Chapter 397

The two of them dashed away at lightning speed, nearly startling Jiang Wu, who was driving the carriage.

Xu Mo, who had just come out of the imperial city, was perplexed and glanced at his two remaining younger brothers.

Wen Zhiyun quickly lowered his head, pretending not to know.

Fang Heng pursed his lips and spread his hands, indicating that it was not easy to say.

Actually, it's not that it's difficult to say, but that they can't say it.

He still remembered what happened during the day.

After Xu Mo entered the palace, Jiang Sheng became bored and didn't want to return to the Jiuzhen Lane or the courtyard. Instead, she pulled her brothers along, weaving through the crowd.

The scholars who could participate in the palace exam were either exceptionally talented or diligently studied poetry and literature.

Or they came from well-off families and were hardworking and earnest.

Like what was written in the little book, impoverished scholars often went to take the exam alone, with few relatives or friends accompanying them.

On the other hand, having relatives waiting at the gate of the imperial city indicated a certain level of family background.

Jiang Sheng initially did it to pass the time, until she unintentionally overheard the relatives of the scholars discussing which pastry shop had good pastries and which one had fresh flavors. That reminded her of the two pastry shops she managed, so she slowed down her pace with anticipation.

But as she waited and waited, the pastries turned into clothes, and the clothes turned into jewelry, and still there was no mention of Jiuzhen Lane.

The young woman in the midst of laughter and conversation was quite amiable, and she genuinely responded, "Delicious Orchid Spring, Wanzhen Studio, and Delicacy Pavilion are all quite good."

Jiang Sheng's eyes darted as she deliberately asked, "Madam, have you not tasted the pastries from Jiuzhen Lane? I heard they are also extremely delicious."

"Jiuzhen Lane?" The young woman chuckled. "I have heard of it, but they can only make one kind of custom pastry. Unfortunately, after eating it a few times, it becomes monotonous. The flavors at Wanzhen Studio are more diverse." This answer left Jiang Sheng feeling dazed.

In fact, Jiuzhen Lane offers a variety of pastry flavors, with more than twenty different kinds, including soft, crispy, sour, and sweet ones. The two shops can sell two or three hundred catties of pastries in a day, and the separately set up candied chestnuts are particularly popular.

How is it that in the eyes of these ladies, only pastries with family names are worth considering?

She didn't feel puzzled for long. Suddenly, she remembered the accounts she had checked at Jiuzhen Lane. With more than twenty types of pastries and candied chestnuts, she worked hard to sell them for half a day, but the profits couldn't compare to a few plates of pastries with family names.

At that time, there were few prestigious families ordering pastries, so Jiang Sheng concluded that pastries with family names wouldn't sell much. She didn't think much of it.

Today, it dawned on her. She thanked the young woman hastily, gasping for breath, and hurried back to ask, "Second Brother, do you know Delicious Orchid Spring, Wanzhen Studio, and Delicacy Pavilion?"

"I've heard of them," Zheng Ruqian turned around. "If I remember correctly, all three of them sell pastries. Delicious Orchid Spring is exquisitely crafted, and their pastries look lifelike. Wanzhen Studio offers a variety of flavors, providing rich layers of taste. Delicacy Pavilion is a bit different. It started as a restaurant, but unexpectedly, their pastries are even more popular among the common people than their cooked dishes... Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Jiang Sheng swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "All of that doesn't matter. Second Brother told me, are their pastries expensive?"

Indeed, just like the Xingshi Pastries, they cater to the noble families.

Her pupils dilated as she fixed her gaze on Zheng Ruqian's head, rising and falling, and her anxious heart finally settled.

That's right.

Fengjing is not only for the poor and the rich; it also has many middle-class families who live a comfortable life.

They can afford pastries that cost one or two silver coins and clothes that cost one hundred taels of silver.

Just like how they wouldn't buy Lingnan lychees worth fifty taels of silver but wouldn't hesitate to buy Sichuan lychees worth five taels.

The young woman only remembered Xingshi Pastries because the ordinary price range was simply beneath her notice.

Unfortunately, Jiuzhen Fang only has one high-priced pastry.

Jiang Sheng's eyes brightened, determined to expand the middle-class market and increase the variety of high-end pastries.

"You mean you want to compete with Dielan Chun and Wanzhen Zhai?" After listening to everything, Zheng Ruqian kindly reminded his sister, "But don't forget, Xingshi Pastries gained some reputation because influential families supported them. Even the current orders mostly come from well-connected families."

Only those who have done business know that opening a shop is easy, making pastries is easy, but making money is not easy.

Jiuzhen Fang's current scale is partly due to small profits but large sales, and partly due to the popularity of their sugar-coated chestnuts, which has driven overall business. From another perspective, the shop has already gained recognition from ordinary folks, so they have to manage it with care, and the profits will undoubtedly keep flowing.

Rashly venturing into high-end pastries may or may not be profitable, and Jiang Sheng might face setbacks.

Zheng Ruqian himself has already suffered enough hardships outside, and he only hopes that his sister can be content and manage the two shops well.

"If you want to earn money, leave it to me. The other matters are already shouldered by the elder brothers. Why bother so much?" He bent down and sighed softly, "Didn't you say that this kind of life is enough for you?"

The girl with no ambitions only wants to eat well and live with her loved ones.

But her loved ones have left.

Jiang Sheng's large round eyes welled up with thin tears, and it took a while before she muttered, "I want to earn money too, lots and lots of money. I want to find Fifth Brother and solve all his problems so he won't have to leave secretly."

So, she also knows that Xiaochangyan, who left quietly, is facing difficulties.

Third Brother is fighting battles outside, and she doesn't understand military strategy or how to fight and kill, so she can't be of much help.

But what if she can help Fifth Brother in his difficulties?

"Even if I can't help, I'll spread Jiuzhen Fang throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty and eventually find him," Jiang Sheng looked up and asked, "Second Brother, we can find Fifth Brother, right?"

They met when they were very young and have relied on each other for five whole years.

They are the closest of kin; they shouldn't be separated.

Third Brother will return victorious from the border, and Fifth Brother will reappear, recounting the thrilling experiences they had when they were apart.

The gaze of the younger sister is too bright, revealing clarity in her innocence, like the purest fireworks burning.

Zheng Ruqian dare not extinguish that brightness and reluctantly nodded, "Yes, we definitely can..."

Jiang Sheng wiped away her tears and looked at the imperial city, revealing a unique blend of liveliness and pride that belonged only to a young girl. "Don't worry, Second Brother. If it were any other time, it would be difficult for us to sell pastries. We would have to lower prices and find middlemen. But things are different now; we have a ready-made reputation."

At first, Zheng Ruqian was a bit puzzled, but then he suddenly remembered Xu Mo, who participated in today's palace examination, and it all became clear to him. "You mean..."

"Yes, exactly what you're thinking," Jiang Sheng smoothly interjected.

The siblings, who were most alike in the family, wore identical cunning smiles.

Fang Heng and Wen Zhiyun, who had been listening attentively the whole time, closed their eyes in unison, silently mourning for their elder brother within the imperial city. A tear of sympathy rolled down their cheeks.