Starting from the first day of the lunar year, Xiao Qingming resumed his studies. After the New Year, he worked even harder than before, sleeping only two hours a day and spending the rest of his time either reading books or writing articles.
In fact, Xiao Qingming could have slept longer, especially at night...
One evening, Ji Wan'er couldn't help but advise him, "Husband, aren't you pushing yourself too hard by sleeping so little every day? How about sleeping a bit more at night so you'll have more energy for studying during the day?"
Xiao Qingming gently stroked Ji Wan'er's black hair and, upon hearing her words, he slightly paused and looked at her.
"Two hours are enough," Xiao Qingming replied succinctly.
"But..." Ji Wan'er hesitated for a moment, then continued, "You could definitely sleep a little longer."
Xiao Qingming understood Ji Wan'er's meaning and his expression changed slightly. "Are you criticizing me, my dear?"
Ji Wan'er lightly tapped him and said, "How could that be? I just think you're working too hard, and I don't want you to be so exhausted."
A faint smile curved on Xiao Qingming's lips as he lowered his head slightly and whispered in Ji Wan'er's ear, "For me, this is a pleasure. It not only doesn't tire me, but also makes me even more spirited."
Ji Wan'er's face blushed instantly.
She shouldn't have mentioned this to him.
Well, it's not her who is tired anyway. He surely has his own plans, and she won't bother about it.
In a few months, Xiao Qingming will be heading to the capital for the imperial examination. After he finished the exam, Ji Wan'er would definitely go to the capital as well. So, during this period of time, although the three shops were running smoothly, she didn't plan to manage another one. She thought to herself that it would be enough to make these three shops thrive and keep the customers satisfied.
Recently, Ji Wan'er had been focusing on the newly opened shop, often visiting and making necessary improvements.
Ji Wan'er originally thought that Xiao Qingming would leave in February, but to her surprise, at the end of January, he told her that he was going to the capital.
This caught her off guard.
"Why are you leaving so early?" Ji Wan'er asked in astonishment.
Xiao Qingming explained, "The teacher suggested that I first go to the prefectural city to pay respects to his old friend before heading to the capital. I won't be coming back in between."
Although Ji Wan'er didn't participate in the imperial examination, she still had some understanding of it. Success in the examination didn't solely depend on how much knowledge one had retained. The quality of the written essay also played a crucial role, and each person had their own subjective judgment.
Although she felt reluctant, Ji Wan'er still said, "Alright. Let me pack your luggage ahead of time."
Seeing that his wife was not in high spirits, Xiao Qingming gently stroked her hair and comforted her, saying, "I'll be back no later than April."
Ji Wan'er couldn't help but feel heartbroken. She reached out and embraced his waist, pressing her face against his chest.
"I know," Ji Wan'er said. In fact, she thought to herself that if Xiao Qingming truly became the top scholar as described in books, he might not return. In that case, she would have to go to the capital.
Xiao Qingming also felt a deep reluctance. He caressed Ji Wan'er's black hair again and again, then lowered his head to smell the scent at the tips of her hair.
"When I'm gone, bring Mother and Huaijing over," he said.
They had discussed this before. When he went to the capital for the examination, Ji Dazhong would accompany him. Xiao Qingming initially refused because Ji Dazhong was his father-in-law, and he didn't want to trouble the elder. However, Nanny Dong insisted. Moreover, Ji Dazhong had spent many years in the capital and was familiar with it. Despite being away from the capital for many years, he still had some connections there.
Considering the pros and cons, and unable to postpone it any further, Xiao Qingming agreed.
Ji Wan'er remained silent.
"I'm worried because there will only be you, Yun Shuang, and Zi An at home," Xiao Qingming added.
Ji Wan'er still didn't say anything. After a long while, she finally responded with a faint "Okay."
Xiao Qingming noticed that her mood was off and lowered his head to look at her.
At first, Ji Wan'er didn't let him see, but he insisted. It was then that he discovered that his wife had been silently crying at some point.
This was the first time Xiao Qingming saw her cry, and it broke his heart. He raised his hand to wipe away the tears from Ji Wan'er's face and said, "It's all my fault. I can delay my departure for a few more days and not go to the prefectural city."
Ji Wan'er didn't understand why she suddenly became so emotional. She was usually a very rational person. Besides, Xiao Qingming's departure didn't mean they wouldn't see each other again. It was only a three-month period, so why was she feeling so upset?
She quickly controlled her tears and said, "You can't do that. You promised to let me return to the capital openly and officially. If you don't go, how can I return openly?"
Upon hearing her words, Xiao Qingming laughed.
"You're still laughing!" Ji Wan'er raised her hand and lightly hit him.
"I won't laugh anymore, I won't laugh anymore." Xiao Qingming said as he embraced Ji Wan'er once again.
