Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 516 Mr. Lu, you are so awesome!

Lu Lang is essentially a modest gentleman, but he loses his composure when he sees the girl he likes.

He calmed down at this moment, agreed quickly, stood up and moved to another seat, sitting on the farthest chair opposite Shen Yu.

When Shen Yu saw him sitting down, he said seriously, "Mr. Lu, I know you gave my mother money and asked her to help me buy a dowry out of kindness."

"Five thousand taels is not a small amount. Where did you get this money?"

"I once heard a saying: Three years as a government official earns you 100,000 silver coins."

"Don't forget your original intention of being a diligent and people-loving official, and don't do something wrong that you will regret forever."

Seeing Shen Yu's serious face, Lu Lang realized that she had misunderstood him. He quickly put away the playful smile on his face and said solemnly, "Miss, you have misunderstood. Do you think that this money was obtained through embezzlement after I took office?"

Although Shen Yu did not answer, his attitude showed his agreement.

Yes, that's why she became angry and anxious when she heard that Lu Lang gave Li five thousand taels of silver.

In fact, in modern times, after watching too many TV dramas and reading too many novels, the first thing that comes to mind is corruption and bribery.

Lu Lang hurriedly said, "This money is clean. Our Lu family has been officials for generations, but we have never done anything unethical like this."

Shen Yu couldn't help but believe Lu Lang's words when he heard them so seriously, but he was still puzzled and asked, "Didn't you say that your grandfather was very strict with you and didn't give you much money on weekdays? How did you get so much money all of a sudden?"

Lu Lang smiled and said, "That was when I was studying. My grandfather was afraid that I would indulge in pleasure, so I really didn't have much money."

"But it's different now. I've passed the imperial examination and become an official. I'm getting married soon, so my family will naturally give me a share of the property."

"But I didn't touch the silver I was given. These five thousand taels of silver were all earned by me."

Speaking of making money, Shen Yu became curious: "What did you do to make so much money all of a sudden? Did you make up a story to fool me?"

Lu Lang smiled and said, "Of course not. Do you remember I once said that I am very good at drawing? In fact, I can not only draw, but also carve book plates."

"Book edition?" Shen Yu had no idea what Lu Lang was talking about.

Lu Lang explained: "The book plate is the master plate used to print books. The reason why books in bookstores are expensive is that the paper is expensive and the book plate used in printing is also expensive."

"And I happen to be very good at engraving books."

Lu Lang looked a little proud: "Originally, I just learned to carve the book for fun."

"I was tired of studying, and my grandfather didn't allow me to go out and wander around, so I carved some calligraphy blocks in the study. Over time, I also figured out some little tricks."

"When I was in the capital, besides going to the academy, I could also go to the bookstores to browse."

"By chance, I got to know Chen Mozhu, the young master of Moxiang Bookstore, the largest bookstore in the capital, and I kindly gave some pointers on the craftsmanship of his engravers."

"As a result, if there are any calligraphy works by great calligraphers, Chen Mozhu will give them to me and ask me to help him carve the book plates."

"The reward for engraving a copy of this calligraphy book would be one or two thousand taels of silver, but at that time I didn't think about saving the silver, and most of the silver was spent on buying books."

"But I just played with it in my free time. In total, I only carved two or three books for him."

"Later, I left Beijing and followed my father to Anping County. I had a lot of things to do on weekdays, and I haven't played this for a long time."

"After this palace selection, I was waiting for the appointment. I was bored staying at home every day. It just so happened that Chen Mozhu asked me to carve a book plate."

"To pass the time, I carved two more books for him."

"Moreover, this copy of calligraphy is a unique copy from the previous dynasty. After it is printed, it will be sold at a price of two hundred taels of silver per copy, and no one can get it."

"The wages for engraving the book plates naturally increased accordingly, and the total income was 8,000 taels of silver."

"I have my own salary as a county magistrate, and this money is of no use if it is left there."

"So, I'll give my mother-in-law five thousand taels. As for the other three thousand taels, if you feel it's inconvenient to live in the Anping County Office after you get married, we can buy a new property."

When Shen Yu heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with admiration: "Mr. Lu, you are so amazing."

"My three stores combined make less than 8,000 taels of silver a year, but you make that much easily."

Lu Lang was naturally overjoyed when he was praised by Shen Yu, but he waved his hand modestly: "It's nothing, it's just a coincidence. If it wasn't an isolated edition from the previous dynasty, I wouldn't be able to earn so much money."

Lu Lang hesitated for a moment and then said, "Actually, I know that you think it's inappropriate to use the money I gave you to buy a dowry, but I have other difficulties."

"Although I know you are good, people in the capital don't know."

“They only know that you are the daughter of a small merchant, and the only way to measure a woman’s wealth is by her dowry.

"Although a dowry of five thousand taels of silver is not much in the capital, if you put it there, they will naturally not dare to look down on you."

"My lady, what have you done to be looked down upon by those who are not privy to it?"

"Don't worry about it. Would you rather be laughed at by people who don't know the truth than accept my money?"

Lu Lang's words were sincere, Shen Yu couldn't help but feel touched, and nodded involuntarily, "Mr. Lu, thank you."

"Thank you for thinking of me. I was wrong. If an extra 5,000 taels of dowry can make people not look down on your wife, then it is worth it."

Lu Lang said happily: "So you are willing to accept this money, that's great."

Shen Yu smiled and said, "Now that I know that this money was earned by my own ability, I feel relieved."

"I will take all the five thousand taels of silver as a dowry to the Lu family and place it in your yard."

"Also, there is something I have never had the chance to tell you. After getting married, can I still go out to work?"

"My mother has an impatient temper and sometimes doesn't think things through. I want me to keep an eye on her during your term in Anping County."

"As for three years from now, if there is any change in your official position, we will discuss it then."

Lu Lang nodded without hesitation: "Of course, you have a cheerful personality, you have cooking skills, and you are capable. If you can only hang around in the backyard after getting married, wouldn't it be too depressing?"

"Besides, I noticed that your Fengnian Inn is doing very well after I came back this time."

"I travel between the capital and Anping County. Although I stay in the government-run posthouse, sometimes if I miss the place to stay, I will stay in a private inn."

"Those inns are big, but the hygiene and service inside are not as good as your Fengnian Inn."