Flowers in full bloom

At this time, the two of them were standing at the gate of the Imperial College, looking inside. They didn't expect that the two beautiful girls standing here would be so shocking. Although there were sisters from other students in the Imperial College who came to the Imperial College to look for someone, those girls were sitting quietly in the carriage waiting, unlike Hualei and Zhenzhu, who were looking around here and there.

At this time, Rong Jin, who was wearing a blue student uniform, came hurriedly. When he saw the two girls at the door, he was surprised, happy, and frightened. He quickened his pace and pulled the two girls into the carriage.

"Zhenzhu, Miss Hua, why are you here?" "Yes, yes, sister Hua and I are here to see you. Big brother, please treat us to dinner at Zuixianlou. I want to try their honey-glazed spare ribs and belly-wrapped chicken. I'm going to open a bookstore, and we're here to celebrate." Zhenzhu was so excited that she spoke incoherently.

Rong Jin turned his gaze to Hua Lei, who smiled and said, "Zhenzhu wants to open a bookstore in her shop in Xicheng District. Come to my bookstore in Qingyun Lane today." "Hey, big brother, let's talk about this later. Are you going to invite me and Hua sister to dinner?" Rong Jin looked at Hua Lei and saw that she didn't object, so he immediately agreed, "Then let's go." He asked Qingzao to go to the Imperial College and talk to the teacher, and then sent the carriage directly to Zuixianlou. They arrived quite early, and there were not many guests in Zuixianlou. Rong Jin booked a private room on the second floor and took Hua Lei and Zhenzhu upstairs.

Sitting down in the private room, he ordered the dishes Zhenzhu mentioned, and asked Hualei, who didn't care what she ate, as she had never been here before. Rong Jin ordered a few dishes for himself. While waiting for the dishes, Zhenzhu started talking about her plan to open a bookstore.

When Rong Jin heard that her grandmother agreed, she encouraged him. As they were talking, the dishes came up: chicken wrapped in belly, honey-glazed spareribs, steamed crab meatballs, three-fresh meatballs, stir-fried lotus root, almond tofu, cucumber salad, and red dates and white fungus soup. In addition, a mulberry and chrysanthemum cold drink was served. Rong Jin poured a glass of cold drink in front of Hualei, poured another glass for Zhenzhu, and finally poured a glass for himself.

Hualei took a sip, it was cool and slightly bitter. Zhenzhu was probably hungry after running all afternoon, so she started to eat heartily. Hualei ate a steamed crab meat with small bites. She especially liked the steamed crab meat. The fresh pork was minced into meat paste and mixed with the freshness of river crab paste. It was very tasty and went well with rice. The honey ribs were slightly sour and sweet. The cold cucumber was crisp and refreshing. It was worthy of being a restaurant in the imperial city. The taste was different. Hualei was very satisfied with the meal. Zhenzhu was even more satisfied with the meal. Because she was so full, she asked Qingzhu and Qingying to accompany her to the bathroom.

Rong Jin slowly scooped a bowl of red dates and white fungus soup and placed it in front of Hualei. His deep eyes were like the endless night sky, completely covering Hualei.

He hadn't slept well these past few days. His heartache for her and his self-blame kept him awake all night. Thinking back to the moment he saw the flower buds at the gate of the Imperial College, his chest was filled with joy.

Hua Lei didn't dare to look up at this moment. She was a little at a loss. She entered the Marquis' Mansion only to use the power of the Marquis' Mansion to make her life better in Shangjing City, so that she and her family would not be beaten to death on the beach by the slightest storm. She entered the Marquis' Mansion to use the platform of the Women's School to improve herself, so that she would have more opportunities to control her own destiny.

She entered the mansion to help Xiaoyuan, who was trying to take the imperial examination alone, so that he would not be like his father, who was always unable to get a chance to move up even though he was a county magistrate. She did not want to be powerless when facing a few unscrupulous clansmen, and she had to leave on a dark and windy night.

His mind was turning over and over, "Sister Hua, I scared you that day, didn't I? Actually, I was lost in thought that day. Don't mind it." Hua Lei raised her head slightly, "It's okay, I forgot to thank Mr. Pei for his help that day. Thank you, Mr. Pei." "Sister Hua, if you don't mind, you can call me Brother Pei like Xiaoyuan does..." Suddenly he felt something was wrong, his face turned red, he lowered his head and said, "Just call me Rong Jin." Hua Lei looked at Rong Jin, whose face was flushed, and was silent.

Thinking that she and Zhenzhu see each other almost every day in the girls' school, and the two often ride horses together, Zhenzhu also often goes to Qihuayuan, and the two are of similar age and have similar personalities, they can now call each other by their names naturally. However, the total number of times she has met Rongjin is no more than two hands. Just when she didn't know how to answer, she finally heard the joyful voices of Zhenzhu and several maids outside the door. Hualei not only breathed a sigh of relief, she didn't notice at all that Pei Rongjin had changed from calling her "Miss Hua" to "Sister Hua".

"Hey, sister Hua, I watched a play outside. Two drunks were trying to see who could hold their liquor, so they held back their urination and ended up pooping in their pants, haha. Hey, brother, why is your face so red? You didn't drink." Zhenzhu came in heartlessly, and Qingzhu and Qingying, who followed behind, couldn't stop laughing with their hands covering their mouths. Rong Jin couldn't help but glare at Zhenzhu, "You're a girl, can you be more restrained? You still have the nerve to go to the play? Don't you mind the stench? What if you get bumped into by a drunk? Let's see what you'll do." Zhenzhu was still giggling and couldn't stop.

"Sister Zhenzhu, we should go back, otherwise Grandmother Pei will be worried." Hualei stepped forward and patted Zhenzhu on the back. Rongjin looked at the sky, nodded, and the three of them got off together. Hualei and Zhenzhu got on the carriage, Rongjin told Qingzhu and Qingying a few words, and then let the carriage go back.

Next, Hualei still went to the girls' school in the morning, and in the afternoon she and Zhenzhu sorted out the purchase matters. According to Hualei's plan, the main items were storybooks and picture albums, supplemented by books for the imperial examinations, writing brushes, inkstones, and high-quality imitation calligraphy and paintings. After two months, we will make adjustments based on the actual sales situation. The goods we purchase are also mainly mid- to high-end.

Ten days later, the shop assistant sent a message saying that the bookcases and bookshelves had been delivered, the shop had been packed up, and the goods that Pearl had ordered from various suppliers had also been delivered. Hualei and Zhenzhu took a carriage to the shop.

Looking at the newly renovated shop, Zhenzhu was very satisfied. In the mansion, only Madam Pei and Rong Jin knew about her opening of a bookstore. She mentioned it to Madam Han, but Madam Han didn't care and let her do what she wanted.

Zhenzhu picked a recent day and quietly opened the bookstore. It really fits the saying "make a fortune in silence". As soon as the bookstore opened, the business was very good. Because of the bookstore's precise positioning, the two areas of vernacular books and picture albums and high-quality imitation calligraphy and paintings were very popular. The three people in the bookstore were still too busy. Hualei still asked Xiaoqun to help for a few days.

Pearl was so happy that she walked with the wind, and even ran to Songhe Courtyard to show off to Old Madam Pei, making Old Madam Pei very amused.