Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Snowflakes drifted down beneath the eaves, and a thin layer had settled on the steps.

Xie Zheng leaned against a corridor pillar, arms folded, his eyelids half lowered as if lost in thought. The lantern above cast a warm light, drawing a shadow beneath his finely shaped eyelashes.

He had seen many beauties and had watched the Western Dancer perform barefoot at one of Wei Yan’s banquets. He no longer remembered the dancer’s feet, but the golden anklet with bells jingling as she moved left a lasting impression, like a silent invitation.

When he saw Fan Changyu’s bare feet, somehow that same image of the golden bells on the dancer’s ankles suddenly came to mind. Then he immediately felt ridiculous.

At the same time, a wave of self-reproach rose within him for having offended her.

Xie Zheng rubbed his brow irritably. Having grown up relying on others, he devoted himself to studying military strategy and honing his martial skills to honor his father’s legacy. Wei Yan’s strict discipline over him and Wei Xuan forbade indulgence in romantic distractions; even their attendants were all male servants, no maidservants at all.

Once he went to the battlefield, his sole focus was killing the enemy. He never gave such things a second thought.

Wei Xuan, whether out of rebellion or spite, frequently visited brothels and kept mistresses, often earning Wei Yan’s harsh reprimands. At those times, Wei Xuan mocked him as a compliant dog and taunted him about not knowing the pleasures of love. Xie Zheng, however, shared Wei Yan’s view: he thought his brother lacked greatness.

Though reluctant to admit it, Wei Yan’s influence on him had been profound. Wei Yan believed that those in power must master control over their desires, and carnal lust was the basest of all impulses.

After returning from the army, Xie Zheng occasionally had to attend banquets out of courtesy. Seeing delicate dancers winning applause, he felt nothing but disdain. Like Wei Yan, he looked down on the decadent lifestyle of the capital’s elite, believing such excess only softened one’s backbone.

When he married, it would be to a woman worthy of the Xie family name, not a fragile woman like his mother.

The battlefield’s swords and blades have no eyes. Perhaps one day he, too, will die on the field like his father. He doesn’t need anyone to die for him; all he needs is a matriarch who will uphold the Xie family’s legacy after he’s gone.

In the entire capital, sons of noble families choose their wives by this very standard from among the daughters of other noble houses.

But these past few days… what was wrong with him?

The image of Fan Changyu kept surfacing in his mind, slaughtering pigs, chopping with an axe, gritting her teeth and enduring in silence…

She was strong, even more resilient than many noble daughters. But her upbringing was too simple; she couldn’t handle the schemers and monsters of the capital… She was ultimately unfit to be the matriarch of the Xie family.

Realizing what he was thinking, Xie Zheng froze for a moment.

When the stewardess was making her rounds with a lantern and saw him standing under the corridor, she asked, “Young master, why aren’t you resting inside?”

Xie Zheng gathered his thoughts and replied, “I was just about to find you. May I squeeze in for the night with the staff at Yixiang Restaurant?”

The stewardess looked puzzled. “You’re Lady Fan’s husband… Why not sleep in the same room as her?”

Xie Zheng made up an excuse: “She’s with her younger sister; it’s not very convenient.”

The stewardess thought to herself that Changning was still just a child, but since she was a girl, she nodded and said, “This old woman didn’t consider it carefully. The staff rooms at the restaurant are all shared by two people; there aren’t extra rooms. But there’s one staff member who snores so loudly that no one else can sleep in his room. If you don’t mind, you can stay in his room for the night.”

Xie Zheng said he didn’t mind, so the stewardess led him to that staff member’s room.

Even outside the door, the thunderous snoring was audible, like a roaring storm. Xie Zheng was silent for a moment.

The stewardess opened the door, and the creak of the hinges didn’t stir the staff member at all. She led Xie Zheng inside, lit the oil lamp, and pointed to an empty single bed beside them. “You can sleep here tonight.”

Xie Zheng thanked her, and the stewardess left with her lantern.

He took off his outer robe, rested his arms as a pillow, and lay down on the bed. He wasn’t very sleepy to begin with, and the staff member’s snoring across the room was so loud it kept him wide awake.

After enduring it for fifteen minutes, Xie Zheng got up and walked over to the staff member’s bed. With one chop of his hand, he struck the staff member’s neck from behind. The man was knocked unconscious, and the snoring stopped instantly.

