Ruo Shui felt it was somewhat a pity when he overheard, as the most he could earn from selling the book at the used book stall was five wen, yet he had spent ten wen just to buy blank paper to copy it. Adding the two books together, he had suffered a loss of ten wen!
"Then I won't sell these two; Shopkeeper, please check these few books for any issues."
Zhang Qian had just happened to see the other party flip through a page of the book and spot an insight that was quite original. He always believed in learning from others, so he couldn't help but bow and say, "Elder, I hope I may be so bold to disturb you for a moment, may I borrow the book in your hands to read?"
Ruo Shui was startled for a moment, and Ruo Xuan immediately snatched the book away, stuffing it into the other's hands: "Brother, here you go!"
Ruo Shui: "..."
Zhang Qian was also surprised by Ruo Xuan's swift response.
Ruo Xuan stared with wide eyes at the other party, urging with her gaze: Little Brother, have a good look, once you finish, you will definitely benefit a great deal, and you'll want to buy it!
This was a book she had copied with Pen-Washing Water blessed by Lord Literary Star, containing the celestial and literary aura of Lord Literary Star, which was greatly beneficial to scholars.
This Pen-Washing Water had been collected when Lord Literary Star came to Ruoshui Riverbank to wash his brushes.
At that time, the star lord had praised her for her intelligence in noticing that his Pen-Washing Water was a treasure that could enhance wisdom and quicken one's wit.
Ruo Shui: "..."
Zhang Qian couldn't help but smile, but out of respect, he didn't open it and instead looked towards Ruo Shui.
Ruo Shui came back to his senses, "It's fine, Young Master, please feel free."
With his daughter's intentions so clear, if he said no, she would think him foolish again.
The Shopkeeper regretted seeing this, had he known Young Master Zhang was interested in these two books, he would have taken them; after all, it was just a matter of a few wen.
You Master Zhang, being the newly appointed County Magistrate's son, was not easy to please; even giving him a discount when buying books didn't seem to delight him.
Who would have expected he'd be interested in a book copied by a scholar who wasn't even a Scholar.
It might be just the appreciation of his calligraphy.
Otherwise, what could a scholar without any official recognition possibly write of any significance?
Today, Yang Qixiang had just arranged to meet a classmate at the bookstore to see if there were any new books from the Capital City when he heard Ruo Shui's voice. He purposefully pulled his classmate from the other end of the bookshelf to see what was happening, catching this scene perfectly.
He recognized Zhang Qian as the County Magistrate's eldest son at first glance, his eyes flickered, and then he approached with a smile full of surprise: "Ruo brother, is it really you! Are you here to buy books?"
Yang Qixiang sneaked a peek at Zhang Qian, seeing that he was reading intently, and felt somewhat worried. Could Ruo Shui's writings be that captivating?
No, Zhang Qian must only be admiring his calligraphy!
Ruo Shui had stopped schooling seven or eight years ago; what significant work could he produce?
On the other hand, 13-year-old Zhang Qian had already passed the Scholar examination while he was in the Capital City and was naturally gifted.
A youthful prodigy, a true descent of Lord Literary Star; how could he be interested in something written by Ruo Shui, a scholar from a remote and impoverished area, who wasn't even a Scholar?
Thinking of this, he felt relieved.
Luo Wenzheng did not recognize Zhang Qian, but he disliked Ruo Shui intensely, simply because, back in the Academy, he always tried to ingratiate himself with Ruo Shui, who never paid him any mind.
Hmph, serves him right that his family met with great misfortune, with the father dead, the eldest brother mad, the second brother disabled, and the daughter daft!
This was retribution!
Luo Wenzheng looked Ruo Shui up and down, the latter no longer dressed in shiny clothes but in coarse fabric, and laughed, "Oh, I was wondering who it was, it turns out to be Brother Ruo Shui! Long time no see! Brother Yang, you're mistaken, Brother Ruo Shui has already dropped out of school. How could he come to buy books? Even if he bought them, they'd be useless! He's here to copy books to earn silver. Just now I heard Brother Ruo says he accidentally wrote his own comments in two books. I'm right, aren't I, Brother Ruo?"
Ruo Shui glanced at him indifferently, "Who are you?"
