The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 33: Too Skilled

Si Jing himself was a lover of good food; otherwise, he wouldn’t have organized the Hundred Flavors Trial. He had already taken a liking to Du Yunse and was naturally willing to help with this small favor that piqued his interest.

After Si Jing agreed, Du Yunse had a servant go outside Mingfeng Terrace to find Shu Wu and bring in the nine small jars of red fermented tofu.

When Qiu Huanian bought the jars, he had deliberately chosen ones that were two wen more expensive but crafted with finer workmanship. The palm-sized black pottery jars were sealed with long, narrow labels, on which were printed simple yet vivid illustrations of fermented tofu, chili peppers, and spices, along with the elegantly firm characters: “Qiu’s Red Fermented Tofu.” The overall look had a certain rustic charm.

Si Jing recognized the handwriting on “Qiu’s Red Fermented Tofu” as Du Yunse’s and smiled. “This label is quite interesting—it’s rare to see so many illustrations.”

Although the label featured multiple images, it wasn’t chaotic. The elements were arranged in an orderly fashion around the text, making it easy to tell at a glance what was inside the jar. The direct association with the images of chili peppers, spices, and fermented tofu naturally aroused one’s appetite.

Du Yunse chuckled. “This was all my husband’s idea.”

“……” For some reason, Si Jing suddenly felt a slight ache in his teeth.

He knew that Du Yunse and his little husband were deeply affectionate. During the Dragon Boat Festival poetry competition, he had even forgone ancient texts just to pick a hairpin for his husband. But even so, did he really have to bring him up every single time, wearing such an expression of pride and joy?

Si Jing couldn’t help but grow curious about what kind of person Du Yunse’s husband really was.

With the nine jars of red fermented tofu laid out, Si Jing first kept one for himself. Then, he gave one each to the three new scholars who had written excellent poems for the dish “Colorful Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds.” As for the remaining five jars, he did not choose the people who had tried to buy the recipe from Du Yunse. Instead, he gave them to five individuals who had a deeper understanding of food.

“Once the results of today’s Hundred Flavors Trial spread, the people of Xiangping Prefecture will all be scrambling to taste ‘Colorful Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds.’ Take these jars home, and thanks to Academy Head Du, you’ll get to enjoy the first taste.”

—

Shortly after the hour of Hai (9–11 PM), during the hour of Ren Ding (approximately 11 PM to midnight), Du Yunse finally returned to the Shu residence.

Shu Wu had gone back to the inn on his own, while the Huang sisters were still catching up with old acquaintances. Du Yunse quietly entered the side courtyard through the small southwestern gate and saw that the main rooms were still dimly lit by candlelight.

Pushing the door open, he saw Qiu Huanian draped in a robe, half-sitting on the heated brick bed. His long hair fell loosely around him as he yawned slowly, covering his face like a sleepy kitten.

Du Yunse stepped forward and gathered his hair, feeling the smooth strands slip through his fingers. “Why aren’t you sleeping properly?”

Qiu Huanian blinked his slightly teary eyes from the yawn. “You’re back? I slept nearly the whole day, so I couldn’t fall asleep at night. I figured you were about to return, so I got up and lit a candle to wait for you.”

He nudged Du Yunse pleadingly, his bright smile reflected in the candlelight. “Tell me about the Hundred Flavors Trial—I was too bored today.”

Du Yunse’s gaze softened instantly. He removed his outer robe, lit a small stove that Zheng Yiwan had specially brought over, and patiently recounted everything that had happened at the event.

When Du Yunse finished talking about Du Yunjing and his family, Qiu Huanian clicked his tongue in amazement. “Three provincial exams—ten whole years. I wonder if Du Yunjing has the mental fortitude to endure it.”

This punishment sounded severe, but in reality, it wasn’t as damaging as Feng Mingjun’s assessment of him as “unfit for great responsibilities.”

The provincial exam (Xiangshi) was a crucial checkpoint in the imperial examination system. Passing it would elevate a scholar from a Xiucai (licentiate) to a Juren (recommended man), granting them land, tax exemptions, and eligibility for official positions—an official entry into the bureaucracy. However, the passing rate was abysmally low. Many scholars spent their entire lives trying without success.

In the classic text “Fan Jin Passes the Provincial Exam,” Fan Jin was already fifty-four years old when he finally passed, showing just how difficult it was. Qiu Huanian recalled reading a statistical fact in modern times: during the Ming Dynasty, the average age of Juren passers was in the thirties. Even after ten years, Du Yunjing would still be younger than that average. Given that he barely scraped by in the prefectural exam, even if he participated in every provincial exam for the next three sessions, his chances of passing remained very slim.

Du Yunjing already held the title of Xiucai, which meant he could study at the county academy without paying tuition. If he performed well and became a Binsheng (state-sponsored student), he could even receive a monthly stipend of one dan of white rice (worth about one tael of silver)—enough to live comfortably and focus on his studies.

If he could endure the humiliation and study hard, he might still succeed in ten years.

