Disclaimer:
1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests.
2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author.
3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.
Hearing Miss Song call out to him to wait, Liu Lin stood still.
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Miss Song then smiled and directly explained her thoughts to him. “Currently, there’s no one in the family who can handle this. Father is ill, and Mother doesn’t want to handle all these matters. Only I, a woman, can come out. I am naturally very worried about meeting someone like the previous tenants again. Young Sir… Young Master Liu, if you’re willing to rent this store, it’s alright even if it will take a few months… This could be considered…. Doing us a favour.”
Liu Lin thought it over for a moment before saying, “Let me go home and consider it some more. It’s late today, tomo…. The day after. The day after, I will come and give Miss Song an answer. Would that be alright?”
Miss Song was naturally agreeable. Delightedly, she nodded her head.
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Xiaobei laughed, “Young Master, you really don’t understand. Even if these big households have nothing, they would never sell their houses lightly. It would only happen if they really have nothing to eat. But if a family had been prosperous before, they would cling to the hope of one day restoring their fortunes. Their residences are like their status symbols. With the residence, they can still appear to be of a certain status, and can still socialise with others of their standing. But if they were to sell their residence, it’s like selling their last hope. From then on, they would need to rely on the last of their wealth, as their fortunes drain away. They would have no more hope of recovery.”
It was only then that Liu Lin understood.
“As for those old men and old women, it’s only in such families that these kinds of situations occur. That person has definitely served two, possibly three generations of the family. Basically, they would have served Miss Song’s grandparents, or possibly even her great grandparents. After serving for that long, these servants have more face than even some of the younger generation in the family! Didn’t you hear him just now? The old man opening the door reprimanded Miss Song for not knowing her etiquette! Not only can you not send such people away, you have to treat them like your elders and respectfully care for them till they pass away.”
Liu Lin gasped and shook his head. Actually, after all those years of service, those old servants would have no place to go. He agreed that it was only right for the family to care for them in their old age. Liu Lin wasn’t an evil person; quite the contrary, he was rather kind hearted. He was just shocked to hear the old man scold Miss Song. Hearing Xiaobei’s explanation, he did find it rather incomprehensible. These prestigious family’s rules – they were rather hard to wrap his head around.
As they spoke, they reached home. Everyone in the family had already returned and were having their meals.
The next day, Liu Shu’s dajiuzi, Shao Huai, was getting married so Liu Shu went over to help. Seeing that Liu Lin was free, he dragged him along. He shi had been busy preparing everything needed for the past few days. She had prepared a gift and called Zhou and Wang shi to go along with the two to help.
Liu Xu’er had originally planned to go along as well to help, but the day before Shi Cheng’s parents had returned and Shi Cheng’s mother had called her over for a visit.
Liu Shu assured his family that it would be alright. The Shao family was welcoming a bride – so long as there were a few married women around, it would be enough. They would be able to find them in the village itself.
So Liu Shu and Liu Lin went, bringing along a few of their servants. Along the way, Liu Lin and Liu Shu discussed the matter of the new store. What should they do? Should they book it?
Liu Shu hesitated, “You really plan on opening it next year? The thing is that next year our county level examinations are in the second month, but if we pass, we still have the prefectural level and the final level of examinations. We would need to take exams from the second month till the fourth, fifth month.”
Liu Lin nodded and said, “I’ve already thought about it. After the county level examinations in the second months, no matter if I can continue on with the subsequent levels, I won’t delay the matter any longer. After renting, I would still need to renovate and furnish the store. Especially since this would be a textiles store, it cannot look too bare. We should be able to take two months to renovate. Once the examinations are over, I will head to Songjiang prefecture to prepare the stock. They should be able to send it over by the end of the fifth month. Then we open in the sixth month – that would be just in time for the changing of the seasons.”
Liu Shu hesitated – even without the exams, it was true that the store would need some time to be properly renovated. He thought it over before nodding. “That does work. Since you’ve already been planning everything these past two years, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
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The two of them then started to calculate how much money they would need to spend on this. After all these years of doing business, they were able to come up with rough figures. By now, their family’s financial situation was very stable – there was no issue opening a textile shop.
By the time the two of them had mostly finished discussing everything, they had arrived at the Shao family home.