Luo Wenzheng: "..."
Damn it, looking down on people like I'm a dog!
"Brother Ruo copying books for sale?" Yang Qixiang hastily pretended to be surprised, then continued, "Brother Ruo's talent was overflowing back in the day, his literary grace outstanding. Brother Ruo's annotations must surely be insightful. Brother Ruo, those two books you copied, I'll buy them."
Zhang Qian frowned upon hearing this, about to say something, but Luo Wenzheng scoffed, "Brother Yang, you're aiming to become an Advanced Scholar, while Brother Ruo has been out of school for years, having not even become a Scholar. What use would his annotations be to you? Even though I know you want to help Brother Ruo, isn't this an insult to your own scholarship? Besides, how could Brother Ruo have the nerve to sell them? Those who don't know might even think that Brother Ruo, who isn't even a Scholar, is looking down on you, an Advanced Scholar, don't you think, Brother Ruo?"
Sensing Zhang Qian's displeasure, Yang Qixiang quickly said, "Brother Luo, you're mistaken. 'Among any three people walking, I will find something to learn for sure.' Besides, Brother Ruo's knowledge surpassed mine back in the day. His insights are definitely worth learning from. Brother Ruo, I really want to buy them. How much are they? Is one silver per book enough?"
Ruo Xuan felt very uncomfortable, very angry listening to their conversation!
She had just figured out why she was uncomfortable. After all, when she was a flower, she had hardly seen any people, how could she understand that human speech has an essential skill called sarcasm?
Now, hearing what Luo Wenzheng said about insults and disdain, she understood.
So, on the second day of Little Flower Fairy's human world internship, she mastered her second skill—sarcasm.
Ruo Xuan copied Luo Wenzheng's manner, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked them both up and down with disdain, "Well, at least you're not blind, recognizing that my father is more amazing than both of you, capable of being your master. Although you two don't seem too bright, and I fear you might spoil the books my father worked hard to copy, since you really want to buy them, let it enlighten you! The kind offer is one hundred silver per book, amounting to two hundred silver for both. Thank you! Oh, you are really buying them, right? Since it's genuine, you won't find them expensive, will you, silly uncle?"
The last sentence was directed at Luo Wenzheng, spoken with the same intonation as his previous "right, Brother Ruo?"
The entire speech, not more, not less, was also five sentences!
"Pfft!" Zhang Qian quickly covered his mouth, unable to hold back, and was rude for a moment!
The little sister had learned them so well, it was an uncanny imitation.
Xuanbao, still so small and looking like a dumpling made of white jade and snow, seemed cute instead of offensive when imitating adults, melting Zhang Qian's heart.
The children of Ruo Zhou who were originally sullen couldn't help but laugh as they were not adept at cursing and could only glare angrily; now, they couldn't restrain their giggles.
Xuanbao was incredibly awesome! Her comeback was just too good!
Ruo Shui was about to retort sarcastically and go back, but after hearing his daughter's words, he felt doubly refreshed.
He smiled, "Forget it, I didn't want to sell them originally, fearing that you would insult my books. But there's no insult that two hundred sincere silver can't endure, come on, show your sincerity and hand over the silver!"
Yang Qixiang and Luo Wenzheng's faces turned black with rage!
Especially Luo Wenzheng, silly uncle, what the hell?
He was fuming!
He sneered, "Ruo Shui, don't be shameless when I'm offering you face! A hundred silver for one book? Those who don't know might think it's written by some world-renowned scholar! You really think you're the reincarnation of Lord Literary Star, don't you?"
Learning quickly, Ruo Xuan sneered back, "Your face isn't worth anything, so of course, we don't want it! Who are you, anyway? You couldn't possibly think your face is worth a hundred silver? Do you really fancy yourself as the reincarnation of the God of Wealth?"
Just the right amount, exactly four sentences!
Luo Wenzheng was so angry he hopped, "Scoundrel! You! You have absolutely no respect for your elders!"
Ruo Xuan stood with hands on her hips, fierce and formidable, "How dare you! You! You have absolutely no respect for your status!"
Tsk, Grandmother here is a Flower Demon of a hundred years! I'm even older than your father! Please clarify who should be respected!