Chapter 135: Heaven and Earth Are Vast, But the Wife Is Supreme (End of Main Text)

The emperor feigned ignorance: "Minister Xu, what do you mean by this? I merely wish to find this young lady a good match, why are you so eager to obstruct me?"

Xu Zhiheng sensed the emperor's teasing, but there was no going back on his words. A blush crept onto his ears: "Your Majesty, Lady Lin is the one I love!"

After these words were spoken, Lin Yao felt that the hall seemed to fall silent for a long while.

Although it was not appropriate to think this way, Lin Yao felt at that moment that the two of them were like a young couple being watched and teased by a group of elders during the Chinese New Year.

The emperor laughed heartily, tapped Xu Zhiheng with his fingertip, and sighed with feigned regret: "I wondered what the reason was. I was just about to personally bestow a marriage upon you two, seeing that you were so in love, but I didn't expect you to be the first to ask me to retract my decree."

Xu Zhiheng was stunned, his cheeks quickly turning red, and the redness even spread to his neck.

He glanced at the emperor's mocking gaze, then at Lin Yao beside him with her head bowed. Embarrassed, he disregarded all decorum and brazenly asked, "Your Majesty, do you think we can bring up the matter of this arranged marriage again?"

"Do you think this is the imperial kitchen where you order food? You can just order whatever you want?" The emperor laughed and scolded, waving his hand. "Alright, look at your pathetic self, get out of here!"

Xu Zhiheng quickly thanked her, secretly glanced at Lin Yao, and then obediently returned to his seat, though he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

The little farce ended, the sounds of traditional music resumed, and the lively atmosphere of the banquet gradually returned.

When Lin Yao took her leave as instructed, she could clearly feel many eyes on her, some curious, some inquisitive, and some subtly scrutinizing, but none of that mattered.

The important thing is the reward money that is about to be received.

As Lin Yao walked out of the palace, holding the uniformly distributed reward money, she understood why the chefs in the imperial kitchen were so excited.

The emperor is so generous!

In the days leading up to this, besides preparing for the selection competition, she also inquired about the rental prices of shops in the surrounding area.

Land prices in the capital are high, and she can't afford to buy a shop right now, but renting one isn't a problem.

However, with the whole family moving to the capital, the issue of housing inevitably arose, so the best option was to rent a shop with a courtyard, just like the one they used to have at the Lin Family Restaurant.

But after looking around a few times, she found that even the slightly decent places cost forty or fifty taels a month in rent, which would amount to five hundred taels a year. It was truly a case of land being worth its weight in gold.

Now that she has received a generous reward, plus the money she has left over, it is enough for her to rent a decent restaurant with a courtyard and support its operation for a whole year.

Wang Xiaoyu and Su Niang chattered incessantly the whole way. No matter how wildly their imaginations ran, they never imagined that one day they would have the opportunity to enter the palace and cook for the emperor. This was something they could brag about for the rest of their lives.

Lin Yao snapped out of her thoughts. The two people beside her, who had been excitedly chatting away, finally quieted down a bit. Then she dropped an even bigger bombshell: "I want to open a shop in Beijing."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoyu immediately swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, "Open a shop? In Beijing?"

Lin Yao nodded: "Yes, with today's reward money, I can rent a shop in the capital. Like before in Qingquan Town, I can start from a small shop. Would you like to stay in the capital with me?"

Wang Xiaoyu and Su Niang exchanged a glance, both seeing the answer in each other's eyes: "Wherever Master is, that's where we'll go!"

Lin Yao has always been a decisive and efficient person. A few days after the first day of the Lunar New Year, she found a famous brokerage firm in the capital.

When the broker heard that she wanted to rent a street-facing shop with a courtyard and was in a hurry, he guessed that the deal might be finalized today, so he immediately led her around looking for a place.

After wandering around all morning, Lin Yao finally stopped in a bustling street.

This shop may not have the largest storefront, but its location is superb.

On the left is a bookstore that has been open for more than ten years, with scholars in blue robes coming and going.

On the right is a fruit shop with an excellent reputation, with various candied fruits and fresh fruits displayed on the counter. Young ladies often come in together to choose their favorites.

Lin Yao stood at the door for a moment, then made her decision to buy the shop.

With scholars on the left and young women on the right, my restaurant, sandwiched in between, could leverage the popularity of both establishments to attract both types of customers—it couldn't be better.

