Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

She personally poured Zhao Qiyan a cup of tea and said gently, "Young Marquis, you are so filial, you should go back and fulfill your filial duties. Besides, being able to gain experience in the Ministry of War is a blessing that many people would rather die for."

"Blessings my foot! I just want to go back to Wuxian with you guys to drink and eat meat!" Zhao Qiyan picked up his teacup and gulped it down, then, as if remembering something, pulled out a stack of silver notes from his pocket. "Oh, right, this is the investment money I promised you, not a penny less. Even though I won't be around to manage the distillery in the future, your share of the profits can't be less!"

Shen Qiongju accepted the silver note, her smile deepening: "Since the young marquis trusts me so much, there's something I need to do by borrowing the young marquis's name."

"What is it?"

"Those shopkeepers outside who want to buy the prince or invest in the business..." Shen Qiongju paused, feigning difficulty, "I am just a merchant, and I really can't handle them. I want to announce to the public that 'Drunken Beauty' is an enterprise in which the young marquis has invested, and all major decisions must be approved by the young marquis."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiyan chuckled: "What's the big deal? I'm one of the owners! If anyone dares to make things difficult for you, just mention my name! Just say... just say that I said the production of this wine is low, and besides supplying the palace, I'm keeping the rest for myself, and there aren't any left to sell to them!"

"Thank you, young marquis!" Shen Qiongju curtsied.

With Zhao Qiyan's words, the rest of the matter proceeded naturally.

Shen Qiongju instructed Shen Song to hang a sign at the entrance, and then had the shop assistants politely address each visiting merchant: "I'm truly sorry, but our boss said that this winery has a stake in Young Marquis Zhao of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion. Currently, wine production is scarce; aside from the wine offered as tribute to the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine, the remainder has been reserved by the Young Marquis. If you wish to cooperate, you'll have to inquire with him."

This tactic of "shifting the blame" was executed brilliantly.

Upon hearing the name of the Marquis of Yongning's mansion, how could those merchants dare to act recklessly? Everyone knew that Zhao Qiyan was a troublemaker; to provoke him was like courting death.

And so, the entrance to the villa finally became quiet.

After dealing with these trivial matters, the date for leaving Beijing was set.

The day before his departure, Pei Zhihui changed into a scholar's robe and headed to the Imperial Academy.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to come with me. I'm going to see an old friend." Pei Zhihui stood by the carriage and declined Shen Qiongju's offer to accompany him.

Shen Qiongju looked at his slightly thin back and felt a slight stirring in her heart.

She knew that he was going to see the great Confucian scholar of the time, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and also Pei Zhihui's former mentor.

Pei Zhihui's trip was not just to deliver a message, but also to receive instruction and guidance.

Inside the Imperial College, pine and cypress trees stand tall and majestic.

Looking at the sickly but determined young man before him, the Chief Minister Wang sighed, "Zhihui, your journey has been arduous."

"Students don't suffer." Pei Zhihui took the stack of tightly sealed exam papers handed to him. They were past exam questions, along with several manuscripts of questions personally prepared by the teachers. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"Your health isn't good, and you still have to prepare for the autumn imperial examinations. Remember not to overwork yourself." The Imperial Academy Chief Minister patted his shoulder. "Take these exam papers back and study them carefully. With your talent, becoming the top scholar is a piece of cake. But..."

The old man paused, then lowered his voice: "The situation in the capital is turbulent and unpredictable. When you return to your hometown this time, do not show off your talents again. Wait until next spring when the flowers bloom and your name is on the honor roll; that will be the day you truly enter the game."

"I understand." Pei Zhihui bowed deeply and carefully put the exam papers into his pocket.

After leaving the Imperial Academy, Pei Zhihui did not go directly back to his villa.

The carriage turned a corner and stopped in front of the most prestigious medical clinic in the capital – the National Medical Hall.

Shen Qiongju was already waiting there.

Today she wore a light purple vest, and her hair was adorned with only a plain silver hairpin. Standing in front of the medicine cabinet, she was carefully watching the doctor weigh the medicine. Upon seeing Pei Zhihui enter, she immediately went to greet him.

"How are you feeling?"

Pei Zhihui let her cool hands gather his cloak, the gloom in his eyes dissipated, and he became as obedient as a tamed cat: "It's nothing, the teacher asked me to stay for a cup of hot tea."

"That's good." Shen Qiongju pulled him to sit down at the consultation table. "This is Dr. Sun, a doctor whose appointment is extremely rare and expensive. I waited all morning to get a number. Please let the doctor examine you."

Pei Zhihui disliked seeing doctors and loathed bitter medicines. But when he looked into Shen Qiongju's concerned eyes, he swallowed back the words of refusal that were on the tip of his tongue.

He extended his wrist.

The divine physician, Dr. Sun, had white hair and beard. His fingers rested on Pei Zhihui's pulse, his brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing.

After a long while, the old doctor withdrew his hand and stroked his beard: "This young master has a weak constitution, and his old illness has not yet healed, so the damage to his body is quite serious. But fortunately, he is young and has rested well these past few days, so there is nothing seriously wrong. However, he needs to take good care of himself from now on. If he wants to be healthy in the future, he must remember not to overwork himself."

"It's mentally and physically exhausting..." Shen Qiongju smiled bitterly. For a scholar, it's harder to stop him from having to worry about things than to stop him from eating.

"Doctor, just prescribe the medicine," Shen Qiongju said earnestly. "No matter how expensive the medicine is, as long as it's good for his health, use it."

Pei Zhihui felt a surge of warmth as he watched her haggle with the doctor and carefully inquire about the timing of decocting the medicine.

"Sister-in-law," he suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Shen Qiongju turned her head, still holding a prescription in her hand.

"What if the medicine is too bitter and I can't drink it?" Pei Zhihui had a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes were fixed on her.

Shen Qiongju was taken aback, then frowned: "How old are you? Why are you afraid of bitterness? I'll prepare some candied fruit for you later."

"Okay, I want the candied fruit that my sister-in-law makes herself."

They grabbed two large bags of medicine and bought some high-quality ginseng and deer antler before heading home laden with their purchases.

The next morning, at Tongzhou Wharf.

Because Zhao Qiyan was detained at the mansion by her mother, she was unable to come to see him off. She only sent her personal servant with a letter and a bunch of local specialties and snacks from the capital.

Pei Zhihui was very satisfied with this. Without that noisy peacock, the journey back would be a time of alone time for him and his sister-in-law.

Just as the ship was about to set sail, a panting courier suddenly ran up from the shore.

"Master Shen! Master Shen, please wait!"

Shen Qiongju stood at the bow of the boat: "What is it?"

"An urgent letter from Wu County!" The courier handed over a thick letter.

Shen Qiongju opened the envelope and quickly scanned the letter. Her originally calm face gradually showed joy, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What's wrong?" Pei Zhihui walked behind her and shielded her from the river wind.

"Zhihui, look!" Shen Qiongju handed him the letter, her voice brimming with barely concealed excitement. "We haven't been idle at home during our time in the capital!"