Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Shen Qing looked up and saw a person with a round head.

Although dressed as a scholar, he was tall and strong, and did not have the weak feeling that scholars usually have.

"Sixty coins," Shen Qing said calmly.

The man took out sixty coins, then grabbed the big bone, squatted down by the roadside, and began to gnaw on it.

"It smells so good!"

His eyes gleamed as he stared at the large bone in his hand, his mouth greasy, looking as if possessed by a glutton.

"Brother Zhou, if the teacher sees you gnawing on bones like this..." a scholar nearby couldn't help but say.

Although it smells delicious, this way of eating is impolite.

The other scholars chimed in, "That's right, Brother Zhou, we are scholars."

"Eating these bones is truly an insult to civilization, an insult to civilization!"

"..."

As everyone talked, their mouths watered, and they all stared longingly, yet they were unwilling to ruin their image as scholars.

Zhou Wentong tore at the bone, letting out a mocking laugh as he chewed: "Hmph, hypocrite!"

"I'm not afraid even if the teacher sees me, or even if the old man sees me; I'll just stop studying!"

After saying that, there was a whoosh.

The glistening white bone marrow melted in his mouth with a single sip, and the rich aroma of the marrow combined with the sweet aftertaste of the sauce made him squint his eyes.

"It smells so good!" he couldn't help but exclaim.

He'd gnawed on big bones before, but this one was something else entirely—it was incredibly delicious!

The scholars looked on with envy, but dared not buy one to try because of his reputation and image. They felt a bit jealous and dissatisfied with Zhou Wentong.

"So what if he has a father who's an instructor?" a low voice rang out, barely audible.

The scholars dared not agree, but their expressions clearly showed that the others thought the same thing.

The so-called "Instructor" was in charge of the county school and held a high position. Although he did not have administrative power, he controlled the entrance ticket to the imperial examination and the power of public opinion.

For scholars, maintaining a good relationship with the instructors was very important.

Zhou Wentong had long been disgusted by the hypocrisy and pretentiousness of these scholars.

He didn't like reading. If his father hadn't been an instructor who forced him to study, he wouldn't have wanted to spend his days with these pretentious and weak scholars.

"Give me another one!"

Not satisfied with just finishing one, Zhou Wentong ordered another and continued to squat by the roadside, devouring it.

His mouth was covered in sauce and his hands were greasy, making his food look delicious.

Finally, a few people couldn't resist and went up to buy bones.

But instead of squatting down, these people stood to the side and started gnawing on the food with their hands.

Squatting may not look elegant, but at least the sauce won't drip onto your clothes.

But eating while standing is different; in just a few bites, those people's clothes were covered in specks of sauce.

Seeing this, Li Shun couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

He couldn't help but move closer to Shen Qing's stall, swallowing hard.

"Let's go back! We can't be like them; it's a disgrace to scholars!" someone shouted.

The man speaking was named Zhao Gou, and he was Master Zheng's most prized student. He never lied to Master Zheng.

Li Shun hesitated and then took his step back.

He is a scholar; he cannot be so disregardful of his image.

Moreover, he didn't want to leave a bad impression on his teacher.

A large group of scholars returned to the academy in a flurry, but each of them wore a hint of disappointment on their faces.

But they had to put on a brave face and present the false dignity of being a scholar to others, and eventually flocked to the academy's kitchen.

Steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and porridge—the same old three dishes.

Each person received a serving, but the aroma of the braised pork ribs lingered in their noses and minds, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

I couldn't eat much of the steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

"When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve, strains their muscles and bones, starves their body, empties their resources, and frustrates their endeavors..."

Suddenly, Zhao Gou began to read aloud, stuffing large mouthfuls of steamed buns into his mouth as he did so.

It seemed that only in this way could he swallow the steamed bun and pickled vegetables.

Seeing this, the other students followed suit and began reciting along with them.

"Therefore, by being moved to patience and perseverance, one can increase what one cannot do..."

Li Shun gritted his teeth and stuffed his mouth with steamed buns while repeating the mantra.

Even so, he could still feel the dryness of the steamed bun, the coldness of the pickled vegetables, and the coarseness of the thin porridge.

It doesn't taste good at all.

I don't know how delicious braised pork ribs are...

When Mr. Zheng, who was resting next door after finishing his meal, heard the commotion, a feeling of relief welled up in his heart.

It's truly remarkable to see students working so hard.

It's just a matter of satisfying one's appetite; there's nothing to fear.

Although it does smell delicious...

Master Zheng swallowed hard as he thought about it.

Outside the academy, Shen Qing looked at the few scattered diners and felt a sense of worry for the first time.

We have two hundred servings of braised pork ribs today, but only four or five customers are willing to pay.

We're still a long way from selling two hundred copies.

The scholars refused to pay. What should she do? She really hadn't expected that those scholars would resist the temptation of the braised pork ribs in order to uphold propriety.

"Madam Shen, you could set up a stall at the morning market. Your business would be booming! Your braised pork ribs are absolutely delicious. Those people just now were really ungrateful!" Zhou Wentong said, licking the oil off his hands.

Shen Qing smiled wryly. The location in front of the academy was chosen by the system, and she couldn't change it at all.

"I'm perfectly fine right here at the entrance of the academy."

Zhou Wentong found it strange, but he wisely refrained from asking further questions.

As I was leaving, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret; the business was just too dismal.

What if Madam Shen's business doesn't go well and she stops selling altogether?

We need to think of a way...

"I want one more to take away. Could you wrap it in oil paper for me?" Zhou Wentong suddenly said, his tone tinged with eagerness.

Shen Qing deftly scooped out a stalk, put it in an oil paper package, and handed it to Zhou Wentong.

Zhou Wentong took the oil paper package and strode into the academy.

He just wouldn't believe it; how could those people possibly resist such delicious braised pork ribs?

......

The Zhao family.

Zhao Cheng was gnawing on a braised pork bone without any regard for his image, his mouth dripping with oil, completely ignoring what Zhao Wan was saying.

After a while, until the bones were completely gnawed clean, leaving not a single piece of meat, he finally raised his head and asked, "Little sister, where did you buy this?"

"I've already told you it was Madam Shen who did it. I'm planning to move out of my house. Madam Shen's residence is right next to mine. Brother, could you please talk to our parents about it for me?"

Zhao Wan wanted to move out and become Shen Qing's neighbor, but she was afraid that her parents would not agree, since she was a girl. So she thought of taking Zhao Cheng with her to persuade her parents.

"Madam Shen? She lives next door?" Zhao Cheng's mind was filled with thoughts of braised pork ribs. "I'll go buy a few more!"

He stood up immediately and was about to leave.

Zhao Wan hurriedly said, "At this hour, Madam Shen should be setting up her stall at the academy."

"The academy!! I understand, little sister!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared in a flash.