Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 21 Buying Crutches
……

Kyoto, West Street Market.

As the most prosperous commercial area in Kyoto, the entire street is more than ten miles long and includes teahouses, wine shops, brothels, casinos, theaters, pawnshops, drugstores, rouge and powder shops, jade shops, antique shops, and clothing shops. Almost all the shops that can be found in the world can be found on this street.

Of course, there are also special shops.

Moreover, crutches are also a weapon, one of the eighteen kinds of weapons, but not many people use them, so they are relatively unpopular.

There are many shops in the world.

Jia Rong paused briefly at the door and walked in.

There is already a guest inside, and it seems that he is trying to turn around.

There was a loud "dong" and an old woman with gray hair, a ruddy face, and a resemblance to Lady Jia, put the iron crutch in her hand on the ground.

Jia Rong took a breath when he heard it.

This, this, this...

What kind of disability requires the use of a crutch?
"Ahem, not bad, not bad."

The old woman coughed, a look of joy on her face, and she picked up her walking stick and rubbed it lovingly.

The shopkeeper smiled proudly and said, "This iron crutch is three feet, three inches and three centimeters long, weighs twenty-two catties, two ounces and two cents, and is made of meteorite iron from outer space..."

"I want it!"

As the old woman spoke, she glanced at Jia Rong who had just entered the room and said, "Ahem, you go and greet the guests first. We can talk about our business later."

"Okay, okay, Grandma Sun, please come in."

After inviting the mother-in-law into the inner room, the shopkeeper said with a slightly apologetic smile, "Thank you for waiting for so long, young master."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter."

"Sir, please take a seat. May I know your name?"

"Jia."

Jia Rong opened his fan, waved it gently, and said a word.

The shopkeeper was secretly shocked!

The Jia family is one of the most wealthy and noble families in Kyoto. They have two dukes in the family. The eldest family, Ningguo Mansion, is more noble and has produced a Jinshi. They are not only a family of meritorious service, but also a family of scholars, and are extremely noble.

The shopkeeper couldn't help but be humble. He ordered someone to serve tea, then bowed and said with a smile, "It turns out that it is Master Jia who has come in person. I am really sorry for being so rude. I wonder if you want to buy or order a crutch?"

"How long does it take to make it to order?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "It depends on the style and the material. It takes at least half a month, but it's hard to say how long it will take. Some materials are hard to find and it may take several years."

"Then buy some ready-made."

In a few years, Mr. Zhen might have gone to Mount Wutai, and it would be useless even if we ordered it.

The shopkeeper nodded and said with a smile, "Who is using it? Long or short crutch? Single crutch or double crutch?"

"My father is old and his right leg is not very flexible."

"Oh."

The shopkeeper nodded.

"Then it's best to use a single crutch. If the condition is not too serious, you can use a short crutch. We happen to have a good snake-head short crutch here. If it's serious..."

"Don't use anything too heavy." Jia Rong reminded.

The iron crutch just now really scared him.

"Haha, don't worry, sir. I know it. The crutches weigh only one pound and nine ounces, and they are very solid and durable."

"Oh, let's take a look."

"Come here, quickly fetch the snake-headed cane and let Master Jia see it."

Soon, the shop boy held an exquisite wooden box in both hands and placed it on the table. The shopkeeper carefully opened it and said with a smile: "Sir, please have a look. This crutch is one foot nine inches and nine points long and weighs one pound nine ounces and nine cents. It is made of an unknown fir wood. The color and pattern on it are both top-notch, and it feels great. It is really a rare and fine crutch."

Jia Rong was also quite satisfied after seeing it.

The main thing is that the temperament of this snakehead is somewhat compatible with Jia Zhen, as if it was made specifically for Master Zhen.

"That's it, then. How much?"

"Hehe." The shopkeeper rubbed his hands and smiled: "Mr. Jia, it is a great honor for us to have you visit our shop. I will only charge you the cost price. How about twenty taels?"

"alright."

After traveling through time, Jia Rong has been living a life of luxury as a noble young master. He doesn't know how to bargain at all. He took out twenty taels of silver from his sleeve and threw it down, saying, "Find someone to take it to Ningguo Mansion and give it to Manager Lai."

He went out alone today and did not let Xiaozhu follow him.

The shopkeeper became even more respectful upon hearing this, and nodded and smiled apologetically: "Don't worry, sir. I'll have someone deliver it to your house right away."

"Uncle, please take care..."

After Jia Rong left.