Shao Huai’s wedding had originally been planned for the eighth month, but because of all the troubles plaguing the Shao family, it had caused the girls’ family to want to withdraw. Shao Huai had to discuss the issue and increase his bride price before finally managing to settle the matter. Worried that the family would again change their minds, he had fixed his wedding date for the last day of the 10th month.
It was only because Shao Huai felt that his bride-to-be was a decent person that he had decided to tolerate her parents and add more gifts to the family. After all, the girl hadn’t wavered in her dedication to him, despite her parents’ objection.
Because there was a known conflict between the Shao family and the Village Head, a lot of villagers didn’t dare to associate too closely with the Shao family. They worried that the Village Head would start to target them if they were to help the family too much. So there weren’t many people to help during the wedding.
Thankfully Liu Shu had brought along help. Tian Yu, Xiaobei and Xiaoxi very swiftly arranged the courtyard, and helped out at the kitchen,
Yang Youbang was also unafraid of the Village Head. He had brought along quite a few fellows to help. Once the auspicious hour had arrived, everyone went over with Shao Huai to welcome the bride over.
Yang Youbang and Shao Gui’s marriage matter had also mostly been settled. Not only did Shao Huai know of Yang Youbang’s feelings, his own family was well aware of them as well. The only worry they had was because of the fight between the Shao family and the Village Head. But now that Shao Rong had been engaged to Liu Shu, the Shao family had a powerful supporter. When the Yang family had heard about it, they had agreed to the match.
There weren’t many people in attendance today, but it was still a lively and joyous occasion.
Liu Shu hadn’t managed to get any time to speak to Shao Rong today. When he finally saw that Shao Rong had a moment to herself to head to her room, he quickly took the chance to follow her there, while Shao Gui was still occupied in the kitchen.
“Shao Rong!” He entered the room but was blocked by a tray holding Shao Rong.
When Shao Rong saw it was him, she blushed and backed away. Then she asked, “I…. Just came in for this tray. Why did you come in? What if anyone were to see…..”
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Liu Shu smiled, “So what if they see? It’s not as though we are doing anything.”
Shao Rong’s originally red face, flamed even further at his words. Liu Shu stood at the doorway, blocking her from leaving. Shao Rong didn’t dare to try and walk past him, instead backing up another step. “What on earth… are you planning?”
Liu Shu thought for a moment before smiling, “Nothing. You’ve been hiding from me all day. I just want to talk to you.”
“What is there to say….” Shao Rong said in a tiny voice, head lowered.
Liu Shu thought for a while before finally landing on a question, “I just wanted to ask…. Is everything alright with the Village Head? Has that son of his come by?”
When Shao Rong heard him ask a reasonable question, she quickly shook her head, “No. The Village Head is also someone who fears the strong. Now that he knows….”
“Knows what?” Liu Shu deliberately asked.
Shao Rong’s face was burning. Stamping her foot, she scolded, “Let me pass! I am here to take this tray – everyone knows that. If I were to take too long to return…. I, I…..”
Liu Shu saw that her entire face was red, and she was both panicked and embarrassed. Involuntarily, his heart was moved, but he really didn’t dare to do anything. Honestly, he too was rather easily embarrassed. He was an honest person – even if he just blocked her path, he didn’t know what to do now. People were passing by and there would definitely be someone close enough to hear them talk. Liu Shu thought for a moment before smiling and saying, “Then don’t you have anything to say to me? If there’s nothing, it’s fine…. If you do, then you should take the chance to tell me now.”
SHao Rong stamped her foot, “There’s nothing for me…. To say to you!”
Liu Shu could only smile and let her go.
Shao Rong had just passed him when she turned to look up at him. With a red face, she said, “You don’t have to worry. My sister and I don’t leave the house anymore. My brother hasn’t been staying at the flower fields these past two months – he’s always been at home. No one would dare to make trouble…. Now that my brother is married, there will be even more people at home. It’s even…. Safer now.”
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Liu Shu nodded when he heard. Very naturally, he lifted his hand and pressed on her shoulders. Gently, he said, “That’s good.”
With a red face, Shao Rong rushed out.
After helping out the entire day at the Shao family, it was finally over. Wearily, the brothers brought their servants home that night.
