If not for Su Xiaoqi’s outstretched hand back then, her family’s Chen Ji Baozi shop would have long since gone bankrupt.
And then been bought out at a low price by the Su family's steward.
But because of Xiaoqi, the shop, passed down through her Chen family, was preserved.
It was even transformed into Chen Jin Ji, and now their business, like the shop’s name, had a prosperous future.
Nowadays, in Mianzhou City, or even in Yizhou Prefecture, who wouldn't praise these three words?
Chen Jinniang never forgot.
All of this was given by Xiaoqi.
Chen Jin Ji could be owned by someone else, but there could only be one Xiaoqi.
Without Xiaoqi, she would forever only be able to run Chen Ji Baozi Shop.
But without her, Xiaoqi could still establish countless Chen Jin Jis.
It wasn't that they fulfilled each other.
Rather, it was Xiaoqi’s wholehearted support for her; she understood this very well.
“Xiaoqi, thank you.” Chen Jinniang was a reserved person.
She always felt she was getting older and had difficulty expressing her emotions.
But now, she truly wanted to express her gratitude to Xiaoqi.
“Aunt Chen, we’re practically family. Why say such things?”
Su Xiaoqi patted her hand, her eyes curving into a smile, radiating joy.
She happened to see Shen Yun arrive.
Shen Yun was wearing a blue robe.
This was a gift from the Yu family when they were in Mianzhou City.
She had once quietly told Su Xiaoqi.
This was the attire she had specifically prepared for Shen Yun to wear to the Luming Banquet after he achieved his imperial examinations.
Made of Shu brocade with exquisite subtle embroidery, it was understated yet exuded nobility.
Therefore, after dismissing the people from the estate, Su Xiaoqi urged Shen Yun to change into the robe.
On his head, he wore a jade crown.
This was a gift from Su Xiaoqi.
Shen Yun had been pestering her to give him a gift.
Su Xiaoqi knew he was serious and dared not delay, so she took it to heart. When shopping with Du Yiyi, she intentionally looked for one and happened to see it in a shop.
Its color was milky white and translucent. Su Xiaoqi felt it matched their jade pendant very well, so she bought it on impulse.
Now, it was pinned in Shen Yun's neatly tied hair, lending him a vigorous aura.
It made his already handsome face even more defined.
Upon seeing him, she was momentarily unable to look away.
It wasn't until she saw the subtle affection lingering in Shen Yun’s deep, phoenix-like eyes that she jolted back to reality.
She glared at him playfully, but her gaze towards Shen Yun was so gentle it could almost drip water.
Thus, this glare, in Shen Yun's eyes, not only lacked any force but rather appeared as if she were flirting with him, her eyes shimmering with affection, making her appear incredibly endearing.
He quickened his steps. Seeing that there were guests, he restrained his expression and greeted them formally.
After exchanging pleasantries, he announced that he was going to the prefectural city.
According to custom, the prefect would host a Luming Banquet at Luming Terrace, entertaining the many scholars who had passed the imperial examinations.
“You go ahead. It seems only you and I will be eating what Aunt Li prepared today,” Su Xiaoqi teased Shen Yun.
“My dear wife, rest assured. After the Luming Banquet, your husband will return to eat what you have prepared.”
To others, these words seemed innocent, merely indicating Shen Yun’s thoughtfulness as a husband towards his wife.
However, for some reason, Su Xiaoqi heard a deeper meaning in them.
It was as if Shen Yun’s mention of eating wasn’t referring to the banquet, but rather to her.
Her cheeks flushed, and not daring to let others notice, she quickly covered her face with a handkerchief.
Just then, Aunt Li came to announce that the first batch of rice dumplings was ready.
Su Xiaoqi acted as if she had received a reprieve and quickly asked her to bring them up to taste.
“And then pack some for Shen Yun to take to the Du mansion.”
“Hahaha, my parents were already talking this morning about wanting to try your rice dumplings,” Du Yiyi laughed heartily.
Shen Yun politely bid farewell and left.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoqi and the others began to eat the rice dumplings.
Su Xiaoqi evaluated objectively, “The taste doesn’t quite match our Chen Jin Ji, but the key is the implied meaning.
‘Gaosong’ (rice dumplings) and ‘Gaosheng’ (high rise/success), the name is truly well chosen.”
“Hahaha, Sister Xiaoqi, you’re truly amusing. A rice dumpling, and you’ve made it so appetizing,” Du Yiyi said, remembering the important matter of her visit today – giving gifts.
With a wave of her hand, He Bao, along with two servants from the Du mansion, arrived.
He Bao led the way, carrying a box.
The two servants behind him carried a large red sandalwood chest.
Even the two strong men grunted as they carried it, showing how heavy it was.
Upon opening it, Su Xiaoqi was astonished.
Inside, there were also rice dumplings, fine silks and satins, two pieces of fur, writing materials, jade carvings, and rubbings of several precious ancient texts…
The contents were extremely rich and valuable.
“Yiyi, this, this is too precious.”
It was no longer something that could be measured by silver.
“Oh, oh, oh, Sister Xiaoqi, you must not refuse.
My father personally packed this.
He said that when spring comes next year, Brother Shen will be going to the capital, and these fabric materials can be made into several outfits for him.
And these two pieces of fur, winter is coming soon, you should also hurry to make yourselves some clothes, so you won’t be afraid of the cold.
These ink, brushes, and paper are all my father’s treasures.
Especially these rubbings, although they are hand-rubbed, my father did them himself. Back then, my father’s calligraphy was hard to come by…” Du Yiyi introduced at length.
Her tone was both proud and excited, but ultimately, it all came down to one meaning.
This was her father’s thoughtfulness, and she had to accept it.
“This one is from my mother, a gift for you.” Du Yiyi opened the small box she was holding from He Bao.
The item inside was not large, but its value was considerable: two pearls the size of pigeon eggs.
These were not ordinary pearls but were harvested by people diving into the deep sea of the East Sea.
Each one was worth a thousand taels of silver.
Su Xiaoqi felt even more hesitant to accept it.
Although she and Du Yiyi were good friends,
And she had some acquaintance with her mother, it wasn't enough for them to send such precious pearls.
She declined, saying it was too valuable and she dared not accept.
Du Yiyi inevitably launched into another long speech, with only one meaning: do not refuse, you must accept.
“My mother said that if you really feel embarrassed to accept, then in the future, you should take me along to open more shops.
Let my dowry be generous, so that I can marry off with more splendor in the future.”
Towards the end, Du Yiyi even became a little shy.
But there was no help for it; who told her mother to say these words?
Su Xiaoqi covered her mouth and smiled. She finally understood who Yiyi took after.
Wasn't it her mother, Madam Du?
“Alright, alright, we will definitely open more shops and earn more money.”
Su Xiaoqi secretly vowed that in the future, she would not only lead Yiyi in opening more shops and making money, but even when Yiyi married, she would give her a unique dowry gift.
It wasn't over yet; Du Yiyi also gave a separate gift.
Fortunately, her gift was more ordinary: a horsewhip.
However, the horsewhip was exquisitely crafted, inlaid with rubies, and had barbs, making it quite imposing.
“This horsewhip was left to me by my aunt.
I’ve always been reluctant to use it; only my family’s Swift Wind is worthy of it.
So I’m giving you both my Swift Wind and it.”
What, what, what?
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes, what had she just heard?
It turned out that Du Yiyi’s gift was not ordinary at all.