There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 156 The Marquis's Mansion Gold

Li Shuchen smiled.

"Of course, it was originally prepared for you."

The girl in pink, holding her maid's hand, trotted forward.

"Let's go, let's swing under the fruit trees, smelling the sweet fragrance of the fruit, it's sure to be fun!"

It must be fun! Li Shuchen herself had already enjoyed it yesterday, and it felt so good she just wanted to sleep.

However, this girl in pink is too lively; someone needs to keep an eye on her secretly to prevent any trouble.

"Seventh Sister"

"Miss Li, is there anything you need?"

"Keep an eye on that girl in pink who's swinging on the swing. She's too lively; I'm afraid something might happen to her."

"I understand, Miss Li, please rest assured."

After instructing Qi Niang, Li Shuchen turned and went to the male guests' area. He searched for a long time before finally finding Li Lingxiao in a corner.

They were together with Xiao Xiuyuan, and I don't know what they were talking about.

Li Shuchen stepped forward

"Why isn't Xiao'er eating fresh fruit?"

"Sister, what brings you here?"

Xiao Xiuyuan bowed

"Miss Li"

Li Shuchen returned the gift

"Young Master Xiao"

"Sister, I've already tasted this fruit. Let's leave it for the other guests."

Li Shuchen slapped Li Lingxiao on the head and said...

"Your sister's family is wealthy and powerful; we wouldn't be so stingy as to lack a little fruit from you. Eat it."

He then turned to Xiao Xiuyuan and said

"Young Master Xiao, please don't stand on ceremony with me."

Thank you, Miss Li.

Xiao Xiuyuan responded quickly, it was unclear what he was afraid of.

Li Shuchen sat down and asked about Li Lingxiao.

"Father said that Xiao'er is not staying at home because of the county examination?"

"Yes, elder sister, Xiao'er started school late, so she naturally needs to study hard."

Li Shuchen felt very sorry for him.

"Study is fine, but don't neglect your health. If I hadn't brought you to the orchard today, were you planning to stay home and study all day?"

Li Lingxiao smiled shyly.

"My sister is clever. To be honest, I want to participate in next year's autumn imperial examination."

"Only those who pass the county-level imperial examination can participate in the autumn examination. Xiao'er is still young, there's no need to rush."

Li Lingxiao shook his head.

"I'm not a child anymore; I'll be fifteen next year. If I do well in my studies and become a government-subsidized student, the government will provide me with a stipend. Then, my older sister won't have to work so hard to support me; I'll support her instead."

Li Lingxiao chuckled foolishly.

Li Shuchen felt a pang of sadness and stopped trying to persuade him. He simply said...

"I'll spend the whole day at my sister's place, just relaxing and having fun."

"Okay, sister, I don't need you to take care of me. You can go ahead and do your work."

Li Shuchen got up and left. Judging that it was almost time, he instructed the girls to fetch fruit baskets tied with red ribbons and decorated with the auspicious character "福" (good fortune).

Then he placed the fruit basket in front of the guests and said...

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have all tasted fresh fruit, but I'm sure few of you have experienced the process of picking various fruits by hand. Today, Chaohui Fruit Manor is willing to give you that opportunity."

Then everyone is invited to pick their favorite fresh fruit and take it home for their loved ones to enjoy. This is a way to show filial piety and bring good fortune to their families.

"Okay, thank you, Miss Li."

"Miss Li's righteousness"

Seeing that everyone's response was very positive, Li Shuchen continued...

"Soft peaches are 500 coins per catty, firm peaches are 400 coins per catty, red dates are 300 coins per catty, persimmons are 450 coins per catty, and apples are 200 coins per catty. After picking, weigh them, pay the money, and the fresh fruit is yours. Fruit baskets are given to everyone free of charge."

"I'd like a fruit basket, Miss Li, please give me the biggest one."

"I want a fruit basket too, give me one!"

At this moment, a man in the crowd sneered and mocked.

