As time passed, the stall’s business gradually returned to its earlier booming state.
About half an hour later, seeing that the stinky tofu was almost sold out, Liu Zhizhi quickly fried one last portion and personally delivered it to the guards.
“Sorry to trouble you, big guard brother. Please help deliver this stinky tofu to your master for a taste.”
“Alright.”
Not long after, Zhao Yi took the stinky tofu and went into the study again.
“Master, Liu Zhizhi asked you to try stinky tofu.”
This was the first time Zhao Yunjin had smelled such a strong, foul odor up close. Even he found it difficult to adapt immediately.
Frowning, he said, “Take it away.”
“Yes, Master.”
He couldn’t help but admit he had underestimated Liu Zhizhi. He didn’t expect that in just half a day, her stall would become so popular.
So popular that customers kept coming.
So popular that it even attracted government officers.
So popular that she even used his status for support.
Zhao Wu looked at the stinky tofu in Zhao Yi’s hand and asked curiously, “Master isn’t going to eat it?”
Zhao Yi nodded.
“Then where are you taking it?”
“To throw it away.”
Hearing this, Zhao Wu quickly said, “I’ll throw it away. Such a small task isn’t suitable for you.”
He immediately took the stinky tofu and left.
But instead of throwing it away, he ate it himself.
He ate it with great enjoyment, even feeling a bit unsatisfied afterward.
No wonder her stall was so popular. Even though they followed their master and had eaten countless delicacies, this stinky tofu was something completely new. It seemed only available here.
After finishing official duties, Zhao Yunjin sat at his desk, rubbing his temples before closing his eyes to rest.
When he opened them again, he suddenly thought of the stinky tofu she had sent him earlier.
“Zhao Yi, is that stinky tofu still there?”
Zhao Yi froze for a moment.
The master wanted to eat it?
He replied honestly, “It has already been thrown away.”
Zhao Yunjin nodded, then fell into silence.
Meanwhile, Grandfather Gao had been secretly observing his grandson and noticed he was especially serious today while helping at the stall.
This was unprecedented.
After closing the stall, Grandfather Gao approached him with a smile.
“Grandson, learn well from Zhizhi. Even picking up a little bit will help. Also, remember to bring back two portions of stinky tofu tomorrow—one for your grandmother and one for me.”
Gao Yang spread his hands helplessly. “Grandfather, it’s 40 wen total. I’m only a co-owner; I can’t decide that.”
“Brat! Can’t you just put it on your account?”
“I’m really broke, don’t you remember? My father already cut off my allowance to stop me from working with Boss.”
“Your father is blind. You clearly have talent for business.”
Hearing the praise, Gao Yang immediately brightened up.
“Grandfather still has good taste. Fine, I’ll put it on my account.”
Grandfather Gao secretly smiled.
He had won again.
The first day of business ended smoothly.
After returning to the Yun residence, Liu Zhizhi immediately took a bath and changed clothes. There was no helping it—the smell was too strong.
Luckily, this random stall assignment only lasted three days. Otherwise, people would start associating her with the word “stinky.”
The next morning, she prepared even more stinky tofu than yesterday.
Her younger brother and father also came to help after hearing the business was booming.
As they arrived at the Sixth Prince’s residence, they were shocked.
Yesterday at this time, the area was empty. Today, it was filled with people, carriages, and horses.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted:
“The Stinky Tofu Beauty is here!”
“Where?”
“She’s blocked by that green peacock-looking flashy guy!”
Liu Zhizhi pointed at herself in confusion. “Are they talking about me?”
Gao Yang burst out laughing. “Boss, they’re talking about you!”
Then he teased, “Honestly, the title ‘Stinky Tofu Beauty’ really suits you.”
She smiled back. “Didn’t you hear? They called you a green peacock. Yesterday you wore red, today green—are you trying to show off your feathers?”
Gao Yang muttered, “I only wore green today because I saw the Sixth Prince wearing dark green yesterday. He looked so good, I wanted to try it too…”
“Are we really that different?”
Liu Zhizhi replied calmly, “It’s the difference between a buyer’s photo and a seller’s photo.”
Gao Yang was speechless again.
Meanwhile, many young men and women had come to line up, curious about the strange new snack said to be spicy, smelly, and delicious—only sold in front of the Sixth Prince’s residence.
Even Zhao Wu, one of the guards, secretly slipped into the queue.
“I want one extra spicy with cilantro stinky tofu.”
“Alright!”
Liu Zhizhi looked up—and recognized him immediately.
Wasn’t this one of the Sixth Prince’s personal guards, Zhao Wu?