Snowflakes drifted down beneath the eaves, forming a thin layer on the steps.
Xie Zheng leaned against a corridor pillar with his arms crossed, his eyes half-lowered in thought. The lantern above cast a warm glow on the ground, drawing shadows from his perfectly proportioned eyelashes onto his lower eyelids.
He had seen many beauties before, including Western Region dancers performing barefoot at Wei Yan’s banquets. While he could no longer remember the exact appearance of those dancers’ feet, he still recalled their golden ankle chains adorned with bells that chimed with their movements, like silent invitations.
When he saw Fan Changyu’s exposed feet, for some inexplicable reason, he was reminded of those dancers’ jingling golden bells. The thought immediately struck him as absurd, and he felt a surge of self-disgust for having violated her dignity.
Xie Zheng irritably rubbed his brow. Since childhood, he had lived under others’ roofs. To honor his father’s dying wish, he devoted himself to studying military strategy and practicing martial arts. Wei Yan had strictly regulated both his and Wei Xuan’s conduct, forbidding them from becoming entangled in matters between men and women. Even their servants were exclusively male attendants, with no female maids.
After joining the battlefield, he focused solely on defeating enemies, never considering such matters.
Wei Xuan, either deliberately defying Wei Yan’s rules or purely out of rebelliousness, frequently visited brothels and kept mistresses, earning numerous punishments from Wei Yan. Back then, Wei Xuan had mocked him for being an obedient dog, asking if he knew the pleasures of romance. Xie Zheng had shared Wei Yan’s opinion, believing Wei Xuan would never amount to anything significant.
Though reluctant to admit it, he had indeed been deeply influenced by Wei Yan, who believed that those in power must learn to control their desires, with carnal desires being the most basic of all.
After returning from military service, he occasionally attended unavoidable banquets where he would see delicate dancers earning thunderous applause, feeling only contempt. Like Wei Yan, he looked down on the capital’s nobles’ ways, believing such decadence would only weaken one’s resolve.
When he eventually married, he would only choose a wife worthy of the Xie family’s status, not someone fragile like his mother. The battlefield showed no mercy – perhaps one day he would meet the same fate as his father, dying in battle. He didn’t need someone to die of grief for him; he needed a matriarch who could uphold the Xie family’s dignity after his passing.
This was the standard by which all noble sons in the capital chose their wives from prominent families.
But these days… what was wrong with him?
Images of Fan Changyu kept appearing in his mind – butchering pigs, fighting men, enduring hardships silently…
She was admirable, even more resilient than many noble ladies, but her simple upbringing meant she couldn’t navigate the complex politics of high society… she could never be the Xie family’s matriarch.
Realizing the direction of his thoughts, Xie Zheng was startled.
The elderly housekeeper, making her rounds with a lantern, noticed him standing in the corridor and asked, “Young sir, why aren’t you resting in your room?”
Xie Zheng collected his thoughts and replied, “I was looking for you. Might I share a room with one of the Yixiang Tower’s workers?”
The housekeeper asked puzzled, “You’re Lady Fan’s husband, why not share her room?”
Xie Zheng made an excuse: “She’s with her younger sister; it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
The housekeeper thought to herself that Changning was just a child, but considering that she was still a young girl, she nodded and said, “It was thoughtless of this old woman. Our workers usually share rooms two to a room, and we don’t have extra rooms. However, there is one worker whose snoring is so loud that others can’t sleep near him. If you don’t mind, you could stay in his room for the night.”
Xie Zheng agreed, and the housekeeper led him to that worker’s room.
They could hear the thunderous snoring even from outside. Xie Zheng fell momentarily silent.
The housekeeper opened the door, its hinges creaking without disturbing the worker’s sleep at all. She showed Xie Zheng in, lit the oil lamp, and pointed to an empty single bed: “You can sleep here tonight.”
Xie Zheng thanked her, and she left with her lantern.
He removed his outer robe and lay down with his arm as a pillow. Already having little inclination to sleep, the thunderous snoring from the opposite bed made even closing his eyes impossible.
