The two of them kept kowtowing repeatedly.
“Stop, stop, stop.”
Since her transmigration, Yan Tongshu had developed a deep fear of kowtowing.
She was not only afraid of having to kowtow to others but also dreaded others kowtowing to her.
She and Pearl helped the person to their feet. Aunt Yang trembled as she pulled out a piece of paper. “Young Master, I know you love my noodles, especially the spicy fish paste topping. This is the recipe for the topping—I had someone at the clinic write it down for me yesterday. Take it home and have the cooks in the mansion prepare it. The recipe is very detailed, and the dish will taste exactly like mine.”
Yan Tongshu took the paper. “Aunt Yang, what makes your noodles special is your unique flavor and the atmosphere around you. This recipe is the foundation of your livelihood. You should keep it safe.”
Aunt Yang hesitated, “But…”
Yan Tongshu smiled, “If you really want to thank me, next time I come to eat, I’ll pay the same price, and you just add a little extra topping for me, okay?”
Aunt Yang quickly said, “No way would I take your money. Come anytime you want, and I’ll serve you as much as you want—no charge.”
Pearl leaned in, teasing, “Then I want some too. I’ll pay, Aunt Yang, but you have to give me extra topping as well.”
Aunt Yang nodded repeatedly, “Alright, alright, everyone gets extra.”
After speaking with Aunt Yang, Yan Tongshu approached Zhao Sheng. “Zhao Sheng, Magistrate Li said a few things to you earlier, but he didn’t get to the heart of the matter. I want to talk to you a bit more.”
Zhao Sheng bowed repeatedly, “Please speak, Lord Yan.”
Yan Tongshu said, “You are lazy by nature, always dreaming of making a fortune but unwilling to work hard or be practical. You hang around with thugs and ruffians, thinking it makes you look good.
But you need to understand that true respect comes from others when you step out into the world—when people trust and believe in you. Life offers many kinds of wealth: health, family, friendship, money, and reputation. Reputation is an invisible kind of wealth.
If today your mother were falsely accused by your grandfather of assault, and she cried out that she was innocent, many people would believe her. That is the power of reputation—it brings social credit in how you handle yourself.
If your mother were wronged, the coroner would not dismiss the case lightly but would investigate carefully.
Because they have a fixed impression of you, and everyone around knows your past behavior, they would tacitly assume you are the one responsible for the death. Those who achieve great things know how to manage their reputation well. The virtuous gain many helpers.”
Enduring the pain, Zhao Sheng stood upright and bowed deeply. “Yes, Lord Yan, I have learned my lesson.”
Inside the Kaifeng government office, Magistrate Li stood with his friend Chang Zhengzhang.
Magistrate Li withdrew his admiring gaze from Yan Tongshu. “Lord Chang, this person is truly talented. If there’s a chance, you should recommend her.”
Chang Zhengzhang smiled. “You don’t know the full story, do you?”
Magistrate Li looked at him curiously. “Could it be that this young scholar has a story behind her?”
Admiration almost solidified in Chang Zhengzhang’s eyes. “She is Yan Tongshu, once famous throughout the land—the youngest zhuangyuan at fourteen.”
Magistrate Li was surprised. “The same one who was punished for speaking candidly in court? What a pity. Such talent, but such a straightforward personality.”
Chang Zhengzhang smiled warmly, his eyes gentle: “He’s still young. With a few more years of experience, he’ll improve. But this young man—he claims to be upright, yet how could he be seen tugging at a maidservant’s sleeve so openly? It’s unbecoming.”
Magistrate Li nodded in agreement: “Yes, you’re right. Youth is inexperienced. A few more years of trials will do him good.”
The two men exchanged a knowing smile, then turned and returned to the inner hall to continue their deliberations.
…
At the Chui Gong Hall.
Chang Zhengzhang was unaware of the full details behind Yan Tongshu’s case reversal; his report was mainly a detailed account of what he had witnessed in court that day.
Throughout, he repeatedly praised Yan Tongshu, his admiration and recognition for the young scholar impossible to conceal.
Of course, at this moment of recommendation, Chang Zhengzhang harbored no hidden agenda.
He said, “At the time, I was in the back hall of the Kaifeng Prefecture Office, discussing official business with Magistrate Li, when unexpectedly I witnessed Young Top Scholar Yan overturning the case in court—it was a pleasant surprise.”