Even if he found ten years too long to wait, as a Xiucai, he could still open a private school in the countryside or work as a tutor for wealthy families, making a decent living.

In short, Feng Mingjun had still left him a path to survive. But judging by Du Yunjing’s past behavior, if he had the strength of character to take these paths, he wouldn’t have ended up in this situation in the first place.

Du Yunse had no interest in how Du Yunjing would choose to live his future. He only cared about Qiu Huanian. “Hua-ge’er, are you happy?”

Qiu Huanian was momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile. “Villains will eventually get what they deserve—of course I’m happy. I never expected the final blow to Du Yunjing to come from Li Gu’er. That family is going to be in for quite a mess.”

Right now, Zhao Shi probably wanted to skin Li Gu’er alive for ruining her son’s future. But with Feng Mingjun personally arranging the marriage, not only could she not touch Li Gu’er, she also had to marry her into the family properly.

“I saw Li Gu’er twice in the village taking the back mountain path home, carrying something in her hands. I even warned Wei Liuhua to be careful. Looks like I was right—there was something shady going on. The whole family falling into a deep sleep during the day, and Du Yunjing suddenly ‘losing control’—it’s highly likely that whatever she was carrying played a part.”

Du Yunjing, as the victim, would surely suspect something. But Li Gu’er had likely already destroyed any evidence, and with Feng Mingjun personally calling her a ‘respectable woman’ and ordering Du Yunjing to treat her well, he wouldn’t dare to openly oppose the imperial examiner.

That said, daily life was lived behind closed doors. Over time, with no one to protect her, the Zhao family and Du Yunjing would have plenty of ways to take out their resentment on her.

By then, would Li Gu’er regret today’s choice?

A family of villains, left to torment one another—it seemed that heaven truly had eyes.

The water on the stove had come to a boil. Du Yunse poured a cup of warm water for Qiu Huanian, who held the cup with both hands and took small sips. His cold fingertips gradually regained warmth.

After finishing the discussion about Du Yunjing’s disgrace, Du Yunse didn’t dwell on the unpleasant topic any longer. Instead, he began recounting the various dishes at the Hundred Flavors Trial and the amusing incidents during the tasting.

He knew Hua-ge’er loved hearing about these things. Throughout the event, he had deliberately taken note of interesting moments and even planned how to describe them in advance. Sure enough, Qiu Huanian listened with bright, sparkling eyes, looking much more energetic.

“Da Niang won first place in this round of the Hundred Flavors Trial. All that effort she and her sister put in was worth it. I gotta say, you’re slick.” Qiu Huanian teased.

Du Yunse’s expression remained calm as he smiled faintly. “‘You’re slick’—what does it mean?”

Uh… Qiu Huanian was completely stumped.

Ever since he had traveled back to ancient times, in order to communicate smoothly and to avoid being regarded as a weirdo, he had been making a conscious effort to replace some of his habitual expressions with ones more fitting for this era.

But whenever he was alone with Du Yunse, he would often relax so much that he forgot about this, and would unconsciously let slip some “Gen Z slang.”

Now that Du Yunse had directly called him out on it, Qiu Huanian felt no guilt whatsoever. Instead, he responded righteously, “Aren’t you supposed to be a genius? Can’t you just pick up on the vibe? Some things just aren’t as fun once you explain them.”

Du Yunse nodded, took the empty cup from his hands, and set it aside. His thumb just barely grazed Qiu Huanian’s soft, slightly damp lips as he asked, “Would this also count as being ‘slick’? Did I pick up on the vibe correctly?”

Qiu Huanian’s face instantly flushed red. He opened his mouth but struggled for a long time to get out a complete sentence. “You, you…”

He realized that just as he became more relaxed and playful when facing Du Yunse, Du Yunse also revealed a completely different side of himself when they were alone.

This guy could be quietly mischievous at times!

Qiu Huanian didn’t want to talk to him anymore. He took off his outer robe and slipped into the bed in one smooth motion, leaving only the back of his round and attractive head exposed.

Du Yunse chuckled softly, leaned over, and pulled Qiu Huanian’s face out from under the blanket. His fingers brushed against smooth skin as lustrous as mutton-fat jade, and his gaze darkened slightly.

“Don’t bury yourself under the covers. You’re still recovering. It’s bad for your health if your breathing is obstructed,” he said hoarsely.

Qiu Huanian hid the tips of his burning ears beneath the blanket, revealing only his beautiful eyes as he responded with a soft “Mm.”

Du Yunse washed up and put things in order before blowing out the candle. The two of them still maintained a respectful distance of an arm’s length as they slept.

Qiu Huanian then asked about the fermented tofu deal that Du Yunse hadn’t explained earlier. “How many people want to buy the red fermented tofu recipe? And how much are they offering?”

“There are three who are genuinely interested in buying it, and their offers are all around fifty taels of silver. Besides them, there are others who want to use the excuse of purchasing the recipe to send lavish gifts and build connections, but I’ve declined them for now.”

