The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

The original book devoted a lot of boring text to describing the tragic love between the male and female protagonists, while the second male lead, who was ambitious, studious, and rose from nothing to become the prime minister, was described very little. Jiang Zhenxue only remembered that the second male lead was from Pu County and his name was Shen Yu.

Could it be such a coincidence?!

This guy who casually saved a poor soul turned out to be the second male lead, the chief minister, from the original novel?!

Jiang Zhenxue suppressed the shock in her eyes, "You seem quite young, why aren't you studying at the academy, instead of becoming a beggar?"

Shen Yu remained silent, staring longingly at the remaining dishes on the table. Jiang Zhenxue found him a clean set of chopsticks and bowls, and ordered a few more dishes. "Eat slowly, and tell me when you're done."

Kang Mingyan wanted to persuade her, but Jiang Zhenxue gave him a casual glance. "Mingyan, I was supposed to treat you to dinner today, but I'm really sorry. I must help this child. If you have something to do, you should go back first."

"I'll visit you another day when I have time to apologize."

Kang Mingyan could only sigh and say, "It's just a meal. We're friends, why talk about apologizing? Since you want to help, I'll go with you."

Kang Mingyan genuinely considered Jiang Zhenxue a friend, so naturally he was worried about leaving her alone.

It wasn't until Shen Yu had finished eating that he spoke: "My father was originally from Liangzhou. He passed the imperial examination in his early years and then moved to Lizhou to become a school teacher."

"My family was originally happy and harmonious, but last year my parents went on a trip and were robbed by bandits. They fell off a cliff... I managed to escape to Puxian County after many hardships, and I have been wandering ever since."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhenxue was basically certain that Shen Yu was indeed the second male lead in the original novel, sharing the same experiences and the same fate of losing both parents!

"I never imagined your background was so tragic," Ming Kangyan sighed. "Do you have any other relatives?"

Shen Yu shook his head: "Back then, when my father left Liangzhou, he lost contact with his family and relatives. Now that time has passed, we have long lost touch."

Jiang Zhenxue said, "I have a study in Pu County that's short-staffed. Since you have nowhere else to go, would you be willing to help me?"

Shen Yu blinked, his voice filled with shock: "You're willing to take me in?"

"It's not really taking me in," Jiang Zhenxue said calmly, afraid of hurting the boy's pride. "Since you've come to my study, you can't just eat and drink for free; you'll have to help me with chores. However, you can stay in the study to study in your spare time. What do you think?"

Shen Yu was of course willing.

Since being stranded in Puxian County, he has been living a life of uncertainty, unable to even take care of himself, and his studies have naturally fallen into disarray. He longs to be able to study again.

"Why aren't you saying anything? You don't want to?" Jiang Zhenxue pressed.

Shen Yu immediately replied, "I'm willing! Of course I'm willing! But..."

They were just strangers who met by chance. Shen Yu didn't expect Jiang Zhenxue to be so kind to him. She not only saved him and gave him food, but was also willing to take him in... Shen Yu was so moved that he didn't know what to do.

"I don't know how to repay you," Shen Yu murmured softly.

"Don't think so much." Jiang Zhenxue stood up and patted Shen Yu's shoulder, saying, "Working hard and studying diligently in the study from now on is the best way to repay me."

Shen Yu nodded heavily.

In fact, Jiang Zhenxue's decision to take in Shen Yu was not entirely without ulterior motives—Shen Yu was exceptionally intelligent and extraordinary, and even without her help today, he would still become the Grand Secretary in the future.

It's better to offer help in times of need than to add to someone's success in the future.

She helped Shen Yu, and he would definitely remember the favor. After all, this is a melodramatic and tragic novel; in the original story, Xiao Qingyan was constantly clinging to Jiang Zhenxue. Who knows if Xiao Qingyan might suddenly reappear one day?!

Having more friends means having more options. Jiang Zhenxue saved Shen Yu; who knows, maybe Shen Yu can help her get rid of Xiao Qingyan...

Moreover, this is the future prime minister!

The study room has just opened and is in its development stage. When Shen Yu goes to high school, everyone will know that the study room has cultivated a prime minister.

Shen Yu became Jiang Zhenxue's living advertisement!

In the blink of an eye, Shen Yu had been in the study for more than half a month.

Jiang Zhenxue arranged a private room for him. Every day, Shen Yu only needed to organize the books, clean the study room used by the guests, and occasionally help Jiang Zhenxue with the accounts. He could study freely in the remaining time.