After enduring for a quarter hour, Xie Zheng rose and approached the worker’s bed. With a precise strike to the back of the worker’s neck, he rendered him unconscious, instantly silencing the snoring.
He returned to his bed but still couldn’t sleep.
He had never thought about a future with Fan Changyu before, but tonight’s thoughts of marriage left him inexplicably troubled.
He knew Fan Changyu wasn’t suitable as the Xie family’s matriarch, but the idea of returning to the capital to marry a well-educated noblelady who could manage the Xie household affairs made him instinctively resistant.
It was as if he had found a wild grass with extraordinary vitality in the wilderness. He had grown fond of it, but if he were to transplant it home among exotic flowers, others would only mock that wild grass.
Wild grass could only be free and resilient in its native wilderness – placed in a precious porcelain pot and carefully tended, it would cease to be wild grass at all.
He raised one hand across his eyes, resting it on his brow bone, his lips pressed tightly together in the darkness.
The next morning, before dawn, Fan Changyu rose while Changning was still sleeping. After dressing, she quietly left the room, asking the housekeeper to watch over Changning while she went to Yixiang Tower.
The county town’s Yixiang Tower had a similar layout to the one in Linan Town but was more magnificent.
The errand workers hadn’t arrived in the main hall yet, but the kitchen staff was already complete.
The pig heads for braising had already been prepared by others, so Fan Changyu didn’t even need to tend the fire herself, only prepare the braising seasonings.
Yu Qianqian was personally discussing with several head chefs about which dishes should be served first, which later, and what would be the finale.
Though Fan Changyu was an outsider, she could tell this required exquisite planning. After all, some dishes would lose their flavor if left too long. If too many main dishes were served consecutively and the kitchen couldn’t keep up, delayed service would be embarrassing.
For ordinary households, late dishes weren’t a problem, but at these officials’ and nobles’ private banquets, late service would embarrass the host. Not only would the host confront Yixiang Tower, but it would also damage the restaurant’s reputation.
After Yu Qianqian finished instructing the chefs on various procedural details, she noticed Fan Changyu sitting by the stove and squeezed over to warm herself beside her, showing no airs: “It’s only the second day of the New Year, and I’m already having you help at the tower. It’s truly troublesome for you.”
Fan Changyu replied, “Manager Yu has so much to handle, you seem far more troubled.”
Yu Qianqian smiled, “There’s no easy way to make money. If we handle this banquet well, Yixiang Tower’s reputation in the county will be firmly established.”
Previously, when Yixiang Tower opened in the county, they were sabotaged by Wang’s shop, and business had remained lukewarm. The county’s elite even joked about the lack of auspicious signs on opening day.
Yu Qianqian had sent many exotic and expensive gifts to those noble ladies to elevate Yixiang Tower’s status in the county, finally securing today’s private banquet.
She seemed to remember something and asked Fan Changyu, “By the way, does your braised meat have a design emblem?”
Fan Changyu looked puzzled: “What’s that?”
Yu Qianqian slapped her forehead: “It’s my fault for being too busy these days and forgetting to tell you earlier. It’s like Wang’s Braised Meat Shop’s custom trademark.”
Fan Changyu shook her head.
Yu Qianqian said, “Your braised meat in my tower competes with Wang’s from Zuixian Tower. Without an emblem, we should at least have someone write some characters to make it look proper.”
Fan Changyu didn’t understand: “Isn’t braised meat just sliced, plated, and served? An emblem shouldn’t matter.”
Yu Qianqian explained, “You must have seen when you came in that I have several shops downstairs for rent – the Fang family’s tea and Li family’s wine are sold there. I’ve reserved a spot for your braised meat too. You can prepare extra to sell there, and all the profits will be yours. The main thing is to build a reputation. Without a proper source for the braised meat used in my tower, wouldn’t we seem inferior to Zuixian Tower?”
She was about to get up: “I’ll have someone find a talented scholar to write a banner for you temporarily.”
Fan Changyu thought of Xie Zheng and quickly said, “My husband can write! I’ll ask him later.”
