Chapter 147: Distribution of Stationery

 Chapter 147: Distribution of Stationery

In Xingzhou, at the Yan household.    

As the year-end approached, Madam Li was busier than ever, preparing New Year gifts, attending banquets hosted by various households, and calculating the profits from the estates. She was so occupied that she had to drag Daohua out to help.

"This year, your father has been promoted to the Prefect Magistrate of Xingzhou, so the exchanges of New Year gifts have increased several times compared to last year." Madam Li spoke while reviewing the gift lists sent by various families, chatting with her daughter who was helping with the accounts.

Daohua didn’t even look up. "With a higher rank, naturally, there are more people trying to curry favor."

Madam Li glanced at her daughter and lightly scolded, "Don’t say such things outside."

Daohua stuck out her tongue playfully. "I’m not silly."

Madam Li sighed, smiling as she said, "Yes, you’re the cleverest one." She smiled a little more as she thought, this year, she had really relied on her daughter; without her, she didn’t know how much more troublesome things would have been.

With the increase in New Year gifts came higher expenses. If it weren’t for the profits from the watermelon business, the gifts this year might have appeared a bit shabby.

Thinking of the return gifts for other families, Madam Li revealed a slight sense of pride and cheerfully told her daughter, "This year, our return gifts will include the vegetables and flowers you grew. It’ll surely be the most sought-after in all of Xingzhou."

Things that are rare are valuable. Winter vegetables and flowers were hard to come by, even if one had money to spend.

Though some other families had greenhouses, neither their vegetables nor their flowers were as good as the ones grown at home.

The Zhou family was quite wealthy, yet they still had their daughter frequently visit Daohua’s side just to enjoy the vegetables grown in their garden.

At the same time, Yan Zhigao, over at the Prefecture office, was also in high spirits.

The Yan family's New Year gifts had truly earned him a lot of face this year. Every day, people came to thank him, some praising the vegetables, others complimenting the potted plants. It immediately brought him closer to the officials under him. 

Especially in the Prefecture office, where there were a few old hands who adhered strictly to rules and yet had solid connections behind them. Thanks to the gifts and the thought behind them, there was less hindrance and criticism towards his year-end work, which made things much smoother for him.

At this moment, Yan Zhigao was happily sitting in the outer courtyard study, admiring the calligraphy and paintings sent by his subordinates.

Suddenly, Butler Sun walked in carrying a rather large box. "Master, this is the New Year gift sent by Magistrate Wang."

Yan Zhigao raised an eyebrow. "Let me have a look." He had already been told by Qian Tongzhi that Magistrate Wang had backing from Du Canyi.

Magistrate Wang was capable in his work and did his tasks well. As long as he didn’t secretly sabotage him, Yan Zhigao wouldn’t make things difficult for him.

However, he wouldn’t be promoted either.

Butler Sun carefully placed the box on the table and gently opened it.

Inside was a complete set of stationery.

Brushes, ink, inkstone, brush washers, brush holders, ink drippers, and paperweights, everything was there.

Yan Zhigao picked up a brush and examined it. It was a high-quality Xuan brush. He then looked at the inkstone, which was a Duan inkstone. "Magistrate Wang really spared no expense."

This whole set of stationery, its value was hard to estimate, and even if someone wanted to acquire it, it would take a lot of effort.

Yan Zhigao looked at the set of stationery on his desk. It had only recently been purchased, and this new set wouldn’t be needed for now.

"Father!"

At that moment, Yan Wenbin walked in.

Yan Zhigao put down the brush and smiled. "What brings you here?"

Upon seeing the stationery on the table, Yan Wenbin’s eyes lit up. He was missing a set of good stationery, and this one was perfect.

In the past, whenever his beloved younger son had shown such a longing expression, Yan Zhigao would have offered it to him immediately. But this time, he didn’t say a word.

Seeing this, Butler Sun had a thought.

He had served the master ever since Yan Zhigao was still preparing for the imperial exams. Over the years, he had witnessed how much the master doted on Lin’s children.

When the Fifth Master’s gaze fell on the stationery, he thought it would be taken by him. But judging by the master’s current demeanor, it seemed like he wasn’t going to give it to the Fifth Master!

