If Liu Kui and Wang Sheng succeeded and actually put croton powder in the cafeteria food, he would probably be the one with the most severe diarrhea.

Because he eats the most at every meal, he might even lose his life!

Another classmate remarked with a sigh, "People say that a dog that bites doesn't bark, but Liu Kui and Wang Sheng bark quite loudly every day. I never expected them to be so cunning!"

Jiaren nodded and sighed, "I thought they just disliked me a little. We're all classmates, so I should just bear with it and not hold it against them."

"Who would have thought they would act so arrogantly, not only trying to ruin my path to the imperial examinations, but also making things difficult for the entire academy!"

Suddenly, a usually composed student bowed to Jiaren and said, "Jiaren, we should thank you."

“Your family discovered this beforehand, and if you wanted to retaliate against Liu Kui and Wang Sheng in the examination hall, it would have been easy. But you didn’t do that; instead, you chose to protect our academy. You are truly a person of great righteousness.”

Jiaren quickly waved his hand and said in a low voice, "No, this is what I should do. To be honest, these two almost implicated the academy and everyone else because they were trying to punish me. I'm already very happy that you don't blame me."

"Alright, alright!" The chubby classmate stopped them from thanking him and said, "Instead of thanking each other like this, why don't you do something practical? You two can treat us to lunch today!"

Several classmates nearby joined in the commotion.

Jiaren said, "Please sit down. My fourth aunt is in the canteen today. I'll ask her to cook some good dishes for us."

"Your fourth aunt is the head chef of Cyclamen Private Kitchen? Last time I went home for vacation, my uncle said that even if you fought tooth and nail, you couldn't get a table!" The chubby classmate was extremely excited, his eyes were shining.

He urged Jiaren repeatedly, "Hurry up, hurry up, please ask your aunt to prepare two good dishes for us. When I get home, I'll definitely make my uncle drool, so he won't keep telling me about all the good things he's eaten!"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere.

Jiaren got up and went to the kitchen.

Grandma Li and Jiayin had already moved over and were talking to Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying.

They were initially worried that Jiaren's classmates might complain about him and the Li family.

Although Liu Kui and Wang Sheng were in the wrong, they probably wouldn't have brought this matter to the academy if the Li family hadn't had personal grudges with the Wang and Yan families.

Fortunately, Jiaren came over and said that the classmates didn't complain at all; they just wanted to try the homemade dishes.

Tao Hongying immediately agreed happily, "I originally thought your uncle and the others were going to have lunch with Dean Zhou and the others, so I prepared a lot of ingredients, but they left instead."

"Anyway, I've already taken care of everything, so I'll just host a feast for you and your classmates."

Jiaren quickly waved his hand, not wanting his aunt to be too tired. "Fourth Aunt, it's enough that you cook two dishes for your classmates to try. We'll also get a set meal for everyone else. That'll be plenty of food. It's hot, so please rest. Don't worry about me like this."

Hearing her nephew say this, Tao Hongying was especially pleased that he was so filial and sensible. So she told him to hurry up and go keep your classmate company. Remember to sit in a private room. You don't need to worry about these small things.

Jiaren had no choice but to return.

Grandma Li and Jiayin couldn't help much, so they went back to their courtyard.

Li Zhensheng and Mr. Wen had some business to attend to and went back to the city.

For some reason, Li Lao Er stayed behind. When he saw his mother and niece return, he greeted them and talked to them under the shady eaves.

“Mother, last night I slept with my eldest brother, third brother, Mr. Wen, and I all felt that the children in the family should not just study all the time, but should be taken out to see the world.”

“Jiaren and Lige will definitely take the imperial examinations and become officials in the future. Maoge is still young and his future is uncertain. The three of them can wait.”

"Jiaxi and Jiaan are clearly not cut out for studying. We should find another way for them in the future. They have been in the academy for so long and have become much more sensible and mature, but they are only average at studying and spend most of their time playing."

