Ch 161: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

The fact that persimmons and potatoes could be used as food was something that wasn’t discovered until decades later in Shen Yunxuan’s past life—by then, even her son had retired from his official post and was enjoying his old age. That’s why, in this life, she hadn’t even considered it at first. She never expected that hiring the security escort would bring such an unexpected surprise.

Now, Shen Yunxuan was beginning to believe that doing good deeds and accumulating virtue truly brought blessings. If she hadn’t spent those thirty taels to save Wu Feng, how else would the escort leader have come across this discovery?

Two months later, the emperor once again bestowed an honor upon Shen Yunxuan. The last time, it was just for coming up with a recipe, a minor achievement. The emperor had thought it was commendable but didn’t take it too seriously. After all, she was just a village girl—being praised in an imperial edict and receiving a chest of rewards was already an enormous honor.

But this time was different. She had discovered two new food sources, one of which could serve as a staple and potentially save millions of lives. This was an achievement of monumental significance! This time, the imperial rewards were delivered with great fanfare—a grand convoy stopped in front of Yunlai Eatery, and the decree was read aloud for all to hear.

The streets were packed with townsfolk, their eyes wide with awe as they strained to listen. The official’s eloquent and flowery announcement was a bit difficult to understand, but nearby scholars helped translate it for the common folk.

The gist of it was: after introducing compressed rations, the owner of Yunlai Eatery, Shen Yunxuan, had now discovered the culinary uses of two new food sources. She had a heart for the people, was wise, and deeply compassionate—truly a model woman of the common folk. As such, she was granted the noble title of County Princess, along with a grand estate, a farm, a thousand mu of fertile land, and numerous gifts of silver, jewelry, fine fabrics, and books.

The townspeople’s eyes practically sparkled with envy—never in their lives had they seen such an immense reward! Forget the other riches, just the estate alone was said to be even grander than the county magistrate’s residence!

Shen Yunxuan led her family in formally expressing their gratitude. Most of the rewards were external luxuries, but the title of County Princess brought her immense security and privileges. In this county, she now held the highest rank—while it didn’t grant her actual power, no one would dare to cross her. She also now had the right to employ personal guards and attendants, a tremendous advantage.

Typically, even the daughters of marquises were only granted the title of County Princess. Below that were the titles of Township Princess and Pavilion Princess, and very few women were ever granted such ranks. Shen Yunxuan speculated that the emperor’s purpose in doing this was to shock the nation—to let people know that discovering new resources could earn such enormous rewards, thus encouraging people to be more observant of their surroundings. Who knew what else might be discovered?

Whatever the emperor’s intent, Shen Yunxuan had certainly reaped the benefits. Once again, she silently thanked fate for treating her kindly in this second life.

As for the escort leader who had brought back the persimmons and potatoes, since he had been working under Shen Yunxuan’s commission the entire time and had never studied the foods himself, he was only given three thousand taels of silver.

Even so, he was overjoyed—who would have thought that a single escort job, simply gathering a sack of random goods, would bring such a massive windfall? That was money he wouldn’t have been able to earn in a lifetime. His family had never supported his decision to open an escort agency, always calling it too dangerous, but he had no other means of making a living. Now, with three thousand taels, he could finally change professions. No matter what he did next, he would never have to worry about food and shelter again.

This major event caused an uproar in the surrounding towns and villages. Countless people rushed to Yunlai Eatery just to taste the County Princess’s cooking, to see what she looked like, and to get a glimpse of these newly discovered foods—persimmons and potatoes.

Despite all the attention, Shen Yunxuan remained the same—gracious and composed. She cooked as she always did, appeared when necessary, and made no attempt to act differently. However, the townsfolk were now hesitant to approach her or strike up casual conversations. Yunlai Eatery had truly become a sensation, and even the small shops at the ends of the street benefited, turning into bustling businesses.

Meanwhile, Qingshan Village, having been mentioned in two imperial edicts and producing a County Princess, was now regarded as a land of prosperity and talent.

The village head specially invited Shen Yunxuan and her family back to the village to hold a ceremony in the ancestral hall. Together with several respected elders, they would formally announce this great honor to their ancestors. Normally, women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall, but Shen Yunxuan became the only woman in Qingshan Village ever permitted to do so. Additionally, her full name—Shen Yunxuan—would be officially recorded in the family genealogy.

