Nianhua Zhai is located on Liufang Street, three miles south of Dongping Academy.
The whole street is lined with tall buildings, splendid and elegant, far better than Mofang Street where her shop is located.
Xia Zhaoyi asked for directions to Nianhuazhai. The shop was open for business. The door was wide open and it occupied a large area. The first floor of the shops on both sides had been opened up, making it the size of a large commercial firm.
"Visitor to the deceased." Xia Zhaoyi looked at the three quaint Chinese characters "Nian Hua Zhai" and muttered very softly.
Although the old man didn't say anything about the Qianqiu Palace, Xia Zhaoyi could clearly feel that the master didn't want her to have too much contact with it.
Xia Zhaoyi had imagined that she might meet "those people" when she came to Hengxiang this time before she came. She didn't come to Hengxiang for this reason, but she did bump into them, so it wouldn't hurt to stop by and take a look.
There are not many customers in the store, but there are many waiters. Everything on display is masterpieces by famous artists or antiques, which need daily maintenance.
In addition to jade and porcelain for resale, Nianhuazhai also sells homemade cultural relics, including chessboards, instruments, flutes, pens and ink, etc.
Xia Zhaoyi's sharp eyes saw the calligraphy and painting on the counter that she had just asked Old Man Qi to do not long ago. They were the eight characters written by her during her lifetime: "The mountains and rivers are green, and the heaven and earth are emperors."
I was going to give it to my father, but I couldn't wait.
The accompanying painting is of the great river southwest of Liling. It is snowing in winter, the sky and the earth are desolate, everything is withered, and there is a lone goose in the sky. Thousands of paths and valleys in the world are covered with white frost. It is grand and vast.
Judging from this situation, it seems that someone already wants to buy it and is packing and decorating it.
Also installed together are several other calligraphy and paintings.
She is not good at painting and is completely incomparable with famous artists, but now she can be sold as a masterpiece.
A familiar girl came from the other side and asked, "Are you okay?"
Xia Zhaoyi briefly recalled that she was a little maid beside Mrs. Qu.
"Okay, okay," the waiter smiled at her, "That's all, Miss Jiayu, when will you come next time?"
"It depends on when Madam wants me to come." The little maid said casually, looking at the jade articles around her.
The shopkeeper came out from behind, holding two calligraphy and paintings in his hands: "My boss hasn't been here in person for a long time, and now he wants you to come and pick up the things."
The little maid named Jiayu didn't answer.
owner.
Xia Zhaoyi listened to their conversation calmly, and was a little surprised that the owner of Nianhua Zhai was actually Mrs. Qu.
If you really want to ask something, instead of making innuendoes at the shopkeeper and arousing suspicion, it would be easier to ask Mrs. Qu directly.
Thinking about it, Xia Zhaoyi didn't stay and turned around to leave.
When she came out, a tall man in black passed her and walked towards the store.
Xia Zhaoyi paused slightly and looked back at the man's back.
He has a very good-looking back, straight and straight, broad shoulders and thin waist, and his legs are very long, as if he has seen him before somewhere.
This time Xia Zhaoyi couldn't remember it, only a vague outline, not specific.
If you can't think of it, don't think about it. It shouldn't be an important person, otherwise you won't have any impression.
The man just entered the store, but for some reason he stopped and looked back at Xia Zhaoyi's back.
The old man was as skinny as a stick, dressed simply, but his steps were steady and he walked very fast.
A very ordinary old man, but he always feels that something is wrong.
"Mr. Nie," the shopkeeper immediately came to greet him as soon as he saw him, "have you found our boss?"
Nie Huimo looked back and walked away: "No."
"That just so happens," the shopkeeper looked at the little maid, "Miss Jiayu, Mr. Nie couldn't find his employer today, so you can take him there."
"Madam is at home." Jiayu said.
"She's not here." Nie Huimo said.
Jiayu looked towards him and saw the man's handsome and upright face. Her heartbeat skipped a beat. She avoided looking and said, "Yes, yes, Madam was out today and just came back not long ago."
"How long will it take to go back soon?"
The man's voice was low, his breath was steady, and his words were cold.
Jiayu felt nervous just hearing the voice, and said in a low voice: "About three o'clock in the morning."
The man frowned slightly, it seemed that as soon as he left, Mrs. Qu returned home.
"I understand," Nie Huimo said, looking at the shopkeeper, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Hey!" Jiayu blurted out, "Sir!"
Nie Huimo looked back at her.
Jiayu's heart was beating fast. She looked at him and said, "If you want to go to Qu's house, I will go back. It's better to go with you."
"I have other things to do during the Youshi period," Nie Huimo said. "I have already mentioned it to your family members and I will visit again later tonight."
Jiayu nodded: "Oh..."
Nie Huimo said no more and turned to leave.
Jiayu's heart was still beating wildly. It was not like she had never seen such a handsome son before, so why was she so nervous?
It was not difficult for Qu Mansion to find out. Xia Zhaoyi went directly.
After announcing her door, Mrs. Qu heard that it was her and came out to welcome her in person. Looking around, she saw the upright old man stepping forward and saying, "Mrs. Qu, it's me."
The voice, as clear as ice beads, startled Mrs. Qu.
"Miss Xia," Mrs. Qu walked over, in disbelief, "How could you have turned yourself into this?"
"I acted cheaply, I can't change it, madam, I'm sorry." Xia Zhaoyi said,
"Come," Mrs. Qu hurriedly made an invitation, "Miss Xia, come in quickly, my house is available for washing, please come in quickly!"
Xia Zhaoyi smiled and followed her through the grand gate into the mansion.
Mrs. Qu was a widow in her early years, with a huge family fortune and no children, so she was free and happy.
Xia Zhaoyi made some inquiries on the way here and learned that Nianhua Zhai was one of her husband's properties, and she inherited it after his death.
As for why it wasn't other members of her husband's family, it was because all those who wanted to seize the family property were "handled" by Mrs. Qu.
There is even a folk legend that Mrs. Qu’s husband was killed by Mrs. Qu.
It is said that in the early years, her husband committed a serious crime of possibly ransacking the house. Mrs. Qu did not want to accompany her to suffer, so she took the initiative and poisoned her husband. Then she spent money to get through the government officials, saving her own life and her own glory and wealth.
.
They were all rumors, but regardless of whether they were true or false, Xia Zhaoyi just took them at face value.
The garden layout of the mansion was full of luxury. Mrs. Qu wanted to take Xia Zhaoyi to freshen up, but Xia Zhaoyi declined. She didn't have much time and didn't want to waste more than half an hour of dressing up.
So Mrs. Qu took her to the waterside pavilion in the mansion.
It was already dusk, and the maids came up to light the lamps. The Qinghe lanterns were brightly lit, and the light of the lake was reflected in the color of glass. The curtains of the water pavilion were all closed, and the lake breeze was leisurely and comfortable.
The maids were making tea directly on the side and brewing it in the sea of tea.
Mrs. Qu raised her eyes and saw Xia Zhaoyi's appearance, and couldn't help but chuckle: "Miss Ali, I really don't feel comfortable looking like you."
Xia Zhaoyi lowered his head, looked at himself, and said with a smile, "That's a bit rude."
However, she noticed one detail. In front of outsiders, Mrs. Qu called her Miss Xia, but when they got along, she changed her name to Miss Ah Li.
