There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 320 Kowtow and admit your mistake

Li Shuchen: "After you left, the Tenth Prince didn't mention looking for you. Perhaps he didn't want to kill you. You don't need to thank me; you're just lucky to be alive."

"Yes, there is a young lady. Liu Sancai is very lucky to have survived."

"Kang Dang"

Liu San kowtowed again, attracting the attention of many people. The guests whispered among themselves, talking about something.

Li Shuchen: "You're my employee, it's only right that I protect you. Get up and go do what you're supposed to do. No need for further thanks."

"Kang Dang"

Another resounding bang

"Miss, two lives are worth two lifetimes. In the next life, Liu San is willing to continue serving you."

After saying that, he got up to get busy, but was pulled away by a customer as soon as he reached the door.

Li Shuchen ignored them and quickly went to the kitchen.

Grape: "Miss is awake. The braised pork trotters with soybeans are just ready. Where would you like to dine, Miss?"

Li Shuchen: "The living room bar"

"Alright, miss, take the grapes over here."

Li Shuchen took the tray and said, "I'll carry it. You take a serving of pig's trotters up to Miss Danyue."

"Yes, miss"

Li Shuchen carried the food to the only empty table in the guest room and sat down. Because the seat was near the door and a bit hot, no one wanted to sit there.

When she was starving, she didn't care about any of that.

He lowered his head and took a big bite of the pig's trotter, chewing it.

Oh my god, these tender, chewy, and savory braised pig's trotters smell so good! My stomach feels so much better after eating them.

Li Shuchen ate quickly and with gusto, finishing a pig's trotter in just a few bites. The customers next to him, seeing his enthusiasm, asked Xiao Feng to order the same dish.

The pig's trotters smelled delicious, and the rice smelled delicious too. She shoveled two mouthfuls of rice into her mouth, then picked up a piece of pig's trotter and stuffed it into her mouth with another big bite.

Clang, clang, clang

Three loud bangs as they kowtowed.

Li Shuchen looked up at the group of people in front of him who were talking nonsense, all of whom had forgotten to chew their mouths full of food.

"Miss Li, thank you for your magnanimity in speaking up for me in front of the Tenth Prince and saving my life. I have come here today to express my gratitude, and I hope you will accept my gift as a token of my appreciation."

Li Shuchen stared blankly at the kneeling figures on the ground, struggling to chew and swallow the food in his mouth.

"Hey, owner of the mutton head restaurant, you... you're not dead?"

The mutton restaurant owner chuckled and said, "Not dead, not dead! It's all thanks to Miss Li! I'm so grateful that Miss Li found me a miracle doctor in time, which is why I recovered so quickly. Please accept my three bows again."

Clang, clang, clang

Three more kowtows

Li Shuchen stopped eating and immediately walked up to the mutton restaurant owner.

"It was nothing, no need for elaborate thanks, please rise."

“Miss Li, your words are misunderstanding. I know I am no human being. I offended you so much that day, yet you still forgave me and spoke up for me. This shows that you have a broad mind and extraordinary courage, which I admire. My wife has already reprimanded me, and I apologize for my rash and ignorant actions that day. I am sorry, Miss Li.”

Clang, clang, clang

Three more kowtows, and Li Shuchen couldn't stop him.

"Alright, alright, it's good to admit your mistakes and correct them. Now that you know you were wrong, just be a better person from now on."

The mutton restaurant owner nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, Miss Li is right. From now on, I will never look down on women again. I will hire more capable women to work in the mutton restaurant, and I will never talk nonsense again. I will be an honest person and an honest businessperson."

Li Shuchen: "Get up quickly, doesn't your knee hurt from kneeling like that?"

"It doesn't hurt at all, it's nothing compared to my butt."

The mutton restaurant owner chuckled as two waiters helped him to his feet.

"Miss Li, please be sure to accept these gifts."

Li Shuchen glanced at the numerous gifts and said, "The person you should thank most is not me, but your wife. If your wife hadn't reminded you, you probably wouldn't be apologizing to me."

"Yes, yes, yes, my wife has always been helping me. If it weren't for her, my business wouldn't have grown so big. During that time, I was blinded by money and did those despicable things behind my wife's back. I know I was wrong."

Floral essential oils are the most popular items in the city, and my wife likes them very much, but she's reluctant to spend the money. I'm planning to buy her a full-size bottle to bring home and make her happy."

Li Shuchen nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. This mutton restaurant owner knew how to pamper his wife, so he couldn't be too bad. He then turned to ask Manager Xu...

"Uncle Xu, do you still have any full-size floral essential oils?"

Shopkeeper Xu: Only one bottle left.

Upon hearing this, the mutton restaurant owner hurriedly limped to the counter and said, "Quick, quick, give it to me, I want it!"

Li Shuchen: "I wonder what kind of floral scent Lingzheng (the wife of the mutton restaurant owner) likes?"

The mutton restaurant owner blurted out, "She likes chrysanthemums, roses, and baby's breath."

Li Shuchen looked at Manager Xu: "Uncle Xu, what is the last full-size bottle of Hehua Fragrance?"

Shopkeeper Xu: "Miss, it's chrysanthemum."

