Ch 100: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Two days later, when Jiang Ji went out to the streets to buy things, he heard many people discussing the court’s proposal to establish schools for women. The topic was especially lively in teahouses, restaurants, and bookstores.

“I heard about this yesterday. They said it caused a stir in court. Turns out it’s true!”

“Setting up schools for women… I wonder who came up with that? Women should just stay home supporting their husbands and raising children. What’s the point of going to school?”

“That’s not entirely true. Some women are even more capable than men.”

“What good does that do? Even if they study, they can’t become officials.”

“I heard it was the Regent who brought it up.”

“What? The Regent proposed it?”

“No, no, that’s wrong. It was Duke Chang who submitted a memorial, and the Regent brought it to court for discussion.”

“What? Duke Chang suggested it?”

“Why would he propose something like this? Doesn’t he not even need to attend court?”

“I heard he’s been focusing on agricultural innovations. Why suddenly bring up women’s schools?”

“Does his family have a girl who wants to study?”

“I think I heard he has a younger sister.”

“Well, no matter why he suggested it, I heard the officials have been arguing for two days without reaching a conclusion.”

“This is a big matter. Women have never been allowed into schools before. It won’t be settled easily. There’s more arguing to come.”

“The whole capital is watching this now.”

Jiang Ji and Lu Jiu sat in the teahouse cracking melon seeds, listening to the discussion for quite a while, then went on to a jewelry shop.

Jiang Ji still needed a few pieces of jewelry for his betrothal gifts. Wearing a mask, he browsed through several shops and again heard many young ladies and married women discussing the matter.

“Miss Luo, have you heard? The court might establish schools for women.”

“I’ve heard. If they really do, I’d love to go see.”

“It’s only under discussion now. I’m afraid it might not pass the court.”

“Why not? Men have so many schools. Why can’t women go too? We can only learn a few characters at home.”

“Exactly. I want to go to school too. I’m smarter than my useless little brother, yet he gets to go and I don’t.”

“Do you know who proposed this?”

“Who?”

“I heard it was Duke Chang.”

“Why him? Didn’t he come from the countryside? Why would he suggest this?”

“You don’t know? I heard from Lady Lu that Duke Chang has a younger sister, about thirteen or fourteen. He even sent her to school.”

“What? There’s a school that accepts girls?”

“There is. Probably the village is more open-minded.”

“That’s wonderful. When I was little, I wanted to go to school, but my father scolded me for it. Duke Chang treats his sister so well.”

Jiang Ji left the jewelry shop with his purchases.

Lu Jiu, who had been following him, asked, “Young Master, do you think the court will agree?”

Jiang Ji thought for a moment. “It won’t be easy, but I trust the Regent.”

“Yes, we trust the Regent,” Lu Jiu said with a grin. His faith in his master was absolute.

Jiang Ji shrugged. “He said to leave it to him, so I won’t worry.”

After strolling around, Jiang Ji picked up a few more jewelry items for the betrothal gifts. When they returned to the Regent’s residence, Steward Zhong informed him that Han Qingshan had arrived.

Jiang Ji went to the courtyard and saw Han Qingshan waiting.

“Young Master.” Han Qingshan greeted him with a bow.

“Uncle Han.” Jiang Ji had met him a few days earlier and even given them a large supply of dried chili peppers. “Are preparations finished?”

Since arriving in the capital, Han Qingshan and his group had been busy preparing the restaurant. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. With Lu Huaizhou arranging an experienced manager to assist, they had hired and trained staff, renovated the space, and refined the kitchen. After more than two months, everything was finally ready.

“Yes, we plan to open in three days. Would you like to come take a look beforehand?”

Han Qingshan looked visibly thinner from the workload, but his expression was bright with energy.

Jiang Ji thought for a moment. “Alright. Tomorrow afternoon, clear the shop. I’ll come take a look. Other than you, Yu Yang, and the manager, no one else should know my identity.”

Hearing that Jiang Ji would come, Han Qingshan nodded eagerly. “Yes, Young Master. I’ll arrange it.”

…

The next afternoon, Jiang Ji slipped out through the back gate of the residence, boarded the carriage Han Qingshan and Yu Yang had brought, and went to the restaurant. The manager was already waiting.

Entering through the back door, they led Jiang Ji through the entire place.

The location was excellent. It was a spacious two-story establishment, elegantly decorated. Jiang Ji inspected everything carefully, from the kitchen and storage rooms to the main hall and private rooms, then reviewed the layout, menu, and pricing. He nodded in satisfaction.