“Fifty taels, huh? That’s already enough to buy a decent one-courtyard house in the city.”

Over the past few days, Qiu Huanian had gathered a lot of information about market prices in Xiangping Prefecture. In a good location, a single-entry courtyard house cost around fifty taels of silver, while a two-entry courtyard like the Shu residence, which also had side wings, was worth about 180 taels.

That was already quite a good price. If it weren’t for the first-place-winning Rainbow Phoenix Nesting in the Clouds at the Hundred Flavors Competition and Du Yunse’s newfound fame as the top scholar of the new academy, even the best recipe for red fermented tofu wouldn’t necessarily fetch such a high price.

But Qiu Huanian had other thoughts.

“Who are the three genuinely interested buyers?”

“Two of them are merchants who own large restaurants, and the other is someone you know—Zhu Jingwei’s older brother, Zhu Jingcheng.”

Qiu Huanian recalled the brothers he had met while traveling during the Dragon Boat Festival. “His family runs restaurants too?”

“The Zhu family primarily deals in bookshops, fabrics, and porcelain. Their business has been passed down for five generations, and they are wealthy enough to be considered an elite family in Xiangping Prefecture.” Du Yunse continued, “In reality, Zhu Jingcheng also wants to use this as a way to build connections, but he’s more intelligent and patient. He understands the principle of moderation, so he only offered the same price as the other two genuine buyers.”

Qiu Huanian chuckled. “Sounds like you think quite highly of him.”

“He is meticulous and steady in his actions, doesn’t flatter the powerful or step on the weak, and knows how to assess the situation and plan gradually. His conversations reveal broad knowledge and insight. If he weren’t restricted by his merchant background, he could go far on the imperial examination path.”

Qiu Huanian nodded while pondering. “You plan to enter officialdom in the future, so it’s best not to leave any potential stains on your reputation. Those who come offering extravagant gifts right away—better to keep your distance. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Sooner or later, they’ll demand repayment in some form.”

These people, whose backgrounds were unclear, weren’t offering large sums out of pure generosity. They had their eyes on Du Yunse, the promising young top scholar, betting on his future success. It might feel satisfying to take their money now, but if they later used his name for shady dealings, he would have no way to clear his name.

Du Yunse remained silent. Of course, he understood Qiu Huanian’s reasoning very well. But ever since learning about his little husband’s fragile health, requiring rare and expensive medicinal herbs for slow nourishment, his once firm principles had begun to waver.

He was afraid Qiu Huanian couldn’t afford to wait that long. Afraid he would miss the best window of opportunity and regret it for the rest of his life.

A once calm and deep river now rippled with urgency, waves crashing against unseen reefs.

In the hazy moonlight, Du Yunse felt a soft hand quietly reach over, gently grasping his fingers. The other person pinched his knuckles as if finding them amusing, then lightly scratched his palm with the tip of a finger.

A tingling sensation stirred in Du Yunse’s heart. He directly took hold of that mischievous little hand.

The owner of the hand, looking entirely innocent, was the first to complain, “I was about to discuss something serious. Stop messing around.”

Du Yunse pulled the hand to his lips, not letting him struggle free. “Go on, Huage’er. I’m listening.”

His shallow breath caressed Qiu Huanian’s skin, reminding him just how close his hand was to the other’s lips. In the darkness, Qiu Huanian blushed quietly. He cleared his throat, trying to gather the words scattered by his racing heart.

“I’ve looked at the prescription from Doctor Gu. He said the more expensive formulas at the end aren’t needed yet. The initial nourishing prescription costs one qian of silver per dose. Drinking one a day, that’s three taels of silver per month. It sounds like a lot, but if we break it down, the money from selling sorghum candy and red fermented tofu is more than enough.”

“Even if it isn’t enough, the gap won’t be too big. We’ll find a way.”

In the darkness, Qiu Huanian’s gentle voice floated into Du Yunse’s ears, resonating deep within his heart.

“When I was growing cotton, I focused entirely on tending the seedlings during the nursery stage. When it was time to transplant them, I focused on that. I didn’t rush to till the soil before the seedlings had even sprouted properly, because that would have only weakened them and led to a poor harvest.”

“It’s the same for you right now. I may not understand the imperial exams or the court, but I do know that life is like farming. You have to do the right things at the right time. If you get impatient and try to force growth, you’ll end up with nothing in the end.”

Qiu Huanian could feel it—after the crisis with his health, though Du Yunse still outwardly seemed calm and composed, his heart was no longer as steady as before. He had started to grow restless inside.

This realization warmed Qiu Huanian’s heart, but he also knew this wasn’t the right state of mind to have.

Having lived two lifetimes and experienced many ups and downs, he might not match Du Yunse’s extraordinary talent in some areas, but in others, he saw things more clearly than him.

After all, not everyone had the courage to walk away from a high-paying corporate job just because life wasn’t going the way they wanted, and start fresh in the countryside.