After finalizing the lease and paying the rent, Lin Yao didn't lead her family to clean up themselves as she used to.

She directly selected a few quick-witted helpers from among those recommended by the broker, gave them instructions, and then sent her father and brother, who wanted to stay and help, away. "Father, go and pick out some iron pots and steamers. Brother, go to the market in the East Market to buy the ingredients I have listed here."

In Lin Yao's words, now is the perfect time to capitalize on the trend for marketing. In modern times, one should aggressively ride the wave of popularity, because once this opportunity is gone, it's gone forever, and time is money.

She stood at the shop entrance and handed the prepared list to Lin Cheng. "Before the Spring Festival is over, when everyone in Beijing is visiting relatives and friends, we need to open the shop quickly and make a name for ourselves during this time!"

The group worked tirelessly, and two days later, Lin Yao's new restaurant in the capital opened with the Lin Family Restaurant signboard.

On the opening day, she specially had a conspicuous wooden sign erected on the side of the door, with the words "Imperial Banquet Dish: Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves" written in bold ink.

It had only been set up for a short time when it attracted the attention of passersby.

"Imperial banquet dishes? The same dishes His Majesty served at the palace banquet a few days ago?" someone asked curiously as they approached.

Hearing this, Lin Cheng, who was helping out, said proudly, "That's right! My sister was fortunate enough to be selected for the Imperial Kitchen a few days ago, and this 'Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves' was the dish presented to His Majesty that day!"

Upon hearing this, those who were not short of money all wanted to try the imperial cuisine and flocked to the shop.

Just as there are people who are not short of money, there are also people who are short of money.

Lin Yao had anticipated that some people would be deterred by the name "Imperial Cuisine," so she specially made a wooden menu rack modeled after the display racks in modern shopping malls.

On the shelf is a hand-drawn cookbook, with each dish accompanied by a hand-drawn illustration. The layout is well-organized, and the signature dishes even have their own page, which is drawn with exceptional detail.

"Fish Playing Among Lotus Leaves" is prominently featured on the first page, with the image of golden fish swimming against the backdrop of emerald green lotus leaves, and the price clearly marked below—one hundred and eighty coins.

This price is extremely affordable.

The yellow croaker used in "Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves" is not a rare ingredient. It only takes some effort to shape and plate it. Lin Yao never intended to make a huge profit from this dish. She just wanted to use it to make a name for herself.

Not to mention, Lin Yao continued the previous store opening discount strategy, so even ordinary people with average incomes had no worries, and the store was packed with customers in no time.

Lin Yao stood at the door, greeting customers as they came and went. Hearing the constant exclamations of praise coming from inside the shop, the smile on her face never faded.

Just then, a familiar figure rushed out of the alley. It was Brother Fang, who lived next door to their small courtyard. He was sweating profusely and shouted from afar, "Lady Lin! You must go back quickly! People from the palace have arrived!"

Lin Yao vaguely guessed the visitor's intentions.

The group hurried home.

As soon as they turned into the alley where their small courtyard was located, they saw a group of people dressed in palace attire standing outside the courtyard. The one in the lead was none other than Eunuch Tang, who had stood beside the emperor at the palace banquet.

Lin Yao quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I was unaware of your arrival, sir. Please forgive my failure to greet you properly."

With a gentle smile, Eunuch Tang said, "Madam Lin, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here today to celebrate a momentous occasion!"

Lin Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped aside, saying, "Please come into the courtyard, Father-in-law."

Eunuch Tang nodded and led two young eunuchs into the courtyard.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was kept clean and tidy.

He stood in the courtyard, cleared his throat, took out a bright yellow imperial edict from a brocade box held by his personal eunuch, and read it aloud.

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xu Zhiheng, son of the General of the State, is both talented and handsome, loyal to the Emperor and patriotic. Lin, a cook from the common people, is clever, skillful, and of impeccable character. The two are deeply in love, and the Emperor is greatly pleased. Therefore, the Emperor hereby bestows this marriage upon them, and an auspicious day shall be chosen for their wedding. So be it!

The imperial edict's words fell clearly into Lin Yao's ears, causing her heart to race.

"This humble woman, Lin Yao, accepts the imperial decree. I thank Your Majesty for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!" She accepted the imperial decree, which was adorned with dragon patterns, with both hands.