Xie Zheng lay back down but still couldn’t fall asleep.

He had never thought about a future with Fan Changyu before, but tonight, suddenly thinking about marriage stirred an inexplicable restlessness in his heart.

He knew Fan Changyu wasn’t suitable to be the matriarch of the Xie family. Yet after returning to the capital, when it came to marrying a refined, well-mannered daughter from a noble family who could help manage the Xie household affairs, he found himself instinctively reluctant.

It was like finding a wild grass with strong vitality in the wilderness. He liked it somewhat, but if he dug up that wild grass and brought it home, compared to the exotic flowers and rare plants there, others would only laugh at that wild grass.

Wild grass is only free and tenacious in its own wild field. Once placed in a precious porcelain pot and carefully tended, it is no longer wild grass.

He raised a hand horizontally in front of his eyes, the back of his hand resting on his brow bone, his lips pressed tightly together in the night’s darkness.

Before dawn the next day, Fan Changyu was already up. Changning was still asleep. After dressing quietly, she slipped out of the room, leaving the stewardess to watch over Changning, and went to Yixiang Restaurant.

The layout of Yixiang Restaurant in the county town was similar to that in Lin’an Town, but it was built more grandly.

The runners in the main hall hadn’t arrived yet, but the kitchen staff were already all present.

The pig heads for the braised dishes had long been prepared by someone else. Fan Changyu didn’t even need to light the fire herself; she only needed to prepare the marinade.

Yu Qianqian personally discussed with several head chefs which dishes would be served first, which would come later, and what the final signature dish would be.

Though Fan Changyu was an amateur, she could tell this was very particular. After all, some dishes lose their flavor if left out too long. If the big dishes were served all at once, and the kitchen couldn’t keep up, causing delays, that would be embarrassing.

For ordinary families, serving dishes late wasn’t a big deal. But for banquets ordered by high-ranking officials and nobles, late dishes would cause the host to lose face. The host would complain to Yixiang Restaurant, and word would spread, damaging the restaurant’s reputation.

After Yu Qianqian finished instructing the chefs on the details of the process, she noticed Fan Changyu sitting behind the stove. Without any airs, she squeezed over to sit by the fire with her. “It’s only the second day of the New Year, and you’re already here helping me at the restaurant. You really are working hard.”

Fan Changyu replied, “Manager Yu has so much to handle; she’s the one working hard.”

Yu Qianqian smiled. “There’s no easy money. If we do well with this banquet, Yixiang Restaurant’s reputation in the county will be firmly established.”

When Yixiang Restaurant first opened in the county town, Wang’s Braised Meat backstabbed it, and business had been lukewarm ever since. The local elite even joked about the lack of auspicious signs on the day it opened.

To raise Yixiang’s status among the noble ladies in town, Yu Qianqian sent many novel and expensive gifts, which is how she secured today’s banquet order.

She seemed to recall something and asked Fan Changyu, “By the way, does your braised meat have a custom logo or emblem?”

Fan Changyu looked puzzled. “What’s that?”

Yu Qianqian slapped her own forehead. “I blame myself for being too busy these past few days and forgetting to tell you in advance. It’s like Wang’s Braised Meat—they have their own bespoke signature.”

Fan Changyu shook her head.

Yu Qianqian explained, “Your braised meat here at my restaurant is meant to match Wang’s Braised Meat at Zuixian Restaurant. Even without a logo, you should have someone write a few characters to make it look proper.”

Fan Changyu didn’t understand. “Isn’t braised meat just sliced and plated? Whether it has a logo or not shouldn’t matter.”

Yu Qianqian said, “You must have noticed when you came in. There are several shops downstairs for rent, selling things like tea from the Fang Family and wine from the Li Family. I’ve reserved a spot for your braised meat too. You should make extra batches to sell there. Whatever you sell is yours. The point is to build up the reputation. Otherwise, if the braised meat we use here has no background, people will think Zuixian Restaurant has us beat.”

She was about to get up. “I’ll have someone find a talented scholar to write a banner for you to hang up.”

Fan Changyu thought of Xie Zheng and quickly said, “My husband can write. I’ll just ask him.”

Yu Qianqian hesitated a little. “How’s your husband’s handwriting?”

