Chapter 001: Moon Lotus

The servant saw that Yue Lian was dressed in coarse linen clothes, wearing hemp shoes, and carrying a cheap basket. Unable to suppress a cold laugh, he said, "We intend to tour Quanzhou City today, thinking of selling pancakes, perhaps tomorrow."

Yuelian originally intended to step back, but there were many people gathered behind her. Not only were there vendors, but also the laborers transporting goods who did not dare to block the path of the high official, all moving to the side of the road. People were shoulder to shoulder, jostling against one another, and Yuelian could not retreat into the crowd at all. At that moment, someone behind her unexpectedly pushed her, causing Yuelian to lose her balance and stumble several steps forward, ending up right in front of the procession showcasing the official.

Various flags were hoisted on the ships, and as they headed south, different vessels would form fleets on their own. Different fleets, different maritime merchants, and various flags fluttering in the wind required keen eyesight for accurate identification. Just as Yue Lian was carefully discerning, she heard the distant sound of a gong signaling the way.

Sigh... the uncle selling wine let out a long sigh, "Although Master Zhao possesses great knowledge, he is still young and does not understand the taste of wine. You may go ahead, I will stay behind."

Upon seeing someone getting ahead of them, the vendors immediately expressed their strong disapproval, stating that they had heard about this matter long ago. They then praised this Zhao Jiaran as a manifestation of the Literary Star, for how else could he stand out in Fujian, a region where the competition for the imperial examination is so fierce? Their previous disdain for the scion instantly transformed into admiration for the successful scholar and high official.

Hearing about the expulsion of the errand boy, Yue Lian let out a sigh of relief. At this moment, the surrounding vendors noticed that the seemingly sixteen or seventeen-year-old Yue Lian had been pushed out of the crowd by that troublemaker. After being rejected while trying to sell pancakes, everyone felt both happy and relaxed, and they all burst into laughter. Yue Lian chuckled awkwardly a few times and prepared to take the opportunity to retreat back into the crowd. However, she heard a child dressed in red and adorned with decorations speak up: "Since you dare to block the way, you must be somewhat different. I will buy two of your pancakes."

Next to the Moon Lotus are other vendors, who rely on shouting to conduct their business

According to a reminder from https://www.hetushu.com, another seller of rice cakes displayed a look of sudden realization. He eagerly expressed, "I have heard of this matter. Last autumn, during the provincial examination in Fujian, this gentleman Zhao achieved success. In our Fujian province, it is unreasonable for anyone to fail the provincial examination. This gentleman Zhao was only twelve years old when he passed the examination, which led many long-time scholars to accuse the examiners of cheating, causing quite a stir in the court at that time. As the situation escalated, the Fujian province had no choice but to invite several masters of Neo-Confucianism to personally set the questions, observing how this gentleman Zhao Jiaran responded. It is said that this gentleman Zhao answered fluently, and his essays were as exquisite as brocade. As a result, he gained the respect of many. This year, he passed both the provincial and palace examinations, being personally appointed as a top scholar by the emperor.

The middle-aged man laughed and said, "The trend of scientific examinations in Fujian is extremely vigorous, with over a hundred thousand candidates each year. How could the Pu family possibly succeed in the exams!"

Whether that doll is Zhao Jiaran or not, Yue Lian has no way of confirming. However, there is no enmity between Zhao Jiaran and Yue Lian, and after a moment, Yue Lian forgets about Zhao Jiaran. She continues to sell her pancakes, carefully observing the people and shops related to the Pu family. Revenge is what Yue Lian cares about the most at this moment

The ones offering the delicacies were the Pu family, and upon realizing this, Yue Lian felt a surge of intense hatred rising within her heart

The wine seller uncle looked around proudly and spoke in a deliberately indifferent tone, "Do not be deceived by this young official's age; he is indeed this year's top scholar. He belongs to the Zhao clan and is officially named Zhao Jiaran. Do you not even read the announcements?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" The uncle selling alcohol mocked with a tone full of disdain.