The mutton restaurant owner said, "I want 11,800 taels of silver, right?"

After saying that, he took out his money and placed the banknotes on the table.

Li Shuchen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "You've certainly found out quite a bit."

The mutton restaurant owner smiled and said, "Miss Li, you flatter me."

A moment later, Manager Xu placed a brocade box on the counter: "Sir, this is your essential oil."

"Thank you, shopkeeper."

The mutton hot pot owner packed up his things and looked at Li Shuchen, saying, "Miss Li, I'll be heading back now."

Li Shuchen: Drive carefully.

"Oh, Miss Li, you don't need to see me off."

The owner of the mutton restaurant was carried away by two servants, swaying from side to side.

Grape: "Miss, what should we do with these gifts?"

Li Shuchen: "Food is kept in the kitchen, and other necessities are kept in the main hall."

"okay"

In August, the Yangtze River is bathed in sunshine for ten thousand miles; a thousand sails drift gently in the breeze.

A large number of scholars flocked to the inn, and Li Shuchen realized that the "Autumn Examination" was approaching. He immediately returned to his room and carefully reviewed the procedures for the Purple Star Dynasty's Autumn Examination.

"The provincial examinations of the Zixing Dynasty were held on the ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth days of the eighth lunar month, with candidates leaving the examination hall the day after each session."

The examination hall for the provincial examination was called the Gongyuan. The walls of the Gongyuan were covered with thorns, hence it was also called "thorn enclosure". When candidates entered the enclosure, they were searched very strictly and were only allowed to bring baskets, food, pens, inkstones and the like.

Clothes, hats, shoes, and socks should all be single-layered. Clothes should be sewn apart, shoes should have thin soles, inkstones should not be too thick, pen tubes should be hollowed out, and even the cakes and steamed buns that are brought should be cut open and inspected.

In addition, their physical characteristics must be checked against the appearance register. If anyone is found to be carrying even a single piece of paper or writing, they will be put in cangue in front of the search area for a month before being questioned and punished. The search personnel who neglect their duties will also be punished.”

Grape: "Miss, the imperial examinations are really strict. The pre-examination checks alone take a long time."

Li Shuchen: "Therefore, these candidates need to enter the venue one day in advance."

Grape: "What should we prepare?"

Li Shuchen: "Of course we need them. Baskets and food are the most important things. We should start preparing these. Let's go check on the old lady who makes baskets first."

Grape: "Good"

The carriage arrived smoothly at the entrance of the alley where the old lady lived.

Li Shuchen dismounted from the carriage, carrying grapes, and walked to the familiar door, knocking on the door.

"Grandma, Grandma, it's me, Li Shuchen. Are you home?"

"coming"

A sweet, girlish voice rang out, followed by an adorable baby face.

"Miss Li, please come in. My grandmother often talks about you, saying you're a good girl and that she cares deeply for her."

Li Shuchen stepped into the courtyard: "How is Grandma's health?"

"He's in excellent health, full of energy every day, never stopping for a moment, and his spirits are much stronger than before."

The old woman came out of the house and said, "Miss Li has arrived. Yue'er, quickly pour Miss Li a cup of tea."

"Okay, Grandma."

Li Shuchen stepped forward and helped the old lady, saying, "Grandma, it's hot outside, let's go inside and talk."

“good good”

Li Shuchen entered the house and looked around. The furniture had been refurbished, and many new items had been added, making it much better than when she last visited.

The old woman said, "Thanks to Miss Li's kindness, I am able to live such a prosperous life. A few days ago, I bought a packet of good tea, intending to save it for you when you come, but I never expected to need it today."

Yue'er: "Miss Li, please have some tea."

"Thank you very much"

Li Shuchen took the tea with both hands, blew away the foam, and took a sip: "It's refreshing on the palate and has a sweet aftertaste; it's truly a good tea."

The old lady laughed heartily upon hearing this: "It's good that Miss Li enjoys the drink. Did Miss Li come to see me today because of something important?"

Li Shuchen put down his teacup: "To be honest, Grandma, with the autumn imperial examinations approaching, candidates need a basket that can hold their clothes, writing brushes, ink, paper, and food in separate compartments to get into the examination hall. I'm thinking of selling some of these. I wonder if Grandma could make them?"

The old lady remained calm upon hearing this: "Oh, I thought it was something important, but it's just a test basket. I've already prepared it."

Li Shuchen asked in surprise, "Is it ready?"

The old woman glanced into the inner room and said, "I've woven about a hundred of them and left them in the inner room. Would Miss Li like to take a look?"

Standing to the side, Yue'er said, "I'll go get it."

A moment later, Yue'er placed an exquisite basket in front of Li Shuchen.

Li Shuchen squeezed it in his hand; it was firm and smooth, without any burrs. Opening the lid, the first layer was spacious enough to hold plenty of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Remove the first layer; the second layer is the same size as the first, and the same applies to the third and fourth layers.

The old lady said, "I've been selling exam baskets for seven years, and the four-tiered basket is the most suitable and the best-selling."

Li Shuchen closed the basket and asked, "Grandma, how much does one of these baskets cost?"

