Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the notices posted outside the shop were almost blown to shreds by the wind, but not a single person came to have their fortune told.
Xiao Huzi came twice, and each time he bought Beating-Resistance Talisman Paper.
Jin Shanyao never imagined she'd have to rely on Xiao Huzi to maintain the family's reputation. She toyed with the single coin in her hand, gazing helplessly at the sky...
Just as she was feeling bored, the shop door opened.
Constable Wang, dressed in his official uniform, walked in and beamed with joy upon seeing her. " Shopkeeper Jin... I'm here on behalf of the government to deliver an award to you."
Jin Shanyao up from her lazy sitting position. "What reward??? I didn't do anything??"
Constable Wang pulled up a chair and sat opposite Jin Shanyao. "You're being modest... This time, the Silla envoys went to pay tribute, passing through three prefectures and twenty-four counties, but they only suffered a setback here."
He pulled out a piece of paper and slammed it on the table, "See this... the reward money from the imperial court, one hundred taels..." He then chuckled and stared at the Jin Shanyao.
Seeing that she had no surprise at all, he asked doubtfully, "Aren't you happy? This is a bank note given by the imperial court... Zhang Jiuwei, Meng Anci, and Zhao Zhiyuan all have it. This one happened to be on my patrol, so I brought it to you."
Jin Shanyao picked up the silver note, glanced at the denomination, and said, "I'm not upset, I just didn't quite understand. I had a drink, and suddenly I got a reward."
"Hey... I thought it was something serious. The Silla envoys come to this place every five years. If the local officials don't handle things properly or don't entertain them well, the Silla people will turn around and accuse them, making a scene at the palace banquet and embarrassing His Majesty and his officials."
No sooner had they left than Lord Su submitted a memorial, reporting everything that had happened at the banquet. His Majesty was very satisfied with our handling of the matter and specifically mentioned it when Silla paid tribute.
The Silla people were so ashamed they couldn't lift their heads," Constable Wang laughed heartily, but then sighed, "What a pity... With the reward money coming down, Lord Su's transfer order has also arrived."
Jin Shanyao in astonishment, " Su Wenqian's transfer order? Where is he being transferred to??"
"I heard from my colleagues that it's in the Ministry of Revenue... In any case, it's a promotion."
"Are they all leaving? Are Madam Su and the two children leaving too?"
"Of course he's leaving... Lord Su is a native of the capital, and besides, he lives in the prefectural government office. To have the backyard emptied out when the new prefect arrives... I wonder what kind of personality this new prefect has."
He stood up and dusted off his clothes, saying, "Alright, I still have patrol duties... I'll be going now."
Jin Shanyao sighed and sat down in a daze... Su Wenqian has been promoted, Qingzhou Prefecture has a new master, things are about to change, but what should Meng Anci do?
His teacher ran away...
No, she had to go and find out the truth... Jin Shanyao up, gave some instructions, and headed towards the government office.
The backyard of the government office was a scene of bustling activity. The maids were carrying chests and boxes onto the carriages, and Madam Su was directing, "Place the box of books gently, and wrap the celadon bottle separately."
Jin Shanyao as she walked around the crates scattered on the ground. "Didn't the transfer order just come down? Are we already moving?"
As soon as Madam Su saw her, she took her hand and led her into the house, turning back to remind her as they walked, "When packing, put the bedding on top, and be careful with the porcelain."
Once inside, he exclaimed, "It's already February. The new prefect will arrive in April; I heard he's already set off from Jiangnan. We'll send the large items back to the capital first, and then we'll leave after the handover."
She called to her maid, "Go and fetch those books with blue cloth covers from my desk," and then looked at Jin Shanyao, "I was planning to visit you in the next couple of days, but your arrival is perfect; it saves me the trouble of running back and forth."
The maid returned and handed the book to Madam Su.
Madam Su handed over the Jin Shanyao and smiled, "This is a list of prominent female relatives from various families in Qingzhou Prefecture that I've compiled over the years."
