Resisting such a tremendous temptation shows a strong character.
"I wonder who is fortunate enough to have you as a disciple. Who is your master?"
Liu Qingxi had nothing to hide in response: "My master is Elder Ying from Lingjiang Province."
What? This statement struck Lin Shurong like a thunderbolt, and he felt a twinge of jealousy: "So it's that old Kid. He got ahead of me again, that Kid."
It turned out that Lin Shurong and Elder Ying were both celebrities in the capital during their youth, equally talented and stunning, leaving many in awe.
However, due to certain circumstances, Elder Ying grew weary of the complex life in the capital and chose to live as a free man in a less prosperous place.
Over the years, they had kept in touch frequently, but this Kid had taken such an excellent disciple without revealing any hints.
If Elder Ying heard his thoughts, he would definitely stroke his beard and huff: "Now you know, and you still didn't come to compete for my disciple?"
Of course, Lin Shurong's demeanor also made Liu Qingxi aware that he had a very close relationship with his master, Elder Ying.
"Since you're that Kid's disciple, it makes sense. Alright, you should visit the Lin residence sometime."
"Thank you, Lord Lin."
"Don't call me Lord Lin. My relationship with your master makes us brothers; just call me Shibo!" Lin Shurong said this while thinking that even if he couldn't be a master, being called Shibo wasn't too bad.
Liu Qingxi was left speechless; who would have thought such a prominent figure could be so carefree?
What can she do? However, with this connection, it might come in handy in the future, even though Liu Qingxi is not someone who would get close for personal gain.
If she knew that her unintentional words would turn prophetic, she would want to slap herself.
At this moment, she was unaware that earlier in the afternoon, Lin Shurong had come by and casually offered a few suggestions, which Liu Qingxi promptly noted down.
On their way back to the capital, the two shared a carriage, allowing Lin Shurong to get to know Liu Qingxi better, and as a result, Lin Shurong grew fonder of this junior.
In the court, several young individuals led by Yang Yichen were in their prime, enjoying the emperor's favor and truly making a name for themselves.
Yang Yichen's latest weapon designs were being mass-produced and deployed into the army, rapidly enhancing the military strength of the Western Moon Kingdom.
Dugu Hao achieved such political accomplishments right after ascending the throne, marking him as the first ruler capable of such feats.
While he was deeply loved by the people, his prestige in the military was even greater.
"You are all the pillars of the nation; otherwise, Western Moon would not have developed so swiftly. I am greatly pleased," said Dugu Hao, now an emperor who had become more tactful compared to his previous indifference.
As for Ning Ze, Yang Yichen was naturally someone he wanted to win over since they stood on the same side from the beginning.
If Yang Yichen could bring him more advanced weapons, then Ning Ze would be that brave and resourceful general.
Indeed, each of them had their strengths, and when perfectly combined, they became Dugu Hao's right and left arms.
"We shall do our utmost," they said. From their perspective, Dugu Hao was indeed a good emperor—compassionate yet ambitious.
In addition to wanting to protect the people he loves, Yang Yichen naturally also wishes to contribute to his country.
Now, he is getting closer to his goal, standing at a high position where even Dugu Hao has to give him some respect.
Currently, Liu Qingxi's career is growing larger, and she has a correspondingly stronger force backing her up.
As time goes by, Yang Yichen's inspiration flows continuously; those things in his hands seem to have a life of their own, naturally coming forth.
The more this happens, the more he can be certain that he has an unknown past. Those scattered fragments are gradually piecing together into a complete picture, becoming clearer and clearer.
However, one crucial part is still missing.
Yet when he tries to think seriously about it, his mind goes blank, as if the old master is deliberately opposing him.
After a busy day, upon returning home, he coincidentally meets Liu Qingxi coming from the other side. The couple seems to have coordinated perfectly, returning at the same moment with great tacit understanding.
"I met Lord Lin," Liu Qingxi casually mentions to Yang Yichen, recalling that old rascal.
Yang Yichen is speechless; he can imagine how that old man behaves in front of Liu Qingxi because in front of him, he jumps around like someone much younger than his age.
"Lord Lin is a trustworthy person," this is Yang Yichen's evaluation of Lin Shurong.
