My humble days in ancient times

After the song was finished, there was another round of loud applause. Xu Ru was not surprised.

The shopkeeper stepped forward and said, "Young lady, you are truly skilled. Today you have truly opened my eyes and brought honor to our musical instrument shop." After that, the shopkeeper asked the waiter to hold the musical instrument while he took Xu Ruyi aside, away from the crowd.

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "Shopkeeper, you are too polite. I have already tried the guzheng, pipa, and flute. I hope you can give me a good price."

Seeing that business was about 70% to 80% profitable, the shopkeeper said cheerfully, "Young lady, you may not know that the county town is not like the provincial capital or the capital. Naturally, the musical instruments here can't compare to those there. But the prices are much lower. The inferior guzheng and pipa in our shop are around 20 taels, and the better ones are 30 taels. As for the flutes, they are much cheaper, with inferior ones costing 10 or 8 taels, and the better ones around 15 taels."

Xu Ruyi nodded, then asked, "I wonder how much the items I chose cost?"

The shopkeeper looked at the items Xu Ruyi had chosen and said, "The guzheng is twenty-eight taels, the pipa is thirty taels, and the flute is fifteen taels each."

Xu Ruyi did the math in his mind: two flutes for thirty taels, plus the pipa for thirty taels, plus the guzheng for twenty-eight taels, a total of eighty-eight taels of silver.

The shopkeeper took one look at Xu Ruyi's attire and had a suspicion in his mind, thinking that Xu Ruyi thought it was too expensive. After all, several musical instruments cost dozens of taels, which was not something that ordinary people could afford.

Unexpectedly, Xu Ruyi looked up and asked, "If the shopkeeper gives me less, I will buy them all."

The shopkeeper seemed a little embarrassed. After thinking for a while, he finally said, "If you want it, the price is eighty taels. No less. This is the lowest price."

Xu Ruyi nodded and said, "Okay, shopkeeper, please pack it for me!"

The shopkeeper was delighted that Xu Ruyi agreed so quickly and quickly packed up the food with the waiter.

The men and women in the crowd were still discussing the piece Xu Ruyi had just played. Some thought Pipa Yu was the best, while Nv'er Qing and Du Qing were equally good.

Xu Ruyi looked over and saw many people commenting, it was very lively!

Xu Ruyi paid the money and was about to leave when the man holding the fan came over. Xu Ruyi took a closer look and saw that he was a young man of about twelve or thirteen years old. He had fair skin, a dignified appearance, deep eyes, and was wearing a white robe.

The young man came over, bowed, and then asked, "Excuse my rudeness, but may I know your name, young lady? My name is Zhimo."

Xu Ruyi didn't want to be too conspicuous. She only played three songs today. She didn't care about people she didn't know, but what if the people in Xujia Village knew about it?

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "We are both people who have been cast away from home. Why should we have known each other before we met?"

Fang Zhimo laughed out loud after hearing this, and didn't ask any more questions.

Xu Ruyi got on the donkey cart and saw that the waiter had already put the things on the cart, so he left.

After returning home, Xu Ruyi put the things on the table. Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan were very excited.

"Sister, are you buying this flute for me? That's great, I have a flute now. The other children in the village don't have one?" Xu Qingyan touched the flute and was very happy.

Xu Qinghe took the flute and tried to play it. Oops, it was so bad that Xu Ruyuan covered his ears. Xu Qinghe himself was too embarrassed to play any more.

Xu Qinghe touched the flute and said, "This is very expensive, it looks very good."

Xu Ruyi nodded: "Fifteen taels each, but not as expensive as mine. My guzheng costs more than twenty taels!"

After hearing this, Xu Qinghe and Xu Qingyan treasured it even more.

Xu Qingyan said, "Sister, I don't know how to make it, so why did you buy it?"

Xu Ruyi walked over, touched his head, and said, "Everyone should have a hobby. Life is too long, and sometimes loneliness is unbearable, and you feel depressed. There are things on your mind that you can't tell others, so why not play the flute. But I hope you play because you enjoy it, not because you are sad. It seems a bit inappropriate to say this... In a word, interests should be cultivated from a young age."

