CH 114

Zhou Shuren also had a smile on his face, “The big shop has a yearly rent of 32 while the smaller one’s yearly rent is 25 taels. One shop is enough for the family’s annual expenses.”

Zhulan also had a smile on her face. The house they bought was for themselves; they were not going to rent it. Even if Zhou Shuren passes the upcoming exam and becomes Xiucai1, he was too old to go to the academy. So, he has to stay in Pingzhou and communicate with other candidates for Township exams which were held every three years. Hence the house was very important.

On the second day, Zhou Shuren paid for and transferred the ownership of the shop and house. He then invited his friend and other related people for another drink at noon before returning to the inn with the deed.

Zhulan flipped through the deed, “Why did you transfer the ownership to my name?”

Zhou Shuren smiled, “I’m all yours, so it’s naturally under your name.”2

Zhulan stared at Zhou Shuren with a fixed gaze. She was definitely captivated; there was no mistaking it.

“Mom, does our family really have a shop and a house?”

Xuehan saw the deed and was in a daze about the neatness of her parents. They came here only two days ago, and now they owned a shop and a house!

Zhou Shuren was unhappy and regretted that he came out with the light bulb, and the good atmosphere was disturbed again.

Zhulan’s attention naturally shifted. She wasn’t foolish either. Upon recollection, Zhou Shuren had crossed the line long ago. Hmph, Zhou Shuren owed her a life. With Zhou Shuren being so shrewd, he wouldn’t be easy to pursue. This amused Zhou Shuren, causing him to wear a stern expression.

Xuehan, in hindsight, disturbed her Father and sought to please her Mother. She immediately hid behind her Mother to avoid facing her Father’s penetrating gaze. Oh dear, she didn’t even want to come in the first place! These days, even the delicious food didn’t taste good when seeing her parents getting along well. It was getting too nauseating!

Zhulan glared at Zhou Shuren and pulled the little girl and said, “You heard it yesterday, so why are you still surprised?”

Xuehan said, “I’m surprised that my Father and Mother are quick to do things. And I’m even more surprised that they took so much money at once, almost one thousand taels of silver!”

She used to think that a hundred wen was a lot of money, but later, when she received the jade pendant, she realized that even a couple of silver coins were not considered much. Just when she finally accepted the fact that her family had some wealth, suddenly she came across one thousand taels. She wondered why her mother held onto that burden so tightly. In hindsight, she felt a mix of shock and excitement. Their family had a fortune of one thousand taels!

Zhulan felt that the little girl was stimulated, so she comforted her a little bit, and then told her, “You just need to know about the shop and the house, and when it’s time to tell the family, your father and I will tell, and Xuehan will keep this secret, right?”

Xuehan straightened her back, her parents trusted her, “I will keep the secret and never tell anyone.”

Zhulan smiled, “Mother trusts Xuehan.”

Zhou Shuren brought the words over: “I’m subletting the shop on my own. There should be news tomorrow. When it’s all done, let’s go shopping around in Pingzhou.”

Zhulan hasn’t left her room since she arrived in Pingzhou, “Okay, that’s right, I never asked, Zhao Bo is twenty-three, why isn’t he married yet?”

Zhou Shuren’s mouth twitched as he spoke, “He is the only son in the family. After his sisters got married, his parents’ health deteriorated. By the time he reached the age of marriage, his father passed away, and he had to observe mourning for three years. After finally completing the mourning period and becoming a Xiucai, his mother arranged his marriage, but she passed away in happiness. With the marriage plans falling through due to mourning, he didn’t rush into finding a spouse after mourning. Instead, he considered pursuing further studies and waited for the next year’s imperial examination. If he passes and becomes a juren,3 then he can discuss marriage. He also wants to find a good family to rely on, so he didn’t seek a partner upon returning.”

Zhulan understood. This was a long-term plan for his future prospects. She chuckled lightly and said, “Scholars may have their share of conservative individuals, but most of those who can pass the scholar exam are not foolish.”

At night, Zhulan waited for her daughter to fall asleep, and handed the necklace and bracelet to Zhou Shuren, “Go out and pawn it tomorrow!”

Zhou Shuren put it away, “Okay.”

Just pawn it, and he will buy a new one in the future.

The next day, Yazi came to the news that someone wanted to rent their shop, and Zhou Shuren came back after going out for the day. At night, when Xuehan fell asleep, he took out the rent and money for jewelry.