That night, the two of them cherished each other deeply. It seemed that both of them had realized the imminent separation, and they were focused and harmonious, which was a rare occurrence.
The following days were similar.
During the day, Ji Wan'er no longer went to the shop but stayed at home, preparing the things Xiao Qingming would need for his departure. At the same time, she informed Nanny Dong that Ji Dazhong's belongings were also ready.
Three days later, Ji Dazhong accompanied Xiao Qingming and the others as they left the county town.
Ji Wan'er was truly upset when Xiao Qingming left. This time, it was much harder for her compared to previous times. It felt like Xiao Qingming took her heart away with him when he left.
She missed him when she went to sleep at night and even during meal times.
It wasn't until Nanny Dong and Ji Huaijing moved in that the situation improved slightly.
Ji Wan'er had already tidied up the storage room.
Ji Huaijing and Zi An slept in one room, Nanny Dong and Yun Shuang slept in another, and Ji Wan'er slept in her own room.
Next, Ji Huaijing was going to participate in the county examination, so the whole family focused on supporting him. Nanny Dong and Ji Wan'er tried their best every day to prepare delicious food for him.
When a person has to anticipate two things, the one that happens first becomes the most anticipated. In this way, Ji Wan'er's yearning and worry for Xiao Qingming were somewhat diluted by Ji Huaijing participating in the county examination.
The first piece of good news came from Ji Huaijing's side.
Ji Huaijing passed the county examination.
Nanny Dong was ecstatic upon receiving this news. However, the excitement lasted for less than three days, and she continued preparing for her son. Passing one stage was not enough; there were still many more to come.
In April, Ji Huaijing went to participate in the next round of examinations.
Before news of his performance arrived, good news came from the capital city.
Xiao Qingming became the top scorer in the provincial examination, the Huiyuan.
Now, they were waiting for next month's palace examination.
All of this is even better than the ending in the book. In the book, Xiao Qingming didn't stand out in the provincial examination or the provincial-level examination. It wasn't until the palace examination that he unexpectedly became the top scorer, the new champion of that year. Because of this, many people criticized him and found fault, feeling that his title of champion was undeserved.
Now, he has already become the top scorer in the local examination and the provincial-level examination, only one step away from the final stage.
Nanny Dong couldn't describe her excitement anymore.
Even though it hadn't been long since her son passed the preliminary examination, she couldn't snap out of the joy of her son-in-law becoming the top scorer.
Although she was just a servant in the Marquis's residence, she understood the importance of the imperial examinations for a person. Even in a prestigious household like the Marquis's residence, if a relative or nephew of the family passed the scholar's examination, they would be regarded highly. If they became a jinshi, they would even be allowed to prepare for the imperial examination in the Marquis's residence and accompany them to socialize and meet important people.
If they became a top scorer, it would be even more remarkable.
Now, her son-in-law had not only become the top scorer in the local examination but also the provincial-level examination. If he were to become the top scorer in the imperial examination in the future, that would be extraordinary. There were only a few people like that in the entire Great Li Dynasty.
At this moment, Nanny Dong didn't know whether to praise her own good judgment or commend her son-in-law for being outstanding.
On the day she learned that her son-in-law became the top scorer in the local examination, Nanny Dong cried all night. And now, upon hearing that her son-in-law became the top scorer in the provincial-level examination, Nanny Dong locked herself in her room and cried for a long time.
She felt that her dream was about to come true.
From that day onwards, Nanny Dong had no time to attend to other matters. Every day, she prayed for her son-in-law in her heart and went to the temple several times to pay her respects.
By the end of May, the good news finally arrived from the capital.
Xiao Qingming became the top scorer, and moreover, he became the youngest top scorer in the history of the Great Li Dynasty.
In an instant, the entire county town, and even the entire Jiangdong Prefecture, erupted with excitement.
When Ji Wan'er saw Xiao Qingming again, it had already been a month later.
And it was in the capital city where they met.
By then, Xiao Qingming had already taken up a position in the Hanlin Academy.
The person who came to receive them was someone Ji Wan'er didn't expect.
Qin Suyao.
Qin Suyao was the same age as Ji Wan'er and had already married the Fifth Prince, becoming his concubine.
Even before Xiao Qingming entered the capital, Ji Wan'er briefly told him about the Marquis's mansion and the Fifth Prince's residence. However, at that time, they had no intention of seeking refuge. But as a top scorer, his background was thoroughly investigated even before he entered the capital. Seeing Ji Dazhong confirmed his identity.
Due to this connection, as soon as Xiao Qingming entered the capital, he was received by the Marquis.
Qin Suyao didn't mention anything about the official career, only talked about their childhood memories. She also expressed her apologies for what happened in the past and told Ji Wan'er that she could come to her if she had any trouble.
