Gu Lijin: After I Died, I Became a Golden Calligraphy Grand Lady

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Chapter 12

Old Yang’s Antique Shop


After finishing her errands in the Wei Manor, Ning-ning checked the money given to her by her mistress and carefully wrapped it in multiple layers of cloth. This was the most money she had ever carried with her. She never thought that in this lifetime, she would be entrusted by her mistress to such an extent.

Fifty taels of silver... Her mistress did not even show the slightest reluctance. There was no hint of concern when she handed it over. Such an amount was enough for Ning-ning to escape and start a new life, free from servitude. However, Lijin never misjudged people. It was a skill she had possessed since she was still Sali. But in the old world, such an ability was a double-edged sword—it left her with few friends, and she had never had a close friend besides her siblings in her academic lineage.

Having few friends and focusing solely on studying meant that words about her were often laced with jealousy from those around her who saw her success. Society was like this, and Lijin felt that this world was no different. The manor’s side exit, far from the residence of the First Furen, was like a hidden door nestled against a bamboo grove. Entering and exiting from this point was somewhat inconvenient, but in exchange, no one ever came to inspect it. Sometimes, Lijin thought that even the guards of this residence and the other servants were unaware that there was an entrance and exit at the distant rear of the manor, concealed like a secret passage.

In the afternoon, Nihe City remained quite lively. The late summer sun was intense, but with autumn approaching, the temperature was not too unbearable. Ning-ning had only two shichen—between the Wei and Shen hours (13:00 – 16:59). Fortunately, she knew her destination well, so there was no need to waste time searching again. Upon reaching the rickshaw stand, Ning-ning informed the driver of her destination. In less than a ke, she arrived at the district selling academic supplies. This place was not overly crowded, yet the city lord still dispatched soldiers to patrol and maintain order at intervals. After all, this alleyway had to remain safe, as it housed goods of exorbitant value and was a favored destination for scholars… and the children of high-ranking officials. Ning-ning handed the rickshaw driver three copper coins, one more than the usual fare, prompting the man to express his gratitude profusely. The maid was surprised when he even struck up a conversation while politely placing down the footstep for her to disembark. "Are you here to purchase supplies for scholars, Miss?"

"Yes, my mistress requires a complete set of writing tools, so I came to procure them."

"Those are very expensive. Every item sold in the shops along this alley is brand new. May I be so bold as to offer a recommendation?" Ning-ning’s eyes widened. She had not expected that a single extra copper coin would yield such valuable advice. She nodded in agreement.

"Walk a little further, two alleys ahead. There is a second-hand shop there. I am certain that Old Yang will have what you need."

"Thank you very much, master…" Impressed by his recommendation, she reached into her robe for another copper coin, but the rickshaw driver declined.

"No need, Miss. Consider it my way of repaying your kindness. Besides, Old Yang is well known. Though he has only been running his antique shop for less than two years, he is a kind-hearted elder who has helped many of the less fortunate. I, too, owe him a debt. If you visit his shop, that would be repayment enough."

"I will certainly pay him a visit." She bowed politely, causing the rickshaw driver to feel momentarily flustered. He was of the lower class, having worked as a rickshaw puller in the city for years, yet had never encountered a lady customer so courteous. After offering a brief warning that Old Yang was rather loud and outspoken, the kind-hearted rickshaw driver excused himself and returned to work.

Ning-ning calculated her remaining time. Realizing that a visit to the antique shop would do no harm, she decided to follow the advice.

At the very least, her mistress had taught her that gathering information before making a purchase was crucial. Three or four days prior, when she had surveyed the market on her mistress’s orders, she had quickly absorbed everything she needed to know. The more knowledge she had, the lower the risk of being swindled. Perhaps… she might even find what she was looking for at a lower price. That would not be a bad outcome at all. As she walked, the maid reviewed the details of the writing supplies she had previously requested to inspect at an academic supply store. She vividly recalled how the fifty-tael silver brush had an exquisitely fine and smooth tip, how its handle was made of elegantly carved wood, how the ink stick gleamed with deep black luster, how the inkstone was jade—though of a lesser grade, it was still presentable—and how the paper, while slightly rough to the touch, was thick and durable.

After carefully reviewing everything, the maid realized she had arrived right in front of Old Yang’s antique shop. The ceramic wind chime at the storefront swayed with the breeze that swept through. The glow from the lanterns inside was still visible. This antique shop was darker than she had expected.

