Wu Deng mumbled, “This is… some small business the master did outside and earned.”
Ning Wanwan understood. Her father, Lin Zhengyang, a fifth-rank secretary managing classics and books, had hoped to rise through the influence of the Ning Guo Mansion to bring glory to the Lin family. However, after her mother’s early death and her grandmother’s dissatisfaction with her father, his career stagnated, rendering him an unremarkable civil servant.
Knowing he had reached the peak of his official career, he likely wanted to use some money from the mansion for business to accumulate profits for the future. This was his effort to uphold the Lin family’s reputation.
However, Ning Wanwan questioned why he married into the Ning family and had her. If she hadn’t existed, perhaps her mother wouldn’t have died.
She waved her hand at Wu Deng, saying indifferently, “Go inside.”
Wu Deng quickly took back the silver notes from Fuyi and put them back in the box, then ran into the mansion.
Fuyi asked, “Miss, aren’t you going to ask what business the master has been doing to earn so much money?”
“No need,” Ning Wanwan replied. The Song people valued commerce, and even the imperial court encouraged trade. Thus, Qi Song was almost entirely commercial, with noble families and officials engaging in private business.
As long as Lin Zhengyang was doing legitimate business, she didn’t care how much money he made.
In the southern part of the city, Sun Maozhi, the son of a county magistrate, who had just come of age, asked, “Miss, would you be willing to accompany me to view the lanterns?”
Ning Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood. In Qi Song, during the Lantern Festival, women would carry fresh flowers while men carried small red lanterns. If someone caught their eye, a woman would throw her flower to show affection, and a man would offer his lantern. Accepting meant they could walk together and establish their feelings.
Could Sun Maozhi be expressing his affection for her? Imperial Uncle! If you don’t come soon, your wife will be snatched away!!!
Chapter 40: Holding Hands
Ning Wanwan was about to refuse when her right hand was suddenly grabbed, and Si Zhan’s urgent voice rang in her ear.
“She already has someone in her heart.”
