Prices in the town were much cheaper than in the county seat, so after returning, Yuan Zhao began purchasing cotton and fabric. The empty county residence could not be moved into directly.
Xia Lian and Zhou Ren followed behind him, buying continuously.
Spending money was like this—if one never spent it, there was nothing special about it. But once the habit of spending was opened, it became hard to stop.
Still, Yuan Zhao did not buy recklessly. Everything he purchased was what they would need in the county seat.
“Do you offer cotton quilt making here?” Yuan Zhao asked the shop assistant.
“Yes, yes,” the assistant quickly replied. “The labor fee is twenty wen. You just need to weigh and register the materials. We can finish it in one day and deliver it to you.”
Yuan Zhao was satisfied with the timeframe and agreed. He was not in a hurry anyway—the county tavern would take at least half a month to prepare.
Opening a tavern in the county naturally required great caution; everything had to be properly arranged.
When he returned home, Madam Shi Zhang was also back.
Seeing him carrying bundles of things, she smiled and asked, “I didn’t see you at the eatery. I was wondering where you went. So you were out shopping… why did you even buy pillows? Are the ones at home not enough? Or uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s not that…” Yuan Zhao chuckled twice, then led her inside and told her everything they had done that day.
Upon hearing it all at once, even Madam Shi Zhang was surprised.
They had only just started, yet they were already buying shops and residences in the county—this was truly remarkable.
“We forgot to inform you. I originally planned to tell you later, but I didn’t expect you to come back first,” Yuan Zhao said a little guiltily. In truth, after Shi Wuxiang’s reassurance, he had completely forgotten about informing her.
“This is your own matter. I won’t interfere. Just do as you see fit,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a smile. “I went back to the village to meet the Tao family and finalized everything. It’s now officially a marriage alliance.”
“That’s good. The Tao family’s children are still young. In another couple of years, that will be just right. Maybe by then A-Yue will have passed the imperial exam,” Yuan Zhao said with a silly grin, already imagining the future.
By then, he and A-Xiang might even have children.
Hehe.
Madam Shi Zhang sighed lightly. “A-Yue doesn’t have A-Xiang’s intellect. I only hope he can live steadily. If he can pass the exams, that’s best. If not, having a xiucai title is enough. He can find some official post later. Now that he wants to marry, he has finally started to study properly.”
“That’s a good thing. A-Yue has always been sensible, and with A-Xiang supervising him at the academy, there’s no need to worry,” Yuan Zhao gently comforted her.
Publicly and privately, he deeply respected Madam Shi Zhang.
Raising three children alone, and yet each one was outstanding and accomplished—although education was not entirely her direct contribution, she had never given up on guiding them toward scholarship. That alone was extraordinary.
The children had never caused her trouble. While their own diligence played a part, it was also because Madam Shi Zhang was truly a good and capable mother.
Hearing this, Madam Shi Zhang felt pleased and asked a few more questions.
“Does the county residence only need quilts? I’m free in the village. Why don’t I make them for you? What about the house?”
“I’ve already asked the shop assistant to help. He said it can be done in a day,” Yuan Zhao replied obediently. “It’s a two-courtyard residence, very spacious. Even a whole family could live there without issue.”
He said this partly to reassure her that they were not being abandoned.
“In the future, we’ll talk about the future. If you ever become pregnant, I’ll naturally come take care of you,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a smile, patting his hand.
She could now see clearly that the two of them truly had a good relationship, no longer like before when things felt strange. She was finally at ease, and could even speak of children.
Yuan Zhao’s face reddened. He and A-Xiang had not yet consummated their marriage. And for a little male like him, pregnancy was not easy either—it might not even happen for years.
Still, hearing this made him happy.
“All right, you two live well. I’ll head back to the village. I brought some vegetables and left them in the kitchen. Let Xiaomei cook them later—freshly picked, very tender!”
“Mother, rest a little longer. No need to rush back.”
“It’s better if I’m there watching them,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a smile. “You rest.”
Yuan Zhao watched her leave by ox cart before returning inside to sort out the things he had bought.
The bedding at home was plentiful; once the quilts were done, they could move to the county with just a few sets of clothes. Once the tavern was fully ready, there would be nothing else to worry about.
Shi Wuxiang, however, was even more anxious than Yuan Zhao.
He hoped the tavern could open before Yuan Zhao’s birthday. Everything depended on him—if he delayed, it would all be late.