Yu Qianqian hesitated: “How good is your husband’s writing?”
Fan Changyu declared, “His writing is beautiful!”
With her repeated assurances, and Yu Qianqian truly being busy with other matters, she told her, “Then go find your husband now. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll still send for a scholar.”
The braised meat was already cooking and only needed watching, so Fan Changyu didn’t dawdle. She immediately agreed and went to find Xie Zheng in the alley behind Yixiang Tower.
Xie Zheng had been unable to sleep all night, only dozing off at dawn.
However, he was soon awakened by the housekeeper calling for the worker.
The housekeeper muttered while waking the worker: “He never seemed lazy before, how is he still sleeping at this hour?”
The awakened worker opened his eyes in confusion, saw it was already light out, and hurriedly got up to dress. But as soon as he moved, he cried out in pain, rubbing his neck: “I seem to have slept wrong, my neck hurts.”
The housekeeper scolded with a stern face: “That’s what happens when you oversleep!”
The worker, feeling guilty for being late, dressed quickly with a grimace, hastily washed his face and hurried to work in the front of the tower.
With all the Yixiang Tower workers moving about the courtyard now, Xie Zheng had no desire to continue sleeping.
After a sleepless night, blue-black stubble had emerged on his jaw. Just as he finished washing up, Fan Changyu found him and, noticing the dark circles under his eyes, asked worriedly: “You didn’t stay up all night, did you?”
The housekeeper happened to pass through the courtyard and, hearing Fan Changyu’s words and seeing Xie Zheng’s exhausted appearance, said, “I mentioned last night that the worker’s snoring might be disturbing. The young sir must have had trouble sleeping because of it.”
Unsure how to respond to Fan Changyu, Xie Zheng hesitantly nodded at the housekeeper’s explanation.
Fan Changyu looked at him sympathetically.
After the housekeeper left, she said, “Get a good rest when we return home tonight. Right now, I need to ask for your help with something.”
Perhaps due to lack of sleep, Xie Zheng found himself staring at her moving red lips, not quite hearing what she said. Instead, he recalled the brief dream he’d had during his short sleep.
In the dream, they had divorced as agreed, and she married another man, wearing the same wedding clothes from their wedding day. Though he couldn’t see the face of the man she married, her smile was dazzlingly bright and uninhibited, as if she had found a husband who truly suited her.
He couldn’t quite identify the feeling in his heart, but it was decidedly unpleasant.
Looking at Fan Changyu now, his lips unconsciously turned downward.
Fan Changyu finished speaking and saw that Xie Zheng hadn’t responded at all, instead staring at her with a gloomy expression. She waved her hand in front of his eyes: “Did you hear what I said?”
Xie Zheng snapped back to reality, quickly composing himself: “Go ahead.”
Fan Changyu eyed him suspiciously: “What were you thinking about just now?”
Xie Zheng replied, “Nothing. I just woke up, my mind isn’t quite clear yet.”
Fan Changyu had her own experiences with grogginess from poor sleep, so she didn’t doubt his words and got to the point: “Could you write some characters for me?”
Xie Zheng asked, “What do you need written?”
Fan Changyu explained, “Manager Yu says today’s business is competing with Zuixian Tower, so we can’t appear inferior. Our braised meat needs its trademark like Wang’s shop. Manager Yu has reserved a space for us to sell braised meat outside the downstairs hall. There’s no time to order a proper signboard, so we’ll make do with a cloth banner for now.”
Xie Zheng nodded, asking, “Are the brushes, ink, and cloth ready?”
Fan Changyu replied, “Manager Yu has prepared them.”
Xie Zheng said, “Let’s go then.”
The workers’ quarters behind Yixiang Tower were made for convenient access. The back alley was used for buying ingredients and transporting kitchen waste, with the tower’s back door opening directly onto it.
As Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng were leaving, they happened to encounter someone collecting kitchen waste.
The waste collector had been home celebrating New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, so Yixiang Tower’s accumulated waste hadn’t been dealt with, leading to this early morning collection.
Thankfully, the severe winter meant the waste hadn’t developed much odor over two days.
