Chapter 340

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Xu Niangzi subconsciously retreated two steps, rubbed her eyes, looked once more, then turned to head for the back courtyard.

She hadn't gone a few steps when she ran straight into Cheng Erniang, who was also coming out carrying a lamp.

For no discernible reason, who knows what was in her mind, Xu Niangzi suddenly reached out and stopped her.

Cheng Erniang froze, lifted her head and craned her neck for a look, saw Song and Han at the doorway, and immediately reacted.

Han Li never avoids people in his dealings, and Song Miao never avoids people in hers either; seeing her attitude grow increasingly clear, Cheng Erniang also slowly followed suit and stopped avoiding people.

She said, "They have important matters to discuss; we just mind our own business!" Speaking, she carried the lamp in one hand and took a folding chair in the other to the front hall to arrange it.

The tables and chairs in the back courtyard had been moved from the front hall; now that they were preparing to close up and rest, naturally everything had to be returned to its place.

Although Xu Niangzi merely came from the escort agency to stand night watch rotation, her eyes have always been sharp; eating Miao's food, sharing Miao's worries, at this moment she also refused to sit idle; seeing Cheng Erniang moving a folding chair, she glanced back, then also went to the back courtyard to move things.

A long table is hard for one person to maneuver, so she moved chairs instead.

A martial artist, broad-shouldered and strong, Xu Niangzi didn't need a lamp either; thus she tucked one chair under each arm and lifted them.

As soon as she hefted them, she felt the two folding chairs seemed off; she lowered her head and peered closer. Though the sky was dark, by the faint light spilling from the room and the moonlight, she could see the two chairs looked nearly identical, the tung oil coating appeared the same color, but setting them down and lifting again to test, sure enough one was still heavier, one lighter — the difference was actually quite large.

Being the accountant who manages the money, Xu Niangzi instantly grew alert.

She knew Song Ji had just had a batch of tables and chairs made; not only that, all the front hall furnishings, and many doors and windows in the back, were almost all newly added.

Every trade has its honest people and its black-hearted ones; if you don't understand the depths and shallows inside, you'll be butchered like a fish in water and still be blowing bubbles.

Though she didn't know which carpenter Song Ji hired for these tables and chairs, the same batch of items, one light, one heavy — there's definitely a problem in between; you must know, different timber means vastly different prices!

Xu Niangzi was instantly filled with righteous indignation; she strode to the front hall carrying the two folding chairs, intending to find a chance to promptly give Song Xiaoniangzi a heads-up, lest she be cheated without knowing it.

And at the front hall doorway, sure enough as Cheng Erniang said, Song Miao and Han Li were discussing important matters.

"Just now there was an outsider present, not convenient to say more. That gambling case has already been closed by the Capital Prefecture Office; this morning it went to the Judicial Review Office. Heard the Ministry of Revenue is pressing them; the Judicial Review Office has been busy lately fast-tracking such asset cases, all other matters pushed aside, even the personnel evaluation and law school exam-setting oversight can't be attended to."

"This time they're the ones in a hurry; likely it won't take too long to finish the trial."

Han Li finished explaining the progress; though he knew Song Miao had a clear picture in her heart, he still carefully explained once more: "Wait until the case is tried, all properties sent to their destinations, the opposite house will be handed to the Building Affairs Bureau, which is directly under the Ministry of Revenue — father and mother, ordering and scolding all quite convenient. You be patient a bit more, wait a little longer; if it's fast, maybe by autumn it can be tidied up and put up for sale."

Hearing this, Song Miao was truly overjoyed, couldn't even bother with thanks, and immediately asked, "How can it be so fast? What method did Young Master use?"

Han Li looked up, saw Cheng Erniang arranging chairs in the hall, not looking this way at all, quite satisfied — though he didn't fear being watched, if no one watches, it's always better.

He stepped forward half a pace, lowered his voice: "What method could I use?"

This man didn't breathe a word of his upper, middle, and lower three plans, only said: "This time it's our Song Xiaoniangzi's good luck, happened to catch the right moment; I hadn't even had time to lend a hand, the Ministry of Revenue itself got anxious to raise money."

He also told how the various ministries and bureaus in court and the Liu Ta He fought head-broken blood-flowing over money and grain supplies; the Ministry of Revenue, to pass the buck, was in a huge uproar, the aftermath not even that fast, everywhere scrambling to raise money.

Song Miao said: "No wonder lately everywhere posted notices wanting to buy bids, and many houses and fields put up for rent and sale — turns out it's to raise money for the Liu Ta He — but relying on just this, actually can't raise that much..."

She spoke halfway, suddenly realized, laughed: "But whether they raise more or less doesn't matter; either way as long as they raised some the Ministry of Revenue can deliver; when the verbal battle comes, spread it out and say how much property we sold, how many bids we bought, even the unreasonable gains three parts of reason, moreover there truly is reason."

Having said that, she glanced at Han Li again, smiled faintly: "Only Young Master says you used no method, I truly don't believe — true or false?"