The rolled pancake business was the tavern’s signature. Even if the new place had no customers at first, their stall in the county had once sold very well. The price would remain the same, and it could be ordered separately or eaten in the tavern.
Even if the menu was not unique, it had to be distinctive. Otherwise, why would customers come?
“You really are detailed,” Cheng Du said, glancing at his notes and immediately spotting that even staffing arrangements had been made. “A-Zhao is smart. He can handle things himself.”
“It still takes time. If I do it all, he has less to worry about,” Shi Wuxiang replied while writing.
“You’re his husband, not his father. Aren’t you worrying a bit too much?” Cheng Du teased.
Shi Wuxiang only smiled without answering.
“What, still like this? Who would want to marry you?” Fu Ying added.
“Sounds familiar. Didn’t you say that before?” Cheng Du retorted. “If I had a wife, I’d behave too.”
Hu Lu laughed and shook his head. “Isn’t Senior Brother like this just right?”
Cheng Du fell silent. Indeed, Shi Wuxiang was a rare kind of good man—devoted, hardworking, never indulgent, entirely focused on earning money and supporting his family.
Shi Wuxiang glanced at him briefly. Even without words, he could tell Cheng Du was silently mocking him again.
Fu Ying then said thoughtfully, “Even though your planning is good, A-Zhao is just beginning to learn to read. Will he even be able to understand—”
Pfft—
Cheng Du couldn’t hold back and quickly covered his mouth.
“I’ve already considered that. Some parts are drawn with diagrams,” Shi Wuxiang said, amused himself. “He’ll understand.”
The room fell silent.
Indeed… anything they could think of, Shi Wuxiang had already thought of.
Soon after, he sent a thick stack of instructions to the town. Yuan Zhao received them and immediately understood what to do. With the diagrams included, everything was clear at a glance.
He packed up and moved to the county without delay.
Over the next half month, Yuan Zhao followed Shi Wuxiang’s arrangements step by step. The most important part was hiring chefs—this took the most time. He finally found a somewhat temperamental but skilled cook, which he could accept.
As long as the money was right, even a difficult chef would behave.
Then came recruiting staff; many people came to apply. Yuan Zhao carefully selected a few workers, and even the accountant came voluntarily.
Shi Wuxiang occasionally accompanied him to find suppliers, and all negotiations went smoothly—after all, who would refuse profit?
Half a month later, all preparations were complete.
Even the tavern signboard was settled. To show that they were the same as the town eatery, they deliberately used the same name.
“Duo Wei Tavern.”
This strange yet attention-grabbing name began circulating even before the tavern officially opened.
In fact, what spread the most widely was this rumor—that the owner of the tavern was a young male, and that there were actually people willing to let a married young male show himself in public. Whatever intentions people might have had, they all became curious enough to come and see for themselves.
On the day before the tavern’s opening, Shi Wuxiang returned from taking leave at the academy.
Looking at Yuan Zhao pacing back and forth in the room, Shi Wuxiang let out a helpless sigh. “Don’t be nervous. Everything is already prepared. After this, it’s the workers’ responsibility.”
“What if business is bad?” Yuan Zhao was still very worried about this. Doing business in the county seat—how could it possibly be the same as in the town?
“If business is bad, then if you still want to run it, we keep running it. If not, we sell the tavern. For us, it won’t be a huge loss either way,” Shi Wuxiang could only lay out the worst-case scenario. “And vice versa. But you—before it even opens, you’re already thinking about it going badly. How is that going to help?”
Yuan Zhao lightly patted his chest and realized he really should not be thinking like this, so he quickly forced himself to regain his spirits and stopped speaking such discouraging words.
“I’m just a bit nervous. This is business in the county seat… Have you looked over the workers I hired? What do you think?”
“I spoke with them briefly. At this stage, you can’t tell much. If problems come up later, just dismiss them,” Shi Wuxiang said.
They were a newly opened tavern. It was unlikely anyone would be targeting them right now.
Indeed, there were people watching them—but not with malicious intent. It was simply curiosity mixed with caution. After all, many of the Yu family’s properties had been handed over to the county office; how could a young male possibly obtain such assets from the magistrate?
But after some inquiries, they learned that this young male was Shi Wuxiang’s spouse, and everything suddenly made sense.