However, the alley was narrow, requiring them to press against the wall when the waste cart passed to avoid contact with the filthy buckets.
Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng moved aside, but just as the cart was about to pass, its wheel hit a stone, causing it to jolt. The lid of the nearest bucket jumped, spilling some waste.
Xie Zheng’s brows furrowed as he quickly pulled Fan Changyu toward himself.
She crashed into his firm chest as the waste splashed where she had been standing moments before.
The elderly waste collector turned back, repeatedly apologizing: “I’m so sorry, the wheel hit a stone. Did any splash on you?”
Xie Zheng glanced at Fan Changyu’s skirt hem and replied, “No, it didn’t. You may go, elder.”
Only after the old man departed with his horse did Xie Zheng notice Fan Changyu’s silence and his grip on her wrist. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately released her hand, moving it behind his back as his palm seemed to burn. “You…” he began but stopped after one word.
Fan Changyu kept her head down as two drops of blood fell onto the frost-covered stone ground, her expression utterly dejected.
She had hit his chest too hard, causing a nosebleed.
After a moment’s silence, Xie Zheng said, “I apologize.”
Fan Changyu mumbled “It’s fine” through her nose, but the pain had brought involuntary tears to her eyes, making her look rather pitiful.
She pulled out her handkerchief and wiped haphazardly, but the bleeding continued. As she tilted her head back to stop it, a large hand pressed against the back of her head, pushing it forward.
Xie Zheng instructed, “Don’t tilt your head back when your nose is bleeding.”
Fan Changyu could only press the handkerchief to her nostrils, saying dejectedly, “Seeing blood first thing in the morning – I must be in for bad luck today.”
Xie Zheng apologized again, but Fan Changyu replied with resignation, “I’m joking! How could I have bad luck? I’m blessed with good fortune and wealth!”
The bleeding seemed to stop, though her nose still felt uncomfortable. Removing the handkerchief, she sniffed and said, “I suppose it’s a balance of fortune – I avoided being drenched in waste only to get a nosebleed from colliding with you. A nosebleed is better than being covered in waste, so I came out ahead!”
Worried he felt guilty, she wiggled her nose forcefully, “See, the bleeding has already stopped…”
The last word caught in her throat.
Xie Zheng took her handkerchief and gently wiped near her nose, “There’s still some blood here. The bleeding just stopped, don’t breathe too hard.”
Even through the handkerchief, she could feel the pressure of his fingertips.
The man before her must have been greatly favored by heaven at birth – with his sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, his features were refined yet thoroughly masculine. A gentle breeze from behind him stirred his sleeves and the loose strands of hair at his temples as a brown withered leaf fell unsteadily from the wall.
Fan Changyu felt like a lobster that had been proudly brandishing its claws, suddenly 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-joked, “With such a gentle temperament, you won’t have trouble finding girls who like you in the future.”
Xie Zheng’s eyes suddenly turned cold as he gazed at her sideways, still holding her handkerchief between his thumb and forefinger. With a mirthless smile, he replied, “I’ll take that as a blessing then.”
Fan Changyu was bewildered – she had complimented him, why had his words suddenly turned sharp?
They entered Yixiang Tower through the back door. While Xie Zheng wrote on the triangular cloth banners Yu Qianqian had prepared, Fan Changyu, remembering he hadn’t eaten breakfast, went to get him some steamed buns and porridge from the kitchen.
When she returned, several workers had gathered around the table where Xie Zheng was writing, and even the tower’s accountant was praising his calligraphy.
Once the ink dried, workers helped hang the banners.
Fan Changyu looked up at them – though they merely spelled out “Fan’s Braised Meat,” his writing made them remarkably beautiful, with vigorous strokes and graceful flourishes. The four triangular banners looked even more impressive than gilded signboards.
In high spirits, Fan Changyu brought the porridge and buns to Xie Zheng: “Have something to eat first.”
Yu Qianqian, passing through the hall, saw the characters written on the temporary red silk banners and couldn’t help but praise them, commending Fan Changyu on finding such a talented husband.
