The shopkeeper was somewhat bewildered, his face etched with suspicion. "Have you really met the Empress?"
Why was he so disbelieving?
Dressed so respectably, yet speaking such lies from the start...
Xiao Jinheng didn't answer him, instead looking at Xiao Xitian. "Little village lass, do you think Aunt Gu would look good wearing that necklace?"
He had bought it for Madam Gu.
Xiao Xitian had liked it at first, but after witnessing the shopkeeper's attitude, she suddenly didn't want it anymore.
"Fifteen taels at most!" Xiao Xitian murmured.
Not a single copper coin more.
Even if the brat had money, he shouldn't spend it like this...
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinheng's cold gaze swept directly towards the shopkeeper. "Ten taels of silver. If you sell it, wrap it up!"
It didn't matter if he didn't sell it; there were other jewelry shops in the county town.
Xiao Xitian couldn't help but chuckle.
Well, the brat was even better at haggling than she was.
The shopkeeper's lips twitched. He directly put away the necklace and said resentfully, "There's another jewelry shop to the left across the street. You should go and look there..."
Ten taels of silver, what a joke!
While this necklace hadn't been worn by the Empress, it was made of pure silver.
These two brats truly didn't know what was good for them.
Xiao Jinheng took Xiao Xitian's hand. "Little village lass, let's go!"
"Mhm!"
The two little buns turned and walked out...
The shopkeeper quickly calculated the cost of the necklace and how much he would profit by selling it for ten taels.
As soon as he did the math, his eyes lit up.
It wasn't a huge profit, but it certainly wouldn't be a loss.
"You... you wait a moment!" The shopkeeper, holding the brocade box, ran out from behind the counter.
Xiao Jinheng glanced at him indifferently. "What, has the shopkeeper changed his mind?"
He had been about to offer five taels of silver, fearing the shopkeeper might suddenly break down in tears.
"Alas, it is fate that we met. Ten taels it is, then. Just introduce more customers to me in the future..."
With a smile, the shopkeeper placed the brocade box into Xiao Jinheng's arms.
Xiao Xitian secretly gave Xiao Jinheng a thumbs-up.
The brat was quite experienced!
Xiao Jinheng looked back at Kong Xingzhuo. "Give him the silver!"
Aunt Gu would surely be happy to see this necklace...
Next, he had to choose gifts for his two sisters-in-law, as well as for Da Man and Er Man.
He already had gifts in mind for Jin Shan and Jin He: stationery would suffice.
After all, they were scholars. A valuable brush or a jade inkstone would give them face among their classmates.
Kong Xingzhuo fumbled in his sleeve for a moment, then reached into his inner pocket. "Young... young master, I, I seem to have forgotten to bring the silver!"
He had come out in too much of a hurry and changed his clothes. Now, his pockets felt emptier than his face.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper reached out to snatch the brocade box from Xiao Jinheng's arms.
This little brat, was he playing him?
If you don't have money, why are you browsing jewelry shops?
"Hand over the necklace..." The shopkeeper's face darkened, his expression turning somewhat ferocious.
However, before he could touch Xiao Jinheng, Dark Guard A and Dark Guard B rushed in.
How dare this scoundrel try to snatch things from their master? Did he not want to live?
Dark Guard A pushed the shopkeeper aside and raised his fist, ready to strike him.
"Wait a moment!" Xiao Jinheng stopped him and extended his small hand. "You two, take out the silver you have on you and lend it to this young master..."
Actually, even without borrowing silver, he could go to the bank to get money.
It was just that he didn't want to lose face in front of the little village lass.
Dark Guard A and Dark Guard B took out all their silver and paid for the necklace.
Xiao Jinheng, holding Xiao Xitian's hand, browsed several more shops and bought all the gifts.
For Old Man Yun, he bought a jade pendant.
For Da Man and Er Man, the gifts were a dagger and a sword, respectively.
For Liu Cuirong and Zhao Guihua, there were two silver hairpins.
As for Xiao Xitian, she received a brush holder made of bone china.
The words 'Heaven rewards diligence' were carved onto the brush holder...
"Young Master Xiao, this gift is too precious, I can't accept it!" Xiao Xitian held the brush holder, feeling very guilty.
She had always received gifts from Xiao Jinheng for free, but she had never given him anything in return.
Always taking without giving, she felt truly uneasy.
Xiao Jinheng pouted. "If you don't want it, then throw it away!"
He knew this tactic was most effective on the little village lass.
Who could bear to throw away such an exquisite and beautiful brush holder...
Xiao Xitian's little face turned red, and she said no more.
Jin Huaihua, who had accompanied them for the afternoon, also received a colorful hair tie.
As for Hu Xier, she received no gifts at all.
Because Xiao Jinheng didn't like her!
The two little buns boarded the carriage and returned to the village.
Fu Daqiang's home became lively again.
Jin Shan and Jin He had returned, and today was also Yun Jinshan's birthday...
Zhao Guihua and Hu Xier were busy cooking in the kitchen, while the rest of the family called the two children into the west room to ask about their studies at the academy.
"Jin He, you've already passed the Tong Sheng exam. Keep working hard and strive to pass the Xiu Cai exam!"
Old Man Yun patted Yun Jinhe's shoulder with great satisfaction. "Our village has no scholars. If you can pass, you'll be the first Xiu Cai in Dashui Village!"
"From now on, even Village Chief Jiang will have to greet you respectfully..."
Yun Jinhe smiled upon hearing this. "Grandpa, don't worry. With my little aunt's blessings, I'm sure I'll pass the Xiu Cai exam!"
Having a little lucky charm in the family, what else did he have to fear?
Yun Jinhe was indeed diligent in his studies, unlike Jin Shan, who only slept in class every day.
He didn't understand anything the teacher said...
In fact, the Yun family also knew that Jin Shan wasn't cut out for studying.
But he had to be literate. Being able to read and write would prevent him from being at a disadvantage later on.
After Xiao Xitian and Xiao Jinheng returned, they began to present the gifts one by one.
"Wow, this hairpin is so beautiful! Er Man, hurry up and help me put it on!"
Liu Cuirong, holding the silver hairpin, rushed towards Yun Er Man, almost poking him.
"Tsk, what are you in such a hurry for? This thing is already yours, it's not going to run away, is it?"
Yun Er Man chided her as he helped her insert the hairpin.
Old Man Yun looked at the jade pendant in his hand, too stunned to speak.
Such a fine jade pendant, how much silver would it cost?
Young Master Xiao was truly willing to spend money on their family.
"Mom, you look so elegant wearing this necklace!" Xiao Xitian gave her mother a thumbs-up.
Madam Gu felt a surge of emotion.
Back then, her dowry chest was filled with silver necklaces like this, wasn't it?
She couldn't wear them all...
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao!" Madam Gu thanked him with a smile.
Xiao Jinheng smiled slightly. "Aunt Gu, you don't need to be so polite!"
He used to call Madam Gu 'Da Niang Gu' and Old Man Yun 'Bo Bo Yun'.
Later, Granny Jin told him that calling them 'Aunt Gu' and 'Uncle Gu' would sound more affectionate...
Hu Xier glared at the colorful hair tie on Jin Huaihua's head, feeling very disgruntled.
Why did everyone else receive a gift, but she didn't?
Was this kind of differential treatment fair?
"Everyone, wash your hands and let's eat!" Madam Gu said with a smile.
She was in a very good mood today.
Once the dishes were served, dinner began...