Back then, the merchants had contributed a lot to the successful overthrow of the previous dynasty.
Therefore, although there were also commoners, which included the farmers, workers, and merchants, the status of merchants wasn’t low.
The merchants’ descendants could participate in imperial examinations and become officials.
‘There weren’t many restrictions on their clothing, and they could wear silk and brocade clothes.
Upon hearing approaching footsteps, the man stood up and looked over.
Shi Qingluo also saw his appearance.
Young Master Bai was handsome, and he had a free and unruly temperament.
Today, she was quite lucky to meet two handsome men from ancient times.
The county magistrate was also very handsome.
However, Shi Qingluo felt that her husband -in-law was still more handsome.
Bai Xu looked at Shi Qingluo, who was dressed like a village woman but had a different temperament.
He was the first to speak. “Do you know about flowers?”
He had already heard Number Five introduce Shi Qingluo, but he was sceptical when he told him that she knew how to nurture and treat flowers.
Shi Qingluo knew that it was impossible for him to let a stranger treat the expensive purple chrysanthemum once she arrived.
“Of course.” She swept her gaze across the flowers in the greenhouse. “I know everything about your flowers here.”
Bai Xu raised her eyebrows. “Then tell me, what kind of flowers do I have here?”
Most of the flowers he had here didn’t even exist in Nanxi county, let alone those from Nanguang prefecture.
Some time ago, he had even brought a stalk of flower from the capital that had been shipped from overseas.
He had used a lot of effort to get one.
Not many people in the capital could recognise this flower, let alone in Nanxi county, which is very small.
Xiao Hanzheng’s little wife was really boastful.
Shi Qingluo was still holding Mother Xiao’s arm.
She walked over and counted from left to right. “Peony, asparagus, camellia, orchids, bowl lotuses…”
She pointed around and finally landed on a bright red flower. “This is a tulip.”
After Shi Qingluo pointed at the flower and named it, Bai Xu’s expression gradually changed.
When he heard the name of the tulip, he was even more shocked.
He continued to ask, “How did you know? Do you know the origin of this flower?”
Shi Qingluo knew that tulips were introduced to China from India during the Tang dynasty.
Although this was a dynasty that didn’t exist in history, the origin of the species shouldn’t have changed.
She replied, “This is a flower from India, and someone brought it back to Daliang.”
She continued to make up stories. “My master has a book that introduces the cultivation of various plants and flowers. I read about them here.”
Bai Xu’s interest piqued and asked excitedly, “Can I take a look at that book?”
Shi Qingluo shook her head. “That book ascended with my master to become a fairy, so I can’t show it to you.
“I’ve basically memorised it. That’s why I was able to recognize the tulips.”
Bai Xu was speechless. Did she mean that if he wanted to read it, he had to go to the afterworld to look for that old priest?
He had also heard about the burning of the Taoist temple, but he didn’t really believe in ascension towards morality.
Looking regretful, he said, “That’s such a pity.”
After some thoughts, he suggested, “Since you’ve memorised it, why don’t you try to rearrange it and consolidate them into a book?”
He wanted it.
Shi Qingluo uttered under her breath, I was just spouting nonsense, and you actually believed me.
She replied perfunctorily, “Let’s talk about it in the future.”
She quickly changed the topic. “I heard from Number Five that you want to hire someone to treat the purple chrysanthemum?”
‘As expected, she diverted Bai Xu’s attention, “That’s right. My family’s gardener and the other gardeners in the county have seen it. They all said that this purple chrysanthemum couldn’t make it.”
He made way for her. “Since you know so much about flowers, why don’t you take a look?”
Shi Qingluo walked over and saw the greyed leaves and branches and the moist soil.
She asked Bai Xu, “Is your plant wilting during the day and recovering at night? If you press it lightly, will the branches break easily?”
Bai Xu began to believe that Shi Qingluo knew a lot about flowers. “That’s right, that’s how it is.”
He hurriedly asked, “What disease is this? Can it be cured?”