Seeing another dish on the table, Mu Hongyue immediately reached his chopsticks over.
Ye Liangyu swiftly blocked him, "This is pig offal. You don't mind?"
Mu Hongyue picked up the last piece of braised pork large intestine. "I saw you enjoying it quite thoroughly."
The expression on his face upon tasting it was subtle; he had never tried it before. The soft, glutinous texture in his mouth left him craving more, but when he went to pick up another piece, there was none left in the dish.
"Where did you buy this? Has a new shop opened in Anyang Prefecture?"
A young servant approached carrying a plate of braised chicken wings and pig's ears.
Ye Liangyu looked up, "Did Qiming send these over?"
The servant's lips curled into a smile, "Yes. Young Master Song said there's more, and he's gone to fetch it."
As soon as the words were spoken, Song Qiming walked over carrying two plates of braised chicken feet and a cold salad.
Setting the plates on the table, he said with a smile to Ye Liangyu, "My elder sister knew you were inviting Dean Mu to stay for dinner, Teacher, and specifically asked me to bring a few dishes over. She said they'll be available in the shop in a few days and wanted you and the Dean to try them first."
After speaking, he smiled at Mu Hongyue.
Ye Liangyu shot his friend a smug glance, his mouth watering rapidly as he stared at the dishes on the table.
"Your sister is very thoughtful. This braised food is exceptionally delicious. When the shop opens in a few days, I'll definitely have Yunhe buy plenty."
Song Qiming had already tasted the braised dishes and had to admit they were truly stunning; once you started eating, you couldn't stop.
"I'm glad you like it, Teacher. If you ever wish to eat it in the future, just let your student know, and I'll set some aside for you first."
Watching Song Qiming's retreating figure, Mu Hongyue tightened his grip on his chopsticks. "You really hit the jackpot with this disciple—a student, a divine physician, and a cook all in one. Why does such good fortune never fall on my head?"
Ye Liangyu picked up a chicken wing; its tenderness was just right.
"In any case, Miss Song's shop will open in a couple of days. If you want to eat it, you can go buy it yourself."
Mu Hongyue said to Yunhe, "Go fetch the 'Dongting Spring Hue' wine for me. Such dishes demand wine."
Yunhe looked towards his own master.
Ye Liangyu glared, "I said you can't drink."
Mu Hongyue raised an eyebrow, "You can watch me drink. I'll save one flask for you."
Ye Liangyu helplessly pursed his lips and shook his head. Seeing this, Yunhe went to fetch the wine flask and cups.
That evening, Song Jinzhao sat on the bed counting money.
The house they currently lived in was rented. To buy a two-courtyard house nearby would cost roughly three to four hundred taels of silver.
A two-courtyard house would be just enough to live in. If they needed to buy servants later and wanted to live more spaciously, they would need at least a three-courtyard house.
She still had a thousand taels on hand. The money was sufficient, but if she bought a house, there wouldn't be much working capital left.
Thinking of the housing prices in Anyang Prefecture, Song Jinzhao pondered for a moment and decided to first get the shop running and earn some silver.
With servants at home, Song Jinzhao no longer had to lift a finger for the three daily meals or household chores.
Chunxing and Qingshuang could take care of Song Anhao, freeing up Song Shixue's time.
Early the next morning, Song Qiming first delivered the formal apprenticeship letter to the neighbor next door. The apprenticeship ceremony was scheduled for the academy's rest day three days later.
At the hour of Si, sandalwood incense burned on the altar table in the main hall.
Song Qiming, dressed in a white scholar's robe, knelt respectfully before Ye Liangyu. Holding a teacup with both hands raised above his eyebrows, his tone was firm and powerful: "Teacher, please accept this tea."
Ye Liangyu sat upright in his chair, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips.
Gazing at Song Qiming's refined features, he couldn't help but recall the scene of his own apprenticeship many years ago.
Nearing fifty, he could now understand the feelings his own teacher must have had when accepting him as a disciple.
