The joyful news had already spread throughout the entirety of Mingqu County. Everyone knew the four of them now possessed scholarly rank and status and even held positions attached to the imperial court. Those ranks were even higher than the county magistrate’s official position!
When they arrived in Mingqu County, it was broad daylight. This time they could no longer quietly return to town as before. Instead, they could only enjoy the blessings and cheers of the common people lining the streets.
The common folk did not understand all the twists and turns, but they knew that possessing imperial positions and rewards from the emperor meant they were the greatest of the great!
And not far away, the county magistrate stood waiting together with their family members.
“This student greets Your Excellency.”
“I would not dare, I would not dare. It should be this humble official greeting the honored gentlemen.” Magistrate Zheng also cupped his hands and bowed toward them. Such an attitude clearly displayed his stance.
Having already met Emperor Sheng, when they looked at Magistrate Zheng now, he seemed kind and benevolent. Chengdu’s courage even grew larger.
“Your Excellency overpraises us. Our achievements today were also due to your support. How could we bear you treating us like this?”
Magistrate Zheng could not be bothered with his teasing words. Smiling, he patted his shoulder. “They are all good sons of Mingqu County. I have prepared a banquet at the restaurant. You all shall eat there today before returning home, and let the people of the county share in the joyous occasion as well!”
“Yes.”
Magistrate Zheng knew they were tired, but today’s atmosphere was truly excellent, so he intended to force them just this once. Besides, all these family members were waiting here on empty stomachs. Surely they would not refuse.
Magistrate Zheng hosted the banquet at the largest restaurant in the county town. Inside the private room sat Magistrate Zheng along with Shi Wuxiang and the others, while their family members were arranged into other private rooms. Yuan Zhao very sensibly went over there as well. Without even thinking, he knew their private room would discuss all sorts of messy matters, and he had no desire whatsoever to hear them.
Yuan Yuan had not seen him in a long time and clung tightly to him while acting spoiled. He even needed feeding during the meal. Naturally, Yuan Zhao focused on taking care of him in everything, though he did not neglect Ranran either while chatting with Madam Shi.
“Mother, how has everything been at home during this period? Nothing happened, right?” Yuan Zhao asked softly. “The stall in the county town has been fine, right?”
Madam Shi understood what he meant and nodded naturally. “The stall’s been fine. Recently it’s even been making money. I sent some to A-Yue, and those scholars all clamored to eat them. We also sold some inside the academy.”
“That’s good.” Yuan Zhao smiled while looking at Shi Qingyue, who was eating fiercely. “A-Yue, eat more. Anyway, the magistrate is paying, so you absolutely must eat until you’re full!”
Shi Qingyue repeatedly nodded. The way he looked made it seem as though he had never eaten a full meal in his life. If outsiders saw him, they would probably call him a starving ghost. Unfortunately, he did not possess his elder brother’s excellent brain, so he could only work his mind harder, which naturally made him hungry more easily.
Fortunately, there were no outsiders in this private room.
Magistrate Zheng was the happiest person today. Four Presented Scholars by Grace had actually emerged from the county under his jurisdiction, and they even held honorary posts in court. This brought glory to him as well!
“Drink! Today we’ll all drink more! Later I’ll simply have people escort you back!” Magistrate Zheng slapped the table excitedly. “Our Mingqu County has finally brought honor to itself for once! And it’s all because of you!”
“Your Excellency praises us too highly. In the future, we will also properly teach the students at the academy and help them achieve even greater futures.” Shi Wuxiang responded steadily.
“You brat, ever since before, you only knew how to study and loved studying. You were born to walk the path of the imperial examinations!” Magistrate Zheng had drunk himself happy and no longer cared about etiquette or image. “Luckily none of you disappointed my expectations! The three of you, in the future you absolutely must treat him to drinks properly!”
Naturally, Chengdu and the others repeatedly agreed.
Not only because Shi Wuxiang had provided them great assistance in their studies, but because all the planning and arrangements along this journey had also been handled by him.
Among any three people, one can always find a teacher.
Naturally, they had learned much from him as well.
This celebratory banquet lasted until evening. Not only did the restaurant owner not show displeasure, he instead invited them to come more often. A place where official Presented Scholars had dined—countless people would rush to patronize it!
They arrived home at sunset.
Yuan Zhao and Shi Qingyue worked together to carry the drunkard back into the room. Shi Wuxiang looked frail and weak, dressed in the pale blue-and-white robes scholars loved to wear, appearing as though a gust of wind could blow him over.
But in truth, he had deliberately trained his body before, and had continued strengthening himself all the way until before the examinations.
