Back in the main hall, several rounds of guests had already come and gone.
Some had finished and left; new ones kept arriving.
Manager Liu was run off his feet, but the smile never left his face.
Lin Moqian pulled Lin Shuying aside and said quietly: “Guess how many people came today?”
“How many?”
“One hundred and twenty invitations sent, nearly two hundred actually showed up.” Lin Moqian lowered his voice. “Some people who didn’t get invitations came on their own, saying they’d ‘heard of the event and come out of admiration.’ Manager Liu couldn’t bring himself to turn them away, so he let them in.”
Lin Shuying thought for a moment: “It’s fine—the more the merrier. As long as no one causes trouble.”
“And also,” Lin Moqian glanced around, “I did a rough count—just from today’s on-site orders, we’ve already received over three hundred.”
Lin Shuying raised an eyebrow: “That many?”
“The square watermelons are the most sought-after.” Lin Moqian couldn’t hide his smile. “Several madams asked if they could pre-order, saying they want to save them as Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. The rainbow-striped watermelons come second. The wine-scented ones are the cheapest, but surprisingly fewer people ordered them.”
“The wine-scented ones aren’t bad—it’s just that those who drink regularly find them too mild, and those who don’t drink are afraid they might actually get tipsy.” Lin Shuying analyzed. “Its positioning is indeed a bit awkward—we can grow fewer of them in the future.”
Lin Moqian nodded and added: “By the way, I’m planning to strike while the iron is hot and open Little Lin’s Self-Service Canteen in the city. I’ve already secured the Fortune Full House location—just waiting for your approval.”
Lin Shuying thought for a moment: “We can open it, but there are a few issues we need to solve first.”
“Go ahead.”
“First, ingredient supply. The canteen’s food tastes good because of the produce from our estate. The estate is outside the city, the canteen is in the city—how do we ensure fresh vegetables are delivered every day?”
Lin Zhaoye had sidled over at some point and spoke up: “I have an idea for that.”
Both siblings looked at him.
Lin Zhaoye cleared his throat, as if reciting from a script: “Eldest Sister, concerned that Mother suffers from the heat, had an icehouse built at the residence years ago, and there’s always more ice stored than they can use. We could take ice from there, transport it to Little Lin Canteen’s back courtyard, clear out two rooms to store the vegetables, and keep them cool with the ice.”
He paused, then continued: “Every morning, the vegetables from the estate would be delivered to Little Lin Canteen and stored in those rooms. Whatever the canteen needs, it can take directly.”
After listening, Lin Shuying looked at Lin Moqian.
Lin Moqian slowly nodded: “That approach could work.”
“And also,” Lin Zhaoye, encouraged by their approval, grew more animated, “it’s midsummer now—vegetable harvest season. Our estate produce is cheap and delicious. The canteen won’t use all of it, so the surplus can be sold. We could rent a separate shop, keep the vegetables chilled with ice—they’d last two days easily. From summer through late autumn, we could sell for several months.”
Lin Moqian patted his brother’s shoulder: “Not bad—you’ve thought it through well.”
Lin Zhaoye’s face brightened with a hint of a smile.
Lin Shuying added from the side: “Then it’s settled. Little Lin Farm supplies the city canteen, and we open a dedicated shop to sell produce. A full chain—no one can choke our supply.”
Lin Moqian smiled: “Good. Once the tasting event is over, we’ll go back and crunch the numbers.”
— —
The tasting event continued until the end of the hour of Shen.
The guests had all dispersed, and Manager Liu was tidying up with his staff.
Lin Shuying’s parents had already escorted the Fifth Prince back to their residence, parting with reluctance. Before leaving, he clutched the bag of watermelon jelly Lin Shuying had given him and urged: “Auntie, when you grow new varieties next time, you must tell me first!”
The Seventh Prince had also left discreetly with Yang Wanli after accompanying the Emperor through the tasting.
Only the Little Lin Manor group remained, sitting in the private room upstairs, sipping tea and reviewing the day.
Wei Fuyu slumped across the table, exhausted: “Been on my feet all day—my legs are killing me.”
Zhao Di’er sat upright, not speaking, but her eyelids were drooping too. Lin Jingshen sat beside her and handed her a cup of tea; she took it and had a sip—she didn’t look at him, but she didn’t refuse either.
Lin Zhaoye sat in the corner, head down and silent, twirling his teacup in his hands.
Lin Shuying noticed him, walked over, and sat down: “Third Brother, what’s wrong?”
Lin Zhaoye didn’t look up, his voice subdued: “Eldest Brother told me to put more effort into my studies.”
Lin Shuying glanced at Lin Moqian, who was talking to Manager Liu and not paying attention to them.