Disclaimer:
1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests.
2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author.
3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.
Hearing Miss Song call out to him to wait, Liu Lin stood still.
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Miss Song then smiled and directly explained her thoughts to him. “Currently, there’s no one in the family who can handle this. Father is ill, and Mother doesn’t want to handle all these matters. Only I, a woman, can come out. I am naturally very worried about meeting someone like the previous tenants again. Young Sir… Young Master Liu, if you’re willing to rent this store, it’s alright even if it will take a few months… This could be considered…. Doing us a favour.”
Liu Lin thought it over for a moment before saying, “Let me go home and consider it some more. It’s late today, tomo…. The day after. The day after, I will come and give Miss Song an answer. Would that be alright?”
Miss Song was naturally agreeable. Delightedly, she nodded her head.
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Xiaobei laughed, “Young Master, you really don’t understand. Even if these big households have nothing, they would never sell their houses lightly. It would only happen if they really have nothing to eat. But if a family had been prosperous before, they would cling to the hope of one day restoring their fortunes. Their residences are like their status symbols. With the residence, they can still appear to be of a certain status, and can still socialise with others of their standing. But if they were to sell their residence, it’s like selling their last hope. From then on, they would need to rely on the last of their wealth, as their fortunes drain away. They would have no more hope of recovery.”
It was only then that Liu Lin understood.
“As for those old men and old women, it’s only in such families that these kinds of situations occur. That person has definitely served two, possibly three generations of the family. Basically, they would have served Miss Song’s grandparents, or possibly even her great grandparents. After serving for that long, these servants have more face than even some of the younger generation in the family! Didn’t you hear him just now? The old man opening the door reprimanded Miss Song for not knowing her etiquette! Not only can you not send such people away, you have to treat them like your elders and respectfully care for them till they pass away.”
Liu Lin gasped and shook his head. Actually, after all those years of service, those old servants would have no place to go. He agreed that it was only right for the family to care for them in their old age. Liu Lin wasn’t an evil person; quite the contrary, he was rather kind hearted. He was just shocked to hear the old man scold Miss Song. Hearing Xiaobei’s explanation, he did find it rather incomprehensible. These prestigious family’s rules – they were rather hard to wrap his head around.
As they spoke, they reached home. Everyone in the family had already returned and were having their meals.
The next day, Liu Shu’s dajiuzi, Shao Huai, was getting married so Liu Shu went over to help. Seeing that Liu Lin was free, he dragged him along. He shi had been busy preparing everything needed for the past few days. She had prepared a gift and called Zhou and Wang shi to go along with the two to help.
Liu Xu’er had originally planned to go along as well to help, but the day before Shi Cheng’s parents had returned and Shi Cheng’s mother had called her over for a visit.
Liu Shu assured his family that it would be alright. The Shao family was welcoming a bride – so long as there were a few married women around, it would be enough. They would be able to find them in the village itself.
So Liu Shu and Liu Lin went, bringing along a few of their servants. Along the way, Liu Lin and Liu Shu discussed the matter of the new store. What should they do? Should they book it?
Liu Shu hesitated, “You really plan on opening it next year? The thing is that next year our county level examinations are in the second month, but if we pass, we still have the prefectural level and the final level of examinations. We would need to take exams from the second month till the fourth, fifth month.”
Liu Lin nodded and said, “I’ve already thought about it. After the county level examinations in the second months, no matter if I can continue on with the subsequent levels, I won’t delay the matter any longer. After renting, I would still need to renovate and furnish the store. Especially since this would be a textiles store, it cannot look too bare. We should be able to take two months to renovate. Once the examinations are over, I will head to Songjiang prefecture to prepare the stock. They should be able to send it over by the end of the fifth month. Then we open in the sixth month – that would be just in time for the changing of the seasons.”
Liu Shu hesitated – even without the exams, it was true that the store would need some time to be properly renovated. He thought it over before nodding. “That does work. Since you’ve already been planning everything these past two years, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
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The two of them then started to calculate how much money they would need to spend on this. After all these years of doing business, they were able to come up with rough figures. By now, their family’s financial situation was very stable – there was no issue opening a textile shop.
By the time the two of them had mostly finished discussing everything, they had arrived at the Shao family home.