She also mentioned Nanny Dong (Mammy Dong).
Qin Suyao had written a letter to Nanny Dong, inviting her to come along, but Nanny Dong declined. In her reply, Nanny Dong mentioned that there was no one to take care of her daughter's shop, and she wanted to handle the matters there before coming.
Others might think that it was just an excuse for Nanny Dong to avoid coming to the capital.
But Ji Wan'er knew that Nanny Dong's reason was to wait for the second half of the year when Ji Huaijing completed the examination for the scholar title. She wanted to come to the capital with her head held high and make a grand entrance.
This is different from the book. In the book, Nanny Dong came to the capital early. However, that was because of her daughter. So, if it weren't for Ji Wan'er's affairs, perhaps the Nanny Dong in the book would also have her own pride like she does now.
When Qin Suyao mentioned Nanny Dong, she seemed genuinely emotional. Ji Wan'er could sense that Qin Suyao truly missed Nanny Dong. After all, Nanny Dong had been her nursemaid for several years and had taken care of her meticulously.
Thinking about what Qin Suyao did for Nanny Dong in the book, Ji Wan'er also felt that she was sincere.
When Qin Suyao and Ji Wan'er met, they were polite to each other, but there was still some unfamiliarity. They had a brief encounter before parting ways.
If Ji Wan'er were still the same as before, she might have been moved to tears. However, Ji Wan'er was not the same Ji Wan'er anymore. And she was very clear-headed.
Although Qin Suyao didn't mention Xiao Qingming, her personal visit today indicated everything.
Through reading the novel, Ji Wan'er also understood Qin Suyao's character. Qin Suyao was fundamentally a kind person, but she was also ambitious and highly tolerant. She wouldn't resort to any means to achieve her goals, nor would she blindly yield. In short, she was a clever and resourceful person.
Such a person might not become a friend, but they could definitely not become an enemy.
Because of the descriptions in the book, as well as her identity as the ultimate winner, Ji Wan'er had a good impression of Qin Suyao.
However, she wouldn't reveal her own stance until she had reconciled with Xiao Qingming.
Now that Xiao Qingming's status was different from before, she couldn't casually make friends anymore. If she made a mistake, it could bring disaster to her family.
Ji Wan'er glanced at the back of Qin Suyao's carriage and turned towards the residence that the Emperor had bestowed upon Xiao Qingming.
Inside the carriage, Qin Suyao leaned against the soft cushion behind her, closing her eyes to rest.
Beside her, a woman in her thirties or forties whispered, "Niangniang, this top scorer's wife seems different from what we imagined. It seems she hasn't responded to your goodwill. Do you think they might have other intentions..."
1
Qin Suyao slowly opened her eyes and said, "I had been suspicious about the investigation until I saw her. Only then did I understand why the top scorer treats her so well."
After speaking, she added, "I don't think there are other intentions. Our top scorer might want to be a loyal minister."
The woman remained silent for a moment and said, "Being a loyal minister is good, as long as he doesn't get swayed by other princes. With the relationship with the top scorer's wife, others will assume they are on our side."
Qin Suyao nodded, seemingly agreeing with the woman's view.
For example, in today's matter, it was something she did that wouldn't be criticized. If it were another prince's consort or their own legitimate wife, they would undoubtedly be labeled as trying to win over court officials. But she grew up with the top scorer's wife from childhood, and the top scorer's wife was once a servant in their marquis's mansion. It was reasonable for them to meet.
By having this meeting, it would leave an impression on their mansion.
Ji Wan'er didn't have so many twists and turns in her mind. At this moment, she just wanted to see Xiao Qingming.
In the evening, Xiao Qingming finally returned.
Calculating the days, they hadn't seen each other for four months. As soon as they saw each other, Zi An rushed towards him. However, when he reached his elder brother, he restrained himself and bowed.
Yun Shuang also curtsied behind him.
Xiao Qingming glanced briefly at his younger siblings but fixed his gaze on Ji Wan'er.
"Wife."
"Husband."
Although it was a short two-word address, it conveyed the distance and longing of these past few months.
With the two children present, Ji Wan'er couldn't say much. Seeing that it was getting late, she called everyone to have their meal. At the dinner table, Zi An chattered about the events of the past few months, expressing his four years with his elder brother and his fondness for the capital.
The other three remained silent.
After the meal, Yun Shuang and Zi An went back to their rooms. Although this small courtyard was not as big as others', it was still larger than the courtyard behind the shop in the county. Yun Shuang and Zi An now had their own rooms. The small courtyard was divided into a front yard and a back yard, with a small pond in the back, giving it a cozy atmosphere.
After they went back to their rooms, Xiao Qingming and Ji Wan'er also returned to their room.
As soon as they entered the room, before Ji Wan'er could say anything, she was embraced by Xiao Qingming.
