Peasant Girl Bookseller

Chapter 187 Meeting Ji Xiaolan for the First Time

Because Tong Liwen came here, Mai Xiang began to worry that Huaici's matter would be brought up again, and would he be forced to drop out of school again?
Mai Xiang waited restlessly at home for a few days, and finally when Feng Xiang came to pick up the goods, she dragged him to ask about Huai Ci's recent situation, and learned that Huai Ci was still in the academy these days and had not returned home, Mai Xiang finally relieved.

By the time Mai Xiang was busy drawing those kites and brought Ye Dafu and Ye Zi to Beijing again, it was already the beginning of March, and it was the season when the grass grew and the warblers flew, and kite-flying people could be seen everywhere, along the way. I saw a carriage driving out of the city.

Mai Xiang first went to Liulichang's store to deliver the goods. When Mai Xiang and Ye Dafu arrived, Feng Xiang was greeting customers in the store. Mai Xiang and Ye Zi entered the store with a bunch of kites, which quickly attracted the attention of several people. look.

"Miss Mai Xiang, this gentleman has been looking at the paintings on our wall, and asked me who painted them." Feng Xiang came over and said in a low voice.

"Want to buy it?" Mai Xiang asked, and then glanced at the person Feng Xiang mentioned, a man in his thirties, who seemed very refined.

Mai Xiang looked at the man, and then looked at the painting on the wall. This is a picture of stones by Cao Xueqin. Cao Xueqin is fond of painting stones. Mai Xiang specially asked for this painting, and it is not for sale. There are still a few people who come to Liulichang to buy calligraphy and paintings, not to mention that ten taels of silver for a painting is not cheap for these students. Mai Xiang is more interested in adding a little elegance to the bookstore. better.

This year, although the financial situation of the Cao family improved a lot, Liu Huilan followed Mai Xiang's advice and bought ten acres of land to rent to others, but after all, it was only for food and clothing. Such a big family, the old and the young , there is no money in hand, no savings, if something happens, the family still can't stand the toss.

Thinking of this, Mai Xiang walked up to the man and said, "Sir, this painting was drawn by my husband, do you like it?"

"Your husband? So, the little girl is also able to read and start school?" The other party looked at Mai Xiang and smiled, quite teasingly.

Because after all, women are in the minority, what's more, Mai Xiang is carrying a bunch of kites to this small bookstore for consignment, so she should not be a lady from a wealthy family.And Mai Xiang didn't wear good clothes for the convenience of traveling.

"I didn't go to school. Mr. is my neighbor and a doctor. He has saved my life. The little girl was lucky enough to learn Chinese characters from him for a few days." Mai Xiang smiled slightly.

"The little girl is quite modest. Dare I ask how old your husband is and whether he has any fame?"

"My husband is less than forty this year, so he should have no fame, right?" Mai Xiang really didn't know whether Cao Xueqin had any fame.

"As a gentleman and as a doctor, will he sit in court?"

"No, my family is in a small village at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain. My husband is not an official doctor, but only has a little knowledge of medicine. There are many poor people in the countryside who can't afford to see a doctor. My husband is compassionate and often lends a helping hand."

"So that's the case. Listening to the girl's words, it is true that she has studied and entered school. Mengruan, Mengruan, your husband is full of knowledge, but he is only indifferent to fame and fortune. It must have something to do with his life experience of ups and downs?"

"Why did you say that, sir?" Mai Xiang was stunned.

A person's personality can be seen from a person's calligraphy and painting, but how can a person's life experience be seen?This is too evil, right?Who is this man?Also too smart, right?
"Your husband likes Ruan Ji, and also has Ruan Ji's talent. He wants to imitate Ruan Ji's arrogance and refuses to follow others. Such a person should have experienced great wealth and wealth. It's just that something happened in his family, so he became cynical and arrogant. It’s a common problem among scholars all over the world.”

"This little girl doesn't know." Mai Xiang smiled.She couldn't tell about Cao Xueqin's life experience.

The other party smiled and said: "I don't know where the little girl lives? I am also a scholar. My surname is Ji, and my name is Ji Yun. I didn't bring enough silver today. I will come to buy your husband's painting another day. Also, If I go to Xiangshan in the future, can I ask your husband for advice?"

"What did you say, your name is Ji Yun? You are Ji Xiaolan?" Mai Xiang grabbed Ji Xiaolan's clothes excitedly.

"Girl, girl, my name is indeed Ji Yun, but, can you let me go first, and why do you know me?"

Ji Xiaolan took two steps back, Mai Xiang realized that she was out of order, and quickly let go of her hand, and smiled awkwardly. She didn't expect that her luck would be so good, and she would be able to meet Ji Xiaolan, a great talent.

"Mr. Ji is a well-known and talented man. He is truly well-educated and talented. I never thought that I would meet Mr. Ji here. I am really lucky." Mai Xiang gave the other party a few top hats.

She thought about it for a while, and guessed that Ji Xiaolan should not have been a Jinshi at this time, because judging by his appearance, he was still a scholar. If I remembered correctly, he should be at home with Ding You at this time.