This was a first! Was it meant to be kept for the eldest son instead?

Indeed, the elder master is the legitimate first son, and even though the lord favors the younger son, he would never neglect the elder master.

Yan Wenbin felt a little disappointed when his father did not mention giving him the stationery: "Father, there are some things in the textbook I don't understand. Could you help guide me?"
Seeing that his younger son was diligent and eager to improve, Yan Zhigao was pleased: "Let me see."

Afterward, Yan Zhigao carefully explained the parts that Yan Wenbin didn’t understand.

The questions were answered, but Yan Wenbin lingered, not leaving immediately.

Yan Zhigao asked, "What is it? Do you still have a question?"

Yan Wenbin hesitated, wanting to ask for the stationery, but after a moment’s thought, he decided to go back and tell his mother, asking her to request it from his father.

As long as his mother spoke up, his father would almost certainly not refuse.

After leaving the study, Yan Wenbin went straight to Shuangxin Courtyard and told his mother about the stationery.

When Concubine Lin saw her son’s anxious face, she thought something serious had happened. After hearing his request, she immediately smiled and said, "Isn’t it just a set of stationery? I'll ask your father for it. Look at how worried you are."

Yan Wenbin looked embarrassed: "I really like that set of stationery."

Concubine Lin smiled and said, "Alright, alright. When your father comes back to Shuangxin Courtyard, no, when he returns from the outer courtyard, I’ll go find him and make sure you get the stationery."

Yan Wenbin was a little worried: "Mother, do you think Father will give it to me? In the past, whenever I liked something, Father would usually mention it, but this time, I stayed in the study for so long, and he didn’t say anything."

Concubine Lin paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "It’s nearing the end of the year, your father is busy with work, so maybe he just didn’t think of it." After speaking, she thought for a moment, then called for a maid, "Go to the Chuihua Gate and keep an eye out. When the master returns from the front courtyard, come and tell me."

In the outer study.

After Yan Wenbin left, Yan Zhigao looked at the stationery on the desk. Thinking that he had never given anything to his eldest daughter, he called for the steward, Sun: "Take this set of stationery to Daohua. That girl’s handwriting is good, this will be perfect for her."

Butler Sun, was surprised.

It wasn’t that he was criticizing the situation, but among the five children of the main branch, the eldest master was always the most valued; as for who was the most favored, the fifth master and the third miss were clearly the favorites.

The eldest daughter and fourth master, who were somewhat in the middle, were, well, a bit awkward.

At least in the past, when the master had something good, he rarely thought of these two.

Although Sun was surprised, he did not show it on his face. He smiled, carefully wrapped the stationery, and headed toward the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard.

Daohua had just finished tallying the accounts of Madame Li’s dowry shop for the year and was preparing to stroll around the yard when she saw Sun coming in with a box.

"Madam, this is stationery from the master for the eldest daughter."

After bowing to both of them, Sun placed the stationery on the table with a smile.

Daohua was somewhat stunned: "For me? Are you sure this isn’t a mistake?" Her father actually thought of her?

Sun saw the disbelief on Daohua’s face and couldn't help but twitch his lips. Well, even the eldest daughter herself didn’t believe it, so it made sense he had been surprised earlier.

"Yes, the master said that your handwriting is quite good, and this set of stationery is just right for you."

Madame Li glared at her daughter and urged, "Why aren’t you opening it to take a look?"

Daohua, now feeling reassured, opened the box. Inside, there was a complete set of stationery, and she couldn’t help but feel pleased: "I was just saying to Grandmother that I still don’t have a ruler or armrest, and now I don’t need to buy them."

Madame Li saw that every item was made from fine materials and smiled, saying, "Then you should thank your father."

Daohua didn’t respond, continuing to examine the stationery in silence.

Shuangxin Courtyard.

After butler Sun delivered the stationery to the main courtyard, Concubine Lin learned of it immediately.

She was also unable to believe it.

How could it be given to the eldest daughter?

Even if it wasn’t given to Yan Wenbin, it should have been given to the eldest young master.

Daohua had not been particularly respectful toward the master in the past; wasn’t he somewhat displeased with her?

(The end of this chapter)