Xu Qingyan blinked and said, "Sister, many children in the village don't study, so what does it matter whether they study or not? Sister, I just want to live in a new house and eat big meat every day."

Xu Ruyi was speechless after hearing this: "Food, clothing, housing and transportation are just the basics. People shouldn't just pursue material things, they should also enrich their spiritual world! Big sister also hopes that you can paint..."

Xu Qingyan was also shocked: "Sister, I will be exhausted to death. I am just a child now."

This made Xu Qinghe and Xu Ruyuan burst into laughter.

Xu Ruyi patted him on the back and said, "It won't be tiring to learn. We can buy music books and learn on our own, or we can find a musician to teach us."

Xu Ruyuan couldn't let go of the pipa.

Xu Ruyi said to her, "Do you like it? Keep it carefully, it's precious!"

Xu Ruyuan nodded: "Thank you, sister, I like it very much, I will keep it."

Xu Qinghe looked at the books on the table and asked, "These books are about dance, painting, and music, but we are all outsiders. Can we understand them?"

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "Is there anyone in our village who can play a musical instrument?"

Xu Qinghe thought for a moment and said, "Many children in the village can whistle and blow leaves. Do these count?"

When Xu Ruyi heard this, she felt that it was the same in ancient times and today. When she was a child in her previous life, there were people in the countryside who could whistle and blow leaves.

Xu Ruyi shook her head: "They can blow leaves, which is quite impressive, but it's not a musical instrument."

Xu Qinghe thought for a moment and said, "It seems there's someone in the village who can play the erhu! It seems to be Daniu's father. I remember him playing it once before, but I haven't heard it since."

Xu Ruyi was surprised: There are talented people in the village too.

Xu Ruyi thought about it and said, "Just read the book first and learn as much as you can. If you really don't understand, you can ask others for help later!"

Now I'm not afraid of rainy days anymore, I have something to pass the time. I don't know why, but Xu Ruyi has become more and more accustomed to this place. Can the environment really change a person?

This is a slow-paced era, and Xu Ruyi has adapted to it and thinks it's pretty good.

Without advanced technology and farm tools, the busy farming season, with everyone busy and bustling about, is like a beautiful and moving painting that resonates deeply in people's hearts.

After living here for so long, I still find the countryside beautiful! As the sun sets, the sunset glows like a brocade, painting the entire sky orange and red. The mountains in the distance look like a sleeping beauty.

The curls of smoke rise from the chimneys and fill the air, bringing the aroma of food and a touch of mystery to the village.

Here you can find clear streams, charming weeping willows, the chirping of insects and frogs, and the dancing of butterflies...

The air here is fresh, especially after the rain, and there is a sweet scent of earth in the air.

The vegetables and fruits here are fresh, delicious and authentic.

Xu Ruyi was lost in thought, and they looked at each other in bewilderment at her silly smile.

Xu Qinghe laughed and said, "What are you thinking about? Why are you so engrossed?"

Xu Ruyi's thoughts were pulled back, and she smiled and said, "I just thought the village was pretty good. I like it very much."

Xu Qinghe smiled and said, "No one doesn't love the place where they were born and raised. I like it here too, I like everything about it, and I'm familiar with every place here..."

Xu Ruyi nodded and put the books away. Xu Ruyuan reached out and took a storybook.

Xu Ruyi snatched it away: "You are still young, don't look around!"

Xu Ruyuan pouted and said, "Sister, we are all children, how can you watch?"

Xu Ruyi thought to herself, I am not a child, but she didn’t dare to say it out loud.

Xu Ruyi coughed and said, "My soul has already reached adulthood, so I can see it naturally."

These words shocked all three of them.

Xu Ruyuan thought for a moment and said, "Sister, you are lying. Only the governor is allowed to set fires, but the people are not allowed to light lamps."

Xu Ruyi felt a little uneasy, thinking to herself that she should do it behind her back in the future and never look at it in front of her.