Chapter 2, Entering the City as a Dongzhu

Wu Wang smiled and said, "Today I originally intended to sell it. Since the shopkeeper has offered a high price, I will return home to inform my father and brothers, and I will come back later with a response."

A child from the Depei family naturally did not inquire about these matters. He picked a blade of grass and put it in his mouth, running several meters away to chase after the sparrows. Without hesitation, he quickly caught up, and the two of them frolicked together, creating a delightful scene amidst the spring light, with the mulberry trees along the path and the flowing stream reflecting each other in charm

Zheng Liansheng hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Let me go to the counter and ask. I am the accountant here and do not usually deal with pawn transactions. Perhaps the pawnbroker will offer a higher price out of respect for me. However, once something enters the pawnshop, even the best items become worthless, and I fear they may no longer be of use."

After about an hour had passed, the number of pedestrians gradually increased. There were those walking, those riding horses, and those in palanquins, each with their own demeanor, creating a lively scene. I stopped a farmer woman carrying a vegetable basket, bowed, and said, "Madam, I wish to enter the city. I have been walking for half a day and have yet to see the city gate. I wonder how much longer it will take to arrive?"

Without a word, Wu Wang and De Pei exchanged a glance, and De Pei turned away, secretly sticking out his tongue—twenty taels! This pearl is actually worth twenty taels! My father works in the accounting room, calculating with an abacus every day, never resting for a moment, and in a whole year, he only earns five taels of silver. This eastern pearl is worth the income of an entire family for four years!

The waiter complied, poured the tea and placed it on the table before entering the inner room. At this moment, De Pei La whispered to her sleeve, "I wonder what kind of person he is."

Without waiting for a response, Wuwang touched the cloth bag in his arms and hurriedly led Depai on their way. Having only visited the county with his uncle once in the past few years, his previous memories had become vague. Standing in the city, he found himself at a loss, and had to rely on asking others. After inquiring, he finally learned about the Guangjude pawnshop. Just as Depai was about to step forward, Wuwang stopped him, puzzled, and asked, "What’s wrong? Are we not going in now that we’ve arrived?"

Zheng Liansheng entered the cabinet and heard a series of rustling and clicking sounds. Zheng Liansheng asked, "How much can it be?"

De Pei shook his head and said, "Next year, there is no fear of not encountering spring; it is the delicate spring that fears lack of strength. I will wait to rest before the lamp, lingering in this evening."

Zheng Liansheng emerged, his face pale, shaking his head and saying, "I once saw the East Pearl offered in tribute at the Yalu River, which was far smaller than this one. It was already a treasure among treasures, a rare gem. If we were to consider the market price, it would easily be worth one hundred or two hundred taels. Yet now it is only worth a mere eight taels. If you wish to sell it to me, you can negotiate with him further; it wouldn't be difficult to ask for an extra one or two taels."

Do not hope to make a hasty decision; rather, it is better to inquire thoroughly before proceeding.

Without wishing to hear such words, Wu Wang turned away and did not respond to him, causing the master to retract with a hiss. At this moment, Zheng Liansheng rushed over, panting, handed a bundle to Wu Wang, and stuffed a handful of coins into De Pei's pocket. He patted his shoulder and said, "Pei Ge'er, go home and convey a message to your father, saying that I will visit him whenever I have the time. Tell him to take good care of himself and not to worry about work; it is crucial to prioritize his health."

After resigning from Zheng Liansheng, he transferred to that jewelry store. The shopkeeper had been eagerly waiting and was even more delighted to see Wu Wang and De Pei than to see his own father. He quickly took out the silver note and handed it to Wu Wang, fearing any further changes, and then carefully held the East Pearl, truly unable to part with it.

Depay thought it made sense, and he became happy again, his spirits soaring as he said, "When I grow up, I will definitely give you something even better, just wait and see!"

A few days have passed since the Qingming Festival, and the grass and trees by the roadside have already begun to sprout. They walk along the small path by the fields, and at a glance, the lush green seems to merge with the sky. At this moment, the sky is just beginning to brighten, and there is still dew in the morning fields. After walking for a short while, both of their shoes have become wet, yet they do not mind at all; instead, they feel a sense of joy and exhilaration. Wu Wang takes a deep breath, savoring the fragrance of the earth mixed with the scent of fresh grass. The previous gloominess feels like a great dream just awakened, gradually bringing back memories of when they were four, five, or six years old. At that time, their family had not yet been confiscated, and the Liu family was thriving in the spring breeze. Their father held the title of Minister of the Imperial Household, overseeing military affairs, sitting upright in the yamen, wearing a ceremonial hat with horns, and a jade belt around his waist, enjoying a moment of boundless glory. Every spring, when flowers bloomed, they would take family outings, with the most frequent destination being the Luoyang Flower Festival, where various peonies competed in beauty, blooming in a lively display. Their father had given her the nickname Chun Jun, perhaps hoping that her life would always be as bright as spring. Looking back now, those were the happiest years for Wu Wang, carefree and at ease. Unfortunately, such good times did not last long; overnight, disaster struck the entire family. Her father was executed, and her mother followed him with a white silk ribbon, leaving only the lonely girl to be sent away to the far north with her uncle and aunt, now struggling to survive. Fortunately, Wu Wang is not a stubborn person; sometimes when feeling troubled, she knows how to relieve herself and never wallows in self-pity. Although there are no flowers now, there is grass, presenting a different kind of elegant scenery. Just like life, a profusion of flowers may not necessarily be good, and reaching the end of the road may not be bad; it all depends on one's own means.