As a result, his body was actually full of hard muscle.
Slim when clothed, muscular when unclothed.
“Brother-in-law, sorry to trouble you to wipe down elder brother. The smell of alcohol is giving me a headache.” Shi Qingyue could drink but did not indulge heavily. Such a strong alcohol smell made him want to vomit.
One could imagine just how drunk Shi Wuxiang was.
Yuan Zhao repeatedly agreed. “Go rest quickly.”
He brought over a basin of hot water to wipe Shi Wuxiang down. Skin warmed by alcohol felt warmer than the spring weather itself.
Yuan Zhao playfully pinched him, only for his hand to be tightly seized. Even with his eyes unable to open, the man’s grip remained especially strong.
“Behave yourself. I need to wipe your body down. You’re drunk and especially, especially smelly right now…” Yuan Zhao bent close to his ear while speaking.
The gentle voice slipped into his ears. Warm breath sprayed against his ear, while even the strands of hair stirred by it tickled him. Shi Wuxiang turned his face away somewhat uncomfortably, and his soft lips brushed Yuan Zhao’s for only an instant before separating.
Yuan Zhao darted away like a little dog, blushing red while covering his lips and cautiously glancing over. Only after seeing Shi Wuxiang had not awakened did he finally sigh in relief.
If A-Xiang found out they had kissed, he would definitely become angry.
“This isn’t my fault. You got drunk yourself. You were the one who leaned over.” Yuan Zhao muttered softly. “Anyway, since you’re drunk already, maybe I should kiss you a few more times?”
He carefully pressed close again before contentedly continuing to wipe him down.
The hangover caused Shi Wuxiang’s head to ache as though splitting apart. Only after drinking three bowls of hangover medicine and sleeping another round did he finally feel somewhat better. It also strengthened his resolve never again to become this drunk, and absolutely never to greedily overdrink again.
Yuan Zhao and Madam Shi did not go set up the stall. Now that everyone was home, naturally it felt best just staying at home together. Even doing nothing at all still felt reassuring.
So Shi Wuxiang simply led them in taking inventory of this journey’s spoils.
First, they stored away the imperial edicts.
At home they still had an excellent brocade box made from fine wood, lined inside with soft silk, then covered with yellow silk cloth. Around it they scattered medicinal pellets to repel insects and moisture.
As for the other rewards, those were far easier to handle. The moment the wooden chests and boxes were opened, everyone widened their eyes while staring. Where had they ever seen such fine things before?
“A whole box full of pearls!” Shi Qingran exclaimed.
“And so many beautiful silks too,” Yuan Yuan chimed in.
Shi Wuxiang patted their heads and softly said, “These things will be stored in the storeroom. If anyone needs something, just take it yourselves. But let the family know first, so we’ll know whether we used it ourselves or whether someone stole it.”
“What could we even do by taking out such fine things? Just leave them stored away.” Madam Shi waved her hand dismissively. Those silks would be wasted on her. She worked every day!
“It’s fine. What His Majesty rewards us with is meant for our use.” Shi Wuxiang smiled. “Once I have some spare time, I’ll visit the slave brokers. We should add some more servants to the household.”
This time no one objected. They all knew just how comfortable it was being served by others.
Shi Wuxiang personally inventoried and registered all the items before storing them in the storeroom. The household still lacked a steward, and this steward needed to be utterly loyal, unlike ordinary servants.
He already had a suitable candidate in mind, though he still needed to discuss it with Yuan Zhao.
These objects were secondary matters. After all, with the emperor’s rewards, they could live off them for an entire lifetime, and future descendants would also benefit from imperial favor.
Shi Wuxiang did not mention the silver before everyone. Instead, he entered the room with Yuan Zhao to discuss it privately.
“There’s something I want to discuss with you.” Shi Wuxiang inexplicably felt ashamed. He had always felt he had failed in his responsibilities toward Yuan Zhao, yet still forced him to suffer grievances in every matter. As a husband, he was especially negligent.
Seeing his serious expression, Yuan Zhao immediately sat upright properly. “Go ahead and tell me.”
Shi Wuxiang sighed softly, speaking with great caution. “The one hundred taels of silver I received… I want to give some to Mother so she can save it for A-Yue. Do you have any thoughts about that?”
Yuan Zhao blinked several times. Without even thinking much about it, he directly replied, “Then save it. Just give it all.”
Shi Wuxiang stared at him in surprise, momentarily unable to tell whether he spoke sincerely or sarcastically.
If this were modern society, making decisions privately without discussing them with one’s partner would be considered an extremely selfish act, and some partners would be very resistant toward this kind of “supporting the family” behavior. Yet in Yuan Zhao’s eyes at this moment, such things were completely natural.
