After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Liu Feng, who was about to close his shop and go home, was terrified upon seeing this and hurriedly stepped forward to help him up: "Scholar, please get up! I cannot accept such a great honor!"

He was quite surprised by Wen Tingzhu's arrival. To this day, everyone knows that the man before him is the top scholar personally selected by the current emperor, and he even caught a glimpse of the grand spectacle of him riding through the streets on horseback that day.

He was still amazed at the time. Just the day before, he was a poor student in his shop, struggling to make ends meet and reluctant to even drink a cup of tea. Today, he was a dignified and handsome top scholar. It truly lived up to the saying, "Riding a horse in the spring breeze, one can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day!"

Today, the top scholar, dressed in fine clothes, is giving him such a grand salute. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was incredibly arrogant!

Wen Tingzhu still insisted on completing the bow, his voice filled with undisguised gratitude: "Shopkeeper, there's no need to refuse. I've been troubled by your kindness these past few days, and I am deeply grateful."

Before the other party could reply, he added, "It's just a small gift; compared to the care the shop has given us these past few days, it's really insignificant."

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng knew that the other party was sincere. Refusing further would seem like being distant, so he smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "It's just a trivial matter. I didn't do anything special. It's all thanks to your exceptional talent and diligence that you have achieved this glory today!"

Wen Tingzhu did not say anything more; some things don't need to be said.

But during those days, the extra tea and snacks, the ever-flowing hot tea, and even the candlelight when we sometimes forgot to leave, always warmed the years.

"In any case, Mr. Wen did receive some care, so I came here today, firstly to express my gratitude, and secondly to deliver this."

As he spoke, Wen Tingzhu took out a purse from his sleeve and handed it to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng was taken aback, unsure whether he should accept it.

Wen Tingzhu spoke gently: "Shopkeeper, please don't refuse. I was short of money back then and shamelessly accepted many kind offers. Now that I have the money, it's natural that I can't keep delaying payment."

Liu Feng looked at the top scholar. His thin body looked somewhat weak, but his upright posture easily reminded people of the green cypress growing on the edge of a cliff. No matter which way the wind blows, he is resilient and fearless of dangers!

That's why he was discovered among the students and secretly taken care of.

Such a person, once they've made up their mind about something, probably won't give up easily!

He then accepted the purse and said with a smile, "Then thank you very much, Scholar!"

As expected, he saw the top scholar reveal a relieved smile.

I thought to myself, they're still young, their emotions are so straightforward!

Since the other party is so concerned about this matter...

"I have another matter to ask of the top scholar."

"What is it? Shopkeeper, please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost."

Wen Tingzhu looked very serious.

"You, the top scholar, are sure you can accomplish this. I've seen that you have excellent handwriting, so I've taken the liberty of requesting a piece of your calligraphy to add some luster to my little shop!"

This was really not a difficult matter, and Wen Tingzhu readily agreed.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up his brush and wrote down the three characters "Zhuangyuanju" (状元居).

Liu Feng couldn't take his eyes off the calligraphy at first sight. In all his experience, he had never seen such fine calligraphy. The strokes were fluid and coherent, and most importantly, it exuded a powerful aura.

He immediately said, "The scholar's calligraphy is truly excellent. I wonder if I could have it made into a plaque so that my little shop can share in the good fortune!"