The beloved baby has a space

Chapter 653 Doing Business Again
Qin Huai thought that today in the Golden Hall, a cabinet minister suspected that his article was fake, so he composed a poem in seven steps, "Answering the Assistant Minister's Ode".

The veiled criticism, while seemingly complimentary, left the cabinet ministers pale and gasping for breath, clutching their chests.

If Emperor Minghua hadn't signaled to him not to make the person sick, he could have driven them straight to the Imperial Hospital.

Only then did everyone realize that this boy, who was only thirteen years old, was not to be underestimated.

Ultimately, everyone except the cabinet minister who refused to speak acknowledged his talent, and he was rightfully chosen as the top scholar.

Today's imperial examinations are full of talented people. The twenty people selected in the second class are indeed outstanding individuals. Even Wang Chuangui, who just came in twentieth place, did not show any fear.

Everyone has their own unique perspective.

Wang Chuangui, who was born into a farming family, was the oldest, while Qin Huai was the youngest. The two of them were asked the most questions.

Wang Chuangui also answered very appropriately. Qin Huai quoted classical texts, while Wang Chuangui focused on the lives of ordinary people. Every word he said showed his love for the people, and thus he received an imperial edict.

Before the parade, Emperor Minghua secretly sent Eunuch De to ask Qin Huai whether he should bestow a marriage upon him and Ayu, so that they could bless all the servants.

Qin Huai refused.

He wouldn't make decisions on his own without first asking Ayu.

He was truly disgusted by Empress Qin's self-serving actions. Even now, he roughly understood that many of Empress Qin's past actions, which seemed harsh, were actually protecting him. But so what?

The cold treatment he received in the past and the chill in his heart are irreparable.

Therefore, he would never become such a person.

When his thoughts returned, Qin Huai saw A Yu's big smile. She was still as sweet and charming as when they first met.

It was as if there was no dirty thing in the world that she could remember.

I really hope they can always be like this, with her being the happy little Ayu and me being the beloved Ayou brother.

Qin Huai mouthed to A Yu, "Let's go back."

The procession on horseback only took place on Sansi Street. Afterward, they would go to several specific locations in the imperial city so that the waiting common people could see what the top scholar and others looked like.

Finally, we went to the Confucius Temple for a simple sacrificial ceremony, which marked the end of the scholar's parade through the streets.

The imperial city of Dachang was so large that it was not a complete loop. Instead, it started from the main city gate and ended at the Confucius Temple. However, the journey was not short, and meals were needed along the way.

By the time the process is nearing its end, the moon is usually high in the sky.

Of course, he couldn't bear to keep Ayu waiting.

Ayu had already learned some things, so she waved to Qin Huai and said, "Brother Ayou, I'll eat your share for you!"

Then, he said to Wang Chuangui behind him, "Second Uncle, I'll eat yours too!"

Wang Wulang also shouted, "Second Uncle, I'll eat with you too!"

Wang Erlang was too old to shout directly, so he gestured to Wang Silang with his eyes. Wang Silang sighed and, imitating Ayu, shouted loudly, "Father, go in peace. Your son will eat well for you."

Wang Chuangui: "..." Why does this sound so off?
If he hadn't been suddenly mentioned, Wang Chuangui would have thought that his family had long forgotten him. He, a second-class Jinshi, had no presence at all.

Those who were originally watching the top scholar's parade couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing these words. Especially when they saw the previously impassioned Yu Xiangjun acting like a little girl, they couldn't help but shake their heads with a smile in their hearts. Sure enough, he was still a child, speaking with a childlike mentality.

It's those people who came from humble backgrounds and climbed their way up that seem more approachable and pleasing to the eye than those arrogant and haughty young ladies from wealthy families.

As the procession of the top scholar gradually faded into the distance, the area in front of Defeng Tower remained bustling with activity. Seeing that the people still seemed somewhat reluctant to leave, Old Madam Wang called Ayu to her side and gave her some instructions.

After finishing her meal, Ayu came downstairs with a smile and walked in front of everyone.

Everyone stared at this young noblewoman, wondering what she was up to. Behind Ayu stood a maidservant a head taller than her, holding a tray covered with red silk, its contents unknown.

