“A’Mo.”

When the child heard his name, he turned and ran toward that inner room.

His little bottom wiggled from side to side.

Extremely adorable!

Seeing the little fellow’s appearance, Ji Yinshu couldn’t help but show a sisterly smile.

She slowly stood up.

Suddenly, she felt the name “A’Mo” was very familiar.

As if she had some impression of it.

She searched through her mind, then suddenly remembered.

Years ago in a broken temple, she had performed a cesarean section on a woman to save the child.

And that merchant had asked her to give the child a nickname.

When she held that child, she had said: “That this child can fortunately live is also a miracle. Life found at death’s door, vitality arising from the end—this is also a good omen. Why not call him A’Mo? I hope in the future he can overcome hardships and difficulties, with endings naturally becoming new beginnings.”

A’Mo!

Named A’Mo!

No wonder it was so familiar.

But there were countless names in the world—encountering one or two duplicates was nothing unusual.

She smiled, and the adorable image of that child just now floated through her mind again.

Then she entered the shop.

There was no one inside—probably they were discussing business in the back room.

So she browsed on her own, searching among the shelves holding brushes for ones she liked.

There were many brushes of various kinds, all quite exquisite!

There were even some styles she had never seen before.

She felt quite a sense of novelty in her heart.

If she truly had to pick one, she feared she couldn’t choose.

Looking more carefully, she inadvertently caught sight of a hollowed-out carved wooden box placed on the shelf behind the counter.

Looking from outside, one could vaguely see a small gold brush lying inside.

It was carved with auspicious cloud patterns.

Her heart leaped with joy. She walked over and took it down.

Opening it for a look, she immediately fell in love with it.

This brush was very delicate. If used to paint lines, it would certainly be superb!

So she took it out of the box and carefully admired it.

She loved it dearly.

Meanwhile, in the back room.

The Marquis of Nanguo was discussing business with the shopkeeper of the Brush and Ink Studio.

Because they were so absorbed in conversation, he didn’t even know when A’Mo had slipped out. Now with one call, A’Mo came in.

His small body swayed with his footsteps as he stumbled and rushed into the Marquis of Nanguo’s embrace.

He called out: “Father.”

“Stay properly by Father’s side, don’t run around.”

“Mm.” A’Mo nodded emphatically.

Then he obediently sat on a small stool that had been specially prepared for him to one side.

And sat upright, imitating his father’s manner.

Quite proper!

Slightly comical.

The Marquis of Nanguo had no time to mind him and continued discussing matters with the shopkeeper.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll send someone to collect that batch of goods the day after tomorrow.”

The shopkeeper beamed with joy and responded: “Good, good. I’ll have everything prepared by then. Master Ke, you just send someone to collect it.”

“If the goods aren’t enough, I’ll send someone to order more. As for the price… it’ll still be what we just discussed. Shopkeeper Liu, what do you think?”

“No problem, no problem. Master Ke, you’ve always been straightforward, and you often come to order from me, supporting my business, so whatever you say goes!”

“Looking at all of Gaoding, only the goods here satisfy me most.” The Marquis of Nanguo said earnestly.

The shopkeeper naturally smiled from ear to ear.

A’Mo suddenly raised his head and asked: “Father, what about my brush?”

Oh my!

The Marquis of Nanguo had almost forgotten. He asked the shopkeeper: “By the way, has my A’Mo’s brush arrived?”

The shopkeeper quickly said: “It has, it has. Young Master A’Mo’s brush arrived a few days ago. Master Ke, please wait a moment, I’ll go get it right now.”

Saying this, he stood up and went out to fetch the brush.

As soon as he came out, the shopkeeper saw a customer had entered the shop.

He quickly went to greet them, apologizing: “Young master, I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t know someone had entered the shop. Please forgive the neglect.”

Ji Yinshu turned around and saw the shopkeeper walking over, stroking the two wisps of mustache on his lips.

She smiled: “It’s fine, I looked around on my own for a while.”

“Has the young master found anything he likes?”

“I’m still looking!”

“Young master, please wait a moment. I need to fetch a brush for another customer.” The shopkeeper walked to the shelf, planning to take the brush he had prepared earlier for A’Mo.

But the box that had been placed there was nowhere to be seen.

The shelf was completely empty!

Just then, Ji Yinshu said: “I’ve already chosen. I’ll take this one.”

The shopkeeper turned his head and only then discovered that the brush in her hands was exactly the one he was looking for.

“This…” The shopkeeper felt rather awkward.

His expression was difficult.

Hm?

Ji Yinshu had already read the general meaning from his expression. She raised the brush in her hand and asked: “Is the brush the shopkeeper is looking for… perhaps this one?”

“Exactly! Young master, I’m truly sorry, but this brush… has already been reserved by someone.”

Ji Yinshu wasn’t a difficult person, so naturally she wouldn’t make things hard for him. She only felt some regret at not obtaining the object of her heart’s desire.

She put the brush back in the box and handed it all back to the shopkeeper, saying: “It’s fine, I’ll look at something else.”

The shopkeeper took the box, his eyes full of apology: “I’m truly sorry. Young master, please look some more. My shop has many brushes, all of superior quality! I believe there will certainly be others you’ll like.”

“Mm.”

“Then please wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”

“You go ahead with your business.”

The shopkeeper then took that brush back inside.

Ji Yinshu couldn’t help but smile.

Not smiling at herself for not getting what she wanted, but rather at how this huge shop had only the shopkeeper alone.

Not even a shop assistant!

She sighed and shook her head helplessly.

Then continued searching for other brushes in the shop.

…

The shopkeeper handed the brush to the Marquis of Nanguo.

“Master Ke, take a look. Is this the one you mentioned?”

The Marquis of Nanguo took it and looked.

He nodded with satisfaction.

“Yes, this is the one.”

A’Mo leaned over: “Father, let A’Mo see too.”

“Alright, let my little A’Mo see too.”

A’Mo grabbed the brush and gestured with it in the air several times.

Because he was too small, his brush-holding posture was very awkward.

Like flying a kite.

“Do you like it?” The Marquis of Nanguo asked him.

He nodded emphatically: “I like it!”

“If you like it, that’s good. This brush is yours from now on.”

“A’Mo has a brush now…”

He jumped around happily.

The Marquis of Nanguo dotingly patted his head and told him seriously: “But you must promise Father that from now on you’ll study your lessons properly with your tutor, understand?”

“I understand.”

He agreed readily.

The Marquis of Nanguo saw it was getting late, so he said to the shopkeeper: “What we discussed just now is settled then. I’ll be going first.”

“Alright, I’ll see you out.”

When they came out from inside, Ji Yinshu was still searching for brushes by the shelves.

Shopkeeper: “Master Ke, take care.”

“You needn’t see me out.”

“Yes.”

Hearing the sound, Ji Yinshu looked over and only saw the back of the Marquis of Nanguo.

She saw him holding the hand of that child from earlier as they went out the door. A carriage had appeared at the entrance at some point. When the coachman saw them come out, he quickly went forward to greet them.

Ji Yinshu withdrew her gaze.

She continued searching for a brush.

However… A’Mo had somehow run to stand behind her, his small hand tugging at her clothing.