Qiu Huanian couldn’t bring up his past life, but he still wanted to reassure Du Yunse with sincerity and a fitting metaphor—Don’t rush. I’ll be here to walk this path with you, step by step.

In the night, Qiu Huanian smiled and took the initiative to clasp Du Yunse’s hand in return. “Right now, you’re like a thriving crop full of life. I want to stay with you until the day golden grains fill the fields and the granaries overflow.”

Something rigid and unyielding within Du Yunse silently melted away, transforming into a shimmering, tranquil pool. At its edges, vibrant seedlings sprouted, sweet fruits ripened among lush leaves and blossoms. This oasis of life had been reshaped, bit by bit, by Qiu Huanian’s quiet, nurturing presence. And Du Yunse embraced it completely.

“Sleep now. You’ve had a long day. Tomorrow, we’ll continue striving forward together.”

Bathed in the soft glow of the moon, the two of them maintained a restrained yet intimate distance, drifting into peaceful dreams. Their intertwined hands never let go.

…

Meanwhile, not far from Shu Residence in Tianshui Alley, the house rented by Du Yunjing’s family remained in chaos.

The luggage of Du Yunjing’s family had already been haphazardly stuffed into bundles by the servants of the house without their consent and thrown into the courtyard. Du Baoquan covered his face and sighed every few seconds, Li Gu’er cried incessantly with her hair disheveled, and Du Yunjing stood in the yard staring at the pitch-black sky, looking as if he had lost his soul.

“We paid three taels of silver all at once! It was agreed that we would stay for two months, and there are still more than ten days left. What right do you have to kick us out?!” Zhao Shi stuck out her neck and cursed in the outer courtyard.

The old woman carrying out the landlord’s order to evict them sneered, “You really have the nerve to ask. Your family has caused such a mess, bringing all sorts of disgraceful scandals into someone else’s house, even disturbing the constables and the provincial education commissioner. Who would dare keep you? Our household is a respectable one, and we cannot afford to house a walking disaster like you. Pack up your things and get out!”

After speaking, the old woman signaled to the maids and young servants beside her to drag Zhao Shi out. Zhao Shi screamed and wailed, throwing a tantrum. Fubao rushed over to punch and kick the servants, creating such a commotion that even the neighbors from several houses away sent people over to inquire about the situation.

The landlord, who was resting in the inner courtyard, was growing increasingly irritated by the noise outside.

He had rented out the outer wing of his house to Zhao Shi’s family, not because he cared for the three taels of silver but because his child was about to begin formal education. He thought that having a student preparing for the scholar exams (Tongsheng) living in the courtyard might bring some scholarly air to the household.

Who could have known that he had let in such a disgrace—a man who indulged in debauchery during the day, had an unclear relationship with his own cousin, and was publicly deemed “unfit for great use” by the provincial education commissioner!

Today, the constables had come knocking several times, making such a big scene that all the neighbors knew about it. His reputation had been utterly ruined!

“Didn’t she demand her money back? Refund their entire rent! I wouldn’t even keep that dirty money! Get them out of here immediately!” the landlord fumed and ordered.

With their orders received, the servants moved swiftly. The old woman retrieved three taels of silver and tossed them directly at Zhao Shi’s face. Zhao Shi hurriedly bent down to pick up the money, and two maids seized the opportunity to grab her from behind and drag her out through the main gate.

The old woman covered Fubao’s mouth, picked up the foul-mouthed brat who was kicking and flailing, and tossed him out as well. His plump body rolled twice on the ground, leaving him dizzy with stars in his eyes.

“My master is kind enough to refund your rent in full. Keep shouting, and we’ll send you straight to the authorities and charge you with trespassing and causing a disturbance!”

“You’ve already caused my household enough trouble with the constables showing up today. If I were you, I’d get lost before my master changes his mind. Otherwise, this matter won’t be settled so easily!”

Hearing this, Zhao Shi and her family began to feel fear. They had truly witnessed the power of the constables today—just a few words from them had sent their family plummeting from the heaven of a promising future as a scholar to the disgrace of being thrown out onto the streets.

Zhao Shi was ignorant of the full consequences. She still didn’t realize how much the provincial education commissioner’s words had damaged her son’s future. Her focus was entirely on the commissioner’s suggestion of a marriage proposal between her son and Li Gu’er.

A “respectable woman”? What “grievance”? Li Gu’er was nothing but a shameless seductress! Her son was a future imperial scholar, destined to marry the daughter of the county school’s teacher—how could he be entangled with a penniless, lowly woman like Li Gu’er?

If only she had known, she wouldn’t have been tempted by the betrothal gifts she could have gained from marrying Li Gu’er off. She should have kicked her out the moment she came seeking shelter and let her starve to death outside!

Having retrieved the full three taels of rent, Zhao Shi lost interest in making more of a scene. In this provincial city, they were strangers with no connections and could only be trampled upon. It was better to return to Du Family Village as soon as possible and deal with the wretched Li Gu’er.

Zhao Shi quieted down, and the servants wasted no time in tossing the rest of their luggage outside, urging Du Baoquan and the others to leave as well.