Another voice replied, "At most eight taels, no more than that."

On the second day, Wu Wang rose early at the hour of Yin, changed into her uncle's old robe, tied her hair up with a wooden hairpin, and after completing her grooming, carefully hid the Eastern Pearl close to her. Noticing that it was still dark outside, she went into the kitchen to bake a few pancakes. By the time the pancakes were ready, De Pei had already dressed appropriately to find her, with his trousers tied at the calves with hemp rope, resembling an old Taoist preparing for a long journey. Wu Wang couldn't help but chuckle and remarked, "It's not like we're going up the mountain, why are you dressed like this?"

Upon entering the shop, they noticed that the counter was surprisingly tall, with only the top of a person's head visible behind it, leaving them momentarily at a loss for words. At that moment, a clerk approached to greet them, guiding them to sit down, and then asked, "Are you here to renew a pawn or to redeem a pawn?" Wu Wang replied, "May I ask if there is a Mr. Zheng Liansheng here? I am looking for him, please inform him, young sir."

Without expecting, she smiled slightly and said, "Very good. You are able to remember these things even before entering school, which means your uncle's efforts were not in vain. If you can fetch a good price today, I will ask your mother to send you to school. Once you are in school, you can take the examination for the scholar's degree, and in the future, you can take the autumn examination and then the spring examination. If you can enter the Imperial Academy, it will bring glory to our family. However, I do not know if a family like ours, burdened with past sins, can still enter officialdom. If not, it would be a waste of your talents."

Depei's eyes were bright and shiny, and a smile filled his delicate little face. While he wrapped the pancake in a cloth, he said, "I saw a halo around the moon yesterday; it might rain." He was just like an uncle, always preparing for the unexpected. After all, he was still a child, usually staying close to home with few opportunities to go to the market. Wuwang, who was only six years older than him, did not feel the need to be restrained like they would be in front of their parents. When they went out together, it was as if they were just playing. Wuwang felt happy in her heart, temporarily setting aside her troubles, and skipped out the door hand in hand with Depei.

Upon entering the jewelry shop, I did not express any intention to sell, but merely mentioned that a family member had brought it back from the north and that I wanted to inquire about the market price before making a decision. The shopkeeper, being quite sincere, examined it for half a day before sighing and saying, "This is a fine pearl, of good quality and large size. If it were sent to the palace, it could likely be set into the emperor's crown! Are you looking to make jewelry or to sell it? If you are willing to sell, I can offer you twenty taels of silver. I cannot offer more, as my shop is small and my profits are thin. This eastern pearl is originally a tribute for the imperial court; if made into jewelry, no one would dare to wear it. I buy it only to pass it down through the family, not for profit."

Zheng Liansheng saw that the young man had skin as white as snow, and a pair of bright, clear eyes that were exceptionally beautiful. Standing gracefully, he exuded an aura akin to orchids. At that moment, he understood seven or eight parts of the situation; this was not his nephew, but clearly his niece! He secretly marveled at the girl's determination, having brought along a half-grown boy over such a long distance, which truly made one break into a cold sweat! He hurriedly invited them to sit down, saying, "I have a very good relationship with your uncle, how could I trouble you! I know he was harmed by a villain and broke his leg. I had prepared some medicinal herbs and food to visit him, but I have been too busy these days to find the time. Since you are here, it is just right for you to take them back."

Do not expect to know that her younger brother feels distressed for her, so she put on a nonchalant demeanor and comforted him, saying, "Selling goods is better than selling animals! At least I know that the merchant who bought my treasure intends to use it as a family heirloom, unlike a pawn shop, where what is sold today might be ground into powder and consumed tomorrow!"

Without looking directly at the jewelry store across the street, with a calculating look in their eyes, they whispered, "Let us first inquire at that shop to find out approximately how much it is worth before we head to the pawnshop. One can never be too careful, as people's hearts are hard to read."