On the day of the ceremony, it was a grand occasion for the entire village—the County Princess was returning home in glory. Every household wore their best clothes and gathered at the village entrance to welcome her. The atmosphere was jubilant, and the excitement was palpable.

Shen Yunxuan had recently purchased a large, luxurious carriage, designed for comfort and spaciousness. When it arrived at the village entrance, its grandeur left the villagers in awe—they had never seen anything so grand in their lives.

But what truly left them speechless was when Shen Yunxuan and her family stepped out of the carriage.

They were all dressed in splendid silk garments. Shen Yunxuan, Wang Xinghua, and Old Madam Wu wore jade hairpins, gold bracelets, and pearl jewelry. Shen Fu even had a jade hair crown. They looked like celestial beings, completely out of reach, making the villagers feel suddenly self-conscious and unsure of how to react.

Someone finally came to their senses and immediately dropped to their knees. “Greetings to the County Princess—”

Shen Yunxuan quickly intervened, “Please, my uncles, aunts, and elders, there is no need for such formalities. I am still Shen Yunxuan, just as before. The emperor has honored me with a title, but I wish to live as I always have. Please, treat everything as normal—call me Shen girl or Boss Shen, just like before.”

The villagers breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had been anxious, unsure of how to properly address or behave in front of a County Princess. They feared making mistakes or committing offenses. But with Shen Yunxuan’s words, they immediately relaxed.

The children, oblivious to the complexity of titles and status, saw that Shen Yunxuan was still as warm and kind as ever. They ran up to her, laughing and jumping, calling her “Master” one after another.

Their master had truly become someone amazing, and they were proud to be her disciples.

The children’s parents were initially nervous, but when they saw that Shen Yunxuan’s smile remained the same and that she was even handing out gifts to the children, they finally relaxed.

Then, everyone gathered around Shen Yunxuan and accompanied her to the ancestral hall. After a series of rituals, she held three incense sticks and solemnly reported her honor to the heavens and her ancestors.

Shen Yunxuan was extremely serious as she silently recited in her heart:

Thank you for giving me the chance to be reborn, for allowing me to live a life of ease and freedom. Everything in my past life was worth it.

Thank you also to the other versions of me in different worlds—it is because of you that I have endless courage and confidence, that I had the opportunity to gain knowledge and broaden my perspective.

I will cherish everything, treasure this life, and make sure that I do not waste a single year or day.

From a distance, the Shen family members watched, unable to describe the feelings in their hearts. They had always longed to bring glory to their family, to cultivate a male heir. Because of this, they had valued sons over daughters to an extreme degree, showing overwhelming favoritism.

And yet, the most successful person in the entire family turned out to be the very girl they had nearly sold off.

A county princess—her rank was even higher than that of a scholar who passed the county-level imperial exam. What a prestigious figure she had become, and she was once a member of the Shen family.

But such a person had been forcibly pushed away by them and was now part of someone else’s family. Even when she paid respects in the ancestral hall, it was not to their Shen ancestors but to the Wu family’s ancestors—her adoptive family after the legal severance.

In the end, Old Madam Wu, that lonely old widow, had essentially gained a county princess for free.

If only they had treated her well from the start, things would not have turned out this way. Now, all they could do was watch from afar as someone else celebrated, unable to even take part.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Jiayao looked at Shen Yunxuan inside the ancestral hall, feeling as if everything was unreal. How could this be? He had been reborn, stolen Shen Yunxuan’s opportunities, yet he had ended up in ruins while she was still dressed in fine silk at the same point in time.

The only difference was that, instead of becoming a concubine in the Li family, she had become a county princess—an even greater status.

What was happening? Could it be that Shen Yunxuan’s success in the past life was all due to her own abilities? A woman—how was that possible?

He clung to the idea that her success must have been due to external factors because if he accepted that Shen Yunxuan had accomplished everything on her own, he feared that he would break down completely.

Even so, he regretted everything. How could he have been so foolish? Why hadn’t he treated Shen Yunxuan well after being reborn? If, after stealing her chance to work in the Li household, he had compensated her, spoken well of her, she would surely have remembered his kindness. With her current power, she would have helped him.