Du Yunjing, lost in a daze, walked out on his own, trying to retain a last shred of dignity. When he reached the gate, his foot suddenly stumbled over something in the dark, and he fell forward over the threshold, landing flat on his face. Blood filled his mouth, and his nose burned with pain.

A young servant, who had been bullied by Du Yunjing earlier in the day, retracted his foot and let out a chuckle, murmuring lightly, “Serves you right.”

Furious, Du Yunjing scrambled up and turned around, only to see the heavy wooden door slam shut in his face. The sound of the bolt sliding into place was unmistakably clear in the quiet night.

Around him, hushed whispers and muffled laughter echoed, though the street was nearly empty, with only his own family standing there in disgrace, disheveled and haggard.

Du Yunjing began to laugh shakily, but as he continued, his laughter turned more and more like sobbing. He didn’t understand—he really didn’t understand how things had come to this.

He was supposed to be a genius more brilliant than Du Yunse, a favored son of heaven with a boundless future. How could the provincial education commissioner, Feng Mingjun, claim that he was unfit for great use?! Was it just because he didn’t have a renowned teacher with connections all over the empire?

Why was he the one tricked by a despicable and malicious woman, thrown out of his rented home in the dead of night, left to wander the streets like a stray dog—while Du Yunse, on the other hand, was basking in glory on the grand stage of Mingfeng Terrace, acclaimed as the top scholar of the academy, and returning home to embrace a beautiful lover?

He couldn’t accept it. He refused to accept it!

“Yunjing, Yunjing, where are we going now?” Zhao Shi, startled by her son’s reaction, suddenly lost her confidence and trembled as she asked him.

If Fubao was her precious jewel, then her eldest son, who had always been intelligent and promising, was her very lifeblood. She pinned all her hopes of entering the city and living a life of luxury on him!

As for Du Baoquan and his eldest son from his first wife, Du Yunhu, Zhao Shi had never regarded them as family—merely workers who could be discarded once her son achieved success.

Du Yunjing took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. Feng Mingjun had clearly been biased toward Du Yunse, reprimanding him twice today with increasingly harsh words. Most likely, Du Yunse had been behind it, secretly influencing things out of spite.

Right now, he lacked the power to challenge a provincial education commissioner. But Feng Mingjun wouldn’t remain in Liaozhou forever. And Du Yunse’s mentor, having offended the emperor, was still under house arrest—who knew when he might fall from grace completely, leaving Du Yunse without any backing…

He still had a chance—he still had a chance…

“The city gates won’t open at night. We’ll find an inn to stay in, then hire a carriage to return to Zhang County tomorrow,” Du Yunjing said darkly.

Seeing her son regain his composure, Zhao Shi was overjoyed. “Good, good, let’s go. We won’t bother arguing with these shameless ingrates who took our rent and turned on us.”

She ordered Du Baoquan to gather their luggage. Li Gu’er picked up her own belongings and grabbed a few extra things as well. No matter how much Zhao Shi ridiculed and berated her, she remained silent and did not leave.

Zhao Shi, unwilling to attract more trouble by lingering outside, grudgingly allowed Li Gu’er to follow along.

…

The next morning, when Qiu Huanian lazily woke from a beautiful dream, the sun was already high in the sky.

Lying on the soft bedding, he stretched leisurely and thought to himself—how quickly one could become “lazy.” In just a few days without labor, his internal clock had already shifted back into leisure mode.

Yesterday, Madam Huang won first place in the Hundred Flavors Trial, and she was in high spirits. She and her younger sister had gone out early in the morning to buy the freshest meat and vegetables, planning to prepare a feast at the Shu residence to celebrate.

Lying on the heated brick bed in the side courtyard, Qiu Huaniang could already smell the rich aroma of food wafting in through the open doors and windows.

Hearing the sounds of Qiu Huaniang waking up, Du Yunse rose from the writing desk, poured a cup of warm water, and brought it to his lips.

Qiu Huaniang drank the water, feeling both moved by the “decadent” life of having a handsome man personally attending to him and a bit amused as he got up from the bed.

“What’s going on in the main courtyard? It smells so good.”

“The Madam and her sister want to host a small banquet at noon and invite guests, but it’s still just us. There’s no need for you to rush to get up.”

“I’ve slept for too long. I have to get up and move around, or my body will get stiff.”

After changing his clothes, Qiu Huaniang went to the kitchen in the main courtyard. Madam Huang and her younger sister greeted him with smiles.

“Hua-ge’er, don’t just stand there. There’s a draft at the door, go sit somewhere else.”

“If you’re hungry, have some of the steamed dumplings that Shu Wu brought over this morning to tide you over. The dishes will be ready by noon, and we’ll start eating once Hua Cai and Yi Wan return.”

Having no choice, Qiu Huaniang was ushered to sit at the table by the Huang sisters. Ever since he had suddenly fainted yesterday, everyone in the residence had been looking at him as if he were a fragile porcelain doll, unable to withstand the wind or even stand for too long.

