With ample Jin Shanyao immediately cleared a plot of land at the Lush Mountain and built a two-courtyard house, naming it First Manor.
She planted trees all around her house, but the bricklayer kindly reminded her that 'a tree standing in the house' was unlucky.
Jin Shanyao scoffed. Was she planting trees? They were clearly spies planted on her own turf.
Behind the house is a spacious drying ground for medicinal herbs, paved with bluestone slabs, specifically for drying and cutting medicinal materials.
The rear room served as a warehouse for storing finished medicinal materials.
As the business expanded, Jin Shanyao hired several more servants to manage the resort's daily operations.
Winter has passed and spring has arrived; half a year has gone by in the blink of an eye.
Madam Shi thought the five-year agreement only involved five shipments, but she didn't expect Anzhi Hall to have a monopoly on the medicinal herbs of Willow and Poplar County.
He made three trips outside in just six months.
The Madam Shi was always frowning, and whenever she saw Jin Shanyao, she would turn her face away, not wanting to go up and talk to her.
But her own son was a disappointment, just like he grew up in the Anzhi Hall.
With a whip wrapped around his waist, he chased after Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci all day long, yelling and shouting...
I thought the prefectural examination would bring a few days of peace and quiet, but unexpectedly Shiyan cried and begged to go with Meng Anci, claiming it would help them get to know each other and increase their knowledge.
In order for her son to pass the prefectural examination smoothly, the Madam Shi had no choice but to compromise.
" Madam Shi, you've sighed thirty times since we set off. Is something bothering you?"
The Madam Shi resisted the urge to roll her eyes and turned away, not wanting to say anything.
With a smile in her eyes, Jin Shanyao her hand, her fingers constantly poking at the back of the Madam Shi.
She enjoyed seeing the Madam Shi dislike her but had to swallow her anger.
"Tell me, what's bothering you?"
The Madam Shi, unable to bear it any longer, turned around and glared at him, saying, " Shopkeeper Jin, can't we give each other some breathing room?"
Her back was almost bruised from being poked.
Jin Shanyao, as if she hadn't understood, moved closer to her again, "I heard that Shopkeeper Shi has left again, tsk tsk... You Shi Household are doing quite well."
At this point, Madam Shi became furious. In order to deliver medicinal herbs to Jin Shanyao, the Shi Household had turned down many profitable shipping jobs.
She moved back a little, facing the Jin Shanyao, "I just don't understand, where did you get so many medicinal herbs?"
"After making one trip after another, can't you give your colleagues a break?"
Jin Shanyao scolded playfully, "Look at you, getting impatient again... How many times have I told you, even if you want to talk to me five years from now, I won't pay any attention to you."
"Please leave me alone... I have a heart condition."
"You have a heart condition? Let me tell you a joke..."
The story goes that an assassin went out to carry out an assassination, stabbing his enemy through the neck, but the enemy not only didn't die, he was still lively and energetic.
Jin Shanyao nudged the Madam Shi's shoulder. "Guess why the enemy isn't dead?" The Madam Shi rolled her eyes and perked up her ears.
"Because the enemy was so scared his heart was pounding, the assassin missed... Hahaha, isn't that hilarious?"
Am I kidding? Am I kidding? I'll show you how to be funny.
The Madam Shi was furious. She turned around and frantically began rummaging through her bundle, pulling out a dagger and stuffing it into Jin Shanyao's bosom.
He then pulled open her collar and presented his fair neck to her.
"Come, come, kill me! Kill me now, quick, quick, quick..."
This is too torturous! Madam Shi suddenly felt like crying. If time could be reversed, she would never have asked Jin Shanyao for help, even if it meant her death. Now, the Shi Household contract was in her hands.
Oh dear... look at her ridiculous antics, she's not daring enough to show off!
With a flick of his Jin Shanyao and a dagger, he gently lifted the Madam Shi's chin, mimicking the dashing young master from the storybooks.
"You little devil... you little devil... why are you crying?"
