Zhuang Zhuang picked up a gold ingot, and Xiao Mai immediately reached for one too. Zhuang Zhuang lifted a small bowl, and Xiao Mai wanted one as well.
The brothers copied each other: when Xiao Mai played with the abacus, Zhuang Zhuang batted at it too. Xiao Mai grabbed an ink stick, and Zhuang Zhuang wanted one as well.
This round of Zhua Zhou was just for fun. The children weren’t settled on anything.
It was Xie Yan’s first time observing the children’s Zhua Zhou, and he took note of everything, later telling Lu Yang, “If I wanted the child to study, I’d fill the area with books so he could only grab books. If I wanted him to earn money, I’d put out abacuses so he could only pick those.”
Lu Yang looked at him, astonished—learning skills and already plotting for an unborn baby.
He said, “Those who pick the abacus become accountants, earning three to five taels a month. How much money is that?”
Xie Yan amended, “Then lots of small gold ingots, that’s better.”
Lu Yang casually praised him, “Good idea.”
The day after tomorrow was Laba Festival, and the family would make Laba porridge.
Zhao Peilan and Chen Guizhi went out together to buy ingredients: red beans, kidney beans, peanuts, millet, glutinous rice, lotus seeds, walnuts. They counted seven ingredients, but Lu Yang insisted on adding red dates.
He remembered having Laba porridge made by Lu Lin, which included red dates. Thinking of Lu Lin, Lu Yang went to his desk, picked up stationery, and wrote him a letter.
Xie Yan had brought back news from the county and had replied before. This new letter was a greeting, sharing recent events, as well as some study notes and reflections for Lu Lin to read.
After Laba came the New Year. These days, Xie Yan frequently checked on Wu Pingzhi, keeping an eye on him and ensuring he stayed comfortably at home to celebrate the holiday together.
Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu often visited, discussing scholarship. They would take a later vacation this year, returning after the minor New Year.
On Laba, both brought Laba porridge from home, exchanging bowls to taste and compare.
Lu Yang hosted them well, having their mother prepare a jar of porridge for Li Feng to take to Hong Chu.
The upcoming market fair was near. Hong Chu had been around Minfu Road lately, convenient for Li Feng as well.
There was good news: Manager Cai had found them a good shop. They liked it and purchased it from the account’s funds. Initially, it would handle the market fair business; after the New Year, they’d decorate the interior and exterior.
These days were busy: making signage, preparing the shop, transporting goods from the dock to stock it, just to establish a presence.
Li Feng was overwhelmed, and Luo Erwu, new to the work, didn’t know much. Lu Yang couldn’t visit the market much and remained concerned. He had met with each shop assistant, giving individual instructions.
Like the previous season, the escort agency, boat operators, and carriage services needed visits and gifts. Business wasn’t too much—repeating these visits helped them get familiar with people, so during normal seasons they could assist in raising their voices for traveling merchants.
The same went for inns, taverns, pawnshops, and banks. Regardless of importance, they needed to pay respects.
Li Feng had explained once, but near the market days, everyone got busy and irritable. Disagreements arose from differing approaches.
Lu Yang singled out a few with good ideas, assigning each a task. This let them work efficiently and avoid quarrels.
The study room was less busy. Luo Dayong noticed staff shortages in the shops and informed Lu Yang, offering support.
Snow came early this year. A light snowfall in November, several rain-and-snow mixes in December. After Laba, heavy snow fell like goose feathers for days, covering everything in white.
Lu Liu helped manage the family’s New Year goods. Lu Yang still thought of him; when Xie Yan returned from the Cui family, they would take care of him, warm him, and discuss the New Year preparations together.
Their godfather needed checking in on. The Lu family had moved recently, and the study room had opened, mostly busy with printing, rarely going out. As juniors, they should visit and pay attention.
Both Luo brothers helped at the shops. The two sisters-in-law were busy packing books, with children to care for. Year-end chores were many; they checked if help was needed.
While busy, Lu Liu was also busy. Their fathers were quiet and rarely spoke of difficulties, so since they were consulted, the fathers should be checked with.
Lu Yang said, “Just go ask around, then tell me. I’ll arrange for others to handle the work.”
Many assistants had come these days, so commanding one person was no problem.
Xie Yan listened, planting a kiss on Lu Yang’s lips. “You worry too much. Why don’t you think of me?”
Lu Yang thought. New Year gifts were usually sent after Laba. Shanshui Lane didn’t need concern, leaving Lu Liu in charge. Returning merchants didn’t need oversight, as Li Feng managed. After this busy period, gift-giving would start everywhere, continuing until the New Year.
What about scholars’ gifts? Wu Pingzhi gave suggestions, calling two people from home to help deliver gifts, maintaining relations.
Close acquaintances like Sheng Daxian and Ji Mingzhu needed Xie Yan personally to deliver.
“Especially your master and senior brother; prepare the gifts carefully,” Lu Yang instructed.
Xie Yan helped him walk inside the house. “Later I’ll shovel snow with Wu Pingzhi. Sitting still too long stiffens the body. I agreed with Senior Brother Ling to bring some coal ash to make a small path in the alley, so you can walk. Let Mother support you.”
As for the gifts, he had it planned.
For friends, nothing extravagant—two baskets of buns, some sweets and wine, a few stationery items were enough.
For his master and senior brother, just honey. Xie Yan knew the benefits of honey, thinking his master would appreciate it. At his age, one didn’t like moving much; in cold weather, staying cozy and sipping honey was perfect. Senior Brother Ling might not need it, but better to give than not. Ten jin for the master, five jin for the brother.
Besides honey, Xie Yan drew a small picture book for the master’s amusement, and bought fishing hooks for the senior brother.
Lu Yang nodded approvingly. “Is this the method you learned for giving gifts?”
Xie Yan whispered, “No. If I followed my master’s teachings, gifts had multiple layers. For example, the picture book could be made with gold paper or gold thread fabric. Fishing hooks with gold or silver. Honey in a jar with gold or silver embellishments. For elegance, just honey alone or a few gold and silver beeswax candles would do. I didn’t want it to feel like bribery. He said it depends on my intent. If asking for a favor, sincerity must be full. I asked him if I gave a gift, should I include two jars of gold and silver chess pieces. He said he’d judge my intention by whether I wanted his chess pieces.”
Xie Yan laughed. “I was just a little envious.”
Lu Yang’s eyes widened, thinking it wasn’t a good thing.
Xie Yan took the chance to kiss him again. “Don’t worry, he told me I could refuse, but I had to know. Otherwise, if someone harmed me one day, I’d be clueless.”
Lu Yang felt reassured. Uncle Cui was kind and would find a suitable gift.
He asked, “Are his children all away?”
Xie Yan nodded. “All in the capital. Master felt the city too noisy, so they returned home, where it’s quieter.”
Lu Yang frowned. Xie Yan rubbed his brow. “Stop overthinking. Now you listen to me.”
Lu Yang patted his hand. “And if I don’t?”
Then he was kissed endlessly. After Lu Yang scolded him a couple of times, Xie Yan finally went out, walking the alley and handling the errands Lu Yang assigned.
Returning home, after lunch, he went out with Wu Pingzhi to shovel snow, moving his body before the afternoon study session.
In the afternoon, Lu Liu collected dirty clothes and shoes, loading them into a basket, waiting for the newly hired laundress to pick them up.
Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang wanted to go play in the snow. Lu Liu hesitated, but Chen Guizhi, bolder, said the little ones should be carefully raised, but not overprotected. Rolling in the field, getting muddy or snowy, would strengthen their bodies.
