Chapter 35: Joyful

"What?"

Su Tang turned around in confusion, as though she had no idea what the young gentleman was talking about.

Jing Yuan curled his lips. "Integrity, dignity, self-respect."

Su Tang suddenly understood. "Ah, what about them?"

"Is it that you believe they're worth a fortune?"

Su Tang's eyes sparkled, shining so brightly it seemed as if gold and silver danced within them.

Heh~

Jing Yuan glanced at Su Tang, nodding his chin in the direction where the father and daughter had departed. "Five hundred coins."

Su Tang finally seemed to grasp his meaning. "These two tokens, five hundred coins. Didn't you say they were perfect for us? Wait, surely you don't think this five hundred coins is the same as that five hundred coins... surely not, they're nothing alike." Su Tang chuckled, then grew puzzled again. "But why did you give the little girl pastries today?"

Jing Yuan pressed his lips together.

Su Tang tilted her head, observing her husband in contemplation. "Is it because she's a child?" She emphasized the word "child" especially.

Jing Yuan turned to leave, Su Tang called after him, "Husband, when will Master come tomorrow?"

He acted as though he hadn't heard.

"It's time to eat—"

From the courtyard, Lu Dashan called out.

Outside, Li Qingtian responded, then turned to see his young wife with lively eyes, her lips curved in a smile, laughing so vibrantly it seemed flowers trembled.

"My dear?" Li Qingtian asked.

"What is it?"

"Why are you—"

Su Tang immediately pursed her lips, adopting a solemn expression. "I'm happy, isn’t it obvious?"

...

In the courtyard, Jing Yuan ignored the big black dog wagging its tail toward him, casting a calm glance at Lu Dashan.

Lu Dashan looked puzzled.

What was wrong?

It was indeed time to eat.

**********

"Crackling—"

Firecrackers rang out, warding off evil and welcoming fortune; an auspicious opening.

When the spicy soup stall first opened, it was unnoticed. Only when the spicy aroma drifted halfway down the street did people begin to inquire.

Ten days later, at the same spot, a new canopy appeared. There was no longer the fragrance of spicy soup, but the rich aroma of bone broth filled the air.

The red cloth still hung over the stall, and already people were waiting nearby, eager to have a taste.

Some still had the “Splendid Gold and Jade” token hanging from their pouches, acquired days before.

What exactly was that?

They’d been curious for three days.

Soon, Su Tang emerged from the courtyard, dressed in a pink floral patterned long robe, a plum blossom carved silver hairpin adorning her head. Her skirt, though not broad, rippled with every step like gentle waves. Though every aspect of her attire was ordinary, each detail somehow exuded an understated elegance and grace.

"When will the shop open?"

Someone called out.

Su Tang smiled softly. "When the time comes, the doors will open to welcome guests."

And as if in response, people approached from afar.

"The village chief."

"The master."

"The elder."

...

Village Chief Fang, Xuanji Zi, and the elder who had once spoken up for the Lu family arrived together.

Everyone exchanged glances.

It was just an opening, why had these distinguished figures come?

When had Lu Dashan’s young wife become so familiar with them?

Those who had mischievous schemes for the opening now quietly abandoned them.

***

Academy courtyard.

The sound of reading paused as Master Fang appeared at the door.

"Jing Yuan," he called.

Jing Yuan stood, saluted the master, and left with him.

The students whispered among themselves.

"Where are they going?"

"I heard his family’s stall opens today."

"Huh? The stall, and even the master is going?"

"The master treats Jing Yuan so well."

...

Huang Wenzhao watched Jing Yuan’s departing figure, his lips twitching faintly.

Fang Juncai’s gaze flashed with a hint of venom.

Zhang Hongsheng turned to Jiang Bowen, who shook his head slightly.

*****

"Master has arrived!"

With a loud shout, everyone in Ping’an Town turned their gaze.

The academy’s Master Fang had come.

Oh, right, Lu Dashan’s son had been accepted as Master Fang’s disciple.

Master Fang wore a loose blue-and-white robe, his hair tied in a moon-white bun. He looked even more refined and scholarly than the day Jing Yuan became his pupil. As he walked, everyone bowed in respect.

Jing Yuan, following behind, was given more than a few glances.

Delicate features, strikingly handsome—not at all like Lu Dashan’s son. Yet walking alongside Master Fang, he exuded the air of a scholar.

Many around them were filled with envy and jealousy.

Village Chief Fang, Master Fang, Xuanji Zi, and the elder.

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The four had met before.

Su Tang stood in front, and Jing Yuan, who had been behind Master Fang, moved to stand beside her. Lu Dashan and Li Qingtian followed, all four saluting the distinguished guests.

Su Tang wanted Lu Dashan to lead, but he replied, "This stall was established by my daughter-in-law. Though I am the elder, I did little to help. I’ll support from behind."

Xuanji Zi glanced up at the sky and declared, "The auspicious hour has arrived!"

With his announcement, firecrackers crackled again. Amidst the smoke and sparks, the draped red cloth slowly fell away.

In the center, a bamboo plaque revealed three bold characters: "Delicious Fare."

So this was the name?

The script wasn’t from a famous calligrapher, but the bamboo sign was intriguing.

Regardless of their opinions, Village Chief Fang and Master Fang remained standing before the sign, unmoving.

No rush; they’d have time to look later. Their gazes shifted to a smaller sign beside it, which read "Dragon Beard Noodles."

So it was noodles.

But what kind of noodles were these?

Curious, before they could investigate further, they noticed a line written on a large red paper nearby:

"To thank the people of Ping’an Town for their support, starting today for each bowl of Dragon Beard Noodles sold, one coin will be donated to the Ping’an Town Old Folks’ Home. Certified."

What did this mean?

"We’re the first in Ping’an Town."

"No wonder the elder and Village Chief Fang value this so highly."

"This young wife is impressive~"

"Look at Zhao’s restaurant, then look here. Tsk, tsk."

...

As the crowd murmured, they looked at Su Tang and felt she was the most stunning, extraordinary woman they had ever seen.

Just then, a flash of white streaked before their eyes.

Behind the stall, at the large chopping block, the dough was transformed in an instant into several strands. The slender woman, appearing as delicate as the young wife, shook her shoulder, stretched out her arm, and the long strands of dough, dusted with flour like falling snow, grew ever finer. With each movement, the noodles traced white arcs in the air, becoming as thin as threads.

"Wow—"

"Ha—"

The crowd watched, mouths agape, gasping in astonishment.

As Li Qingtian finally finished, they saw the noodles on the chopping block were as fine as whiskers.

"This is Dragon Beard Noodles!"

"Truly worthy of the name!"

Village Chief Fang, Master Fang, the elder, Xuanji Zi, and others saw even more clearly and were deeply impressed. But before their amazement could settle, waves of shouts surged from all around.

"One bowl!"

"Three bowls!"

"Five bowls—"

...

It was a sensation!