Ye Liangyu said, "I observe that your nature is sincere, steadfast, and resolute. You show considerable talent for scholarly pursuits, and you are diligent, tireless, and unashamed to ask questions."
"Today, I drink this cup of apprenticeship tea and accept you as my disciple. Remember these three sentences from your teacher."
"A gentleman devotes himself to the fundamentals. Once the fundamentals are established, the proper way will manifest."
"On the path of study and imperial examinations, you must achieve broad learning, thorough inquiry, careful reflection, clear discrimination, and earnest practice."
"If one day you pass the highest examinations and enter court as an official, you must be someone who 'cultivates personal virtue in solitude and benefits all under heaven when achieving success'."
Song Qiming's eyes lowered slightly as he raised the teacup high. "This student will respectfully remember Teacher's instructions."
The slightly scalding tea rolled down his throat, warming his heart. Ye Liangyu's heart settled, his chest feeling as if burdened with a certain shackle, heavy and weighty.
Sitting on a chair, Song Jinzhao watched with eyes full of gratification. The apprenticeship ceremony of ancient scholars truly gave one the illusion that a teacher for a day is a father for life.
Once a master is acknowledged, it's for a lifetime; once a disciple is accepted, they must be supported. No matter how far they grow in the future, the shadow of the teacher remains. This feeling touched her heart.
Thinking that Song Qiming might one day hold a high official position, some other ideas arose in Song Jinzhao's mind.
Perhaps cultivating a few hidden guards for fun wouldn't be a bad idea either.
The two shops opened together. Just looking at the storefronts, one could tell the owner was the same.
Song Family Delicacies. Song Family Medical Clinic.
Red silk ribbons fluttered at the entrance. Chunxing, Qingshuang, and Fushun stood at the door in uniform, welcoming customers.
Under the eaves stood a promotional sign announcing the new store opening with a storewide 30% discount.
The exterior walls of the shops were covered with product illustrations hand-drawn and colored by Song Jinzhao. The vibrant colors combined together made it clear at a glance what was being sold.
Cold skin noodles, cold noodles, braised delicacies, and drinks each had their own designated areas and service windows inside the shop, arranged in a square formation.
Three rows of tables and chairs were placed in the middle, just like a food court in a tourist area.
Seeing the iced drinks that were a full ten copper coins cheaper than those at Sweet Snow Pavilion, some people were already pulling out money, wanting to know which shop's tasted better.
Chunxing guarded the tasting table, beckoning the curious commoners one by one and handing them bamboo skewers.
Song Shixue looked at the bustling delicacies shop and then at the deserted medical clinic, suggesting, "Elder Sister, should we go over and help?"
Song Jinzhao shook her head, "The three of them are enough. Cold skin and cold noodles are no longer novelties in Anyang Prefecture. At most, there will be more people buying the braised food."
When Li Zien arrived with his servant, he saw one shop packed with people.
Some were even standing, creating a noisy, bustling crowd, while the other shop had no customers.
The stark contrast between left and right was such that if not for the shared 'Song' character on both signs, passersby would likely shake their heads and make some disparaging remarks.
The servant pointed at the illustrations on the wall, "Young Master, each of their items is ten copper coins cheaper than ours."
Li Zien's fan swished noisily in his hand.
"Song Jinzhao just loves playing the game of small profits but quick turnover. In Xining City, a cup of iced dark plum and rock sugar tea only cost twenty copper coins. Now it's doubled, which is already quite a lot."
Noticing the colorful, richly varied illustrations of braised delicacies on the wall, Li Zien stepped towards the Song Family Delicacies shop.
Who would have thought that after entering, the window selling braised food would have the most people, so crowded he couldn't even squeeze in.
The servant was jostled from front and back like a pancake, the decorative item he had prepared as a gift almost getting crushed. He should have left it in the carriage.
His voice strained from his throat, "Young Master, why don't you sit down first? I'll queue here."