The long-missed scent came over, and Ji Wan'er felt that her wandering heart had finally found its place. She raised her hand and hugged Xiao Qingming back.
After not seeing each other for several months, how could Xiao Qingming just settle for a simple hug?
Soon, passionate kisses swept over them, making Ji Wan'er forget to think. In that moment, all she wanted was to respond.
After kissing for a long time, Xiao Qingming broke the kiss but with a hoarse voice said, "Wife, I missed you."
As he spoke, his eyes burned with desire, his Adam's apple bobbing, as if he wanted to devour the person in front of him.
"I missed you too." Ji Wan'er wrapped her arms around Xiao Qingming's neck and kissed him proactively.
Soon, the room was filled with nothing but their breaths.
The two of them didn't know how long they indulged in each other's embrace, and in the end, even the moon shyly hid away.
Before drifting off to sleep, Ji Wan'er's last thought was that she had heard the servants say that Xiao Qingming woke up before dawn. Now, it was close to dawn, and she wondered if he would still be able to get up.
When she woke up from her slumber and opened her eyes, it was already close to noon.
Ji Wan'er moved slightly and felt as if her body had been crushed by something.
"Hiss." She couldn't help but let out a sound.
However, next, she was embraced from behind.
Ji Wan'er was slightly startled and turned her head to look, surprised as she asked, "You're not going to court today?"
"Mm, I have the day off today."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wan'er closed her eyes and relaxed.
Xiao Qingming rested his head on Ji Wan'er's neck, sniffed and nuzzled, finding a comfortable position.
Ji Wan'er reached up and touched his face.
At this moment, the atmosphere was incredibly warm.
Unfortunately, it didn't last too long. Before long, someone's stomach growled. Then, the other person's stomach followed suit.
The two exchanged a glance, awkwardly smiled, and got up.
After a simple meal, Xiao Qingming took Ji Wan'er for a stroll around the courtyard, introducing her to the surroundings and the servants.
Not long after, it was time for lunch. After having lunch, Ji Wan'er felt physically weak and returned to her room. Xiao Qingming followed closely behind.
The two of them weren't sleepy, so they sat on the bed, casually chatting.
As they talked, naturally, the topic shifted to what happened yesterday.
"You don't have to be so cautious, my wife. Those who are interested in your relationship with the Marquis's household can easily find out. Even if you try to avoid suspicion, others won't believe that you have no connection. If you feel a connection with Qin Fei, there's no harm in meeting her privately."
Ji Wan'er raised an eyebrow.
"You've met her?"
"Not yet."
"So, you favor the Fifth Prince?"
Xiao Qingming didn't directly answer the question. Instead, he solemnly said, "Everything is still unknown. Our foundation is not deep, and I will never take sides. I will only stand with the Emperor. No matter who becomes the emperor in the future, we won't go wrong."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wan'er sat up from Xiao Qingming's embrace and looked at him.
Without the events from the book, Xiao Qingming was indeed different from the character in the story. If it were in the book, with the favor of the Fifth Prince and the Marquis's household, he would have climbed up along that path.
But now he didn't.
He hadn't turned dark, hadn't set his mind on climbing up, and wasn't enamored with power. Even though he achieved the top scholar position at a young age, he remained clear-headed.
After staring at him for a long time, Ji Wan'er hugged him and gave him a few kisses. "My husband is truly smart!"
With this affectionate gesture, Xiao Qingming's mind wandered back to last night's events, and he couldn't help but tease, "It's all thanks to my wife's good teachings."
This remark made Ji Wan'er burst into laughter.
However, she couldn't continue laughing. A short separation is better than a honeymoon.
She deeply understood the meaning of this phrase.
Before coming to the capital, Ji Wan'er had made plans. After resting for a day, she would go out the next day to purchase things and decorate their home. Once everything was in order, she would find a place and open a restaurant.
However, after arriving, all her plans were disrupted.
She stayed in bed for three days. Although she occasionally got up to eat or stroll in the garden, most of the time, she rested.
Xiao Qingming really had lost all restraint.
By the fourth day, Ji Wan'er had enough and kicked Xiao Qingming off the bed, ordering him to sleep on the couch.
However, despite obediently sleeping on the couch the previous night, he returned to the bed the next day.
After resting for five days, Ji Wan'er finally felt refreshed. With Yun Shuang and Zi An looking at her with puzzled eyes, Ji Wan'er took them out to explore the capital.
The capital was truly different from what they had imagined.
Even though Nanny Dong had described the appearance of the capital, actually seeing it was a different experience.
The three of them were like country bumpkins entering the city. It took them a full five days to explore the capital thoroughly.
Of course, they didn't spend all their time eating and drinking. Ji Wan'er had a purpose in mind.
