After staying in his new home for one night, Shen Yi went to greet Uncle Zhao early the next morning with gifts in hand.
This is the etiquette that should be followed, and as Zhang Jian said, it is also necessary to look familiar in front of Minister Zhao.
After all, after the New Year, even if Zhao Shilang is not ranked as Prime Minister, he should correct his position as the "Deputy Minister" of the Ministry of Household Affairs, be promoted to the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and become the serious God of Wealth in the imperial court.
In the past, when Shen Yi visited the Zhao family, he always went in the evening, because Zhao Shilang would not get off work until the evening, but now it is still during the holiday. Shen Yi went early in the morning and met Zhao Changping.
After paying New Year's greetings, Minister Zhao invited Shen Yi to have lunch and asked a few questions about Di Bao. Shen Yi answered them truthfully and did not hide his huge thighs.
Zhao Shilang didn't say much, he just said lightly that he understood, and encouraged Shen Yi a few words, asking Shen Yi Chunwei to take the exam well.
After lunch, Shen Yi left the Zhao family. He spent money to buy some New Year's goods on Dongshi Street. He took a cart that was available in the streets and alleys of Jiankang City and came to Dayifang to pay New Year's greetings to Old Man Gu. .
From a practical point of view, this private school teacher in Dayifang was also one of Shen Yi's teachers and taught him a lot of knowledge for the scientific examination, which was of great benefit to him in the provincial examination.
Shen Yi stayed in Dayifang for nearly an hour before leaving. After returning to his new home, he saw two maids cleaning the house at home, and the third son of Shen, Shen Ling, went out early in the morning, saying that he was going to see the scenery of Jiankang.
Seeing Shen Yi coming back, the two little maids immediately gathered around, holding Shen Yi's hand and chattering non-stop.
Mainly it’s about the lack of things.
Although there is no shortage of big items in this house, such as beds, cabinets, tables and chairs, etc., other than these big items, there are basically no other bits and pieces of daily life. That is to say, it's okay to live there, but not so good for life.
Especially some things that are needed in the kitchen need to be purchased.
Shen Yi looked at Qing'er, who was in charge of the accounts, and asked, "Didn't I give you money? You can just buy whatever you need. You don't have to ask me."
"No money…"
Qing'er lowered her head and felt a little embarrassed: "Master, the last time you gave me money was last year. You gave me ten taels of silver. It was enough for daily expenses, but it was not enough to buy these things. This morning, I gave you ten taels of silver." I went to Dongshi Street to see it. It’s such a big house. If I want to buy all the small things, it will cost at least more than ten taels of silver. I only have five taels of silver left with me.”
Qing'er lowered her head in embarrassment and said, "There is some of this slave's own money..."
Shen Yi patted his head and then remembered that it had been a long time since he "expended" money for the two little maids.
He groped in his arms for a while, but couldn't find any broken silver. Then he went to the luggage in his room and found a 100-tael Jiankang money shop redemption note. After coming out, he handed it to Qing'er and said : "We have moved to a new home. This house is not bad. We can't save money on what we should spend money on. You can take the money and buy what you need to buy. Well..."
"Just use it as you see fit and don't spend it too quickly."
One hundred taels is a huge sum. In the past, it would have been enough for the two brothers Shen Yi to live in a big city like Jiangdu for several years.
It was also the first time for Qing'er to see such a big exchange of votes. She was so frightened that she shook her head and said, "Sir, this much money... I don't dare to ask for it..."
"Just record how much you spent."
Shen Yi smiled and said: "It's not like we've known each other for a day or two. I believe Qing'er."
Although these two maids were born as palace maids and currently have an "employment" relationship with Shen Yi, they are not free. Without Shen Yi, they would not even be able to leave the house. Even if they were lucky enough to escape Jiankang, they would still be "escaped slaves". He will be captured by the government.
Therefore, Shen Yi is not afraid of them absconding with their money.
Qing'er was quite moved, lowered her head and said: "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely take care of your accounts..."
Shen Yi looked up at the sky and saw that it was still early. He looked at the two little maids and said with a smile: "It's still a while before evening. Let's go to Dongshi Street together. If there is anything big you need to buy, I'll be here." It can be more convenient.”
If two little girls go shopping on Dongshi Street, they may be bullied by the shopkeepers, but it will be much better if there is a man around.
The two little girls nodded quickly and followed Shen Yi out of the yard. After locking the door, they followed Shen Yi to Dongshi Street.
East Market Street and West Market Street are the two largest markets in Jiankang City. As the capital of Chen State, the products in these two markets are very complete. Basically, everything that can be found in the land of China can be found here. .
Shen Yi and his two little maids spent more than half an hour shopping in Dongshi Street. After buying seven or eight necessary things, they were about to leave Dongshi Street. Ping'er on the side suddenly pulled Shen Yi's sleeve and whispered: "Sir...it seems like someone is following us..."
Shen Yi's expression changed slightly, and he immediately glanced behind you with his peripheral vision. He saw that there were indeed two people following him on the street of Dongshi Street. When these two people saw Shen Yi, he stopped and disappeared with just one breath. He can no longer be seen in the crowd.
Shen Qilang felt something was wrong. He took a deep breath and said, "Let's go back."
The two little maids nodded repeatedly.
The three people left Dongshi Street in a hurry, but as soon as they reached the entrance of Dongshi Street, a middle-aged man wearing blue trousers and a mustache stopped in front of Shen Yi.
"Shen Yi, Mr. Shen?"
Shen Yi stopped, looked up at the middle-aged man, frowned and said, "Who is your Excellency?"
"The young one is just a domestic servant, and his humble name is not worth mentioning."
The middle-aged man in blue turned sideways slightly, stretched out a hand, and said with a smile: "My young master, I have been waiting for you in the teahouse for a long time."
Shen Yi looked in the direction of his finger and saw that there was indeed a teahouse at the corner of Dongshi Street called Chengyi Tea House.
Shen Yi was silent for a while and asked: "May I ask who the young master in your family is? Do you know Mr. Shen?"
The smile on the face of the middle-aged man in blue faded and he said lightly: "My young master's surname is Yang."
"There are not many people in Jiankang City who dare to refuse my young master's invitation."
Hearing the two words "surnamed Yang", Shen Yi knew that today's "Hongmen Banquet" could not be avoided.
After being silent for a while, he opened his mouth and said: "Young Master Yang invited you to drink tea, and Shen was naturally disrespectful. However, there is still something going on in Shen's family. How about letting these two maids, Shen, go home?"
"It's natural."
The middle-aged man said with a smile: "There is only one young man here, and no one blocks the way of the two girls."
Shen Yi looked back at the two little girls holding things in their arms and said in a deep voice: "Did you hear that? Mr. Yang wants to invite me to tea. You two should go home first."
He deliberately emphasized the word "Yang".
Ping'er opened her mouth and wanted to say something. Qing'er on the side grabbed her and lowered her head to Shen Yi: "Young Master, we understand."
"We're going home right now."
With that said, she pulled Ping'er and left quickly.
Shen Yi looked up at the teahouse with a calm expression.