Only by being kind to others can one receive kindness in return. He had always scoffed at this idea, but now he hated himself for not believing it sooner.

Old Man Shen, listening to Old Madam Shen talk about what was happening, insisted that they carry him out on a chair to see. He was so worked up that he drooled all over his clothes, his face red as he pointed at the ancestral hall, stammering, “My… my… granddaughter…”

Nearby, Shen Xing laughed out loud. “My master is a Shen family granddaughter, but she belongs to our family—she is my granduncle’s granddaughter, not yours. So, stop thinking about it.”

Zhang Lishan pulled him aside and said, “Don’t cause trouble for Master. There’s no need to waste words on unrelated people. Let’s go congratulate her.”

With Shen Yunxuan’s status as their teacher now at its peak, those parents who had withdrawn their children from her lessons deeply regretted their short-sightedness. Just look at Zhang Lishan and the other ten students—now, they were students of a county princess! That was far more prestigious than attending the best academy in the county.

Shen Yunxuan had made new clothes for her ten students, all of the same design, using comfortable materials. When they stood together in front of her, they had a presence that set them apart, as if they belonged to something much greater.

The more than twenty children who had dropped out looked at them with undisguised disappointment. A few village folks hesitated before stepping forward and asking, “Miss Shen, I… I know I’m being shameless, but is there any way our children can study with you again?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled and replied, “I’m too busy running my eatery now, and I no longer have the time or energy to personally teach many students. Even for Lishan and the others, I plan to hire a teacher for them.”

The villagers and the children were visibly disappointed. But then they heard her continue, “However, I plan to donate a schoolhouse to our village and hire a teacher to give lessons. The children of our village can attend for free. If any adults want to listen in, they may stand outside and learn through the windows, but they must not disturb the students.”

Excited cheers erupted.

“Thank you, County Princess! Thank you, Miss Shen!”

“Our Qingshan Village is going to prosper!”

With an endless supply of farm goods that they could sell to Shen Yunxuan and free education for their children, even adults could learn literacy and arithmetic. This meant they could eventually seek better jobs in the county. And since children from other villages would have to pay tuition, the village could use the funds to build roads and improve infrastructure. It was now only a matter of time before Qingshan Village became the wealthiest village in the area.

Not only were the villagers thrilled, but even the village head was so moved that he bowed deeply to Shen Yunxuan. All these benefits were purely because of her gratitude toward the village and her willingness to help everyone.

In the past, people envied villages that had produced a scholar because it brought benefits to their hometown. Now, those benefits had come to Qingshan Village—thanks to Shen Yunxuan. From this day on, she was their living goddess.

And that wasn’t all. Since the emperor had awarded Shen Yunxuan a thousand mu of fertile land, she needed people to manage the fields. So, she decided to start by selecting trustworthy families from Qingshan Village. Together with the village head, she carefully chose reliable households and asked them if they were willing to move.

Those who agreed could bring their entire families and start a new life on the fertile lands.

The farmland was not far from Qingshan Village—it would take a day on foot to get there, or only half a day by carriage. This made it convenient for those who moved there to visit relatives in the village. Working there meant working for Shen Yunxuan, with a fixed monthly salary, seasonal clothing, and bonuses for good performance. Many villagers were eager to go.

After all, Qingshan Village had never been wealthy. Most people lived hand to mouth, and as their children grew up and started their own families, their assets remained the same. What little they had was divided among more people, leaving them with even less. Half the villagers didn’t even own land, meaning they had no real ties keeping them in the village. Working for Shen Yunxuan was their best option.

Shen Yunxuan carefully selected over twenty people. Most were young, unmarried men from poor families or large households where dividing property was difficult. Moving to the new land was like an unofficial way to separate from their families.

One special case was Yang Bin, who wanted to bring his elderly parents with him. His parents were frail and chronically ill, unable to work in the fields. He planned to sell their few acres of land to buy medicine and then move to work for Shen Yunxuan.

Yang Bin personally sought out Shen Yunxuan, pledging to work from dawn till dusk and be as productive as three men, hoping she would take him in.