Lin Zhaoye continued: “He said I should try the autumn provincial exams this year and aim to pass the juren level. Then next spring, I could enter officialdom through the imperial exams. He said I have good presence and must have solid learning.”
Lin Shuying was taken aback.
Good presence was true—the Lin family didn’t have any unattractive children.
But as for learning… her third brother wasn’t lazy, exactly—he just… couldn’t get into it.
“I can’t even pass the xiucai exam, let alone the juren,” Lin Zhaoye looked up, frustration creeping onto his face. “Eldest Brother knows perfectly well how I do with studies. Why make things hard for me… why doesn’t he tell Second Brother to take the exams?”
“Third Brother,” she said, “Eldest Brother is Eldest Brother, Second Brother is Second Brother, and you are you. He says what he says, you study your way. Even if you don’t pass, it’s no big deal—the family doesn’t depend on you becoming an official to put food on the table.”
Lin Zhaoye was silent for a moment, then said quietly: “I just feel… ashamed.”
“Ashamed of what?” Lin Shuying poured him a cup of tea, feeling a pang of discontent herself because of her third brother’s dejection. “You’re faster with accounts than Eldest Brother, and you’re a natural at business. Everyone has their own strengths. Eldest Brother wants you to pursue official titles to shed the merchant label—that’s his concern. What matters is that you know where your own talents lie.”
Lin Zhaoye held the teacup, not speaking, but his expression softened somewhat.
Lin Moqian walked over at that moment, saw Lin Zhaoye’s demeanor, and seemed to sense something. He didn’t bring up studying again, only said: “Shuying, think about the canteen matter carefully when you get back and draft a proper plan.”
After a moment, he added: “And make sure to ask your third brother for input—the idea was his.”
Lin Zhaoye was taken aback, the gloom in his eyes lifting considerably. He quickly pulled his sister to her feet: “Got it, Eldest Brother.”
Lin Shuying smiled and nodded along: “Alright.”
— —
By the time darkness fell, everyone had dispersed.
Lin Shuying stood at the entrance of Drunk Immortal Tower, watching the carriages leave one by one, then turned and went back inside.
A-Gua was still sorting through the leftover melons and fruits, while A Li was calculating accounts, the abacus clicking away briskly.
“Miss,” A Li looked up, “guess how much we made today?”
“How much?”
“Just from the melons sold on-site, we made over twelve hundred taels.” A Li’s eyes sparkled. “Adding the deposits from pre-orders, total comes to just over two thousand taels.”
Lin Shuying was momentarily stunned.
Two thousand taels.
After farming for so long, she was finally turning a profit.
“Several guests asked if we could supply them regularly. They said their family chefs couldn’t replicate the flavor—if they wanted to eat it, they’d have to buy it here.”
Lin Shuying thought for a moment: “Make a note of that. We’ll discuss it back home and work out a proper arrangement incorporating Third Brother’s ideas.”
— —
By the time she returned to Little Lin Manor, the night was fully dark.
Lin Shuying didn’t rush to bed—she went first to the greenhouse to check on the watermelon seedlings.
The rainbow patterns had deepened again, and the wine-scented melons gave off a slightly stronger aroma than the day before. The square watermelons sat quietly in their glass boxes, their edges sharp and defined.
She crouched down and gently touched one of the boxes.
“Miss,” A-Gua followed behind and said softly, “you’ve had a long day—get some rest.”
“Yes.” Lin Shuying stood up. “By the way, go to the Lin residence tomorrow and tell Eldest Brother that I’ll draft the canteen plan in the next couple of days for him to review.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Lin Shuying stepped out of the greenhouse and stood under the corridor.
In the courtyard, the servants were making their night patrols.
The lantern light swayed gently, their footsteps light and even.
In the distance, the night stretched deep and dark.
But Lin Shuying knew—once dawn broke, everything would come alive again.
— —
A few days later, an official decree arrived from the palace: Lin Shuying was bestowed the title “Jiahe Country Lady,” with a stipend of two hundred households, and was permitted to continue managing the agricultural affairs of Little Lin Manor.
When the imperial decree arrived, the entire estate erupted in celebration.
Country Lady! Though it was only an honorary title, it was royal recognition!
From this day forward, Lin Shuying was someone of noble rank!
Lin Shuying accepted the decree and expressed her gratitude, but she understood in her heart: this was both recognition and a restraint.
With this title, she would have more convenience in her endeavors, but she would also attract more attention.
Fortune and misfortune intertwine—blessings lie within calamities, and calamities within blessings.
Oh well. She would take it one step at a time.
She had A Li prepare some gifts and went to the palace to express her thanks.
It was the Empress who received her.
