Gongliang Liao seemed to hear Qin Yao’s mocking laughter, just feeling like he made a fool of himself.

He gave Liu Ji another knock on the head.

He whispered angrily, "Silver, silver, all you know is silver! Silver is actually the most useless thing!"

If used well, this recipe is worth far more than just dozens of taels of silver!

"Sigh~" Gongliang Liao sighed, signaling Liu Ji to perk up his ears and listen carefully, as he wouldn’t repeat himself.

Liu Ji protectively covered his face with his hands before leaning in to listen.

Gongliang Liao said, "Did I not tell you before about the connections between the He Family and the director of Guangwen Book Hall?"

Liu Ji nodded; it had been mentioned before, "You also said the director has three thousand books in his hall, each one unique, attracting many scholars, but he is a snob who only lets in those with wealth, a petty person driven by profit."

Gongliang Liao grunted in agreement, feeling relieved that he hadn’t forgotten what was said.

"The director is a foolishly filial man; his aged mother has bad teeth but enjoys good food. To please her, he searched everywhere for recipes, just to let her have a bite that satisfies her....."

At this point, Gongliang Liao felt that if Liu Ji didn’t catch on, there’d be no hope for him.

Liu Ji took out the cake recipe he had just put away, looking toward the kitchen in shock. So, this recipe was a crucial stepping stone given by his wife!

Qin Yao came in with a bowl of mushroom meatball soup, and Liu Ji slapped his own face, saying sincerely:

"My dear, I was clueless!"

Qin Yao kept a calm face, but secretly took a deep breath and stepped back.

She asked puzzledly, "What madness has taken hold of you?"

Liu Ji held up the recipe emotionally, "This cake recipe, it must be something you’ve specially thought up for me to borrow books at Guangwen Book Hall, am I right, am I right?"

Qin Yao’s mouth twitched harshly, glancing at the equally shocked Gongliang Liao in the wheelchair, and they both raised their hands to their foreheads.

"Would you believe me if I say it’s a coincidence?"

How could she have been so all-knowing to correctly predict their plan to borrow books?

It was simply because she craved it.

It wasn’t until Gongliang Liao suddenly asked for the recipe that she realized it could have greater usage.

Gongliang Liao also said, "You’re lucky, encountering all kinds of good things."

Liu Ji shook his head; he didn’t believe it.

"There aren’t so many coincidences in the world." Liu Ji bashfully smiled, she really cares for him!

Knowing she wouldn’t admit it, Liu Ji waved his hand, agreeing with their words:

"After the prefecture exam, I’ll go to the Guangwen Book Hall to study well and strive to make you a scholar’s wife this year."

Qin Yao opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitated, eventually reaching out to feel Liu Ji’s forehead with sympathy, asking, "How long have you been like this?"

Liu Ji: "Huh?"

Qin Yao gave up, "Alright, wash your hands and prepare to eat, finish early and rest up; we need to get up early and hit the road tomorrow."

Liu Ji agreed, put away the recipe, pushed Gongliang Liao out to wash hands, and shouted at Da Lang, who was happily munching on cake sitting by the pickle jar, "Wash your hands, it’s time to eat!"

The food was ready, Mrs. Li left with the food box, leaving just Qin Yao’s family and Gongliang Liao’s group in the courtyard.

The leading guard Ah Gu and Ah Wang, along with other He Mansion guards and maids, sat at two tables in the courtyard.

After getting along for half a month, they were quite familiar with each other.

Ah Wang occasionally burst out with a cold joke, making Ah Gu and the others laugh heartily.

The attendants from the He Mansion, who were not used to this atmosphere at first, gradually opened up.

Thinking about returning to the Prefecture City tomorrow, they felt quite reluctant.

In fact, not only them, Gongliang Liao also felt reluctant to part.

The He Mansion had no accessible facilities, so not wanting to trouble anyone, he restrained himself, like being in prison.

Luckily, San Er was still with him for company, ensuring the fun wasn’t scarce.

Liu Ji, being a grown man, could look after himself, and with Gongliang Liao advising him, Qin Yao had no worries. Eating well and drinking well, she mused to herself, planning to bring back a nanny goat someday and try making milk tea.

However, Liu Ji, after sending a stuffed Gongliang Liao back to the Lotus Courtyard, kept following Qin Yao, asking:

"Dear, do you have any final words for me?"

"Dear, aren’t there words you haven’t told me yet?"

"Dear, is there really nothing more you wish to say to me? I’ll be leaving early tomorrow."

His calls were like buzzing flies around her ears, making Qin Yao so annoyed she kicked him on the calf.

"Go to sleep!"

Liu Ji, rubbing his calf, felt completely content, "Alright!"

Watching his cheerful departing figure, Qin Yao suspiciously glanced at her toe, slightly doubting life.

Is he a masochist?

Does he feel incomplete if he doesn’t get a beating in a day?

Forget it, she thought. After such mental effort today, she decided to wash up and sleep early.

Since Liu Ji had an early start, Mrs. Li woke earlier than usual, half an hour before sunrise, making extra pastry for the road, just in case.

Ah Wang also got up early to light the stove and help with preparations.

They baked many pastries in the stove. As day broke, Mrs. Li prepared breakfast, while Ah Wang used the wild berries they collected with the children the day before to make jam.

Fresh jam doesn’t keep well, so they didn’t pack it for Liu Ji.

They spread it over the freshly baked pastries, packing pieces into the food boxes for Da Lang Brothers and Sisters to take to school as snacks.

Of course, they didn’t forget to set aside a portion for Little Lai Fu.

The day before, when picking wild berries on the mountain, he worked the hardest. While Da Lang Brothers and Sisters ate while picking, their stomachs were full but they only managed a handful.

Little Lai Fu, however, seriously picked half a basket before filling his stomach; so some jam must be set aside for him today.

Despite having a journey ahead, Liu Ji didn’t forget to wake early and complete his teacher’s assigned morning reading.

Gongliang Liao said, there are many scholars these days, to stand out, one must learn to make a name for themselves.

The hardships faced today are blessings of tomorrow.

The word "diligence" will become his hallmark in the future, a part of his persona as he enters higher social circles.

However, diligence in front of only familiar faces is futile; people outside must also know of his diligence for it to be effective.

Guangwen Book Hall is just one step in the plan.

These insights aren’t taught by the county academy teachers. Many impoverished students studied earnestly, but found their hardships unrewarded, ending up in vain.

To pursue a career through imperial exams and become an official, without a mentor, is extremely difficult.

Liu Ji meticulously checked the books and luggage he needed to carry, including gifts for the He Family.

Yesterday, amidst the bustling activity, today he maintained a serious demeanor, quite earnest.

The harsh words of a shrew were not without merit—having reached this junction, missing an opportunity would cost him the most.

He verified everything was ready and got Ah Wang to help move it to the courtyard gate, waiting for Ah Gu to arrive with the horse to load it up.