Ji Qing’s family background was far more prosperous than the original host’s, but his overly upright character prevented him from mastering the original host’s sycophantic ways of flattering and bootlicking, leaving him ostracized within the Academy.
If he hadn’t offended someone at the Academy who couldn’t be crossed, he wouldn’t have found himself unable to buy the urgently needed books even with silver in hand.
When Ji Qing picked up the books from the basket, Xie Jinzhu said straightforwardly, “They’ve been soaked in water, but I checked—only the paper is a bit wrinkled, and the text is still clear.”
“If you’re genuinely interested in buying, I’ll give you a good price?”
Ji Qing, never skilled in verbal disputes, paused with a subtle expression. “How much?”
Xie Jinzhu held up a hand with five fingers extended.
Ji Qing laughed in disbelief. “Fifty taels? You must think I’m…”
“Five taels.”
Xie Jinzhu cut off Ji Qing’s indignation and said plainly, “The set you urgently need is privately owned by the Academy and unavailable elsewhere.”
“I paid eight taels for it, so charging you five isn’t unreasonable.”
The price was indeed fair.
Yet Ji Qing still hesitated. “You’re really willing to sell it to me?”
Wouldn’t she cause trouble after he bought the books?
Xie Jinzhu sighed helplessly. “Money on delivery, goods on receipt.”
“If you truly don’t trust me, I can write you a receipt?”
Thanks to the original host, Xie Jinzhu’s credibility was indeed precarious, and without a receipt, buyers truly dared not take the risk.
Xie Jinzhu, utterly deflated by her own notorious reputation, solemnly wrote out a receipt for both parties to sign and fingerprint. After emptying the basket, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you.”
“By the way.”
Xie Jinzhu shouldered the basket and said with mixed feelings, “If you’re heading home from the Academy recently, take a different route.”
The original host had committed countless misdeeds, earning widespread disdain.
Though Ji Qing did no wrong, surrounded by villains in the Academy, his days were far from easy.
Considering how readily he had paid, Xie Jinzhu offered a reminder: “Stay safe.”
With that, Xie Jinzhu left. Ji Qing stood dazed for a moment, his brow furrowing deeply.
Before Ji Qing could react, Xie Jinzhu had already hurried away, leaving only her retreating figure.
Narrow-shouldered and slender-waisted, she was tall yet carried a delicacy uncommon in men’s frames.
Though still dressed in men’s clothing, her feminine grace was unmistakable.
Ji Qing pressed his lips together, his expression complex, wondering how she had managed to hide it all along.
After sharing classes for years, how had he never noticed before?
Unaware of her former classmate’s thoughts, Xie Jinzhu bid Ji Qing farewell and hurried to her next destination.
She needed to sell the remaining items in her basket.
As dusk began to fall, Xie Jinzhu finally emerged from the county town’s bookstore. The items she had carried in her basket were gone, replaced by a stack of paper specially provided by the bookstore.
Most books in the bookstore were copied by hand by scholars, so there was a constant demand for transcription work.
The bookstore supplied the paper and brushes, but the drawbacks were the time and effort required, along with meager wages.
However, Xie Jinzhu was desperately short on money, and every bit counted.
But before returning home, there were still some things she absolutely had to buy.
Xie Jinzhu managed to purchase everything she needed just as the streets began to empty. Unable to find a cart heading back to the village, she had no choice but to trudge home on foot.
When Xie Jinzhu finally stepped through her doorway at an hour when even dogs were asleep, she was surprised to find the entire family still awake.
The household couldn’t afford candles, so once night fell, they mostly fumbled in the dark.
Tonight, too many people couldn’t sleep. Since Old Mrs. Xie had woken up not long ago, Eldest Uncle Xie simply gathered firewood in the yard for lighting.
Everyone around the fire turned their heads in unison. Xie Jinzhu paused her steps and forced out a dry smile: “No one’s asleep?”
Second Aunt let out a cold snort, her tone dripping with sarcasm: “Our little master hasn’t returned yet. Who dares to sleep?”
“Second sister-in-law…”
Eldest Aunt tugged at Second Aunt’s arm, but before she could speak, Xie Jinzhu said: “Second Aunt, let’s go repay the debts tomorrow.”
