C9 Opening the Shop

Back at the Jing Mansion.

Jing Bao didn't bother with studying; instead, he headed straight to his mother, Mrs. Lu's room.

Entering the room, he found Mrs. Lu sitting alone at the table with her dinner untouched: a plate of mixed vegetables, a dish of delicate fish fillets, a bowl of rich, braised pork, and half a bowl of rice porridge.

Seeing Jing Bao, she instructed the maid to clear the table.

Jing Bao sat beside her. "Mother, is the food not to your liking?"

"It's too greasy!" Mrs. Lu dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "It's nothing like the light dishes we have down south."

"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss. Today, while dining with Brother-in-law and Cousin, I also found the food too heavy. So, I thought, why don't we open a restaurant here, serving the lighter southern cuisine?"

Mrs. Lu looked slightly concerned. "If the Marquis Mansion were as it used to be, this wouldn't be an issue. Just a matter of spending some money to hire chefs from back home, but now..."

"Now is just like before!" Jing Bao smiled. "Our Jing family is still respected in the south, and Second Uncle is still in the government. What do we have to fear? Besides, should we just stop doing anything because we're not at the Marquis Mansion anymore? You won't need to spend a dime on this restaurant, Mother. I'll have my three sisters invest, and any profit will be their own spending money."

Mrs. Lu seemed to realize something: "You want to help them..."

Jing Bao handed her a cup of hot tea. "Mother, you can't always rely on others. A woman shouldn't always have to ask a man for money."

Mrs. Lu took the teacup, thinking about the family businesses. Outsiders might think her husband managed them, but it was all Bao's ideas, and they never lost money. She smiled and said, "Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your studies."

This was her way of agreeing.

Jing Bao's eyes crinkled with a smile. "It never has before, and it won't in the future."

Back in the study, Jing Bao asked Mann to prepare the ink and wrote four letters in one go—one to her father in Lin’an and three to her sisters.

Yan delivered the letters overnight.

When her eldest sister, Jing Ruosu, received her letter, she read it over and over. As she was deep in thought, she heard someone announce that her husband had returned. She quickly tucked the letter under her pillow and went out to greet him.

However, in her haste, a corner of the letter was left sticking out. When she returned from preparing hot water with her maid, she found her husband lounging on the bed, reading it with great interest.

Jing Ruosu's expression darkened as she moved to snatch it back.

Wu Chenggang quickly handed it back, laughing. "I know of a great spot for a restaurant. I'll ask around for you."

Jing Ruosu felt a surge of joy but kept her face composed. "It's not very gentlemanly to read someone else's mail, you know."

Wu Chenggang quickly said, "How about I try to negotiate a better price for us, honey?"

Jing Ruosu chuckled, "In that case, I'll thank you on behalf of our Seventh Master."

Wu Chenggang waved his hand dismissively, "At dinner today, he ate more than half the dishes. I thought he liked them, but it turns out he secretly complained about the food and insisted on opening his own place. Plus, he got you and your three sisters to chip in. Your Seventh Master sure knows how to work the system!"

Jing Ruosu thought to herself, "What do you know? My brother is just helping us sisters earn some money and confidence!"

...

Finally, the day of the Imperial College exam arrived.

The candidates gathered at the entrance, waiting.

When the time came, an official started calling out names from the roster.

When Jing Bao's name was called, she straightened her clothes and looked up, noticing several scholars covering their mouths, snickering.

"A grown man with a name like Jing Bao? Sounds a bit soft!"

"Looks like he hasn't weaned off yet!"

"With that face, the name suits him!"

Jing Bao ignored them and walked in with confidence.

Inside, she found her seat by the window and, glancing up, unexpectedly locked eyes with someone who seemed to be smirking.

It was a young man dressed in fine clothes.

He was tall with the sharp features typical of youth, but his eyes were constantly darting around, giving off an air of restlessness.

Their eyes met, and Jing Bao gave a slight nod. The young man, however, turned his head with a dismissive flick, nearly rolling his eyes to the heavens. Jing Bao was left speechless, managing only a wry smile in response.

As the examinees trickled in, the proctors took their seats one by one. To prevent any cheating, the exam supplies—pens, ink, paper, and inkstones—were all provided by the college.

Jing Bao sat down and began to grind the ink. With each circle, she felt her mind calm. When the exam questions were distributed, she took a moment to glance over them. Yes, they were all within her grasp.

The bell rang, and a proctor cleared his throat, signaling the start of the exam. Jing Bao dipped her pen into the ink, but as she applied pressure, the tip snapped off with a soft "snap." She broke into a cold sweat and quickly raised her hand. "Sir, my pen is broken. I need a replacement!"

Chief Examiner Shen Changgeng looked startled. He retrieved a spare pen and instructed an assistant to deliver it. Jing Bao accepted it politely, but as soon as she dipped it in ink and began to write, "snap," it broke again.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she held up the bare pen shaft, exasperated. "Sir, this pen... it's just not working!"

Shen Changgeng coughed awkwardly. "Ahem... ahem... ahem..."

Which state recommended this person? Surely, they weren't sent here just to cause trouble!

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