Although sometimes Lin Shurong can be a bit long-winded, he is undeniably a breath of fresh air in the Court.
"He is also a friend of my master," Liu Qingxi says with a smile, sharing her experiences with Yang Yichen. The seemingly trivial matters may appear boring, but those immersed in them find joy in this simple happiness.
Unlike most Noble Families, the backyard was in disarray, with everyone harboring their own thoughts and intentions.
Just as they were about to have their meal, a cheerful laughter came from outside: "Qingxi, I'm here to see you."
The woman wore a dark green Long Skirt and had a pearl hairpin in her hair. Her face was kind, her smile gentle, and her efficient demeanor gave off a refreshing vibe.
It turned out that the visitor was Zhang. When mentioning Zhang, one must talk about those who came to the capital for work this time.
When Liu Qingxi got married, Liu Laosi's family brought Liu Qingzhi to the capital to attend the wedding. Afterward, Liu Qingxi decided to invite villagers to develop in the capital.
At that time, Liu Laosi and Zhang fully supported this decision. It took them a month for a round trip back home, which was a waste of time, so they decided to stay directly.
They asked the village chief, Zhang Wuliang, to help send a message to Liu Laowu. As for the Qin Family and Yan, the two elders would definitely not be lacking in what they deserved and would regularly send things back home.
In the capital, Liu Laosi's family staying there gave Liu Qingxi an extended family, leading to more interactions between the two families.
Zhang had experience selling pastries at Ten Li Pu and wanted to do the same business in the capital.
However, due to the price differences between the capital and Linyi County, the silver saved over the past few years was barely enough to purchase a shop in a less prosperous area.
At that time, Liu Qingxi said: "Fourth Aunt, since you want to open a shop, don't choose that location. If you don't have enough money, I can lend you some; a more prosperous area would be much better."
Thus, Liu Qingxi took out two thousand taels of silver to invest in Zhang's business and directly purchased a shop for sale on Azure Dragon Street.
After more than a month of renovations and preparations, everything was completed. A master pastry chef with ancestral skills from the capital was also hired.
"Aunt Four, have you eaten yet? Come eat here!"
"No, you all hurry up and eat. I just had a meal at home." Zhang was not polite, letting them eat while she waited on the side.
In the Yang Family, they always emphasized having a light dinner, so Liu Qingxi only took a quarter of an hour to drink half a bowl of corn porridge and eat some vegetables.
"Aunt, you too!"
"Oh, Qingxi, I have good news to tell you! My shop is ready and will open in three days. You must come by then; you've spent a lot of money here."
"Don't worry, Aunt. I will definitely go."
Looking at the cheerful person in front of her, Liu Qingxi couldn't help but reflect on how much people can change, and Zhang felt the same way.
Even now, she felt as if she were dreaming—dreaming of coming to the bustling capital and owning her own shop here, something she wouldn't have dared to imagine just a few years ago.
Next, Liu Qingxi had nothing much to do, so she asked Summer Lotus to prepare several invitations for a few close Sister Madams to attend Zhang's shop's Opening Ceremony.
In the blink of an eye, three hours passed. In the morning, an enticing aroma wafted from Zhang's shop. Passersby smelled it and salivated, eager to pry open the door and see what was inside.
As the fragrance spread further and further, more and more people gathered.
People are always curious about the unknown, and a crowd formed in front of Zhang's shop.
"What are they selling inside? It smells so good?"
"It must be food, but I don't know what kind. As for me, a while ago, I opened a shop here and lost everything. Later, I realized the feng shui here is bad. I wonder who bought it."
The young man spoke with great flair, vividly describing the situation.
After hearing his words, a few informed individuals nodded in agreement. "I know too; it seems this place used to sell food."
"What a pity! If the feng shui is bad, no matter how good the business is, it will all go to waste here."
Everyone sighed in regret; the enticing aroma could not mask the issue of feng shui.
It's important to note that people in this era are quite superstitious about things that cannot be explained by science.
Inside the shop, Zhang's heart suddenly raced. The discussions from outside exploded in her mind like a heavy bomb, causing her eardrums to ache.