Fan Changyu said, “His calligraphy is really beautiful!”

After Fan Changyu’s repeated assurances, and with Yu Qianqian still busy with other matters, she said, “Then go get your husband now. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll send someone to find a scholar.”

The braised meat was already in the pot; now it just needed to be watched carefully. Fan Changyu didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed, then went to the alley behind Yixiang Restaurant to find Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng had been unable to sleep last night, lost in thought, only dozing off at dawn.

But he was soon woken up by the stewardess calling for the kitchen boy.

The stewardess muttered as she called out, “That boy used to never be lazy, so why is he still asleep at this hour today?”

The kitchen boy, awakened by her call, opened his eyes in confusion. Seeing that dawn had already broken, he hurriedly got dressed. As soon as he moved, he let out a sharp groan, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think I slept wrong. My neck really hurts.”

The stewardess scowled. “You’re just being lazy, sleeping in too long!”

The boy, feeling a bit guilty for oversleeping and getting scolded, frowned as he finished dressing. He quickly washed his face and went to start working in the front hall upstairs.

At this moment, the entire courtyard was filled with the sounds of Yixiang Restaurant’s staff moving about. Xie Zheng no longer had the heart to keep sleeping.

He hadn’t slept all night, and the stubble on his jaw had darkened. Just after washing up, Fan Changyu came looking for him. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, she asked with concern, “You didn’t stay up all night, did you?”

Just then, the stewardess passed through the courtyard. Hearing Fan Changyu’s words and seeing Xie Zheng’s exhausted, disheveled appearance, she said, “I told you last night that the kid in the hall was snoring loudly. The young master probably couldn’t sleep because of it.”

Xie Zheng didn’t know how to respond to Fan Changyu. Hearing the stewardess say this, he hesitated but nodded slightly.

Fan Changyu looked at him with sympathy.

After the stewardess left, she said, “Get a good rest when you get home tonight. But right now, I need your help with something.”

Maybe because he hadn’t slept well, Xie Zheng stared at her moving red lips but for a moment didn’t catch what she said. Instead, he thought about the dream he had during the brief moments he fell asleep.

In the dream, they had agreed to separate. She turned to marry someone else, still wearing the wedding clothes from their wedding day. He couldn’t see the face of the man she married, but her smile was bright and carefree, as if she had found a husband who truly suited her.

He couldn’t quite put a name to the feeling in his heart, but it was definitely unpleasant.

Now, looking at Fan Changyu, he couldn’t help but press his lips into a tighter line.

After finishing speaking, Fan Changyu saw that Xie Zheng hadn’t replied at all. Instead, he looked at her with a dark expression. She waved her hand in front of his eyes. “Did you hear what I said?”

Xie Zheng came back to his senses and quickly controlled his thoughts. “Yes.”

Fan Changyu gave him a suspicious look. “What were you thinking about just now?”

Xie Zheng said, “Nothing. I just woke up and felt a little out of it.”

Fan Changyu herself sometimes felt groggy when she didn’t sleep well, so she didn’t think he was lying. She got to the point: “I need you to write a few characters for me.”

Xie Zheng asked, “Write what?”

Fan Changyu said, “Manager Yu said today’s business will compete directly with Zuixian Restaurant. We can’t fall behind. Our braised meat needs to have its own signature, just like Wang’s Braised Meat. Manager Yu reserved a spot outside the hall downstairs for us to set up the braised meat. There’s no time to order a plaque, so we’ll write a cloth banner to hang up for now.”

Xie Zheng nodded and asked, “Are the ink and cloth banners ready?”

Fan Changyu said, “Manager Yu helped prepare them.”

Xie Zheng said, “Then let’s go.”

The Yixiang Restaurant staff lived in the alley behind the restaurant, which made coming and going very convenient. Usually, groceries were bought and waste water was hauled through this alley since the back door of Yixiang Restaurant opened onto it.

As Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng stepped out, they happened to run into the waste water hauler.

During New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the waste haulers stayed home for the holiday, so the waste water that had accumulated at Yixiang Restaurant hadn’t been dealt with. That’s why someone came early in the morning to haul it away.

Luckily, it was the dead of winter, so the waste water hadn’t developed much odor even after two days.