Han Li didn't speak at first, just looked at her smiling, his expression rarely showing a trace of pride, more of it tenderness; after a long moment, he said: "I also have good fortune — same as Song Xiaoniangzi."

The main gate was open, the two speaking across a door frame, both feeling this distance somewhat comfortable, yet somewhat uncomfortable; just smiling at each other like this, actually many words wanted to say, but words at the lips, didn't know which to say first.

The two fell quiet for a good while; in the end Song Miao spoke first.

She tilted her head slightly to look at the sky, said: "The hour is not early; Young Master should return early. Tomorrow is the final day of handover, isn't it?"

Then asked: "Want to come eat dinner?"

Han Li replied: "Originally the handover would finish tomorrow, but didn't expect a sudden flood emergency a few days ago; the Water Supervision Bureau is exactly short-handed right now, I'll go guard the embankment for a few nights first, leave later; these two days I can't come back for meals. When this busy spell ends, I'll get a few days' leave, we'll carefully discuss how to buy that house, how about that?"

He paused, then added: "Lately someone's been watching this food shop of yours relentlessly; buying the opposite house probably won't be that easy; there may be people setting obstacles, or trying to snatch the purchase. I'll send someone to investigate, see if we can get the Building Affairs Bureau to release it sooner, the sooner the better, to avoid long nights and many dreams."

Song Miao acknowledged, but said: "This time I won't thank you; in the future I also want to thank less — just wait until Young Master finishes your duty, come back and eat, how about that?"

This sentence was truly ordinary, but hearing it, Han Li felt joy arise from the heart, his heart slightly numb, his head slightly numb, like a winter day when heaven is dry and things parched, hand accidentally touches a copper-iron vessel, a light "crack", the whole person wakes up.

Right now his heart was both sour and astringent and sweet, even a trace of bitterness, that bitterness setting off the sweetness even sweeter; he fundamentally didn't want to leave, instead involuntarily stepped forward two steps.

Han Li originally held the horse's reins in one hand; now wanting to step forward a bit more, he forgot he still held the reins; that natural tug, the horse trailing behind also obedient, followed forward, but hooves didn't stop, advanced a few fractions — nearly half a horse length, its head already nudged up beside Song Miao.

Song Miao had fed it sparrow wheat, also fed it fodder and beans; this horse takes whoever has grass as master; lightly snorting affectionately not to mention, it opened eyes truly the size of copper bells, used its mane and ears to bump Song Miao first, then turned to rub against Han Li, busy shuttling between the two, finally used its mouth to nudge both their hands, clearly looking for food.

Led by the horse, Han Li took another two steps forward; seeing they were too close, he had no choice but to halt; not yet steady, he couldn't help but look at Song Miao again.

At this moment Song Miao was also looking over.

The two gazes met; after three or four breaths, or perhaps a bit longer, each slightly turned their head away; a moment later, both turned back, looked at each other, couldn't help but smile again.

Right now the room originally only had the sound of Cheng Erniang moving stools and chairs, but almost immediately another sound rang out.

It was Xu Niangzi speaking.

She was a loud-voiced woman with strong breath; just emerging from the second gate, she asked in a clear ringing voice: "Cheng Erniangzi, where do I put these two folding chairs?"

Following that voice, Song Miao lowered her head, looked at the horse's head beside her hand, smoothed its mane, finally looked up at Han Li, said: "Young Master should go now."

Han Li "hmmed", that "hmm" carrying a hint of a "hmpf", yet stood a few more breaths watching her, then led the horse, "hmm" once more, didn't mount, just slowly led the horse away.

He walked a few steps, turned back to look, just as Song Miao was closing the door, also looking this way.

Clearly dark night, Song Miao also held no lamp; don't know if his heart filled it in or it was real, he always felt those eyes were extraordinarily bright, making his heart upright, his spirit upright, spontaneously giving rise to the spirit platform cultivators speak of; within the spirit platform seemed to be wind, seemed to be clouds, seemed to be a sun, yet also seemed to be nothing at all.

Not until he left Sanzao County Alley did Han Li finally mount the horse.

He rode on, not fast, but all the way there was wind, whooshing, ears could hear a thumping sound, unknown if that sound was wind or heartbeat.

This time, without looking in a mirror, he also knew the corners of his mouth were certainly slightly curved up.

On the main road, roadside either stall carts or pedestrians, also food shops and stores, same as before, everywhere lamps lit.

But today's lamps were exceptionally bright, the light also very pretty, very soft, even the street vendors' cries along the road were more pleasant to the ear than every previous day.

There is also the weather.

The weather is truly wonderful...

In Sanzao County Alley, Song Miao bolted the door, then set the top door bar, and when she turned back, the tables and chairs in the front hall had already been returned to their places, seven or eight parts complete.

Seeing her come over, Cheng Erniang pointed at the front hall stove and said: "Young Lady, drink the sheep's milk quickly, in a while it will cool and easily turn gamey — I just covered it with a lid."

