The words had barely left his mouth when several children came skipping over and picked up the wedding candy at his feet.
"The Ninth Prince is getting married! Everyone in the Capital gets wedding candy!"
"Let's go ask for some outside the Liu Residence and take it home to eat."
With that, they went skipping away again.
At the mention of the Ninth Prince and the Liu Residence, Xie Jin'an's eyes filled with melancholy and realization.
The people and children throughout the Capital were blessing them, a match made in heaven.
Once, he and Liu Wan had also been a couple everyone envied.
His heart suddenly ached terribly.
"Hey, A An! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pour the customer's tea!"
The shopkeeper came over and scolded him, pulling Xie Jin'an out of his thoughts. He smiled apologetically and bowed respectfully.
"I'm sorry, sir."
He filled the customer's teacup with practiced ease.
The owner nodded in satisfaction. When A An had first arrived, he had refused to do this and refused to do that.
At first, he had struggled even to carry a basin of water. Now, he was willing to do any task.
And his attitude had changed so much that the owner was exceptionally pleased.
As expected of someone recommended by the Second Master.
Xie Jin'an served dishes and poured tea with practiced ease.
As the sun sank at dusk, he did not go home straight away. Instead, he stood outside the Liu Residence for a long while.
Then he made a detour to the western side of the Capital.
That evening, weary from head to toe, he returned to the little courtyard his second brother had arranged for him.
Yan was already three months pregnant, though she was not showing yet.
Under the lamplight,