The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

But he was just trying to scare Yun Ji. The college entrance examination would be in August, and there were still more than three months before the exam. It was impossible for him not to go back, otherwise Yun Ji would definitely come to Yingtian Prefecture in person.

Apart from anything else, he still has to take classes with Tao Hong when he returns, so it is impossible for him to rely entirely on self-study in these few months.

After the results of the prefectural examination were announced, Min Xi went to the Yunxiang branch in Yingtian Prefecture. In the past few years, Yun An had been running around the branches outside the capital, and he had very little time to stay in the capital, which was quite hard. Min Xi came here to take a look and understand the business situation of the Yunxiang branch. After all, it was not easy to come here once, and he also received a salary from Yunxiang, so he had to do something.

Min Xi only brought Tao Xing with him and not Diego, because Diego's appearance was too recognizable and their identities would naturally be exposed as soon as he appeared.

The Yunxiang branch in Yingtianfu was doing quite well, and its annual revenue was among the highest among branches outside the capital. Min Xi did not reveal his identity, but pretended to be a customer who came from the capital to purchase goods. He spent a long time selecting goods in the store, asking about prices and the quality of the goods, pretending to be a layman. The clerks answered very patiently and did not ask for an exorbitant price.

After asking so many questions, Min Xi did not say that he wanted to buy. Instead, he said, "I just arrived in Yingtianfu, and the first store I visited was yours. I want to go to other stores to have a look and compare before deciding whether to buy."

The waiter was not angry: "Sir, just go and compare. Our products are definitely of high quality and reasonable price."

Min Xi and Tao Xing walked to the door, then turned back and smiled as they introduced themselves to the shopkeeper: "Shopkeeper Qiu, my name is Min Xi, the manager of Yunxiang. I'm here to check on the store on behalf of the boss."

Shopkeeper Qiu's eyes widened in surprise: "Manager Min, it's you! Please come in and sit down."

Shopkeeper Qiu quickly welcomed Min Xi and Tao Xing to the back room and poured them tea. "What brings you here? Are you all right, boss?"

"I came to Tianfu to participate in the children's exam, and came to our store by the way. It has been more than three months since I left the capital. I don't know how my boss is doing now, but I believe he is still doing well." Min Xi explained.

"Oh my, I almost forgot that Manager Min is from Yingtian Prefecture. You must have just finished the prefectural examination. It's been so long since you came back, why didn't you come to see me so that I could arrange accommodation for you." Shopkeeper Qiu said enthusiastically.

Min Xi said: "I came back mainly for the exam. I rented a quiet courtyard to live in, so I didn't bother Manager Qiu."

"Have you tried it in Manager Min's house?" Shopkeeper Qiu asked cautiously.

Min Xi smiled and nodded: "Luckily I passed."

Shopkeeper Qiu clasped his hands together and said, "I would like to congratulate Manager Min. You have to come back in August to take the college entrance examination, right?"

"Yes."

"When the time comes, you must come to see me. I will arrange food and lodging for Manager Min in advance. Also let me do my best to be a good host." said Shopkeeper Qiu.

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Qiu. We'll talk about it when the time comes." Min Xi has not yet decided where to live at that time. If the original courtyard is still available for rent, he will continue to live there.

"You must come to see me. It's extremely hot in Yingtian Prefecture in August, and it's hard to get a good night's sleep. I know where it's cool to live. I will rent a house for Manager Min early, and you just need to come and live here." said Manager Qiu.

When Min Xi heard this, it seemed to be true. Nanjing has always been a hot city. Even in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it would probably be extremely hot. So he bowed and said, "Then I would like to thank Shopkeeper Qiu first."

Shopkeeper Qiu smiled and said, "It's just a small favor. Manager Min will stay in Yingtian Prefecture for two more days, so I'll take you around, to Mochou Lake and Zijin Mountain."

"No, I've been waiting for the results to be announced in the next few days. I've already visited those scenic spots with my fellow villagers. I'm going back to Beijing soon. Thank you very much for your kindness, Manager Qiu." Min Xi politely declined his invitation.

When Shopkeeper Qiu learned that he was about to leave, he hurriedly bought some local specialties of Yingtian Prefecture and asked him to take them back. In addition to some for Min Xi, there were also some for Yun Ji and Yun Lin. He didn't spend much money, but he was full of sincerity. He was the most capable shopkeeper Min Xi had ever met.

It seems that there is a reason why the Yunxiang branch is doing well.

Min Xi was relieved, packed his luggage and set off on his journey home with Tao Xing and Diego. He did not return to Jurong County, but took a boat from Nanjing to Zhenjiang along the river, and then took a boat from Zhenjiang back to the capital. If he could pass the college entrance examination, he would return to his hometown to worship his parents.

Just two days after Min Xi sent the letter, they set out for Beijing. As a result, they arrived in Beijing before the letter arrived.

After the three of them got off the Shichahai Pier, they hired a carriage and went straight home.

The concierge was overjoyed to see Min Xi coming back: "Master Min, you are finally back! Every time I come back, I always ask if you are back or if I have any letters from you. If you don't come back, I will go to Yingtianfu to pick you up."

Min Xi was happy in his heart, but he said, "Why is he in such a hurry? I have come all the way here, it must take me some time. Where is he? Is he at home or in the academy?"

