"Oh ho! "Jin Shanyao, "I never expected Su Wenqian to be so cunning. You forced me to do this!" Jin Shanyao her heart and glared at Madam Su sitting to the side, shouting at her.
"Niece-in-law, you divorce him... then you can come with me... After Anci examination with top honors, I'll collude with him in official business... I'll guarantee you a life of luxury, living the high life."
Upon hearing this, Su Wenqian's eyes went black, and his anger flared up instantly. "I'll teach you to sow discord, I'll teach you to collude with businessmen, I'll teach you to go astray, I'll teach you to corrupt my students... I'll beat you to death today!"
He raised his fist, ready to fight Jin Shanyao, but Madam Su quickly stopped him, saying, "Alright, alright... we're about to leave Qingzhou Prefecture, please stop fighting."
After saying this, he pulled on the Jin Shanyao and waved it, laughing, "Later, let's invite Anzhi and Anci, and have a meal together as a family. Who knows when we'll see each other again after this parting."
"Niece-in-law... don't worry, no matter where I go, you'll always be in my heart... Don't you like talismans? I'll give you two when you leave, take them and wear them."
"If you don't write to me anymore... I'll draw you again..." she said, stroking Madam Su's hand. "Poor thing... you've become so thin since the old lady passed away."
Madam Su suppressed a laugh, but she was secretly overjoyed... The talismans that Jin Shanyao could buy with money, but free talismans were not something everyone could obtain.
While she was secretly delighted, Su Wenqian had already sensed something was amiss. Given Jin Shanyao's personality, she would never readily admit to collusion between officials and businessmen after just a few words.
He looked up and saw that her eyes were not right. He immediately warned her, "Don't get any funny ideas. Zhu Huaizhang is a scholar from Jiangnan, and his way of doing things is very different from that of the North."
You don't understand, don't offend people right away... You have five mountains to rely on now, if he wants to make things difficult for you... you won't be able to move an inch."
Jin Shanyao her hand dismissively, "Alright, alright... You've got to worry about this. Do I survive in this world by skillful speech and reading people? I survive by my fists."
"I'll teach you to rely on your fists..." Su Wenqian turned around and reached for the feather duster in the corner.
Seeing that he was in a bad mood today, Jin Shanyao picked up the book given to her by Madam Su and shouted at Su Wenqian, "I'm leaving! You haven't learned anything about the concept of 'officials and the people being one family'!"
After saying that, she slipped out of the house. Just as Su Wenqian was about to put down the feather duster, he saw her return.
He craned his neck and shouted at him, "There's going to be a drought this year, so tell the people to plant more drought-resistant crops!"
After saying that, he ran off in a flash.
Su Wenqian had complete faith in Jin Shanyao, so he summoned a clerk to write a notice, which was posted that very day.
This was the last thing he did for the people of Qingzhou Prefecture.
On the way back, Jin Shanyao silent... The once bustling streets seemed utterly dull and lifeless... She didn't even hear Old Medicine Zhou greet her.
He only snapped out of his daze when his arm was grabbed.
"What are you thinking about, Shopkeeper Jin? I've called you several times, but you haven't heard me."
Jin Shanyao glanced at Old Medicine Zhou and blurted out, "You're leaving too???"
"Where am I going..." He Jin Shanyao into the shop, lowering his voice to ask, "I heard that Lord Su has been transferred, are you aware of this?"
For some reason, Jin Shanyao felt a tightness in her chest when she heard his question, and only gave a faint "hmm".
Old Medicine Zhou cried out in alarm, "My shop's taxes were only reduced for less than two years, how could he leave already...? Do you think the new prefect will raise them back up now...?"
He pulled on his Jin Shanyao and muttered, "You have no idea how chaotic Qingzhou Prefecture used to be. They changed prefects every three years. Who really cared about the lives of us ordinary folks?"
"After years of burning incense and praying to Buddha, we finally got to see Lord Su, but three years is far too short."
Jin Shanyao glanced at the passersby on the street and casually remarked, "I heard he did such a good job that he caught the eye of the imperial court..."