However, the alley was narrow, so when the waste cart passed through, people had to stand as close to the side as possible; otherwise, it was easy to get splattered with filth from the waste buckets.

Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng stepped aside to avoid it. Just as the cart was about to pass, a wheel rolled over a stone, causing the entire cart to jolt. The lid of the waste bucket on the side bounced open, spilling some waste water.

Xie Zheng frowned and quickly pulled Fan Changyu toward him with lightning reflexes.

Fan Changyu’s head bumped hard against his solid chest, while the spilled waste water splashed onto the spot where she had just been standing.

The old man hauling the waste water turned back, apologizing repeatedly, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. The wheel just hit a stone. It didn’t splash on you, did it?”

Xie Zheng glanced at Fan Changyu’s skirt and said, “It didn’t splash on us. You can go now, sir.”

Only then did the old man urge his horse onward.

Xie Zheng noticed Fan Changyu hadn’t said a word, and his hand was still gripping her wrist. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately loosened his grip, moving his hand behind his back, his palm feeling as if it were burning. “You…”

He stopped himself after just one word.

Fan Changyu lowered her head, two drops of blood falling from her nose onto the thin layer of ice on the bluestone pavement, her expression one of utter resignation.

She had hit his chest too hard and had a nosebleed.

Xie Zheng was silent for two beats before saying, “Sorry.”

Fan Changyu answered in a muffled voice, “It’s nothing,” but the pain in the bridge of her nose was so intense that tears welled up in her eyes, making her look quite pitiful.

She pulled out her handkerchief and wiped hurriedly, but no sooner had she finished than more blood trickled out. She tried to tilt her head up to stop the bleeding, but just as she did, a large hand pressed on the back of her head, pushing her back down.

Xie Zheng said, “Don’t tilt your head up if your nose is bleeding.”

Fan Changyu could only cover her nostrils with the handkerchief and said gloomily, “Seeing blood this early in the morning, looks like I’m going to have a bad day.”

Xie Zheng apologized again, and Fan Changyu sighed with some helplessness, “I’m just joking. How could I be unlucky? I’m destined for good fortune and wealth!”

The nosebleed seemed to have stopped, but her nose still felt very uncomfortable. After lowering the handkerchief, she sniffed and said, “I guess it’s a mix of good and bad luck. I dodged getting drenched in that filthy water, but then I ended up with a nosebleed from bumping into you. A nosebleed’s better than being soaked in filth so I’m still ahead!”

Worried that Xie Zheng might blame himself, she even flared her nostrils a little, “See? The bleeding’s stopped…”

But the last word caught in her throat.

Xie Zheng took the handkerchief from her and gently wiped the blood beside her nostrils twice. “There’s still some blood here you didn’t clean. The bleeding just stopped, so don’t breathe too hard.”

Even through the handkerchief, she could clearly feel the pressure of his fingertips.

This man before her was probably someone favored by the heavens from birth: sharp brows, bright eyes, delicate features without a hint of femininity. A light breeze blew from behind him, stirring his sleeves and the stray hairs at his temples. A withered brown leaf fell from the branches above the wall.

Fan Changyu felt like a lobster brandishing its big claws, suddenly dumbfounded and unsure how to wave them.

Xie Zheng withdrew his hand and, seeing her lost in thought, asked, “Still hurting?”

Fan Changyu shook her head and half-jokingly said, “If you keep this good temper, you won’t have to worry about girls liking you in the future.”

Xie Zheng’s eyes darkened for a moment. His jet-black gaze fixed on her as he pinched her handkerchief between his thumb and forefinger, replying with a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “Then I’ll take that as a blessing.”

Fan Changyu looked utterly baffled. She was complimenting him… why did he suddenly sound so sharp?

The two of them entered Yixiang Restaurant through the back door. While Xie Zheng was writing on the triangular cloth banners that Yu Qianqian had prepared, Fan Changyu, thinking that he hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, went to the kitchen to get some steamed buns and porridge for him, the kind the staff usually ate.

By the time she returned, quite a few of the kitchen staff had gathered around the table where Xie Zheng was writing, and even the restaurant’s accountant was praising his excellent calligraphy.

Once the ink on the banners had dried, some of the restaurant workers helped hang them up.

