Chapter 105

Upon hearing “bring out,” Shuiqing and Fan Jin felt relieved unconsciously.

No need to move, that meant it wasn’t much.

It makes sense too, only one carriage arrived, though it was a double-horse carriage, it still carried three people, so it shouldn’t be able to bring too much stuff.

Only Bai Manshan took out several long boxes. The first one opened was a collection of brushes, various types of brushes!

Each one encompassed the characteristics of ‘sharp, even, round, robust,’ and each brush had a different color, pure, clear, winter-like, plain, each one top-grade.

Fan Jin’s eyes fell on them and couldn’t move away immediately.

Shuiqing thought that the gift really touched the heart of a scholar.

Even she, who didn’t understand brushes, could see that each brush in the exquisitely carved and intricate bamboo box was top-grade, not to mention Fan Jin.

The second box opened was filled with black rectangular pieces, some long, some short, varying lengths.

At first, Shuiqing didn’t see what it was, but immediately guessed from Fan Jin’s shiny black eyes!

Apart from ink, what else could it be?

Only something related to reading could bring such a pleased expression to Fan Jin’s face.

The third item was an inkstone, prepared according to the number of people studying at home, because there were six.

Presumably, having heard Bai Ziqian mention it, they knew Yan Qiuxing was also studying, and more importantly, they had thoughtfully prepared a set for their two daughters as well, without favoring one over the other.

Fan Jin and Shuiqing simultaneously noticed this point, feeling even better.

The fourth item was paper.

“Snow-white, soft and ink-absorbent, is this Xuan paper?” Fan Jin looked at Bai Manshan and asked hesitantly.

Shuiqing had heard of Xuan paper, but she had never bought it—people who didn’t practice calligraphy rarely came into contact with such things.

Now hearing Fan Jin’s words, she realized that the Ming Dynasty also had Xuan paper.

Bai Manshan chuckled, “I’m a rough person and don’t understand the subtleties of this paper. Using it would be a waste;”

“I heard Qian said you were a scholar and thought giving it to you wouldn’t spoil good paper.”

“I, I’d waste even if I used it.” Fan Jin thought of his repeated failures and murmured.

“How can you scholars call it waste when writing? As long as you like it!” Li Huyu laughed over here.

Fan Jin was genuinely fond of it.

His slender fingers caressed the snow-white and delicate paper repeatedly, as if reluctant to let go.

Shuiqing was also happy for Fan Jin. They had solved their basic needs, but they were far from being able to afford such fine things. If Fan Jin had to buy it, he would certainly not be able to.

The gifts that Bai Manshan and Li Huyu gave today were really carefully selected.

She thanked on behalf of the delighted Fan Jin, “Thank you for your hard work!”

Seeing the gifts being so appreciated, Li Huyu was genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart and also impressed by her husband’s thoughtfulness.

Seeing the first gift being given away and recognized, Bai Manshan slightly breathed a sigh of relief. He then entered the carriage again and brought out a wooden box the size of three bricks, which was placed in front of Shuiqing.

Shuiqing looked over and saw that the wooden box was rectangular and small, with auspicious cloud patterns on it—simple yet not crude, with profound meaning.

Is it rouge and powder?

After all, it’s a gift for a woman, not large in size, it should be these, right?

Although she didn’t like to use rouge and powder, she smiled brightly on her face. At the same time as she took it, she thanked it, “It’s hard for you to give me rouge.”

The remaining words disappeared in an instant as the wooden box opened.

Where in the wooden box is rouge and powder?

It’s golden, truly golden, because it’s all thin, thin gold leaves, full of a box!

When Shuiqing and Fan Jin saw what was inside the wooden box, they were both stunned!

“Both of you have saved Qian’er’s life, so I won’t beat around the bush. I just hope that what we discuss today stays between us and no one else!” Bai Manshan said in a lowered voice.

Shuiqing and Fan Jin turned their heads in confusion, not understanding the connection between Bai Manshan’s words and the gift of gold leaves.

The smile that Bai Manshan had maintained since entering faded away, replaced by a worried expression. He sighed, “Although I am a businessman with some wealth, merchants always have the most sensitive information. A few days ago, news came from the capital that our new emperor indeed intends to reduce the power of the feudal lords! Moreover, it’s highly likely that action will be taken after the new year!”

“All those feudal lords have money, land, and people. There are bound to be some who will fight to the death.”

“These gold leaves were hastily made by craftsmen overnight. You can sew them carefully into the hem of your clothes. If you need to escape or get separated, these could potentially save your lives at a critical moment.”

Li Huyu interjected, “Don’t be polite with us. We’ve thought about this for a long time. In today’s troubled times, it’s not safe to keep gold ingots or silver coins at home, and it’s inconvenient to carry them around.”

“Carrying bulging bags is even more likely to attract unwanted attention, so we had them made into gold leaves, easy to carry and hide.”

Shuiqing wanted to say that she also knew the benefits of thin slices for hiding, but she couldn’t argue with a whole box like this. How could they hide it?

They had hidden silver pieces, while Bai Manshan and Li Huyu immediately came out with gold!

And it filled a whole box!

One tael of gold was equal to ten taels of silver.

This box was at least ten catties heavy, and they used it for gold leaf that was calculated per catty. It was really too much!

“But… this is really too much.” Fan Jin frowned.

“Not too much, not too much. Qian’er has always wanted to come and stay with you for a while. If you really think it’s too much, use the rest as Qian’er’s living expenses.” Bai Manshan also had his own thoughts.

That’s because if it really gets chaotic, the city will definitely be a battleground, and the Southern Capital is even more unavoidable.

Once the city falls, it’s very likely to encounter killing, looting, plundering… His Bai family mansion couldn’t escape, and there was nowhere to go.

Before the situation got chaotic, he had to send Qian’er away, and here was the most suitable and reassuring place he could think of for now.

Shuiqing still felt it was a bit too much.

She was still a bit puzzled. They were sending paper, ink, and brushes just a moment ago, but then they brought out a box of gold leaves the next moment?

This was really extravagant.

“Don’t worry, look, we only came in one carriage today, and people in the village wouldn’t think there’d be gold leaves. We’ll quietly give them to you, and you quietly keep them. They won’t be coveted by anyone,” Bai Manshan whispered.

Shuiqing and Fan Jin finally understood why the three of them only came in one carriage, and it was the simplest and most unpretentious carriage at that.

It turned out that everything was to avoid attracting attention!

And giving gold was also because gold is smaller in volume compared to silver, making it easier to store?

Bai Manshan had considered everything so thoughtfully that they were determined to accept.

And he was right—when the feudal lords were being reduced and during troubled times, money and wealth were indeed necessary!

In the end, Shuiqing didn’t insist anymore. While accepting, she assured, “In the future, if Qian’er wants to come, he can come. This will be enough for his living expenses for a lifetime!”

Bai Manshan let out a long sigh.

In uncertain times, he had to prepare for the worst.

Qian’er was his only child, and even if he died himself, he had to arrange a path for him before he died.