"Master Zhao! Please try the pastries from my home." With this loud call, someone was seen walking briskly along the main road. The crowd focused their attention, and the newcomers were three individuals, with the one in the silk long gown at the forefront, followed by two others dressed in the attire of wealthy families. The person on the left was carrying a vermilion lacquered food box, which looked quite extraordinary.

The constable was taken aback when someone suddenly rushed out. Upon seeing that it was a young girl, he immediately shouted, "What do you intend to do by blocking the way?"

At that moment, Yue Lian's thoughts were not at all on Zhao Jiaran. Upon seeing her enemy, the Pu family, her emotions were in turmoil, and she could hardly remember Zhao Jiaran, whom she had only met once. After a moment of contemplation, she replied: "That Zhao Jiaran has a head, with two eyes, one nose, and one mouth."

The surrounding vendors were initially taken aback after hearing this, and then someone, clearly displeased, demanded that the uncle selling alcohol clarify his statement. Observing their readiness to roll up their sleeves, it seemed that if the uncle's words were unpalatable, they were likely prepared to take more drastic actions.

Upon hearing such accusations, the group of vendors nodded in agreement. One vendor selling rice cakes angrily remarked in a sour tone: "Hmph, those sons of nobles occupy the military and now they actually let the officials clear the way. Is there no law in this land?"

Before the middle-aged man could respond, a young man who was busy gnawing on a biscuit made an effort to free his tongue from his mouth and asked indistinctly, "I have also heard of the newly appointed scholar Zhao Jiaran. What does he look like, now that you have seen him today?"

The sound of the gong clearly indicated the presence of officials. Suddenly, as a local magistrate was on the move, the group of vendors fell silent almost instantly. Yue Lian instinctively tightened her grip on the basket on her arm. Even if she couldn't sell the pancakes, at least she could eat them herself. If she were to drop the basket in the crowd, it would be a significant loss. Moments later, a procession was seen approaching along the main road, with a group of officials clearing the way by beating the gong.

The autumn wind is bleak, causing the edges of Yue Lian's linen garment to sway. Adjusting her linen overcoat, she slings the basket for selling pancakes over her shoulder and walks towards the dock. The laborers dressed in linen shirts pull and push large carts loaded with goods. Even though it is already autumn, the sleeves of their linen shirts are still rolled up high. Exhausting all their strength, the men's strong muscles are taut, and their foreheads are drenched in sweat

Eggs! Warm eggs!

As the laborers slowed their pace, the hawkers shouted even more vigorously, yet no one dared to obstruct the path of these laborers. Yue Lian shouted for a while, then stepped back a few paces to stand behind other vendors. The autumn breeze blew, and Yue Lian tidied her hair, looking down from a height towards the port. The ships nearly filled the harbor, their upright masts resembling a dense forest. With the autumn wind rising, the vessels were about to set sail southward. This is one of the busiest times at Quanzhou Port.

Yuelian was taken aback when she saw a servant beside the scholar running over to hand her a few coins. She had no choice but to take out two cakes from her basket and give them to the servant. The other vendors were quite surprised; generally speaking, such high-ranking officials have discerning tastes and would not even glance at the wares of ordinary vendors. Seeing the official purchase the cakes, the others could not help but feel tempted.

After the wine seller finished speaking, he shouldered his burden and walked further away from the main road. Although the crowd of vendors was lively in conversation, they immediately retreated as they saw someone step back. Originally, Yue Lian was standing behind the crowd, but as a result, she ended up at the front. The gong sounded, and shortly after, the procession of the officials arrived in front of the group of vendors.

Yuelian did not wish to deal with the authorities, but given the current situation and seeing the constable's fierce expression, an idea struck her. She stepped forward, raised her arm holding the basket, and forced a smile, saying: "Esteemed Scholar, would you like to try some of our pancakes?"

"It is probably that heir who is about to get married, isn't it?" someone beside said with a cold laugh

At this moment, those who wished to see the commotion could not help but push forward, creating a gap in the originally impenetrable wall of people. Yue Lian seized the opportunity to slip into the crowd and quickly left this lively place. Feeling a surge of hatred in her heart, Yue Lian was afraid of being noticed by others. She lowered her head, held her basket, and tightly clutched the copper coins she had just received from the high-ranking scholar, walking briskly along the less crowded alley.