“That hundred taels was your reward. If you want to give it to Mother, A-Yue, or Ranran, that’s all fine. But the hundred taels I got as my reward, I also want to leave for Yuan-ge’er… I hope you can understand me too.” Yuan Zhao spoke carefully as well.
He truly did not care much about how money was spent. As long as there was enough to use and enough for him and Yuan-ge’er to spend, that was fine. It was also because the Shi family treated him too well that he even dared speak such “dividing the family” words.
Ultimately, he also possessed a bit of confidence. He knew Shi Wuxiang would not turn hostile over something like this, so many words naturally came out without restraint.
“That’s only right.” Shi Wuxiang said, “As for other silver, that’s different. The whole family earned that together. Then let’s settle it this way—your rewards and mine will each remain under our own control, and we won’t question the details or how they’re spent.”
“Mhm!” Yuan Zhao nodded vigorously. His hundred taels of reward silver would be saved for Yuan-ge’er as a dowry.
As an elder brother, he naturally thought about his younger brother. A-Xiang was the pillar of the Shi family, so thinking about his younger siblings was only proper as well. As long as matters were clearly discussed, no estrangement would arise.
Besides, Ranran was truly sensible and even helped work at the shop, bustling around like a butterfly every day. A-Yue should also continue studying. If he obtained even greater scholarly achievements in the future, it would benefit the family as well.
“The silver I earn will still be entrusted to you. Buy whatever you want without needing to ask my permission.” Shi Wuxiang liked clarifying matters with him.
Although they were now one family, they each still had relatives behind them. Appropriately distinguishing things more clearly would actually help improve their relationship.
Yuan Zhao obediently nodded. “I know that already, but… how much is your monthly salary at the county academy?”
“Fifteen taels,” Shi Wuxiang replied.
If he also counted the county stipend and the subsidies tied to his Presented Scholar status, he could receive another ten taels on top of that, meaning he could earn twenty-five taels per month.
Although that was difficult to compare to the hundreds of taels they currently possessed, it was the most stable income. As long as they did not commit capital crimes worthy of execution, their scholarly rank and honorary positions would not be stripped away.
Hearing the amount, Yuan Zhao’s eyes widened. As long as things remained stable, they could accumulate one hundred taels in only four months. Ordinary families could never obtain that much wealth in an entire lifetime, yet theirs had not come easily either. It had been earned through many years of hardship and effort.
This silver was all something they deserved.
“Then keep five taels each month on you for spending money. I’ll store the rest away for household use. I’m already keeping account books now.” Yuan Zhao spoke very proudly. He now understood many things and truly carried the bearing of a real merchant.
“Alright.”
After resting at home for two days, Shi Wuxiang returned to teaching at Houde Academy. The academy students were even more obedient and well-behaved than before. No matter how rebellious they were, they had to admit that Shi Wuxiang and the others genuinely possessed real talent and learning.
Moreover, they were no longer merely teachers. They were officials holding honorary court positions. The students could offend classmates or even Teacher Fu, but they could not offend court officials.
Thus, Shi Wuxiang and the others discovered that teaching had become much smoother this time. As for those utterly hopeless fools who could not be helped no matter what, they truly could not be bothered wasting further effort and completely ignored them.
Yuan Zhao personally handed over Shi Wuxiang’s one hundred taels of silver to Madam Shi. She was initially surprised, but after hearing Yuan Zhao explain the reason, she calmly accepted it and separated the money into two portions of fifty taels each for her son and daughter.
The purpose was also so that everyone in the family could place matters openly on the table. Even if there were dissatisfaction or unwillingness, speaking it out immediately would settle things. Only when a family’s hearts were united could they remain harmonious.
The days gradually grew hotter, and the shop’s business became somewhat worse. Although Yuan Zhao knew business would not remain prosperous throughout all four seasons and there would always be peak seasons and slow seasons, he still found it difficult to accept.
“Then why not make some more unusual things?” Shi Wuxiang said. “Now that the weather is heating up, everyone naturally wants to eat cooling foods. If we had shaved ice, then drizzled syrup over it and added a few watermelon pieces as decoration, it would taste good and look beautiful too.”
Yuan Zhao suddenly looked at him, holding his head and turning it side to side with uncertain amazement. “A-Xiang, your brain is really amazing. You think of so many things every day. Is that why you’re always getting sick?”
What kind of meaning was that?
Was he saying his main processor had burned out?