“I thought Madam Huang, the first-place winner of the Hundred Flavors Trial, would be very busy today. I didn’t expect you to still have time to cook at home.”

Madam Huang chuckled. “Plenty of restaurant managers and owners wanted to hire me as their head chef, but I already went through that years ago. This time, I turned them all down.”

Qiu Huaniang picked up on the deeper meaning in her words. “Madam, are you not planning to stay in Xiangping Prefecture?”

Qiu Huaniang knew that the Huang sisters had encountered some difficulties in Zhang County. He had assumed that Madam Huang had given her all in the Hundred Flavors Trial as a way to relocate to Xiangping Prefecture with her younger sister.

Still slicing vegetables with swift and skilled movements, Madam Huang replied, “I do plan to stay, but this time, I don’t want to be a restaurant’s head chef anymore.”

“Over the years, I’ve saved up some money, and I’ve sold off all my assets in Zhang County. It’s enough to open a small eatery in the prefectural city. From now on, I want to earn money for myself.”

She smiled. “At first, I was worried it would be risky, but thanks to you, Hua-ge’er, for your red fermented bean curd, and to Young Master Du for helping last night, I managed to win first place in the Hundred Flavors Trial. With this title, I won’t have to worry about my eatery failing in Xiangping Prefecture.”

“I took a stroll this morning, and many people in the food business were talking about last night’s champion dish, ‘Colorful Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds,’ and the red fermented bean curd that made it. Hua-ge’er, if you sell the recipe, you’ll definitely make a fortune.”

Qiu Huaniang nodded with a smile, but he hadn’t completely decided whether or not to sell the recipe, or rather, how exactly to sell it.

Last night, at the Hundred Flavors Trial, Du Yunse had asked the prefectural magistrate, Si Jing, to distribute the nine jars of red fermented bean curd, further enhancing the reputation of Qiu’s Red Fermented Bean Curd.

As the highest-ranking official of a prefecture, the magistrate was a walking advertisement. When Si Jing gave the red fermented bean curd to the young scholars who had composed poetry about “Colorful Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds,” they would take it as a recognition of their work and feel honored. Those who received it would see it as proof of their close ties with the magistrate.

So when the recipients returned home, they would surely invite friends and family to taste it, proudly showing off the red fermented bean curd that the magistrate had given them. Those who had tasted it would spread the word, making the impact far greater than if Du Yunse had chosen people to gift it to himself.

In just a few days, Qiu’s Red Fermented Bean Curd should gain some recognition in Xiangping Prefecture.

Qiu Huaniang figured he could raise the price of the recipe a bit more—perhaps up to sixty taels. However, he didn’t want to make it a one-time deal.

Compared to Zhang County, where the standard of living was lower, Xiangping Prefecture was the ideal place to sell red fermented bean curd, where even wholesale prices reached 70 wen per jin. Given its current momentum, the product was bound to establish a market in Xiangping Prefecture. Over time, the revenue from this unique and irreplicable secret recipe would far exceed sixty taels.

If Qiu Huaniang had capital, connections, and trustworthy people to help, he could even open a red fermented bean curd workshop himself in Xiangping Prefecture.

Unfortunately, he had none of these. Aside from lacking funds, his household only had four people. Du Yunse needed to focus on the imperial examinations, Jiujiu and Chunsheng were still children, and Qiu Huaniang’s own health was questionable—he couldn’t possibly handle everything on his own.

His least ideal option was to find a willing buyer and sell the recipe at a fair price in one lump sum.

However, after discussing Xiangping Prefecture’s Zhu family and their heir, Zhu Jingcheng, with Du Yunse last night, Qiu Huaniang came up with a new idea.

With the Zhu family’s wealth and business scale, they wouldn’t have much interest in a single red fermented bean curd recipe. Zhu Jingcheng wanted to buy it as an opportunity to build ties with Du Yunse, and since Du Yunse believed him to be a reliable person, and Qiu Huaniang also had a good impression of the Zhu brothers, he thought—why not try a “technical partnership” model?

Getting fifty or sixty taels at once was certainly tempting, but having a steady, long-term income was even more valuable. Du Yunse had to focus on the imperial exams, his own illness was a bottomless money pit, and the whole family needed to live well—Qiu Huaniang had to plan ahead and secure more stable sources of income.

A powerful, well-established local family like the Zhu clan, whose wealth was so great that they wouldn’t be tempted to scheme over a red fermented bean curd workshop’s minor profits, and whose family values and heir were both excellent, was the perfect business partner.

Zhu Jingcheng had extended an olive branch in a respectful manner, so Qiu Huaniang figured he might as well accept it in a different way—by putting everything in black and white with a formal contract, ensuring a clear, reciprocal business arrangement that would protect against future gossip.

Qiu Huaniang shared his plan with Du Yunse, who had no objections. Investing the recipe as a share in a business would save Hua-ge’er a lot of effort.