Mr. Lin took out the purse he had prepared earlier and handed it to Eunuch Tang: "This is a small gift, nothing more. I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip."

Eunuch Tang took the purse and weighed it in his hand. His smile became even more genuine. "Madam Lin is very fortunate. Young Master Xu is a rare young talent. I congratulate you both in advance." After saying that, he cupped his hands and said, "The imperial decree has been issued. I have to return to the palace to report back. I won't bother you any longer."

Lin Yao and the others escorted Eunuch Tang out of the courtyard, watching the palace servants disappear into the alleyway.

Lin's father withdrew his gaze, excitedly took the imperial edict from Lin Yao's hand, and examined it closely: "This must be properly enshrined!"

Lin's father sometimes thought about going to a carpenter's shop to make a new shelf to hold the imperial edict, but other times he felt that it wasn't secure enough and that he should buy another box to put it in.

Lin Yao smiled and pressed him down: "Father, you should keep the imperial edict safe. The restaurant is busy, I have to go back and keep an eye on things."

Just as I stepped out of the alley, a red figure came into view.

The boy strode toward her, his clothes fluttering in the wind, the winter sun shining on him as if coating him with a warm halo.

Lin Yao unconsciously stopped in her tracks, standing still and looking at that familiar silhouette, her eyebrows curving into a smile.

The boy, dressed in red, had a wild smile on his face that burned into her heart like a blazing flame.

Xu Zhiheng ran over like a gust of wind, slowed down as he approached Lin Yao, and gently pulled her into his arms.

Lin Yao leaned against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. She patted his back and teased him with a smile, "Young Master Xu is quite well-informed; the imperial decree was just announced not long ago."

Xu Zhiheng released her, his eyes like stars, a thousand words unspoken, "Are you going to the shop?"

Lin Yao looked at him with a smile: "Yes, the world is vast, but making money is the most important thing. What about you?"

Xu Zhiheng took her hand, held his head high, and walked forward: "Accompany my wife to make money. The world is vast, but my wife is the most important!"

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Author's Note: The story ends here. Thank you very much for reading. Ayao will continue to make a fortune in her world.

There are many shortcomings, but I will not stop.

I highly recommend my upcoming novel, "The Evil Woman Fears the Persistent Man" (a food-themed detective story)! Wow! [droopy-eared rabbit head]

A strange case suddenly occurred in Yuhang County

A thrush killed seven people, leaving only half a footprint at the scene;

The corpse-carrying driver screamed in terror as the burly man in the coffin transformed into a woman in red.

A virgin awaiting marriage has been impersonated; where is the mastermind hiding behind this?

Hua Linlang transmigrated and became the most beautiful woman in Yuhang County, a family with immense wealth.

Unfortunately, her parents died unexpectedly, leaving her an orphan girl who was coveted by the entire clan and awaited to be devoured.

Hua Linlang: ...It's not a big problem.

He's a modern forensic scientist and criminal psychology double champion, and although he accidentally got himself into trouble, he brought all his skills with him.

While investigating the case, I'll also take the opportunity to revitalize our family business and expand our restaurants and eateries nationwide!

The newly appointed county magistrate, Ji Huai, was full of vigor and had a knack for solving cases.

He initially considered Hua Linlang the prime suspect, but she meticulously unraveled the mystery in front of him, revealing the secrets of the case in a single sentence.

From then on, he investigated cases, and she performed autopsies; he hunted down criminals, and she profiled them.

He was working overtime on an empty stomach, and she thoughtfully handed him a bowl of osmanthus-flavored rice wine.

Ji Huai was deeply moved; how could he possibly miss such a wonderful man!

The next moment, Liangren parted her lips slightly: "Three taels a bowl, Ji Lang, cash or on the tab?"

Ji Huai: .....

Everyone says Hua Linlang is a femme fatale, but Ji Huai feels that if this "femme fatale" can stay for him, he would be happy to accept it.

He looked at her calm profile as she performed the autopsy and asked softly:

"Hua Linlang, besides cases and money, is there anything else in your world?"

Flower Beauty: "For example?"

Ji Huai: "Me."

Flower Beauty: "Get lost."

Ji Huai: "See you later."

Male protagonist's self-conquest strategy

Initial thought: "She must have something on her mind."

Later: He trapped her in a small space, his hot breath brushing against her ear: "Linlang, what you really want is me."