... ...

Yuelian handed over the basket, and the several martial artists quickly set down their stone locks, eagerly accepting the basket. Without hesitation, they took out the cakes and began to eat.

Freshly baked flatbreads! Freshly baked flatbreads! Yue Lian did not approach these people, but instead stood a little away from the road, calling out to the laborers to sell her goods.

Chen Family Old Wine Chen Family Old Wine

The people in the courtyard were initially listening attentively. When they heard Yue Lian speak in such a serious tone, everyone was taken aback for a moment, and shortly after, they burst into laughter in unison, the previous tension dissipating into thin air.

Salted duck eggs Salted duck eggs

Merchants in the food industry often present their most prized dishes to the high-ranking officials during parades of praise. If the official offers a compliment, their status immediately rises significantly. Although the street vendors do not possess such resources, they also wish to emulate the wealthy merchants. However, no one dares to do so, and thus their inquiries are often filled with doubt.

Yuelian looked at the man on horseback with confusion, and then she heard someone nearby muttering, "Whose child is getting married? They even have the constables clearing the way!"

Yuelian reported to the middle-aged man the number and size of the boats flying the Pu family flag that she had seen at the port. After finishing, she also mentioned how the Pu family had presented refreshments to the newly appointed scholar. Afterward, Yuelian sighed, "Father, the Pu family is becoming increasingly powerful, and now they are hastily currying favor with the influential. If they produce a scholar, we may find it difficult to deal with them again."

Yuelian shook her head slightly, "I originally thought that passing the imperial examination was extremely difficult. Today, seeing someone who is only thirteen years old achieve this, I am rather frightened."

Shall we invite Master Zhao to sample our culinary skills and provide his feedback? asked the vendor selling duck eggs

Yuelian furrowed her brows slightly, as she could not comprehend why this official Zhao Jiaran would react in such a manner. Observing him sitting steadily on his horse, it was evident that he showed no signs of tension whatsoever. When he spoke to Yuelian earlier, there was even a hint of amusement in his tone.

A few days later, Yue Lian was selling pancakes near the official road in the northern part of the city when she saw someone riding a horse out of the city. Each person was carrying a bundle, and among them was a child with a topknot, riding a horse just like the adults. The child looked somewhat familiar, but before Yue Lian could recognize them, the group had already left the city

At this moment, Yue Lian had once again returned to the crowd, but there were too many onlookers, and she could not squeeze in; she could only stand by the people. Looking up at the young scholar Zhao Jiaran, Yue Lian noticed that Zhao Jiaran was pursing his lips in front of the three individuals. Although there was little expression on his face, the fingers exposed at the cuffs were tightly clenched together.

Yuelian carefully observed the newcomer, noticing that he did not have his hair tied up, but instead had it parted into two halves, each tied into a bun on the top of his head, resembling two ram's horns. Boys are required to tie their hair at the age of fifteen, while those between the ages of nine and fifteen wear this type of hairstyle known as "zongjiao." Upon seeing the child adorned in red and colorful attire, Yuelian's gaze immediately filled with disdain.

Three merchants have stopped in front of Zhao Jiarun. They opened the food boxes, and Yue Lian initially wanted to see what remarkable delicacies were inside the boxes, but she immediately noticed the character '蒲' in the center of the box lid. Instinctively, the smile on Yue Lian's face vanished, and she merely pursed her lips, her fingers subconsciously pinching together.

A quarter of an hour later, Yue Lian arrived at a residential house. Upon entering the courtyard, she saw several people practicing martial arts while lifting stone locks. Upon seeing Yue Lian enter, a middle-aged man sitting on a nearby chair stood up and smiled, "Is there any leftover pancakes? They have been practicing for quite a while and are already hungry."

The middle-aged man felt that there was something amiss with Yue Lian, and he asked, "Have you investigated the Pu family's ship?"