There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 327 Ice and Fire Reversal

Li Shuchen sighed and said, "The second one is like being scolded by officials during roll call, like a prisoner."

Li Lingxiao and Xiao Xiuyuan checked their clothes and belongings again to make sure everything was in order before saying they were going to queue up.

Li Shuchen: "Wait a moment, let me take Ziying back to the carriage first."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ziying followed Li Shuchen to the carriage. Once she boarded...

Li Shuchen turned back and handed the oil-paper umbrella to Li Lingxiao: "Xiao'er, hurry up and line up. I'll watch you go in from the carriage."

After saying that, he covered his head with his sleeve and ran back to the carriage.

"Shu Chen, let me wipe away the raindrops for you."

Gu Ziying gently wiped away every drop of water from Li Shuchen's body.

Li Shuchen remained obediently still.

"Ziying is so wonderful, I can't bear to let her get married."

Gu Ziying smiled shyly upon hearing this: "Shu Chen is being cheeky again."

Li Shuchen: "Oh dear, with Young Master Xiao's talent, passing the imperial examination will be no problem for him. If he comes to propose marriage then, how could Ziying possibly refuse?"

Gu Ziying's earlobes turned slightly red: "If he is willing to come and ask for my hand in marriage, I will have my father agree. If he does ask for my hand in marriage in the future, I will focus on doing a good job in business."

Li Shuchen slapped his thigh happily and said, "Good Ziying, let's make more money and save more capital, so we can live a carefree and unrestrained life!"

Gu Ziying smiled and said, "Mm."

"Hey, Ziying saw them go inside..."

Li Shuchen pointed to the entrance of the examination hall

Gu Ziying then looked over and said, "Now I can rest assured."

Li Shuchen: "The rest is up to them."

Grape: "Miss, has the third one arrived yet?"

Li Shuchen: "The third similarity is that after entering the cell, heads stick out through the holes, like a cold front at the end of autumn."

Gu Ziying: "Each cell had a head sticking out, peeking frequently; it was desolate and bleak—a fitting metaphor indeed."

Li Shuchen chuckled.

"Let's go back. We'll go check on the cotton when the weather clears up."

Gu Ziying: "Okay"

That night, the rain intensified, accompanied by thunder. The trees swayed violently in the wind, making it impossible to sleep, let alone write down any answers.

Li Shuchen couldn't sleep, so she put on a robe and leaned against the headboard.

Grape entered the room with a lantern: "Miss, were you awakened by the thunder?"

Li Shuchen shook his head.

Grape: "That means they're worried about the young master. But with the bamboo curtain, clothes, and candles carefully prepared by the young lady, he'll surely get through the night smoothly."

Li Shuchen: "Hmm"

Grape: "Miss, go to sleep. Perhaps the weather will clear up tomorrow."

A promise made becomes a prophecy

The next day, when Li Shuchen woke up, he saw the blazing sun hanging in the sky, its strong rays shining directly on the earth, and people wiping away beads of sweat from the heat.

Grape brought in breakfast: "Last night it rained heavily and was cold and damp, but today the sun is so strong it's suffocating."

Li Shuchen stood up and sat down at the table: "The weather is still like this in August; it's just that the examinees are going to have a tough time."

Grape: "Yes, the sudden change from hot to cold might make me sick. Luckily, young master has the ginseng that young lady prepared."

"Um"

Li Shuchen lowered his head to eat, his thoughts drifting unconsciously to Li Lingxiao, wondering if he was alright at that moment.

"Deng deng deng"

Princess Changning walked quickly to the table, sat down, and placed a brocade box on it.

Li Shuchen: "Going to the cotton farm today?"

"No, the workers said it will take two days for them all to ripen."

After Princess Changning finished speaking, she opened the brocade box and pushed it in front of Li Shuchen.

"How do you like the colorful gemstone headdress I made for you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen picked up the hair ornament and examined it closely. The sides were inlaid with small gemstones such as aquamarine, amethyst, ruby, and emerald, while the center featured a dazzling yellow diamond the size of a pigeon's egg.

