Chapter 38 Chess and Card Club: She didn't run a chess and card club, she ran a general store.
Lin Wen'an said that this was his first time visiting the Funing Palace.
Funing Palace was the residence of the emperor, but it was not decorated with too much gold and jade, nor did it have any extravagance. There were only a few vermilion antique shelves in the corner, on which were displayed some Ru kiln porcelain. From a distance, the glaze color looked like the sky after rain, and it was a very well fired porcelain. However, it was unclear what kind of objects were made, and their appearance looked a bit strange.
Lin Wen'an forgot to wear his shawl today, and the light was so bright that it was hard to see. It wasn't until Liang Da'dang, the emperor's personal eunuch, thoughtfully rolled up the curtain halfway that he realized those Ru ware porcelain pieces were... ducks?
He silently looked away.
Beside the carved window sill stood a long sandalwood table, on which hung several mottled bamboo wolf-hair brushes, their handles worn smooth by repeated use. On the north wall hung a plain landscape screen, with a clear stream flowing between the lightly ink-washed peaks, and three or five... wild ducks swimming on its surface.
The hall was now filled with the aroma of roasted duck. He looked at Zhao Boyun, who was enjoying his meal across from him, and noticed his chopsticks, which were very simple sandalwood chopsticks with two green-headed ducks carved on the tips.
Lin Wen'an: "..."
The emperor's affection for ducks has remained unchanged for ten years.
However, he had just eaten two pieces of this roasted duck, and it was indeed quite good. The duck skin was roasted until thin, crisp, and translucent, crackling and bursting with flavor with every bite, releasing a rich, fatty aroma. The duck meat was tender and juicy; dipped in the prepared sauce, wrapped in a thin, soft lotus leaf pancake, and served with scallions and shredded cucumber, each bite was rich yet not greasy, leaving a mouthful of savory and meaty flavor.
Zhao Boyun, who had never tired of eating duck for so many years, must have some skill. He ate more than half of the duck in one go before he was satisfied. He took the handkerchief handed to him by the eunuch, wiped his beard clean, and then said, "Why did you stop eating after only two bites? Is it not to your liking?"
Lin Wen'an said, "Roasted duck is delicious, but I am still taking medicine and should avoid eating too much fatty and sweet food." After a pause, he advised again, "Roasted duck is good, but it is too fatty. Your Majesty should take care of your health."
“It’s alright, I’ve already reduced it. In previous years I ate three roasted ducks a day, but now I’ve reduced it to one.” Zhao Boyun waved his hand dismissively: “So you can’t eat too much meat, no wonder you bring your own food box. Then eat your own. We can talk business after you’ve eaten your fill.”
As he spoke, he pointed to the small bundle that Lin Wen'an had brought, his eyes brightening slightly as he reminisced with a touch of nostalgia, "Whose cooking is this? I remember your mother used to make braised pork with dried bean curd, it was so delicious."
Back when he had not yet ascended the throne and the Prince of Jin had not yet rebelled, he had also lived a carefree and unruly life as a young crown prince. He often sneaked out of the palace in disguise to play, but he did not dare to go far. He often mooched meals from Lin Wen'an and knew that his mother was a good cook.
When the past was mentioned, Lin Wen'an smiled, but his gaze softened further when it fell on the food box. He placed the food box on the table, untied the knot of the bundle, and replied softly, "This was made by Mr. Yao's granddaughter for me."
Zhao Boyun exclaimed "Oh!" in surprise, then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called for a young eunuch to bring in two sets of chess and cards: "She can make these? I heard that your teacher's granddaughter is involved in chess and cards, isn't she? Apparently, she runs a chess and cards club near the Imperial Academy?"
Lin Wen'an was stunned. A chess and card club? What was this all about? He looked closely and realized that the things in Zhao Boyun's hands looked very familiar. There was not only a "Promotion and Fortune" chess set, but also a box of "Yin-Yang Cards".
