The Daily Life of a Female Esper in Ancient Times C.115

The name "Xinhua Bookstore" was very familiar to Li Xia, as she had seen it in major cities in her previous life. The base had sent people to collect books from these bookstores so that the descendants would not become illiterate. Li Xia had accompanied them twice; the Xinhua Bookstore could be said to be one of the places least damaged in the later period. After all, there was no food or drink there, so few people visited.

As she entered, the bookstore's decor was different from other bookstores. At the entrance was a "Today's New Book Recommendation" and "Top Monthly Bestseller" exhibition area.

Behind the recommendations were rows of bookshelves, categorizing and displaying different types of books. Next to the stairs was a sign indicating the types of books on the second floor.

Li Xia wanted to look at fictions and travelogues, which were on the second floor, so she prepared to go upstairs. Li Xin spotted a chess manual downstairs and went to the tea room to read it.

On the second floor, Li Xia found the two newest fictions, "The Story of the Stone" and "Journey to the West." The titles sounded familiar; after reading the contents, she realized they were "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Journey to the West" with new titles.

These two classics from her previous life were also popular during the apocalypse, allowing Li Xia to confirm that Fourth Miss Lu had a hand in this bookstore. No wonder it attracted so many people. She herself was not interested in this aspect, only knowing about it from cultural lessons during her studies when she was feeling fatigued.

Fourth Miss Lu's previous world was similar to her current one, but they lived in different eras. In a world overrun by zombies, they focused more on learning how to survive, with cultural lessons serving merely as a reprieve from their weariness.

Putting down the books, Li Xia picked up a travelogue that recorded the scenic views the author saw while traveling by sea. She paid and went to the tea room on the first floor, where she saw Li Xin chatting with Cao Fugui and An'an.

Seeing An'an reminded Li Xia of Li Yao's self-talk, making her smile. She really liked this adorable little girl.

She heard An'an say, "Sister Xin, we agreed to go horseback riding together in spring, but it hasn't happened yet. Now that we have time, let's go horseback riding."

Upon hearing this, Li Xin recalled, "We haven't picked up the spring outfits we had tailored."

Li Xia approached them. "That's right, we haven't."

They had set a date to pick up the outfits, but due to various unexpected occurrences, they never made it to Yongchang Street. If An'an hadn't mentioned it today, they would have forgotten about the tailored clothes.

"We all forgot," Cao Fugui also remembered. The group exchanged smiles, their voices prompting dissatisfaction from those around them.

"Let's go get the clothes," Li Xin suggested sheepishly.

"Okay," An'an eagerly nodded. The group headed to the Barbarian Clothing House on Yongchang Street and mentioned the tailored outfits.

"Your clothes are ready, customers. We've been waiting for you to come and get them," the shopkeeper said, as if they had finally arrived. After finishing the outfits, they had waited for the customers to pick them up and pay the remaining balance, but day after day, spring turned to summer, and no one came.

The shopkeeper took out their riding outfits, but the spring clothes were too warm to wear in summer, so they were set aside. An'an spoke up, "Shopkeeper, please make us some summer outfits too."

The shopkeeper hurriedly called in the embroiderer to take their measurements. She brought over different fabrics for them to choose from. As Li Xin selected fabrics for Li Hui, An'an also joined in to help.

After choosing the fabrics and paying the deposit and the remaining balance for the spring outfits, Cao Fugui noticed the shopkeeper's worried expression and said, "I am the second young master of the Chengen Marquis Residence. If we don't come by the appointed time, you can send someone to the Marquis Residence, and you will not be shortchanged for the balance."

Hearing this, the shopkeeper's worries eased. "So it's the second young master. I failed to recognize such an esteemed guest. Please forgive me. My main concern was that the clothes would go unworn if they were made for the wrong season."

Cao Fugui grunted a couple of times, and the group left Yongchang Street.

It was getting late, and An'an was reluctant to part ways with Cao Fugui. Li Xin and Li Xia returned to Osmanthus Alley.

They asked a maid to send the riding outfits back and first went to the main courtyard to greet Mrs. Lu. Mrs. Lu and Li Hui were discussing purchasing a residence. The Li family currently lived in Mrs. Lu's dowry residence. Although Li Hui's Metropolitan Examination results had not been announced, Lin Daru had reviewed his work and believed he had a 90% chance of passing.

After the Metropolitan Examination, there was no question of failing the Palace Examination; it was just a matter of ranking.

Li Hui planned to work at the Ministry of Justice and stay in the capital. Osmanthus Alley was in the outer city, an hour and a half's journey by horse carriage from the Six Ministries.

Mrs. Lu had received the reward money from Li Ming's achievements, along with their recent earnings. Although the Li family was not wealthy, they could afford to purchase a residence.

"Mother, how many courtyards should we look for in a residence?"

Considering the four Li brothers and their future marriages and children, Mrs. Lu replied, "Let's buy a residence with four or five courtyards."

Li Hui nodded; he had enough money to pay for it.

"Good, I'll look for a matchmaker tomorrow."

"Let me handle this. Your most important task now is to prepare for the Palace Examination." Mrs. Lu knew Li Hui wanted to lessen her burden.

Li Hui agreed obediently and handed over his money to the main courtyard. Seeing the box full of silver notes, Mrs. Lu smiled joyfully and felt moved that her son had grown up and understood her difficulties.

The news of purchasing a residence spread throughout the household. Qiu Ling took the initiative to gather information and compiled it into a book for Li Xia. Li Xia could tell the handwriting was not Qiu Ling's.

"Qiu Kui compiled this for you, didn't she?" Qiu Ling nodded, admitting her handwriting was not neat.

"Send the book to the main courtyard," Li Xia instructed after reviewing the contents, handing the book back to Qiu Ling.

Qiu Ling took the book to the main courtyard and gave it to a maid.

Inside, Mrs. Lu was listening to Liu Xiao's report on the residences they had inspected based on the matchmaker's recommendations. More detailed information was still needed. Zi Juan entered and handed the book to Mrs. Lu, who opened it to find detailed records of the previous owners, the condition of the houses, the surrounding neighbors, and the asking prices.

With this book as a reference, Mrs. Lu was able to purchase a five-courtyard residence at a reasonable price.

The Metropolitan Examination results were also announced, and as expected, Li Hui passed, ranking 5th, ensuring his success in the Palace Examination.

On the day of the Palace Examination, Li Xia woke up early without anyone reminding her. She thought she was early enough when she arrived at the front courtyard, but Mrs. Lu and Li Xin were already there.

As Li Hui walked out of the gate, he turned around and bowed deeply to Mrs. Lu.

"Stay calm and don't be nervous," Mrs. Lu advised briefly, not wanting to say too much and potentially distract Li Hui.

"Don't worry, Mother," Li Hui said as he boarded the carriage to the examination grounds.

The group dispersed and returned to their respective courtyards only after the carriage was out of sight. Some hoped Li Hui would pass the examination, while others hoped he would fail.