Going to the furniture store to pick a style meant waiting for the furniture to be made; only after the product looked good would payment be made, and this process would take at least a few days. Being unable to wait, this plan was unworkable.
Perhaps setting up a stall on the street to write letters for people would work, but who writes letters these days? Or maybe sell some couplets, but with two months until New Year’s, would anyone buy them? Or perhaps some calligraphy and paintings?
Hehehe, why did it feel like she was becoming a street performer? Well, if performing it was, then let it be, no other options left; she would head to the county town for one day. If she couldn’t make any money, she would just go to Golden Thigh without any shame!
The next day, Xiaoxiao left the house alone without bringing Yang Dong; this matter was purely of her own making and she had to solve it herself.
She took her own brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and using the last bit of money she had at home, bought some red paper and a scroll, and headed to the county town.
Speaking of timing, it was just her luck that today was the town’s market day, bustling with so many people.
Xiaoxiao found a spot and settled down.
"Passersby, don’t miss out! From the south, headed north, I write couplets and paintings right here on the spot! An absolute value!"
"I’ll write right here for everyone to see whether my writing is any good."
"Come here, folks at the front just watch, those at the back, please move forward, people in the middle turn towards me, gather around, I’ll write for you right now."
"It doesn’t matter if you don’t buy, just watching the excitement is fine too. If you want to see clearly, come closer, stand closer, if you stand too far you won’t see, and all you’ll see is the back of someone’s head."
The crowd around her grew larger, all drawn by her enticing spiels, curious to see the excitement whether or not they bought anything.
Not far away, Chu Lian and Yang Ming happened to witness the whole scene!
Chu Lian: What’s this girl up to, didn’t I just give her twenty silvers?
Yang Ming: It’s her! Indeed, like Chu Lian said, she’s a fascinating person.
Seeing the crowd grow, Xiaoxiao, pleased with the result, wrote a sample couplet on the spot.
"Upper couplet: ’Spring fills the world, songs of joy rise in waves’
Lower couplet: ’Fortune visits the household, happiness abundant and vast’
Horizontal inscription: ’Blessings spread across the seas’"
There were literate people in the crowd, and as Xiaoxiao wrote, they read it out loud.
The crowd began to stir, everyone discussing the talented lady whose origins were unknown.
"I can write many different couplets; you’ll need them for New Year’s anyway, why not buy some that are fresh and original, and also support me in the process?"
"Anyone wants them? My ink is running low, once it’s gone, I’ll have to head back! Ten wen a pair, prices are fair!"
Seeing the prices were similar to previous years but the couplets more original and having the chance to watch the talented lady write them live, they all decided to buy one after another.
As Xiaoxiao wrote, the crowd read alongside, listening to one innovative couplet after another, truly dazzling everyone present, including Yang Ming and Chu Lian.
The longer she wrote, the longer Yang Ming and Chu Lian watched.
Finally, the couplets were done, and Xiaoxiao was terribly exhausted, but she had only made a silver or two. At least it was enough to buy some materials for the time being.
Xiaoxiao still had one last act, to write calligraphy and painting on the spot. Due to limited funds, she had only bought one scroll.
"For the last piece, I will write a calligraphy and painting, hoping to meet someone who appreciates it! Starting price: five silvers!"
Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth and went all out; for the sake of money, she shamelessly borrowed a poem from the ancients.
"The rich need not buy fertile fields, for there are thousands of bushels of grain in books. The settled need not build tall mansions, for there are golden houses in books. Those seeking a wife need not lament the lack of a matchmaker, for there are beauties like Yan Ruyu in books. Those going out need not worry about no one to accompany them, for there are carriages and horses aplenty in books."
The moment Chu Lian saw this poem, he couldn’t help himself, "I’ll offer ten silvers!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao turned to look,
"..." Oh no, why him, The Golden Thigh!