However, both of these items were made of the finest rosewood and sandalwood, not the cheap wood found in Ruyi Shop. Clearly, these common trinkets were brought into the palace and then reproduced by the Imperial Workshop.
"Speaking of this card, it was presented to Consort Zhang by Zhang Heng when he came to the palace to see her a few days ago during his leave. Now it's quite something, my concubines gather together to play this every day, having such a great time that they've become too lazy to bring me soup and food." Zhao Boyun's tone was sour, the dignified emperor being completely forgotten by his concubines.
Lin Wen'an understood and nodded, saying, "This item was indeed the original Ruyi, but..."
She didn't run a chess and card club; she ran a general store.
Zhao Boyun casually set the chessboard aside and smiled nonchalantly, "I didn't expect her to have some talent and courage, much better than your stubborn husband." There aren't many daughters of officials who are so willing to go into business; most are the kind who would rather die clinging to a branch than be "humiliated."
Dr. Yao, for example, was the kind of person who would rather starve than compromise his principles. In fact, the Yao family had suffered many misfortunes, which Zhao Boyun believed were caused by his bad temper. If he had known that things could turn around and change, he would have done much better.
Even before Zhao Boyun ascended the throne, he had told Lin Wen'an that Dr. Yao's temperament was unsuitable for officialdom, especially for a position in the capital, and that he would suffer greatly in the future. Sure enough, Zhao Boyun demoted him during the Deng family's disturbance, with no intention of restoring him to power.
Firstly, he had a fiery temper, and secondly, he was getting old. Moreover, he was Wen An's respected mentor, so it would have been better for him to enjoy a peaceful and quiet retirement. But unexpectedly, after being demoted, he didn't enjoy a few years of peace before his health deteriorated again.
Fortunately, his granddaughter had survived a major ordeal and stood upside down. Zhao Boyun heard from Wang Yong that Dr. Yao's granddaughter had changed so much that she was almost unrecognizable, as if she were a completely different person.
This can be considered a case of losing one thing but gaining another.
The Yao family's affairs only flashed through Zhao Boyun's mind, which was filled with a multitude of matters, without leaving any trace. His nostrils twitched, and he suddenly smelled the aroma of rice. His gaze then fell back on the open mother-of-pearl inlaid food box on the table, and he stretched his thick neck to look ahead.
The food box was a very ordinary mother-of-pearl inlaid square box, containing seven or eight different kinds of... rice balls? Rice balls? They didn't quite look like them, and they were made much smaller and more delicate than those sold in ordinary markets.
Each grain of rice is distinct, pinched to the perfect tightness. Some are topped with sashimi, some are filled with cucumber and ham, some have meat floss mixed in and then rolled with braised chicken, and some are wrapped with golden-brown, soft fried eggs, like clouds covering the rice, looking so fluffy... Neatly cut small pieces are arranged in the box.
"That's interesting." Zhao Boyun's eyes lit up as he said, having never eaten it before.
Lin Wen'an knew something was wrong as soon as he saw his expression.
In his early years, when he accompanied the emperor in his studies, his mother would occasionally cook some food and pastries when she was feeling better, and she would ask him to take some to the palace, just like Ruyi. However, his mother specially prepared two portions, making sure that the emperor, who was still the crown prince, also received some.
But in the end... both portions will end up in the officials' stomachs.
The official had an excellent appetite from a young age, wanting to try everything and finding everything delicious. He grew taller and stronger, and the stronger he became, the more he ate. This cycle repeated itself until it became uncontrollable.
Although Lin Wen'an was two years younger than the Emperor, he was naturally calm and mature beyond his years. Compared to the somewhat impetuous Emperor, he seemed more like the older one. When they studied together, if the Emperor dozed off, he would copy the books for him; when the late Emperor was angry at the Emperor for his unreliability, he was the one who knelt down to defend him and took the punishment for him. He would also willingly give him all the good food his mother gave him.