Although Xiao Qingming had achieved the top scholar position and received an official appointment, Ji Wan'er never intended to be a traditional official's wife who only cared about domestic affairs. She still wanted to pursue her own interests.
She had already considered this when they were in the county.
If Xiao Qingming hadn't quickly become the top scholar, Ji Wan'er would have opened a restaurant in the county.
Now that they had come to the capital, she naturally intended to fulfill her wish.
Before, when she opened a small restaurant, the model had already taken shape, and she had gained experience. Now she didn't need to experiment anymore, which saved her a lot of trouble.
Although Ji Wan'er kept the matter of opening a restaurant secretive and didn't mention it to anyone, someone with ulterior motives still found out. For example, Qin Suyao.
Qin Suyao had previously inquired about everything concerning Ji Wan'er. She knew that Ji Wan'er had opened a breakfast shop in the town and a restaurant and hot pot restaurant in the county. As for how much money she had made, Qin Suyao had a rough idea.
On the sixth day, Ji Wan'er didn't go out, but someone delivered a property deed to her.
The location was excellent, situated in a bustling area with considerable foot traffic.
The space was also sufficiently large. It was a three-story building covering several hundred square meters. Although it couldn't compare to a large restaurant, in this valuable piece of land in the capital, it was already considered sizable.
This property was worth at least several tens of thousands of taels.
Ji Wan'er had less than ten thousand taels of silver in her hands.
However, Qin Suyao didn't want to give it to her as a gift; she wanted to become a shareholder. She would contribute to the property, and in return, receive a 10% share of the monthly profits.
If this property were to be rented out, it would fetch around two hundred taels per month. Ji Wan'er's best property could earn her three hundred taels per month. Moreover, if she collaborated with Qin Suyao, she would have the backing of the Hou Mansion and the Fifth Prince's residence, eliminating concerns about interference from others.
However it was calculated, Ji Wan'er was the one benefitting.
This was Qin Suyao's way of extending goodwill.
However, Ji Wan'er declined her proposal. She knew that Qin Suyao's kindness wasn't because they were childhood playmates, but because of Xiao Qingming. They saw potential in Xiao Qingming and wanted to win him over, so they treated her well.
In truth, based on the outcome in the book and Qin Suyao's character, Ji Wan'er would have gladly accepted. After all, it would be advantageous for her to attach herself to a powerful figure early on without posing any harm.
However, since Xiao Qingming had decided to be a loyal courtier, she couldn't engage in such activities behind his back.
She could meet and talk with Qin Suyao to build connections, but she couldn't accept any financial involvement.
Qin Suyao smiled when she heard the report from her servant but didn't say anything.
She had anticipated all of this, and she simply wanted to test Ji Wan'er's response.
If Ji Wan'er had accepted, it would have been beneficial for Qin Suyao. Firstly, it would appear to outsiders that Xiao Qingming was getting closer to the Fifth Prince. Secondly, she had confidence in Ji Wan'er's business acumen and believed that the property would generate significant profits.
The next day, Qin Suyao had someone inform Ji Wan'er that the previous matter was dropped. If she couldn't find a suitable property, Qin Suyao offered to rent it to her at a lower price.
Ji Wan'er smiled and agreed.
Although she smiled and agreed, Ji Wan'er had not agreed to the partnership, so naturally, she didn't accept this offer either.
After about half a month, Ji Wan'er found a suitable location. While it wasn't in a particularly bustling area, there was still a considerable flow of people, and it wasn't far from the vegetable market. Moreover, it wasn't far from where they currently lived. The property wasn't as large as Qin Suyao's, but it wasn't small either. It was a two-story building, which perfectly met Ji Wan'er's requirements.
Of course, the rent was half the price of Qin Suyao's property, only one hundred taels per month.
After renting the property, Ji Wan'er quickly found people to handle the renovation. Then she proceeded to hire staff and acquire specific tables, chairs, benches, and utensils. She was familiar with these tasks, and everything was well-organized.
The name of the restaurant remained the same as it was in the county town, simply called "Delicious Residence."
On the ground floor, the central area that was initially the lobby was surrounded by private rooms. Ji Wan'er removed the doors of the private rooms and placed four small tables or two large tables inside. This made the ground floor appear much more spacious.
The lobby was used for stir-fried dishes, while the surrounding area was designated for hot pot dining.
Ji Wan'er decorated the connection between the lobby and private rooms with hanging tassels and created a small canal underneath. She placed some lotus flowers and small goldfish inside. This separated the stir-fried dishes and hot pot areas while adding an elegant touch.
The second floor was transformed into private rooms.
On the roof, Ji Wan'er had several beaded curtains hanging down. From a distance, they shimmered and sparkled like stars. When the wind blew, the beaded curtains swayed and resembled a waterfall about to descend.
Ji Wan'er put considerable thought into other areas as well, especially the details, and did an excellent job.