Shen Yunxuan had little impression of this former brother-in-law from her past life and didn’t know how his life had turned out back then. But from what Cui’er and others had told her, Yang Bin was a hardworking, helpful, and honest man. He had a good temperament, was loyal, and devoted to his parents. His only misfortune was having sickly parents who burdened him.

Seeing him in person, Shen Yunxuan trusted her instincts. His gaze was steady and sincere, and his demeanor was calm—he seemed like someone who would work diligently. So she asked, “My county princess’s residence still needs a trustworthy steward. Would you be willing to take on this role? If you accept and believe you can do the job well, you and your parents can move into the residence.”

Yang Bin was stunned for a moment, then immediately knelt in gratitude. “I am willing! I will learn whatever I do not know. I will do my best! Thank you for your great kindness, County Princess!”

If the wages for farmworkers were already generous, then the steward of a county princess’s residence would earn even more—more than he could ever make through physical labor. His parents’ medical expenses would no longer be a worry.

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Alright, get up. There’s no need to kneel for everything—just do your job well. Your first task will be to oversee the construction of the county princess’s residence.

The mansion granted by the emperor is, of course, well-built, but the layout of the rooms, gardens, and furniture all need to be arranged. I will give you a list later—follow it closely. If you need funds, you can collect them from my mother at Yunlai Eatery.

Take your time handling your family affairs. You can move in once the residence is ready.”

Yang Bin carefully memorized her instructions and quickly agreed. This arrangement also meant he wouldn’t have to sell his family’s land—he could rent it out instead. Having land, even if not personally farmed, provided a sense of security. It was an incredibly fortunate turn of events.

The villagers were envious when they heard about Yang Bin’s opportunity. The most envious of all was the Shen family’s eldest branch, for Yang Bin was once supposed to be their son-in-law. They had rejected him because of his sickly parents and instead encouraged Shen Yunlian to become a concubine in the Li family. Now that Yang Bin had become the steward of a county princess’s estate, they regretted everything. If they hadn’t broken off the engagement, Shen Yunlian would now be the steward’s wife.

Being a legitimate wife was far more respectable than being a concubine. As the steward’s wife, she would have managed the household, earned Shen Yunxuan’s trust, and strengthened their family ties. That would have been an immense fortune.

No one knew exactly how much silver Shen Yunxuan had, but since the bodyguard escort alone had received three thousand taels, she must have far more. This was the emperor’s second reward to her—her wealth likely rivaled that of the richest people in the county.

But there was no medicine for regret. The riches of Shen Yunxuan’s household were completely out of the Shen family’s reach.

On quiet nights, they tossed and turned, unable to sleep, tormented by their regret.

Shen Yunxuan, of course, paid them no mind. Now that she was a county princess and had acquired so many assets, it was time to expand her business. She couldn’t keep spending her days in the kitchen cooking. Her first priority was taking on apprentices.

She also hired a teacher to give daily lessons to Zhang Lishan and the other students. Every day, she personally taught them a class on social etiquette, human relationships, and practical life skills. She tailored her teachings to each child’s talents and personality.

Perhaps due to Shen Yunxuan’s newfound status, the children sensed the shift and stopped treating lessons as a game. They became serious and began growing rapidly.

In addition to the academic teacher, Shen Yunxuan hired a martial arts instructor to train her family and students in self-defense. Even Cui’er and the servants were welcome to join. Among them, Shen Fu, Yang Bin, Xiao Lin, and Xiao Feng displayed exceptional talent. The instructor believed they could advance to higher levels, while the others varied—some could learn enough to defend themselves in a fight, while others would simply improve their physical fitness.

This was already a great outcome. No matter what path they took in life, having a strong body was the foundation of everything. The parents of the students were overjoyed. Xiao Lin and Xiao Feng were only average in their studies, and their families had feared they would be dismissed sooner or later. But now, they had a natural talent for martial arts. Their parents eagerly brought farm goods as gifts to express their gratitude to Shen Yunxuan.

Shen Yunxuan had never charged them much tuition—she truly saw these ten children as her own people, raising them as her own.

Seeing this, Old Madam Wu secretly cried in private. Perhaps she was getting sentimental in her old age, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Yunxuan was investing all her energy into these students because she would never have children of her own.

She was building a future where these children could be her support.