Even those merchants who might have considered placing their own people into the tavern did not dare anymore. With Shi Wuxiang’s current status, he was not someone they could afford to offend.
Not only could they not offend him—they had to show proper respect. When his tavern opened, they were expected to send congratulatory gifts.
Only then did Yuan Zhao feel properly reassured and, curled up in his arms, finally fell asleep peacefully.
The next day.
At dawn, Shi Wuxiang was already up. At present, only the four of them were staying in the county residence. Xia Lian and Zhou Ren were already quite busy, so they handled whatever tasks they could manage.
“Ah Zhao, wake up. We need to go set off firecrackers at the tavern,” Shi Wuxiang said, sitting by the bedside fully dressed, lightly poking his cheek with long fingers and occasionally pinching his nose playfully.
“Mmm…” Yuan Zhao slowly sat up as he was nudged, his head still foggy, then leaned straight into Shi Wuxiang’s arms. “I’m up… why are you awake so early?”
“I’m also thinking about the tavern opening,” Shi Wuxiang said with a faint smile.
After all, they had already spent several hundred taels—those comforting words were just for Yuan Zhao to hear. If he himself took them seriously, that would be treating silver like it was nothing.
Of course, he did not show this too obviously. Yuan Zhao did not notice anything unusual and only assumed he was eager for the opening.
After a brief wash and preparation, the two of them headed to the tavern.
The workers had already been instructed the day before and arrived early. They began calling out to attract customers. Once the timing was right, they would set off firecrackers to draw even more attention.
When the crackling sound of firecrackers rang out, Yuan Zhao and Shi Wuxiang arrived at the entrance. The workers were energetic and quickly opened the doors, welcoming customers inside.
“Greetings, two owners! The kitchen is already firing up!” a sharp-eyed waiter reported enthusiastically.
“Good,” Yuan Zhao praised without hesitation.
Shi Wuxiang, noticing a carriage approaching in the distance, turned slightly and instructed, “Prepare a few private rooms. Make sure everything is arranged properly. Don’t forget fruit plates and tea. Distinguished guests are arriving.”
“Yes!”
A modest but clearly distinguished carriage approached slowly. It pushed aside the crowd gathering outside the tavern. Carriages were not unusual in the county, but the person who stepped down from it made everyone fall silent.
It was the county magistrate.
The moment they saw Magistrate Zheng, people instinctively wanted to bow, but he stopped them with a smile.
“There is no need for that. I am only here today to try this newly opened tavern.”
As the county magistrate, he naturally oversaw everything within his jurisdiction. A new tavern opening in the county was something worth congratulating.
Naturally, other taverns did not receive such treatment.
Shi Wuxiang immediately led him inside. Yuan Zhao, though not particularly eager to go in, still followed, as the magistrate was a special guest.
A private room near the window had been prepared, offering a good view of the bustling street below.
Magistrate Zheng was not unfamiliar with taverns in the county, but even though the layout was similar, this place felt distinctly different.
“Well done,” he said with a smile. “To open such a tavern in just half a month—you must continue doing good business in the future.”
Shi Wuxiang nodded with a faint smile. “That is our duty. Since you have arrived, I will have the attendants introduce our signature dishes. Please try them and give your opinion.”
That was exactly why the magistrate had come. He did not refuse. After listening to the smooth introduction of the menu, he ordered several signature dishes and even asked about preferences and dietary restrictions.
He already felt the tavern would last a long time.
Outside, the street was lively. Through the open window, they could hear the commotion below. With the magistrate present, many merchants who had been hesitating now came forward with gifts.
“If you have guests to attend to, go ahead,” Magistrate Zheng said. “Let them in if they wish to come.”
He understood well enough that many of these merchants were really trying to make contact with him. After all, local officials carried more immediate authority than higher bureaucrats far away in the capital.
Shi Wuxiang nodded and went downstairs with Yuan Zhao to receive them.
The merchants were all dressed in fine silk robes, their attendants carrying congratulatory gifts. Their words of praise flowed endlessly.
Shi Wuxiang did not wish to make enemies in the county, so he received them with a polite smile and even brought them up to the magistrate when appropriate.
“So many people…” Yuan Zhao murmured softly.
He still felt uncomfortable interacting with people of such status. Even though these merchants were not official nobility, he still felt nervous.
