Ch 152: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua were startled. Was the county magistrate someone people like them could meet? They had been selling candied hawthorn to the magistrate’s mother, but the highest-ranked person they had ever seen was Chunxing, the old lady’s senior maid!

Shen Yunxuan repeated her request to the surprised Chunxing and handed over a few pieces of compressed bread wrapped in oil paper. “Miss, please don’t be offended. I am not one to act recklessly. This item is special and should be highly beneficial for military use. That’s why I boldly request an audience with the magistrate—to personally explain its preparation and benefits.

Please present this compressed bread to him. If he does not wish to meet me, I will not trouble him again.”

Chunxing found the girl before her quite unusual. It wasn’t that capable people couldn’t come from the countryside, but for a fourteen-year-old who had never seen the outside world to have such composure—she was truly remarkable. Even her parents beside her were so nervous they didn’t know what to do.

Even she herself would be anxious when meeting the magistrate, yet this girl seemed at ease. Chunxing couldn’t help but admire her. But when she noticed Shen Yunxuan’s married woman’s hairdo, she felt it was a pity—such a talented girl had been married off for a warding-off-ill-fate ritual?

Imagining Shen Yunxuan’s misfortunes, she assumed the girl must have had no say in her fate. Such talent was being wasted in the village. Feeling sympathy, Chunxing decided to help her. Even if nothing came of it, at least she had tried.

So, she accepted the oil paper package and smiled. “Please wait here in the porter’s lodge,” she said before heading inside with a house guard. First, she reported the matter to the old lady. She was, after all, the old lady’s personal maid and had to keep her informed.

The old lady was surprised. “Oh? Useful for military supply?” Her first thought was that Shen Yunxuan was exaggerating to use their connection to approach her son. Anyone would think the same. Just recently, she had introduced friends to buy candied hawthorn, and now she was asking to see the magistrate with a new product. It was hard not to be suspicious.

But this was a minor matter. She had seen many such attempts and wasn’t particularly annoyed. She simply had Chunxing invite her son over as well. If it turned out to be something insignificant, at least it wouldn’t be harmful.

On the way to fetch him, Chunxing explained everything clearly. The magistrate had been in office for over two years and was familiar with the villages in his jurisdiction. He found it hard to believe that someone had created something truly beneficial for military use—especially food.

Still, he had nothing urgent at hand, so he agreed to take a look. After all, the so-called “candied beauty fruit” that the girl had made had indeed restored his mother’s appetite, and she had been looking much healthier lately.

Thinking of that fruit, he chuckled. It was the first time he had seen a village girl elevate the value of wild fruit so cleverly—selling it for a tael of silver per jar. She had made quite a profit off him.

When he arrived, the mother and son exchanged a few words before Chunxing unwrapped the oil paper, presenting the compressed bread.

“Did Miss Shen explain what this is? Can this really be eaten?” The magistrate studied the hard, dry block in his hand with some confusion.

Chunxing nodded. “She called it ‘compressed bread.’ As the name suggests, it’s regular bread that has been compressed. This small piece is equivalent to three large steamed buns in volume.”

“What? Three steamed buns?” The old lady was stunned. “It doesn’t look like it at all!”

Chunxing continued, “I believe she meant it in terms of how filling it is. I don’t understand it fully myself. She wishes to present the recipe directly to the magistrate.”

Now it was the magistrate’s turn to be surprised. “She wants to give me the recipe?”

The moment he realized this compressed bread equaled three steamed buns, he immediately understood its significance. In warfare, provisions were everything—logistics determined victory or defeat. Even when supplies were sufficient, storage was a problem, and during intense battles, cooking food was nearly impossible.

If soldiers could each carry compressed bread, many issues could be solved. And judging by how much she had readily provided, the cost of production must not be high. If it was cheap and easy to store, it could even reduce grain consumption.

This was a major matter!

The magistrate immediately stood up. “Where is Miss Shen? Bring her here at once!”

The old lady intervened, “Let’s have her come to me instead, along with her parents. I have yet to meet this family. I’ve heard that the couple is honest and hardworking, and their daughter seems exceptionally clever. I am quite curious.”