Han Qingshan had modeled much of it after their Changping restaurant, but the decor was more refined, suited to the capital.

“Not bad. Very good.”

The praise from the Duke made them all beam with pride.

“Will you come on opening day, Young Master?” Han Qingshan asked.

“Of course,” Jiang Ji nodded.

“That’s wonderful,” Han Qingshan said, pleased. “I’ll make arrangements.”

Jiang Ji shook his head. “No need for special arrangements. I’ll come openly as a customer.”

Han Qingshan hesitated. “At the housewarming banquet before, many officials tasted our dishes. They might recognize your style…”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Ji said. “In the capital, every shop has backing. Otherwise it wouldn’t survive. Even if they recognize it, they won’t cause trouble. Just be careful. There are many powerful people here. Make sure the waiters stay sharp. And if anyone deliberately causes trouble, don’t let yourselves be bullied. Have you arranged guards?”

The manager nodded. “Yes, Your Grace. The staff and guards have all been trained.”

“Good. With your experience, and Uncle Han and Yu Yang as well, I’m at ease.”

After finishing his inspection, Jiang Ji returned to the residence.

At dinner that evening, he told Lu Huaizhou about the restaurant opening.

“Do you need me to go?” Lu Huaizhou asked.

Jiang Ji shook his head and placed a piece of stir-fried lamb into his bowl. “No need. It’s not a rest day for you. Focus on your work. I’ll handle it. With so many people in the capital, business will be good. No need to worry.”

Lu Huaizhou smiled slightly. “I’m not worried about business.”

Jiang Ji chuckled, then asked, “Then can I invite Mother, Grandfather, Second Aunt, and Aunt to come try the food?”

“Yes,” Lu Huaizhou nodded.

…

Two days later, Dingsheng Food House opened for business.

Jiang Ji arrived early and sat in a private room on the second floor, watching the grand opening below.

He had also invited Madam Lu and Old Master Lu, Madam Han and her two nieces, as well as Madam Qin and her niece. Aside from those who had to attend court or school, members from the Han family and the Prince Qin household had all come.

A lion dance was taking place downstairs, and they leaned against the railing on the second floor to watch.

Madam Han cracked melon seeds and asked, “Xiao Ji, why did you suddenly invite us to this new restaurant?”

Jiang Ji poured her some tea. Since they were all family, he did not hide anything. “Second Aunt, this is our own place. I wanted you all to try the food and show some support.”

Since Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou were already betrothed, he addressed people the same way Lu Huaizhou did in private, and the elders had no objections.

Everyone was a little surprised. Madam Han glanced at Madam Lu, then at Jiang Ji. “You opened this?”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Yes, under someone else’s name.”

They all understood immediately.

Eldest Young Lady Han clapped happily. “Then today we can finally have a proper feast!”

“I’ve been thinking about the dishes from the housewarming banquet ever since,” Young Lady Qin said with a smile. “Especially those little desserts. So pretty and delicious.”

Madam Qin tapped the two girls lightly. “You two only think about food all day.”

Young Lady Qin snorted. “Mother, didn’t you say the food was good too? Didn’t you even want our cook to learn it?”

Madam Qin shot her a look. “That was because you insisted on learning.”

Jiang Ji quickly added, “Aunt, Second Aunt, you can send your cooks to the regent’s residence to learn. They already know many dishes.”

Madam Han’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

They already knew the Lu household’s cooks had gone to learn before, and they had tasted the results during the New Year visits.

“Of course,” Jiang Ji nodded.

Madam Lu smiled. “See? I told you Xiao Ji would agree.”

Madam Han laughed. “Wonderful, wonderful.”

Recently, the younger girls had also been following the discussion about women’s schools. Taking the opportunity, Eldest Young Lady Han asked, “Your Grace—”

“Cousin,” Jiang Ji interrupted gently, “just call me Brother Jiang Ji, like Huaichuan does.”

The twelve-year-old girl nodded with a smile. “Brother Jiang Ji.”

“Mm.”

She continued, “Brother Jiang Ji, why did you suddenly submit a memorial about establishing schools for women?”

Everyone turned to look at him, curious. Even Old Master Lu raised his eyes.

Jiang Ji said, “Education should not be divided by gender.”

Old Master Lu set down his teacup. “Well said.”

The women present were deeply moved, and their impression of Jiang Ji improved even further.

They discussed the matter for a while, when Han Qingshan and the manager personally brought in the dishes.