She also suggested to Fan Changyu: “Sister Changyu, you should order some paper bags printed with your husband’s calligraphy. When people buy your braised meat, package it in these bags – your reputation will surely surpass Wang’s shop.”
Most cooked food vendors used oiled paper, as did Fan Changyu’s shop.
The oiled paper was water-resistant, with the smooth side wrapped around the food and the rough side facing out.
Fan Changyu had noticed that Yixiang Tower’s soup base was sold in printed paper boxes decorated with birds and flowers, tied with fine hemp rope in knots she’d never seen before.
Yu Qianqian had specifically asked her to prepare extra meat for selling in the shop.
A sudden inspiration struck Fan Changyu, and while Xie Zheng ate his porridge, she went out briefly, returning with a stack of oiled paper and a roll of fine hemp rope.
She tried wrapping half a jin of pig head meat in the oiled paper and securing it with a knotted hemp rope. It looked quite presentable, though the paper lacked the Fan’s shop name.
Xie Zheng had just finished his plain breakfast of steamed buns with pickled vegetables and porridge when he noticed Fan Changyu’s intense gaze: “Yan Zheng, would you mind writing a few more characters?”
Xie Zheng: “…”
Before Yixiang Tower opened for lunch, he had written characters on the rough side of about a hundred sheets of oiled paper.
When Yu Qianqian passed by again and saw Fan Changyu’s improvised solution, she smiled, “Truly, husband and wife thinking as one can accomplish anything.”
Noticing Fan Changyu’s slightly crooked knots, she taught her how to tie them properly: “Loop the rope this way before tying for a better look.”
Fan Changyu thanked her, and Yu Qianqian clapped her shoulder firmly: “No need for thanks. We’re in this together today – if Wang’s shop outshines your braised meat, it would be my loss of face.”
As noon approached, Yixiang Tower became busy with arriving guests. Over ten servants handled reception, with male attendants for male guests and uniformly dressed maids for female guests.
Both male and female servers carried themselves with dignity, maintaining pleasant but not fawning smiles – quite different from other restaurants.
The restaurant even provided hand warmers for cold-sensitive female guests, showing remarkable thoughtfulness.
Fan Changyu couldn’t help telling Xie Zheng, “Yixiang Tower is the most impressive restaurant I’ve ever seen.”
Xie Zheng replied, “It’s adequate.”
The capital’s finest restaurants surpassed this one, but for a small town, this female manager showed considerable skill in establishing such an establishment.
Fan Changyu glanced at him sideways: “Why is it so hard for you to give a simple compliment?”
Xie Zheng said, “Once you’ve seen better, you won’t praise everything you see.”
Fan Changyu: “…”
Had she just been snubbed? Surely she had?
She decided to stay quiet, though they weren’t idle for long before someone came asking, “How much is your braised meat?”
Fan Changyu learned that day that Yu Qianqian’s selling price was one hundred wen per jin, nearly double the usual price for braised meat.
When she nervously quoted the price, the servant didn’t even haggle before ordering three jin.
Fan Changyu was stunned but quickly cut and packaged the meat.
She remained somewhat dazed, wondering if doing business under Yixiang Tower’s reputation was this easy.
After the servant left, she whispered to Xie Zheng, “I’ve never sold braised meat this expensive before. My conscience feels a bit uneasy.”
Xie Zheng said, “Look at the wine seller next to you.”
That family owned a famous old winery in the county and was doing better business than them.
Fan Changyu watched for a while but couldn’t see anything special, asking Xie Zheng, “What about the wine seller?”
Xie Zheng looked up at her: “Haven’t you noticed they’re selling small jars of wine for nearly one tael of silver?”
Fan Changyu nodded rapidly like a pecking chick: “Yes, but wine is always expensive.”
Xie Zheng snorted softly: “Expensive why? Wine is just fermented grain and yeast – the cost might not even be as high as your meat.”
Fan Changyu considered the prices of pork and grain, finding his logic quite sound.