What should she do? She had invested all her savings and even borrowed two thousand from Liu Qingxi. If she went bankrupt, it would feel like being plunged into hell.
Her limbs felt cold as she sank into a chair, cursing the person who sold her the shop.
The arguments outside grew louder. Perhaps one or two voices suggested that as long as the food was delicious, the business could survive.
But those voices were quickly drowned out. This reality made Zhang's heart grow colder, gradually sinking into despair.
What should she do? What should she do? All her wealth was tied up in this venture, leaving her trembling with fear.
Time ticked away slowly; the hourglass on the table seemed like a death knell, reminding her of this harsh reality.
She wished she could slap herself. Why was she in such a hurry to buy a shop? Why didn't she inquire more thoroughly? Why???
However, no matter how many whys there were, they couldn't change this terrifying reality.
Time passed second by second, and a young assistant walked out from the back kitchen. "Madam, the opening time is approaching, and the pastries and tea in the back are ready."
Yet, one minute passed, then two minutes.
Zhang sat there, pale and vacant-eyed, completely oblivious, her eyes not even moving.
"Madam? Madam???" he suddenly raised his voice.
"Ah?" Zhang jolted awake. "What happened? What happened?"
"Madam, everything in the back is ready; it's almost time to open."
"Oh, oh, oh, okay!" Zhang forced herself to stand up and gathered her spirits to prepare.
But the initial enthusiasm had completely dissipated; she was now waiting for fate's judgment with self-pity, a judgment of her failure.
Perhaps it was due to Liu Qingxi's help that things went smoothly for her in Biqi Town. However, upon arriving in the capital, she hadn't anticipated that she had made a mistake from the very beginning—choosing the wrong place.
As time ticked away, her hopes gradually faded, leaving her without the cheerfulness of previous days, filled instead with deep sorrow.
At that moment, a girl walked in from the back. She wore a red long skirt, its fitted design accentuating her graceful figure. Her delicate face exuded a calm and composed demeanor.
"Aunt Four, I'm here!" The person who arrived was Liu Qingxi, who had come to lend her support.
She hadn't been idle during the previous days; she had invited everyone she could. Since Zhang's target audience this time was women, there were pastries, candied fruits, and various drinks and activities that women enjoy.
Although the people she invited weren't at the top of the social pyramid, their presence would provide more free publicity than any self-promotion could achieve.
However, as soon as she entered, she saw Zhang's pale face, devoid of color.
"What's wrong, Aunt Four? Are you feeling unwell?"
She hadn't expected that at such a crucial moment, Zhang would have health issues.
But she misunderstood.
In the next moment, Zhang tightly grasped her arm, tears streaming down her pale and weak face. "Qingxi, what should we do? What should we do? This shop made a mistake in the purchase; it was all wrong!"
People are like this; in their most vulnerable moments, they turn to those closest to them. The strength they had been holding onto finally crumbled.
Moreover, Liu Qingxi had always been the pillar of the family; it seemed nothing could defeat her. At this moment, Zhang felt as if she had grasped the last straw of hope.
Liu Qingxi winced in pain as Zhang clutched her arm tightly, but she knew she needed to understand the situation.
"Aunt, tell me what's going on?"
Zhang sobbed continuously, and through her fragmented narrative, Liu Qingxi began to grasp the truth of the situation.
It turned out to be the rumors from outside. If one listened closely, they could still hear many voices reveling in misfortune.
“Fourth Aunt, it’s nothing, don’t worry,” she thought something catastrophic had happened.
It was just gossip about this location.
With the skills she learned from Elder Ying, she could tell at a glance that this place had a good geographical position, a wide view, and was located on Azure Dragon Street. With people constantly coming and going all around, how could it possibly be bad?
If the previous boss's shop had to close down, there could only be one reason: it was due to the boss's own abilities, the quality of the food, or management issues. It definitely couldn't be due to feng shui.
“Fourth Aunt, I assure you, this is a treasure land for wealth. Our shop will definitely prosper.”
“Really?” At this moment, only Liu Qingxi's words could penetrate Zhang's ears.
“Absolutely true. I've seen so many properties; I would never make a mistake. Hurry up and wash your face; an auspicious time is coming soon.”
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