"The master has not gone to the academy yet because he is waiting for you to come back. He happened to be not at home today and went to the weaving bureau." said the servant.

"What are you going to do at the weaving bureau?" Min Xi asked.

"The palace wants to purchase a batch of fabrics and has chosen our Yunxiang silk. The master has gone to negotiate with the weaving bureau." The servant explained.

Min Xi nodded: "I see. Where's Brother Lin?"

"Mr. Lin is studying at the Tao residence and will be back in the evening."

Min Xi walked in: "Tao Xing, go ask someone to prepare the bath water. I need to take a shower and change clothes. I will go to Tao's house to pick up Lin'er after school."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Tao Xing trotted inside.

Min Xi planned to pick up Lin'er from school right after taking a shower, but just as he finished showering and was drying his hair, Yun Ji rushed in. Yes, he rushed in, and slammed the open door and closed it.

As soon as Min Xi heard the noise and turned around, he was hugged. The familiar breath filled his nostrils. Min Xi couldn't help laughing: "Why are you back so soon?" As he said that, he raised his hand and hugged Yun Ji's waist.

Yun Ji held him tightly in his arms, and after a long while he spoke: "You are finally back!"

Min Xi patted his back and said, "Okay, let me go. I'm almost suffocating."

Yun Ji then reluctantly let him go, looked at him greedily, then took the handkerchief from his hand and wiped his hair: "You've lost weight."

"It's normal to lose weight because of the tiring journey and not eating well on the boat. It will be fine in a few days. You've lost some weight too. Are you too tired from the exams, or are you missing me so much that you can't eat?" Min Xi had a smile on his face.

Yun Ji sighed, "I think of you."

Min Xi didn't expect him to answer like this, and suddenly felt embarrassed: "How did you do in the exam? Didn't you get the first place?" In fact, he guessed that Yun Ji should not have gotten the first place, otherwise he would have come to find him a long time ago.

"No, the capital is full of talented people, and the first place in the case is someone else." Yun Ji said, "What about you? You have been tested in the palace, right?"

Min Xi chuckled: "I passed. I ranked no more, no less, tenth. I am barely ranked first."

Yun Ji was delighted: "I knew you could do it! You will definitely pass the college entrance examination."

"That's hard to say. The college entrance examination is a competition for candidates from all over Jiangsu, not just those from Yingtian Prefecture." Min Xi said, "I'm sure you'll have no problem. By the way, what was your ranking in the prefectural examination?"

Yun Ji said: "Second."

Min Xi excitedly grabbed his wrist and said, "Yeah, I told you that you can do it. You are better at studying than me."

"You are not bad. You have only studied for such a short time, but you have already ranked among the top students in Yingtian Prefecture. If you study for a longer time, it won't be difficult for you to pass the imperial examinations."

"Let's stop flattering each other." Min Xi laughed, "Help me dry my hair quickly, I'm going to pick up Lin'er. Is Lin'er behaving well lately?"

"He's quite well behaved, but he always tells me that second brother doesn't do it this way, he does it that way. Second brother is better than eldest brother in every way, so he must be very happy that you're back." Yun Ji said sourly.

"Oh, are you jealous of me?" Min Xi teased.

"That's not the case. I just feel relieved and happy that he likes you and trusts you so much." Yun Ji said sincerely.

"I've been with him longer than you have, and relationships need to be cultivated. You've been with him for the past six months, so he should be closer to you."

"That's right. You used to be respectful to me, but now you dare to challenge me." Yun Ji said.

"It means he has become familiar with you and is no longer shy with you. This is a good thing. His personality has also become more confident and cheerful. If he was still cautious and timid, you would be worried," said Min Xi.

Yun Ji thought what he said made sense and nodded in agreement.

The two of them chattered about what they had done since they last met until Min Xi's hair was dry, and then she tied it up and went to Tao's house together.

Before the school was over, Min Xi went to greet his grandmother. He also greeted his uncle Tao Lizhi and handed him Lou Zhuo's letter. After chatting about the Tongshi exam, Tao Lizhi nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Yingtian Prefecture has always been a strong prefecture for imperial examinations. You can stand out in the local area, so it won't be difficult for you to pass the exam."

"I will try my best!" Min Xi felt happy after being praised.

When the school was about to end, Min Xi went straight to the school to report the good news to his teacher. Without the teacher's guidance, he would definitely not have passed the county and prefectural examinations.

There was a naughty child in the class who was not concentrating on his studies. He glanced at Min Xi outside the door, and soon the news of Min Xi's return spread throughout the classroom. Yun Lin naturally knew about it too. He stretched his neck to look outside the door. Has his second brother really come back?

Seeing that everyone was inattentive, Min Xi thought that he was disrupting the class discipline, so he reported to Tao Hong, went straight into the classroom and sat next to Yun Lin.

Yun Lin couldn't suppress the smile on his face. If he wasn't in class, he would have pounced on Min Xi and screamed.

After waiting for a long time, the teacher finally said that the class was over. The whole classroom was in an uproar. Yun Lin rushed over screaming, "Second brother! Second brother! You're back!"

Min Xi hugged him tightly and said, "Oh, not bad. You've grown taller and fatter. You're a lot heavier than before I left. It seems you've been eating well."

Yun Lin hugged Min Xi's neck tightly and snuggled into his arms: "Second brother, I missed you so much, it's great that you're back!"