The overall decoration of the restaurant gave it a high-end and refined appearance, leaving behind the greasy smell commonly associated with such establishments.
Once the staff was hired, training began.
At the same time, Ji Wan'er also started exploring various eateries in the capital, gradually improving her own recipes.
This time, the menu was not as simple as before. It featured thirty dishes, and even the common home-style dishes were given simple illustrations. Ji Wan'er prepared thirty portions in total, spending nearly fifty taels of silver.
Between the annual rent and the significant initial investment, Ji Wan'er's savings were almost depleted.
In early July, the restaurant finally opened its doors.
Half a month prior, Ji Wan'er had already started creating hype for the restaurant. She had promotional leaflets made, featuring pictures of the renovated establishment and showcasing various delicious dishes to attract customers. She also advertised the opening day's special offers.
Once people were drawn in, she invited them to try the food and gave away numerous dishes and snacks for free.
Just these activities alone cost a hundred taels of silver.
Due to the extensive promotion beforehand, on the day of the grand opening, a significant crowd gathered in front of the restaurant.
Although there had been visitors before, the restaurant had remained closed, so no one knew what it looked like inside. Many people had seen the promotional leaflets and were extremely curious.
As soon as the doors opened, customers started entering.
Upon entering, they were instantly amazed.
The interior design of the restaurant was even more stunning than depicted in the illustrations.
It was July, and the weather was still hot and dry, but as soon as they walked in, they felt a cool breeze. In the canal surrounding the lobby, several water wheels were placed. The water wheels were constantly rotating, generating a refreshing breeze. The beaded curtains and tassels swayed in the wind, as if they had come to life, resembling cascading waterfalls from above.
"Marvelous, marvelous, absolutely marvelous!"
Every person who entered couldn't help but praise the ingenuity inside, gathering around the beaded curtains and water wheels, admiring them for quite some time.
The customers didn't want to stand around for too long, so after a while, they proceeded to order. When they saw the menu, they couldn't help but praise it as well. They hadn't even tasted the food yet, but they already had a high opinion of the restaurant.
After placing their orders, the waitstaff brought some snacks, such as pickled plums and dried hawthorn, for the customers to enjoy.
They savored the delicious and tangy snacks while admiring the rotating water wheels and the blooming lotus flowers in the canal, feeling the gentle breeze. It was incredibly comfortable.
By the time the food arrived, their stomachs were already growling.
Just the aroma alone made their mouths water, and when they picked up their chopsticks and took a bite, they wished they could swallow their tongues.
After all, people didn't come to the restaurant just to appreciate the scenery; they came to fill their stomachs. No matter how great the ambiance, if the food wasn't delicious, not many people would come. But if the food was tasty, even if the restaurant had a fantastic atmosphere, it would be difficult for it not to make money.
During a break from cooking, Ji Wan'er came out to listen to the customers' feedback.
Seeing the customers enjoying their meals and hearing their words of praise, Ji Wan'er felt a sense of relief.
Not only were the customers satisfied with the stir-fried dishes, but those who were eating hot pot around her were also delighted. There were numerous hot pot restaurants in the capital city, but each had its own unique broth and ingredients, resulting in different flavors.
Ji Wan'er's hot pot broth was well-prepared, and the dipping sauces were delicious and diverse.
From the numbingly spicy to the savory and fragrant, everything was covered, leaving people wanting more even after finishing their meal.
Moreover, every customer who entered the restaurant left with something. Depending on their level of expenditure, they would either take home some homemade pickled snacks or preserved vegetables or leave with exquisite pastries.
Without exception, the packaging on each item was labeled with the name "Delicious Residence."
On the first day of the grand opening, despite offering an 15% discount and giving away free food, Ji Wan'er still earned over thirty taels of silver.
When Xiao Qingming returned, Ji Wan'er shared the good news with him.
As they lay in bed together, Ji Wan'er couldn't stop smiling and occasionally burst into laughter, thinking about today's earnings.
Xiao Qingming, who was about to fall asleep, couldn't help but glance at her.
"Aren't you going to sleep?" he asked.
Seeing Xiao Qingming looking at her, Ji Wan'er held his arm and excitedly said, "You have no idea how happy I am today. I never expected to earn so much money in a single day. I made over thirty taels, which is over a thousand taels in a month and ten thousand taels in a year. That's more impressive than many large restaurants."
Did Xiao Qingming know that Ji Wan'er was happy? Well, he did. He could feel it just from the strength of her embrace.
Ji Wan'er continued to chatter non-stop.
"Not sleepy?" Xiao Qingming asked at the right moment.
"I'm not sleepy. I'm too excited and can't sleep. You have no idea how impressed the customers were with the water wheels and tassels I made today... mmm..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she was silenced.
