The next morning, Zhulan received the New Year gifts from Shi Qing. As she looked at the gift list, she was stunned. Shi Qing's gifts were no small matter. Zhou Shuren had resold his gifts, but Shi Qing had sent quite a few items of gold and silver. The jewelry was for her, and there were also brush and ink for Zhou Shuren, but the most valuable was a seal.
She had heard plenty about Shi Qing from Zhou Shuren. Shi Qing's price for taking the imperial exam was that he could no longer engage in trade. Moreover, he had been troubled for a few years, and it was said that his home had been burglarized, with some property deeds and shop charters stolen. She believed that this time it wasn't a ruse; it truly was retribution.
She thought to herself that Shi Qing was not someone who didn't leave himself a way out. He really was generous.
Zhulan showed the gift list to Zhou Shuren, "Should we accept them?"
