Chapter 219 2/3

Du Yongning glanced at Li Qingzhi and said, “Yes, I’ve had it.”

“And how do you find the taste, Brother Du?”

“It’s delicious. When I was in Jiang’an Province, I loved eating Juewei Zhai’s braised food,” Du Yongning replied.

“Jiang’an Province?” the person asked curiously.

“Yes, Juewei Zhai is originally from our Jiang’an Province,” another scholar from Jiang’an explained. “It’s not as expensive there as it is here.”

“That’s true,” another scholar agreed.

“I used to love Juewei Zhai’s braised food, but with its current price, I can’t afford it anymore!”

In Jiang’an Province, not every place had Juewei Zhai, but because Jin Xiaoye had opened two shops in the provincial capital and many restaurants there ordered braised food from Juewei Zhai, most of the scholars who came to the capital for the exams had tried it.

“Juewei Zhai is from Jiang’an Province. How did it end up opening in the capital?” a curious scholar from another province asked.

Du Yongning explained, “Because Li Zixiao came to the capital!”

“And what does Li Zixiao have to do with it?” the crowd asked in curiosity.

Du Yongning said, “Juewei Zhai is owned by Li Zixiao’s wife.”

Everyone looked at Li Qingzhi in surprise and, amid their astonishment, began to ask, “Brother Li, Juewei Zhai sells cheap in Jiang’an Province, so why is it so expensive in the capital?”

Li Qingzhi used the reason he had prepared in advance, “The spices needed to make the braised food are mostly from the south. Transporting them to the capital costs a lot, doubling the price. Moreover, the prices of chicken and duck in the capital are higher, and the rent for the shop is much more than in Jiang’an Province…”

This reason was plausible, and everyone accepted it. However, a few cheerful scholars who were on good terms with Li Qingzhi clamored for him to treat them to Juewei Zhai’s braised food.

Li Qingzhi agreed with a smile, promising to bring some braised food to the next gathering for everyone to taste.

Li Qingzhi was naturally good at making friends, and those who were close to him eagerly told him what they wanted to eat, making the atmosphere lively.

At the same time, none of the scholars present, including Du Yongning, noticed that Li Qingzhi’s eyebrows had slightly changed from before.

While Juewei Zhai was thriving, two new shops opened in the capital. One specialized in selling jewelry, and the other sold cosmetics, including an expensive and effective cleansing powder. This powder not only cleaned the face and hands thoroughly but also left a pleasant fragrance.

Of course, the price was not cheap!

Both shops were owned by the Duke of Yan, with Qian Fugui managing them. The shops’ business was booming from the start.

The Duke of Yan, seeing this, believed that bringing Qian Fugui to help him make money was the right decision. Qian Fugui truly had the Midas touch, especially good at making money.

Had he continued managing Yulong Trading Company and if his family hadn’t been in trouble, Yulong Trading Company might still be thriving! All because of Lü Qingxi!

But now, Lü Qingxi must be feeling very uncomfortable, as Qi An in the palace had been ruined.

Even if the child survived, with his face disfigured by burns, Qi An would never become emperor!

It was a pity that the Duke’s informants in the palace were almost entirely eliminated this time. But it was worth it since Qi An was ruined.

The Duke of Yan gave Qian Fugui some more silver, instructing him to hire more craftsmen to make cosmetics and cleansing powders before letting him leave.

After Qian Fugui left, the Duke’s advisor said, “Your Highness, many scholars have gathered in the capital now… You could go and talk to them.”

Although Prince Jin had a bad temper, the Duke of Yan was known for his gentle and approachable demeanor.

For many years, the Duke of Yan had maintained this facade, connecting with low-ranking officials in the capital and winning over many people.

Now, with so many scholars in the capital, it was time for the Duke of Yan to show his magnanimity again.

The Duke did not oppose this and asked his advisor, “Are there many scholars worth befriending?”

The advisor replied, “Not as many as three years ago. With the current turmoil in the capital, those from wealthy backgrounds have not come for the exams, waiting for the special imperial exam in the future…”

When a new emperor ascends the throne, they often hold a special imperial exam.

Everyone knew the emperor would not live long… For scholars with some insight into court affairs, taking the imperial exam early next year might get them into trouble. It was better to wait until the new emperor stabilized the situation and then take the special exam.

For the Duke of Yan, those with backgrounds were the ones he most wanted to win over!

Since these scholars were not in the capital, there were naturally fewer scholars to win over.

But there were still some!

The Duke’s advisor took out a list, and on it, Li Qingzhi’s name was at the top!

The Duke of Yan was curious, “Who is this Li Zixiao? I haven’t heard of him before.”

“He is the top scholar of Jiang’an Province. It is said that Governor Zhang appreciates him very much. His essays are excellent, and he has a good chance of ranking high in this imperial exam.”

“Governor Zhang…” The Duke of Yan became interested in Li Qingzhi.

Meanwhile, Lü Qingxi had left the palace again.

After Consort Liu returned to the palace, there were many matters to attend to, so he stayed in the palace for a few days, only coming out today.

In fact, if Li Zhu hadn’t sent him a message that Lu Mingshan had been found, he might not have come out.

When Li Zhu saw Lü Qingxi, she said, “Master, I’ve found Lu Mingshan.”

“Have you found the person I asked you to look for?” Lü Qingxi asked.

Li Zhu replied, “Master, we haven’t found the right person yet.”

Lü Qingxi knew it was normal not to find someone resembling the emperor, but he was still a bit disappointed.

After seeing Qi An, the emperor’s health seemed to worsen, and he had trouble sleeping these past few days. This was one reason Lü Qingxi hadn’t left the palace.

According to the imperial doctor, even with proper care, the emperor might only live for another year… Lü Qingxi had to act quickly.

“Bring Lu Mingshan in,” Lü Qingxi said.

Lu Mingshan was being held outside. Only Li Zhu came to report, so Lü Qingxi sent his guards to bring him in.

As the guards left, Li Zhu said, “Master, that Lu Mingshan is a fraud. You wouldn’t believe it, but he’s been hiding all this time because he’s afraid he can’t predict people’s fortunes.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“What about the incident at the plum appreciation gathering? Did you ask him about it?”

“Well…” Li Zhu was embarrassed.

“What did he say?” Lü Qingxi asked.

Li Zhu replied, “Master, he said he doesn’t know anything.”

Doesn’t know anything? Did Li Zhu catch the wrong person?

As Lü Qingxi pondered this, a Taoist priest with a divine appearance, half of his hair white and the other half black, was brought in.

Seeing this man, Lü Qingxi felt a bit dazed.

Just looking at this person made one feel he had real skills.

Could this really be a fraud?

Lü Qingxi, who was not superstitious, almost believed Lu Mingshan had real skills upon seeing him.

Then… this seemingly skilled Lu Mingshan knelt as soon as he saw Lü Qingxi, “Master, I really don’t know anything, I know nothing! Master, please let me go! Master, I was wrong!”

He kowtowed while crying miserably, looking pitiful.

Lü Qingxi’s expression froze, his mouth twitching.

But after the initial discomfort, Lü Qingxi’s eyes showed a keen interest as he looked at Lu Mingshan again.