Chapter 34.1

Wang Yuanwai invited them to stay for dinner, but Song Dingxiang politely declined. Madam Wang arranged some gifts for Song Dingxiang and warmly escorted them out, saying, "In the future, let our families treat each other like relatives. Please come and visit us more often when you have the time."

"Thank you, Madam. If I have time, I will definitely come to accompany you more. It's just that the journey from the village is quite far, and I have many matters to attend to at home on a regular basis, so coming back and forth takes up a lot of time. That's why I couldn't come earlier. I hope Daren and Madam Wang can understand," Song Dingxiang explained.

Madam Wang patted Song Dingxiang's hand with a smile and said, "There's no need to apologize. We are very happy when you can come. Be careful on your way back, especially with the cold and slippery snow."

After seeing off Song Dingxiang, Wang Yuanwai took out the prescription again and examined it carefully. After a while, he said to Madam Wang, "This young girl seems to have more courage and intelligence than her grandfather. If that Zhou Tiezhu really gains favor in the military, his future prospects will be limitless when he returns."

Madam Wang chuckled and teased, "Limitless prospects, and you only give her a hundred taels?"

"Oh, I was just testing the waters. She suddenly handed over such a valuable thing to me, so I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy," Wang Yuanwai chuckled and stroked his beard. "This truly is a stroke of good fortune. With this money, our future days will be much better."

As the carriage left the town, Song Xingyi finally breathed a sigh of relief and remarked, "Big households are indeed big households. My heart was pounding the whole time, and my legs felt weak. You, on the other hand, held up well. Like a calf not fearing the tiger."

Song Dingxiang laughed and replied, "They say he is a good man, so if he is good, what is there to fear? Besides, we gave him money, so naturally, he should treat us well."

Still feeling unsure, Song Xingyi asked, "So, if we have problems in the future, can we ask them for help? What if he denies it?"

Song Dingxiang reassured him, "If he denies it, we can always find someone else. The prescription was not signed exclusively for him. But I have a feeling that Wang Yuanwai will come to his senses in a few days and may want to sign a contract with us."

Perplexed, Song Xingyi asked, "What kind of contract?"

Song Dingxiang quickly explained, "It's a soap contract. It's better for him to initiate the contract signing with us rather than us seeking it out. If he sends someone to our house, with so many witnesses around, it's like giving ourselves peace of mind and making others cautious as well."

"You, you're still young, but your ideas are quite something," Song Xingyi was surprised by his granddaughter's clever thinking. It was just a prescription, but there were so many intricacies involved.

When they arrived home, Song Dingxiang uncovered the quilt covering the gift box, carried the box to the main room, and opened it one by one for Li shi to see.

Madam Wang had given three boxes.

The first box contained writing brushes, inksticks, paper, and inkstones, all of higher quality than what they usually bought. But it was the ink that truly stole their attention.

Unlike the dull, dusty blocks they were accustomed to, this ink was a revelation. Its surface gleamed with a rich, almost obsidian sheen, promising deep, saturated blacks. As they brought it closer, a subtle fragrance, like the distant echo of a smoky plum, tickled their nostrils.

It was a world away from the acrid, unpleasant odor that clung to their usual ink, a constant reminder of its low quality. This ink, on the other hand, promised not just legibility, but an elegance and a pleasure in its very use.

Unwrapping the second box revealed a delightful surprise: two smaller boxes nestled within. These boxes held the true treasures – silver ingots meticulously crafted into festive shapes!

Each ingot, a charming miniature, weighed approximately half a tael. With thirty pieces in each box, and two boxes in total, there were sixty festive ingots altogether.

The weight of this shimmering collection amounted to a substantial thirty taels of silver.

In addition to the silver ingots, there were ten pairs of agate rings, ten pairs of small silver rings, and ten pairs of delicate hairpins with pearls.

The third box, brimming with anticipation, held a treasure trove of exquisite fabrics. Dazzling bolts of pinks and greens, vibrant enough to awaken a child's delight, shimmered alongside more subdued hues.

