Chapter 434 - 167: Trivial Matters, Part 3
Chapter 434: Chapter 167: Trivial Matters, Part 3
Chen Wanqing had completely lost her appetite.
’Why is she trying to shift the trouble onto me?’
’I’ve always treated Xiang’er well.’
The two sisters-in-law locked eyes. Xiang’er seemed to read something in Chen Wanqing’s expression and quickly changed the subject. "Never mind making clothes for a baby. Weren’t you just talking about my father yesterday? The anniversary of his death is coming up soon. Didn’t you say that now that we’re living in a grand, four-courtyard mansion, we should burn one for him too? There’s no time like the present. Why don’t we go out right now and see if there are any paper effigy shops on the street? We can place an order early so we’re not rushing on the day itself."
"Yes, yes, you’re right! Look at me, what a memory. I was just talking about it yesterday, and today it completely slipped my mind. Your father will be visiting me in my dreams to complain otherwise. I can’t give him the chance to nag me."
As the mother and daughter prepared to leave, Chen Wanqing saw them out.
She couldn’t leave the residence today; at the very least, she had to stay home to entertain their guests.
Wang Xiao and Wang Jun could certainly be called young masters from wealthy families, and their etiquette was naturally impeccable.
On their first visit, not only did they bring many gifts, but they even made a point to pay their respects to Mrs. Zhao after entering.
It was precisely because Mrs. Zhao had seen for herself how handsome and dignified the two young men were that she got the idea of making one of them her son-in-law.
Their guests’ manners were impeccable, whereas she had slept in until the sun was high in the sky. If she were to suddenly leave the residence now, it would seem even more neglectful and rude.
’I’ll have to personally send a table of food over later, say a few polite words, and smooth things over.’
While Chen Wanqing was mulling this over, the atmosphere in the outer courtyard’s reception hall was lively.
Wang Jun praised the residence more than once. "This mansion of yours is seriously impressive. A while back, my mother opened a teahouse across from the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office specifically because she liked how safe it was around here. You know how it is in business—you’re bound to make some enemies and run into trouble. At the time, my mother thought, ’Why not just move right next to the government office? Let’s see who dares to stir up trouble on the tiger’s head then.’ She asked around, but not a single residence here was for sale. My mother didn’t give up. She figured if she couldn’t buy, she could at least rent. She had it all arranged, but my father wouldn’t agree."
That old-fashioned father of his had said it would be a laughingstock if word got out that they were spending money to rent someone else’s house when they had a perfectly good one of their own. Besides, another person’s property would never truly be yours, so how comfortable could it be? And to spend so much on rent—did they have money to burn?
Because of his father’s staunch opposition, the plan fell through.
But who would have thought that after all these years, a residence here would actually come up for sale—and such a large, elegant one at that.
"Even my father would be tempted if he saw it."
"It’s a shame we missed our chance."
"You’re so lucky, managing to snag such a deal. Are you the God of Wealth’s favorite son or something?"
"More like the son of the God of Literature, I’d say."
Wang Jun and Wang Xiao took turns flattering Zhao Jing, which left De’an feeling a bit sour.
"What about me? Whose favorite son am I?"
Wang Jun and Wang Xiao burst out laughing. They were tempted to joke that he should ask his own mother that question.
But thinking such a reply would be too offensive, they said instead, "Aren’t you the son of Mr. Chen, the assistant of Qingshui County in Xinghuai Prefecture? Don’t tell me you don’t even know that and need us to inform you."
"Oh, get outta here." De’an tossed a bright orange tangerine at them and asked, rubbing his gums in annoyance, "Don’t tell me you two came all this way just to mess with me. I already sent you invitations, so what are you doing here now? Just making my sister work harder to entertain you? What a hassle."
"What a thing to say! It’s because we missed you guys too much, of course. As for troubling your sister, I’ve already prepared for that. Before we came, my brother and I ordered a two-table banquet from the restaurant. We brought our own food and wine, so it’s no trouble now, right?"
Before De’an could say anything, Zhao Jing called over an old woman who was sweeping the courtyard. "Go tell my wife that she doesn’t need to prepare lunch. Just have her wait to enjoy the dishes from the restaurant."
The old woman smiled, acknowledged the order, and left.
Wang Jun and Wang Xiao stared speechlessly at Zhao Jing. "So you’re the stingiest one here."
After some more banter, Wang Jun finally got to the main reason for their visit. "When are you two planning to enroll in the prefectural academy? You should hurry up. The Huang class started almost two months ago. If you don’t come soon, you’ll fall behind."
After a busy morning, it was almost Noon by the time they headed back.
It was a late autumn day, and the weather had turned somewhat overcast. Gusts of cold wind blew against them, making them shiver.
As the two of them were heading home from the government office, they saw many people walking in groups toward the Vegetable Market.