Just as the lychee season was ending, the appearance of lychee ice ignited the family's determination to fight against the lingering summer heat.
Unexpectedly, even the people in the capital city were interested.
Unfortunately, it was only after most of her brothers had left that Jiang Sheng had no way to hide.
"Boss, give me some advice! Should we sell this ice or not?" Miao Zhaoying asked anxiously. "The people are still waiting at Jiuzhenfang."
Jiang Sheng's face paled slightly. "Sell, of course I'll sell."
However, how to sell it, whether to charge money, and whether there will be any drawbacks are all debatable.
Having been a beggar who had been wandering for many years, growing up rolling in the mud, he had seen all kinds of people and suffered all kinds of losses, but he had never dealt with the people of the capital.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't flustered, but as the owner, she had to remain calm. "Aunt Miao, go back and serve tea first, then tell him that it will take some time to transport the lychee ice, and I'll arrange for people to help right away."
As if they had found their pillar of support, Daya and her daughter returned to Jiuzhenfang tremblingly.
Jiang Sheng took a deep breath, turned around, and looked at Chang Yan, whose expression was strange.
"Fifth Brother, I have to go to Jiuzhenfang." She asked in a low voice, "Are you staying at home, or coming with me?"
This may seem like a question, but it's actually full of expectation.
She was still a young girl, and she couldn't help but feel timid when facing the high and mighty people of the capital.
Considering their journey together, they've met all sorts of officials, from county magistrates and prefects to ministers, so one more wouldn't make a difference.
Changyan's expression slowly returned to normal. He took his sister's hand and tried to comfort her, "Don't be afraid, Fifth Brother is here. Fifth Brother will stay with you."
Jiang Sheng nodded seriously.
The brother and sister boarded the carriage, first went to the Baishui Noodles Workshop to get two plates of lychee ice, then rushed to Jiuzhenfang and jumped off the carriage one after the other.
Whether by coincidence or not, the entire pastry shop was empty except for the official who was said to be from the capital, who sat in the center with a stern-faced servant behind him.
He looked quite young, dressed in pure black, and exuded a strange aura, resembling Jiang Chenghuan's arrogant demeanor, yet also giving off an air of unapproachability.
If they met on the roadside, Jiang Sheng would definitely run away as fast as she could.
But when people came to Jiuzhenfang to buy things, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and go in, putting down the tightly wrapped ice.
"The boss is here." Miao Zhaoying turned her back and winked. "This is the gentleman who came to buy lychee ice."
"Greetings, Your Excellency." Jiang Sheng's etiquette, which she had learned at the Jiang family, came in handy.
At long banquets, however, he would hastily perform a bow, as if he had secretly learned it.
The man in black raised his head, revealing a fair and smooth face and a barely noticeable Adam's apple. "You're the owner of Jiuzhenfang?"
"Yes, yes." Jiang Sheng swallowed.
Since arriving in Fengjing, she has mostly dealt with ordinary people. The Jiang family is the only one who is somewhat noble, but they are all kind and easy to get along with.
For the first time, Jiang Sheng felt the pressure from a powerful figure, sensed the arrogance in his bones, and felt the overwhelming aura of superiority.
"How did you make this lychee shaved ice?" the man in black asked again, his tone nonchalant. "Is there any danger in it?"
He wasn't clearly displeased or angry, nor did he raise his voice, but he was still filled with an imposing aura.
Jiang Sheng was so overwhelmed that she could hardly breathe. Several times she opened her mouth, but she swallowed back the words for fear of saying the wrong thing.
Not answering is not an option either.
Just as the man in black was about to raise his eyebrows, Chang Yan stepped forward, took his sister's hand again, and gave her warmth and strength.
Don't be afraid, you have your brother, you are not alone.
If my elder brother were here, he would answer calmly and respectfully.
If my second brother were here, I could handle any fear with ease and composure.
As their sister, she can't be too bad either.
Jiang Sheng pursed her lips, her breathing finally even, "Replying to Your Excellency, it is made with lychee pulp, cheese, osmanthus honey, and eating too much may cause diarrhea."
Someone let out a "pfft," but then quickly fell silent again.
The man in black nodded. "Price."
"Forty taels per plate." Jiang Sheng thought for a while, "If you want two plates, seventy taels will suffice."
They are, after all, people from the capital.
Whether it's to maintain customer base or to curry favor, giving up some profit is more beneficial than harmful to Jiuzhenfang.
This time, the man in black actually smiled. It was unclear whether he was laughing at Jiang Sheng's little scheme or pleased with the price of the lychee ice.
He quickly stood up, tossed out seventy taels of silver, inspected the lychee ice, and strode away.
Jiang Sheng craned her neck to look, and only after confirming that the group had disappeared in the direction of the capital did she let out a long sigh of relief. "I wonder if selling lychee ice in the capital is a good thing or a bad thing."
Perhaps both are true.
The advantage was that it expanded the sales channels for lychees, indirectly suppressing the Liao family's lychee production.
The downside is that opportunities are often followed by dangers, and the imperial city is full of people they cannot afford to offend.
"Don't worry," Changyan comforted her, "Nothing will happen."
Jiang Sheng nodded with some doubt, and waited at Jiuzhenfang until it closed before returning to the second courtyard.
To avoid worrying their brothers, the siblings decided not to tell anyone about the lychees today.
They were always honest with each other, and this was the first time they felt guilty and tried to hide something, so it didn't feel quite natural.
Even a single word from Wen Zhiyun could scare Jiang Sheng.
"What's wrong, little sister?" Doctor Wen asked, bewildered. "Are you too worried about your second brother? Or is there a problem with your business?"
Jiang Sheng stammered, unable to speak.
She's never been good at lying, and even her fourth brother could tell something was wrong. If she were to face her eldest brother, she'd be exposed in no time.
"Fifth Brother, let's tell the truth," Jiang Sheng said with difficulty. "Before the Imperial Academy lets out for the day."
Chang Yan glanced at the sky subconsciously, his brows furrowing slightly.
They used to use the time when their eldest brother returned to determine whether it was time to leave school.
In reality, Xu Mo had not yet appeared even though the time for the Imperial Academy to close had already passed.
He was a very punctual older brother, always returning home after school, and on the rare occasions he did socialize with friends, he would inform his family in advance.
Did they encounter difficulties at the Imperial College?
Chang Yan frowned slightly, took a few steps to the door, and only saw other Imperial College students returning home, not the upright and gentle Xu Mo.
"Wait another quarter of an hour." He glanced at the sky again. "If my brother hasn't returned by then, we'll have to go look for him."
Jiang Sheng and Wen Zhiyun were shocked and forgot all about the Jiuzhenfang incident.
Whatever the iced lychees might bring, that's a matter for the future; their eldest brother's safety is the most important thing.
After waiting for another quarter of an hour, Xu Moqingjun still did not appear.
Chang Yan clenched his fist. "Let's go to the Imperial College."
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