Shao Huai’s wedding had originally been planned for the eighth month, but because of all the troubles plaguing the Shao family, it had caused the girls’ family to want to withdraw. Shao Huai had to discuss the issue and increase his bride price before finally managing to settle the matter. Worried that the family would again change their minds, he had fixed his wedding date for the last day of the 10th month.
It was only because Shao Huai felt that his bride-to-be was a decent person that he had decided to tolerate her parents and add more gifts to the family. After all, the girl hadn’t wavered in her dedication to him, despite her parents’ objection.
Because there was a known conflict between the Shao family and the Village Head, a lot of villagers didn’t dare to associate too closely with the Shao family. They worried that the Village Head would start to target them if they were to help the family too much. So there weren’t many people to help during the wedding.
Thankfully Liu Shu had brought along help. Tian Yu, Xiaobei and Xiaoxi very swiftly arranged the courtyard, and helped out at the kitchen,
Yang Youbang was also unafraid of the Village Head. He had brought along quite a few fellows to help. Once the auspicious hour had arrived, everyone went over with Shao Huai to welcome the bride over.
Yang Youbang and Shao Gui’s marriage matter had also mostly been settled. Not only did Shao Huai know of Yang Youbang’s feelings, his own family was well aware of them as well. The only worry they had was because of the fight between the Shao family and the Village Head. But now that Shao Rong had been engaged to Liu Shu, the Shao family had a powerful supporter. When the Yang family had heard about it, they had agreed to the match.
There weren’t many people in attendance today, but it was still a lively and joyous occasion.
Liu Shu hadn’t managed to get any time to speak to Shao Rong today. When he finally saw that Shao Rong had a moment to herself to head to her room, he quickly took the chance to follow her there, while Shao Gui was still occupied in the kitchen.
“Shao Rong!” He entered the room but was blocked by a tray holding Shao Rong.
When Shao Rong saw it was him, she blushed and backed away. Then she asked, “I…. Just came in for this tray. Why did you come in? What if anyone were to see…..”
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Liu Shu smiled, “So what if they see? It’s not as though we are doing anything.”
Shao Rong’s originally red face, flamed even further at his words. Liu Shu stood at the doorway, blocking her from leaving. Shao Rong didn’t dare to try and walk past him, instead backing up another step. “What on earth… are you planning?”
Liu Shu thought for a moment before smiling, “Nothing. You’ve been hiding from me all day. I just want to talk to you.”
“What is there to say….” Shao Rong said in a tiny voice, head lowered.
Liu Shu thought for a while before finally landing on a question, “I just wanted to ask…. Is everything alright with the Village Head? Has that son of his come by?”
When Shao Rong heard him ask a reasonable question, she quickly shook her head, “No. The Village Head is also someone who fears the strong. Now that he knows….”
“Knows what?” Liu Shu deliberately asked.
Shao Rong’s face was burning. Stamping her foot, she scolded, “Let me pass! I am here to take this tray – everyone knows that. If I were to take too long to return…. I, I…..”
Liu Shu saw that her entire face was red, and she was both panicked and embarrassed. Involuntarily, his heart was moved, but he really didn’t dare to do anything. Honestly, he too was rather easily embarrassed. He was an honest person – even if he just blocked her path, he didn’t know what to do now. People were passing by and there would definitely be someone close enough to hear them talk. Liu Shu thought for a moment before smiling and saying, “Then don’t you have anything to say to me? If there’s nothing, it’s fine…. If you do, then you should take the chance to tell me now.”
SHao Rong stamped her foot, “There’s nothing for me…. To say to you!”
Liu Shu could only smile and let her go.
Shao Rong had just passed him when she turned to look up at him. With a red face, she said, “You don’t have to worry. My sister and I don’t leave the house anymore. My brother hasn’t been staying at the flower fields these past two months – he’s always been at home. No one would dare to make trouble…. Now that my brother is married, there will be even more people at home. It’s even…. Safer now.”
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Liu Shu nodded when he heard. Very naturally, he lifted his hand and pressed on her shoulders. Gently, he said, “That’s good.”
With a red face, Shao Rong rushed out.
After helping out the entire day at the Shao family, it was finally over. Wearily, the brothers brought their servants home that night.