“But I think what you said is especially good. It’s just that ice is somewhat difficult to buy. You’ll probably need to step in personally to purchase it.” Yuan Zhao blinked at him, hoping he would use his own status to help accomplish this matter.
“…Alright.”
Nobody found earning money troublesome. Shi Wuxiang immediately took Yuan Zhao to inquire with merchant households. Many families indeed possessed ice. The merchants wanted to give it away for free, but they firmly insisted on paying. After all, free things were the most expensive.
After purchasing it, they used one block while temporarily storing the rest in the cellar, covering it with straw and leaves to seal it up. That way it could be preserved for some time.
Yuan Zhao was strong and smashed the ice block intended for use into pieces, portioning it into small bowls. Meanwhile, Shi Wuxiang had already boiled the black mulberries they had previously bought into syrup and let it cool. He drizzled it over the shaved ice bowls before adding sliced watermelon pieces on top.
The watermelon itself was already sweet and refreshing. The mulberry syrup coating the shaved ice felt especially cooling, and every bite of crushed ice carried the sweetness of black mulberries.
One bite felt icy and refreshing beyond compare.
“So cool…” Yuan Zhao was nearly moved to tears.
“Come on, carry these bowls over.” Shi Wuxiang held a tray while Yuan Zhao obediently followed behind him carrying the small bowls.
In such scorching weather, eating something like this felt indescribably comfortable. Even without syrup, just the ice and watermelon alone were enough to cool the body and relieve heat. Merely holding ice in one’s mouth felt wonderful.
Yuan Zhao said, “It tastes really good and icy cold, but it’s not simple to make. The ice needs to be bought, the fruit syrup requires buying fruit and boiling it down, and watermelon has to be purchased and cut up too… Calculating it like this, how much should one bowl sell for?”
If the price was too low, they probably would not even recover their costs.
But if the price was too high, no one would be willing to buy it either!
“Then sell it to those willing to spend money.” Shi Wuxiang said. “Rich people love eating things ordinary people cannot get. Perhaps they don’t even truly like the taste, but they insist on eating expensive things.”
“Who wouldn’t like the icy treats we make!” Yuan Zhao slightly frowned, looking exactly like he would punch anyone who dared say they disliked it.
His round eyes glared wide. Shi Wuxiang could not help laughing. Receiving such shameless praise for something he came up with naturally made him happy.
“Don’t make trouble.” He lightly scolded. “First sell a few portions. If demand exceeds supply, then we can make a little more. But we absolutely need to whet their appetites. Things obtained too easily will definitely bore them within two or three days.”
“I understand this!” Yuan Zhao immediately answered.
Shi Wuxiang said, “Then we’ll do it this way. Tomorrow we’ll first make a few portions for eating. If people want to buy them, we’ll make a few. No more than that.”
“Okay!”
Shi Wuxiang took advantage of his holiday to soothe Yuan Zhao’s emotions before returning to the academy with peace of mind.
His plan worked very well. Yuan Zhao merely carried ice bowls around the eatery a few times, and it immediately attracted many people’s attention, especially the young ladies who liked sitting upstairs in the airy private rooms.
After seeing what Yuan Zhao was eating, they naturally wanted some too. They were quite surprised upon learning one serving cost twenty wen, but after seeing the beautifully decorated ice bowls, they no longer cared. Twenty wen was hardly unaffordable.
The only issue was that only twenty bowls were sold each day, and they would not even provide a reason. Anyone who managed to purchase one received a small wooden token marked with a serial number up to twenty, making it impossible for anyone to counterfeit them.
Although the ice bowls sold in limited quantities, they attracted customers to the eatery every day. Since people had already come, even if they could not get an ice bowl, eating something else was acceptable enough. Thus the eatery became lively once again.
Some customers required delivery, so Yuan Zhao had Gou Yi and the others carry small food boxes to deliver them. Any tips they received belonged entirely to them.
Watching Gou Yi run busily in and out, Yuan Zhao once again recalled the matter A-Xiang had discussed with him. Their household lacked a steward capable of managing the residence, thinking cleverly, and remaining absolutely loyal to them.
After considering all possibilities, the only suitable person seemed to be Gou Yi.
He personally did not want to describe Gou Yi in terms of loyalty or disloyalty, but that child truly was very sensible. In A-Xiang’s words, children who grew up among beggars were sensitive and proud, yet also more capable of lowering themselves and setting aside their dignity. Such children were the most capable of accomplishing things.
“Gou Yiyi.” Yuan Zhao softly called him. “Come upstairs with me.”
“Yes! Boss!” Gou Yi had already grown accustomed to being addressed like this. He quickly handed the takeaway food in his hands to the other younger boys for delivery before hurrying upstairs himself.