Xiao Qingming thought that since they couldn't sleep, they might as well do something else.
Lately, his wife had been busy with the restaurant, sleeping as soon as her head touched the pillow, and the two of them hadn't been intimate for a while. Although he hadn't planned on doing anything tonight, his wife had been tempting him all along.
However, Xiao Qingming knew how to control himself and didn't go too far. After all, there were still things to do tomorrow.
In the end, Ji Wan'er fell into a deep sleep in his arms.
In the following days, business at the restaurant remained good.
After three days, Ji Wan'er earned over a hundred taels of silver.
In one month, the restaurant's profits exceeded a thousand taels.
And during this month, everything went smoothly at the restaurant, with no troublemakers causing any problems. Even the minor issues were quickly resolved.
It was truly going too smoothly.
In the past, whether in the town or the county, opening a shop always encountered troubles. Those troubles either required money or were solved with the help of Nanny Dong, Xiao Qingming, and others. But this time, she didn't mention it to anyone, and it was resolved.
Ji Wan'er wasn't new to running a business, and she wasn't foolish. There must have been someone helping behind the scenes. Moreover, those who helped didn't hide it and had already come to suggest it.
At night, Ji Wan'er told Xiao Qingming about this matter.
After contemplating for a long time, Xiao Qingming said, "If you feel indebted, you can send some food as a token of gratitude."
Due to Nanny Dong's influence, even if they tried to avoid suspicion, others would still group them together. Although Xiao Qingming aimed to be a loyal subject, he couldn't deny that among the princes, the Fifth Prince was the one he admired the most.
In court matters, he wouldn't show favoritism to anyone.
But privately, it was fine to have some connections. They couldn't avoid socializing just because they were afraid of these things.
"My dear, there's no need to be so cautious. If any government office sends an invitation, you can go if you want. It doesn't matter which family it is, you can go without worrying about these things," Xiao Qingming said.
He stood upright and wasn't afraid of such matters.
As soon as Qin Suyao saw Nanny Dong, she started crying, and the two of them went into a room and talked for a long time. When they came out, their eyes were red.
Thinking about Qin Suyao's help to Nanny Dong in the book, Ji Wan'er thought that Nanny Dong must be someone Qin Suyao trusted deeply.
Ji Huaijing passed the provincial examination.
After Xiao Qingming learned this news, he arranged a school for him.
Nanny Dong was a person with plans. Before coming to the capital, she had already sold the shop in the county, including the land they bought. After arriving in the capital, she bought a small shop and opened a grocery store.
As for the three shops Ji Wan'er had in the county, she turned them into franchise stores.
When the money came in, on Nanny Dong's suggestion, Ji Wan'er bought a hundred mu of fertile land in the suburbs of the capital.
With the cake business thriving, the restaurant became too busy to handle. By the time winter came, Ji Wan'er opened a pastry shop named "Delicious Residence," and it was evident that it was the same business.
On this day, Ji Wan'er was making cakes in the pastry shop when two men arrived.
The two men were around thirty or forty years old, with short beards and dressed in silk clothes, indicating their wealth.
One of the men placed a customized cake order, while the other bought some pastries.
"I heard this shop was opened by the newly crowned top scholar, and the taste is excellent," one of them said.
"Is that so? I didn't know. It's just that my daughter's birthday is approaching, and she insisted I come here to buy. She says the cakes here are delicious," the man spoke with a smile on his face, showing his affection for his daughter.
"Brother Zheng, the new top scholar comes from Jiangdong Prefecture. Haven't you been there before? How is it? Is it beautiful? Being able to produce a young top scholar, it must be a place of great talent and spirituality," the person who spoke initially said.
"It's indeed good, with mountains and waters," the middle-aged man surnamed Zheng said.
As they were talking, Ji Wan'er finished making the cake, and the person next to her finished making the pastries. They wrapped them up and placed them in one spot.
"The cake is 100 wen, and the pastries are 20 wen," Ji Wan'er said.
As soon as her crisp and pleasant voice sounded, the two middle-aged men stopped their discussion and glanced at her. This glance was filled with astonishment. Although the other party was wearing a mask, the beauty could still be seen from those sparkling eyes.
Ji Wan'er furrowed her delicate eyebrows and asked, "Will you pay separately or together?"
The man surnamed Zheng realized his own lapse and finally came to his senses. "Together, we'll pay together."
The other man said, "No need, Zheng brother. I'll handle it myself."
Zheng insisted, and the other man didn't take it from him, so he had to let him pay.
"Zheng brother is so generous, no wonder your silk business is thriving."
After paying, the two men left. When they reached the entrance, the other man called out Zheng's nickname.
Upon hearing that nickname, Ji Wan'er suddenly froze.
Surname Zheng... and that name... with a little daughter at home...
Engaged in the silk business.