"How about we let them take two or three days off a year to go south with their family's fleet, broaden their horizons and gain more knowledge? What do you think?"

Grandma Li pulled out a palm-leaf fan and fanned herself vigorously twice, but she still couldn't shake off the anxiety in her heart.

Actually, she thought about a lot of things last night.

As her children grew up, she could no longer be like a mother hen, sheltering them all under her wings and protecting them from even the slightest wind or rain.

Even if she wanted to, her wings were too small.

As she got older, she no longer had the energy or ability to continue protecting the children.

Just like this time, if it weren't for the granddaughter's cleverness in discovering the suspicious circumstances, who would have thought that the children could be framed and harmed at the academy...

The Li family was no longer a poor farming household, and the dangers their children encountered were no longer minor incidents like falling into ice holes, being bitten by dogs or cats, or getting stuck after climbing trees to steal bird eggs.

Rather, it could be a major event that ruins one's future or involves the lives of many people.

You might find it once or twice at home, but who can guarantee they'll always escape unscathed?!

We can only harden our hearts and let them go out and experience more hardships, then they won't be afraid of them anymore...

That's how it is. She knew all too well the chill and fury of the wind and rain after a lifetime of hardship.

She couldn't bear to part with it!

I can't bear to see the children suffer!

Li Lao Er knew what his mother was thinking, so he stopped trying to persuade her. After all, he... couldn't bear to part with her either.

Jiayin sat to one side, holding the little fox, blinking her big eyes, and seemed to agree with letting her brothers go out and gain some experience.

Putting aside everything else, just take Jiayi and Liu Yang for example. They've gone south by ship several times on their own, and now they're much more composed than before.

Jiaxi and Jia'an, the two older brothers, were extremely intelligent from a young age, but unfortunately, they just couldn't get the hang of studying. However, when it came to being mischievous, they were first-rate experts!

Perhaps if they go out and explore, they can find a path they like and that suits them?

It was unrealistic to expect all seven sons of the Li family to study, take the imperial examinations, and become officials...

But she couldn't say that now; her grandmother would surely understand, and she didn't want to add fuel to the fire.

Thinking this to herself, she moved closer to her second uncle and whispered, "Second Uncle, how about we go and open a flower shop together?"

flower shop?

Li Lao Er was still thinking about his nephews going out to gain experience, and he was momentarily stunned and looked completely bewildered.

Jiayin rarely saw her shrewd second uncle like this, so she chuckled.

Li Lao Er snapped out of his daze, reached out and ruffled his little niece's hair, smiling helplessly.

Jiayin quickly spoke to her second uncle, "Second Uncle, I have many beautiful flowers, but it's such a waste to only display them on the days my mother cooks her own dishes. Second Uncle, why don't you open a flower shop and move all those famous flowers there?"

"I heard from Uncle Wen that many high-ranking officials like flowers. From now on, our flower shop will only sell medium and low-grade flowers. We'll keep the good flowers for display, but not for sale!"

"Then those high-ranking officials who liked famous flowers would come to our shop to look at them. Whoever was good to Second Uncle would get to look at them, so wouldn't they all be good to Second Uncle?"

"Also, I want to learn medicine making and healing from Grandpa Zhang in the future. I need to find medicinal herb seeds and seedlings. Those high-ranking officials must have many people at home. If they want famous flowers, let them exchange them for medicinal herb seeds and seedlings! Okay?"

The more Li Lao Er listened, the brighter his eyes became. This wasn't just about opening a flower shop; it was clearly a great way to expand one's network!

Just like my little niece said, there are many officials in the court who like flowers.

Anyone who comes to the shop to admire the flowers should sit down and have a cup of tea.

If you're going to have tea with him, you should at least talk to him, right? And you might even owe him a favor in order to get him to part with a prized flower!

After several such interactions, he became more acquainted with people and expanded his network, thus smoothly integrating into the imperial court.

Then, things won't be like they are now, where he only has two acquaintances in the court: Censor Wen and Liu Zhiheng...

Served at midnight~~