Indeed, the Emperor treated him well. During his years in Fuzhou, Zhao Boyun never forgot him. He not only wrote to him frequently, but also sent a royal physician from afar to visit him. Upon hearing that his eyes had developed a chronic condition, he ordered craftsmen to make a pair of eyeglasses and specially sent them to him.
But today, Lin Wen'an inexplicably regretted opening the sashimi. He had thought that as the Emperor grew older, now that he was in charge of the country and a father, he would be able to change his fondness for food.
Unexpectedly, nothing was changed.
Sure enough, Zhao Boyun, just like the chubby little prince back then, was already eager to try: "Wen'an, let me have a taste too!"
Lin Wen'an reluctantly served him a piece of fish sashimi rice. Seeing that he put it into his mouth without hesitation, Lin Wen'an nervously watched his expression, hoping that the official would frown and complain that it was unpalatable. Unexpectedly, he chewed it again and again, and before he even swallowed it, he praised, "Although this rice is cold, it is very fragrant and sweet!"
Oh no. He loves to eat.
Zhao Boyun savored the taste and nodded slightly in satisfaction.
This cold rice ball is truly unique! It looks simple, but each grain of rice is vibrant and glistening like a jade bead, unlike ordinary white rice that clumps together. The first bite is soft and glutinous, followed by a slight chewiness, with a subtle hint of vinegar. The moisture level is perfectly balanced, neither too dry nor too mushy. It's also wonderful when eaten cold, refreshingly cool, allowing you to taste the rice's natural sweetness, which is further enhanced by the fresh fish.
Zhao Boyun had just eaten so much roasted duck, and his mouth and belly were full of oil. So when he took a bite of this, he actually found it quite delicious. In the past, he preferred noodles and was not particularly fond of rice, which was a favorite food of southerners. But after trying it today, he actually tasted a bit of the goodness of rice.
"Wen'an, this is quite good." Zhao Boyun said with great delight and without any politeness, "One more! I want the fried chicken one!"
Lin Wen'an silently picked up his chopsticks and, as instructed, placed one on the official's plate, while also taking two for himself. He had originally planned to enjoy them slowly as a late-night snack, but now he had no choice but to eat them, or they would all be gone.
The food box wasn't big, and Yao Ruyi had only packed a few items. We each took one, and it was soon empty. Zhao Boyun still felt it wasn't enough, and patted his belly, he sighed softly, "I'm about 80% full."
Lin Wen'an lowered his eyes, knowing he absolutely couldn't bring them again next time.
Even if he brought it, he told Cong Bo to hide it in the carriage.
After Zhao Boyun had eaten and drunk his fill, he chatted with Lin Wen'an for a few more minutes, showing concern for his legs and feet, before instructing the eunuchs to remove the table and formally begin discussing official business with Lin Wen'an.
He ordered Liang Da Dang to bring over two large boxes of records, blueprints, and memorials submitted by the Ordnance Bureau. Liang Da Dang personally and meticulously informed him of the current situation of the Ordnance Bureau and the progress it had made in its research.
Lin Wen'an looked at Zhao Boyun, whose dark, plump face had eyes that shone brightly when discussing firearms. What surprised him most was that among these blueprints was a roster, which recorded every Song Dynasty soldier who charged into battle with raging flames and oil torches, only to perish with the enemy.
The officials recorded their names.
Most of these soldiers were children from poor families, and only poor families would send their children to join the army as lowly soldiers. Therefore, most of the people in this register did not have proper names: Ma Chuyi, Li Shiwu, Pang Dahe, etc. This was probably the first and last time their names appeared before the officials.
“Wen’an, this book already records 212 people. Among them, there are 23 craftsmen who were accidentally burned or injured while developing the flammable oil.” Zhao Boyun had long lost the leisurely and relaxed feeling he had when he was eating duck and sashimi, and his expression became solemn.