But the true surprise lay in pieces emblazoned with the auspicious character "福" (fú), a symbol of good fortune. This thoughtful selection catered perfectly, offering a touch of whimsy for the young and blessings of prosperity for the old.

The total value of these three gift boxes was only around one hundred taels of silver, but they felt much more meaningful than just giving a hundred taels in cash. Song Dingxiang knew that wealthy households often used these versatile gift boxes, but she didn't expect the contents to be so thoughtful.

The family had never seen so many beautiful things before and were momentarily dazzled. Song Dingxiang pointed to the silver ingots and said, "These are used by wealthy households to reward people. They may not be expensive, but they look pretty and festive. Unlike us, who just give plain silver ingots."

Fang shi picked up a silver ingot in the shape of a peanut and said, "It's hard to part with such gifts. These little peanuts are so finely crafted. I'll make a hole in them and string them together to give to your brothers."

Song Zijin also held the hairpin lovingly. After all, she was only fourteen years old, at the age when one is fond of such things.

Li shi chuckled and picked up two hairpins to give to Song Zijin, then picked up two more to give to Song Dingxiang.

Choosing a pair of rings for each of the three daughters-in-law, she said, "The value of these good things lies not in the amount of money but in the thought behind them. The writing materials will be left for the youngest, and the fabrics will be used to make clothes for the younger ones. These two maroon pieces and this floral one... will be used for our own funeral clothes."

Fang Shi unfolded the fabrics and nodded in approval, saying, "That's right. Besides funeral clothes, we can also use them to make some shoe uppers, which will come in handy for our parents. It's surprising how many good things that prescription could exchange for. Dingxiang really knows how to make money."

Song Dingxiang covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Who said I wasted all that oil and threatened not to let me eat meat?"

Fang Shi exclaimed and turned to chat with Zhang Shi, completely ignoring her daughter.

Counting on her fingers, it had been nearly two years since Zhou Yinuo left. Although they often received letters from him, they still worried about him.

On this day, Song Zhiyuan returned from the town after slaughtering a pig, holding a letter sent by Zhou Yinuo. However, his expression seemed a bit grim.

Seeing him take out the letter, Fang Shi's heart thumped and she asked, "What's wrong? Has something happened to Zhou Zi? "

Song Zhiyuan replied, "Nothing has happened. I haven't read the letter yet. It's just about the shop in town..."

Song Dingxiang, who was sewing clothes, asked, "What's wrong with the shop?"

Song Zhiyuan explained, "The person renting the shop said they won’t be renewing the lease next year, claiming the town is not profitable enough, and they want to go elsewhere."

Fang Shi exclaimed, "What's the big deal? If they don't want it, let someone else rent it. It's no problem."

Song Zhiyuan continued, "That's true, but it also affects our income. I have asked the broker to put the shop up for rent, but with the frequent battles in the north recently, I don't know if it will be easy to find a new tenant for the shop."

After saying this, everyone felt a bit weighed down.

With frequent battles outside the border, if the conflict escalated, they wouldn't be able to escape. Southern merchants were now rare visitors, and even the bustling town gatherings were not as lively as before.

Although their area was relatively peaceful, who knew when that peace would be shattered?

Over the past two years, Song Dingxiang and her family have often sent things to Zhou Yinuo, always in multiple copies so that he could also give them to his colleagues to earn some goodwill. It is said that the cotton socks with shoe soles and the small shawl that can cover the head and face are very popular, and have been widely promoted in the military.

In this way, even if they take off their shoes to rest in the winter, they are not afraid of emergencies. The small cloak can be worn directly on the head, leaving only the eyes exposed, protecting the neck and shoulders. It also prevents the ears and nose from freezing in the snow.

In his letters, Zhou Yinuo greets them, reports his safety, and asks if there are any methods to protect his fingers. The winter in the north is extremely cold and the cotton hand warmers they usually wear are heavy and cumbersome, but taking them off results in frozen hands.

