"Good heavens, these two young masters are more ruthless than the other. It seems even if Old Master Song grew two heads, he wouldn't dare return to Heyang County..."
After a small interlude, everyone dispersed.
Madam Gu called Yun Sanman over and instructed, "Tomorrow is the engagement banquet. Have Jingde get up early tomorrow to help the family with the preparations. Also, have the invitations been sent out?"
Tomorrow, Magistrate Chen and Madam Huang will be coming to the Old Yun family for a meal. There will certainly be no shortage of various dishes and drinks...
Yun Sanman nodded with a smile, "The invitations have all been sent out, Mother. Don't worry, I guarantee tomorrow's engagement banquet will be lively and festive!~"
Madam Gu heard this and let out an "Mm." "Since it's an engagement banquet, we must prepare an engagement gift for Xiaoran. How about this, I'll go to the county town later and personally pick out something for Xiaoran!~"
She attached considerable importance to this engagement banquet...
Seeing her mother so attentive, Sanman felt happy too.
After lunch, Jin Xiaolou drove the carriage, pulling Madam Gu and Little Xi Tian to the county town.
It was a good opportunity to check on the shop.
Yan Dajun and Zhuang Lao Er were already working at the shop, with two apprentices under them. Although they weren't very skilled in carpentry, they were diligent and quick-witted...
"Oh, Sweetie, Sister-in-law, you're here! Come and warm yourselves by the charcoal brazier!~" Yan Dajun put down his work and greeted them with a smile.
Zhuang Lao Er nodded at Madam Gu and Little Xi Tian from the second floor, then continued with his work.
Little Xi Tian looked around, feeling quite satisfied.
Some cabinets, window frames, corner decorations, and hanging ornaments had already been made and were carefully stacked by the wall...
These two carpenters had accomplished so much in just two days, which was incomparable to those who slacked off like Foreman Li.
Madam Gu smiled and said, "Dajun, thank you for your hard work. After our family's events are over, I'll have Daman and the others come to help you out!~"
There had been too many family matters recently. She had originally intended to have Daman, Erman, and Sanman work as assistants, but the engagement banquet coincided, so everything had to wait until after the banquet...
Yan Dajun heard this and chuckled foolishly, "Sister-in-law, what are you being so polite about? Your Jingde's engagement is a joyous occasion, adding to the happiness. It's fine, you all busy yourselves. I have apprentices working under me, and they're more efficient than Daman and the others!~"
Although he said that, who wouldn't want more helpers? This would also speed up the construction period...
Madam Gu nodded, "If you're returning to the village tonight, remember to come to my house for dinner!~"
After speaking, she called out to the second floor again, "Second Brother Zhuang, my family is hosting a banquet tomorrow. Have Second Sister-in-law come over early!~"
Zhuang Lao Er poked his head out from upstairs and smiled, "Okay, okay. Remember to save a piece of pig liver for my wife. She loves that stuff the most..."
"Alright, I'll save two pieces for her!~" Madam Gu smiled, pursing her lips.
Little Xi Tian unfolded the blueprints and examined them carefully. After confirming that the construction was correct, she followed her mother out of the shop.
"Mother, what gift are you planning to buy for Sister Xiaoran?" Little Xi Tian asked, walking beside Madam Gu like a little dumpling.
The streets in the cold winter were exceptionally desolate, with even the hawkers who roamed the streets disappearing...
Madam Gu had intended to buy her daughter two candied hawthorn skewers, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't find anyone selling them.
White snow was piled up on the sides of the roads, shaped into various forms by playful children – snowmen, pavilions, large vats, and so on. They were strangely shaped and full of fun...
"What do you think would be a suitable gift for me to give her?" Madam Gu asked, smiling as she tightened Little Xi Tian's scarf.
Little Xi Tian rolled her big eyes, "Since it's an engagement token, it should have symbolic meaning. Preferably something she can wear for a lifetime!~"
"Like what?" Madam Gu asked, full of affection.
Little Xi Tian rubbed her little nose, "Like hairpins, silver hairpins, earrings, or jade bracelets, and so on..."
In any case, they were all jewelry for girls, as long as they represented the Yun family's sincerity.
Madam Gu smiled, "Okay, we'll do as my daughter says. Come, there's a jewelry shop ahead, let's go in and take a look!~"
"Mhm, mhm!"
A moment later, the mother and daughter walked into the jewelry shop, chatting and laughing...
As soon as they stepped over the threshold, Little Xi Tian saw two women standing on the side of the shop, their backs to them, carefully selecting accessories.
Madam Gu also narrowed her eyes. Why did these two people look a little familiar?
"Oh, what would you two like to buy?~" the shopkeeper walked over with a smile. "Our shop just received a new batch of jewelry yesterday. They are all genuine good items! Whether for yourself or as a gift, they are very presentable..."
"A gift!~" Little Xi Tian said crisply.
The shopkeeper heard this and his smile deepened. "That's easy then. What do you think of this gold bracelet? Noble ladies and young ladies nowadays like to wear such bracelets when they go out!"
As he spoke, the shopkeeper picked up the bracelet and handed it to Madam Gu. "Please take a look yourself..."
Madam Gu lowered her head and looked. The craftsmanship of the bracelet was fine, it was pure gold, and the style was also exquisite.
But at first glance, it seemed too ostentatious and vulgar, not suitable for a girl like Xiaoran.
Madam Gu put down the gold bracelet and turned her head. She then noticed a golden walnut in the corner of the counter. "Bring that over to take a look!~"
The shopkeeper inwardly sighed. What kind of taste does she have? That golden walnut had a dull luster, and its craftsmanship wasn't considered exquisite either. It was completely different from the gold bracelet...
Madam Gu picked up the golden walnut and brought it close to her ear, shaking it gently. Suddenly, a faint "ding ding" sound could be heard. There should be a small gemstone inside.
"Daughter, what do you think of this?~" Madam Gu handed the golden walnut to Little Xi Tian.
Little Xi Tian didn't know much about jewelry. She picked it up and shook it by her ear like her mother...
She didn't hear any sound. It was clearly solid.
In fact, this golden walnut was specially crafted by Master Zhong, a famous craftsman from the capital. There were only three in existence. One was in the hands of the current Empress Xiao, one was in the General Jingbei's mansion, and the whereabouts of the remaining one were unknown...
Legend had it that Master Zhong's golden walnuts contained a valuable ruby, which was by no means comparable to ordinary gold and silver objects.
Unexpectedly, Madam Gu had stumbled upon it today.
It was likely that the shopkeeper didn't know he had acquired a priceless treasure!
"Mother, this golden walnut is very ordinary, there's nothing special about it!~" Little Xi Tian murmured.
Madam Gu rolled her eyes and nodded with a smile, "That's right, there's nothing special about it..."
If she said it was a priceless treasure, the shopkeeper would surely ask for an exorbitant price.
Just then, the two women who were selecting jewelry turned around.