Chapter 15: 015 Ah Zhen

From selling fried dough sticks and soy milk from a basket to having a fixed stall, it had been barely a month and a half. After deducting costs, city taxes, Shutong’s expenses, and Mother Dong’s wages, the breakfast stall had turned a profit of over fifty taels. Compared to ordinary street vendors, earning this much in a month and a half was already quite impressive.

However, aside from improving their food, Su Ruojin had not dared to spend any of this money for three reasons

First, the Su family's finances had been very tight over the past few years, and they inevitably had some debts. Su Ruojin had first let her father settle his debts with his former colleagues, which amounted to nearly ten taels in scattered payments. Finally, there was one large creditor—Lord Fan, whose money had not yet been repaid. She had discussed this with her father, and they decided to repay Lord Fan when they delivered New Year gifts. Although Lord Fan had explicitly stated when lending the money that it didn't need to be repaid, Su Ruojin wouldn't agree, even if Su Yanli wouldn't dream of such a thing. Repaying debts is a matter of principle; otherwise, who would dare lend money to their family in the future? Defaulting on a debt is to dig one's own grave, and the Su father and daughter were not that kind of people.

Second, to turn the small stall into a small shop, capital accumulation was essential. Su Ruojin kept a meticulous record in the ledger of how much of the monthly earnings went toward costs, how much went toward household expenses, and how much was saved.

Lastly, there was the matter of adding help to the household. A maidservant cost anywhere from fifteen to twenty taels; once a maid was purchased, the silver in Su Ruojin's hands would be depleted.

Upon returning home, Shutong carried the two large bundles from the mule into the main hall. Su Ruojin carried a small bundle in each hand, huffing and puffing, so busily that Mother Dong rushed to take them from her.

"What are these..." What were they? And where was everyone?

Cheng Yingzhen also found it strange and looked toward the courtyard entrance, but unfortunately, nothing was there except the biting northwest wind rushing in.

She looked at her daughter, whose small face was flushed red from the cold. "Ajin, what are these things you are carrying and hauling?"

"Clothes, shoes, and hats."

Seven or eight taels of silver would be equivalent to ten thousand yuan in modern currency. Based on the consumption level of an ordinary, commoner household, the Su family of eight—including the servants—would average over a thousand yuan per person, allowing everyone to be outfitted from head to toe in two complete sets of decent clothing.

"You aren't buying a maid anymore?"

"I am."

While answering her mother, Su Ruojin opened the bundles on the table and took out a coordinated set of women's clothing. "Mother, a crabapple red padded jacket paired with an autumn-colored skirt, with a camel-colored *beizi* over it."

People of this era liked red paired with green or green paired with pink, but she didn't. Aside from the bright colors of the jackets, she paired the skirts and *beizi* with dark tones, which looked sophisticated and were resistant to dirt.

Since she wasn't just buying one piece but entire sets, it must have cost a lot.

"If all the money went to clothes, how will you buy a person?"

To make her feel at ease during her postpartum month, her daughter told her how much they earned every day. Cheng Yingzhen knew how much money the family had, and she knew exactly how much a maid cost. With this expenditure, there might not be enough left to hire someone.

Holding up the clothes, Su Ruojin gave her mother a sweet smile. "I'll just buy one first."

The money for one person was still sufficient.

Cheng Yingzhen instantly understood that her daughter didn't intend to buy a heavy-duty domestic maid. "How can that be? There is so much work at home; how can we let a six-year-old child toil like this?"

Seeing her mother getting worked up, Su Ruojin quickly stepped forward to comfort her. "Mother, don't worry. Even if we only buy one, there will be someone to do the housework."

Realizing that the new addition was merely a domestic maid and that Shutong would continue his duties, Cheng Yingzhen felt better and finally had the leisure to look at the clothes her daughter had bought.

Su Ruojin stole a glance at Shutong. As for how they would hire the person, the two shared a knowing smile and didn't bother explaining further to her mother.

Since the birth of Su Sanlang, the Su family had not added any new clothes to their wardrobe for three years. Everyone was happy to see new clothes, but because the Madam's expression had been grim earlier, no one dared to show it. Now that her expression had softened, everyone was beaming.