Old Madam Wu regretted it—she shouldn’t have let Shen Yunxuan marry Wu Feng. There had been no news from him for months; he was most likely gone.

However, Old Madam Wu never mentioned it in front of Shen Yunxuan. Instead, she simply helped in any way she could, sewing clothes and assisting wherever possible.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan acquired several new properties in the county: one for a restaurant, one for a candy shop, and one for a grain store. Once everything was set up, the New Year was just around the corner. People were busy stocking up on festive goods and had extra money to indulge in good food, which made business for all her new shops thrive.

Walking through the streets, Shen Yunxuan overheard people talking about her stores.

“Have you bought the New Year’s goods from Yunlai Eatery yet? The bamboo gift boxes are gorgeous, and the four kinds of dried fruits inside are absolutely delicious! I bought a box but couldn’t bear to give it away, so I ate it myself. Now I’m back to buy two more to gift.”

“I did! How do you think she does it? It’s just peanuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and hazelnuts, but they taste so fragrant!”

“That’s why she’s the county princess, personally praised and rewarded by the emperor! She’s just smarter and more capable than us. Even the most common dried fruits are made into something extraordinary by her.”

“I think the candied haws are the best. Who hasn’t eaten candied haws? But all these years, no shop has made them as good as Yunlai Candy Shop. They have hawthorn, tangerine, black dates, and even a fruit called gu bird. I’ve never even seen some of these before!

“How does she think of these things? And how is it possible to eat gu bird fruit in this season? I heard she grows it in a heated greenhouse on her farm. Just imagine how much firewood it takes to keep that warm in the middle of winter! No matter what, I have to buy a skewer to try.”

“Right! And Yunlai Eatery’s garlic cabbage hearts and shiitake mushrooms with bok choy are so good—just as delicious as meat dishes. Those are greenhouse-grown, too!”

“You can even have New Year’s Eve dinner at Yunlai Eatery! My uncle’s family is well-off, so they booked a table. We’re all going, and I heard the county princess is setting off fireworks that night. Everyone can come and watch!”

“Having a county princess in our town is amazing! Even without the honor, just look at all the delicious food she’s brought us with her shops.”

“There’s still a long road ahead, and I bet there will be even more good food to come. Just talking about it makes my mouth water. I love eating, and it’s great that our county princess is just as passionate about food as I am. I feel so lucky—I can die happy!”

“Then you better start saving money! I heard she’s working on new signature dishes to update the restaurant and eatery menus. Signature dishes won’t be cheap, so start saving now to try them later.”

“Exactly! Save up for the best meals!”

Shen Yunxuan chuckled to herself. No matter what era, there were always people who loved food as much as she did. In the future, they might be called “foodies.” They were easy to please and easy to make happy. She loved sharing her favorite foods with everyone, especially street snacks.

She silently thanked the Book of Memories, which allowed her to learn about cuisines from different eras and worlds. She had been continuously studying and experimenting, and even her candied haws were inspired by something from the Book of Memories.

In truth, ancient street food options were quite limited. With the Book of Memories, she had been able to introduce a variety of snacks that people had never seen before, and they all sold exceptionally well.

For example, she made crispy, spicy slices out of fried tofu skin and chili. She thought it wouldn’t sell well because tofu was cheap, and the snack was relatively expensive, but to her surprise, it sold out constantly.

Another hit was a snack called “cat’s ears,” made from baked starch and sugar. It was crunchy and fragrant, and people loved it. It wasn’t filling and could be eaten quickly, making it a costly habit—but people still bought it enthusiastically.

Shen Yunxuan believed it was because there weren’t many snacks available before. Now that there were, and they tasted good, people were willing to treat themselves or buy them for their children.

Overall, her new ventures were another resounding success, and she was making a fortune.

Yang Bin worked tirelessly to ensure she could celebrate the New Year in the county princess’s residence. He oversaw the construction and furnishing, working from dawn to dusk. Finally, just days before the New Year, everything was ready.

Shen Yunxuan chose an auspicious day to move in with her entire family. When she had moved from the village to Yunlai Eatery, the entire village had come to see her off. This time, for the grand occasion of the county princess’s relocation, even Lord Lin and other prominent figures of the county came to celebrate!

