On the wedding day, I was broken off, so I remarried his uncle

The bookstore owner said politely, "I only have last year's official newspaper. Would you like it, Mr. Chen?"

As an official document for transmitting information, the Dibao was usually only distributed to officials at all levels, official schools and some retired officials.

It was not possible for a small bookstore like his to have... The main reason was that the information recorded in these newspapers was outdated, and those who should know this information had already known it, so its value was naturally not as good as the latest newspapers.

Because of this, he had the opportunity to purchase it from the down-and-out nobleman!

Chen Yunyou nodded slightly, "How much is it?"

Although it is last year's official bulletin, it is still worth reading for these exam-taking students!

Thirty coins each, twelve in total, a total of three hundred and sixty coins! After saying that, he turned around and took it out from the bookshelf beside him.

Upon hearing this, Song Ping couldn't help but be amazed in his heart. The things of this scholar were really valuable.

A piece of paper is more expensive than meat!

Song Xile naturally didn't know what her elder brother was feeling. When she raised her hand to pay, Yun You stopped her and said, "It just so happens that you are at the bookstore today, so buy me a set of pens, ink, paper and inkstone so that I can practice calligraphy later!"

After her husband reminded her, Song Xile finally remembered this matter. "Look at me, I actually forgot about this matter. Shopkeeper, do you have any writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone suitable for children's enlightenment?"

When Song Ping heard that his brother-in-law wanted to buy paper and ink for his younger brother, he declined, "I'll bring my younger brother to buy it next time!"

This thing is so expensive, I wonder how much a set will cost?

How could he have the nerve to ask his sister and brother-in-law to pay? The most important thing was that he only had a few copper coins with him when he went out today. Even if he wanted to pay, he couldn't, so Song Ping waved his hands again and again!

However, Song Xile did not listen to his elder brother, especially since it was her idea to send her younger brother to school.

She heard from her eldest brother in the morning that the family had started to cultivate the fields on the back hill today, and they also had to make small wooden boxes. She was afraid that her father had already forgotten about sending his younger brother to learn to read!

Song Xile said to the smiling shopkeeper, "Please recommend us a set of inkstones suitable for children's enlightenment!"

When the shopkeeper saw that Song Xile was the most talkative person among the group, he did not hesitate and immediately took out a box from behind the counter. Inside the box were seven or eight kinds of ink sticks and various inkstones neatly arranged!

"The price of a set of ink and inkstone here ranges from one to three taels of silver. You can choose for yourself, young lady!"

Song Ping knew that he could not stop his sister from buying these things, but when he heard the price quoted by the shopkeeper, he could not help but gasp.

Apart from building a house, their family had never spent such a large sum of money, just to buy this black thing.

He tugged at his sister's clothes nervously and said anxiously, "Ah Cheng is just practicing calligraphy, so one or two taels of silver is enough. Don't buy expensive ones, or Dad will be unhappy!"

At this moment, Song Ping had no choice but to bring out Old Song, hoping to scare his sister who was determined to buy the house!

The family has been living in poverty over the years, and Song Xile knows clearly that it is impossible to change the cognition and consumption habits of his elder brother and others all at once.

She patted her eldest brother's arm soothingly and asked with a smile, "I don't really understand this ink stick of the shopkeeper. Is there a big difference between the ink stick of one tael of silver and the ink stick of three taels of silver used for practicing calligraphy?"

The bookstore owner smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. My ink is good and practical. It is enough for daily calligraphy practice.

"If you want to know the difference, the more expensive ink sticks have a darker color and a stronger scent! If you don't believe me, you can ask Master Chen Yiwen. All the ink I have here is used by him!"

Song Xile looked at Yun You inquiringly and saw him nod, agreeing with the shopkeeper's statement.

Song Xile thought about it and decided that she didn’t want to put a heavy mental burden on her elder brother and the others because of buying these things!

So he said, "Just take a set of inkstones worth one or two taels of silver. Please help me pack them up, shopkeeper!"

Song Xile bought the paper and ink, then went to the wooden shelf where the papers were placed, picked up a stack of fine and even paper with no visible fibers, and asked, "How much is this paper?"

Chen Yunyou said, "This paper costs one tael and two coins per cut. It should be the best paper in this shop!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ping, who was following behind, quickly put the paper back in his sister's hand. The things in this bookstore were too expensive!

He only earned fifteen cents a day, and it would take him nearly three months to earn back this piece of paper!

Song Xile couldn't help but be amazed. This was too exaggerated. A piece of paper was sold at such an expensive price!

It is no wonder that ordinary people, without a certain amount of wealth, cannot afford to send their children to school. Not to mention tuition fees, the cost of pens, ink, paper and inkstone for one year is beyond the affordability of an average family!

The shopkeeper seemed to have seen through Song Xile's thoughts, and explained from the side: "Madam, you don't know, this is the best paper in our shop. We are not deliberately selling it at a high price. This kind of blue paper is priced like this in the market!"

"It's really because the production process of this paper is complicated. It is said that it takes half a year to prepare the raw materials of this blue paper. That's why it's so expensive!"

The shopkeeper immediately walked over to the wooden shelf where the papers were placed, took out another stack of papers and handed it to Song Xile, "Madam, why not take a look at the best rough-edged paper sold in our shop? It is also the favorite paper for students to practice calligraphy!"

Song Xile took the paper and felt it was very rough. When he held it up to the light, he could even see the fibers inside the paper!

She frowned slightly.

At this time, Chen Yunyou took another stack of paper from the paper rack and handed it to his wife, "You should buy this kind of paper for me. The paper you have absorbs ink very well and is easy to smudge. This kind is a little better!"

The shop owner nodded in agreement, "Mr. Chen's paper is indeed better, but it's five cents more expensive than the one in my wife's hand, it's twenty-three cents more expensive!"

The price difference was not big. Song Xile must have taken Yun You's recommendation. She put the paper in her hand back and pointed at the paper in Yun You's hand and said, "Boss, give me two dollars for this kind of paper!"

The bookstore owner immediately stepped forward, packed up the things skillfully, and placed them all on the counter.

In order to attract more customers, the bookstore owner generously took a brush from the pen holder as a gift and gave it to a few people, "I hope you will take care of our bookstore's business in the future!"

There is also the intention of making friends with Chen Yunyou. After all, he is already the 'first in the county'. If he performs normally, it is only a matter of time before the boy passes the imperial examination and gets an honor!

He is happy to make such a favor investment!

After Song Xile thanked him, he took out less than two taels of silver from his purse and handed it to the other party!

The shopkeeper took out a scale and weighed it in front of the people. "It's exactly one ounce and five cents. Here's your change of ninety-six cents. Keep it!"

Song Xile took the copper coin and put it into his small bag. Chen Yunyou put the pen, ink, paper and inkstone in his uncle's backpack. Then the group left the bookstore and walked towards Renyitang.