The launch of the herbal tea became an instant hit.

Li Zhiyue called for Li Qingsong, asking him to arrange a few reliable people to go to Yuzhou and buy more Li Mengzi (a type of herb) for her.

On this scorching summer day, having a sip of refreshing lemon water felt more comfortable than being a god.

Moreover, Li Mengzi was cheap, easy to store, and could last for about a month.

If it couldn’t be stored any longer, it could be sliced and made into honey lemon, or dried to make lemon slices, which would still last for a while. In any case, buying more would never go to waste.

In the evening, before the sun had set, Li Zhiyue was ready to head back.

At dinner, Li Suifeng hesitated and then spoke, “Father, there’s something that may require your presence.”

Old Marquis put down his chopsticks. “What is it?”

“Zhen’s wife has a nephew, a good student, who wants to enter Yanshan Academy. I specifically selected several treasures from the storeroom to send to the dean, but not only did he refuse to meet me, he threw everything I sent away,” Li Suifeng said, looking quite embarrassed. “It seems only you can try now.”

Old Marquis frowned. “Scholars hate gifts like these. What you sent was sure to be unwelcome. By the way, I remember Yanshan Academy has admitted many poor scholars in the past. As long as the essay is good, they accept anyone. Why not just send the boy’s essay?”

Li Suifeng took out a piece of paper from his pocket. “I did, but it was thrown out along with the treasures.”

Li Muyun felt dizzy. “Such a good essay, and Yanshan Academy rejected it? Then it’s over; my essays are even worse than this…”

Li Zhiyue took a glance at the essay.

On the surface, the essay seemed fine, but it was mostly filled with fancy words and lacked depth.

The argument was shallow, with no in-depth analysis of current politics, and it was full of utilitarianism. No wonder Yanshan Academy didn’t approve of it.

“Dean Xu is extremely aloof. It’s impossible to get in through the back door,” Old Marquis said, though he didn’t understand the essay.

Since it had been rejected, it must not have passed the mark.

Even if he begged for the favor, it wouldn’t work.

He recalled how, when he was young, he had been reprimanded several times by this Dean Xu for not working hard.

A person with such high standards could only be conquered with talent.

Clearly, Zhen’s nephew had talent, but not enough of it.

“Even the heir of a royal family wouldn’t be spared if Dean Xu didn’t like them. He wouldn’t be swayed by power,” Old Marquis thought for a moment and then said, “Nan Yu Academy in the capital is also excellent. Let Zhen’s nephew go there instead. We will arrange it from the Marquis’s side.”

Li Suifeng sighed, feeling that this was the only option.

Bai Ruzhu called the steward, Li Bo, and asked him to go to Guihua Alley to deliver the message.

“What?” Madam Zhen’s face was full of disbelief. “Wasn’t it decided that he would enter Yanshan Academy? How can it be Nan Yu Academy now? How can the Marquis go back on his word?”

Li Bo lowered his head and said, “Yanshan Academy only accepts students based on their essays, and the Marquis has no way of helping.”

The implication was that the essay wasn’t good enough, so even the Marquis couldn’t help.

Madam Zhen opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.

Li Bo bowed and left.

“I don’t think it’s that he can’t help; he simply doesn’t want to,” Lu Jingxue said with a mocking smile. “He thinks that the Lu family is weak and the Zhen family is insignificant, so he just brushes us off.”

“Indeed, cousin is right!” Madam Zhen’s nephew, Zhen Heng, stormed in, his youthful face filled with indignation. “My essays are no worse than anyone else’s. As long as I get my essay in front of Dean Xu, he will certainly make an exception for me.

Even if Dean Xu thinks it’s still lacking, as long as the Marquis sends some gifts, surely even an academy would give the Marquis face? To put it plainly, they just don’t want to help! Uncle should never have risked his life for people like them!”

Madam Zhen sighed. “Nan Yu Academy isn’t bad either. Heng’er, you should just…”

“No!” Zhen Heng coldly said, “Nan Yu Academy hasn’t produced a single top scholar in the past century. Going there will only bury my talent!”

Lu Jingxue spoke gently, “The current Minister of Justice, Lord Cheng, didn’t attend either Yanshan Academy or Nan Yu Academy, yet he rose to prominence entirely through his own efforts, even winning all three imperial examinations. I believe that as long as you have talent, you can succeed anywhere.”

“Such a gifted person comes once in a hundred years. Though I, your cousin, am excellent, I’m not as good as Lord Cheng,” Zhen Heng said, emphasizing each word. “The Marquis may neglect my future, but he will certainly neglect your marriage too. It’s better to rely on family than others.”

He kneeled down, “I know there’s another way. As long as there’s enough money, I can get into Yanshan Academy. Please, aunt, help me, and when I become successful, I will repay you greatly!”

..

Li Zhiyue was unaware of all of this.

Taking advantage of the popularity of the herbal tea, she once again launched a new product.

This time, it was red bean milk tea and shaved ice milk pudding, which were undoubtedly well-loved by the consumers.

Much like in modern society, young people, especially women, were the main consumers of milk tea.

This group could drink a cup a day without ever getting tired of it.

But Li Zhiyue was worried they might get tired.

Additionally, with Jiang’s Tea House eyeing her business, she needed to keep innovating.

She had to stay ahead of the competition to keep Li’s Tea House invincible.

“The milk foam still lacks something,” Li Zhiyue tasted the new product. “Qiao Jia, adjust the proportions and try again.”

Qiao Jia nodded and was about to get back to work.

Li Zhiyue then realized that it had already gotten dark outside.

Luckily, she had already arranged for someone to pass the message back, so her family wouldn’t be waiting for her dinner.

Otherwise, they would have been anxious.

In her previous life, she wasn’t a workaholic and would leave on time every day.

How did she forget the time when working in this ancient world?

Maybe it’s because she’s working for herself?

“Let’s call it a day for now. Pack up and head home,” she said.

“Yes, Miss!”

Shopkeeper Chen happily came over to report the earnings: “Today’s income was five hundred and seventy taels of silver. The most popular drink is still pearl milk tea, followed by herbal tea. Even though Jiang’s Tea House has tried to copy us, they are always a step behind. People still prefer to come to our tea house.”

Li Zhiyue smiled, “Let’s implement a membership system tomorrow.”

This would be a powerful way to retain loyal customers.

Before she could finish, Mo Yu walked in and whispered in her ear, “Miss, Xue Xiucai is here. I’m afraid he will cause a scene, so I’ve led him to a private room.”

Ever since Old Granny Yuan witnessed Li Zhiyue dealing with Xue Ling last time, she had warned the maids to immediately kick Xue Ling out if he showed up.

Mo Yu had tried to do so, but Xue Ling had acted like a stubborn fool.

Fearing it might affect the Miss’s reputation, Mo Yu had no choice but to lead him to a quiet place and then came to report.

Li Zhiyue smiled, “He dares to come again.”

She stepped toward the private room.

As soon as she entered, Xue Ling rushed toward her.

Mo Yu, like a protective mother hen, stepped in front of Li Zhiyue and coldly said, “Young Master Xue, please show some respect.”

“Yue Niang…” Xue Ling’s eyes were red, looking as if he had suffered a great injustice. “Tell me, what exactly did I do wrong? Why are you treating me like this…”