The shopkeeper's smile remained unchanged as he praised, "As expected of a young man from a scholarly family, you are so elegant and graceful, you are truly a man of great learning and poetry!"

"Ahem, is this young man from Ningguo Mansion?" The old woman came out with an iron cane and asked with a smile.

The shopkeeper said, "It's almost certain."

"Hehe, he's a good kid."

"What a pity, it's a fate that brings disaster!"

My mother-in-law shook her head and sighed.

"Oh? What robbery?"

"Peach Blossom Tribulation."

Shopkeeper: “…” Young masters and nobles, which one of them doesn’t have many wives and concubines and is doomed to have affairs of love?
"Okay." The old woman waved her hand calmly: "Let's talk about our business. What about this cane?"

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands and smiled, "Please wait a moment, Grandma. How about you tell my grandson's fortune later? I won't charge you for this iron crutch. Just consider it as a gift to Grandma from your younger generation!"

The mother-in-law nodded and said calmly, "I took a look at your grandson last time and he is not a good candidate for the imperial examination. You should save some effort."

After saying that, he walked out on crutches.

The shopkeeper was speechless for a while, then hurriedly caught up with her and said with an apologetic smile, "Excuse me, grandma, is there any solution? We don't expect him to pass the imperial examination, but if he passes the examination, it will bring honor to the family."

My mother-in-law stopped and said, "Study hard every day, and you will have a bright future after you are forty."

After saying that, he walked away again on crutches.

Shopkeeper: "..."

"Grandpa, what's wrong with you?"

A handsome boy in his teens jumped into the house.

"My dear grandson, where did you go just now?"

"I went to see my father for help."

"Nonsense!"

"Do you also want to be a porter for the rest of your life? You should study hard. Granny Sun said that you can become a scholar in the future. I don't expect your father to be a good-for-nothing. Whether our family can become a scholarly family depends on you."

"Grandma Sun? Is she the fortune teller you always talk about?"

"Yeah, most people can't invite her."

"Can you invite grandpa?"

"That's natural!"

"why?"

"Because grandpa is a good crutch!"

"My grandson also wants to be a good crutch...ah!"

"Go study, little brat!"

"All things are inferior, only reading is superior!"

……

Qin Mansion.

Old Qinye has been looking worried lately.

It has been more than a month since he last went to Ningguo Mansion, and no news has come from there. The initial excitement has gradually faded, and now only worry is left.

Could something have happened?
Or maybe Jia Zhen was already terminally ill and passed out before he even had the chance to discuss the marriages of his two children with his grandfather?

Or maybe the old man didn't agree at all?

"Somebody come!"

"master."

"Miss, please come over here."

"Yes……"

After a while, Qin Keqing, wearing a light green water-patterned Xiang skirt, a moon-white double-breasted jacket, and a thin silk ribbon tied around her waist, walked into the room gracefully.

"Dad, you're looking for me?"

Qin Keqing has been feeling a little uneasy lately.

Ever since she learned that she was going to marry into the Duke's Mansion and that her husband was a well-known filial son with great literary talent, she was delighted but also nervous.

I am far from being worthy of her in terms of family background or social status, but my appearance gives her a little confidence.

But there has been no news from there recently.

Logically, it is impossible for a dignified Duke's Mansion to go back on its word on such a matter, but there are exceptions to everything. After all, the two families had only discussed it verbally, and the etiquette of three letters and six betrothal gifts had not officially begun, so anything was possible.

"Ke'er."

Old Qinye sighed: "Go back and wash and dress yourself, then call your brother and go with me to the Ningguo Mansion."

Although it’s a bit impolite…

But that’s all we can do!
The main purpose of this trip was to see how Jia Zhen's condition was.

If it's not so good, meeting Ke'er should almost settle it.

As the man was about to die, the old man could not object.

As for Jia Rong having to observe mourning for three years, it doesn't matter. Ke'er is not too old anyway, so as long as she gets engaged, it's fine.

"Dad, is this impolite?"

Qin Keqing looked a little hesitant.

When it comes to marriage, there is never any reason for the woman to be anxious, as people will gossip about her.

Old Qinye waved his hand and said, "I'll tell you the truth. Master Zhen of the Ning Mansion is not in good health. He likes you very much. You can go there this time to fulfill your filial duty in advance. In the future... you may not have the chance again."

"what?"

Qin Keqing was stunned. She didn't expect her father-in-law would leave before she even got married...

"Go ahead, and remember to wear something plain, and don't wear anything floral or pink."

"Daughter, I know."

……

(End of this chapter)