Yang Chuxia’s daily tea costs over a hundred taels of silver per pound, while she couldn’t even dream of affording that considering her brother’s meager salary. If they were to buy tea like that, their entire household would go hungry and thirsty.
She had originally hoped to be selected this time, but in the end she was eliminated. She begged her brother to find a solution, but it was useless.
This made her even more inferior to Yang Chuxia. She heard that Ye Zi’an was going to take the Recommended Man exam this time. If he succeeded, Yang Chuxia would not only be a merchant’s wife but a government official’s wife. And what about her? Her own marriage prospects were uncertain, and most importantly, she was two years older than Yang Chuxia.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she felt. When Yang Chuxia walked in, she saw the coral pearl flower hairpin on Yang Chuxia’s head and the pearl necklace around her chest. The pearls were even finer than the ones she was wearing.
"Shen Qiu, it’s been a long time."
Ever since Shen Qiu gradually showed the demeanor of a noble young lady, she also communicated with her in official language.
"Indeed, it has been a long time. And now you’re married."
When Xiu’er brought the tea, Yang Chuxia said, "Have a taste, this is this year’s new tea, just bought it."
"Truly excellent tea, worthy of being yajian tea of Yan Mountain." After pondering a bit, Shen Qiu squeezed out a slightly bitter smile and continued, "Only wealthy people like your family can afford to drink such precious tea. As for me, even though my brother is the County Magistrate, his salary for an entire year is limited. If I were to buy tea to keep up appearances, I would have to bear hunger for the whole year."
"Yes, you’re right, the salary of an official is not much." Yang Chuxia raised her eyebrows, but she gossiped in her heart: Why did Shen Qiu come? Was it just to talk about the hardship of being an official? It’s rare for her to even admit that her tea is good.
Yang Chuxia was surprised. How could she burst into tears just after calling her name? She hadn’t said or done anything.
"Shen Qiu, don’t cry."
"Miss, please don’t cry. If you ruin your health, the County Magistrate and the Old Grand Master will be heartbroken." The servant girl beside her hurried up to comfort her when she saw her crying.
"Xiaxia, I’m so miserable." Such a pitiful voice almost made Yang Chuxia jump up. Was she miserable? Wearing gold and silver, that’s called miserable?
Shen Qiu cried, and with a sidelong glance, she noticed Yang Chuxia lowering her head without asking why she was crying or comforting her, which made her very unhappy. When Yang Chuxia continued to ignore her, she became even more upset.
But thinking of her purpose for coming, she sobbed twice, took out a handkerchief, wiped the corners of her eyes, and continued, "Xiaxia, I didn’t make it through this selection."
"You know? How do you know?" Hearing Yang Chuxia say she knew, Shen Qiu’s voice grew shrill.
Yang Chuxia looked at her inexplicably, "If you had been selected, you wouldn’t be here in my house right now. Is there anything worth guessing about that?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qiu’s heart thumped. She almost thought Yang Chuxia knew the reason for her visit.
She calmed her mind and slowly continued their previous conversation.
"Xiaxia, for this selection, my brother used up all of his savings for the past two years, and even called in favors to hire a nanny for me. I wore the best clothes and jewelry, and the nannies even had me learn the manners of noble young ladies. I took petal baths, applied fragrant oils to my hair, and ate ginseng and cubilose. I paid such a high price but wasn’t selected. I’m so ashamed to face my brother now."
"So, you’re hiding in my house?"