Old lady: Fifty coins each

Li Shuchen: "Fifty coins, can I buy them for sixty coins each?"

The old woman said, "Of course, Miss Li, take as much as you want. If it's not enough, I can make more."

"Let's take a hundred first."

Li Shuchen counted out six taels of silver and placed them on the table.

"Grandma, please keep the money safe. I'll have Lao Ba come and get the basket later."

The old lady beamed with joy: "Good, good, good!"

Yue'er: "Miss Li, let me see you off."

After leaving the old woman, Li Shuchen went to the grain shop where he had previously bought disaster relief food.

Upon seeing Li Shuchen arrive, the grain shop owner greeted her warmly: "Miss Li, it's been a long time since you've visited my shop. I didn't know your identities that day, and I'm not sure if I offended any of you ladies. I apologize on your behalf."

Li Shuchen waved his hand dismissively: "No need for apologies. On the contrary, we should thank the boss for selling us grain, which solved the crisis of refugees outside the city."

Grain shop owner: "Miss Li, you flatter me. How are Princess Changning and Lady Gu?"

Li Shuchen looked around the shop and said, "Everything is fine. Your grain shop has expanded quite a bit, and there are more customers."

The grain shop owner laughed and said, "Thanks to Miss Li, her prediction of killing three birds with one stone has come true."

Li Shuchen nodded: "That's good then, so I wasn't lying."

The grain shop owner retorted, "That's not nonsense, it's clearly auspicious talk!"

Li Shuchen: "Alright, stop flattering me. I need to buy flour—three shi each of wheat flour, corn flour, and buckwheat flour. Calculate how much silver that will cost."

"Yes"

The grain shop owner took the abacus and quickly moved the beads, arriving at many answers.

"The total cost is twenty-two taels of silver. Miss Li, just give me twenty taels."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen took out two ten-tael silver ingots and placed them on the counter: "Thank you for delivering this flour to the Happiness Inn, boss."

Grain shop owner: "Don't worry, Miss Li, I will definitely send someone to deliver it."

Li Shuchen went from the grain store to the butcher shop and bought some salted cured pork. It had a smoky smell and smelled quite good.

Then we headed back to the inn.

"Old Eight"

"exist"

"Hire a few horse-drawn carriages to the old lady's place and bring back a hundred baskets."

"Yes, miss"

"Old Nine"

"exist"

"Move all the cured meat from the truck to the kitchen."

"Yes, miss"

Uncle Xu

"Please speak, Miss."

"Someone will deliver flour in a bit—three bushels each of wheat flour, corn flour, and buckwheat flour. I've already paid; just put the goods in the kitchen."

"Yes"

After giving these instructions, Li Shuchen went upstairs to continue reviewing matters related to the provincial examination, reading until dark before putting it down.

Early the next morning

Grape rushed into the room excitedly and asked, "Miss, what are we going to prepare today?"

Li Shuchen rolled out of bed and laughed, "Why is Grape so happy?"

Grape draped a garment over Li Shuchen's shoulders: "There's hope! Just thinking about how much money Miss will make makes Grape happy."

Li Shuchen: "Today we're going to Baihuazhuang to dig sweet potatoes."

Grape: "Good"

The two quickly finished their breakfast and boarded a carriage to Baihua Manor.

"Miss, how many sweet potatoes do we need to dig?"

"Five vehicles"

Grape nodded emphatically upon hearing this.

Upon arriving at Baihuazhuang, Grape, carrying a hoe, immediately began digging sweet potatoes, finding five or six with each stroke.

"Grape, when did you become so strong?"

Tiger Two rushed over from the side and said

Grape glanced at Tiger Two and said, "I've been training with Miss these past few days, so naturally I've gained a lot of strength."

"It's gone up a bit, but it's still not as good as my Tiger Two."

Tiger Two snatched the hoe from Grape's hand, and with one stroke, he found more than ten sweet potatoes.

Grape glanced at the sweet potatoes and retorted defiantly, "Ten sweet potatoes? I can do that too!"

Tiger Two: "My goodness, you're just a little girl, don't try to be tough. What are you doing comparing yourself to a grown man like me?"

Grape, upon hearing this, tried to snatch the hoe from Tiger's hands, but Li Shuchen stopped her.

“Let me try.”

Li Shuchen took the hoe and dug down hard, revealing several sweet potatoes. He counted them carefully and found eleven in total. He then smirked smugly.

"This young lady, though not particularly talented, is slightly better than any grown man."

Grape clapped her hands happily and said, "Miss is amazing!"

Then, looking at Hu Er proudly, she said, "See? This little girl is quite amazing. If I learn from her again, I'll definitely be able to dig ten sweet potatoes in one go."

Li Shuchen: "Grapes definitely will."

"Is Miss Li planning to dig up sweet potatoes and transport them into the city?"

Zhao Tianchuan suddenly appeared and said

Li Shuchen turned to Zhao Tianchuan and said, "Brother Zhao's martial arts have improved again."

Zhao Tianchuan: "Linglong helped me improve my health, so my martial arts training is faster than before."

Li Shuchen: "It seems Linglong's medical skills have improved quite a bit."