Nian Jiaojiao listened to Tong Fu's words and waved her hand:
"No, no, I don't lack brushes. I'm just here to buy some ink and browse around."
Before leaving home, Xing Yun handed her a package containing a brush, about eighty percent new. It seemed the previous owner cherished it dearly, and she wondered where they had found it.
As for the Tong Sheng examination, to prevent cheating, only brushes and ink were allowed in the examination hall. Paper and inkstones would be provided on the desks.
Tong Fu, however, after hearing Nian Jiaojiao's words, turned and directly instructed a nearby attendant:
"Go, go get one of our finest inkstones!"
The leading attendant in the blue robe immediately retrieved a packaged inkstone.
"Jiaojiao, you're a year older than me, but it's okay for us to be friends on equal footing, right?" Tong Fu said.
Nian Jiaojiao replied decisively:
"Of course. We're both participating in the Tong Sheng examination, and if we both pass, we can be considered peers."
Tong Fu clapped her hands:
"Excellent, excellent! Then I'll take your good wishes to heart! Jiaojiao, it's just an inkstone, please don't refuse!"
Seeing this, Nian Jiaojiao no longer insisted. She nodded to Yu Chuan, who took the inkstone from the attendant.
Having browsed and bought what she needed, Nian Jiaojiao bid farewell to Tong Fu with Yu Chuan.
"Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao! After the exam, whether you pass or not, let's get together when you have time!"
"Okay! Definitely!"
After the two left, a man in brocade also descended from upstairs.
"Fú'er, that person's background is still unclear, how can you casually associate with her?"
Tong Fu dismissively said:
"I don't care! When I make friends, I don't look at family background or power. I only care if we click! I just feel that the woman named Nian Jiaojiao really suits my taste!"
The man shook his head helplessly.
His fourth sister, though a bit spoiled, had been too well-protected since childhood and was naive about the world.
Even though he was her elder brother, he often couldn't dissuade her.
...
As Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan walked out of the Mo Bao Xuan's entrance, a surprised voice called out:
"Dabao!?"
Nian Jiaojiao looked up and saw a plump middle-aged woman looking at her with a complicated expression.
Judging by the bright yellow brocade robe she wore, she appeared to be well-off.
This is...
As Nian Jiaojiao hesitated in her recollection, Yu Chuan beside her called out first:
"Mother!"
Mother?
Nian Jiaojiao was stunned. She had met Yu Chuan's mother before, and she didn't look like this.
Immediately, she quickly realized that Yu Chuan must be referring to Mother Nian, the original body's mother.
Facing the mother who had already banished the original body from the family, Nian Jiaojiao didn't know what to say.
As she hesitated, Mother Nian approached and asked Nian Jiaojiao:
"Why are you here?"
At this moment, Mother Nian's shock was beyond words.
She never expected that in her lifetime, she would see this rebellious daughter browsing Mo Bao Xuan!
This was simply a sow climbing a tree, an iron tree blossoming!
Nian Jiaojiao understood her meaning, her lips twitched, and she opened her mouth, finding it difficult to speak.
Seeing the mother and daughter in a stalemate, Yu Chuan smiled and said to Mother Nian:
"Mother, Wife Master has improved now. Tomorrow, Wife Master will participate in the Tong Sheng examination."
This news struck Mother Nian profoundly. She took a step back and said with a trembling voice:
"You... you, you're going to take the Tong Sheng exam."
Nian Jiaojiao, seeing the exaggerated reaction, nodded helplessly.
Mother Nian looked at Nian Jiaojiao, wanting to speak but stopping. Yu Chuan quickly stepped forward to mediate:
"Mother, Wife Master, why don't we go to the teahouse next door to sit for a while?"
...
Fu Gui Inn.
The three of them sat by the window on the second floor.
"Boy!" Mother Nian called out loudly.
"Coming!"
The waiter, dressed in a light brown coarse cloth and linen, casually draped a greyish-white towel over his shoulder and hurried over.
"Guest, what would you like to order?"
"Stir-fry a few of your signature dishes, and a pot of your shop's special tea."
"Snow Mountain Green Tea?"
"Yes, that's it. Hurry up and serve!"
"Alright, guests, please wait a moment."
The waiter scurried downstairs to call for the dishes. It wasn't yet the time when many people came to eat, so there was no one seated around them, leaving them with private space.
The atmosphere was quiet for a while before Mother Nian asked:
"When did you start thinking about studying?"
"Not long ago," Nian Jiaojiao replied indifferently.
"Hmm, what about your studies? How is your revision going? Have you attended a private school?"
"It's okay. I haven't attended a private school."
Mother Nian opened her mouth after hearing this and fell silent for a moment.
Yes, she had driven her out for so long, how could she have the money to attend private school.
If only Dabao had enlightened earlier!
Mother Nian looked at Nian Jiaojiao, feeling a sense of disappointment that she couldn't express her frustration.
But she was her own daughter after all, and she couldn't just cut ties. Seeing Nian Jiaojiao doing better now, she was naturally a little happy, so she said:
"Dabao, if you're short on money, I have..."
Saying this, Mother Nian was about to take out money from her embrace.
"No need!"
Nian Jiaojiao stopped her.
Mother Nian paused, then saw Nian Jiaojiao continue:
"Why did you come to Mo Bao Xuan?"
Mother Nian's voice was a little weak:
"Your fourth sister is twelve years old and is now studying in a private school. The school is on vacation, so I'm getting her some stationery..."
As she spoke, she observed Nian Jiaojiao's expression and, finding no signs of jealousy or resentment, breathed a sigh of relief.
Mother Nian continued her action of taking out money and placed a seemingly heavy money bag on Nian Jiaojiao's table, saying:
"Dabao, take this money and use it. Since you're going to study now, you'll need money everywhere."
Nian Jiaojiao rubbed her temples with a headache and said:
"Really, no need. I have enough here."
Mother Nian insisted, picked up the money bag, and handed it to Yu Chuan:
"Xiao Chuan, please hold this for your Wife Master!"
Yu Chuan looked at Mother Nian and then at Nian Jiaojiao with some difficulty.
"Don't make things difficult for Chuan'er," Nian Jiaojiao said, seeing the situation.
Chuan'er?
Mother Nian was stunned.
She had heard from people in the village before about how her eldest daughter mistreated her husband. How could it be so different today...
Seeing her protect her husband like this... the rumors were truly unreliable!
Immediately, Mother Nian changed her tune:
"Dabao, you don't need money, but your husband does. It's getting cold now, and it would be good to get some clothes for your husband and the others."
Indeed, Nian Jiaojiao hesitated upon hearing this.
Seeing this, Mother Nian added fuel to the fire:
"It seems you don't have any livelihood to support the household right now, and your husbands are not living easily..."
That's right, the original body hadn't brought any money home, and she wouldn't have any income until she became a scholar.
With this thought, Nian Jiaojiao reluctantly said:
"Then thank you, Mother."
Mother Nian smiled slyly as she saw her accept the money and was about to ask more questions when she was interrupted by the approaching waiter.
"Guest, your food is here!!!"