Qin Yi had someone fetch Yan Tongshu’s records and began to examine them carefully.
Yan Tongshu had entered officialdom as a top scholar at the age of fourteen, starting at the sixth rank. However, because of his unwavering integrity and candid advice, he offended many officials at court and did not win the favor of the late emperor. The late emperor, unwilling to bear the reputation of being unable to tolerate frank counsel, quietly demoted him, promoting Yan Tongshu to the fifth rank as a secretary, a position that was, in reality, a dead end.
Though the fifth rank seemed like a promotion, being assigned to the Xianlin Pavilion was effectively a career deadlock.
Now, Chang Zhengzhang was recommending Yan Tongshu for the position of acting Prefect of Kaifeng, a promotion from the third junior rank to the full third rank—not exactly a leapfrog advancement.
Qin Yi flipped through Yan Tongshu’s imperial examination papers: “She entered the Xianlin Pavilion at the fifth rank, and in eight years rose to the third junior rank?”
Chang Zhengzhang chuckled: “It’s quite a coincidence. The director of the Xianlin Pavilion, Hanlin Academician Jiang Congyang, once offended Prince Ming and nearly faced imprisonment.
At that time, Young Top Scholar Yan’s father served as the Privy Councilor. During court, he raised objections and impeached Prince Ming. The late emperor ordered a thorough investigation, which ultimately cleared Jiang Congyang’s name. However, because of this incident, Lord Yan incurred Prince Ming’s displeasure, halting his own promotions and subjecting him to suppression. Jiang Congyang was also transferred to the Xianlin Pavilion by Prince Ming.
Since then, Jiang Congyang has felt deeply grateful to the Yan family for their kindness and guilty for having implicated Lord Yan. So from the moment Young Top Scholar Yan entered the Xianlin Pavilion as a secretary, Jiang Congyang looked after him closely, ensuring his name was included every time there was a promotion slot.
The Xianlin Pavilion is a quiet place; few would bother to manipulate the promotion lists there. After a simple review, approvals are granted. Young Top Scholar Yan, with neither notable achievements nor faults, but with some merit and effort, naturally rose to the third junior rank.”
Qin Yi put down Yan Tongshu’s examination papers and smiled: “That really is quite the coincidence.”
If not for Yan Tongshu’s achievement of becoming top scholar at fourteen, he wouldn’t have caught the attention of such a proud teacher.
If not for Yan Tongshu’s act of seeking justice on behalf of others in Kaifeng at sixteen, his teacher would never have remembered him to this day.
If it weren’t for Jiang Congyang’s support, Yan Tongshu’s steady rise all the way to the rank of Third Grade Official wouldn’t have even qualified her as a candidate for the position of Acting Magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture.
Too upright in character?
It’s a flaw, yes, but wielded properly, it can be a sharp blade.
Qin Yi’s broad palm pressed heavily on the exam paper, his eyes deep and unfathomable like an ancient well: “I hope she… won’t disappoint her teacher’s expectations and can hold her ground in Kaifeng Prefecture for a full year.”
Kaifeng Prefecture—the Acting Magistrate here holds the power of a Second Grade official while officially ranked Third Grade, governing the tangled and complex capital city. Nobles and marquises abound, princes and dukes flourish. A single misstep can shake the entire realm. Those who manage to stand firm here for a year are no ordinary folk; their future is destined for the highest offices, becoming prime ministers and marquises.
Of course, if one’s ability falls short, within a year they will be gnawed away like rot—at best demoted or exiled, at worst, their family shattered and ruined.
Qin Yi’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
Yan Tongshu, please don’t let me down.
…
The evening glow spread across the sky like brocade, golden light flooding into Yan Tongshu’s study, warming the room gently.
Ding—
The bell rang.
Lying on the couch, Yan Tongshu scratched her cheek and sat up.
She was still a little dazed, then her big eyes suddenly brightened.
Off work, off work!
Finally off work!
Yan Tongshu slipped on her shoes and quickly stuffed everything on the desk into her crossbody bag.
Yes!
Not a single real task done today—how blissful!
She dashed out of Xianlin Pavilion and jumped into the carriage. Jinbao pulled the reins as the carriage headed toward the Yan residence.