Could it be that this village lady's fiancé passed the imperial examination with top honors and wanted to reward everyone, as noble people are said to particularly appreciate this gesture?

Just as everyone was looking forward to it, Ayu said, "Actually, the science exam tests not only intelligence, but also the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain calm. In my hometown, there's a saying that if you're feeling restless and can't concentrate on your studies, you should go to Puji Temple on the mountain and ask for a calming talisman. With this talisman, you can study twice as well with half the effort. I have a calming talisman here, given to me by the former abbot of Puji Temple. My second uncle can sleep soundly every night because of it. In the exam hall, he can even fall into a sweet dream with just a cold cornbread and a thin blanket..."

After Ayu finished her rambling explanation, everyone's eyes widened as they stared longingly at the tray in her hands.

They most wanted to hear the village chief say that he would give it to them for free.

“These calming talismans were made by my family over a thousand days with daily prayers, and they are very effective,” Ayu said. “If you pair them with a cup of our hometown’s special calming tea and a calming silk quilt, the effect will be even better.”

One impatient man couldn't hold back any longer: "Yuxiang-kun, please tell us, how do we get these things?"

Ayu gestured for Tangyuan to open the silk cloth, on which were placed dozens of small golden talismans.

So...so much?

“The calming talisman is valued for its quality, not its quantity. It is only given to those who are destined to receive it. Each of you can receive one with your own document. No one else can receive it,” Ayu said. “However, the calming tea is carefully prepared by my family. My father has spent many years traveling around to cultivate a few plants. It is made by gathering rare ingredients from all over the world and has cost a lot. Therefore, I apologize that it cannot be taken away for free.”

"How much is the calming tea?"

"Five hundred taels of silver." After Ayu said the price, everyone gasped. She then added, "One tael."

"Yuxiang-kun, isn't this price a bit too much?"

Ayu calmly said, "I haven't finished yet. For every serving of this calming tea we sell, our Wang family will donate half of the money to help the poor and needy. We will donate as much as we sell. This money will be handed over to the Xiaoyao Charity Hall under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoyao King. If you are interested, you can check the flow of the money at any time."

Can you do this?

Many people do good deeds, but I have never seen anyone donate half of their earnings, let alone without any upper limit.

After Ayu finished speaking, she lowered her head and drank a cup of tea. Tangyuan understood and continued, "As for the silk quilts, they are woven from silk spun by silkworms specially raised in our Wangbei County. The silkworm farmers are all elderly, weak, women and children, and their lives are extremely difficult, but their craftsmanship is excellent. You can also order silk quilts from the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion, and the mansion will help you purchase them. The silk quilts are priced at 30 taels of silver per catty, and you can order according to your own requirements and preferences."

"Similarly, for every silk quilt sold, our Wang family will contribute an additional 5 taels of silver to support poor families' handicraft workshops."

Currently, the price of silk quilts in the market is usually 5 taels of silver per catty, but the quality of silk varies greatly, and the good ones are mostly monopolized by established families.

The silk quilt sold by Yuxiangjun sounds expensive, but compared to the calming tea mentioned earlier, it seems to be exceptionally cheap.

Immediately, some people became eager to buy it.

After these people expressed their desire to buy, Ayu added, "I would like to remind everyone that calming talismans and silk quilts can be ordered according to your needs and preferences, but calming tea is special. It is cultivated with pure water from virtuous people all over the world, so it is beneficial for ordinary people to drink. However, if people with particularly evil intentions drink it, they may be at risk of dehydration and diarrhea. If people who are extremely vicious drink it, their lives will be in danger."

These words were added by Ayu on the spot.

Because that calming tea was originally watered with water mixed with all-purpose water.

However, it wasn't just two trees, but two farms, totaling over a hundred acres.

All of these are things that Wang Chuanman has been working on for the past few years. He extracted the essence of the tea from the previous years and is now thinking about selling it.

She was just exaggerating the effect on purpose.

One of the self-proclaimed upright people, under the gaze of others, forced himself to say, "Haha, this is not a problem at all. Upright people like us should drink this kind of tea. Yuxiang, please write down five ounces for me first."

That was close! I'm used to being extravagant, and I almost said five pounds.

Five catties is more than 20,000 taels of silver.

If he goes back, his father will probably break his legs.

(End of this chapter)