Shi Wuxiang gently patted his back. “Don’t be afraid. In the future, when you meet them on the street, they will be the ones coming to greet you. No one will dare treat you rudely. Of course, that only applies once they recognize your face.”
He did not mean for Yuan Zhao to rely on power to bully others—only that he deserved proper respect and treatment.
Otherwise, everything they had done would be meaningless.
Yuan Zhao nodded obediently. “I’ll try to be brave when talking to them.”
“Good boy,” Shi Wuxiang said with a smile. “If you don’t want to stay here, you can go downstairs and see if Mother and the others have arrived.”
“Okay.”
Not long after, Shi Qingyue also returned on leave. He had gone back to the town first to meet Tao Xiangyue and inform Madam Shi Zhang about the opening.
Because Madam Shi Zhang had not been involved in the preparations, she only learned of it recently and hurried over with the children.
“Mother!”
“Brother!”
“Sister-in-law!”
Everyone called out at once.
Madam Shi Zhang lightly patted Yuan Zhao’s hand. “Such a big opening and you didn’t tell me in advance. I was even planning to come help!”
“It was all arranged by A-Xiang. I barely did anything,” Yuan Zhao said as he guided them upstairs, “I’ve reserved a private room for you.”
They ordered dishes, chatted, and enjoyed fruit and tea while waiting.
When they learned the tavern and residence together had cost nearly nine hundred taels, everyone fell silent in shock.
They were not unfamiliar with money—but spending this much at once was still overwhelming.
“So… our family is actually this rich?” Yuan Yuan murmured in amazement.
Madam Shi Zhang laughed. “Yes. So don’t worry about money. Just focus on studying.”
Yuan Yuan glanced nervously at Yuan Zhao.
Yuan Zhao only then realized the child had been worrying about money all this time. The tuition fees were nothing compared to even a single piece of his clothing.
“Once the tavern is running well, we’ll earn more and more. You don’t need to worry about money. That’s not something children should be thinking about,” Yuan Zhao said softly.
“Your dishes have arrived.”
The attendant carried in a tray and placed the food on the table, also informing them that a few more dishes would take a little longer.
The food prepared by the chef was naturally quite good, and the Shi family were not picky eaters to begin with, so they found it all rather satisfying.
Yuan Zhao chatted with them while eating, casually asking how Yuan Yuan’s studies were going. Of course, he was only asking in passing; he did not actually expect the child to pursue official examinations—being able to recognize characters was already enough.
After the meal, Madam Shi Zhang still wanted to help out.
Yuan Zhao quietly signaled to Shi Qingran. The latter immediately said, “Mother—there are workers in the tavern. You don’t need to help. You’re the matriarch of the house; how could we possibly have you doing that? If you go there, how will the workers even do their jobs? This isn’t like our eatery in the town.”
Shi Qingran had indeed grown up; his speech was now smooth and persuasive, full of practiced coaxing.
Madam Shi Zhang thought about it and agreed. She was the matriarch—how could she behave like an ordinary worker? That would only embarrass the children.
Yuan Zhao also smiled and said, “I’ll look around the county later. If there’s a small school, we can let Yuan Yuan study here instead of returning to the village. The residence is large enough to accommodate everyone.”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Madam Shi Zhang said with a smile. “No need to rush this now.”
Yuan Zhao let them rest in the private room while he went outside. As the host, he could not simply idle away inside; he still had to greet the merchants and their sons and daughters who came to offer congratulations.
With the magistrate acting as a living signboard, the tavern was extremely busy—completely unlike the town eatery. The place never once felt quiet the entire day.
Only when evening fell did the family return to the residence. Even the storeroom was already filled with congratulatory gifts.
Shi Wuxiang looked at Zhou Ren and Gou Yi. “Record everything properly. We’ll return the gifts later.”
Zhou Ren paused for a moment, then happily went to work. In the town, he had only ever seen Gou Yi doing this kind of task; now being entrusted with it himself clearly meant something.
During the past half month, Yuan Zhao had not only focused on the tavern but had also properly arranged matters at home, assigning each person their own room.
Everything was neatly settled, and they returned to their rooms to rest.
Yuan Zhao, wearing only his inner robes, rolled around on the bed, occasionally speaking to Shi Wuxiang.
“A-Xiang, come lie down already. I’ve been waiting for you so long. What are you even reading?”
“You can’t even wait for a cup of tea?” Shi Wuxiang replied.
“Clingy little thing.”