Old Medicine Zhou was filled with mixed emotions. "If only Lord Su had remained the prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture."
Jin Shanyao's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "What do you think about us keeping Su Wenqian here?"
"Are you crazy...? Being transferred to the capital is a promotion, a huge stroke of good luck, something most people dream of their whole lives. Don't ruin Lord Su's future."
The light in Jin Shanyao's eyes vanished instantly. Oh well... people come and go, it's best to part amicably...
Seeing her walk out without a word, Old Medicine Zhou called out, "Hey... where are you going? I haven't finished talking yet."
With Jin Shanyao said, "I'll go prepare a farewell gift for Lord Su."
Old Medicine Zhou exclaimed "Oh dear!" and hurriedly turned to walk towards the back courtyard. He should also think about what to give Lord Su.
Lord Su is going to the capital to serve as an official. If I ever run into trouble, I can climb up to the capital to find him. Given Lord Su's character, he will definitely help me.
Evening, Anzhi Hall.
The Jin Shanyao at a piece of jade, striking and carving with a clanging sound, sparks flying from under the chisel.
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci squatted on either side of her, watching helplessly as the jade material, as thick as a bracelet, shrank smaller and smaller in their aunt's hands. Now it was the size of a jade pendant, and it was heading towards becoming a thumb ring.
Meng Anzhi finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, "Auntie... how about we just carve wood instead?"
"How can that be?" Jin Shanyao her head without looking up, blowing away the jade shavings. "Carving wood is so cruel. Besides, don't humans all love jade? It's warm, precious, and prestigious."
She weighed the unshaped piece of jade in her hand, quite pleased with herself. "This is genuine Hetian jade, isn't that generous? I'll carve him a jade unicorn; I guarantee everyone will praise him when he wears it to the capital."
As she spoke, she raised the hammer to smash it, but Meng Anci stopped her with lightning speed. "Auntie, the teacher is going to the capital to take up an official post. There are many people watching him. The jade unicorn is too conspicuous and could easily cause trouble."
He paused slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "How about we carve a jade ring for him? It's understated and reserved, just right for the teacher's personality."
Meng Anzhi quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, the jade ring symbolizes completeness, smoothness, peace, Kangjian, making it a suitable gift for someone traveling far away."
Jin Shanyao frowned, examining the jade for a long time. "Do you really think the jade ring is better than the jade unicorn?"
The siblings nodded in unison, their eyes resolute.
Jin Shanyao thought for a moment, "Alright... then I'll give you a jade ring, but isn't this jade too big?"
"No, no, just a little trimming and shaping will do." Meng Anci quickly stood up. "I'll draw a pattern for you, and you can carve it according to that."
"Alright, make it look nicer." Jin Shanyao's words had barely faded when Meng Anci had already finished painting.
Jin Shanyao thought to herself, "That's fast!" But when she took the paper and looked at it, she was shocked to find that it contained only two overlapping circles, as simple as could be.
What's so difficult about that? Why bother drawing a pattern? Jin Shanyao raised the hammer and smashed it down.
With a "crack," half a piece of jade fell to the ground.
She clutched the broken jade in her hand, looking awkwardly at the two children.
Meng Anzhi gently comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright. The small and exquisite jade ring is actually more beautiful."
She took the Jin Shanyao the jade in her hand, and used a carving knife to trim and smooth the edges of the jade.
Jin Shanyao and Meng Anci huddled together, watching her every move from either side, not daring to even breathe loudly.
In just a short while, a delicate and exquisite jade ring was formed.
Jin Shanyao specially found a red string, carefully tied it to the hole in the middle of the jade ring, and lifted it up to shake it in the air. Moonlight shone through the window onto the jade ring, creating a warm halo.
She clapped her hands in satisfaction. "Great! Small and exquisite, just what I wanted."
The siblings exchanged a glance, a smile playing on their lips.
The Jin Shanyao imbued the jade ring with a layer of Spiritual Power before placing it into the brocade box.