In the blink of an eye, it was the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. Yu Shu left the Ji family early in the morning. The day before yesterday, when she went to Doctor He to get the medicine, she was told by Zhao Hui that she should go there earlier today because they wanted to celebrate her birthday one day earlier.
Ji Xingxuan had thrown enough six lines and eight images yesterday, so she learned the first step of 'starting a hexagram'. Yu Shu then taught her the 'installing hexagram' of the six lines, but she only talked about the two steps of Na Jia and Shi Ying. She didn't explain the other two steps of using the hexagram palace and using the spirit. This time, Yu Shu didn't let her throw a copper coin, so she taught her half-baked skills. She told Ji Xingxuan to go back and install two hundred hexagram and find something for her to do to free up a few days of free time.
From afar, Yu Shu saw Yu Xiaoxiu standing in front of Zhao Hui's house waiting for her. She called him, and the child ran over happily. He was happier to see Yu Shu than anyone else.
"Sister, have you had breakfast?"
"No, is there any food at home?"
"En! Aunt Huei asked the chef to make you sweet red bean porridge and a pot of eggs. She's waiting for you to eat. "
Yu Shu was pulled home by Yu Xiaoxiu. They first went to the backyard to see Zhao Hui. In the central room, He Fangzhi was taking Zhao Hui's pulse. When he saw the two children coming in, he smiled and asked them to sit down.
Because it was inconvenient for Zhao Hui to move, the whole family moved the dining table into the room for breakfast. Under Zhao Hui's expectant gaze, Yu Shu drank two bowls of porridge and swallowed three eggs.
There was a saying in the Da 'an Dynasty that boys didn't know their birthdays, but unmarried daughters had to drink sweet bean porridge on their birthdays to symbolize a happy marriage in the future. Boiled eggs in the middle of the night symbolized having many children and the more they ate, the better.
After breakfast, Zhao Hui sent He Fangzhi and Yu Xiaoxiu out. She had Yun Dou bring a new set of clothes out from the room and pulled Yu Shu to her side. The darker blue cloth matched Yu Shu's skin that wasn't too pale.
Yu Shu really liked how Zhao Hui treated her like her own daughter. She sweetly said, "Thank you, godmother." Then she carried the new clothes into the room to change. The clothes that she had measured at Wang Ji Tower the other day weren't ready yet. Today, she was wearing the new clothes that Zhao Hui had made for her during the New Year. After changing into the new clothes, Zhao Hui added a white jade hairpin to Yu Shu's hair. She said it was a gift from Doctor He.
"This is great. You're becoming more and more like a girl. Tomorrow, you'll be a sixteen year old girl." Zhao Hui lovingly tucked Yu Shu's hair. She felt very sorry for this child who had such a twisted fate. Every time she saw her, it was like seeing herself in the past. She had no one to rely on and could only work hard to live by herself.
In the past, her life was hard, so she couldn't do much for her. Now, everything was better. As an elder, she wanted to do what she could.
When it was almost noon, Pei Jing also came, but he was empty-handed. Zhao Hui laughed at him, "Why is sworn brother being so stingy today? You didn't bring anything for the child's birthday. Did you only bring a mouth?"
Pei Jing laughed, "Who said I didn't bring a gift? Isn't this the one?"
As he said this, he took something from the back of his waist and handed it to Yu Shu, "Take this. Don't say that uncle doesn't treat you well. I put in a lot of effort for this gift."
What was handed to Yu Shu was a slender horsewhip wrapped in red leather. When Yu Shu saw it, she was confused. He Fangzhi and his wife also didn't understand.
Yu Xiaoxiu was the smart one. He clapped his hands and stood up, excitedly saying, "You want to give jiejie a horse!?"
Pei Jing reached out his hand and patted his head, smiling, "Isn't that right?"
Yu Shu had been thinking of buying a horse for a long time. Before the New Year, she asked Pei Jing about buying a horse. Pei Jing paid attention and happened to have some connections. A few days ago, when he heard that Yu Shu was celebrating her birthday, he took this opportunity to give her a gift.
When the others heard this, they were dumbfounded. It was because Pei Jing, this uncle, was more generous than his own father.
"Our Thai Heng Chamber of Commerce is in charge of a few horse dealers. A few days ago, they sent a batch of good horses to the capital. I rushed to pick and chose a gentle mare for you. It's just three years old. I originally wanted to bring it over this morning, but because it's pregnant, I had to give it up. You can bring it back in two days."
This gift was too generous. Yu Shu was embarrassed to accept it. A horse that was sent to the capital to be sold must not be cheap, especially a mare that could be matched. If it wasn't two or three hundred taels, it would be considered touching the horse's butt.
Although Zhao Hui and He Fangzhi also felt that this gift was too generous, they didn't want to interrupt. Pei Jing was a smart person. He saw through their thoughts and said to Yu Shu, "What? You don't want to accept uncle's kindness? Silly child, can't you see that uncle is trying to curry favor with you? When the Dayan Rankings is released, there will be many people fighting for a great fortune teller of your age. At that time, uncle won't be able to curry favor with you even if I want to. Isn't it better to do it early? "
When Yu Shu heard this, she immediately smiled. She didn't know Pei Jing's character. Even if what he said was true, the affection in his words was not fake. If she continued to refuse, it would seem that she was not magnanimous enough.
"Thank you, uncle!"
"Haha, that's right."
Seeing that they were willing, Zhao Hui didn't interrupt. Yu Xiaoxiu was the happiest. He sat next to Pei Jing and kept asking about the horse.