The magistrate understood that his mother was helping him avoid suspicion. After all, nothing had been decided yet, and it was improper for him to meet an unmarried girl alone in his study. If any rumors spread, he would be held responsible.

He served his mother tea while waiting, asking about the family. Learning that they were decent people, he felt more assured.

When Shen Yunxuan arrived at the flower hall with her parents, she gracefully greeted them with the proper etiquette. Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua were extremely nervous and hastily copied their daughter’s actions, terrified of making a mistake and causing trouble for her.

The magistrate chuckled at their unease. “No need to be so tense. This isn’t the county office. We’re just having a casual conversation. Please, sit.”

Turning to Shen Yunxuan, he praised, “Miss Shen, you are remarkably intelligent. To think of turning wild fruits into candied preserves—most people would consider sugar too expensive to use on wild berries.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled upon hearing this. The magistrate was subtly pointing out that her “candied beauty fruit” was made from inexpensive ingredients but sold at a high price. In business, this was a mild display of dominance—an attempt to control the negotiation’s pace. Shen Yunxuan immediately understood that the magistrate was indeed interested in her compressed bread.

She responded, “Thank you for your praise, my lord. I believe that everything in this world has its value—some things are discovered, while others remain hidden. Just as certain wild grasses in the mountains, when paired with the right medicinal formula, can greatly enhance their efficacy. The wild grass itself is cheap, but the prescription can be worth a fortune. And with the right prescription, the grass can achieve its best possible value.”

The magistrate observed her carefully. Only now did he truly agree with his mother—this girl was indeed intelligent. Not only did she remain unfazed by his attempt to unsettle her, but she also used the analogy of wild fruits and herbs to convey that, despite her humble origins, she possessed value. All she needed was the right opportunity to maximize her potential.

At the same time, she subtly emphasized the importance of the recipe, hinting at the reason for her visit. There was no need for them to play mind games—her intentions were entirely sincere, and they stood to gain from this.

The old lady stepped in at the right moment to smooth things over. “Speaking of which, we must be fated to meet. Miss Shen has solved a great trouble for me. Before, I had no appetite, couldn’t eat or sleep well—it was truly miserable. But with her special fruit preserves, all those troubles disappeared. I’ve regained my energy and look much better now.”

Seizing the moment, Shen Yunxuan added, “Madam, to be frank, I had many conflicts with my previous family. After my parents and I were adopted into another household, we needed a way to establish ourselves, to prove that we made the right choice.

Madam’s repeated purchases of my fruit preserves have been like a life-saving medicine, giving me confidence in this path. Even my parents now believe in our future.”

Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua immediately nodded in agreement. Shen Fu said, “That’s right. Madam, my lord, we are deeply grateful for your support. Knowing that we can make a living selling food, we can finally sleep soundly at night.”

Shen Yunxuan continued, “I deeply cherish my connection with Madam. That is why I have come today, and as a token of my gratitude, I have prepared some small treats for Madam. It is but a humble gesture of thanks.”

“Oh? How thoughtful of you, Miss Shen! I must say, I do enjoy good food,” the old lady laughed, her eyes crinkling with delight. This girl was perceptive—she followed every cue, accepted every opening, and even prepared an appropriate gift. Not something extravagant, but unique treats that were just right. Such excellent tact!

Shen Yunxuan took out several items from her basket. Chunxing and the servants withdrew, soon returning with the treats arranged neatly on Lin family’s porcelain dishes. The kitchen staff and physician had already examined them, and now they were presented in an appetizing display.

The old lady first tried a piece of pastry—it was a peanut walnut crisp. It was fragrant, crisp, and had a light milky taste. It wasn’t overly sweet, making it perfect for an elderly palate. She ate several pieces in succession, and even the magistrate couldn’t resist having two.

Next, they tried the sugar-roasted chestnuts. Each one had an open shell, releasing a sweet aroma. They were easy to peel and tasted absolutely delicious!

The old lady was astonished. “These chestnuts are better than the ones in the capital! And this peanut walnut crisp—it’s better than the pastries from the shop in the east of the city. Did you create these yourself?”