Fan Changyu glanced over and saw that the four simple characters “Fan’s Braised Meat” looked remarkably beautiful when written by him. The strokes were strong and vigorous, the brushwork graceful and flowing. The four triangular cloth banners hung up looked even more impressive than a gold-lettered plaque.

In a very good mood, Fan Changyu brought the porridge and buns to Xie Zheng. “Here, eat something to settle your stomach first.”

As Yu Qianqian passed through the main hall, she noticed the characters written on the temporary cloth banners cut from red silk. She couldn’t help but click her tongue in admiration and praised Fan Changyu for finding such a good husband.

She also gave Fan Changyu a tip: “Changyu, you should have someone order a batch of paper bags, and print these characters your husband wrote on the paper seals. When customers come to buy your braised meat, you can pack it in those bags. Your reputation will surely grow, and you won’t have to worry about being overshadowed by Wang’s.”

On the market, cooked foods were usually wrapped in greaseproof paper, and Fan Changyu’s shop also used greaseproof paper for packaging.

The greaseproof paper was oil-resistant, with a smooth side for wrapping the food and a rough side facing outward.

Fan Changyu had also noticed that Yixiang Restaurant’s pot base seasoning was packed in paper boxes printed with floral and bird designs, tied with thin hemp twine in beautiful knots she had never seen before.

Yu Qianqian had specially asked her to braise an extra pot of meat to keep for sale at this storefront.

A bright idea struck Fan Changyu. While Xie Zheng was drinking porridge, she stepped out for a moment and returned with a stack of greaseproof paper and a roll of thin hemp twine.

She cut half a pound of pig’s head meat and tried wrapping it in the greaseproof paper, then tied it with the twine. It looked quite presentable, except the greaseproof paper didn’t have the “Fan Ji” characters on it.

Xie Zheng had just finished eating steamed buns and plain porridge with pickled vegetables when Fan Changyu’s sharp gaze fell on him. “Yan Zheng, how about you write a few more characters for me?”

Xie Zheng: “…”

Before Yixiang Restaurant opened for lunch, he wrote characters on over a hundred sheets of the rough greaseproof paper.

When Yu Qianqian passed by again, she saw Fan Changyu’s makeshift solution and smiled, saying, “Truly, when a couple is united, their strength can cut through metal.”

Noticing that the knot Fan Changyu tied was a bit crooked, she took the initiative to teach her how to make a prettier knot. “If you loop the rope around from this side before tying it, it’ll look much better.”

Fan Changyu thanked her, and Yu Qianqian gave her shoulder a firm pat. “No need to thank me. Today, we’re all breathing the same air. If your braised meat gets outshone by Wang’s, that would be a disgrace to me.”

By midday, Yixiang Restaurant was bustling. Guests kept arriving, and there were about a dozen staff members handling reception. Male guests were greeted by the servers, while female guests were attended to by uniformly dressed waitresses.

Whether server or waitress, their manners were poised and confident, with smiles that were warm but never obsequious. They looked nothing like the staff at other restaurants.

For female guests sensitive to the cold, the restaurant even prepared hot water foot warmers—truly thoughtful.

Fan Changyu couldn’t help but say to Xie Zheng, “Yixiang Restaurant is the most impressive restaurant I’ve ever seen.”

Xie Zheng replied, “It’s alright.”

The best restaurants in the capital far surpassed this one, but in this small town, to open such an establishment, the female owner must really have some skill.

Fan Changyu shot him a sideways glance. “Why is it so hard for you to say a compliment?”

Xie Zheng said, “Once you’ve seen better, you won’t praise everything.”

Fan Changyu: “…”

Was that a burn? It was, right?

She decided to keep quiet, but they didn’t have much time to rest before someone came over and asked, “How much do you charge for your braised meat?”

Fan Changyu only learned today, while selling at Yixiang Restaurant, that Yu Qianqian’s price for takeout was one hundred wen per jin—almost twice the usual price for braised meat.

Nervously, she gave the price, and the young servant didn’t even haggle, immediately ordering three jin.

Fan Changyu was momentarily stunned but quickly sliced the meat and wrapped it up.

Still, she was a bit bewildered. Was it really this easy to do business by riding on Yixiang Restaurant’s reputation?

After the servant left, she whispered to Xie Zheng, “It’s my first time selling braised meat at such a high price. I feel a bit guilty.”

Xie Zheng said, “Look at the wine seller next to you.”