"Hehe, I didn't expect that I would still have such a big reputation? The girl is really flattering you." Ji Xiaolan laughed and didn't take it seriously.

"It's not flattery, it's admiration, sir, the little girl lives in Huangye Village in the western suburbs, at the foot of the Reclining Buddha Temple, there is a Fuyunlai Inn by the roadside, which is my home, and Mr. Mengruan is next door to my home." Mai Xiang Warmly invite.

Mai Xiang has watched "Iron Teeth and Bronze Teeth Ji Xiaolan", and knows that Ji Xiaolan highly respects and appreciates Cao Xueqin's talent, so she wants to introduce the two of them. The right time is mainly because one's age, ability, and net worth are not enough.

Looking at Mai Xiang's bright eyes, Ji Xiaolan really can't understand where Mai Xiang's excitement and excitement come from. He is just a scholar. Although he is not poor, he is definitely not rich. Beyond the threshold of a Jinshi, one who has a lot of knowledge can only worry about daily necessities.

"Sir, why is your face worried?" Mai Xiang carefully noticed that Ji Xiaolan's expression turned worried instantly.

"It's nothing. You are a scholar who is useless. Looking at your husband's paintings, I feel a few words." Ji Xiaolan also guessed Cao Xueqin's predicament in life from Cao Xueqin's paintings. Otherwise, a person with such a personality would not put himself His paintings were put up for sale.

After hearing this, Mai Xiang looked at Ji Xiaolan's attire. Although he didn't look like a rich man, he definitely didn't look shabby. So why did he feel so emotional?Although both of them are great talents, his fate is different from Cao Xueqin's. He will soon rise to the top with his own talents, while Cao Xueqin can only be wronged in that small mountain village for the rest of his life.

"Sir, you don't need to be like this. The little girl gave him a kite. I think it won't be long before the husband will rise to the top with his own talent. The little girl will give him a word, it is gold, and it will always shine." Mai Xiang finished speaking, Picked a kite and gave it to Ji Xiaolan.

She seems to have heard Huai Ci say that next year is the year of the Grand Competition, and Ji Xiaolan should be able to become a Jinshi.

"I'm sorry, I'll pay for how much, I'm a scholar, how can I take advantage of the girl?"

"Mr. is too far-fetched. I really admire his talent so I gave him a kite. When he is nominated in the gold list in the future, I will still remember the words of the little girl. If I am willing to take care of the little girl's business, the little girl will be very grateful." .”

"Forget it, let me borrow the girl's auspicious words, if I am really named on the gold list in the future, I will definitely send the girl a letter and a painting to thank the girl." Ji Xiaolan
"It's so good." Mai Xiang saluted.

At that time, there were several scholars in the shop. After hearing what Mai Xiang said, they all looked at Ji Xiaolan carefully. Seeing that Ji Xiaolan picked out a few old books from the shop, they took a look at the title of the book he picked, and began to search the bookshelves. stand up.

"The painting on the kite?" When Ji Xiaolan was about to go out, he realized that the painting on the kite was a little different from what he usually saw.

"This is a little girl's graffiti. It's not well drawn. It made my husband laugh. It's just a fun and interesting picture. The dog I gave him is to hope that he will have good luck in the year of the dog."

Mai Xiang's kites are all small cartoon animals, including chickens, ducks, geese, horses, cattle and sheep.

"Haha, it's interesting, it's very realistic, and it's really interesting. Thank you girl, Ji Yun remembered what she said." Ji Xiaolan quickly understood that Mai Xiang wished him a gold medal title in the next year's exam, so she laughed .

After Ji Xiaolan left, several other students also came over and picked a kite with a dog on it from Mai Xiang to go. It seems that this scholar is even more superstitious.

"Miss Mai Xiang, who is this? How did you hear of him?" Feng Xiang asked after Ji Xiaolan left.

"I heard that he used to be Jie Yuan in the provincial examination, and I heard his name when I was in the Reclining Buddha Temple." Mai Xiang said while counting things.

"Jie Yuan? Then he really has hope to enter high school?" Feng Xiang also became excited.

"Of course, you think Jie Yuan is so easy to take the test?"

"Miss Mai Xiang, do you know where he lives? If he can teach the young master a thing or two, the young master will also be able to take the exam next year."

"Is that so, why didn't I think of it?" Mai Xiang patted her head, she remembered that Ji Xiaolan had been an examiner for many years, it would be a good thing if Huai Ci could join him.

"Well, next time you have a chance to meet him, you can ask him where he lives and say that I want to visit him."

"Come on, will Miss Mai Xiang go home directly or go to Prince Li's Mansion?" Feng Xiang asked.

"I'll go to the front door first, is the shopkeeper still at the front door?" Mai Xiang asked.

"If you want me to say, the girl should wait for the young master to come back before going. The young master will have a holiday tomorrow afternoon, and the next day will be the Ching Ming Festival."

"Really?" Mai Xiang didn't expect to catch up with him on vacation, and couldn't help but feel a little elated.

After thinking for a while, Mai Xiang said again: "How about this, the people in the shop don't know me anyway, the three of us will go to the front door to have a look first, and then we will go home by ourselves."

She still wanted to meet the shopkeeper in person,
(End of this chapter)