Cheng Yingzhen didn't care much about what she wore herself. She immediately had her daughter take out the clothes for Dalang and Sanlang, led them into the bedroom, and stood by the brazier to change them.

Outside, Su Ruojin also pulled out clothes for Shutong and Mother Dong. "You two should go try them on and see if they fit."

Mother Dong took the clothes and shook her head. "Second Young Mistress, you already bought me some when I returned half a month ago. I shouldn't be getting more."

Su Ruojin smiled. "That's why I bought you a set. The extra money was all spent on my father; his clothes are expensive."

Mother Dong said, "It is only right to spend it all on the Master."

Su Yanli was not only the head of the household but also a Doctor at the Imperial Academy. He dealt with people every day; if he didn't dress decently, he would inevitably be looked down upon by those who judged a person by their attire.

"Thank you for understanding, Mother." Su Ruojin hugged Mother Dong. "But since everyone else got some, I can't leave you out."

With her sweet words, Mother Dong was charmed. "Oh my, the Master will be home soon. I must hurry and make dinner."

Mother Dong hurried off to the kitchen.

When Shutong came out after changing, he looked himself up and down, extremely satisfied. For years, he hadn't owned any proper new clothes; he either wore his elders' old clothes or bought second-hand garments from pawnshops.

*Wow... I didn't expect to wear new clothes.* Shutong paced around the main hall, his heart racing with excitement!

Su Ruojin was in her parents' bedroom helping her mother change the Su brothers into their new clothes. Just as they finished, Su Yanli returned.

As soon as he arrived, he felt the atmosphere in the house was different. It was as if they had caught a "joyous bun"—joyfulness permeated everywhere. Even he, who had been in a low mood, felt uplifted. As he slowly stepped up the stairs to the main hall, he called out warmly, "Dalang, Ajin... Sanlang..."

"Father..."

"Yes..."

"Father... Father... I'm here..."

The three children flew out of the bedroom like little birds.

Su Yanli caught one in each arm, his face filled with a gentle smile.

Cheng Yingzhen, having been forced by her daughter to put on her new clothes, felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing her husband's return. She stood shyly behind the door, peeking out from a corner of the curtain. "Husband, you're back!"

The moment Su Yanli's gaze landed on her, he froze.

His wife was wearing a crabapple red padded jacket with an autumn-colored long skirt and a camel-colored *beizi*. She wore no excessive ornaments, only a single ebony hairpin, with her hair loosely tied behind her head. Standing by the door, looking at him with such grace and charm, his heart skipped a beat.

"A-zhen!"

*Uh...*

For some reason, while being held by Su Yanli, Su Ruojin heard her father's tender exclamation and an inappropriately popular song from the future popped into her head: *A-zhen fell in love with A-qiang...*

*Oh boy...* She couldn't hold back her laughter.

Su Yanli's old face turned red.

Cheng Yingzhen put on a stern motherly face and walked out quickly. "How old are you now, still letting your father hold you?"

"No matter how old I am, I am still Father's precious daughter." Su Ruojin was a reincarnated soul; since she was a baby, Su Yanli had handled everything from her feeding to her potty training. Their closeness was nothing new.

Cheng Yingzhen glared at her.

Fine! Her father had been working hard all day, and she really shouldn't act spoiled for too long. She jumped down from Su Yanli's arms. "There, I'm giving your husband back to you!"

"You..." Cheng Yingzhen was so embarrassed by her daughter that she was itching to give her a beating, but the girl escaped.

As she ran, she shouted, "Father, there are new clothes for you too! Hurry up and put them on for Mother to see!"

"Su—Ruo—jin—" Her mother's face turned red with anger.

That cheeky girl, even teasing her parents! This was too much; Cheng Yingzhen was determined to give her a thrashing, but Su Yanli held her back. "Help me change." His eyes were as gentle as water, enough to drown a person.

To prevent his daughter from being beaten, her husband had even resorted to the "honey trap."

Cheng Yingzhen: "..."

(End of Chapter)