Their home seemed to be nearby.
The long-sealed memories suddenly emerged before her eyes, and the plot from the book gradually appeared in her mind.
This man was the one mentioned in the book who took away the original owner. For the sake of the original owner, he had a bitter quarrel with his wife and children at home, and his silk business declined, eventually leading to its closure.
But now, their paths had not crossed.
His silk business was thriving, and he cherished his daughter dearly.
She also lived as the wife of a top scholar, and their life together was blissful, getting better and better.
The endings for everyone had changed.
It was truly wonderful.
Ji Wan'er took a long breath and left the place, heading to the restaurant.
In the latter part of the afternoon, the sky became gray and the wind felt as sharp as knives, cutting through one's body and causing a stinging sensation.
Judging from the appearance, it was going to snow.
Sure enough, it started snowing in the evening. After the snowfall, the weather became colder, and the Lunar New Year was approaching.
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Qingming finally finished his work and returned home for the holiday.
On the day of the Lunar New Year, Nanny Dong and her family came over, and the seven of them gathered together.
This was the third year they spent the New Year together.
During this New Year, all the food was prepared by Ji Wan'er herself.
In fact, she didn't have to bother and could simply get ready-made ingredients from the restaurant kitchen. However, for some reason, she always felt that it was more meaningful to make the food herself.
She fried meatballs, lotus root slices, crispy chicken, and fish. She also made a variety of desserts and steamed mantou buns.
On the thirtieth day, the weather was extremely cold.
On a day like this, it was perfect for having hot pot.
From the afternoon, Ji Wan'er began preparing the ingredients. There were meat, vegetables, meatballs, hand-pulled noodles, and more, everything one could think of.
This year's harvest was even better than the previous years.
Xiao Qingming became the top scholar, serving in the Hanlin Academy and gaining the trust of the Emperor. On this New Year's day, the Emperor even granted him a special dish.
The restaurant opened by Ji Wan'er was thriving.
Ji Huaijing passed the provincial examination and became a scholar.
Zi An went to a new school, and Yun Shuang joined the women's school at the Marquis's mansion to continue her studies, gaining a lot of knowledge.
When everyone sat together, there were much more smiles on their faces than before.
After the meal, Nanny Dong and her family left.
In the past, they would celebrate the New Year's Eve dinner together because they were not at their respective homes. But now, they all had their own homes in the capital city, which made things different. Moreover, since Xiao Qingming had become the top scholar, if they continued to celebrate this way, it would inevitably lead to gossip and people saying that their daughter was taking advantage of her natal family for free food and drinks.
After Nanny Dong and her family left, they were supposed to clear the table, but somehow, everyone sat back down and took a few more bites.
Ji Wan'er was happy today. She took out some wine from the cabinet and had a small drink with Xiao Qingming.
Ji Wan'er's face turned rosy from drinking.
Xiao Qingming, on the other hand, was different from before. His half-year experience in the officialdom had increased his alcohol tolerance. He silently watched his wife.
When the firecrackers sounded, the new year arrived.
Yun Shuang and Zi An were excitedly playing in the courtyard. After a while, the noise outside gradually subsided, and the two children became sleepy.
Ji Wan'er was already too intoxicated to be clear-headed, but she insisted on staying up to celebrate the New Year.
Xiao Qingming picked her up and headed towards the main room.
Gently laying her down on the bed, he wiped her face with a cloth.
Ji Wan'er kept on fussing.
At one point, she grabbed Xiao Qingming's arm and touched his face, giggling.
"Who is this handsome young master? He looks really good." She said as she traced Xiao Qingming's eyebrows, eyes, nose, and finally lingered on his lips.
She pressed her lips against his a few times.
Watching as she pressed and then rose again, pressing and then rising again, Ji Wan'er suddenly burst into laughter.
"So much fun~" Ji Wan'er said with a bright smile.
As she spoke these words, she only focused on Xiao Qingming's lips and failed to notice the emotions in his eyes, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
After some more playful moments, Ji Wan'er began complaining about feeling hot.
"It's so hot." She said and started pulling at her collar.
Xiao Qingming had been holding back for a long time. At this moment, his Adam's apple rolled slightly as he lowered his head and kissed those lips that were spouting nonsense.
As the kissing intensified, their clothes became disheveled.
In the depths of their passion, Xiao Qingming whispered in Ji Wan'er's ear, his voice deep, "My wife, let's have a child."
"Okay."
Outside the window, snowflakes had begun to fall, covering the roads with a layer of frost.
Gradually, the snowfall became heavier, and the rooftops and trees turned white.
When they woke up early the next day, the earth had become a vast expanse of white. The ancient capital, spanning thousands of years, was now covered in snow, adding a touch of charm.
In the new year, everything was fresh and beautiful.
(The Grand Finale)