She hosted several banquet tables, and as the feast began, she raised her cup and toasted, “Thank you all for coming today. If anything is lacking in hospitality, I hope you will forgive me.”

Everyone quickly responded, “The county princess is too polite!”

Someone laughed and said, “It is an honor to be able to set foot in a residence personally bestowed by the emperor!”

Another added, “We are not only here to celebrate the county princess’s new home, but also to bask in her good fortune. The county princess has not only mastered the art of food but also excels in business. Every Yunlai shop is thriving, making us fellow merchants envious.”

This was the truth, and many others agreed. Shen Yunxuan was turning fifteen after the New Year, meaning she hadn’t even come of age yet! Among all the businesspeople present, none had achieved as much at such a young age.

With that, the conversation flowed freely. Initially, some guests had been reserved. Although the county princess now held a noble title, she was still a former village girl. They had worried she might be shy or lack the proper etiquette, making socializing awkward.

To their surprise, no matter the topic, Shen Yunxuan kept up effortlessly. She conversed with ease, engaging with every guest smoothly. Her manner was gracious, and her etiquette was flawless—she carried herself as if she had been born into nobility.

That was, of course, impossible. The only explanation was that Shen Yunxuan had secretly sought out someone to teach her, and learning to such an exceptional level was no easy feat. For a moment, everyone’s admiration for Shen Yunxuan soared. They all had children of their own, and realizing that not even half of them could compare to her, they almost wished they could claim her as their own daughter. To have a daughter like this—it would make a lifetime worth it.

Now, the object of their envy shifted to Shen Fu and Wang Xinghua. These two weren’t particularly capable and had even been considered weak-willed and overly filial in the past, which had caused Shen Yunxuan to suffer greatly. But their love for their child was genuine.

And it was precisely because of this love that Shen Yunxuan was so devoted to them, taking them along to enjoy wealth and prosperity. Though their early years had been filled with hardship, having a daughter like Shen Yunxuan meant they had finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

Of course, the one everyone envied most was Old Madam Wu. Since Shen Yunxuan had been adopted into Old Madam Wu’s family, all of Shen Yunxuan’s future accomplishments would be credited to her adopted ancestors. Old Madam Wu’s maiden family had long since perished, yet now, thanks to Shen Yunxuan, she had descendants who would bring honor to her lineage.

And since Shen Yunxuan had married into the Wu family as Wu Feng’s wife, this honor also extended to Old Madam Wu’s husband’s family. Originally, she had been a lonely widow who might have sunk into despair waiting for a grandson who might never return. But because she had lent a hand to Shen Yunxuan, she had now become a well-cared-for matriarch, living in comfort and luxury. Not only that, but both her natal family and in-laws had gained unimaginable prestige. If people had known this would happen, they would have fought tooth and nail to have Shen Yunxuan as their own.

Meanwhile, Li Yaosheng, as the most valued descendant of the Li family, had accompanied his elders to the banquet. During the feast, some guests even joked with Old Master Li, who quickly clarified that the past conflicts had all been misunderstandings and that he and the county princess had already resolved them.

Seeing how anxious Old Master Li was, Li Yaosheng, for the first time, realized that Shen Yunxuan’s rise had been alarmingly fast—so fast that no matter what he did, he could never catch up.

At first, he hadn’t thought much of Shen Yunxuan—she had simply been an interesting village girl he had encountered by chance, someone he had taken a mild liking to and considered bringing into his household. Later, when he missed that opportunity, he felt a bit regretful. Then, when he suffered two setbacks because of her, he had become competitive about it, taking in Shen Yunlian and even focusing on his studies, thinking that one day he would succeed and make Shen Yunxuan see what she had lost.

But before he could even figure out a way to reestablish ties with Lord Lin, Shen Yunxuan had already become a county princess—her rank was now even higher than Lord Lin’s.

Now, as he sat at the banquet, he realized he was among the most insignificant members of the gathering. He had no voice, no influence. He could only watch as his elders and grandfather exchanged polite conversation with Shen Yunxuan, while his grandfather nervously avoided any mention of the past incident, afraid it would tarnish the Li family’s standing.

Shen Yunxuan had become someone the Li family could not afford to offend.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