Peering inside with curiosity, Ning-ning was surprised to find that all she could see were shelves lining both walls, with a seemingly endless corridor stretching further in. What a strange illusion… "Hey, little girl. What are you standing there snooping around for!?" An elderly man with graying hair poked his head out to greet her, squinting as he examined her closely. His voice was so thunderous that the Wei Manor maid felt slightly dizzy.

"If you’re buying something, just say it. I’ll find it for you."

"Yes, yes, master. I’m looking for the Four Treasures of the Scholar. My budget isn’t much. Could you recommend something for me?"

"Hmm? The Four Treasures? I might only have three. Can you buy the paper elsewhere? I don’t keep that kind of stuff in my shop just to let termites feast on it."

"Understood, master. Just your recommendation will suffice." Ning-ning displayed utmost politeness. She did not have much money, and she already had a backup plan in mind. The extra funds given by her mistress should at least be enough to cover the cost of travel and compensate the old man for his time. Despite his aged and wrinkled face, Old Yang moved with remarkable agility. His back was not hunched in the slightest, and his broad chest and straight shoulders gave him a dignified presence, far more imposing than a mere antique shop owner. All the while, Ning-ning’s curious gaze roamed the shop’s interior. She truly wanted to know just how deep this place extended.

After climbing up to retrieve several ornate wooden boxes from the shelves, the old man stood in contemplation, raising his hand to count on his fingers, his face filled with puzzlement. Ning-ning had no idea what Old Yang was thinking—one moment he seemed pleased, the next he was furrowing his brows in deep concentration, leaving her utterly confused. Was he forgetting the prices? The maid wondered… "Alright... I’ve got two sets for you to choose from. But let me make this clear upfront—though everything in my shop is secondhand, these scholarly treasures have all passed through the hands of high-ranking officials. They’re not some run-of-the-mill practice tools for children."

"I understand, master. I will handle them carefully so as not to damage them. You needn’t worry…"

"What I want to ask first is—are you buying these for yourself, or for someone else?"

"My mistress requires these tools to create literary works."

"Creating works? Books, paintings, poetry, is it?... And for what purpose?"

"Our situation is not ideal. My mistress wishes to earn a living through her talents." She was a maid who chose her words carefully. Yet, despite her caution, Old Yang remained determined to satisfy his curiosity.

"Is your mistress a woman or a man?" The old man’s stern expression exuded an overwhelming pressure unlike anything the maid had ever experienced before. However, Ning-ning remained firm in her mistress’s repeated instructions. She did not want her mistress’s work to be prejudged, nor did she want rumors that could jeopardize her plans to earn a living. The man before her was still a stranger she did not trust, yet deep down, she felt that lying was not the right choice. Thus, she gathered her resolve and responded with a question of her own. "Why does Old Yang wish to know? A customer is a customer, is it not?"

"I see…" The old man nodded in satisfaction. Then, with his wrinkled hand, he opened the lids of the wooden boxes one by one, explaining their contents. What lay inside the first box made Ning-ning’s eyes widen in awe. "These are two sizes of white jade brushes. They are a pair and will not be sold separately. Though their handles are carved from stone, they are lightweight and comfortably cool to the touch. The brush tips are soft and smooth, with no signs of damage. As for the type of animal hair used, I cannot say for certain, but I believe it is from a Snow You (weasel). The inkstone is also white jade. It’s a bit stained, but the grinding surface and ink well remain in good condition. I can personally vouch for that…" Both items appeared invaluable in Ning-ning’s eyes. The engravings on the jade were exquisitely intricate. She was absolutely certain that the money she had would not be enough to afford them. "And the ink stick, and the price…?"

"There are plenty of ink sticks. If you want one, I’ll fetch it for you. Let’s set the price aside for now. Take a look at the next box first..." Old Yang opened another wooden box. Inside, there were still brushes and an inkstone, just like in the first box. Their appearance was not as extravagant, which brought a great sense of relief to Ning-ning.

"These brushes have handles made from thousand-year-old pine that has aged into stone. They also come in a pair of two sizes. You may touch them if you wish..." The young woman’s eyes widened. Her hand, which was about to reach for the wooden box, suddenly froze, then trembled slightly. A thousand-year-old pine that had hardened into stone? Delicate streaks of pale purple ran through it like gemstones… How could a second-hand shop possess such rare and priceless items? She could not process it...

She feared that today’s trip to the antique shop would turn out to be a complete waste of time…

The fifty taels of silver she had might not even be enough to purchase a single strand of the Snow You’s fur at the tip of these brushes.