Passing by Aunt Yang’s soup noodle stall, Yan Tongshu immediately called for a stop.
Sigh—
The carriage came to a halt, and Jinbao asked, “Young Master, what’s the matter?”
Yan Tongshu lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down. “Tomorrow I have to negotiate the marriage of Liangyu with the Zhou family. It’s going to be a tough battle, probably no time to come out. Since we’re passing by, let’s have a bowl of Aunt Yang’s soup noodles today—to soothe my stomach and prepare for tomorrow’s fight.”
Jinbao hesitated, “But the household has already prepared meals.”
Yan Tongshu rubbed her belly, “It’s fine, I have a good appetite. I’ll eat noodles now and still have room for the meal later.”
Jinbao knew Yan Tongshu’s eating habits, nodded, and parked the carriage nearby.
Yan Tongshu sat down at a table beside Aunt Yang’s soup noodle stall and called out loudly, “Aunt Yang, two bowls of fish paste noodles—one large and one small.”
Aunt Yang’s face immediately broke into a big smile when she saw Yan Tongshu. “Coming right up.”
The toppings had been simmered since early morning and were ready to go.
The noodles were freshly cut and cooked to order.
Before long, two bowls were served.
Yan Tongshu loved to eat and had a big appetite, so she went for the large bowl. Jinbao was young, strictly managed by his parents, had to eat dinner at home, and dared not eat too much, so he took the small bowl.
The two bowls arrived, each piled high with generous spoonfuls of toppings.
The small bowl’s toppings alone were enough to fill three regular bowls, let alone the large one, where the toppings outnumbered the noodles.
Nearby diners weren’t pleased, half-joking, half-reproachful: “Boss lady, you’re too biased! My bowl doesn’t even have half as much topping as theirs!”
The regulars who knew the inside story chuckled, saying, "How could it be the same? That’s Young Master Yan—he once saved the boss lady’s son’s life. Don’t even mention two ladles of toppings; even if Aunt Yang served this soup pancake stall’s food to Young Master Yan, the boss lady would be more than happy about it."
Yan Tongshu had been eating noodles at Aunt Yang’s soup pancake stall since he was fifteen. Aunt Yang’s toppings were delicious, and many of the customers here were old friends who had grown up with Yan Tongshu. Everyone had long been used to calling him Young Master Yan, so even now that he was twenty-two, no one had changed the habit.
The complaining customer, having heard this, understood and stopped grumbling. Instead, he said, “Alright then, boss lady, I think more toppings make it taste even better. I’ll pay extra—give me another ladle of toppings.”
“Sure,” Aunt Yang said with a cheerful smile, ladling a big, generous scoop for the customer.
As she added more toppings here, others nearby also grew envious and asked for extra. Aunt Yang’s business boomed even more.
Yan Tongshu blew on the hot noodles, covering them in a generous heap of toppings, and took a bite. It was pure bliss.
The toppings were bright red, spicy, and fresh.
First, the small fish were cooked to remove the fishy smell, then fried until crispy—even the bones were crunchy. The fish was then mixed with meat, chili peppers, and pickled vegetables, creating a blend that was numbing, spicy, sour, and refreshing all at once.
It was truly a taste of heaven in the first bite, soul-stirring in the second, and divine by the third.
Before he knew it, he had devoured the bowl of noodles but still wanted more.
Jinbao immediately refused: “No way, absolutely not. Young Master, if you eat any more, you won’t be able to eat dinner.”
Yan Tongshu lowered his head and pouted: “Alright then.”
The two returned to the mansion. After dinner and a bath, Yan Tongshu cuddled Yuanzi and fed her small fish treats.
Yuanzi was a calico kitten Yan Tongshu had found two years ago.
Back then, Yuanzi had an injured leg and was hiding in the grass, meowing pitifully.
Yuanzi had a sweet personality—never biting or scratching—and was irresistibly cute, beloved by everyone in the Yan family.
If there was a flaw, it was just a black spot on her nose; otherwise, she was perfect.
Tough, not picky, adorable, and lively.
As Yan Tongshu fed her, Pearl came storming over, hands on hips.
She said, “Young Master, it’s definitely you causing trouble again.”
Yan Tongshu pointed at himself, looking completely innocent: “I didn’t do anything today.”
Not only did he do no mischief, he didn’t do any work at all.
Not a single word of study!