Jiang Ji took the chance to introduce them to Madam Lu and the others, letting Han Qingshan and the manager recognize the important people.

After they left, the meal began.

“This is the taste!” Eldest Young Lady Han exclaimed while eating spicy fried chicken. “I’ve been craving this for so long!”

Madam Lu, who also liked spicy food, pointed at a dish in front of her. “Xiao Ji, what is this? I didn’t see it at the housewarming banquet.”

“That’s boiled pork slices,” Jiang Ji explained. “There are bean sprouts underneath. We didn’t have time to prepare bean sprouts before, so it wasn’t made then.”

Eldest Young Lady Han had already tried it. “Delicious.”

Old Master Lu picked up a piece of roast duck, dipped it in sauce, and took a bite. His eyes lit up. “This duck is excellent. Crispy outside, tender inside, not tough at all. Even an old man like me can chew it.”

Roast duck had not been served at the previous banquet. Jiang Ji immediately said, “Grandfather, you can eat it like this.”

He demonstrated how to wrap the duck, and the others followed.

“This flavor… incredible…”

Just then, the door opened, and Lu Huaichuan entered with Qin Yuheng and a Han cousin.

“Brother Jiang Ji, we’re here!” Lu Huaichuan called happily.

The three had just come from the Imperial Academy. After class ended at noon, Lu Huaichuan knew Jiang Ji’s restaurant was opening today. How could he settle for the bland academy lunch?

They had rushed over immediately.

They greeted the elders and entered.

“Perfect timing,” Jiang Ji said with a smile, getting up to bring them clean bowls and chopsticks.

Madam Lu glared. “Why are you here?”

“Brother Jiang Ji told me about the opening. How could we miss good food? We ran all the way here,” Lu Huaichuan said, washing his hands and pulling up a stool beside Jiang Ji. He scanned the table. “Wow, so many dishes I haven’t seen before!”

Qin Yuheng and the Han cousin also washed up and sat down.

Eldest Young Lady Han asked, “Don’t you only have a short break at noon?”

“So we have to eat quickly and go back,” Qin Yuheng said, already picking up his chopsticks.

The three of them barely spoke after that, focused entirely on eating.

The elders looked on helplessly.

Lu Huaichuan managed to say, “There are so many customers downstairs. It’s almost full.”

Earlier, Han Qingshan had let onlookers sample dishes just like in Changping, so the crowd was expected.

“Try wrapping the duck like this,” Jiang Ji said, placing one onto Lu Huaichuan’s plate.

Lu Huaichuan took a bite, his eyes shining. He gave a thumbs up. “Amazing!”

He then asked, “Brother Jiang Ji, isn’t my brother coming?”

“He’s busy. I told him not to come out,” Jiang Ji replied.

Lu Huaichuan sighed with envy. “Right, he can eat this anytime.”

“Mm.” Jiang Ji smiled.

Every dish on the table earned praise.

In the other private rooms and the main hall downstairs, customers were also eating with delight.

As expected, Dingsheng Food House opened with great success.

That evening, Lu Huaizhou returned from the palace with good news.

“The matter of women’s schools passed in court this morning,” he said after washing up and sitting down to eat.

“So fast?” Jiang Ji was surprised, serving him a bowl of soup. “I thought it would take longer.”

Lu Huaizhou looked at him. “They argued for four or five days. That was enough. Consider it a celebration for your restaurant’s opening.”

Jiang Ji blinked, leaned forward, and kissed him on the lips. “Thank you.”

With the restaurant settled, Jiang Ji went to the estate outside the city the next day. He redeemed the spring wheat seeds and stored them in the warehouse, along with sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn seeds. The rest could be handled by Lu Huaizhou’s people.

He also claimed the cement reward, obtained the correct formula, and wrote it down for Lu Huaizhou.

With everything in the capital arranged, Jiang Ji left the necessary seeds at the regent residence, then prepared to return to Changping with Lu Jiu and the others, just in time for spring planting.

“I’m heading back. I’ll return in March.”

Inside the room, Jiang Ji hugged Lu Huaizhou and kissed him goodbye.

Lu Huaizhou pulled him closer, deepening the kiss, clearly reluctant to let go.

They kissed for a long time, until Jiang Ji’s eyes were flushed and his breathing unsteady.

He cupped Lu Huaizhou’s face and said softly, “Wait for me. In two months, we won’t have to live apart anymore.”

Lu Huaizhou replied in a low voice, “Alright. I’ll wait for you.”

When they met again, they would begin preparing for their wedding.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

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