Although it was Lian Manman who collected the money for the first ti, this ti, Lady Zhang ca along. In Shopkeeper Wang’s eyes, Lian Manman and the others were still children after all, and the money should be kept by an adult.
"Just give the money to ," Lian Manman said without ceremony.
"This money is pocket money the children earned themselves," Lady Zhang also said with a smile.
Shopkeeper Wang then handed the money to Lian Manman. Following the precedent set last ti, four strings of coins were exchanged for four taels of silver, with the remaining coins amounting to two hundred fifty wen. Lian Manman carefully took the money and stored it away, and when she looked up, she saw Wang Youheng smiling at her.
Had she appeared too eager when asking for the money? No, she had controlled her emotions well. Oh, maybe no matter what, it’s odd to outsiders for a young girl, who had not yet ’stayed at the top,’ to be handling so much money. But Lian Manman couldn’t concern herself with that; she had a use for the money and had never planned to hand it over to anyone else.
This ti it was four taels of silver, and with the previous two taels, that made six taels in total, which was enough to buy one mu of good land, or even two mu if slightly inferior. Lian Manman had read "Dream of the Red Chamber" in her previous life; Grandma Liu survived on just two mu of land in that story. Many people never owned their own land their entire lives, and could only survive by tenant farming others’ land. From little acorns great oaks grow, and she was determined to live the affluent life of a landlord.
"Brother Youheng, are you free?" Lian Manman asked Wang Youheng.
"What’s the matter, Manman?"
"Brother Youheng, we’d like to invite you to dine with us," Lian Manman said. She could earn these silver pieces, thanks to Wang Youheng. She didn’t want to touch the neat six taels of silver, but the two hundred fifty wen money from this ti, plus the two hundred wen money left over from the last ti (the additional ninety-three wen money they had spent eighty-two wen on the town the sa day, and the remaining eleven wen had been spent in bits and pieces over these days, so only two hundred wen money was left), which made four hundred fifty wen money. She planned to use this money to treat Wang Youheng to a al.
"What are you planning to treat to, Manman?" Wang Youheng asked, surprised that Lian Manman wanted to invite him to a al.
"Well, I plan to take Brother Youheng to a shop with two shop signs for a al. I know that Brother Youheng usually eats better than that, but this is our way of showing our appreciation. If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn’t dare, nor would I invite them. It’s because you’re Brother Youheng that I’m asking," Lian Manman said.
The last ti they were in town, they spent thirty-seven wen and had a satisfying al at Chen’s Stead Buns Shop, which had a single shop sign. Four hundred fifty wen might not get them into a big restaurant, but it was enough to enter a small eatery with two shop signs and have a decent al with dignity.
Of course, this standard was modest for Wang Youheng, but since he had always treated them without airs, like a big brother, Lian Manman had made such a suggestion.
Wang Youheng laughed, his long and narrow eyes shining brightly.
The children looked anxiously at Wang Youheng, worried that he might decline.
"Alright, I’ll go," Wang Youheng said.
Lian Manman let out a sigh of relief.
"Young Doctor Wang has a certain standing; these children do not understand propriety, please don’t take offense," Lady Zhang hastily stood up and said.
"Aunt Four, you’re being too formal. Others may invite to exotic delicacies, but an invitation from Manman to a bowl of noodles is more precious. This show of regard is valuable," Wang Youheng replied.
Lady Zhang was sowhat moved and said no more, and the happiness of the children goes without saying.
They all got up to leave, discussing which small shop to go to, when they saw a young servant hurriedly walk in.
"Young Owner, Master Huai from the village has arrived," the young servant said to Wang Youheng.
As they were talking, Shopkeeper Wang had already walked in with a tall young man. The young man was tall and slender with fair complexion, a high nose bridge, and his lips were fuller than Wang Youheng’s, his eyes always held a semblance of a mocking smile.
"Youheng," the young man greeted Wang Youheng, and his glance shifted to see Lady Zhang and Lian Manman standing with Wang Youheng, "Who are these...?"
"Eldest Young Master!" Lady Zhang hurriedly greeted the young man with a bow.
Lian Manman knew who he was; he was the eldest young master from Thirty Mile Camp Scholar Wang’s House, his na was Wang Youhuai, and he was Wang Youheng’s cousin, both from the sa extended family and related by marriage. Wang Youhuai’s mother and Wang Youheng’s mother were direct sisters, having married two brothers from the Wang Family. Wang Youhuai, two years older than Wang Youheng and seventeen years old that year, also had the title of Scholar.
"I have sothing to discuss with you," Wang Youhuai nodded at Lady Zhang and then proceeded to pull Wang Youheng toward the house.
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