Shen Yunxuan nodded. “I have always loved food and enjoy listening to people talk about cuisines from different regions. Whenever I have the chance to read books, I am especially drawn to those about cooking. Over time, through trial and error, and combining it with my cooking experience, I have developed many ideas. Now that I have control over my life, I am finally able to bring them to life. Does Madam enjoy them?”

“I love them! How could I not? These are absolutely delicious!” The old lady then lifted a porcelain bowl and sipped from it. Her eyes widened. “Is this yogurt? But it’s different from the yogurt I’ve had before—it’s tangier, sweeter, and smoother? The texture is even better!

Three years ago, I had yogurt in the capital, but the quality varied—some were barely edible! Even the best ones weren’t as good as this. Miss Shen, you truly have a remarkable gift!”

Shen Yunxuan humbly replied, “I simply enjoy experimenting and trying new things. Many of these foods already exist—I merely adjusted them to my taste. If Madam enjoys them, I will make them for you often. Whenever I create something new, I will send it to you first.”

“Good, good! I shall look forward to it. I never thought that in my later years, I would still have such good fortune. Truly, we are destined to be connected!” The old lady beamed with joy. She had genuinely taken a liking to Shen Yunxuan. Such a fine girl—who wouldn’t? The old Shen family must have been blind!

Seeing how easily she won over his mother, the magistrate also smiled and took the initiative to discuss business. “Miss Shen, you are both bold and meticulous. At such a young age, you already have such skill—your future is limitless. I presume this compressed bread is also your creation? The term ‘compressed’ is quite brilliant. A single small piece that equals three large steamed buns—truly remarkable!

How did you come up with this? Did you originally intend to offer it to the military?”

Shen Yunxuan composed herself and replied, “My lord, my family was able to escape hardship thanks entirely to the help of Granny Wu from our village. I have always wanted to repay her, but she has no material needs. The only thing she cares about is her grandson, who joined the army years ago and has yet to return. Recently, some unfortunate news arrived, which has deeply saddened her.”

“I can only tinker with food and can’t help in any other way, but I wanted to do something for the soldiers. That’s how I came up with this compressed bread. I thought, if Brother Wu had a few pieces of it when he went missing, he wouldn’t have had to worry about starving, and his chances of survival would have increased.

The same goes for other soldiers—if they have dry rations with them when they are in distress, they would at least have some confidence to endure.

At the same time, I have a small wish. By offering this recipe, if it proves useful to the soldiers, I hope to accumulate some good karma, to bless Brother Wu’s safe return, as a way to repay Granny Wu for saving me.”

Hearing this, the magistrate’s expression became serious, and a trace of respect rose in his heart. Previously, they had suspected the girl of trying to curry favor with him. But now, it was clear that she had a broad perspective and an open heart. She had come to him only because this matter required an official to report it to the military.

There was nothing more to question—if the compressed bread was useful, it had to be reported immediately. The border war was ongoing, and solving the grain supply issue even a day sooner could improve their chances of victory.

The magistrate called in the head chef to inquire about the preparation process, usage, and precautions. Shen Yunxuan took out a thin booklet—she had already written everything down clearly—and carefully explained everything to them.

When the magistrate saw her handwriting, he was once again amazed.

The script was delicate, neat, and beautiful, yet it also carried a sense of effortless grace and fluidity. It was often said that a person’s character could be seen in their handwriting. This indicated that Shen Yunxuan was a broad-minded person, able to approach the world with a calm perspective.

This was also evident from her words—she considered the Shen family a pit of fire and viewed her adoption as salvation, expressing no hesitation in her discontent with her blood relatives. For a young girl, such sentiments were unconventional and could easily be criticized.

However, hearing how she had been teaching children in the village and now was willing to offer her compressed bread formula for free, it became clear that Shen Yunxuan had a strong sense of right and wrong. It must have been the excessive mistreatment by the Shen family that forced her to escape through adoption.

Now, the most pressing matter was the compressed bread. The magistrate set aside all other thoughts and carefully gathered all necessary information. That same day, he drafted a memorial and sent it, along with Shen Yunxuan’s booklet, to the capital.