After having lunch with the Shu family and the Huang sisters, Du Yunse replied to Zhu Jingcheng’s invitation, asking him to discuss the red fermented bean curd recipe in detail.

Zhu Jingcheng readily accepted and, to make the conversation livelier, brought along his younger brother, Zhu Jingwei, who had been sulking in their family’s study. Zhu Jingwei was overjoyed—he was just short of jumping up and down with excitement.

The group arranged to meet at a bookstore near the Gongyuan Examination Hall. This bookstore was also a Zhu family business. The first floor sold various leisure and miscellaneous books, while the second floor housed classics, history books, and imperial examination texts. The back courtyard was set up as a tea room, elegantly decorated, often loaned out for free to scholars hosting literary discussions and poetry gatherings.

Though the Zhu family was technically merchants, meaning their descendants were barred from taking the imperial exams, their business had always been centered on books. Unlike ordinary merchants, the Zhu family patriarchs placed great importance on education. Even the pampered youngest grandson, Zhu Jingwei, had to endure long hours in the study every day.

Because of this, the Zhu family had always been generous to scholars, and Zhu Jingcheng’s repeated attempts to befriend Du Yunse stemmed not just from recognizing his potential but also from the influence of his upbringing.

Unlike his older brother’s steady and shrewd nature, Zhu Jingwei was far more lively. Fanning himself as he entered the room, he complained loudly, “Why are we meeting in such a stiff place? We should’ve gone to Chunyi House, set up a proper banquet, and invited a few lovely ladies to entertain us with music! Big Brother, you’re way too stingy!”

Sitting cross-legged on a floor cushion, flipping through a collection of essays from the tea room, Qiu Huaniang looked up and grinned. “Chunyi House? Is it fun?”

“Uh—” Zhu Jingwei hadn’t expected to see Qiu Huanian here. The young man, with a face as beautiful as the moon and flowers, looked at him with a smile in his eyes and a natural expression, making Zhu Jingwei feel instantly awkward.

Had he known Qiu Huanian was here, how could he have dared to say such things? Now, he had gone and offended someone the moment he walked in—Du Yunse’s face was going to turn black!

Rumors outside said that this year’s top scorer in the academy examination, Du Yuan, was a devoted man who cherished his spouse like a treasure. Zhu Jingwei had witnessed this with his own eyes. His careless mention of something inappropriate in front of a ge’er—even if Qiu Huanian didn’t seem to mind—would surely displease Du Yunse.

Zhu Jingcheng was already accustomed to his younger brother’s behavior. With a sigh in his heart, he stepped forward to apologize on his behalf.

Qiu Huanian simply smiled and waved his hand, even winking at Du Yunse, signaling for the top scholar not to be upset. He had just found it amusing and asked casually!

Zhu Jingcheng observed the exchange, further realizing how steadfast the bond between this couple was. A trace of envy flickered through his heart as he thought of his own marriage, which felt like a forcibly twisted melon—one that was neither sweet nor fulfilling.

After a few casual exchanges, the conversation turned to the red fermented bean curd recipe. Before Zhu Jingcheng could say anything, Zhu Jingwei had already burst out,

“This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a business being run like this—using a recipe as capital to invest for profit… Hua-ge’er, how did you come up with this idea?”

Qiu Huanian smiled. “If a recipe can be sold for money, then naturally, it can be used as capital for investment. It’s not a difficult idea—just rarely practiced. After all, a recipe isn’t as tangible as silver, and if things get messy later, it could cause trouble. I’m only suggesting this because I trust the reputation of the Zhu family and consider you friends.”

Zhu Jingwei was straightforward by nature. Being praised like this—especially after feeling guilty for his earlier words—he immediately agreed, “Hua-ge’er, since you put it that way, how could we refuse? Right, big brother?”

After all, his brother wasn’t really interested in the red fermented bean curd business, so there was no harm in agreeing to something novel!

Zhu Jingcheng looked at his younger brother and smiled slightly. “Hua-ge’er wants to invest in opening a red fermented bean curd workshop, but our family doesn’t have such a business. Why don’t you take charge of it?”

“Huh? Me?” Zhu Jingwei was caught off guard.

He already found studying every day unbearable. Now he had to take on a responsibility? He didn’t want to be like his big brother, always so busy that he couldn’t even return home for days at a time!

“I manage many family businesses and don’t have the time to focus on a red fermented bean curd workshop. I also don’t trust just anyone to handle it. But you, Jingwei, have no major responsibilities, and you’re friends with Du Gongzi and the others—aren’t you the perfect choice?”

“This, this—” Zhu Jingwei stammered.

Zhu Jingcheng didn’t give him the chance to refuse. “Besides, you agreed to this yourself. You should at least make an effort, or else Mother will keep complaining that you’re getting older yet still clueless about managing affairs.”

As the eldest brother, Zhu Jingcheng had long worried over his younger sibling’s idle ways. The Zhu family was wealthy and influential, but with so many members, conflicts inevitably arose beneath the surface. When Zhu Jingwei was younger, he could rely on the elders’ favor to idle away his days, but if he continued like this indefinitely, he would eventually suffer for it.

