Indeed, persuading people requires finding the right approach, and catering to their preferences is very important.

The grandfather and grandson were daydreaming about hypothetical scenarios, and everyone listening was twitching with excitement.

Yunyou, in particular, felt inexplicably jealous when he saw Zhao Qingyan spouting nonsense to appease Huang Shi.

"You brat, I've been so good to you, and you've never tried to make me happy like this before, sigh..."

Zhao Qingyan is now having a great time chatting with the Huangs, and she's even thinking that instead of waiting for her parents to take the imperial examinations, she'll go straight to the capital to buy a house after they finish their exams.

"Grandma, we have to buy a big enough house for our family. Just think how prosperous our family will be in the future!"

Your three sons have had six grandsons. If these six grandsons get married and have children, how many great-grandsons will there be?

After we buy a big house, each room will have its own yard, so that we can take care of our own children.

Imagine how spectacular it would be if these little guys greeted you morning and evening, all shouting "Great-Grandma!" in unison.

Also, besides raising fish in our backyard, we should also plant lotus flowers. Not only are the lotus flowers beautiful, but you can also eat the lotus roots. It's a win-win situation.

We can make stir-fried lotus root slices, sweet and sour lotus root slices, cold lotus root slices... and even raise chickens and ducks..."

As he listened, Yunyou almost burst out laughing, but he managed to suppress it with all his might, though his trembling shoulders betrayed him.

He thought to himself, "I moved to the capital just to raise fish, grow lotus roots, and feed chickens and ducks."

"A secluded cottage in the green hills can be realized, right? Does that mean the air is so good in the capital that everything built here is gilded?"

Well, anyone who hadn't eaten a second bowl of noodles could tell something was wrong, but they still listened with smiles as the grandfather and grandson talked nonsense.

"I hereby announce that after you finish your exams this time, I will take my darling daughter to the capital to buy a house."

If they can't buy a suitable house, the old woman will open another Zhao's Snack Shop over there.

Those who were trying to suppress their laughter are now dumbfounded.

Zhao Yonggeng was the most business-minded among the brothers, and also the most sensitive to money.

"Mother, land in the capital is incredibly expensive. Do we have the money to buy a house?"

Ms. Huang put her hands on her hips.

"What? I don't have any, but my sweet girl does. She'll definitely lend it to me."

From now on, each of you will have to write an IOU to my sweetheart, with payments due in installments.

Several men nearly choked to death on the saliva.

Instead of enjoying a good life, they burdened their family with debt for a house that wasn't particularly useful for the time being. That's quite bizarre.

Yunyou almost burst out laughing; he felt like he was going to suffer internal injuries if he kept holding it in any longer.

“You two talk slowly. I suddenly remembered that I have an old friend in this city. I’d like to go and see if he’s still alive.”

After saying that, he used his lightness skill and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

After flying out of the prefect's back garden and landing, Yunyou leaned against a roadside tree and laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.

Zhao Qingyan raised her hand and said, "Grandma, just tell me how much silver you need, and I'll lend it to you."

The men of the Zhao family said their lives were bleak. What was the point of taking the imperial examinations? Was it just to take on huge debts and become mortgage slaves?

Madam Duan led her son back to the inner courtyard, sat in the tent, and asked him in detail how Rui Ge'er had gotten to the back garden and what they had talked about before she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You naughty little thing, you can't go out without your mother's permission anymore. There's danger outside, and your mother will worry."

"Other people's food is so delicious, and you've even learned to go out and freeload."

Duan Chongrui's eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled.

"It's delicious, so delicious. It's the best noodles I've ever had."

The meat was delicious, the noodles were delicious, the eggs were delicious, everything was delicious.

Madam Duan was unconvinced. "Since you like noodles so much, then we'll have noodles for lunch."

After a busy morning, Lord Duan, who was starving, sat at the table waiting for his meal. When he saw that what was served to him was a bowl of noodles with a human head on it, he was completely taken aback.

"Madam, is this all we're eating? Are we out of money? Or was the cook killed last night?"

Lord Duan is a picky eater; every meal must include a balanced mix of meat and vegetables. He can't be satisfied with just a bowl of noodles.

Madam Duan then recounted how her son had gone to the Zhao family's house to freeload a meal.

"Master, what do you think of the Zhao family's character? I think our Rui-ge'er likes them quite a bit."

She dared not say that she was worried the Zhao family had ulterior motives; she knew she wouldn't get the answer she wanted if she did.

"This one should be good; they must be from an upright family."

It is said that his family owns food stalls in both the county town and the town, so naturally their food is a bit better than that of ordinary people.

Madam, please don't overthink it. Besides, our Rui-ge'er is not young anymore, it's time for him to go to a private school.

It's good for them to interact with more people; fledglings always need to grow up and can't always be confined to this small backyard.

Having spent a long time together, the couple knew each other's personalities very well. Lord Duan was also taking the opportunity to remind his wife not to raise their son like a daughter all the time.

Madam Duan nodded in agreement and said no more. However, out of respect for Lord Duan's wishes, she instructed the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes.

Duan Chongrui had a bowl of noodles at the Zhao family's house this morning, and he's still savoring the memory.

He was overjoyed to see that there were noodles for lunch, refused to be fed by his mother, and started eating with chopsticks.

After taking two bites, she wrinkled her little nose.

"Dad, Mom, these noodles aren't as good as my sister's."

Madam Duan was still unconvinced, picked up the bowl of noodles and took a bite.

"This tastes great! This soup is made from old hen soup simmered over a low flame."

Besides, our chef was hired from a grand restaurant in the capital; how could he compare to that of a peasant family?

It was only then that Lord Duan remembered that the jar of chili sauce Zhang Rong had brought was a gift from the Zhao family.

They called someone over, brought a small bowl to the table, and scooped a spoonful into the noodles.

"Mmm, this tastes wonderful, madam. You should try it. It's a little spicy, but very fragrant. Give it a try."

Lord Duan quickly recommended it to the lady.

Madam Duan was skeptical, but her eyes clearly said, "You're lying."

"Let's give it a try." Madam Duan also scooped a spoonful of chili sauce into her bowl, took a bite, and her eyes lit up.

Madam Duan, who had been taught since childhood to eat until she was only half full, rubbed her stomach and looked at her husband.

"Sir, how much sauce do you have left? Where did you buy it? It's very delicious."

Lord Duan laughed heartily.

"It wasn't bought; this sauce was a gift from the Zhao family, who live in our backyard."

They gave us a jar of it; it should last us for a while.

Mrs. Duan nodded.

"Nanny, go to the kitchen and tell the cook to try the sauce made by the Zhao family, and let them figure out how to make it."

"To avoid having to ask someone for more sauce after we've finished this jar, that would be too embarrassing."

Qiao Ruyi quickly bowed and gave the instructions.

The constables guarding the Zhao family's residence took out the flatbreads they had tucked into their pockets, took a bite, and then drank some lukewarm water from their water pouches before swallowing the flatbreads.