"What I asked Wang Yong to tell you before was not only my hope to coax you back, but also my heartfelt words. At present, the people are unaware of the tense situation at the border and are still living in peace and prosperity. However, we will inevitably have a war with the Jin Kingdom one day. Without firearms to defeat the enemy, it will be difficult to resist the iron hooves of the barbarian cavalry. I do not want to see the names on this book increase every day. I really hope that this book can stay at 212 forever."
"Firearms are vital national weapons and must never be leaked. I do not trust anyone else to do this."
Having said that, he handed the booklet to him.
"The late emperor once told me that you have the talent of a prime minister. But over the years, I have come to realize that prime ministers are easy to find, but those who can save the world are hard to come by. And I understand you better than the late emperor did. I understand you, I know you, and I believe that you can be the one to save the world and save the country from its dire straits."
Lin Wen'an remained silent for a long time before solemnly accepting the roster.
The reason he wore this official robe was that he had already come to a realization.
That day, the image of the grain transport boat sailing far away in the wind and snow remained in his mind.
Regardless of personal gain or personal safety, if it could forge divine weapons and save one less person from the loss of our Great Song Dynasty, then even if the road ahead is fraught with danger and a thousand arrows pierce his heart, he should do it, brave the treacherous waters, and risk his life.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
***
Three or four days passed, the Imperial College had already given everyone a holiday, and the Little New Year passed by in a rather uninteresting way.
Lu Fang, his eyes vacant, wrapped himself in a large peony-patterned mandarin duck quilt and was huddled on the large communal bed with the remaining two or three classmates, playing cards around the stove—Yao Ji's Yin-Yang cards.
Although it's holiday time, some students are still staying at the academy to study hard. The prefectural examination will be held next spring. Years of hard work are all for those three days. Whether it's the New Year or not, whether there is a family reunion or not, doesn't seem to matter so much anymore.
Lu Fang was one of those who remained.
It wasn't that he was that diligent; he had actually gone home once before, excitedly carrying his luggage and knocking on the door, only to find the house empty except for the old gatekeeper dozing in the gatehouse.
Only after asking did I learn that his parents had forgotten he was still studying at the Imperial Academy. A few days ago, they happily took his three-year-old sister back to their hometown in Fanyang to celebrate the New Year!
The old man also said that before his mother left, she asked his father if he had packed everything, as she felt like she had forgotten something. His father confidently patted his chest and said, "Everything is ready, let's go!"
What's fallen?! It's not a thing, it's my son!
Lu Fang was so angry he almost collapsed at his doorstep. In the end, he had no choice but to slink back to the academy. He was both angry and aggrieved the whole way. Fortunately, there were a few other students in the academy who hadn't gone home for various reasons, so they kept him company. Otherwise, he would have really been disgusted.
"Everyone sit down, everyone sit down. There are only six of us today, so let each of us play two roles." It was Liu Huaiyan who spoke. He was the smartest among the Dingzizhai members. He was holding a handful of bamboo tallies and said, "Draw cards according to the rules. No cheating is allowed. Whatever you draw is what you get."
The candlelight in the room flickered, casting alternating red and black shadows on everyone's faces. Li Sanlang, who drew the "Spirit Woman" card, secretly curled the corner of his mouth and hid the card in his sleeve.
Lu Fang drew "peddler" again, and muttered with a bitter face: "Why am I a nobody again? Last time I finally got to be a spirit medium, and you bunch of idiots voted me out."
Li Sanlang patted him on the shoulder: "What are you afraid of? Even a peddler can fake his identity."
"In the dead of night, under a dark and windy sky, please close your eyes—"
Liu Huaiyan drew out the sound, and the surroundings suddenly fell silent, with six pairs of eyes closing in response.
After completing his nighttime activities of stabbing and examining people, Liu Huaiyan shouted, "It's dawn."