Li Zien looked towards the area with tables and chairs; there wasn't a single seat available.
"I'll wait for you in the carriage. Buy a bit of everything. I want to taste just what this braised food flavor is all about."
Even when Sweet Snow Pavilion opened, business wasn't this good.
Li Zien waited a full half-hour in the carriage before his servant came running over with several oil-paper packages. The silk knot wrapping the decorative item in his arms had been completely loosened by the crowding.
"Young Master, I got everything. Try it quickly."
The servant eagerly unwrapped the oil-paper package, the aroma at his nose growing richer, his throat involuntarily bobbing.
Without chopsticks, Li Zien could only use a bamboo skewer meant for sampling to pick at the food.
The moment it entered his mouth, his expression changed.
After tasting every variety, Li Zien put down the skewer, his gaze distant as he gritted his teeth and pursed his lips.
"How does Song Jinzhao have so many new recipes in her head, and every single one is this delicious?"
The servant discreetly wiped the sweat from his temple and retied the silk cloth to wrap the package again.
"Young Master, perhaps we should deliver the gifts first?"
Even though he hadn't tasted the food, the shop's packed scene, the enticing scent in the air, and his young master's dejected, listless appearance told him the man had suffered another blow.
Li Zien straightened his open outer garment, picked up the skewer, and continued eating as he spoke. "First, go buy me a cup of iced dark plum and rock sugar tea. We'll go after I finish eating."
The servant placed the ornaments flat in the carriage and turned to squeeze back into the shop.
Fortunately, the line for drinks wasn't as long as the one for the braised delicacies; this time he only waited a quarter of an hour before making the purchase.
Once satiated and refreshed, using the plum tea to rinse his mouth, Li Zien, accompanied by his servant and carrying two wealth-attracting ornaments, headed towards the clinic.
Song Shixue, who had been coaxing her younger brother, immediately stood up and greeted the customers warmly upon their entry. Recognizing Li Zien, her smile faded.
"Are you two here to see the doctor or to fetch medicine?"
Li Zien snapped his folding fan shut and turned his face towards Song Jinzhao, who was sitting on a chair to the side. "Neither. I'm looking for your sister."
Song Jinzhao narrowed her eyes at him. Li Tianchong hadn't disciplined his son after last time? Why was he here again?
"What business does Young Master Li have?"
The servant behind him promptly stepped forward, placed the ornaments on the table, untied the silk knots, and then retreated behind Li Zien.
One was a white jade Pixiu, the other a bronze three-legged money toad—both ornaments suitable for display in a shop, symbolizing the attraction of wealth and treasure.
"My father learned of Miss Song's shop opening and specifically sent me to deliver gifts, wishing Miss Song prosperous business and a steady flow of wealth."
"My previous inquiry about Miss Song's marital prospects was purely out of curiosity. If I spoke out of turn, I ask for Miss Song's generous forgiveness."
Song Jinzhao didn't even intend to have Song Shixue pour a cup of tea. She crossed her legs and spoke leisurely.
"Young Master Li, as a man, discussing a woman's marriage prospects without cause is quite frivolous. You must remember not to do such things in the future. Otherwise, if you encounter someone with a short temper, it wouldn't be worth getting a sack thrown over your head and a beating halfway down the road."
Li Zien averted his gaze, his eyes blinking rapidly and unfocused a couple of times before he changed the subject.
"Miss Song's braised delicacies are delicious. I wonder if you're interested in opening branch stores. If capital is insufficient, you could form a partnership with my Li family."
Song Jinzhao puffed her cheek. Sharp eyes, targeting it on the very first day of opening.
"The new shop has just opened; I have no such intentions for the time being. If I do later, I presume my funds will be sufficient by then."
Not only did Li Zien not leave, he even took a seat on the chair opposite Song Jinzhao.
He said in a low voice, "I presume Miss Song is not yet aware that the current Second Prince, His Highness Prince Ying, is my brother-in-law."