The wine seller was a well-known old distillery in the county, and their business was even better than theirs.

Fan Changyu watched for a while but didn’t see what was so special. She asked Xie Zheng, “What about the wine seller?”

Xie Zheng looked up at her. “Haven’t you noticed that small jar of wine just sold for nearly one tael of silver?”

Fan Changyu nodded like a little chick pecking at rice. “I noticed, but drinks are naturally expensive.”

Xie Zheng snorted lightly. “Expensive? How so? Wine is just made from grain and yeast, and the cost might not even be higher than your meat.”

Fan Changyu thought about the price of pork versus grain and found his point quite reasonable.

Xie Zheng explained, “Whether something is cheap or expensive depends on whether people are willing to buy it. If a bunch of people are willing to pay a high price, the item becomes expensive. Conversely, if everyone only wants to pay a low price, then the item isn’t worth much.”

Fan Changyu nodded, half understanding.

After selling a few more orders, she gradually started to figure things out on her own.

The customers dining at Yixiang Restaurant were all from wealthy families, most of whom believed that ‘expensive means good.’ The idea of getting something cheap and good didn’t apply to them.

If something suddenly costs less than what they usually pay, their first reaction wouldn’t be to think they got a bargain; they’d worry that the food might be problematic.

Thinking this way, she understood why Yu Qianqian’s prices at Yixiang Restaurant were higher than those at ordinary eateries.

Part of it was the quality of the dishes, but another part came from a sense of competition. Yu Qianqian had positioned Yixiang Restaurant as a place where only the elite dined. Spending large sums here wasn’t just about enjoying delicious food; it was about the feeling of being a cut above the rest.

Before the meal, business at Fan Changyu’s stall was average, with only a few passersby from the street buying some to take home as side dishes.

After the first round of diners finished their meal and had tasted the braised meat, business suddenly exploded. Many maids and servants lined up to buy, and Fan Changyu couldn’t keep up with slicing and packaging alone, so she handed the packaging work over to Xie Zheng.

His striking appearance caught people’s attention, and with a long queue outside the shop, many young women and wives passing by stopped to buy the braised meat.

Latecomers to the banquet saw the scene in the main hall and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are so many people buying braised meat?”

The attendant smiled and replied, “The guests from the previous round tried Fan’s Braised Meat during the meal and found it delicious. They want to buy some to take home for their families.”

Hearing this, the guest immediately ordered their own servant, “So many people are buying it; it seems Fan’s Braised Meat isn’t just all talk. Get some to take home for the old lady.”

Some guests who loved calligraphy and paintings noticed the large characters “Fan’s Braised Meat” as soon as they entered and sighed, “Such fine calligraphy! Ah, it’s truly a waste to have it on this signboard!”

Looking more closely, they saw that the servants lining up to buy the braised meat were holding oil-paper wrappers also inscribed with “Fan’s Braised Meat” in strong, vigorous strokes. They sighed even more regretfully. Instead of buying the braised meat themselves, they sent their attendants to buy a sheet of the wrappers as a keepsake.

Fan Changyu was a little dumbfounded when she heard this request, but as long as they paid, she was happy to comply.

She began to understand that the pursuits of the wealthy were quite different from those of ordinary people. She accepted the money and readily handed over several sheets of the oil-paper wrappers to the servant.

The Song family had produced a successful candidate in the imperial exams and was now a prominent family in Qingping County. Madam Song was eager to mingle with the wives of officials and wealthy ladies, as if trying to reclaim the glory they had not enjoyed for over a decade.

Naturally, she had come to today’s banquet.

Seeing a long line of servants buying braised meat, and many wealthy ladies sending their servants to buy some, she originally wanted to join the fun. But when she noticed the sign with the words “Fan’s Braised Meat,” her expression changed.

Looking more closely and seeing Fan Changyu busy inside the shop, her face fell completely. “How could she be here…”

A woman familiar with her asked, “Madam Song, do you know that young lady?”

Madam Song sighed deeply, with a hint of pity and compassion: “She’s a poor girl with a cursed fate. Not long ago, she lost her parents, and then her uncle died as well. Probably pushed out by the townspeople, she came here to make a living.”

Yu Qianqian recognized all the prominent figures in Qingping County and knew exactly what kind of business each family was involved in.

