There is a happy inn in the capital.

After looking around and understanding the reason, she said, "Sister, did you forget to bring your hairpins?"

Li Shuchen smiled: "There aren't any suitable ones."

Li Lingxiao's eyes lit up, and she touched her purse, saying, "I'll buy it for my older sister."

He had always wanted to do something for his older sister, and this was a great opportunity, even though part of the money came from her.

However, it was through frugal living and copying books at the bookstore that he painstakingly saved up for two months, accumulating a full thirty taels of silver.

Li Shuchen looked at his bulging purse; he must have brought all his belongings with him.

Li Shuchen smiled warmly to himself, "Sure."

They chatted and before they knew it, they had arrived at West Street. Li Shuchen saw a small jewelry shop and was about to go in.

Li Lingxiao called out to her, saying, "Sister, let's go to Baogui Pavilion. The jewelry there is the best, and I have money."

His classmate bought jewelry from Baogui Pavilion as gifts and boasted to them that Baogui Pavilion was the best jewelry store in the capital, and that he had spent a full tael of silver there.

Li Shuchen originally wanted to save the kid some money, but after hearing what he said, he seemed quite confident.

Li Shuchen tilted his head and replied, "Okay then."

Upon entering Baogui Pavilion, the manager and staff all recognized Li Shuchen, knowing she was a close friend of the owner, and were exceptionally welcoming.

Shopkeeper of Baogui Pavilion: "Miss Li, are you here to look at jewelry? These are our new arrivals from yesterday, please take a look."

Li Shuchen was overwhelmed by the sheer variety of the goods.

Li Shuchen was dazzled and confused.

I don't know which one to choose.

Li Lingxiao started browsing as soon as he entered. After wandering around the Precious Pavilion, he realized that there were very few ornaments that could be bought for one tael of silver.

She was secretly relieved that he had much more money than one tael, enough to buy jewelry for her older sister.

Li Lingxiao took a liking to the new batch of goods that Manager Meng had introduced.

Gemstone Silver-Plated Gilded Beaded Floral Hairpin

One large one in the middle, and two small ones on either side.

A set of three

Li Lingxiao: "Manager Meng, may I take a closer look at this set of jewelry?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen took a look and indeed it looked good; the color matched the orange-yellow she was wearing today.

Then look at the price: 24 taels and 600 cash of silver.

This isn't cheap!

As she spoke, Manager Meng took out some jewelry and handed it to Li Lingxiao: "Young master, you have excellent taste. This floral headdress is the perfect match. Please take a look."

Li Lingxiao held it up to Li Shuchen's head, then couldn't help but smile and nod. It looked good, fit perfectly, and was just what he could afford.

Grape added, "This floral headdress makes the young lady look especially beautiful."

Li Lingxiao smiled and said, "Sister, this is it."

Li Shuchen smiled and replied, "Okay."

Since it's his turn to buy, he should be the one to choose.

Li Lingxiao looked around for a while longer, then chose a pair of pure gold earrings studded with pearls, costing four taels and eight hundred coins of silver.

It matches the pearls on the floral headdress very well.

After making your selections, let Manager Meng settle the bill.

Manager Meng quickly finished calculating and said, "The total is twenty-three taels and five hundred and twenty cash."

Upon hearing the price, Li Shuchen and Li Lingxiao both doubted their ears. The hair ornament alone cost over twenty-four taels; how could two pieces of jewelry possibly cost only twenty-three taels? Unless…

The shopkeeper smiled and explained, "The owner instructed that Miss Li will receive a 20% discount on all her purchases."

Li Shuchen knew it was Chang Ning who was behind it; she was usually carefree, but she was actually quite shrewd.

Li Lingxiao understood immediately and said, "Thank you, shopkeeper," before paying the money.

Manager Meng had already noticed that Li Shuchen wasn't wearing jewelry, so she didn't wrap it up for her.

Manager Meng: "If Miss Li would like, please follow me to the private room on the third floor."