Yun Dou went to the kitchen to take a look and came back. She told them that the food was ready. He Fangzhi looked at the sun outside and asked Yu Shu, "Why haven't I seen Shopkeeper Cao yet? I didn't say the wrong date, right? "
In order to give Yu Shu a lively birthday, Zhao Hui wanted to invite more people. However, there were not many people in An Ling. After thinking about it, there were only a few. She invited Pei Jing and waited for Yu Shu to invite "Cao Zixin".
"Tell him it's today," Yu Shu stood up and looked outside, "You guys go to the living room first, I'll go out and take a look."
After paying the bill on the ninth day, Yu Shu didn't see Xue Rui for a few days. Wang Ji Lou will officially open tomorrow. Xue Rui just showed up at the restaurant yesterday afternoon. He came in a hurry, told Lin Fu a few things and then left in a hurry. Yu Shu only had time to say a few words to him. One was to say hello, the other was to say that she invited him to come on the fourteenth day of her birthday at Zhao Hui's house. Xue Rui agreed to be there.
But now it was almost time for lunch, and he still hasn't appeared.
Yu Shu waited outside the door for a while. She saw a shadow of a horse running from the street. The person who stopped in front of the door was Lao Chui, who usually drove the carriage. He panted and called Yu Shu, then greeted: "Miss, greet miss on your birthday."
Yu Shu saw that he came alone and guessed that Xue Rui had something to do and couldn't come. Sure enough, Lao Chui panted and said: "Eldest young master asked me to bring a message. He can't come today, so miss don't have to wait for him."
Yu Shu was a little disappointed, but she didn't show it: "I know, Lao Chui, come in and sit. The food is ready. Join us and have some fun.
"Miss is kind, but I still have something urgent to do," Lao Chui hesitated for a moment, then looked around and saw that there was no one. He moved forward and whispered to her: "To tell miss the truth, young master really can't leave today. The ninth prince returned to the capital the day before yesterday. This morning, he received the order from Guifei to leave the palace to meet his relatives. Everyone in the family is here to welcome him."
This inside story stunned Yu Shu. The ninth prince? Which one?
"Also, Eldest young master told miss to go to Wangji Lou as early as possible tomorrow. You can't be late. I will leave now, you can go in."
Lao Chui hurriedly left after bringing the message. Yu Shu stood alone at the door for a while. She thought that the ninth prince should be the son of the Guifei of the Xue family.
"Sister, is Brother Cao here?"
Yu Xiaoxiu's voice sounded behind her. Yu Shu stopped thinking, turned around and walked towards the courtyard: "No, Lao Chui just came to bring a message. He can't come today."
Yu Shu stayed at Zhao Hui's house until the afternoon. Zhao Hui wanted to ask her to stay for dinner, but Yu Shu found an excuse to decline. Zhao Hui was afraid that she would be late, so she didn't ask her to stay. She packed a few eggs, a box of mooncakes, and a pot of rice wine for her to bring back to Aunt Cui.
Yu Xiaoxiu walked Yu Shu out of the house. He stopped at the street corner, took out a small bag from his arms, and handed it to her shyly.
"Here you are."
"Oh, you also prepared a gift for me?" Yu Shu took it with a smile. There seemed to be some strips in the bag. When she opened it, she didn't expect it to be five or six polished charcoal pens.
Looking at the thickness, they seemed to be burnt willow branches. It was rare that none of them were cracked. The pen head was also carefully sharpened. The pen body was also covered with a delicate cloth cover to prevent fingers from getting black when holding the pen.
"Ah, you made this?"
Seeing the surprise on Yu Shu's face, Yu Xiaoxiu shyly said, "In the beginning, I burned a lot, but it wasn't good, so I asked Uncle He for help. The cover was sewn by Yun Dou. I know you don't like to use a brush, and your writing is slow, so it's fine to use this occasionally. Big Sister, don't always study late at night. Go to bed early. Uncle He said that staying up late is not good for your health."
Hearing this, Yu Shu's heart was greatly comforted and she almost cried. She felt that the bag of charcoal briquettes in her hand was the best gift she had received today. She wouldn't exchange it for ten horses.
Yu Shu couldn't help but hug Yu Xiaoxiu and said, "Good Little Brother, Big Sister really likes the gift you gave me. I will use it well."
Yu Xiaoxiu was hugged by her in the middle of the street. He awkwardly twisted his body and said, "You should quickly learn how to use the brush. How can my writing be seen?"
Yu Shu giggled and patted his shoulder. She let go of him and promised, "Tomorrow, I will buy a calligraphy book to practice."
The siblings cuddled for a while more before saying goodbye. Yu Xiaoxiu waited until Yu Shu disappeared at the corner of the street and turned back.
Yu Shu, on the other hand, changed direction at the next street. Taking advantage of the daylight, she walked towards the south of the city. Along the way, she passed by the market and entered a few shops. She carried more and more bags, big and small, in her hands. By the time she returned to Xing Street, she could no longer carry them all.
She walked into the alley with familiarity and stopped in front of a tightly locked courtyard door at the end of the alley. There was no one around, so Yu Shu took the key from her neck with one hand and opened the door. She pushed the door open with a squeak, then closed the door with a backhand and unlocked the latch.
The small courtyard that had not been lived in for a long time was cold and cheerless. Yu Shu went into the big house and put down the bags. She choked on the dust and waved her hand in front of her nose. She frowned. Tomorrow, Jing Chen would be back, so she had to clean up the place first.
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