Madam Qian dared to be so assertive at this table because her family ran the local money exchange.

With a cold expression, Madam Qian glanced down at Fan’s Braised Meat shop and raised her chin. “We’re here to celebrate a wedding today. Isn’t it bad luck to have that jinx running a business in your building?”

The shopfront was packed with people lined up to buy braised meat. Yu Qianqian guessed Madam Qian was referring to Fan Changyu but played dumb. “Jinx? It’s the New Year, Madam Qian. Saying things like that isn’t very auspicious.”

Seeing Yu Qianqian’s reaction, Madam Qian’s face softened a bit. “You don’t know? I heard that Young Lady Fan has a cursed fate! She’s an unlucky spirit who caused the deaths of her parents and then her uncle. You better not keep her working in your building; be careful she doesn’t bring misfortune to you!”

Yu Qianqian covered her mouth and gasped, clearly startled. “Who told you that?”

Madam Qian immediately pushed Madam Song forward. “Madam Song is originally from Lin’an Town and knows the whole story about that jinx.”

Yu Qianqian said, “So it was Madam Song who said it. I heard that Young Master Song was engaged to the Fan family’s eldest lady for several years. After he passed the imperial exams, he had someone match their birth charts and found out Young Lady Fan was an unlucky spirit. They quickly called off the engagement. Luckily, they ended it early, or else Scholar Song would have missed the chance to become the County Magistrate’s son-in-law.”

Everyone present was sharp, and hearing Yu Qianqian’s words, their glances toward Madam Song instantly shifted in subtle ways.

Madam Song glared fiercely. “You!”

Yu Qianqian blinked innocently. “I don’t know much about fortune-telling, but that half-mystic down south said Young Lady Fan has a fate that brings prosperity to her husband. Her husband writes beautiful calligraphy. I heard at last night’s lantern festival, Young Master Song was left speechless by a line from her husband: ‘Northern Wild Geese Flying South, phoenixes spreading across the land.’ Sounds like he’s quite talented. Maybe next year’s imperial exams will earn her a noble title!”

Someone who heard that couplet couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle.

Madam Song didn’t yet know about her son’s embarrassing behavior last night, but thinking of how he returned home silent and locked himself in the study to study hard, she suddenly felt her face flush hotly with embarrassment under the scrutinizing eyes of the assembled merchant and official wives. Without a word, she hurriedly left the table with her maid.

A government official’s wife led a loud sneer, and soon the entire table of noblewomen joined in, all disdainfully mocking, “In the end, she’s just not worthy of being in polite society.”

“To break off the engagement with someone’s daughter and still have the nerve to spread such stories.”

“Have you seen that jade bracelet on her wrist? It’s obviously fake. I’d rather go barehanded than wear something counterfeit. That scholar’s mother really has no shame!”

Seeing that the noblewomen had already moved on to other topics, Yu Qianqian smiled warmly and said, “Ladies, please enjoy your meal. The restaurant is busy today, so if there’s anything we’ve overlooked in serving you, please forgive us for any shortcomings.”

The noblewomen immediately softened and became more agreeable. Some who had tasted the braised meat and found it delicious even sent their maids downstairs to buy some to take home.

Fan Changyu had no idea that Yu Qianqian was helping her out of this social trap. After the braised meat sold out, she let Xie Zheng, who hadn’t had any rest all night, go home to rest while she herself went to help in the Yixiang Restaurant’s kitchen.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that the banquet at Yixiang Restaurant finally came to an end.

Fan Changyu counted the small silver and copper coins earned from selling the braised meat in the counter drawer and found she had made more than fifteen taels.

For the first time, she understood what it meant to make an enormous profit.

Although Yu Qianqian had told her that however much she sold would be hers to keep, the shop belonged to Yixiang Restaurant, and so did the clientele. Fan Changyu didn’t intend to keep all the money for herself and went to find Yu Qianqian to share the profits.

When Yu Qianqian heard her intention, she was amused and asked, “How much did you sell in total today?”

Fan Changyu answered honestly, “Fifteen taels and three hundred wen.”

This amount surprised Yu Qianqian. She smiled and said, “I’ve heard that some distinguished guests even tipped your husband silver coins. You both worked hard for this money, so you should keep it yourselves.”