The Jin Shanyao was most afraid of the warrior shedding tears, so she quickly dropped the dagger and moved half a meter away from the Madam Shi.
He looked up to the sky and sighed, "How I miss the days when we first met, when we were all ready to fight and kill each other."
You were so brave back then, daring to ambush me with over a dozen thugs, even swearing you'd kill me... Sigh... Time has passed, and everything has changed.
The Madam Shi's eyes were filled with tears, and she was so angry that she wanted to fight back. She also missed the days when she could fight anyone who dared to defy her.
If it weren't for... Madam Shi looked at her silly son, "Oh dear... I'm so angry!" " Shiyan, what are you doing?"
Shiyan turned his head in confusion, "What's wrong with Mom?"
"What's wrong? I've traveled the whole way in an oxcart, and you haven't even given me a back massage or leg rub."
Shiyan gave him a look that said, "You really don't know any better," and said, " Anci bumped his leg on the car floor; if you don't rub it in time, it will bruise."
Meng Anci nudged him, "Forget about Shiyan, let my sister massage it for me."
"That won't do. Massaging legs is hard work. How can we let Sister Anzhi do it..." Shiyan refused righteously.
Meng Anci smiled, glanced at the Madam Shi, and picked up the book again to read leisurely.
Madam Shi was furious. Like mother, like daughter. Meng Anci, that little brat, is just like his aunt—both are strange and unpredictable.
So annoying...
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), the oxcart entered Qingzhou Prefecture. The old ox stopped directly at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion without needing anyone to lead the way. The waiter immediately beamed when he saw who it was.
It's not that he has a good memory, but that the only person who can drive an oxcart and stay at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is Jin Shanyao.
"Miss Jin, how have you been?"
Jin Shanyao smiled and took out a copper coin, tossing it to him. "Find a good spot for my ox, and get it some good fodder. Remember, don't let it drink dirty water."
Jin Shanyao an eyebrow at the waiter and smiled, "It will tattle..."
The waiter bowed and took the reins. "Don't worry, Miss Jin, I know the rules. I'll make sure your ox is well taken care of." He then glanced at the cats and dogs.
Jin Shanyao understood, "This time, book two rooms."
"Alright, Miss Jin, please come in," the waiter led the way. Jin Shanyao took a few steps and, seeing that Madam Shi hadn't followed, asked in confusion, "Don't you stay here?"
Listen to what she's saying! Drunken Immortal Pavilion is the biggest restaurant in the city. Not to mention the food, the most expensive room costs five taels of silver, and the cheapest room costs three hundred coins.
She's gone mad living here... The Madam Shi coughed twice and glanced back at her own carriage, which was still nowhere to be seen.
"We have a place to stay, so we won't stay with Shopkeeper Jin."
Jin Shanyao her hand with a smile, "See you tomorrow then..." After saying that, she led the child into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
The Madam Shi secretly spat and muttered under her breath, "Who wants to see you again, you liar..."
Before she could finish speaking, the sound of Jin Shanyao gently came from inside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, " Madam Shi, I heard it."
Madam Shi was so frightened that she covered her mouth abruptly, glanced sideways at the building, and then led Shiyan away as if fleeing. How could she hear that from so far away?
Unfortunately, room number one in the "Heavenly Class" was booked, so Jin Shanyao and his two companions could only stay in room number two, which was furnished much like room number one.
Meng Anci was taking the prefectural examination for the second time and was a little nervous. He put his bundle on the table and started reading. Jin Shanyao saw this and rubbed his little head.
"Relax, knowledge is accumulated over time. After a long day of travel, take a shower and get a good night's sleep so you'll be energetic for the exam the next day."
Meng Anci, "Auntie, I'm worried I'll fail the exam again."
"Some things won't come if you're afraid. As long as we keep a calm mindset and bravely face the challenges, there's no obstacle we can't overcome."
Meng Anci emphatically. His aunt was right. What was meant to happen would happen. There was no point in being afraid.