his heart. He handed the fruit to the maid beside him to wash, and quickly followed behind his master to the door to welcome his wife.

  At this time, the housekeeper-like person led a woman into the door. The woman was wearing a dark green flowered rain cape with a high collar, her hair was combed into a bun, and she wore a gold silk butterfly-shaped pin on her head. Such luxurious attire made it clear that she was Mrs. So-and-so. Her face showed some fatigue, probably due to the exhaustion of traveling. Next to her stood a 12 or 13-year-old girl dressed even more luxuriously. The young girl's hair was styled in a lily bun, but since she had little hair and no fake hairpieces, the bun didn't sit high on her head, instead it lay flat on top. If one wasn't careful, they might not have noticed what kind of hairstyle it was. However, the tear mole at the corner of her eye was well-placed, making her appear weak and fragile.

  That young master was welcomed to the door, and before he could speak, that little girl exclaimed excitedly: "Brother, brother. Are you tired? I'm exhausted from riding in a sedan chair, my whole body is sore."

  That young master heard her shouting loudly without rules and etiquette, and openly speaking to himself in public, was very displeased. Is this the well-educated cousin from his uncle's family, who is a minister of rites?

  "Mother, the weather is hot, I'm afraid you'll be tired from hurrying on the road, so I'll take charge and have us rest here for a while and drink some water." The young master said directly to the lady, ignoring his chattering cousin.

  The lady was also getting tired of the journey and this idea suited her just fine. However, seeing her niece pouting unhappily beside her, she said: "Ming'er, don't be rude. Yuwen is talking to you, why aren't you responding?"

  That girl named Wanlin heard her aunt stand up for herself and looked at her cousin Zhao Zhanming with even more pity.

  Zhao Zhanming saw her appearance, and his heart became increasingly displeased. He suppressed the disgust in his heart and said reluctantly, "Men and women at the age of seven do not share a seat. The child and his cousin are both so big now, if they still make such a fuss and speak without any restraint in the grand hall, it is really against etiquette."

  Zhao Zhanming saw that his mother had listened to his words and her face was full of approval, so he quickly added: "Mother, let's go inside first, it's hot outside, be careful not to get sunburned." As he spoke, he supported his mother's hand and led her in.

  Na Wanlin saw no one paying attention to her, got angry and stomped her foot, then ran in.

  "Mrs. asked as she walked, "Ming'er, how's your book warming up? Although you're going to your maternal grandparents' house with your mother this time, you can't fall behind in your studies. When you get back, your father will definitely test you on reciting books."

  That little servant is clever, seeing the ladies come in, he had someone lay out a brocade cushion on the stool. After hearing what the lady said, he secretly lamented for his own young master in his heart. His young master obviously didn't like reading books, why couldn't the old master and lady see it? And yet they were so strict with the young master, making him read books.

  Zhao Zhanming sighed helplessly every day, and he couldn't help but say this sentence. "Don't worry, mom, I won't fall behind."

  The young man didn't want his wife to delve deeper into the topic, so he hastily spoke up: "Wife, I just saw someone selling those fruits and bought some. Let me give you a taste of the freshness."

  This season, there are already many fruits. In a wealthy family like this one, apart from the expensive and rare ones, there aren't many that can be eaten fresh. The lady didn't think there would be any good fruit in these rural areas either, but she also knew it was her son's intention, so she didn't say anything and just went along with his wishes.

  Unfortunately, she is an intelligent person, but others may not be.

  Zhao Zhanming just ignored Yang Wanlin, his cousin, and made her furious. Now that he's come in and seen them chatting happily, none of them have thought of her, which makes the daughter of this third-grade official lose face.

  "What a broken melon? You still have the nerve to say try some freshness. I've never seen such an inexperienced person." Yang Wanlin's tone was disdainful, and her attitude was extremely arrogant.

  Zhao Zhanming suppressed his anger and didn't respond to her, but just gave the young servant a glance. The young servant understood, and quickly had the maid bring out the fruit.

  Mrs. Zhao also felt that her niece's words were unpleasant, but she had always been fond of this niece, so she didn't think much of it, and just as the fruit platter was brought up, she used it to change the subject, picked up a piece of fruit, took a bite, and saved face for everyone.

  "Hmm, this fruit is really sweet. Just haven't seen it before." After taking a bite, the mouthful of bright red juice was both fragrant and sweet, and Madam Zhao didn't think this fruit was bad at all.

  That young fellow seemed to be in high spirits, his face breaking into a smile as he repeated what Qizhen had said about the fruit being a blessing from heaven, naturally delighting the lady and earning himself a reward of money.

  Yang Wanlin looked at that plate of strange fruit, and her heart was filled with hatred. *****In order to ensure timely delivery every morning at 8 o'clock, I usually type the night before and let the system send it automatically. Every night, in order to stay awake, I would listen to music, but last night I suddenly woke up, and I realized that listening to "Burial of the Heart" - such a sad and lingering song - could actually invigorate me, really making me wonder what kind of brain structure I have~~~