21: Chapter 21: Browsing Books at the Bookstore
21 -21: Browsing Books at the Bookstore
After leaving the Silk Shop, Madam Zhouâs mood seemed somewhat downcast, and the joy she had felt upon receiving a reward from Manager Rong had also faded slightly.
Wufu watched, silently shaking her head; her hearing was good, and she had overheard the conversation between Madam Zhou and Manager Rong just now.
To look for that faithless man?
Wufu disagreed.
First off, it was uncertain where this man was, whether his identity was real or fake; with just a name, how could one possibly find him in this vast sea of people?
All right, letâs say they were lucky enough to find him, Wufu would not believe that after so many years, the man hadnât married yet and was still waiting for a no-name scholarâs daughter.
If her âfatherâ had married, then their mother and daughter showing up to acknowledge kinship would become a source of embarrassment.
Wufu imagined the scene of acknowledging kinship involving chaos and conflict, and couldnât help but shiver in trepidation.
Putting herself in an awkward situation was something Wufu would not do.
However, if Madam Zhou truly harbored the thought of seeking out her father, Wufu probably wouldnât try to stop her; after all, deep down she was just an âoutsiderâ.
Who was she to judge a woman filled with earnest love?
Madam Zhou then took Wufu to the townâs bookstore once again.
âManager, is there a letter for me?â Madam Zhou asked the bookstore manager, hope shining in her eyes.
Seeing the manager shake his head, her eyes dimmed.
Wufu caught a glimpse of this and couldnât help but sigh softlyâsuch a dreamer, still hoping for a letter from that person.
She was quite interested in the books on the shelves, pulled one out and flipped through it.
Very good, it wasnât those hard-to-read classical texts but all traditional characters, understandable to her.
âDo you have any history books?â Wufu asked the manager.
Madam Zhou was a bit puzzled: âYou want to buy a book?â
âJust looking.â Wufu smiled as she took the thick history book handed over by the manager.
Wufu knew only superficially about the world she was in from the original hostâs memories, which were not clear, likely because she had always lived in a rather sheltered village, without much exposure to the outside world.
Thus, Wufu didnât have much information about Nanyue Kingdom, where she resided, only that the world was divided into four parts: Nanyue Kingdom, neighboring Dongying Country, Beiyan Country, and Xisheng Country.
Among these, Nanyue was the most prosperous, followed by Beiyan.
The cultures of the two countries were almost indistinguishable, but Beiyan people valued martial strength more highly and were brave and good at fighting.
Wufu flipped through the book quickly, reading ten lines with a single glance.
Madam Zhou walked over and said, âIf you want to read, why not rent it and take it home?â What could you possibly learn just flipping through like that?
Moreover, such a thick bookâsurely there are words in it you donât recognize?
Madam Zhou remembered how this girl used to dislike reading and writing.
Although she herself had learned to read from her father, she only read things like Female Precepts and womenâs scriptures; there was a limit to what she could teach.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Zhou said, âWhy not buy some paper and ink so you can practice your writing?â
Her daughter would be reaching the age of marriage next year; learning more would certainly be beneficial.
âSure!â Wufu didnât even look up, the book had already been half read by her, its information steadily pouring into her mind.
Madam Zhou was delighted to hear her agreement and promptly asked the manager for paper and ink.
Of course, she purchased the cheapest items as her money was limited.
Madam Rong was rightâthe time was coming to prepare for her daughterâs marriage and dowry, and she could not afford to waste money.
Once all the items were ready, Wufu had finished looking through the book; she returned it to the manager and left Zhouâs Bookstore.
âMother has accepted a big embroidery order, so we have to hurry with the work.
Shall we buy some more things to take back today?â Madam Zhou said to Wufu with a smile.
She bought a bamboo basket woven by a young girl, and Wufu volunteered to carry it on her back.
She also put Madam Zhouâs small bundle and all the purchases into the basket and headed for the market.