It records their backgrounds, relatives, temperaments, and preferences; even details like who liked opera and who disliked certain colors are roughly written down.
She lowered her voice slightly, "From now on, if someone sends you an invitation, or if Anzhi goes out for a social event, take a look at it first."
I don't aim to please everyone, but rather to be aware of things, avoid unnecessary trouble, and minimize pitfalls.
Jin Shanyao held the thick booklet in her hand, feeling somewhat uneasy. "What if you get bullied when you return to the capital? Su Wenqian is clumsy with words; all he knows how to do is chuckle when things go wrong."
Madam Su chuckled when she heard her describe her husband in that way.
"You silly girl, do you even know what a smiling tiger is? Look at how he treats envoys, ordinary people, or criminals—is his attitude the same?"
Jin Shanyao chuckled sheepishly, "I thought he was a bully who preyed on the weak."
She had barely finished speaking when a loud shout rang out, " Jin Shanyao... I heard you talking bad about me from afar." Su Wenqian, dressed in an official robe, strode in.
Jin Shanyao showed no embarrassment at being caught, rolling her eyes, "Why are you here instead of handling official business in the main hall..."
Su Wenqian sat down next to Madam Su, "I finished organizing the official documents that needed to be organized half a month ago..."
Madam Su's father, Song Henian, was the Vice Minister of Ministry of War. He would send a letter to Su Wenqian every month. Although he was not in the capital, he was very familiar with the happenings in the capital.
His only worry right now was that Jin Shanyao wouldn't get along with the new prefect. That's why he rushed over as soon as he heard that Jin Shanyao coming.
Su Wenqian said in a deep voice, "The new prefect's surname is Zhu. He is one year younger than me and is a second-class Jinshi. I heard that he was directly demoted after the palace examination."
I don't know his specific temperament, but don't treat him the way you treat me when you see him in the future. Think before you speak, okay?
Jin Shanyao was deeply moved. "Nephew, I knew you cared about me. If anyone bullies you during your trip to the capital, you must tell me."
If you have any aches or fevers, or if you've been poisoned, go to the Anzhi Hall on Vermilion Bird Street and find Qin Baitang... It's not that his medical skills are that great, but mainly because Anzhi Hall's medicinal herbs are excellent. Drinking a couple of cups every now and then will ensure you live to be a hundred."
Su Wenqian was speechless. Who would drink medicine like a supplement for no reason? This girl was talking nonsense again.
He was about to reprimand them, but then he remembered that he was leaving soon and didn't know when they would meet again, so his voice inevitably became more indulgent.
"Have Anci over later; I have some books and things to discuss with him."
Jin Shanyao repeatedly as she looked at Su Wenqian, "Nephew... I have a question that has puzzled me for many years, and only you can answer it for me?"
Seeing Jin Shanyao's serious expression, Su Wenqian sat up straight. "You're asking...?"
Jin Shanyao cleared her throat. "Nephew, have you been having an affair with the bookstore owner behind my back?"
As soon as she asked the question, Su Wenqian began looking around for something.
Jin Shanyao was quite helpless at his behavior and stood up from her chair.
" Old Su... I say you're a good person in every way... except that you've picked up the habits of a military general while being a civil official. How can you just start a fight without even talking?"
I'm doing this for your own good. What can a bookstore offer you besides books? I'm different; I can give you medicine!
Su Wenqian ignored him and simply searched even faster.
Seeing that he was stubborn and unyielding, Jin Shanyao raised her voice, "If you don't think about others, you should at least think about your beloved wife."
Look at her, all winter... she doesn't even have a fur coat. I'm different... I have four or five outfits to wear in rotation. As long as you and I are in cahoots, I'll take your wife to eat and drink the finest food."
Su Wenqian was enraged and grabbed a teacup from the table, smashing it against the Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao the teacup with a backhand and chuckled, "Oops... I missed."
Su Wenqian said angrily, "Even if I didn't hit you, I'll still splash you with water."