Xie Zheng continued: “The value of things, whether high or low, depends on whether people will buy them. If many people are willing to pay a high price, the item becomes expensive. Conversely, if everyone only offers a low price, then the item becomes cheap.”
Fan Changyu nodded, somewhat understanding.
After several more sales, she began to grasp the concept herself.
The customers at Yixiang Tower were wealthy, and such affluent families often held the notion that “expensive means good” – the concept of good value for money didn’t apply to them.
When consumable items were priced lower than what they usually paid, their first reaction wasn’t finding a bargain but worrying about the safety of the product.
Thinking this way, she understood why everything at Yu Qianqian’s Yixiang Tower was more expensive than ordinary restaurants.
While quality was part of the reason, another factor was status consciousness. Yu Qianqian had created a place where only officials and nobles would dine. Spending large sums to eat here bought not just delicious food but also a sense of belonging to the upper class.
Before the meal service, Fan Changyu’s business had been moderate, with occasional customers buying meat to take home as New Year’s dishes.
After the first round of diners finished their meal, having tasted the braised meat during their feast, her business suddenly boomed. Many maids and servants queued up to buy, and Fan Changyu couldn’t handle cutting meat and packaging alone, so she delegated the packaging to Xie Zheng.
His striking appearance, combined with the growing queue outside the shop, caught the attention of passersby, attracting many young women to line up for braised meat.
Later arriving guests, seeing this scene in the hall, inevitably asked, “Why are so many people buying braised meat?”
The attending servants would smile and reply, “The earlier guests tasted Fan’s braised meat during their meal and found it excellent. They’re buying some to take home for their families to try.”
Upon hearing this, a guest immediately instructed his servant, “With so many people buying it, this Fan Ji braised meat must be more than just a name. Buy some for the old madam at home.”
Another guest, fond of calligraphy and paintings, noticed the large character “Fan Ji Braised Meat” as soon as he entered. He sighed, “Such fine handwriting wasted on this sign!”
Looking closer, he saw that the oiled paper packages carried away by the servants in line also bore the words “Fan Ji Braised Meat” in vigorous calligraphy. Lamenting even more, he didn’t buy the meat but instead sent his attendant to purchase a sheet of the oiled paper used for wrapping.
Fan Changyu was a bit stunned by this request, but as long as they paid, it was fine. She realized that wealthy people’s pursuits differed from those of ordinary folks. She took the money and generously gave the attendant several sheets of oiled paper.
The Song family had produced a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, now considered a person of importance in Qingping County. Madam Song was eager to mingle with the wives of officials and wealthy men as if trying to reclaim the glory she had missed for over a decade.
Naturally, she attended today’s banquet. Seeing a group of servants queuing to buy braised meat, and many wealthy ladies sending their maids to make purchases, she initially wanted to join in. However, upon noticing the words “Fan Ji Braised Meat” on the sign, her expression changed. When she carefully observed Fan Changyu busy in the shop, her face fell completely. “How did she end up here…”
A woman acquainted with her asked, “Madam Song, do you know that young lady?”
Madam Song heaved a long sigh, speaking with an air of pity, “She’s an unfortunate child, born under an ill-fated star. Not long ago, she caused the death of her parents, and later her uncle. I suppose she was ostracized by the townspeople and came to the county to make a living.”
Businessmen and officials were most wary of such things. As soon as Madam Song spoke, the women at the table all changed their expressions.
“During the New Year celebrations, how could the Yixiang Tower manager let just anyone into the building?” One woman left the table, deeply uncomfortable.
Another official’s wife called over a waitress serving their table and said sternly, “Summon your manager for me.”
The waitress dared not delay and immediately went to call Yu Qianqian.
Though young, Yu Qianqian was adept at handling such situations. She approached with a smile, “Madam Qian, what seems to be the matter? If there’s any shortcoming in our service, I sincerely apologize.”
Yu Qianqian knew all the notable figures in Qingping County and was well aware of their businesses. Madam Qian dared to be so assertive at this table because her family ran a money house.
Madam Qian coldly gestured towards Fan Ji’s braised meat shop downstairs. “We’re here to celebrate, but you’re letting that harbinger of misfortune do business in your building. Aren’t you bringing us bad luck?”