The real show was just beginning. The group rubbed their eyes and sat up straight, as if they had just woken up from a dream. They had to immediately start making up lies or exposing lies. The clever ones were arguing fiercely, while the foolish ones were just getting involved. It was like they were personally acting in a grand play that didn't require a ticket.
They were already familiar with this "day and night alternation" game and acted with great seriousness. When it came time to vote, Lu Fang was the first one to be voted out. He was so angry that he slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "You bunch of people can't tell right from wrong and you've turned black into white! When I draw the Spirit Woman, I'll definitely kill all the people who voted for me before!"
He broke down and roared.
They've all been stabbed!
Everyone burst into laughter, completely unconcerned.
Ever since Yaoji introduced this Yin-Yang card game, the Dingzihao School has been gathering to play several rounds every day. It's just too interesting! This card game is endlessly fun and much more interesting than "Promotion and Fortune Chess".
They initially bought and played the "Promotion and Fortune" game, but after a while they felt it was just a child's game, not as good as the Yin-Yang card game, which involved the scheming between people.
These days, children in the alleys are playing the "Promotion to Official Rank" game, while most students are obsessed with the Yin-Yang cards. It's not just the Imperial Academy; during the last break, Liu Huaiyan took the cards home, only to have his elder sister intercept them, learn how to play, and then never return them. Now even young ladies are starting to play this.
They'd heard that counterfeit versions of the Yin-Yang tiles were already appearing outside, made with different materials and flashy designs, selling for exorbitant prices. However, they were all loyal customers of Yao's shop; young people value loyalty, and they'd all agreed to only buy from Yao's madam.
Lu Fang played the Yin-Yang card game every time, but given his luck, he could only draw the Spirit Woman card a handful of times. Moreover, with his limited intelligence and clumsy attempts at concealment, it would be difficult for him to last until the end.
After another round of games, everyone started to feel lazy, and someone's stomach growled. Liu Huaiyan rubbed his hands together and said, "I'm hungry! Let's draw lots. Whoever draws the rice ball goes to Yao Xiaoniangzi's place to buy food."
Now that the Imperial College's dining hall has closed, the remaining students have no choice but to go out to find food, except for Yao Xiaoniangzi's place. The weather is too cold, and no one wants to travel far, so Yao's is actually the only option left.
As he spoke, Liu Huaiyan tore off a few slips of paper, one of which had a drawing of a rice ball. The crowd gathered in a circle, and as soon as Lu Fang reached in, Li Sanlang chuckled, "I bet it's Fang." Before he finished speaking, Lu Fang unfolded the slip of paper, revealing a crookedly drawn rice ball. He angrily threw the paper into the fire.
The group laughed as they ordered. One wanted rice with mixed vegetables, another wanted an egg burger with soup noodles, and still others wanted tea-braised chicken and roujiamo (Chinese hamburger). Lu Fang, with a bitter face, stuffed money into his cotton robe, but still wrote down everyone's orders on a piece of paper, tucked it into his sleeve, and said fiercely, "You wait, I'll have Yao Xiaoniangzi put lots and lots of dogwood in your rice, it'll burn you to death!"
He pushed open the school door, and a blast of cold wind made him shrink back.
While everyone inside was still laughing at his terrible luck, Li Sanlang chuckled and peeked out, shouting, "Uncle Lu, hurry back and don't forget to tell Miss Yao to pack more vinegar and soy sauce."
Lu Fang angrily tightened his cotton robe and headed towards Yao's general store once again.
The windows and gates of the Yao family's courtyard were all open. Lu Fang walked to the window and deliberately looked out.
Good news, the dead fish face is gone.
Bad news: Yao Xiaoniangzi is also not here.
Although the news of Lin Wen'an being granted the rank of fourth-grade official had spread like wildfire throughout the Imperial Academy and everyone knew about it, he had disappeared since the news came out. It was said that he had been kept in the palace by the Emperor and had not returned for several days.
