The next day, the sun was blazing high in the sky.
To be honest, this kind of scorching weather was not very suitable for setting up a street stall.
On the way to their stall location, Yu Zhizhi kept glancing at the obvious attention-grabber, He Yang, who was walking beside her. Looking at him dressed in a bright red brocade robe, she couldn’t help but speak up:
“We’re going to set up a stall and do business today—we’re going to work. Why are you dressed like you’re the groom at a wedding?”
At this rate, anyone would think he was going off to pick up a bride, while she, Xiao Tao, and Ping’an were just his servants pushing the cart and carrying gifts.
The very eye-catching He Yang smiled and replied, “Boss, didn’t you say before that I’m in charge of greeting customers?”
“That’s right.”
“Then I’m basically the face of our stall. If customers see me dressed so festively, they’ll be in a better mood, and they’ll enjoy their food more too.”
Hearing that, Yu Zhizhi felt it made some sense. Since he was so enthusiastic about being the “front face” of the stall, she didn’t dampen his excitement.
“As long as you’re happy.”
The two chatted as they walked.
Soon, they noticed the Yun family servants pushing a wooden cart according to Yu Zhizhi’s instructions, heading away from the busy streets and toward a quiet residential area in the east. He Yang suddenly felt a jolt of unease.
“Boss… did you point the wrong direction? Shouldn’t we be setting up in a crowded, lively street?”
Yu Zhizhi’s lips curved slightly into a mysterious smile.
“No mistake. This is our first stall—we should make it a little different. That’s what makes it fun, right?”
He Yang chuckled awkwardly. “Boss is right.”
A few days ago, he had already sworn loyalty, saying he would trust her no matter what. So whatever she wanted to do, he would just follow.
But he never expected—she was going this big.
Fifteen minutes later, the trembling He Yang stood not far from the entrance of the Sixth Prince’s mansion, feeling like he might die of regret.
He regretted everything.
“Boss… y-you’re planning to set up a stall right in front of the Sixth Prince’s residence?”
His voice was barely steady.
Yu Zhizhi smiled at him brightly. “Mm. Is it fun? Is it exciting?”
He Yang looked like he was about to cry as he grabbed her sleeve.
“Boss, this is not fun at all! Let’s change locations!”
Last time she got drunk and said nonsense, the Sixth Prince hadn’t even settled accounts with them yet. Why was she actively coming back to provoke him again?
“Relax. I’ve got everything under control. We’re just setting up a stall here—we’re not stealing or robbing anything. What’s there to be afraid of?”
She had already been here once before, so she had planned it out: they would set up under an apricot tree about ten meters from the entrance.
That way, they’d also have shade.
After deciding the location, Yu Zhizhi instructed Xiao Tao and Ping’an to lay out the items one by one.
Seeing He Ping’an light the fire in the stove, she said, “You can go back to the shop and help out. The three of us are enough here.”
“Yes, Miss.”
After He Ping’an left, He Yang scratched his head and asked confusedly, “Boss, can you tell me now what we’re going to sell?”
Yu Zhizhi smiled slightly and pointed at a large wooden bucket beside them.
“Open it and take a look. Then you’ll know.”
“So mysterious!”
Curiosity rising, He Yang hurriedly opened the lid.
The moment it was lifted, a foul smell rushed out. His expression changed instantly as he quickly pinched his nose.
“What is this?! Why does it smell so bad?”
He frowned and looked inside carefully—and discovered that the originally white tofu had turned black.
Yu Zhizhi added calmly, “It’ll smell even worse when we fry it later.”
He Yang felt his last shred of hope collapse. His voice trembled. “Boss… you’re not joking, right?”
“I’m not joking. We’re selling stinky tofu. Don’t underestimate it—it smells bad, but it tastes amazing.”
She patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll definitely sell out today. I’ll let you try the first piece after frying. I’m good to you, right?”
He Yang forced a bitter smile, silently thinking: She’s treating me like a test subject.
“Hehe… I just ate breakfast, I’m not hungry yet. Let Xiao Tao try it first.”
Poor Xiao Tao, dragged into it, muttered softly, “Miss, I’m not hungry either…”
“Fine. Don’t regret it later.”
Yu Zhizhi began preparing to fry the stinky tofu.
Just then, a luxurious carriage slowly approached and stopped at the mansion gate. Inside, the Sixth Prince, Zhao Yunjin, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly frowned.
An indescribable, pungent smell drifted into the carriage from outside the residence.
He immediately opened his eyes and covered his nose with a folding fan, his voice cold.
“Zhao Yi, what is happening outside? Why is there such a smell?”
The guards outside, Zhao Yi and Zhao Wu, along with the gate guards, all smelled it too—and they knew exactly where it was coming from.
Their expressions turned ugly.
Zhao Yi, the one called upon, cast a cold glance toward the apricot tree.
He Yang panicked instantly.
Wasn’t that Zhao Yi—the Sixth Prince’s personal guard?
He quickly covered his face with both hands, muttering, “You can’t see me… you can’t see me…”
If only he hadn’t dressed so conspicuously.
Zhao Yi pointed at one of the guards. “Explain. What is Yu Zhizhi doing?”
“She’s… setting up a stall.”
“Huh?”
“You heard right. We all heard it clearly. Yu Zhizhi is selling stinky tofu right in front of the master’s residence.”
The guard continued helplessly, “She didn’t go to the busy streets—she came here where there’s barely anyone. I think she might be a little… not right in the head.”
Zhao Yi snapped, “Can’t you smell that stench? Why didn’t you drive her away?”
The guards looked wronged. “We can’t!”
“She hasn’t broken any law. In our Chu Yun Kingdom, commoners are allowed to set up stalls freely. She’s not even blocking the main gate, so we can’t stop her from entering or leaving.”
“When did she come?”
“Not long ago.”
Yu Zhizhi looked at the carriage parked at the gate and burst out laughing very unkindly.
“Hahaha!”
Her goal was achieved.
Perfect.
The Sixth Prince must have smelled it already.
Serves him right for breaking his promise and standing her up.