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Chapter 678: Chapter 683 You Are Stronger Than Them_1
Although it was already afternoon, the streets were still bustling with people.
"The wife is clever, parking the ox cart at Ji Xiang Cloth Shop," praised Tan Zhenghong, giving a thumbs-up.
Qiao Duo’er raised her eyebrows, "Is that even worth mentioning? Let’s go check out the New Year’s couplets first."
Tan Zhenghong had no objections and immediately pulled Qiao Duo’er along to a shop selling New Year’s couplets.
"Feel free to look around and choose. They’re twelve Wen a pair, and the price can go down if you buy more," the female shop owner greeted her customers warmly.
"That expensive?" Tan Zhenghong was surprised.
It’s just two pieces of paper! That’s almost costing as much as meat!
"Young lady, that’s the price everywhere in town. No matter where you go, it’s the same. However, I can assure you that my husband’s calligraphy is the best among these people!"
The female shop owner said proudly, and then urged her own man to hurry up and write more couplets.
The chance to earn money comes only once a year; they had to give it their all.
Tan Zhenghong felt that the prices were a rip-off and so he checked a few more shops, finding that the prices were much the same.
Nowadays, with few literate people, couplets were in high demand, and the calligraphy was truly awful; Qiao Duo’er didn’t fancy any of them.
Understanding her tastes, Tan Zhenghong suggested, "Wife, there are a few more shops over there, why don’t you take a look?"
Qiao Duo’er shook her head, "No need, let’s just buy some red paper and you can write them."
"Are you sure, wife?"
Tan Zhenghong swallowed hard, sensing that his own skills were a bit lacking for writing couplets.
"Nonsense. The most you’ll find here selling couplets is a Xiucai, not as good as your writing," Qiao Duo’er whispered in Tan Zhenghong’s ear, purposely lowering her voice.
She could choose not to buy, but didn’t want to affect the business of others.
Flattered by his wife’s compliment, Tan Zhenghong felt almost buoyant, "Let’s do as you say."
They then entered a variety store, where Qiao Duo’er selected quite a lot of red paper.
"We don’t need that much, do we?" Tan Zhenghong said weakly.
That stack of red paper would be enough for several years!
"I need to give some to other families; they certainly haven’t bought any," Qiao Duo’er said, squinting.
Adding a couple more couplets to the New Year’s gifts from the Embroidery Room wouldn’t be bad.
Tan Zhenghong immediately shook his head, "Wife, don’t do that; we’ll lose face at others’ homes."
"Do you think people won’t see them if they’re pasted on the door?"
Tan Zhenghong pursed his lips, silently consenting to Qiao Duo’er’s approach, and quietly admitted his writing probably wasn’t too embarrassing.
But it was too late for regrets now.
Speaking of Hu’s Clan, Qiao Duo’er suddenly remembered they were also in town today to sell roasted goods; could they possibly run into them?
Tan Zhenghong and Qiao Duo’er shopped for New Year’s goods while keeping an eye out, soon finding Hu’s Clan surrounded by a crowd of customers.
Hu’s Clan was in charge of weighing, Da Ya handled the money, and Er Ya assisted; the three of them were happily busy.
"Sister Lan, your business is doing well," Qiao Duo’er complimented with a thumbs-up.
"All thanks to you. The milk-flavored ones are selling best. How should I thank you?" asked Hu’s Clan with a worried face.
Her family had received so many favors from Qiao Duo’er, it was impossible to repay them all.
Qiao Duo’er said earnestly, "Just bring me some melon seeds and peanuts later, and I’m not paying for them."
Hu’s Clan agreed immediately, thinking she still had to give Duo’er a big red envelope, even if she had to force Duo’er to accept the silver.
The amount wasn’t much, but it was her sentiment.
"Shop owner, don’t just stand there talking; hurry up and weigh me two jin of the milk-flavored melon seeds, I’m in a hurry," called out a customer.
"Right away, sorry to keep you waiting," Hu’s Clan put away her thoughts for the moment.