To most people, he was merely a lowly seventh-rank county magistrate. But in truth, he was the beloved nephew of Prime Minister Lin in the capital. Having lost his father at an early age, and possessing exceptional talent, he was raised and mentored by Prime Minister Lin as if he were his own son.

His appointment as a county magistrate was merely a period of training for him. This connection was only known to a select few in the capital and was kept a secret from the public. Now, with the discovery of compressed bread, he was sure to add another achievement to his record—one that he could present to Prime Minister Lin when he returned.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan and her parents took the silver they earned from selling the candied beauty fruit and purchased various supplies before heading home. When Granny Wu heard what had happened, she was deeply moved. She clung to Shen Yunxuan’s hand, unwilling to let go, while also feeling a bit frightened. “Girl, don’t take such risks in the future. It’s only because Magistrate Lin and his mother are good people that nothing bad happened. If you had encountered someone with a malicious heart, they might have harmed you and stolen your credit.”

Wang Xinghua was also fearful. “Fortunately, Madam Lin was kind and liked the small treats. If it had been someone else, they might have scorned us for bringing only a few snacks. The Li family, for instance, is terrifying.”

Shen Yunxuan laughed. “Don’t be afraid. I knew what I was doing. I’ve heard people praise Magistrate Lin’s character before, saying that Madam Lin is kind. There was nothing to worry about.” She gently squeezed Granny Wu’s hand. “Grandmother, we pray for Brother Wu’s safe return every day. Perhaps if we accumulate enough good deeds, the heavens will grant our wish.”

Granny Wu’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! We will pray for him!”

Shen Yunxuan truly believed this. In the world of the “Taoist Priest Shen Yunxuan,” doing good deeds and accumulating virtue could bring people good fortune. She wasn’t sure if the escort agency could save Wu Feng, but at least through acts of kindness, she could make a plea to the heavens.

Granny Wu was the person who had shown her the greatest kindness across two lifetimes—helping her without expecting anything in return, treating her as family. No one understood the pain of losing loved ones more than Shen Yunxuan, and she desperately hoped that Granny Wu could live to see her grandson return.

Of course, she also made this choice because she was confident in its success. The outside world did not know Magistrate Lin’s true identity, but she did. In her previous life, she had used her influence to encourage Li Yaosheng to study, teaching him about the hardships of the people and inspiring him to contribute to their well-being.

At the time, she had only done this to fulfill a task imposed by Madam Li. However, perhaps because her method was effective, Li Yaosheng had taken a deep interest in governance and had studied extensively. Later, when he had the opportunity to meet Magistrate Lin, he had earned his admiration.

This was why the Li family had aspired to buy an official position for him. When Magistrate Lin completed his term and was promoted, he helped elevate Li Yaosheng to the position of county magistrate.

For years afterward, rather than saying Li Yaosheng governed the county well, it would be more accurate to say that Magistrate Lin’s occasional advice had been invaluable. Li Yaosheng’s efforts had contributed to the county’s stable development, which, in turn, reflected well on Magistrate Lin’s legacy. People often said that counties governed by Magistrate Lin remained prosperous for over a decade—this place had become one of his political achievements.

The magistrate had once given Li Yaosheng a significant opportunity, so Shen Yunxuan not only knew his true identity but also understood the preferences of his family. Every time gifts were sent to the capital for holidays, she would carefully consider them again and again.

Later, when she followed her son to the capital as an official’s mother, she even visited the magistrate and became deeply familiar with his family’s personalities and tastes. She was entirely confident in dealing with the Lin family.

Now that the recipe had been submitted, there was nothing more for Shen Yunxuan to do except wait for news. Meanwhile, Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua had become increasingly skilled at selling their goods, so she focused on making more products daily. Mornings were spent teaching the village children reading, arithmetic, and business calculations, while afternoons were dedicated to experimenting with new food ideas, occasionally going into the mountains to forage for ingredients or hunt small game.

Their backyard had become lively, with six wild rabbits, over a dozen chickens, a milk-producing ewe, and a small lamb. Every day was bustling with activity.