"Sister Jiang."

Shen Yu is no longer the ragged little beggar. He has delicate features and a bright spirit, and is a handsome young man with the demeanor of a future prime minister.

That day, after seeing off all the guests, Shen Yu tidied up the account book and handed it to Jiang Zhenxue.

Shen Yu's handwriting was neat and beautiful, and his accounting was meticulous and accurate. Jiang Zhenxue casually flipped through it and said with satisfaction, "Not bad."

Since Shen Yu came to the study, Jiang Zhenxue has been relieved of a lot of trouble. Shen Yu has taken care of all the troublesome matters, and she only needs to be the manager who collects money.

However, the bookstore's business has always been lukewarm.

Under these circumstances, Jiang Zhenxue was unable to further expand her business and help more students who needed study rooms...

"Xiao Yu, how do you think business is going at our study lately?" Jiang Zhenxue asked Shen Yu, resting her chin on her hand as she sat at the counter.

Shen Yu helped Jiang Zhenxue with the accounts every day, so he naturally knew that the study's business had declined significantly recently. He said tactfully, "It's alright."

Jiang Zhenxue laughed and scolded, "How can it be okay? Apart from the initial time when it was packed, the study room has been less than full these past few days."

"We should improve the management model of the bookstore."

"How can we improve this?" Shen Yu was intelligent, but knew nothing about doing business. He believed that as long as a business didn't lose money, it was already considered good.

Unlike Shen Yu's thoughts, Jiang Zhenxue left Xiao Qingyan to make a name for herself. If she couldn't achieve great things and impress others, what was the point of all her efforts to build her career?!

"The study room has only been open for a little over a month. Although it's already known to some students in Puxian County, it's only moderately famous. To attract more customers, we need to increase the study room's reputation..."

Jiang Zhenxue began advocating modern marketing models, which left Shen Yu completely bewildered.

"Guests have consistently praised the service in the study room, and there isn't much room for improvement in that area. The key is to make the study room a unique and irreplaceable learning sanctuary for students."

Jiang Zhenxue stroked her chin thoughtfully and said, "It would be best if they could learn something important, so that they wouldn't want to leave."

Shen Yu understood what he was saying. He frowned and said, "The learning style in the study room is self-study, which emphasizes not disturbing each other. We can't just hire a teacher to give them lessons like in a school, can we? Besides, the guests who come to the study room all have academic titles, so I'm afraid a teacher wouldn't be able to teach them."

"This is where you'll fit in."

Jiang Zhenxue suddenly patted Shen Yu on the shoulder, "You once said that your father was a teacher and passed the imperial examination. Do you know what study techniques he had? Or what books he liked to read? We can organize our experiences and learn from them to help students improve their academic performance..."

"It's not just your father; there are other high-achieving students in the study who can offer us more guidance."

As the ancients said, "By reviewing the old and learning the new, one can become a teacher."

The imperial examinations were held every year, and although the questions were different, students who had participated in the examinations would have some learning experience. If Jiang Zhenxue were to compile these learning experiences to make it easier for students who came to the study room later, it would be like preparing a practice book for the students before the exam, which would definitely be a good selling point.

Shen Yu was a smart man, and he also had a photographic memory. The task Jiang Zhenxue assigned to him was not too difficult for him.

"That's indeed a good idea," Shen Yu said excitedly. "Don't worry, Sister Jiang, leave this to me. I'm sure I can handle it and make you satisfied."

Jiang Zhenxue took out a piece of paper and drew two lines on it, saying, "Besides that, marketing is also a way to attract customers."

Shen Yu couldn't understand it again.

"There are generally two marketing methods. One is to make flyers and send people to distribute them near colleges and bookstores to promote the bookstore. As long as our bookstore becomes well-known, it will attract some customers."

Jiang Zhenxue explained, "The other option is the pre-deposit tuition fee model."

Guests studying in the study room first leave money in their account. Any expenses incurred will be deducted from the account. The more tuition fees they deposit, the greater the discount. After reaching a certain amount, they can also receive free books or the Book of Poetry, or enjoy free tea and priority seating.

Jiang Zhenxue said, "In that case, we won't have to worry about retaining our old customers."

Shen Yu listened with astonishment, exclaiming in shock, "Sister Jiang, you're truly a business genius!!"