Their mother often confided in Zhu Jingcheng about her concerns, urging him to find something productive for Zhu Jingwei to do. Zhu Jingcheng himself wanted to train his brother, but unfortunately, Zhu Jingwei had no interest, and no one could force him.

Now, the opportunity to involve him in the red fermented bean curd business was perfect. Not only would it give him hands-on experience, but since it was a separate venture from the Zhu family’s main industries, it would also prevent other branches of the family from meddling.

Qiu Huanian could see the good intentions behind Zhu Jingcheng’s decision. With a smile, he added the final nudge to the hesitant Zhu Jingwei, “Jingwei is the distinguished grandson of the Zhu family—of course, he’d be great at business. With you in charge of the red fermented bean curd workshop, I can rest assured.”

Zhu Jingwei felt a warm surge in his heart. Though he acted indifferent to those who called him an ignorant, idle playboy, deep down, he wasn’t entirely unaffected. He had long accepted that he lacked any real talent, so he simply plugged his ears and continued his carefree life.

But now, having a friend place such trust in him—believing in his abilities—sparked a sense of pride and motivation in him.

“Alright, I’ll take care of it!”

Even if he didn’t know how, he could always ask his big brother, his mother, or even his sister-in-law! With the Zhu family backing him, who really had to figure things out alone?

…

Meanwhile, at the gates of Xiangping Prefecture, Du Yunjing’s family had finally managed to hire a cart willing to take them back to Zhang County.

“Three qian of silver for a cart from Zhang County to Xiangping, but four qian to go back? Why don’t they just rob us?” Madam Zhao grumbled in distress.

The cart driver, who had sharp ears, said coolly, “You’d best think it over. You’re hiring one cart for a family of five—four qian is already a good deal. The cart agency was worried the horse would get exhausted.”

After suffering a major loss in the prefectural city, Madam Zhao was no longer in the high spirits she had when they first arrived. She was also much more reluctant to spend money. Insisting on hiring only one cart for all five of them, she had spent hours searching multiple cart agencies before finally finding one willing to take the job for four qian, causing this long delay.

“Enough! Just get in the cart already! If we don’t leave now, we’ll end up spending the night in the wilderness!” the driver urged.

Madam Zhao and the others got into the cart. The cramped carriage was packed with five people, leaving no room even to stretch their legs. On top of that, Fubao kept jumping around and causing a ruckus. The thought of squeezing into this cart for three days and two nights made Madam Zhao furious.

She had originally planned to leave Li Gu’er behind in the prefectural city, but the woman had suddenly grown cunning. She directly claimed that she and Du Yunjing were a married couple arranged by the academic commissioner himself. If Madam Zhao dared to abandon her, she would make a scene at the gates of the government office. Helpless, Madam Zhao had no choice but to let this eyesore continue taking up space.

Once they returned to Du Family Village in Zhang County, she would make sure Li Gu’er paid the price!

After the five of them settled in, the cart driver raised his whip, and the carriage swayed forward. But just as Madam Zhao and the others barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief, the cart suddenly jerked to a halt.

The unsteady Fubao lost his balance and crashed straight into Du Yunjing’s still-healing nose. A sharp pain shot through Du Yunjing, and his expression turned terrifyingly dark. His bloodshot eyes looked as if he were about to tear someone apart.

Fubao had been raised in a life of luxury and had never seen such a look before. He immediately wanted to cry out loud so his mother could stand up for him.

Inside the carriage, chaos erupted. Outside, the cart driver looked at the servants blocking his path and cursed his bad luck. Having worked as a cart driver in Xiangping Prefecture for many years, he had ferried countless people and had a sharp eye for judging others. These servants, judging by their clothing and demeanor, clearly belonged to an extraordinary household.

“Masters, which noble residence do you serve? What business do you have with me?”

The head steward, dressed in fine servant’s attire, smiled and said, “No need to be nervous. We are from the household of Commissioner Feng. This matter has nothing to do with you. You may leave shortly.”

“We stopped your cart at the city gate only because there is still unfinished business regarding someone aboard, as instructed by the academic commissioner.”

Inside the carriage, Fubao’s loud crying was abruptly silenced as someone forcefully covered his mouth. Du Yunjing’s gaze turned nearly deranged, and his grip was so strong that Fubao immediately struggled to breathe, his face turning purple.

 

The slang Qiu Huanian used was “挺会的” (tǐng huì de), which in this context means something like “pretty good at this” or “you really got the skills” in a casual, teasing way.

In modern Chinese slang, “会” (huì) can be used in an informal way to compliment someone’s ability, often implying a mix of skill, cleverness, or even smoothness in handling a situation—kind of like saying “damn, you got game” or “you’re slick” in English.

Since Qiu Huanian time-traveled to ancient times, Du Yunse (who speaks in a more classical style) doesn’t get the slang and questions him about it, which catches Qiu Huanian off guard.