Granny Wu kept the yard spotlessly clean and spent her time sewing new quilts and clothes under the eaves, preparing to have everyone dressed in fresh, warm clothing for the New Year. When she got tired, she would rest in her reclining chair, while Shen Yunxuan played on the swing nearby. The two of them, one old and one young, would chat about anything and everything, living a peaceful and content life.

When neighbors passed by and saw this tranquil scene, they often sighed, thinking that Shen Yunxuan had truly married well. Even though her husband’s fate was uncertain, her relationship with Granny Wu was wonderful. How could anyone call her life bitter? Just looking at them from afar felt comforting.

This shift in perception reduced the villagers’ envy toward Shen Yunlian’s position in the Li family. People had initially thought that Shen Zhong and Shen Yunlian had promising futures working in the Li household. But after so many days, there were no apparent benefits.

At the very least, the Shen family remained as they were—or perhaps worse off—since Shen Fu’s family had been adopted into another household. Now, every member of the Shen family had more work to do than before. Take Old Lady Shen, for example. In just a short while, she had become noticeably haggard, her face constantly sour, completely unlike Granny Wu, who looked much more at ease.

To make matters worse, the children who studied under Shen Yunxuan had started questioning traditional beliefs at home. They repeated what she had taught them—encouraging independent thought, observation, and challenging outdated ideas. They began to wonder why, despite having such “successful” grandchildren, Old Lady Shen seemed to be living in misery instead of prosperity.

If she was destined to enjoy blessings in the future, how much longer would she have to wait? Would she even live to see the day? Didn’t Shen Yunxuan say that Old Man Shen’s mother worked tirelessly her entire life, only to become paralyzed and die soon after, all because her children were unfilial?

What good was having accomplished descendants if they didn’t treat their elders well?

On the other hand, by traditional standards, Granny Wu should have been the unluckiest person—losing both her maiden and married family, with her only grandson enlisting as a soldier at a young age. Most assumed he was likely dead.

In the past, no one wanted to associate with Granny Wu, considering her unlucky. But now, thanks to Shen Yunxuan, people had started interacting with her more and realized she was an exceptionally kind and understanding woman. Many who suffered under oppressive in-laws envied Shen Yunxuan for having such a wonderful home.

And wasn’t Granny Wu’s life actually quite good? She had a few acres of land rented out, receiving enough grain annually to feed her family. Her clothes were free of patches, she did very little labor, and she could lounge in a rocking chair soaking up the sun. Lately, she even looked like she had gained weight, and now, with Shen Fu’s family looking after her, she truly seemed to be living a blessed life.

In fact, very few elderly women in the village lived as comfortably as Granny Wu.

Meanwhile, many of the so-called “well-married” women in the village spent their days toiling endlessly, worrying about their households. Compared to them, Shen Yunxuan, despite being a “bride for luck,” seemed to have a much better life. People had pitied her, thinking she was doomed to be a widow if Wu Feng never returned. But looking at her now—happy every day, highly respected for educating the village children—wasn’t she actually the one who had married best?

Because of Shen Yunxuan, many villagers began to question their long-held beliefs. They started to think more critically, and though the changes were subtle for now, some families were already adjusting their ways of thinking. The impact of Shen Yunxuan’s rebirth had begun.

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A month later, Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua had secured several stable business deals—some with the docks, some with restaurants, and others with wealthy families. Many people had tried replicating Shen Yunxuan’s flower rolls, sweet bean pastries, and stuffed buns at home but couldn’t match the taste. In the end, they simply placed regular orders instead. Buying in bulk also allowed them to negotiate better prices, making it worthwhile.

This meant that they now had to produce at least 500 flower rolls and 200 buns per day, not counting other items. Naturally, their family couldn’t handle this workload alone, so they put out word in the village that they were hiring.

Zhang Lishan was the first to rush home and drag his mother, Qin Shi, over. “Mom, Master will definitely treat you well! You should work here! Let’s rent out our land!”

Shen Xing also ran to find his parents in a hurry. “Hurry! If you don’t go soon, you won’t get a spot!”

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