"As long as we partner, in the future, when your younger brother enters officialdom, with Prince Ying backing him from behind, he is sure to rise rapidly and soar to great heights."
Song Jinzhao couldn't help rolling her eyes towards the ceiling. The first stroke of the character isn't even written, yet he's already drawing a grand pie.
He probably says this to every scholar who tops the prefectural exam, doesn't he!
If that were really the case, wouldn't word get out and jeopardize this Prince Ying's very position as a prince?
The Emperor of Dongzhao didn't seem old enough yet to tolerate his princes openly forming factions and engaging in cronyism.
"My brother-in-law is still far from even passing the provincial exam, let alone daring to hope for Prince Ying's favor. Young Master Li would be better off seeking someone else."
Seeing Song Jinzhao remain unmoved by such a great temptation, Li Zien felt, on one hand, that she was short-sighted and foolish; on the other hand, he felt she was too arrogant, not even placing the imperial relatives in her eyes.
A chestful of stifled anger pressed down. At that moment, he very much wanted to throw his fan and leave, but remembering his father's words, he could only swallow it down hard.
"Since Miss Song is unwilling, I won't insist. The Li family's door is always open for you. Should you encounter difficulties in the future, you may seek assistance at any time."
Song Jinzhao uncrossed her legs and stood up to see the guest out. "You are too kind, Young Master Li. The troubles a minor figure like me might encounter can be resolved by the local magistrate's office. There's no need to trouble a royal relative like yourself."
Li Zien left finally with his heart clogged with resentment.
To think that Song Jinzhao was once merely a peasant girl carrying wild game to their door to sell. Now she actually dared to disregard him so completely.
Ever since his younger sister married into the royal family, even the Prefect of Anyang had to show him some respect, yet Song Jinzhao simply refused to give him face.
Returning home, Li Zien reported the matter to his father.
Li Tianchong put down his cup. "I told you this girl is different from ordinary women. Neither threats nor flattery are likely to move her."
Li Zien said dejectedly, "Then what do we do now?" Since they wanted to win over Song Qiming, they couldn't just do nothing.
Li Tianchong pondered. "At the Flower-Pinning Banquet, Song Qiming offended Yan Baoyi. This man is narrow-minded and intensely jealous. He is also Ding Weiyue's disciple; he probably won't let Song Qiming off easily."
"Tomorrow I will visit Master Yang. When Song Qiming is targeted by Ding Weiyue, Master Yang can then appear and take him as a disciple. Song Qiming will naturally become one of our people."
Li Zien's mind whirred for a long moment before he waved, signaling the servants to leave.
He sat beside Li Tianchong and whispered stealthily, "Father, winning over scholars and waiting for them to become officials would take at least several years. Why don't we just send silver directly to the capital? There are plenty of ready-made sixth or seventh-rank capital officials."
Li Tianchong slapped Li Zien on the head, breathing heavily, his eyeballs nearly bulging out of their sockets.
"Sending silver to the capital is called bribery. Nurturing scholars in the academy is called patronage. They are completely different matters."
"Sending silver to Prince Ying's residence is for the merit of supporting the future dragon. Cultivating our own people is for the future. Directly bribing capital officials—if Prince Ying found out and mistakenly thought we had divided loyalties, not only would your sister's life in the residence become difficult, but His Highness would also cease to trust us."
Li Zien was stunned by the blow, the spray of spittle dampening his face.
"Just talk, Father, why get so angry? It was just a flash of inspiration, I didn't actually do it."
Li Tianchong, exasperated at his son's failure to meet expectations, shooed him out. "By the time you act, it will be too late. You'd better focus on managing the family business properly and not worry about other matters."
If he had known earlier, he should have had his wife bear a few more legitimate sons. Now it was too late to have more.
The servant, watching Li Zien being driven out, pretended to see nothing, tilting his head to gaze at a forty-five-degree angle towards the sky.