Yuan Zhao sat upright in the private room. Seeing Gou Yi enter, he raised his hand to signal him to sit. Yuan Zhao looked so serious that Gou Yi became nervous too and began wondering whether he had done something wrong. Otherwise, the boss normally would not summon him specifically for conversation.
Could it be that his younger siblings had caused trouble?
But if that were the case, the boss would directly scold them instead of specifically calling him over.
“There’s something I want to discuss with you,” Yuan Zhao said solemnly.
“Boss, just say it. Do you need someone watched? They’re all good at doing things like that. Or do you need something handled? I can do it too!” Gou Yi’s final sentence came out low and heavy, as though he could become a sharp knife so long as Yuan Zhao ordered it.
Yuan Zhao frowned. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m discussing proper business with you. At such a young age, what kind of messy things fill your head?”
Suddenly being scolded like this, Gou Yi almost thought he was seeing Teacher Shi. He instantly shivered and no longer dared speak nonsense, only waiting for Yuan Zhao to continue.
After some thought, Yuan Zhao asked, “How old are you this year?”
“Though I look short, I’m already fourteen.”
Yuan Zhao nodded slightly. “Can you still handle the work at the shop lately?”
“Yes! I can handle it! I can do it for a lifetime. Boss, don’t chase me away!” Gou Yi pleaded with restrained desperation.
Yuan Zhao: “………………”
Originally he wanted to be subtle like A-Xiang, but apparently he could not manage it. This child before him was also like a firecracker—say one thing and he exploded immediately.
“Forget it. We want you to become the steward of our household,” Yuan Zhao said. “Servants can be bought with silver, but for something as important as a steward, after A-Xiang and I thought it over, it seems only you can shoulder the responsibility. Would you be willing to become our household steward?”
After hearing him, Gou Yi froze completely.
He was not being scolded, nor were his siblings being scolded, and they were not being driven away either.
Instead, he was being asked to become the steward?
The steward of the boss’s household!!!
“Yes! I! AM! WILLING!” Gou Yi suddenly shouted loudly. All the restraint vanished from his face, replaced entirely by wild joy.
“Then you no longer need to work at the eatery. Since you’ll become the steward, we’ll first pay you three taels of silver per month. Right now there are still many things you need to learn. Once you become even more capable, we’ll increase your wages.” Yuan Zhao spoke softly, somewhat afraid he might refuse.
After all, they had once been little beggars. Perhaps he preferred running freely around town.
Gou Yi repeatedly nodded. “Even if the wages stayed the same, I’d still be willing to do it. Besides, three taels is already a lot.”
Yuan Zhao quietly sighed in relief. “That’s good. Later when the shop closes, settle your younger siblings properly and come home with me. From then on, you’ll stay at our house.”
“Yes!” Gou Yi nodded heavily.
“Alright, go back to work.”
“Yes!”
Gou Yi happily skipped downstairs, even humming a little tune heard from the streets. His heart felt indescribably content.
For the boss to let him hold such an important position meant the boss trusted him very, very much! Then he absolutely could not disappoint the boss’s expectations!
When the shop closed, Gou Yi gave his younger siblings a few instructions before proudly lifting his chest and following Yuan Zhao away beneath their envious gazes.
Yuan Zhao found it amusing. He was still just a child.
There remained an empty room in the residence for him. It was somewhat small, but Gou Yi had suffered hardship before and was not picky at all. Besides, there was a bed and bedding. To him, this was already an exceptionally wonderful room!
With Shi Wuxiang’s guidance, Yuan Zhao had successfully handled the steward matter. But regarding buying servants, he did not dare go alone easily. He did not think himself smarter than Shi Wuxiang. If he were deceived or bought unsuitable people home, everything would be ruined.
After the weather grew hot, Yuan Zhao and Madam Shi no longer went to the county town to run their stall. The matters in town alone already kept them busy enough. On top of that, the ice bowls sold out daily. Many young ladies even begged to buy their ice bowls and were willing to bring their own ice while still paying twenty wen.
Yuanzhao, however, did not refuse. It was convenient and profitable.
But even so, there was still a limit to how many they could make separately. Not just anyone could bring over blocks of ice and expect service.
One shaved ice bowl alone was enough to make them earn buckets of silver.
“This restaurant owner is a shameless fox spirit! Seducing my husband! All of you supporting his business like this—are you encouraging him to seduce my husband too?!”
A young woman suddenly barged into the restaurant with two stout old maids in tow. The moment she entered, she began shouting insults, every word aimed directly at Yuanzhao.