Chapter 19: When sleepiness comes, someone offers a pillow.

The top twenty of the entire Xihe Town?

Xihe Academy is not only famous in Xihe town but also throughout the entire Guangling Prefecture.

The academy has been established for over a hundred years and has produced more than ten top scorers in the imperial examinations, as well as numerous successful scholars, and even a high-ranking official.

Many people from other places come here out of admiration.

How well Gu Jingyun performs in his studies is not mentioned in the book.

“Thank you, I will go back and ask him.” Su Wan paid and left with the medicine.

Doctor Zhou escorted her to the door and warmly invited, “Young lady, if you are not practicing in another medical hall, would you like to stay and practice here at my humble place?”

Su Wan had other considerations but also left herself a way out, “I will think about it.”

“Okay, take your time to consider!” Doctor Zhou rubbed his hands eagerly. Su Wan didn’t refuse, so he still had a chance!

As soon as Su Wan left, a man in his forties or fifties arrived. He wore a square flat-topped hat^[1]Sifang pingding jin (四方平定巾) = Square flat-topped hat, First worn and named by Yang Weizhen. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased by its appearance and name, and ordered it to be used by … Continue reading, a white long robe with wide sleeves, with a short and wide black collar at the front of his garment. He exuded an air of elegance and scholarly temperament.

As soon as Doctor Zhou saw him, he recognized him as the Dean of Xihe Academy, Mr. Lin, and hurriedly went up to him. “What brings you here?”

Dean Lin, with the demeanor of a scholar, asked with extraordinary composure, “Is there an old man here, with snow-white hair and beard, around sixty or seventy years old, and a black mole on his cheekbone?”

“Yes, yes, yes! He fainted at the entrance of the medical hall today. His condition was very dangerous. If it weren’t for a young lady who helped him, he might have died.”

Doctor Zhou was very astute. Su Wan’s younger brother wanted to enter Xihe Academy, and she happened to save Dean Lin’s acquaintance. He immediately took the opportunity to seek credit, so that even if Su Wan’s brother couldn’t get in, he could ask Dean Lin to write a recommendation letter for him to study at another academy.

“Oh?” Dean Lin was surprised. “Which young lady?”

Doctor Zhou was caught off guard and smiled awkwardly. “I forgot to ask for her name. When she comes next time, I will ask about her situation and pass on a message to you.”

“Thank you.” Dean Lin went to visit the old man.

——

Su Wan was unaware of what happened after she left the medical hall. She carried a basket of mushrooms and planned to find a place to set up a stall.

But setting up a stall wasn’t a long-term business. If she wanted to earn money quickly, she would have to do business on her own.

She thought quickly and came up with an idea.

Su Wan paused and looked at the three-story restaurant in front of her.

It was lunchtime, and there were only a few scattered customers.

The shopkeeper and waiters were dozing off at the table.

The chef squatted at the doorstep, his gaze fixed on the opposite side.

She followed the chef’s gaze and turned her head to look. Just opposite was a newly opened restaurant with a thriving business. There were even people queuing up for a table.

A glint of light flashed in Su Wan’s eyes, her fingers tightened on the shoulder strap of her backpack, and she walked towards the quiet restaurant.

“Shopkeeper, I only have six copper coins on me. Can I borrow your kitchen to make a dish to eat? I also have a basket of chicken mushrooms here. For the remaining cost of the meal, can I use the chicken mushrooms to offset the bill?”

The shopkeeper, with sleepy eyes, stared at Su Wan’s beautiful and clear face. Her eyes were bright and lively, and she had a radiant smile on her face. She looked very sincere and likable.

He furrowed his brow and glanced at the empty restaurant that even flies didn’t bother to visit. He waved his hand and said, “Go ahead.”

“Thank you, shopkeeper!” Su Wan’s dark eyes scanned the restaurant, but unable to find the kitchen.

The shopkeeper instructed, “Jiang Baiwei, take her to the kitchen!”

The chef who had been squatting at the doorstep, reluctantly led Su Wan to the kitchen. He picked up a large kitchen knife and slammed it into the cutting board with a “bang.” Looking at Su Wan’s tender and delicate appearance, he sneered, “Do you know how to cook?”

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Tl note:

‘When sleepiness comes, someone offers a pillow.’

It means that everything goes so smoothly, whatever you want comes to you. It’s a metaphor for things going well.

The picture below is example for a square flat-topped hat