The Empress smiled warmly, took Lin Shuying’s hand, and studied her carefully, her eyes full of admiration: “Good child. I’ve already heard about the tasting event from the Seventh Prince. For a young lady like you to have such ability is rare—and it has been hard on you.”
Lin Shuying was modest: “Your Majesty flatters me. I have not suffered hardship. I am grateful to His Majesty and Your Majesty for your kindness in bestowing the title of Country Lady.”
“No need to be so humble.” The Empress laughed. “You also grow excellent melons. At next month’s flower-viewing banquet, be sure to bring some for all the consorts in the palace to taste.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress asked further about the estate, and Lin Shuying answered each question in turn. When she mentioned something amusing, the Empress laughed heartily.
— —
By palace protocol, she could not visit her eldest sister on the same day. After receiving her rewards, she followed the matron out of the inner palace—but on the palace path, she ran into Xiao Shengrui.
Seeing her emerge, the young man quickly came forward: “Mother didn’t give you a hard time, did she?”
“No,” Lin Shuying shook her head in confusion, “Her Majesty has always been kind to me. Your Highness, what do you mean by ‘give a hard time’?”
Xiao Shengrui caught sight of the matron beside them struggling to suppress a smile and realized his own face had flushed red. He cleared his throat and changed the subject: “Now that you’re a Country Lady, are you still calling yourself a ‘common girl’?”
Lin Shuying was taken aback, then pouted: “I’ve gotten used to squatting in the mud—my tongue’s gotten clumsy.”
Xiao Shengrui slipped a thumb-sized black jade pendant carved in the shape of a grass blade from his sleeve into her hand and said softly: “Then keep being my little common girl—you don’t need to change in front of me.”
Lin Shuying looked at the exquisite jade pendant in her hand, delight flickering in her eyes. Forgetting whatever he had just said, she quickly bowed: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“No need to thank me.”
The two walked side by side out of the palace gate.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long behind them.
— —
For several days after the tasting event, carriages were lined up outside Little Lin Manor from early morning.
The steward of the Deputy Minister of Revenue’s household presented his calling card and asked courteously: “Second Miss, the old matron of our house has been longing for that rainbow-striped watermelon since tasting it—might we arrange for a few to be delivered to our residence each month?”
A matron from the Hanlin Academy Chancellor’s household came, speaking in refined tones: “My lady says that the wine-scented watermelon paired with poetry gatherings is most elegant—might she inquire about a long-term supply?”
A young eunuch from the imperial kitchen of Lin Shuying’s eldest sister’s palace arrived with a purchasing list densely packed with items: twenty rainbow-striped watermelons per month, fifteen wine-scented watermelons, five square watermelons, and thirty catties of Jade Dew strawberries…
A Li’s hands trembled as she held the list: “Th-this much?”
The young eunuch smiled: “Rest assured, Country Lady—all purchases are at market price, with payment settled at month’s end. Our Consort said that from now on, your fruits and melons will be treated as tribute-grade provisions.”
Looking at these three groups of people, Lin Shuying immediately decided that in addition to the Little Lin Vegetable Basket shop, she would add a long-term supply option—a “subscription model.”
In her previous life, she had subscribed to a vegetable delivery box—weekly deliveries of seasonal fresh produce—convenient and healthy.
Transplanting that model to ancient times was practically a ready-made “vegetable basket project.”
“A Li, go invite Third Young Master to Little Lin Manor—we have something to discuss.”
Half an hour later, Lin Zhaoye and A Li paced excitedly back and forth in the study, clutching several freshly drawn sketches.
The sketches showed an elegant woven rattan basket with two compartments—upper level for fruits and melons, lower level for vegetables.
Beside it was a small card that read: “Today’s Recommendation: Stir-fried Seasonal Greens—Clears Heat and Soothes Summer Heat.”
“This is what I call ‘Little Lin Manor’s Vegetable Basket Project.’” Lin Shuying’s eyes sparkled too. “Monthly subscription fee, with deliveries of the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables every three days, plus a recipe card. Our initial customers will be these households that came to us first, along with a few families we’re close to.”
A Li nodded excitedly: “Great idea! I’ve calculated—if each household pays ten taels a month, fifty households would bring in five hundred taels! After costs, a net profit of three hundred taels is no problem!”
“Don’t get ahead of ourselves,” Lin Zhaoye warned with a furrowed brow. “Keep the first batch under thirty households. We don’t have enough hands—better to do it well than to do too much.”
“Then I’ll draft the list!”
A Li rushed off in high spirits.
Lin Shuying and her third brother exchanged a smile, watching A Li’s retreating figure, and laughed. This girl—she was born to do business.
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