“What was Cuiyun’s ending in the previous life?”
If things truly unfolded the way Song Yinuo described, her son’s feelings for Cuiyun ran deep. One simple test would never be enough to make him give up.
“Let me think…” Song Yinuo carefully recalled Cuiyun’s storyline. “I think she got involved with the top scholar. The scholar’s principal wife found out and had her brought into the household. Once the novelty wore off, the wife arranged several more concubines for him. The scholar immersed himself in his pleasures and completely forgot about Cuiyun. Later, while she was in labor, the principal wife ensured both mother and child died.”
“She was pitiful too,” Shen Yunzhi sighed.
“Don’t tell me you’re softening toward her?” Song Yinuo said. “She’s no harmless person. Bringing her into your home would be like inviting a wolf into the house.”
“This is the first time Ci-ge has ever asked me for something. I can’t let him down. Even if Cuiyun fails the character test, I’ll still allow her to enter the family.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s nothing in the Su family worth coveting — except the ice jelly recipe.”
Song Yinuo caught on immediately. “So one test won’t be enough to break Su Jingci’s attachment. You’ll dismantle her place in his heart step by step.”
Shen Yunzhi already had a plan.
The next morning, after escorting Su Jingci to his tutor, she and the second brother’s couple went to set up their stall.
The ice jelly business had been booming these days. Before they even arrived, customers were already waiting.
Gathering false groundcherry meant climbing the back mountain. After picking came shelling the seeds, washing, kneading, and letting it set — there was always more to do. No matter how much they made, it never seemed enough.
The wonton-selling auntie, after finishing her own stall, would come over to help.
“Your business is really thriving,” she said with a smile.
Wiping sweat from her forehead, Shen Yunzhi replied, “Thank you for helping — and for letting us set up beside you.”
“It’s nothing.” After they finished the rush, the auntie added, “Are you willing to sell the recipe for this ice jelly? My younger sister from the neighboring town came yesterday, loved it, and wants to start a stall there too.”
Selling the recipe was something Shen Yunzhi had never considered. After all, Song Yinuo had taught it to her. Even if she were to sell it, she would first need her consent.
“If you decide to sell, you can name the price,” the auntie said. She was merely acting as a mediator — whether to agree or not was still up to Shen Yunzhi.
“I’ll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow.”
Seeing there was hope, the auntie’s smile deepened.
After closing her stall, Shen Yunzhi went to buy brown sugar, leaving the second brother and his wife to watch things.
“You’re closing early today,” Song Yinuo said, having just woken up and catching sight of Shen Yunzhi packing up. She chatted idly.
“The ice isn’t enough to sell now. Someone even wants to buy the recipe. What do you think?”
“The ice itself isn’t that complicated. Even if you don’t sell the recipe, sooner or later someone will figure it out. You might as well take this chance to sell it at a high price,” Song Yinuo advised.
“When you sell it, only sell the basic version. The premium ice depends mainly on the ingredients — most of which I send you. They won’t be able to source those locally, so you don’t have to worry about losing all your business. If they want to sell the premium version, you can supply them.”
Shen Yunzhi hesitated. “The things you’ve sent me — you paid for them. The earlier ones are fine, but if I keep needing more, I should pay you. But… our eras use different currencies. I don’t even know how I could repay you.”
“That’s simple,” Song Yinuo replied. “If you make money, just buy me some silver hairpins, or even silver ingots. If you earn more, get me some antiques from your time.”
“Will that work?”
Song Yinuo immediately grew excited. “Of course! You have no idea — that hairpin you sent me last time? A friend of mine fell in love with it and offered me a huge amount of money for it. I didn’t sell it.”
“Alright then. I’ll go to a shop in a bit. You can look and tell me what you want. I’ll buy it for you.”
After selling ice for a month, Shen Yunzhi had earned one hundred taels of silver. She could afford to be generous.
She entered a shop and began examining jade pendants for Song Yinuo to choose from.
“Ask him how much that gold bracelet costs,” Song Yinuo said.