Xie Jinzhu set down her basket and moved to the illuminated area by the fire, saying: “Here are thirty eggs, two feet of cloth, five catties of millet, and half a jar of sugar.”
These were all items Xie Jinzhu had seen on the IOU today. She had bought them back according to the quantities listed on the IOU.
Second Aunt’s sharp words, which had been on the tip of her tongue, suddenly stopped. Suspiciously, she asked: “Where did you get the money?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve been hiding money on yourself?!”
“I haven’t.”
Xie Jinzhu said with a headache: “I just sold my books.”
The breathing of everyone present grew slightly lighter.
Xie Jinzhu said unhurriedly: “I’ve thought it through. Those books are of no use to me anymore. They were bought with money borrowed by the family in the first place. Selling them to repay the debts is only right.”
“I still have some money left, but I want to use it as capital for a small business venture, so I can’t take it out for now.”
But by the end of the month, whatever was agreed upon will be paid, not a single coin less.
Second Aunt looked at the items by her feet and barely suppressed her anger.
Eldest Uncle Xie took the IOU handed to him by Xie Jinzhu, his tone complex: “Doing business?”
“Didn’t you always say that among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are the lowest and most contemptible?”
The original host prided himself on being a prime minister’s talent. It was one thing for him to be aloof, but he wouldn’t allow others to “degrade” themselves.
Previously, Madam Wang had mentioned wanting to set up a food stall, but the original host had stirred up trouble, forcing her to abandon the idea.
Now, can he let go of the airs of a refined scholar?
Xie Jinzhu couldn’t be bothered to explain the original host’s foolishness. She said self-mockingly: “Ah, I was just talking nonsense before. Why take it seriously, Uncle?”
Those who had intended to mock her a few more times were left speechless by her words.
Second Uncle Xie sighed: “Business isn’t easy either. What do you want to do?”
If doing business could make everyone rich, then no one in the world would do anything else.
One’s own family knows one’s own flaws best.
Xie Jinzhu, she…
“Ink-making.”
The moment everyone’s gaze fell on her again, Xie Jinzhu said without changing her expression: “I want to make ink sticks to sell.”
Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all essential items for scholars, yet none of these things are cheap.
During the years the original host spent at the Academy, the Xie family suffered greatly because of it.
And now she says she wants to make ink?
Xie Wuni spat out without thinking: “Do you think those black ink sticks are made by kneading cow dung with your hands?”
“Do you know how expensive those things are? Others…”
“Exactly because they’re expensive, that’s why we need to make them to sell.”
Xie Jinzhu paid no mind to the disdain directed at her face. She stretched her hands toward the fire and said leisurely: “Fifth Sister, if you don’t try, how will you know the difference between ink sticks and hand-kneaded cow dung?”
Xie Wuni was so angry she wanted to kick someone, but Xie Xiao Liu held her back: “Fifth Sister, don’t argue. Grandma is resting.”
Xie Jinzhu tried her best to ignore Xie Wuni’s contorted face and raised an eyebrow slightly: “I really do know how to make them.”
On her way back and forth, she noticed the vast pine forests along the road. Recalling the current situation the original owner had witnessed at the Academy, an idea formed in her mind.
The materials for making ink were not difficult to gather, and the cost was not high either.
She didn’t need to produce exceptionally fine ink to impress anyone, nor did she need to create something so refined that she could charge exorbitant prices.
Xie Jinzhu was certain that even such crude ink would not lack buyers.
Turning to look at Xie Wuni’s expression, which seemed ready to hit someone, Xie Jinzhu couldn’t help but laugh. “Fifth Sister, shall we give it a try?”
“Bah!”
Xie Wuni finally broke free from Xie Xiao Liu’s grip and snapped angrily, “Who wants to try it with you?”
“If you want to act foolishly, go ahead and do it yourself. No one wants to be a fool with you!”
Xie Wuni stormed off, and the expressions of the others were equally grave as they silently dispersed.
But the next day, when Xie Jinzhu saw Xie Wuni’s face dark with anger and Xie Xiao Liu ready to accompany her into the mountains, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “So you’ve agreed to give it a try with me?”
Xie Wuni let out an exasperated cry, stomping her feet in frustration. “If it weren’t for my father, I would never have agreed to go with you!”
“I’m going to see just how foolish you can be!”