The cook memorized it after hearing it only once.
"Miss, please go back to your courtyard and rest. I promise to prepare lunch before lunchtime."
The cook was afraid that the spicy food would choke the young lady.
Jiang Shuyue nodded and walked out. She stopped at the kitchen door and turned back, saying, "Make more seasonings later, and make two different flavors of shredded radish."
Back in the courtyard, Qiuju took out the honey dew cream that Jiang Shuyue had made herself.
She took Jiang Shuyue's hand and, while applying honey cream, said, "Miss, Madam Su once said that a woman's second face is her hands. Don't go to the kitchen anymore."
"Okay, okay, I won't go to the kitchen anymore. If you keep nagging, I'll change your wedding date and marry you off sooner."
"Miss, have you forgotten that I will not leave the manor after marrying Gao Mu?" Qiu Ju said with a blush.
"Just kidding. I can't get used to a day without you around." Jiang Shuyue stopped teasing Qiuju when she saw that she was shy.
“Miss, not only am I reluctant to leave you, but even Young Master Nangong is reluctant to leave. He rushed to buy a house, but he only goes there to stay at night every day.”
A short while later, Lan'er brought over freshly cooked beef strips.
The beef strips coated with chili powder were incredibly fragrant.
"It would be even better if you sprinkled some sesame seeds on top, I forgot just now."
"Miss, please try it. It looks delicious to me." Lan'er put down the tray, brought out a plate, and handed the chopsticks to Jiang Shuyue with both hands.
A spicy and savory aroma wafts through the air, making one's mouth water; just smelling it makes one swallow hard.
Jiang Shuyue took the chopsticks, picked up a strip of beef, put it in her mouth, chewed it slowly, and savored the spicy and savory flavor.
Her eyes lit up. "You should try it too, it tastes great."
After tasting it, Qiuju smacked her lips and said, "The spiciness is just right. If I had known it was this delicious, I should have sealed it up."
Lan'er imitated Qiuju, wiping her hands and picking up a piece to taste.
"It's really delicious. If you bring it to the examination hall, even the scholars next door will be drooling with envy."
"It's not good to eat strong-flavored food during exams, especially spicy food. If you get an upset stomach, it will affect your performance on the exam, and you'll be the one who regrets it later."
Jiang Shuyue's explanation made Qiuju and Lan'er realize the truth, and they praised their young lady for being so thoughtful.
...
As dusk fell, a light rain began to fall.
The light rain pattered on the leaves, making a rustling sound, like silkworms eating mulberry leaves.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Jingzhao and Prime Minister Lin were playing chess.
As the imperial examination drew closer, the students of the Imperial Academy all returned home to prepare for the exam, while Lin Xiangzhi remained in the palace.
"Xiangzhi, you've lost again."
After the game ended, Xiao Jingzhao had a smile on his lips.
"Ah! Your Majesty, you are bullying me. The Prime Minister has been busy with his studies lately. He has no time to play chess. If I fail the exam, we will have to go our separate ways again."
Lin Xiangzhi let out a wail and fell backward, causing the palace maids serving nearby to lower their heads and cover their mouths to chuckle.
"Shut up! What do you mean by 'parting ways'? Speak properly!" Xiao Jingzhao said through gritted teeth.
"It was because I was in a hurry that I made a mistake. I will definitely correct it next time." Just as Lin Xiangzhi fell down, he saw the palace maids snickering. He quickly got up, sat up straight, and said earnestly.
"I heard that you read with Zhen Jingxiu until late at night every day, so I called you over to play chess to relax. Since you don't want to play anymore, then read a few essays on strategy before you go back."
Lin Xiangzhi: "..." Which son of a bitch is spreading rumors? Zhen Jingxiu has been home for several days now.
As if he had been prepared, Xiao Jingzhao waved his hand, and a palace maid came over with a stack of documents in both hands.
"Your Majesty's grace is too great! This is truly... wonderful!"
Lin Xiangzhi accepted it with both hands, his smile more like a grimace; Xiao Jingzhao knew without even guessing the bitterness in his heart.
“Young Master Lin needs quiet to read, you may all leave.” Xiao Jingzhao waved his hand, and the palace maids bowed and withdrew.
With only the two of them left in the room, Xiao Jingzhao said bluntly, "The notice has already been posted. You must take the position of Minister of Revenue."
"Your Majesty, is it possible that by posting the vacant positions so publicly, you're setting a trap for the Prime Minister?"
Xiao Jingzhao glanced at him sideways, "Are other people worth all this trouble? It's not all about tricking you... It's also about encouraging all the students in the world."
Xiao Jingzhao almost let slip that this trap was tailor-made for him.
He was initially reluctant, feeling that the punishment for Jiang Zhengming was too harsh.
After hearing the information gathered by his secret guards and learning more about Jiang Shuyue's past, he felt that not dismissing Jiang Zhengming was already a lenient punishment.
No wonder she was unconventional, resilient, and independent, yet abandoned by her closest blood relatives when she had suffered injustice. What a cold-hearted father he was.
Thinking that her misfortunes were all caused by him, Xiao Jingzhao had the urge to slap himself twice.
But when he thought of Yu Xue's adorable son, Xiao Jingzhao felt a warm glow in his heart.
...
When Jiang Zhengming learned that his family didn't have enough money to buy a house in the east of the city, he almost fainted from anger.
“My lord, in the past, we pampered Yue’er at home, which cost a lot of money. We also hired teachers to teach the young masters and ladies the Six Arts. Money was needed everywhere. I have been trying to save money these past few years, but with such a large family, no amount of saving can help.”
Seeing that Jiang Zhengming didn't seem to blame her, she continued, "When my sister was alive, her family often came to freeload. My sister was in poor health, and they spent a lot of money on tonics."
Yang was on the verge of tears, and thus shifted the blame to the other party.
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