"Where’s the list?" Qin Yao changed the subject, "Hand it over once you’ve written it; I happen to be free right now."

Only then did Liu Ji remember that he still had an important matter to attend to.

Honestly, he was so drawn in by the delicious cakes that he lost his head!

This concerned whether he’d live like a beggar or a wealthy lord for the next two months, so Liu Ji instantly put aside any thoughts of cakes or milk tea.

He lifted the hem of his garment and dashed to the study, pulled out the list he had prepared the previous night, added a few more items, and then brought it to the main room, presenting it with both hands:

"Madam, please have a look."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow. A whole page, detailed down to toothpaste and toothbrush, truly worthy of Liu San.

Liu Ji had become increasingly skilled at writing things down, and now even knew to categorize his lists.

First item: Daily meals.

Even though he was staying at the He Family, he couldn’t just eat and drink for free—his teacher had said that scholars must have integrity, so others would respect them more.

Therefore, for the two months he’d be staying at the He Family, he planned to buy his own cooking utensils and make his own meals.

The budget for this, from stoves to bowls and chopsticks to firewood, rice, oil, and salt, was five taels of silver.

Second item: Emergency reserve fund, five taels.

"What’s an emergency reserve?" Qin Yao furrowed her brows and asked.

Liu Ji replied with a smile, "I’m not as robust as you, Madam. If I get sick from the change of water or climate, I’ll need to see a doctor, won’t I? Otherwise, it’d be a disaster if it affects my exams."

Qin Yao gave him a thorough look-over, "To be honest, we’ve been together for so long, and I’ve only seen you get beaten up, not fall ill. So just watch your mouth, and cross it out."

"Don’t ask why or plead your case; my patience isn’t great," Qin Yao warned in advance.

Liu Ji kept smiling; it was as expected, so he just crossed it out. There was more to go.

Who would have thought that all the expenses for socializing with officials and gifted scholars would be crossed out entirely.

Along with clothing and footwear expenses, travel costs—all crossed out.

If questioned, the response was, "You don’t need it."

Liu Ji was dissatisfied; crossing out travel costs was one thing, as he could still hitch a ride with his teacher.

But!

"How will I know what the examiners like to eat if I don’t dine with them? And how will I learn about past exam questions?"

"Also, if I’m going out to socialize, I can’t wear old clothes, right? That would embarrass you, Madam!"

Qin Yao didn’t even lift her head; she curled her lips coldly, "The prefecture exam is about to start. At this point, anyone inviting you out for indulgence isn’t going to provide useful information, are they?"

"Besides, what your teacher and senior tell you is enough. You and your group of child students have nothing to exchange; going out is just ineffective socializing, understand?"

Liu Ji involuntarily inhaled sharply and, slightly provoked, said, "Understood!"

Third item: Gifts for the He Family.

A hundred eggs, two taels of silver.

A can of premium tea, five maces of silver.

Ten pounds of sausages, from home supplies.

Two jars of pickles, from home supplies.

A jar of wild honey, from home supplies.

A wolf pelt, from home supplies.

Exactly six gifts.

With caution, Liu Ji glanced at Qin Yao, "Going to stay at someone’s home, I can’t go empty-handed, right?"

Qin Yao nodded, "Of course, you can’t go empty-handed."

Before Liu Ji could rejoice, she crossed out the fourth item he proposed: requiring an attendant.

The application reason stated: having an attendant when away makes things easier.

He even added a footnote: for Madam’s supervision at any time.

There were no names mentioned, but it was clear he wanted Ah Wang.

Qin Yao looked at Liu Ji’s expectant eyes and seriously asked, "If Ah Wang goes to the Prefecture as your attendant, who will manage the fields and vegetable garden at home?"

As for his clever little footnote, it just left Qin Yao speechless.

"Liu Ji, by this point, if you still don’t know how to seize opportunities, it’s your loss, not mine."

Saying this, she returned the list to Liu Ji, stood up, and fetched five taels of silver to give him.

As for the gifts to the He Family, why should eggs cost two coins each? And tea leaves five hundred coins a can?

Since he had already planned it out, he might as well prepare them himself, as he had money in his pocket anyway.

Liu Ji held the five taels of silver, feeling as if his heart was bleeding. What a waste of writing effort!

The second batch of fragrant cake came out of the oven, and Mrs. Li had cut it and brought it to the table. Liu Ji grabbed a piece with one hand, eating viciously, as tears of happiness rolled down his cheeks.

So! Delicious!

In the evening, Gongliang Liao came to his student’s home for dinner.

Qin Yao brought the still-warm cake for the elderly man to try.

After one bite, Gongliang Liao couldn’t stop; it was exceptionally suitable for the elderly.

Soft and fluffy, sweet and fragrant, and easy to eat.

Qin Yao even mentioned that if they found milk or goat’s milk next time, the cake would taste even better.

Gongliang Liao was secretly drooling, completely ignoring his beloved disciple San’s relentless complaints against his wicked wife, shyly asking Qin Yao:

"Could you write down the cake recipe for this old man?"

Then the He Family’s kitchen could make it, and he could have it every day.

Qin Yao generously nodded, "Sir, please wait a moment; I’ll fetch paper and pen and have Liu Ji write it for you."

"Really?" Gongliang Liao showed a rare childish expression of joy.

Seeing Qin Yao nod firmly, his smile grew even wider.

As for his pitiful apprentice kneeling nearby, he’d have to endure it for now.

"Get up! A man with gold under his knee shouldn’t kneel so easily; it damages a gentleman’s dignity!" Gongliang Liao frowned, educating with disdain.

Liu Ji looked shocked and asked, "Teacher, she bullies me; won’t you stand up for me?"

"Have you ever seen a manly man with only five taels of silver in his pocket? This is the Prefecture we’re talking about; even a simple meal costs several taels. Am I supposed to live on northwest winds? She’s intentionally trying to starve me!"

As he spoke, he noticed Qin Yao had already brought paper, ink, and brush over. He immediately shut up and stood resentfully behind Gongliang Liao, resembling a bullied waif.

Qin Yao spread the paper, motioned for Liu Ji to come over, "I’ll dictate, and you write."

Liu Ji, relying on the presence of his teacher, didn’t move.

Gongliang Liao reached out and dragged him forward, commanding, "Write!"

Don’t make this old man miss out on having cake!

Liu Ji widened his eyes in disbelief, and Gongliang Liao’s eyes glared even wider. He exercised the authority he had as the Crown Prince’s Tutor in the previous dynasty, and Liu Ji meekly submitted, quickly rolling over to write the recipe.

He swiftly finished writing in flowing script, finally relaxing as Qin Yao left satisfied.

Gongliang Liao also heaved a sigh of relief. Seeing Qin Yao go into the kitchen to check the dishes and not paying attention this way, he quietly advised his student San:

"Your foresight is too shallow; how will you achieve great things in the future?"

With his sharp eyes, he glanced at the freshly written cake recipe in Liu Ji’s hand. Liu Ji suddenly realized something.

"Teacher, no one like you!"

Liu Ji, containing his excitement, changed his earlier dismissive attitude towards the recipe, carefully blowing it dry, folding it, and tucking it into his pocket. He whispered in Gongliang Liao’s ear:

"Teacher, how much can this recipe sell for? Could it be fifty taels? We can split it."

Unexpectedly, he was met with a flick on his head.

Liu Ji yelped in pain, jumping up, while Qin Yao in the kitchen just shook her head, such a fool!