mtl008 Chapter 384 Preparing for the Imperial Examination
Chapter 384 Preparing for the Imperial Examination
"Never mind, I'm a little hungry. I'll think of something after I've eaten."
"Alright, I'm a little hungry too," Princess Changning called out to the outside, "Pearl, bring lunch."
One meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one tofu soup
The chicken in the meat dish could be counted on one hand, and the vegetable dish consisted of stir-fried radish and a few pieces of tofu floating in the tofu soup.
It's nothing like the variety of dishes I ate before.
Li Shuchen picked up his chopsticks, hesitated for a long time, and asked, "Are you short of money lately? Why are you eating so frugally?"
"We don't lack anything. Thanks to the Tenth Prince, many high-ranking officials and nobles have recently donated money, and the amounts are quite substantial."
"If you eat all this, I'd think you were going to go bankrupt."
"The seasons are almost changing, and it's time to prepare spring clothes for the kids. I'm not sure if I'll have enough money, so I'm thinking of saving some now, and if I do, I'll treat myself to something nice."
After Princess Changning finished speaking, she took a sip of tofu soup.
Li Shuchen felt a mix of emotions. She was clearly the most noble and only princess of the Purple Star Dynasty, and should have been living a life of luxury and ease.
I shouldn't be living this kind of life
Even when helping others, one should not lower one's own standard of living.
He paused for a moment, then spoke.
Aiyoutang publicly announced that it would distribute free mosquito repellent to refresh and invigorate the mind.
Princess Changning, who was picking up food with her chopsticks, stopped and stared at Li Shuchen with a bewildered expression: "What did you say? Free?"
"Yes, it's free, but there's a condition: only those who donate at least twenty taels of silver to the Aiyoutang can receive it, and each person is limited to one bottle."
"Oh, that scared me to death!" Princess Changning patted her chest. "I thought you were up to no good."
"You're too thin, it doesn't look good. You'll lack the air of a noblewoman. Don't try to get too thin. I don't like a Princess Changning who's too thin."
"Ugh, you're clearly trying to comfort me, but you say it so coldly. You're just so stubborn."
I'm serious.
"Okay, okay, I'll be careful and make sure I don't lose weight. But your idea is good; there are currently over 500 people who have donated more than 20 taels of silver in the account."
"This afternoon, we're making a big fuss with gongs and drums, issuing a notice, and telling them to come and collect it first thing tomorrow morning."
"No problem, I'll instruct someone to prepare it after we've had our meal."
The next morning
Li Shuchen arrived at the Aiyoutang early and helped out at the booth where free mosquito repellent spray was being distributed. By then, a long queue had already formed in front of the booth.
"Don't cut in line, everyone gets one. As long as you donate twenty taels of silver to the Aiyoutang, you can get one bottle for free. Only one bottle per person."
"Servants who are leading the household, please state your master's name. Those who have not donated, or whose donation is less than twenty taels of silver, please leave immediately. If your name is not on the bill, then try how hard my stick is."
The wooden stick hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust, and the people in the group became much quieter.
"Miss Li, I donated fifteen taels of silver before. If I donate another five taels of silver, can I get a bottle for free?"
A middle-aged man dressed as a student asked
Li Shuchen recognized him. It was Fan Jin, who had taken the imperial examinations multiple times, finally passing at the age of forty. His journey had been far from easy.
"At the donation office of Scholar Fan, donate another five taels of silver and you can receive a free bottle of refreshing and invigorating liquid."
"it is good"
Fan Jin walked to the donation station
"Name"
"Fan Jin donated fifteen taels of silver before last year's autumn imperial examination."
The person in charge of auditing the accounts flipped through the ledgers, and after confirming that the information was correct, nodded to the person in charge of bookkeeping.
"That's right"
"How much more do you want to donate?"
"Fifteen taels of silver"
"Alright, Fan Jin, for a total donation of thirty taels of silver, you can receive a free bottle of refreshing mosquito repellent."
