Meng Zhong gradually adapted to the life of waking up early every day to a fragrant breakfast. After eating his fill, he would have Tian Tian drive him out in the carriage, and no one knew what he was busy with. Meng Zhelan didn't have time to pay attention to him either, as she had been busy going to the clinic to refine medicine these past few days. Her pills had recently become very popular and in short supply. She had originally wanted to ask her father to help her refine medicine, but he was always out early and back late, and she couldn't find him at all.
Manager Shen had already prepared the accounts for the "Porridge, Noodles, Rice, and Rice" restaurant for this month and handed them to Meng Zhelan. "Boss Meng, customers have been asking when we'll launch the new health-preserving tea." "Tomorrow, I've also brought back some medicinal herbs," Meng Zhelan said, flipping through the accounts. After a month of operation, the profit was already 150 taels, which was quite good.
After deducting the monthly expense of thirty taels of silver, there was still one hundred and twenty taels left. As partners, Li Xi and Ling'er also received dividends in addition to their monthly allowance. "I have that much? Did Lan'er miscalculate?"
Looking at the purse containing twenty taels of silver in her hand, Ling'er was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. At sixteen or seventeen years old, this was the first time she had received so much silver, and it belonged to her alone.
“That’s right, this is your monthly salary and dividends. The more you earn in the future, the more dividends you will receive,” Meng Zhelan smiled. “Yes, Ling’er, the three of us are a startup team. We can’t function without any of us. I’m planning to go to the market later,” Li Xi said, having just returned from the Chamber of Commerce.
President Wang brought back a lot of chili seeds from various places. The chilies she had bought earlier had already been transported to President Wang's estate, where the greenhouses were quite large and there were professional farmhands. Li Xi would check on the growth of her golden ingots from time to time.
"Lan'er, come and try my chili sauce," Li Xi said, taking out the chili sauce she had made earlier from the cellar. Judging by the time, it was ready to use. Ling'er brought over three bowls of rice, and Li Xi scooped a spoonful of chili sauce into each bowl. She was going to be the first person in Jingyuan to try it.
She mixed the chili sauce with the steaming rice, put it in her mouth, and chewed slowly. That familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar, tantalizing flavor still burned her taste buds like a raging fire, so delicious that she was moved to tears. Seeing this, Meng Zhelan and Ling'er followed Li Xi's example and mixed it as well, and it was indeed incredibly fragrant and spicy.
“Xi’er, this chili sauce of yours is a golden goose!” Ling’er had tried many delicacies in Kyoto, but this incredibly spicy chili sauce had won over her taste buds. “Yes, then it’ll be our turn to live off the rich.”
"Don't even think about it. You want to eat and drink for free without doing any work? All of you, help me out," Li Xi said, feigning anger. "Lan'er, the restaurant is already on track. We need to develop some other businesses as well." Meng Zhelan and Ling'er were already used to Li Xi's way of speaking, and they understood it after hearing it for a while.
“That makes sense, I second that,” the two said, feigning seriousness. The three of them talked until midnight, their minds too busy making money to sleep. They talked non-stop about their get-rich-quick scheme until the night watchman struck the gong, and the three of them went straight to rest in Li Xi’s room.
Old Sun arrived at the restaurant early in the morning looking for Li Xi. He hadn't seen her visit him at the academy for several days, and since the training ground had recently added some new things, he wanted to have Li Xi try them out, preferably with her two friends. Just then, he saw her carrying a large bag of things out. Old Sun quickly called out to her.
"Xiaoxi, where are you going?" "Oh, it's Grandpa Sun! I was just about to go find you and Headmaster Xu. Have you finished eating? Let's go together." Li Xi told Yu Meng to follow her.
"I've been waiting for you, waiter, check please." After taking the bags of pastries handed to him by the waiter, Old Sun followed Li Xi and the others out.
"Grandpa Sun, I'm recommending a talented person to you this time. Come on, let's go, there's a bunch of good stuff here too," Li Xi said, walking so fast that Grandpa Sun and Yu Meng could hardly keep up with her.
Old Master Sun led the two to Ji Cao Tang, where Headmaster Xu was playing chess by himself, while the teapot on the small stove beside him was boiling. "Zi Mo, look what I brought," Old Master Sun said, holding up the pastries in his hand and shaking them. He then put down the chess pieces in his hand. "Xiao Xi is here too."
Unpacking the large package, which contained a variety of handmade items, Li Xi proudly said, "Headmaster Xu, look at this Luban lock, isn't it interesting? I brought a whole bunch this time, all sorts of things. I even brought the carpenter with me; just tell her if you have any suggestions." Li Xi then pushed Yu Meng forward.
Master Xu picked up a few Luban locks, nodded in praise after a moment, "Indeed, they are very clever. It is enough to show that the carpenter has a profound skill and exquisite craftsmanship."
Li Xi and Yu Meng were overjoyed; the deal was done. A little embarrassed, they said, "Um, Headmaster Xu, how many do you need? Bulk discounts are available." "Alright, alright, don't be in such a hurry, child. Bring those over so this old man can take a look," Headmaster Xu said kindly. He was thoroughly enjoying himself with the bamboo dragonflies, building blocks, and Tetris.
"These things of yours are really good. How about this, fifty portions of each kind to start with." The students at the academy range from six years old to their teens and twenties, and many of them have enrolled in their early education programs. These things are of great help to them.
"I've rounded it down to thirty taels. We'll settle the bill when the delivery arrives," Li Xi said somewhat apologetically. "Okay, you can arrange it."
"Xiaoxi, let's go to the back mountain," Old Sun said excitedly, leading the two to the martial arts training ground at the foot of the mountain. It was the time for the students' morning training.
The students here are skilled in both literature and martial arts, and have a broad knowledge of the Six Arts of a Gentleman. What was once an education reserved for the nobility has been incorporated into the general academy by the Empress Dowager in Jingyuan, allowing commoners to enroll.
As long as you register and take the assessment, you can enroll. Tuition fees are based on your grades; the better your grades, the less tuition you receive. If you fail the assessments for all twelve months of the year, you will be expelled.
The students dared not slack off; no one wanted to be expelled. "Xiaoxi, what do you think of these improved textbooks? Why don't you give them a try?" Old Sun encouraged them with ill intent.
Li Xi also threw herself into the students' training. The obstacle course was still no challenge for her, and the other students were amazed by her speed. "My God, this person is so fast, even faster than Cheng Xuan!" "Where did she come from? I'm embarrassed to slack off!" "Run faster, Teacher Sun is watching us."
Everyone tried to run after Li Xi, but couldn't keep up. Only Cheng Xuan was about the same distance from her. Li Xi's movement as she leaped onto her horse was clean and swift; her riding skills were unmatched by anyone else.
There was no way around it; ever since she lost to Qin Xiaolin last time, she became increasingly resentful. From then on, whenever she went out, she would either run or ride a horse. Even snow couldn't stop her; she always believed she could improve even further.
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