Depay listlessly followed Wuwang down the street, tugging at Wuwang's sleeve and asking, "Do you not feel any regret?"

Do not expect the way, "Nephew thanks you on behalf of my uncle! I have something to sell, please take a look, sir." He then took out a pair of East Pearl and presented it with both hands, saying, "This is something left by my family in the past. Now that my uncle has no money for treatment, we need to sell it to save his life. I hope you can help us make a decision, sir."

It is indeed a pity for that pearl! Such a waste, falling into the hands of that mercenary!

De Pei looked at Wu Wang, his gaze even somewhat fearful, and made a gesture indicating twelve, then bitterly smiled and said, "Sister Chun Jun is indeed far-sighted; from now on, I shall call you the female Zhuge."

Do not expect a smile, and retorted, "Do not speak nonsense, I am older than you, and naturally have thought more than you." Especially after experiencing great calamities, the vicissitudes of life, and the coldness of human feelings, one understands far more profoundly than ordinary people. As for the matter of the East Pearl, it is likely to result in such an outcome; pawnshops are places where only those who are at their wits' end go, and the more desperate one is, the more they will kick someone when they are down, wishing to extract a person's very bones, regardless of their life or death! The customers who come out are often filled with despair, wishing they were dead, pounding their chests and crying out, "Heaven and Bodhisattva have doomed me to death," but what can be done? Once it is pawned, it is pawned; "pawn" is certainly not as good as "sell." As for the matter of the East Pearl, it is likely to result in such an outcome; pawnshops are places where only those who are at their wits' end go, and the more desperate one is, the more they will kick someone when they are down, wishing to extract a person's very bones, regardless of their life or death! The customers who come out are often filled with despair, wishing they were dead, pounding their chests and crying out, "Heaven and Bodhisattva have doomed me to death," but what can be done? Once it is pawned, it is pawned; "pawn" is certainly not as good as "sell." Only unexpectedly, the owner of the jewelry store was willing to offer twenty taels, which was more than ten times what she had initially estimated at eight-tenths, leaving her overjoyed.

At that moment, a cough came from behind the high cabinet. The two looked up and saw the pawnbroker, who had not shown his face before, poking out most of his head. He had narrow brows and small eyes, resembling a rat. In a strange tone, he said, "Is 8 taels still too little? You may not be big, but your heart is not small! Look at you, so pitiful. Since you are acquaintances of Mr. Zheng, how about I add another half tael? If you want to sell, then sell; if not, don't regret it, as you won't find better terms elsewhere than here."

Do not hope to keep the Eastern Pearl in hand, and with clasped hands said, "Certainly, certainly!" Leading De Pei, they strode away. The two waited around the street corner for a while, and only entered the pawnshop after seeing the shopkeeper retreat back into the store.

Do not expect the way, "Then I won't sell it, let's think of another way." After receiving the East Pearl, he was about to take his leave when Zheng Liansheng stopped him, saying, "Wait a moment, the items for your uncle are in the back, I will be right back." After saying this, he hurriedly ran into the backyard, leaving the siblings waiting outside.

The sun had risen higher, and there were already pedestrians on the road. Depei, feeling fatigued, sat down by the riverbank while Wuwang went to gather willow branches, weaving two rings to wear on their heads. Wuwang leaned over to look at his reflection in the water, and saw a young man adorned with a willow ring, smiling and laughing, exuding an indescribable charm and elegance. He brushed aside the fine strands of hair by his ear, feeling quite pleased with himself.

The woman scrutinized Wuwang and Depai, and said gently, "Are you brothers coming to the city to visit relatives or friends? In about one incense stick's time, you will be able to see the city wall."

Do not expect too much, it does not matter. Since the owner of the jewelry store has promised twenty taels, even if this does not work out, there is still that option. Thus, I nodded in agreement and cupped my hands, saying, "Sir, you have worked hard!"

Before long, a person emerged from the inner room, seemingly around thirty years of age, with a fair complexion and a very amiable appearance. He bowed to Wu Wang, and Wu Wang and De Pei hurriedly returned the gesture, saying, "Mr. Zheng, we are the son and nephew of Liu Hong, and we have matters to trouble you with today."

The shopkeeper returned the East Pearl to her, yet his eyes were filled with an overwhelming reluctance. He added, "Regardless of whether it is sold or not, please have someone convey a message to me, as I will be waiting here."

Do not look down at De Pei, suddenly he said, "Pei Ge'er, let me test you... Every day cherishing the remnants of spring, with spring gone, there will be no more tomorrow. I intend to stay drunk with spring, yet wake up to silence." What is the next line?

Depei bowed deeply and performed a full salute, saying, "Nephew has taken note of this, thank you, Uncle."

What a pity? It is futile to ask when one already knows the answer