There is a god in the sky

Chapter 182 Reunion on New Year's Eve 6

"How dare a coroner's hands touch the books of sages! It's an insult to scholarship!" An old scholar came in specifically to reprimand Shen Lan.

Shen Lan didn't even look up, pointing to the gate and saying, "Goodbye and don't bother seeing me off."

"Alas, the world is going to the dogs."

Shen Lan looked up, her eyes clear, and asked him curiously, "Does the old gentleman not usually read travelogues or detective stories?"

"Of course I read some too."

Shen Lan scoffed, "Didn't those books ever pass through the hands of a coroner? How do you know how the case was solved? How do you know that the scholars who travel around have never committed murder?"

Human hands can hold pens and knives, pinch needles and grind grain; it's all just labor. How can writing be considered more noble than autopsies?

Besides, I didn't mind you touching the books in my shop with the hands you used to wipe your butt, so why are you complaining about yourself?

"You...you...you're just arguing!" The old scholar was so angry that his eyes were blurry.

Shen Lan certainly remembered the old man; he was the one she had driven away before.

"At your age, your family should be starting to prepare for your funeral. I'm not afraid to tell you, my skills in autopsies are secondary; I'm most famous for applying makeup to the dead. You might want to ask around in the south. If you do business with someone you know, I'll give you a 20% discount."

People nowadays value what happens after they die.

Many emperors began building their imperial tombs as soon as they ascended the throne.

Ordinary people would select good wood to make coffins when they were young, in preparation for any eventuality.

While not every household needs to do makeup for the dead, Shen Lan might as well find another way to make money.

"Ahem..." A man behind him couldn't help but laugh.

The old scholar was angered and ran away again, and Shen Lan also saw the handsome middle-aged man standing in front of the counter.

He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a mustache, and a blue turban wrapped around his black hair; he was a refined and cultured man.

Would you like to buy a book, esteemed guest?

The man stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Yes, I heard that your store has some interesting new books, and I'd like to take a few back with me."

Shen Lan changes her display shelf with new books every day.

The printing shop is working overtime every day to print her new books.

Some of the manuscripts she received last time were well-written, so she published them directly. She also compiled some short stories into a book, which were more appealing to readers than the longer ones.

"What kind of books do you like? I can recommend a few to you."

The man flipped through the book list and noticed that each book had a shelf number written on the back. He nodded to himself.

This method of finding books is indeed time-saving and convenient.

"Let's get a few storybooks to pass the time."

The first thing Shen Lan gave him was the book "Serial Murder Cases".

The man turned two pages. "The old man just said you're a coroner. Did you personally experience any of the cases mentioned here?"

Although the case was compiled based on the original case, it did not name names, so she could not reveal them.

"I have experienced similar cases."

"That's still impressive. Aren't you afraid of people dying at such a young age?"

"What's so scary about dead people? When people are dead, they can't move or talk, so they're the least likely to hurt anyone."

"That makes sense, but dead people are smelly and ugly, and most people don't dare to look at them."

Shen Lan shook her head and retorted: "The dead who need an autopsy are those who died unjustly and are waiting for the righteous official to avenge them. Although their faces are terrifying, their souls are restless. The autopsy can find out the truth before their death and also soothe their souls so that they can be reincarnated in peace."

This explanation is quite novel.

At least Master Xiao had never heard of it before.

"The young lady is very righteous," Master Xiao praised.

He was walking down the street when he heard that there was a female shopkeeper in his family's shop who worked as a coroner, so he went in out of curiosity to take a look.

I didn't expect her to be such an interesting and insightful girl.

"I wouldn't call it a noble cause; at first, I just wanted to make a living."

"And now?"

"As I traveled along the way, I saw that the level of coroners in various local governments varied greatly, and many were not as good as me. So I thought that if I could examine more corpses, perhaps my master could solve more cases."

"Yes, your family is fortunate to have your help."

"No, I was lucky to meet my family," Shen Lan said sincerely.

If she hadn't met Xiao Ji, her journey to the capital wouldn't have been so smooth.

It was impossible for her to meet her cousin so soon.

Mr. Xiao paid for a few more books, and Shen Lan, who took a liking to him, gave him two sets of deluxe edition books as a gift.

"Guest, move slowly."

Master Xiao glanced back at the orderly bookstore and nodded secretly.

Xiao Ji is right. A person's character and talent have nothing to do with their background. If you're gold, you'll shine wherever you go.

After he left, Xiao Ding emerged from the corner and sidled up to Shen Lan, saying, "That was our master."

Shen Lan was not surprised.

In fact, Xiao Ji's eyes look very much like his father's, and his smile is also similar.

"Go do your work, and remember to deliver the book to Young Master Lu later."

She promised Lu Changzhi that she would send him books on the fifteenth of every month, but this customer couldn't even wait half a month and sent someone to urge him yesterday.

Xiao Ding picked up the packed books and asked Shen Lan, "Are you still selling them for fifty taels this time?"

The first half of this art book was collected from outside sources, while the second half was drawn by her overnight.

Although she had never had a boyfriend, with the internet so developed in her previous life, what kind of position hadn't she seen?

However, since it was rushed out of work, the details in the drawing may not be handled very well.

She thought for a moment and said, "Let's start with fifty taels. If Young Master Lu thinks it's too expensive, we can give him a 20% discount."

Xiao Ding understood the plan and took the picture album to the Princess's residence.

Lu Changzhi is hosting a banquet at his residence today.

The guests he invited to the banquet were all his usual cronies, each one a cunning and scheming individual.

"Lieutenant Lu, quickly bring out all the good stuff so everyone can have a look."

These young masters, who were used to listening to lewd songs and having plenty of erotic pictures, naturally wanted to see them for themselves after hearing Lu Changzhi boast that he had obtained a treasure book.

Lu Changzhi was already tired of seeing it.

At first glance, the paintings by this artist are beautiful, with complete poses that are captivating, but after seeing them many times, they become just so-so.

Nothing new.

When he heard that Jifeng Study had sent him a catalog, he ordered someone to bring the person who delivered the books in.

He thought it would be interesting if the beautiful female shopkeeper delivered the books herself.

When Xiao Ding entered, he was stared at by a group of dissolute young men, and he immediately felt flustered and confused.

"Young Master Lu, I am a clerk from Jifeng Study, here to deliver your catalog."

Lu Changzhi saw that Lu Changzhi was an ordinary-looking young man and immediately lost interest. He didn't even care when his friend took the picture book away from him.

"Let me see if there's anything good."

"You Dalang, you have a tigress at home, so there's no use in looking at her."

You Ying was the son of the current Grand General. The Grand General was stationed on the frontier for many years, while he and his wife were raised in luxury in Bianjing. He did not inherit any of the Grand General's grandeur.

Three years ago, the general married his deputy's daughter to him, who replaced the general's wife in managing the household affairs. Now, she has the final say in the general's mansion.

Despite his lack of authority as a husband, You Dalang was spineless and continued to hang out with this group of纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) every day.