Fan Changyu said, “I only managed to sell so much braised meat because I borrowed Manager Yu’s prime spot. Besides, the money for buying the meat and the seasonings for the braised meat all came from Manager Yu. Even how to package the braised meat was taught by Manager Yu. If you don’t take a share, I’ll feel uneasy.”

Yu Qianqian tapped Fan Changyu lightly on the forehead. “You’re so honest and straightforward, you really aren’t cut out for business. The reason your braised meat sold well today is ultimately because your family’s recipe is truly excellent. Otherwise, why was there no business at first, and those guests only sent their servants to buy after finishing their meals? I may have given you a good idea, but it’s really you and your husband who put it into practice. How many paper receipts did your husband write today? If you’re going to feel sorry for someone, it should be him.”

She spoke earnestly, “Your braised meat business picking up is good for me too. You don’t need to be so distant with me. Let’s keep this favor between us for the long term. Who knows, there might come a time when I’ll need your help.”

Fan Changyu finally gave in but still insisted on paying Yu Qianqian back for the cost of the meat and seasonings.

Yu Qianqian realized Fan Changyu was sincere and couldn’t refuse, so she agreed.

After deducting three taels of silver for the costs, Fan Changyu took the remaining twelve taels and went to the accountant to exchange all the copper coins for silver, planning to split the earnings evenly with Xie Zheng.

The cooks and kitchen staff at the restaurant were just sitting down to eat when Yu Qianqian said, “You sit and eat first. I’ll send someone to call your husband and Manager Fang over.”

Fan Changyu guessed that the Manager Fang mentioned was the stewardess from the back alley. Thinking that Changning was still with her, she said, “I’ll go fetch my sister and call them along.”

As she stepped out the back door of Yixiang Restaurant, she saw that Xie Zheng hadn’t gone back to his room but was instead standing at the alley entrance with his hands behind his back, watching something.

Fan Changyu walked over and followed his gaze, seeing only a group of soldiers jogging away. Judging by their uniforms, they were from the military camp, not local Qingping County officers.

She frowned. “Are those the soldiers sent to collect grain?”

Xie Zheng nodded, his expression cold.

Most merchants living in town bought grain to eat. Since the authorities couldn’t levy grain directly from merchants, they had to find ways to make them pay more.

Grain collection had to be done in the countryside, targeting farmers. Fan Changyu had already heard about the incident in Taizhou where farmers were beaten to death during grain collection, and her heart tightened.

She said, “They say the big officials in Ji Prefecture are just and fair, but I hope they don’t turn out like Taizhou, forcing the people to death just to collect grain.”

Xie Zheng replied, “Let’s see how Ji Prefecture handles it.”

As long as Zhao Xun and those behind him aren’t fools, they should have already reported Wei Xuan’s arrival in Ji Prefecture to collect grain to He Jingyuan yesterday.

When he turned back, he saw Fan Changyu’s pocket bulging and frowned slightly. “What’s all this?”

Fan Changyu pulled out the twelve taels of broken silver and several hundred strings of copper coins, splitting them in half and handing one portion to Xie Zheng. “Yours.”

One tael of silver might not seem like much, but twelve taels together definitely took up some space.

Xie Zheng’s eyelid twitched slightly as he watched her pull out the money like a country bumpkin. “You keep it.”

Fan Changyu said, “No way. We split it fifty-fifty. You wrote hundreds of paper receipts.”

He took a breath and said, “It’s easy to lose if I carry it on me. You hold onto it for now.”

Having learned from his previous experience of losing money at the small restaurant, Fan Changyu couldn’t really refuse. She put it all into her own pocket, making her clothes bulge even more.

The two of them went back to find Changning. Before they even entered the room, they heard two children talking inside.

“My big sister is amazing! She can eat three bowls of rice in one sitting!” It was Changning’s voice.

“My mom’s even more amazing. She can eat two braised pork knuckles all by herself, plus a bowl of spicy pepper soup!” The boy seemed unwilling to back down.

“My sister’s rice bowl is as big as Dad’s soup bowl!” From the tone, it sounded like she was even gesturing.

“Well… well, your sister’s still more impressive.” The boy seemed to concede.

Outside the room, Fan Changyu was speechless.

A rice bowl as big as a soup bowl? That clearly belonged to their father!

===
T/N: Rant warning.

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