Ha ha ha!
Pearl raised her eyebrows and snorted, “You must have taken Jinbao to sneak some food. Jinbao couldn’t eat dinner and got scolded by his butler dad.”
Yan Tongshu looked guilty and averted his eyes: “You can’t blame me. The small bowl I ordered for Jinbao had extra toppings because Aunt Yang gave more than usual, so Jinbao just ate too much.”
Pearl pouted, “Young Master, you’re still trying to shift the blame.”
“Oh, come on.”
Yan Tongshu grabbed Pearl’s arm, “Alright, alright, don’t scold me. Next time, if Jinbao and I sneak food again, I’ll bring you a bowl too.”
Hearing this, Pearl’s face lit up with joy: “Then I want extra toppings too! I love Aunt Yang’s toppings the most.”
Yan Tongshu immediately promised, “I’ll get you three big ladles of toppings.”
Pearl immediately hugged Yan Tongshu and teased with a smile, “Young master, you’re the best in the whole world.”
The next morning, just as breakfast was served, Yan Tongshu’s full sister, Yan Liangrong, arrived.
Yan Liangrong was four years older than Yan Tongshu, twenty-six this year.
She had married Zheng Chun, a newly minted jinshi scholar at the time, when she was sixteen. Later, Zheng Chun waited three years for a vacancy and finally obtained the position of a seventh-rank literary official, the Xuande Lang. Seven years had passed since then, and Zheng Chun had been promoted to a sixth-rank Fengzhilang.
Yan Liangrong was stunningly beautiful. Today, she wore a long dress embroidered with magnolias in a vibrant begonia red, and the moment she entered the room, it brightened up instantly.
Yan Liangrong sat down in front of Yan Tongshu. Her phoenix-like eyes sparkled with black pupils, her nose was high and straight, and her eyebrows arched low, giving her an air of sharpness that was almost too obvious when she looked at people.
She glanced over the simple breakfast on the table and smiled, “What a coincidence, I haven’t eaten yet either. I might as well mooch a meal here with Tongshu.”
Yan Tongshu smiled and asked someone to serve more food for Yan Liangrong. “Sister, if you want to eat, just eat. No need to say mooch.”
Pearl ladled a bowl of porridge and placed it in front of Yan Liangrong.
Today was the day for the marriage proposal—a major event for both the Yan and Zheng families—so naturally, everyone was expected to attend. That was why Yan Liangrong had made a special trip back.
Yan Tongshu asked, “Sister, why did you come in such a hurry? You didn’t even eat breakfast.”
Yan Liangrong picked up her chopsticks. “Today is the auspicious day. Your brother-in-law has to attend the morning court session and had to get up before dawn, which woke me up too. I might as well come early. Besides, I can spend some time with you and Mother.”
Important officials like the Changcan Officer were required to attend the daily morning court sessions. For example, the acting prefect of Kaifeng had to be present every day.
Yan Tongshu’s brother-in-law, Zheng Chun, was only a sixth-rank official and didn’t need to go to the palace daily. But on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, he had to attend a grand assembly.
Yan Tongshu recalled the time shortly after she had transmigrated. On the first and fifteenth days, she had to get up at three or four in the morning before dawn, rushing to the court. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: miserable, utterly miserable.
Thankfully, she was soon demoted to the Xianlin Pavilion, where she spent her days leisurely drinking tea and enjoying retirement.
Now, she was completely lazy. If she had to attend morning court again, she’d rather jump off the city wall and start over.
After breakfast, Pearl directed the maids to clear the dishes and brought over some mouthwash. After rinsing, Yan Tongshu and Yan Liangrong went together to pay their respects to Madam Yan.
As they walked along the corridor, Yan Liangrong casually mentioned, “Tongshu.”
Yan Tongshu idly plucked a leaf and played with it in her hand. “Hmm?”
Yan Liangrong’s delicate lashes fluttered. “I heard that the Chaofeng Lang was dismissed for speaking disrespectfully and offending Your Majesty.”
Yan Tongshu nodded. She never cared much about court affairs.
After all, she was just an unnoticed clerk in the archives, perfectly content to lie low.
Yan Liangrong looked at Yan Tongshu. “Tongshu, we’re siblings. I don’t want to bother with those hypocritical official formalities. So I’ll speak plainly.”