Song Miao said thanks, took the sheep's milk out from the pot, first tested the bowl wall, only feeling the temperature was just right at this moment, neither cold nor hot, just about to drink, suddenly remembered a matter, hurriedly asked again: "Have you all drunk? Xu Niangzi has had hers too, right?"

Xu Niangzi smiled and said: "I have! Drank a full large cup — grown this big, thanks to Young Lady and Cheng Erniangzi's blessing, this is my first time drinking sheep's milk, not gamey at all, even quite fragrant!"

Cheng Erniang then said: "I just boiled some milk, I'm just basking in the glory, didn't take a bit of effort — if you want to thank, just thank Young Lady and Young Master Han, absolutely don't drag me in too, no credit yet getting praised, makes one feel awkward!"

The two exchanged a few laughing words, Xu Niangzi saw Song Miao's sheep's milk was drunk seven or eight parts full, only then said: "Just now wanted to ask, only Young Master Han was there, not convenient to ask — Young Lady, I know your tables, chairs, doors and windows were just done, was it one person who did them?"

Song Miao also didn't think much, nodded, and said: "Yes, all done by Carpenter Liu from Shi Pan Street."

"How is he?" Xu Niangzi asked again.

Song Miao knew Xu's Wuguan had just bought a residence to use as a storeroom, thought it was for renovation, lacking a handy carpenter, so said: "Pretty good, person is very meticulous, skill is also good, does things particularly solidly."

Cheng Erniang also praised: "Didn't rush at all, deadline not even due, he already made the tables and chairs, price also fair, the back courtyard window was even done for free, only charged for wood material!"

Seeing Song Miao and Cheng Erniang one by one both endorsing him so, like two fish spitting bubbles together, Xu Niangzi seeing injustice on the road, how could she endure, immediately said: "I was just wanting to ask, the price he charged for this armchair, is it the same? By reason, same person made, same dimensions, same wood material, even if weight differs, shouldn't differ too much — you weigh them, how come these two differ so much!"

She spoke, moved the several armchairs brought out just now, and also another armchair from the side together placed flat.

"At first I still thought each and every one had different weight, but just now compared one by one, only this one is different, heavier than the others by three or four, I weighed by hand, ultimately not that accurate, if you don't believe, take to a scale and you'll know!"

Song Miao hearing this, stepped forward a few steps, first glanced at the different armchair Xu Niangzi spoke of, then tested weight one by one, after testing said: "I know Young Lady is afraid we'll be cheated and suffer loss, but this time this one, truly cannot blame that Carpenter Liu."

"Also my fault for not explaining clearly, front hall inside all tables and chairs ten out of nine were entrusted to Carpenter Liu, only this one..." Song Miao pointed at the one Xu Niangzi was holding, "was just now helped made by Young Master Han."

Xu Niangzi originally full of righteous indignation, hearing these words, entirely turned to shock.

"That scholar, makes armchairs??"

Though she didn't say clearly, her facial expression pieced together, was exactly four large characters — You're fooling me!!!

"Actually total made not just this one, originally outside two large tables and matching chairs were all Young Master Han's skill, now food shop opening, naturally can't have only two tables, so added new ones — these two days just successively delivered."

"Old several, I took one back to room, because there was Xiao Lian's child's chair, on top still wrote her name, also moved to back, the rest mixed together, after all quantity few, Young Lady weighing, mostly wouldn't find them."

Song Miao speaking, lifted lamp circled around the two at side, indeed found one armchair.

She said: "You know my family had bad events, original furniture, as long as usable, all taken by people to repay debt, remaining either broken or rotten, but after all former foundation thick, used all good wood — those original several, Young Master Han used my family's former broken old chairs pieced together to make."

"Current new ones, are me and Erniangzi selected new wood, now in debt, wood used not so particular, worse by not just one level, therefore lighter..."

Xu Niangzi hearing this, carrying the first armchair forward, with the one found at back left and right weighed together, indeed both Young Master Han made, material same, weight also alike, a moment stood in place, only blinking eyes.

Song Miao thanked: "Young Lady kind heart, specially helped give suggestion — truly meticulous, clearly look the same, only weight slightly different, unexpectedly this fast could distinguish, only hope future our food shop purchasing, also have you this sharp."

Xu Niangzi smiled embarrassedly, said: "Ah! That Young Master Han really... a scholar, also knows carpentry, you say! Ah!"

She here ah-ing and ah-ing, one side ah-ing, one side going to move armchairs back to original place.

Side Cheng Erniang seeing this, couldn't help but step forward to help.

She moving armchair, happened to move to the one Xu Niangzi weighed out different just now — this chair seat upper right corner has a small tree ring, very easy to identify.

This situation, Cheng Erniang couldn't help but look at Xu Niangzi again.

That day Xu Erlang sat on was also this armchair, she at that time barely held back, didn't let slip that sentence "the armchair you're sitting on is made by Young Master Han".

Today again it.

Must say, this aunt, this nephew, truly worthy of being family!

Hehe~~