With a queue of people lining up to buy braised meat at Fan Ji’s shop, Yu Qianqian guessed Madam Qian was referring to Fan Changyu, but she feigned ignorance. “What harbinger of misfortune? Madam Qian, speaking of such things during the New Year isn’t auspicious.”
Seeing her response, Madam Qian softened her expression. “You’re unaware? I heard the Fan girl has an ill-fated destiny, causing the death of her parents and then her uncle. Don’t let her work in your building; be careful she doesn’t bring misfortune to you!”
Yu Qianqian covered her mouth and exclaimed, pretending to be frightened, “Oh my! Who told you this?”
Madam Qian immediately pointed to Madam Song, “Madam Song used to live in Lin’an Town and knows all about that harbinger of misfortune.”
Yu Qianqian said, “Oh, so Madam Song said this. I heard that Young Master Song and the Fan family were engaged for years. After Young Master Song passed the examinations, they consulted a fortune teller and discovered that the Fan family’s eldest daughter had an ill-fated destiny. They quickly broke off the engagement. Fortunately, the marriage was called off early; otherwise, Scholar Song might have missed the opportunity to become the County Magistrate’s son-in-law.”
The shrewd ladies present immediately looked at Madam Song with subtle expressions upon hearing Yu Qianqian’s words.
Madam Song glared, “You!”
Yu Qianqian blinked innocently, “I’m not familiar with fortune-telling, but the half-immortal in the south of the city said that the Fan girl has a destiny that brings prosperity to her husband. Her husband writes beautiful calligraphy. I heard that at last night’s Lantern Festival, he silenced Scholar Song with the phrase ‘Northern geese fly south, phoenixes descend across the land.’ His scholarship must be exceptional. Who knows, he might win a title in next year’s imperial examinations and earn her an official title!”
Someone who heard the couplet couldn’t suppress a low chuckle.
Madam Song was unaware of her son’s embarrassment last night, but recalling how he had returned home and silently entered his study to read, she now felt her face burning under the scrutiny of the merchant and official wives at the table. Without a word of farewell, she hurriedly left with her maid.
An official’s wife led the laughter, and soon the entire table of noble ladies joined in, all scornfully remarking, “She truly lacks class.”
“To break off a girl’s engagement and still dare to spread such rumors.”
“Did you see that jade bracelet on her wrist? It’s fake. I’d rather go bare-handed than wear such a thing. This scholar’s mother truly knows no shame!”
Seeing that the ladies had moved on to other topics, Yu Qianqian smiled and said, “Please enjoy your meal, ladies. We’re quite busy today, so please forgive any shortcomings in our service.”
The noble ladies became agreeable again, and some who had tasted the braised meat and found it delicious even sent their maids to buy some from downstairs.
Fan Changyu was completely unaware of how Yu Qianqian had resolved this situation on her behalf. After selling out the braised meat, she sent the exhausted Xie Zheng home to rest while she went to help in the Yixiang Tower’s kitchen.
It wasn’t until the hour of the Goat (1-3 PM) that the day’s private banquet at Yixiang Tower concluded. Fan Changyu cleared out the drawer of silver fragments and copper coins earned from selling braised meat, counting a total of over fifteen taels.
For the first time, she understood the meaning of windfall profits.
Although Yu Qianqian had told her she could keep all the earnings when she invited her to sell braised meat here, Fan Changyu didn’t intend to keep all the money for herself, as the shop belonged to Yixiang Tower and the customers were Yixiang Tower’s. She went to find Yu Qianqian to share the profits.
Yu Qianqian was amused when she heard her intention and asked, “How much did you sell in total today?”
Fan Changyu honestly replied, “Fifteen taels and three hundred wen.”
This price surprised Yu Qianqian. She smiled and said, “I heard that some of it includes silver tips given to your husband by noble guests. These are all earned through your hard work, so you should keep it for yourself.”