The matching necklace and earrings are also made of thumb-sized yellow diamonds and other gemstones.

The extravagance left Li Shuchen speechless: "Changning, you gave me all the colored gemstones?"

Princess Changning rested her chin on her hand: "Anyway, I've already gotten all the yellow diamonds from my uncle the Emperor."

Li Shuchen pushed the brocade box back: "It's too precious. How much silver would it cost to buy this?"

Princess Changning was furious when she saw the brocade box being pushed back. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

"Li Shuchen, what are you doing? I accepted the ten thousand taels of silver for a bottle of rose essential oil, but you must accept this set of jewelry, and you must wear it for me to see, otherwise you are looking down on me and don't want to be my friend."

Li Shuchen: "Changning, running Aiyoutang has been tough for you. Use this money to think more about yourself."

Princess Changning's attitude changed immediately upon hearing this. She obediently sat down and looked at Li Shuchen with starry eyes.

"Are you worried about me? Don't worry, Aiyoutang has enough money. I've taken all the money Baoguige earned. Wear this with peace of mind. I have to go now, I'll come back in a couple of days to pick you up to go to the cotton farm."

"and many more"

Li Shuchen called out to Princess Changning.

Princess Changning stopped in her tracks.

"what happened?"

Li Shuchen: "I was busy the other day and forgot to send you the portrait. Since you're here today, you can take it with you, Grape."

Upon hearing this, Grape brought the portrait and handed it to Princess Changning.

Princess Changning opened and viewed

"Excellent, exactly the same as the one drawn that day."

Li Shuchen: "Keep it safe."

Princess Changning nodded: "I will hang it in my bedroom, and see it as I fall asleep every day, so that I can remember you all firmly in my heart."

"it is good"

After seeing Princess Changning off, Li Shuchen went downstairs to continue selling steamed buns, and continued doing so for five consecutive days.

The incident involving the autumn imperial examination meals and the story of the strong scholar buying thirty-six steamed buns for the exam earned her a considerable number of customers.

I've made quite a bit of money selling steamed buns these past few days; the flour in the warehouse is almost gone.

"Giddy up! Whoa!"

Princess Changning's carriage stopped in front of the Happiness Inn.

Li Shuchen clapped his hands and stepped forward: "Greetings to Princess Changning."

Princess Changning climbed out of the carriage and said, "Alright, enough with the formalities, get up quickly."

Li Shuchen chuckled twice and stood up: "There are too many people, we can't be impolite. I'll go and call Lady Gu to come with us."

Princess Changning: "I've already called Ziying; she'll be here shortly. Please get in the carriage first."

"coming"

Li Shuchen stepped onto the carriage in one swift motion. The carriage was filled with ice cubes, making it incredibly cool and refreshing—much more comfortable than when she was selling steamed buns at the door.

"handy"

Princess Changning chuckled and said, "Look at you! You could be comfortably lying inside, but you insist on standing under the scorching sun selling steamed buns."

"Oh dear, it's all for a living; selling steamed buns can make money too."

He then popped a piece of chilled watermelon into his mouth.

"good to eat"

Princess Changning lifted the carriage curtain and glanced back: "Ziying is here, let's go."

Li Shuchen leaned out of the car window and waved to Gu Ziying.

"Go, go."

He closed the carriage curtain, returned to his original position, and began eating grapes.

With plenty of food and drink along the way, we arrived at Princess Changning's Cotton Estate in comfort and delight.

A carriage drove into the manor

Li Shuchen lifted the carriage curtain to look at the cotton.

"The cotton is growing very well. The fields of white cotton look like thick winter snow. We don't need to worry about the children at Aiyoutang having enough winter clothes and blankets this year."

Princess Changning: "It is indeed lush, but it's a bit strange."

Li Shuchen: "What's strange about it?"

"look"

Princess Changning pointed to a cotton field and said, "The cotton plants here are short and the cotton bolls are small and sparse, unlike the tall and lush cotton fields elsewhere."