Chapter 171: Picking up Su Bin
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Madame Wang inquired once more, “I heard that you want to sell your seasonings in the prefecture?”
Qin Zhenzhen nodded affirmatively, saying, “Yes, I’d like to start by collaborating with a restaurant and gradually expand from there.”
Seizing the opportunity, Madame Wang suggested, “As luck would have it, our family owns a restaurant in the prefecture. How about considering us first?”
Qin Zhenzhen smiled gratefully, replying, “No problem at all.” This was precisely what she had been hoping for.
Prior to arriving in the prefecture, Qin Zhenzhen had consulted her brother-in-law about the Governor, who owned a restaurant, hoping to promote her seasonings there.
To her delight, everything went smoothly.
As she left Officer Wang’s mansion, Qin Zhenzhen found herself with numerous successes.
Old Lady gifted her with another precious piece of jewelry, which made her feel too embarrassed to accept any additional payment.
Madame Wang promptly contacted the restaurant manager and they signed a contract, with a deposit of 200 liang.
With these developments, Qin Zhenzhen was now a wealthy woman.
She had already planned to purchase a house in the prefecture, where she intended to establish her seasonings and soy sauce workshop. The decision was fueled by the convenience of transportation in the area compared to Datong Town, as well as the lower cost of living and labor in the prefecture.
Another significant factor was her excellent relationship with Officer Wang’s family, making future endeavors much easier with their support.
Back at the Chen Family, Chen Shanshan eagerly awaited Qin Zhenzhen, who had officially accepted her as a disciple. The lessons were not limited to cooking alone; medical skills were also on the agenda. Fortunately, Chen Shanshan could read, making the teaching process smoother.
The initial phase proved challenging as Qin Zhenzhen began instructing them on ingredient preparation and pairing. Qin Silong observed from the sidelines, feeling puzzled. He sensed that his sister was concealing some secrets from him.
Logically, both culinary and medical expertise required extensive practice rather than mere observation. However, Qin Zhenzhen’s actions displayed remarkable skill and precision.
Time flew, and evening arrived, signaling the time to fetch Su Bin. Chen Shanshan offered, “Master, I’ll accompany you to bring Grandmaster home. If the need arises, I can also provide assistance in a fight.”
Embarrassment washed over Qin Zhenzhen at the thought, as she knew how Su Bin might react to such an offer. The idea left her with a headache.
“You can come along, but avoid addressing him as Grandmaster. Scholars are often modest, and he might not appreciate it.”
Chen Shanshan nodded in understanding, blinking, “I got it, Master. I will address him as Young Master Su.”
The three of them proceeded to the entrance of the examination hall, where numerous families were already waiting to fetch the candidates.
In an ordinary county, there would be around 100 candidates, while larger ones might have about 150. Considering that one prefecture governed seven or eight counties, there were more than 1,000 students participating in the examination.
Although some families from distant places couldn’t make it, many local ones were present. A few family members anxiously waited at the door all day, fearing their children might encounter difficulties during the examination.
After a while, the door of the examination hall was opened, and the candidates came out one by one. They all had different expressions on their faces.
Some candidates appeared dejected, others exuded confidence, and a few displayed signs of anxiety.
Several familiar candidates huddled together, discussing and comparing their answers.
Recalling her past college entrance examination, Qin Zhenzhen remembered the strict rule where candidates had to remain in the resting area even after submitting their papers until the allotted time elapsed.
As candidates began emerging from the examination hall, families eagerly scanned their faces, hoping to catch a glimpse of their children. However, not finding them among the first to come out, they continued to wait, growing more anxious by the minute..