Sensing the gazes of everyone, Shen Tingwen's heart tightened.
He wasn't unused to attention, but this was his first time hawking goods in front of so many people.
Noticing his nervousness, Li Yue Shu patted his head. "Take your time, we're with you."
Looking at her gentle smile, Shen Tingwen felt a surge of strength.
He took a deep breath. "Take a look, novel and delicious, soft and tasty braised dishes! Uncle, please have a look, clean and delicious braised dishes, you won't regret buying them!"
There were no braised dishes in this world at all. The alluring aroma coupled with the unheard-of name instantly attracted a large crowd of passersby.
"It smells so good! What are braised dishes?"
"Isn't this just chicken feet! And duck heads, there's no meat on them, how can anyone sell this!"
"It smells quite good, child. How much are your braised dishes?"
...
Shen Tingwen smiled and replied, "This is our family's secret recipe. Twenty coins a jin, three jin for fifty coins."
Hearing this, someone immediately exclaimed, "What?! Pork is only fifteen coins a jin, and these worthless bones are twenty coins? Are you robbing us!"
Shen Tingwen calmly took out the oil paper packages he had prepared earlier, containing various braised dishes cut into small pieces.
"It's okay if you uncles and aunts don't buy, we have prepared some samples for everyone to taste for free."
Shen Tingwen had a proper face, and his smile was particularly endearing. Coupled with the free samples, people didn't rush to leave.
Li Yue Shu had been assisting by his side, not saying a word, but her gaze never left Shen Tingwen.
This child indeed had talent.
Although she had simulated many possible scenarios yesterday, being able to remember and apply them flexibly was not something even adults could necessarily do.
Soon, many people gathered around to taste the samples.
The soft, sweet, and fragrant flavor exploded in their mouths, and everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"Heavens, are these really made from things that are just skin and bones? They're too delicious!"
"These chicken feet just melt in your mouth, even the bones are so soft! Give me a jin!"
"I want one too, wrap up a jin for me!"
"I want three jin!"
...
Most of those who tasted it were moved and paid for their purchases, attracting even more people to come and try.
In a moment, the small basket was almost surrounded by people, and even the stall owners next to them couldn't resist buying a jin.
Shen Tingwen was flustered, but fortunately, Li Yue Shu was assisting him, and even Shen Wei squatted down to help with packing.
In less than an hour, all tens of jin of braised dishes were sold out.
Many people who didn't get any expressed their regret. "Children, will you be here tomorrow?"
Shen Tingwen instinctively looked at Li Yue Shu beside him. Seeing her nod, he immediately smiled and replied, "Yes, same place tomorrow!"
Hearing this, the crowd dispersed, and some people specifically told them to be sure to come tomorrow before leaving.
Shen Tingwen held the heavy silver in his arms, smiling like a little money-grubber.
But after holding it for a while, he handed the silver to Li Yue Shu.
It was Li Yue Shu who had stewed the braised dishes, taught him how to answer customer questions, and filled in the gaps when he was overwhelmed. This silver should belong to her.
Li Yue Shu's eyes held a hint of relief, and without much else, she reached out and accepted it.
She put away the basket. "Let's go buy what we need for tomorrow. Amin won't be out of school until Shen Shi, so it's still early."
By modern reckoning, school ended at four in the afternoon, still several hours away.
She had expected it to take all morning to sell so many things, then buy some things after lunch, and then pick up the children from school. She hadn't expected them to sell out so quickly.
Thus, Li Yue Shu took the three children to buy ingredients for tomorrow. After entrusting Liu Laohan with helping to transport them back, she took them out for lunch.
After lunch, Li Yue Shu took the group to inquire about the expenses for building a house and the approximate prices of furniture.
Shen Wei, who understood nothing, followed Li Yue Shu obediently, his tall figure exuding an invisible sense of security.
Shen Zhi Yu tightly held Li Yue Shu's hand, his curiosity and fear of the bustling environment evident, as he rarely went out.
The twins were also in a good mood, but their occasional glances at Li Yue Shu were filled with a hint of indecision.
By Shen Shi, they finally arrived at the academy gate.
For ordinary people, having a scholar in the family was a matter of bringing honor to their ancestors, especially in a town with only one academy.
On rest days, there were many people at the academy gate picking up their children.
The three children clearly missed their elder brother, stretching their necks and looking forward eagerly.
But when the last student walked out of the gate, they still didn't see Shen Yi Min's figure.
There weren't many students in the academy, and they were standing in the most conspicuous spot. Shen Yi Min shouldn't have missed them.
For some reason, a faint unease crept into Li Yue Shu's heart, and she stepped into the academy.
With the students gone, the academy felt empty.
Li Yue Shu searched around until she found an old tutor.
Hearing that they were looking for Shen Yi Min, the old tutor looked puzzled. "Shen Yi Min already returned yesterday afternoon. His roommate said he had an urgent matter at home and even asked someone else to help him request leave. If it weren't for his consistently excellent performance, the academy would never allow such behavior."
Li Yue Shu frowned. "Who is his roommate?"
She remembered that Shen Yi Min highly valued his studies. Even when dealing with a wicked stepmother and needing to earn money to support his younger siblings, he hadn't given up his opportunity to attend the academy.
If nothing was happening at home, he wouldn't have left so suddenly.
The old tutor replied, "His roommate's name is Zhang Yang."
Zhang Yang?
The name sounded vaguely familiar, but Li Yue Shu couldn't recall it immediately.
After asking the old tutor about Zhang Yang's whereabouts, she prepared to go and ask him directly.
But just as she took a few steps, a figure suddenly blocked their path.
It was a boy of seven or eight years old, dressed in a washed-out, patched long robe, but he was kept very clean.
He politely cupped his hands and bowed to them. "May I ask if you are the family of Brother Shen, Shen Yi Min?"
Li Yue Shu looked at him curiously and nodded slightly. "Indeed. And you are?"
The boy's face lit up, and he quickly said, "I am Brother Shen's classmate. I just overheard your conversation with the tutor and I'm afraid Brother Shen might be in danger."
Li Yue Shu's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
The boy's eyes were anxious, and he didn't waste words. "Zhang Yang has always been jealous of Brother Shen's talent and appearance. He even made threats a few days ago. If Brother Shen truly had an urgent matter, why would he let him help request leave!"
As soon as he said this, a passage from the original book suddenly came to Li Yue Shu's mind:
Shen Yi Min became a eunuch because he was sold into a pleasure house as a child. He escaped half a month later, but was permanently impotent. On the day of the imperial examination, this matter was exposed, and he was expelled from the examination hall.
Later, Shen Yi Min was castrated and entered the palace, gradually becoming a powerful official second only to the emperor, whom even princes had to show respect.
With power in hand, Shen Yi Min found those who had wronged him and sent them into the imperial palace to become playthings for all the eunuchs.
Li Yue Shu remembered Shen Yi Min saying in the original book: "Zhang Yang, I will repay the great gift you gave this imperial family a hundredfold."
Could this roommate Zhang Yang be the one in the original book who caused Shen Yi Min to darken?
A strong sense of unease surged in Li Yue Shu's heart.
Shen Yi Min had been missing for a day, could it be...