Li Shuchen understood when she saw the jewelry on the shop assistant's tray: the shopkeeper was willing to give them a private room to wash and put on their jewelry.

Li Shuchen bowed slightly: "Then thank you for your kindness, shopkeeper."

After getting dressed, Li Lingxiao blushed and said, "Sister, you look so beautiful."

Li Shuchen looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her almond-shaped eyes were round and bright, her cheeks were full and slightly rosy, her lips were naturally red, her face was smooth, and her skin was firm.

A smile with almond-shaped eyes that curve is beautiful.

Li Shuchen: Let's go.

After leaving Baogui Pavilion, the three strolled around Beishi Market for a while, ate candied hawthorns, and drank tofu pudding.

We went to a small restaurant for lunch and ordered a few dishes, which were quite delicious.

After eating, I listened to a storytelling performance and watched a play.

Finally, I went to Nanshi to buy some meat, eggs, and vegetables, then headed home.

I had a wonderful day, but I was also extremely tired.

Li Shuchen lay in bed resting, his eyelids drooping uncontrollably. He closed his eyes, thinking to himself that he would just take a nap; he hadn't had dinner yet.

As a result, I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, it was completely dark.

Li Shuchen got up quickly, just as Grape knocked on the door and came in.

Grape: "Miss, dinner is ready."

Li Shuchen's first reaction was: "Who did this?"

"Young Master made this," Grape said with some satisfaction.

Li Shuchen: "Oh? Xiao'er made this? Go try it."

Three dishes and a soup were laid out on the table.

These are all dishes that Li Shuchen has made before.

Stir-fried shredded potatoes, stir-fried chicken with chili peppers, stir-fried baby spinach, plus a corn and pork rib soup.

Very plentiful

Li Lingxiao: "Sister, try it! Father and Mother both say it's delicious!"

Li Shuchen tasted them one by one, and the taste...

It's actually quite delicious. Although it's not as good as what I make myself, it's much better than what my dad makes. It deserves praise.

Li Shuchen: "You did a good job, much better than before."

Hearing Li Shuchen praise her, Li Lingxiao was overjoyed: "Thank you, Sister. I will learn from you."

Li Shuchen: "Okay, I believe in you."

Master Li ate with great pleasure. He didn't care whether Chen'er or Xiao'er cooked the meal, as long as he didn't cook it himself.

*********

May 30th arrived, payday again. The inn was busier than usual, and Li Shuchen needed to prepare. He took Grape to West Street and bought a red cloth bag and some velvet flowers.

After closing time, Li Shuchen began paying wages.

Manager Xu, ten taels

Xiao Feng Liu Liang

Aunt Wang Eight Ounces

Wang Shuang'er two liang

Aunt Zhang six taels

Zhang Lingyu, two liang

Zhang Yuling, two liang

Everyone, collect your money and stand there happily.

Li Shuchen: "Because Wang Shuang'er, Zhang Lingyu, and Zhang Yuling didn't work a full month, their wages were lower. I've prepared extra velvet flowers for the three of you. Take them."

Upon hearing this, the three of them's eyes lit up. The young lady was actually going to buy them velvet flowers! These velvet flowers weren't cheap; they wouldn't even buy them for themselves.

Although all three of them liked it very much, none of them went forward to take it.

Li Shuchen, tsk, it's always like this. Why don't you dare to take it?

Li Shuchen said, "I can't treat you poorly when you work for me. Besides, you're young, so you should dress yourselves up more. These velvet flowers are very popular in Weijing. You'll look great wearing them. If you look good, it will also enhance the reputation of our Happiness Inn."

After Li Shuchen finished speaking, the three of them happily accepted the gifts one by one.

Wang Shuang'er, Zhang Lingyu, and Zhang Yuling: "Thank you, Miss."

Li Shuchen: "In addition, the inn has added a new rule."

Upon hearing the rules, everyone stood still and fell silent.

Li Shuchen: "Anything I give you as a reward, whether you like it or not, you are not allowed to refuse it, you are not allowed to be coy, just accept it."