On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the "porridge, noodles, rice" restaurant had completed its upgrade, and the private rooms on the second floor were finally renovated. The various pots that Li Xi had envisioned became popular on Changyang Street as soon as they were launched. Not only did the neighbors and students like them, but people from other places also came to recommend them.

"Boss, hasn't my braised beef brisket and radish stew arrived yet?" "Hey, go and urge them on the garlic chicken stew. And get me a pot of herbal tea too." "Oh, Brother Cheng, you're here too! Come on, sit down and join us."

The number of waiters increased from two to four, and three more were added to the kitchen, making a total of eight people including Ling'er. They were still working busily. "Aunt Wang, make the sauce a little thicker. Uncle Wang, has the chicken and beef arrived yet? Sister Liao, those pastries only need to be steamed for half an hour. Everyone, give it your all."

Li Xi was also busy running around, and all four private rooms on the second floor were occupied by acquaintances. Shen Xu and his siblings occupied one room, and Qin Xiaolin also came out to eat with his family. In the past, every time he came, he would bring some food back for his grandmother to try. Over time, the old lady was no longer satisfied with just waiting. Today, hearing that there were new dishes, she couldn't help but ask her grandson to bring her. Now, many of the younger members of the family have come along as well.

"Brother Lin, when is Young Master Li coming?" Ever since she heard that Li Xi had saved her grandson, she had wanted to come and see him, but it always happened to be snowing. Today she finally found an opportunity and definitely had to see him.

“Grandmother, Brother Li is quite busy today, he will come over later.” Qin Xiaolin’s deep pupils shimmered with a faint light as he watched Li Xi walk upstairs.

She was dressed in a unique green and white men's outfit, with a tall and slender figure, a beautiful face, and clear, bright eyes. Although some time had passed, the imposing aura emanating from her was even more powerful than before.

"Hmm? Brother Qin, did the old lady send you to find me? I'm so sorry, I just finished my work and came over to pay my respects to her," Li Xi was somewhat shocked to see the Duchess appear. It was quite embarrassing that such an important person would visit their small town. So he rushed over as soon as he finished his work.

"It's nothing, I just came out for some fresh air." Qin Xiaolin turned his head away somewhat awkwardly.

"Madam, I apologize for my rudeness and for keeping you waiting." Li Xi bowed respectfully. "Young Master Li, you are too kind. I have not been able to thank you in person for saving Lin Ge'er in the past. Today, taking advantage of the launch of your new dishes, I shamelessly pestered him to bring me here." The Duchess was magnanimous and did not look down on others because of her high status.

"Madam, you're too kind. Here, try our new health tea; it has a calming effect." Li Xi poured tea for everyone. There was no way around it; the customer was God, her gold nugget.

The Duchess chatted with Li Xi for about half a cup of tea's time. Feeling that she had kept her waiting, she quickly said, "This old woman is getting on in years and tends to be a bit long-winded. Please don't mind, Young Master Li."

"You flatter me, Madam Duchess. It is an honor for a junior to speak with you." Li Xi dared not show the slightest impatience.

"Good, good, good. You young man are just what I like. Come to my house sometime and have a chat with this old woman."

The other younger members of the family displayed various intriguing expressions.

"Okay, okay, then I'll bother you when I have time. Please don't find it troublesome."

After saying a few casual words, Li Xi went out. Just then, the waiter came to serve the dishes, and everyone was attracted by the aroma. At first, some people thought the place wasn't high-class enough.

Elder Sun and Headmaster Xu brought five or six elders of similar age to show their support. Elder Sun had asked Li Xi to reserve a room for them early in the morning. "Gentlemen, please forgive us for our lack of hospitality," Li Xi said, bowing to the elders.

"Xiaoxi, don't worry about us, just bring the food out. We old men know this place like the back of our hand. Bring a few more pots of tea and pastries, and two plates of peanuts." Old Sun waved his hand to shoo them away.

Doctor Meng brought five colleagues with him. Oh, right, he used to leave early and return late every day for his career, but now he has returned to work at the Imperial Hospital.

Meng Zhong finally regained his status as an imperial physician, and he felt a great sense of relief. The life he had spent in hiding with his daughter had been extremely agonizing for him.

Now, he can finally stand tall and do what he's supposed to do. Before, his lowly status meant he was easily bullied; now, as a judge in the Imperial Medical Academy, even those demons dare not imprison him.

His Majesty the Emperor has always cherished talent, especially Meng Zhong. With Meng Zhong's help in recuperating his health, the Emperor was in excellent physical condition in his younger years. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, he naturally welcomes the return of Imperial Physician Meng.

"Brother Meng, I thought I'd never see you again." "Yes, Brother Meng, things haven't gone so smoothly for us in these ten years without you. We can't even find anyone to discuss some of our illnesses with. The Imperial Physician... to be honest, he only became the head of the Imperial Physician by stepping on you back then. You need to be careful from now on, don't let him find any more fault with you."

Everyone couldn't help but sigh. Time hadn't diminished the bond between the six of them. They had all entered the Imperial Medical Academy one after the other. Among them, Meng Zhong, born in Guigu, was someone they admired. Not only was his medical skill outstanding, but he was also of noble character. He selflessly shared his medical and pharmacological knowledge with them, without any fear of them learning it. As a result, he had offended the Chief Physician.

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Li Xi left when they started chatting; some things are better left unknown.

The front hall was packed, bustling with noise. Meng Zhelan hadn't gone to the clinic today; she had taught Doctor Liu and Bao Ge'er how to concoct some simple pills, and the clinic was operating smoothly. Therefore, she had more time to work with Li Xi on their get-rich-quick scheme.

Under Li Xi's tutelage, Sun Tiantian's skills are improving very quickly. Li Xi plans to ask Elder Sun for guidance in a few days so that she can feel at ease having Tiantian by Meng Zhelan's side in the future.

Since leaving their father, the three Yu siblings have become increasingly cheerful. When the restaurant is busy, Yu Meng puts down her handicrafts and joins the staff, while Yu Yin and Yu Song help out in the kitchen.

Winter's chill swept through the long streets, and snow arrived silently in the darkness. Before we knew it, early autumn had turned into the depths of winter.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, Li Xi and Meng Zhelan decided to take a holiday on the 29th of the lunar year and prepare two banquets to reward everyone.

Meng Zhelan gave everyone two months' wages, plus a five-tael red envelope for each person. The upgraded restaurant earned eight hundred taels in just twenty days. With a wave of his hand, Meng Zhelan gave the manager, waiters, and cooks half a pork carp, five large carp, five boxes of pastries, and three bolts of cloth to each of them.

"Thank you all for your help these past few days. I hope our income will double next year. Let's raise a glass to each other." Meng Zhelan downed her drink in one gulp, and everyone else followed suit.

Seeing his daughter now, Meng Zhong felt gratified, and his wife who had passed away could finally rest easy.

After the banquet, Li Xi drank alone on the rooftop.