"Thank you very much"
Li Shuchen handed him a bottle with both hands.
"Sir Fan, we have received your kind offer from the children of Aiyoutang. They will be wearing their new spring clothes to wish you success in the imperial examinations."
Fan Jin's eyes were slightly red.
Thank you, children.
"I want to donate too, Miss Li. I'm just three taels of silver short of getting a free bottle."
"And me, I'm only one tael or two away from receiving it."
"I'll donate twenty taels of silver to help provide new clothes for the children for the Spring Festival."
"Whether the elixir is miraculous or not is unimportant; what matters is that the children have new clothes to wear for the New Year. I will donate fifty taels of silver."
I will donate eighty taels of silver.
"I'll donate one hundred taels of silver just so I can hear the children wishing me success in the imperial examinations."
"Please line up in an orderly fashion," Li Shuchen said happily as he ran into the hall, about to carry a basket of the scientific expedition elixir.
Princess Changning winked at her.
"It has to be you, Li Shuchen, who got so many people to donate with just a few words."
"Mainly, they are kind-hearted and want to bring good luck; it's a win-win situation, isn't it wonderful?"
"That's because you're so capable; I'll make you roast chicken for lunch."
"Hey, the mention of roast chicken gives me even more energy," Li Shuchen said, picking up two baskets of refreshing and invigorating liquid and placing them at the distribution point.
After a busy day, in the evening
Princess Changning looked at the account book with her eyebrows arched.
"They actually gave away over three thousand bottles, far more than I expected."
"With over 500 people attending today, plus many others just for the fun, we gave away quite a few gifts. We don't expect that many more people to come later."
"Send as much as you can. I need to find an embroiderer to make new clothes for the children. I'll go tomorrow."
I was busy from the second day of the second lunar month until the eighth day of the second lunar month.
Aiyoutang and Baoguige sold a total of over 8,000 bottles of refreshing and invigorating liquid.
Princess Changning was happy, and Li Shuchen was happy too. The two of them looked at the account book and laughed like fools.
"Oh no!" Princess Changning suddenly exclaimed.
"What's wrong with that? We've already sold a lot. We can save the rest for the imperial examination; we'll definitely be able to sell them."
“That’s not what I meant. I meant your profit sharing. We agreed that I’d give you half of the money from the sales, but now most of it has gone to donations. I’m not happy about that…”
Li Shuchen waved his hand and said, "It's nothing. The inn made a lot of money last year, more than we could spend. I don't need money. Besides, we use the money to help where it's needed. Aiyoutang doesn't need any money from me."
"Wouldn't you lose money on your medicinal herb costs?"
"It's worth it, don't worry."
What's the loss? Little Jizi's is very cheap.
"I'll give you the proceeds from the sale of Baogui Pavilion first, and the rest will be a loan from me."
Princess Changning took the abacus, made a few turns, and got the answer.
"Precious Pavilion has sold a total of 622 bottles in the past few days, making a profit of 12,440 taels of silver. You will receive 6,220 taels of silver."
After saying that, he searched through the money box, counted the silver notes, and handed them to Li Shuchen.
"Take it, you can't refuse. You said even close sisters should keep clear accounts. We're good friends, but we still need to be clear about our finances."
Li Shuchen reluctantly accepted it.
"You seem to remember what I said very well."
"Because I think they all make a lot of sense."
Of course there's truth to that; it's all based on years of experience summarized by our ancestors.
"Tomorrow is the ninth day of the lunar month, and Xiao'er will be taking the imperial examination. I'll go back and prepare first."
"Go quickly, the imperial examination is a major event, and my uncle the emperor is short of people to serve under him."
The fast horse arrived at the Li residence.
Li Shuchen alighted from the carriage and entered the courtyard, where he saw that Li Lingxiao had already prepared his luggage.
"Sister is here, are you worried about Xiao'er?" Li Lingxiao smiled sweetly. "Xiao'er isn't stupid, she already has experience in the imperial examinations. Sister can check if she's missing anything."