Fan Changyu said, “It was only by borrowing your valuable space that we could sell so much braised meat. Moreover, the capital for buying meat and the spices for braising were provided by you, Manager Yu. Even the packaging method was taught by you. I wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t take a share.”
Yu Qianqian tapped Fan Changyu’s forehead lightly. “You’re too honest for business. The reason your braised meat sold well today is fundamentally because your family’s recipe is truly excellent. Why else would there be no business at first, and then guests sending their servants to buy after finishing their meals? I may have given you some ideas, but it was you and your husband who brought them to life. How many paper wrappers did your husband write today? If you want to feel sorry for someone, feel sorry for him.”
She continued earnestly, “Your braised meat business thriving is also beneficial for me. You don’t need to be so formal with me. Let’s consider this a long-term favor; there might come a time when I need your help.”
Fan Changyu finally relented but still insisted on paying Yu Qianqian for the cost of meat and ingredients.
Yu Qianqian, realizing her sincerity, had no choice but to agree.
After deducting three taels of silver for expenses, Fan Changyu exchanged all the copper coins for silver with the accountant, planning to split the twelve taels of profit equally with Xie Zheng.
The cooks and helpers in the restaurant were just having their meal. Yu Qianqian said, “Sit down and eat first. I’ll send someone to call your husband and Old Lady Fang and the others.”
Fan Changyu guessed that the Old Lady Fang she mentioned was the housekeeper from the back alley. Remembering that Chang Ning was still with the housekeeper, she said, “I’ll go fetch my sister and call them on the way.”
As soon as she left through Yixiang Tower’s back door, she saw that Xie Zheng hadn’t returned to their room but was standing at the entrance of the alley, observing something with his hands behind his back.
Fan Changyu walked over and followed his gaze, only to see a squad of soldiers jogging away in the distance. Judging by their uniforms, they were from the military camp, not the local constabulary of Qingping County.
She frowned, “Are they soldiers collecting grain taxes?”
Xie Zheng nodded, his expression notably cold.
Most merchants living in towns bought their grain, so officials couldn’t collect grain taxes from them and had to find ways to make them pay more money instead.
Grain tax collection had to be done by farmers in the countryside. Fan Changyu had already heard about farmers being beaten to death during grain collection in Taizhou. Her heart was now filled with concern.
She said, “They say the high official in our Jizhou Prefecture is a just and upright man. I hope it won’t be like Taizhou, where they pushed the common people to their deaths just to collect grain taxes.”
Xie Zheng said, “We’ll have to see how Jizhou Prefecture handles it.”
As long as Zhao Xun and the people behind him weren’t fools, they should have already reported to He Jingyuan about Wei Xuan coming to Jizhou to collect grain taxes.
When he turned back, he noticed Fan Changyu’s bulging pocket and frowned slightly, “What’s that?”
Fan Changyu took out twelve taels of silver fragments and several hundred strung copper coins, dividing half and handing it to Xie Zheng, “This is yours.”
A single tael of silver wasn’t eye-catching, but twelve taels together were quite substantial.
Xie Zheng watched her pull out the money like a rural nouveau riche, his eyelid twitching slightly. He said, “You keep it.”
Fan Changyu insisted, “No, we should split it evenly. You wrote hundreds of paper wrappers.”
He paused for a moment and said, “It’s easy to lose if I carry it. You keep it for me for now.”
With the previous incident of him losing money at the small restaurant as a precedent, Fan Changyu couldn’t refuse his reasoning. She had no choice but to put it all back in her pocket, making it bulge even more.
The couple went back to their room to find Chang Ning. Before they even entered, they heard two children talking inside.
“My sister is amazing! She can eat three bowls of rice in one sitting!” It was Chang Ning’s voice.
“My mother is even more amazing. She can eat two braised pork knuckles and a bowl of spicy soup all by herself!” The boy’s voice seemed quite competitive.
“My sister’s rice bowl is as big as a soup tureen!” The tone suggested she was making a gesture to demonstrate.
“Well… your sister is more impressive then.” The boy seemed to have conceded.
Outside the room, Fan Changyu: “…”
A rice bowl as big as a soup tureen was their father’s!