"I brought out three thousand taels of silver to play around, and you want me to buy these unoriginal fruits? Even if these fruits taste better than those elsewhere, it's not worth the trip."

The male guests were all muttering to themselves.

"Yes, we've come all this way, and all we get is this? It's really not interesting."

"I got up really early this morning, look how dark my dark circles are!"

Li Shuchen narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. Three thousand taels of silver—a wealthy man indeed! He couldn't be allowed to escape.

So he quickly replied with a smile, "Young master, please don't be in a hurry. After lunch, the king of fruits will be waiting for you."

"The king of fruits, what is that?"

"Who knows? See those two trees that are covered up? That's probably it."

"What exactly is that huge tree?"

"You'll know after lunch."

The wealthy young man in blue flung aside his fan and laughed.

"The king of fruits, very well, then this young master will be waiting."

After this little incident

The guests laughed and chatted as they collected their fruit baskets and headed towards their favorite fruit trees.

Li Shuchen moved back and forth among the guests, checking if they needed anything.

The girl in pink peeled an orange and put it in her mouth.

"Mmm~ These freshly picked tangerines are so juicy!"

Li Shuchen smiled.

"How could it not be so fresh? From the moment you picked it to the moment it entered your mouth, only a few breaths had passed. This must be the first time you've ever eaten such a fresh orange."

The girl in pink turned around brightly and said

"Indeed, I was so busy swinging on the swing that I didn't even eat the fruit on the table. I didn't expect it to be so delicious. Miss Li, you won't mind if I eat a few of your fruits, will you?"

"No, no, please have some, young lady."

As soon as Li Shuchen said this, many guests began to taste the food.

A girl murmured

"The taste of eating these yourself is simply indescribable!"

The girl in yellow replied

"It tasted even better than what I ate in the pavilion. I wish I had eaten less. Now I feel weak and uncomfortable."

"I advised you to eat less in the pavilion, but you wouldn't listen. Now you should tone it down a bit. The feast will start later, and there will definitely be even more delicious food."

The girl in yellow frowned slightly and rubbed her stomach.

"I'll listen to you this time and won't overeat. I just hope the fruit in my stomach will digest quickly."

After listening, Li Shuchen walked to Gu Ziying's side and asked in a low voice.

"That girl in yellow often comes to my inn to show her support. I've also seen her at banquets a few times. Whose daughter is she?"

"The daughter of a marquis"

"The Marquis's residence? Zhelan's maternal grandfather, the granddaughter of Marquis Ning?"

"Yes"

"She's quite the foodie. She's already stuffed. It wouldn't be good if she couldn't eat the delicious food at the banquet later. Ziying, you keep an eye on them for now, I'll be right back."

"it is good"

Li Shuchen returned to his room, brewed a pot of digestive and stomach-soothing tea that he had bought from the auspicious system yesterday, and brought a plate of it to Ziying's side.

"Ziying, I made some tea to aid digestion, relieve bloating, and soothe the stomach. Do you want some?"

I didn't eat much, but I'm not full.

Li Shuchen nodded.

"Okay, let me see if the guests need it."

After speaking, Li Shuchen walked into the crowd, especially around Miss Ning.

"I just brewed some stomach-soothing tea to aid digestion and relieve bloating. Does anyone need some?"

"I'll have one, Miss Li, please bring me a cup quickly."

Miss Ning hurriedly walked to Li Shuchen's side.

Li Shuchen quickly handed her a cup and kindly reminded her...

"The banquet will begin soon, and there will be fresh and delicious food. We can't be tempted by these fruits anymore."

Miss Ning said coquettishly upon hearing this.

"Miss Li also joked with me, saying, 'Fine, I won't eat it.'"

Li Shuchen laughed heartily, then turned and offered the tea to those in need.

After serving the tea, I went to the kitchen to check on the dishes.

"Aunt Chen, how's the food preparation going?"