Although he was no longer alive, his reputation had spread far and wide, and some sons of minor officials had become increasingly polite and refined when they came to Yao's shop. But Lu Fang was different; he simply stopped wearing his deadpan expression, but his heart remained the same.
Scholars should have some backbone; how can they bow and scrape before those in power?
Besides, don't underestimate a young man's potential; who knows if he won't rise to high positions someday?
Lu Fang walked up to the grocery store with his head held high.
Inside the grocery store, a baby-faced young man was mopping the floor with a long-handled mop.
He held a mop in his hand, with two small wooden buckets beside him, one filled with clean water and the other with dirty water for wringing out the mop. The man was slightly bent over, working hard back and forth, mopping the terrazzo floor tiles in the shop until they shone.
These mops with built-in sticks are also a great find from Yaoji. Before, mopping the floor required you to stand with your back sticking up high, carrying a huge rag, running back and forth across the corridor to mop – it was exhausting! Later, Yaoji bundled a bunch of rags and scraps together with a wooden stick, making them into mops with built-in sticks, which saved so much effort!
Lu Fang also bought several mops with sticks at the Dingzihao School where he lived.
Because of the fear that theft might be difficult to explain, the servants at the Imperial Academy were always only responsible for external affairs and were not allowed to enter the various academies where the students lived.
Each room had to be cleaned by its own servants, and those without servants had to do it themselves. As a result, many schools became gathering places for lazy men from ordinary families. Not only did they smell bad, but the floors were also unbearable to look at; your shoes would stick to the floor if you stepped in.
Fortunately, Lu Fang's roommates were all fairly clean and of similar age, so they agreed to take turns cleaning, so the room wasn't swarming with flies and mosquitoes and remained relatively clean.
In Yao Xiaoniangzi's general store, there was not only this kind of mop, but also an extremely large one. A rectangular wooden board was attached to the stick, and a thick rag was sandwiched between the board. It could be replaced and used for both dry and wet cleaning. The length of the wooden board was about the same as the width of most eaves, and it could wipe the area clean in one go.
The servants at the Imperial Academy are all using this big one now. I heard from Miss Yao that it's called a "wide, flat dust-piling mop." Not only does it get the work done faster, but in winter their hands don't have to be constantly soaked in ice water. The servants all say they've even had fewer chilblains this year!
Besides the mop, Meng Si said that Yao Xiao Niangzi had also teamed up with several women skilled in making pig pancreas soap to try and mix wood ash, tea seed powder, rice husk ash, calamus, and pig pancreas soap to make some kind of "pancreas bean." They claimed that only a few beans were needed to wash a basin of clothes; the beans would dissolve in water, and after soaking the clothes for a while, scrubbing them would easily remove the dirt. Aunt Kui, who did laundry in the alley, was very interested, but she hadn't made it yet.
Most of the general stores outside sell whatever the merchants and workshops have, trying to pick out the best items to sell. But Yao Xiaoniangzi is different. She runs a general store, and the people making pig pancreas rack their brains to make it. The carpenters work from dawn till dusk, and the ink makers are now forced to sell small ink sticks.
Even coal briquettes are the same.
Now, the coal briquettes sold at the coal shops outside are all learning from her and poking holes in them. Before, no one believed that coal briquettes made with inferior materials could burn for a long time, but Yao Xiaoniangzi really did "cut corners" and used them for an entire winter. The people in the alley gradually discovered that she could really burn one coal briquette for a whole day!
So they tried using it with some skepticism, and soon the word spread. It was amazing that this "honeycomb briquette" was both energy-efficient and burned for a long time.
Only someone as clever as Yao could come up with so many meticulous and effortless groceries.
Lu Fang looked around for a long time but didn't see Yao Xiao Niangzi come out. The courtyard seemed unusually quiet, with only the sound of Dr. Yao nibbling at the dog.
He then turned his gaze to the servant who was mopping the floor.