Some of his colleagues have already frozen their fingers, appearing very miserable.

"Dad, I'm going to Sixth Grandaunt's house." After reading the letter, Song Dingxiang put on her coat and said, "I saved some wool the other day, could Sixth Grandaunt help me spin it into yarn? I don't know if it's ready."

Fang Shi said, "Just make the wool into felt. You have so many hobbies, wanting it to be spun into yarn... oh, don't go empty-handed. Don't let your Sixth Grandaunt work for you for nothing. Bring her something."

Li shi took a handkerchief and wrapped a pair of agate rings and a pair of silver rings, handing them to Song Dingxiang, saying, "Save the hairpin for Chinese New Year as a New Year's gift. Otherwise, all the good things would be gone, and there would be nothing left for New Year's gifts."

Song Dingxiang tucked the handkerchief into her pocket and headed to Sixth Grandaunt's house.

"Minding this and that all day long..." While Fang Shi grumbled, she no longer stopped her daughter from messing around. Each time she played around, she could earn some money, and Fang Shi was happy to indulge her.

Not long after Song Dingxiang left, a large carriage arrived at the doorstep. The carriage bore the mark of the Wang family and drew attention as it paraded down the street, causing many people to crane their necks to see.

When the carriage stopped in front of Fourth Old Song Si's house, people started buzzing with curiosity.

"May I ask if Mr. Song Xingyi lives here?" A middle-aged man with an imposing air got down from the carriage, wearing a friendly smile on his face.

Song Xingyi quickly put on his coat and stepped out of the house, "Yes, may I ask who this gentleman is..."

The man smiled and said, "I am Wang Daren's steward, named Wang Quan. Isn't it almost Chinese New Year? The master sent me to bring a New Year's gift to the old master."

"Quick, please come in!" Song Xingyi hurriedly ushered the man into the house. Instead of going to the east wing, they went directly into Song Zhixuan's west wing.

Wang Quan looked around the room and said, "I heard that the young master of the old master has passed the provincial examination with Juren as title. It's truly a joyous occasion. I had the honor of seeing the young master from afar, and he is truly refined and talented."

Song Xingyi rubbed his hands and chuckled, "Thank you for your praise. He's just a little guy, but he looks good." Although he said this, his face was beaming with a smile.

Wang Quan asked, "May I ask if the young master is married?"

Song Xingyi replied, "Yes, he is going to. He will be married at twenty-six, to his teacher's daughter."

"Oh..." Wang Quan felt a bit regretful but still smiled, "My master asked me to bring some gifts as a token of respect. We should also visit each other more often. My Lady Wang really likes young lady Song Dingxiang, why didn't we see her today?"

Fang Shi brewed hot water for tea and brought it in, and happened to overhear this conversation, so she couldn't help but glance at Wang Quan.

Song Xingyi said, "She has gone to Sixth Grandaunt's house."

Wang Quan nodded and said, "Actually, the reason I came this time is also to discuss a matter. My master wants to finalize the contract for that recipe. Who can make a decision on this matter?"

Before he arrived, Wang Yuanwai had already instructed that in the Song family, only Song Dingxiang could make decisions, and he told him not to neglect it after going there.

Although there is heavy oppression against women in this world, there are still many women who manage their households and wield power no less than men. Just by the way Song Dingxiang spoke to them, you could tell that this young girl was definitely not like ordinary village girls.

"Contract?" Song Xingyi suddenly remembered what Song Dingxiang had said when they returned, so he suddenly understood and said, "Oh, although I can also make a decision on this matter, let's have her come back and take a look. Second Daughter-in-law, go and call your second daughter back."

"Eh? Eh!" Fang Shi heard this and hastily ran out.

Song Zhiyuan grabbed her and whispered, "What did they say? Where are you going?"

Fang Shi said, "I'm going to find Dingxiang, they mentioned something about a contract. I don't understand, but Dad asked me to bring her back."

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