He was a regular customer at the grocery store and had naturally seen this man before. He must be a servant of the Lin family, but he also worked for the Yao family.
The Lin and Yao families were so close that they were practically inseparable. In particular, the Lin family's main gate was actually outside, but it was never seen to be opened. Lin Wen'an seemed to have forgotten that his family even had a main gate and always entered and exited through the Yao family's gate.
Lu Fang looked at the servant for a while, but couldn't remember his name, so he called out, "Young man, is Miss Yao here?"
Cong Xin looked up and saw that a guest had arrived. He quickly leaned the mop against the corner of the wall, wiped his sweat, and wiped his hands on the apron embroidered with "Yao Ji" and a squinting rabbit head. He came over and replied, "Miss Yao has gone to Xingguo Temple. What would you like to buy, sir? I will fetch it for you."
Today marks the last transaction involving all families at Xingguo Temple before the Lunar New Year.
As Cong Xin said, Yao Ruyi carried the debt and a box of "Xianbei Snow Biscuits" samples on her back early in the morning, took Dahuang, hired a car, and went to Xingguo Temple with Sancunding.
This time, she wasn't just going to buy goods; she was also going to actively seek out Wupan.
You can't just eat her spicy snacks and run away!
The car wheels rumbled, and Yao Ruyi sat in the car holding her rice crackers, looking at the pedestrians passing by outside. She thought about how to persuade Wupan's master, and her thoughts inexplicably came to mind again, thinking to herself: This fat, dark emperor is too ruthless. My second uncle makes people work overtime all night as soon as he goes to work, and he stays at the yamen for several days without coming back.
That day, Lin Wen'an said not to wait for him, as he might not be able to return that night. Sure enough, he not only failed to return to sleep that day, but also failed to return the following two days.
Uncle Cong did come back once, taking a few sets of his second uncle's robes and a change of clothes. He also specifically told Yao Ruyi that Erlang had instructed him to tell her. He had been kept in the palace by the Emperor and was now busy with important matters concerning the Military Equipment Bureau. He probably wouldn't be able to get away for at least ten days or half a month.
"And there's more great news!"
After saying this, Cong Bo was very proud. He took out a round five-tael silver ingot and handed it to Yao Ruyi, his face flushed with excitement: "Second Brother said that the Emperor also tasted the young lady's sashimi and praised her skillful cooking. He even asked the young lady to make some more. I never expected that the young lady's food would catch the Emperor's eye!"
Yao Ruyi pouted in dissatisfaction. That was food she had specially picked out for her second uncle! Now, it seemed that very few bites would actually reach his mouth.
He glanced again at the round silver ingot lying in Uncle Cong's palm, and couldn't help but reveal a strange expression, as if he wanted to laugh but dared not.
Five taels of silver.
She instantly recalled the plot of the book: when the heroine, Lady Shen, first went to cook for the emperor, he stingily gave her only five taels of silver, which shocked her for a long time.
But for Yao Ruyi, five taels of silver was quite a lot for her sushi!
For the sake of the money, she still made a large box of sushi, cooked a large pot of oden, and grilled a batch of sausages and egg burgers. She packed her "street stall combo meal" into a three-layered food box, wrapped it with a cotton blanket to keep it warm, and then asked Uncle Cong to take it into the palace.
After that, there has been no news of my second uncle since then.
Sitting in the swaying car, Yao Ruyi held her cheek and sighed sadly.
Sigh, when will my second uncle be able to come back?
The courtyard felt deserted.
It wasn't until she could see the magnificent gate of Xingguo Temple in the distance that she regained her spirits.
I don't want to think about my second uncle anymore, I'm going to make money!
Straightening her clothes, with a yellow dog on her left and a cake in her right, Yao Ruyi strode inside.
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Shen Ji, as seen by officials: The number one male prostitute in the land! [Sprinkling flowers]
How officials see Yaoji: A mahjong parlor! [Exaggerated praise]
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