Volume One, Chapter 22: Don’t Blame Me for Losing My Temper

Fan Xiu was stunned by the conditions set by Master Zhao. He had imagined countless possibilities for what the man might demand, but he never expected it to be that he marry his daughter. Naturally, that meant Zhao Yufei. Yet, he and Zhao Yufei were merely fellow students—at most, they shared a mentor-disciple relationship. What sort of madness had gripped Master Zhao to come up with such a thing?

"Brother Zhao, this is..."

"Don't call me brother. Call me Uncle, or perhaps Father-in-law, but do not mess up the hierarchy!" Master Zhao stroked his beard with a faint smile.

Fan Xiu: "..."

*What the hell, Father-in-law?* Was this man always so proactive? Still, come to think of it, Zhao Yufei was quite charming. She was petite, with chubby cheeks, sharp little fangs, cunning crescent-shaped eyes, a delicate bridge of a nose, and lips as full as cherries. Every step she took was accompanied by a crisp, tinkling sound. She was a quintessential little maiden! Especially when she was angry, puffing out her cheeks and grinding those little fangs like a startled puppy—it would truly be a lovely thing to win her over.

"Well? Are you unwilling?" Master Zhao’s expression darkened.

"No, it's not that." Fan Xiu shook his head immediately. "The young lady is wonderful, but I am currently burdened with heavy debt, and without power or status, I am unworthy of her."

Seeing Fan Xiu’s hesitation, Master Zhao smiled. In truth, he didn't care much for the Zhiwei Pavilion; it was a money-losing venture he had long wanted to offload, but he hadn't found a suitable buyer. More importantly, he thought highly of Fan Xiu. Even if Fan Xiu didn't go into business or pursue the imperial examinations, his status as a Juren meant that, in time, he would become a man of standing in Zhiyuan County. Trading a mediocre tavern for a Juren as a son-in-law was no loss at all. Not to mention, Fan Xiu had managed to create such delicious dishes. Furthermore, living in the same county, he knew Fan Xiu to be a bit of a bookworm—a man of excellent character and intelligence.

"Hmph, you have some self-awareness, at least," Master Zhao said with a light chuckle. "But don't sell yourself short. You are a Juren, after all. Still, there are conditions if you wish to marry my daughter."

"Ah?" Fan Xiu’s eyes widened in surprise. "Does Master Zhao have another daughter you want me to marry?"

"Hmm?" Master Zhao’s face turned icy, and he barked, "What are you talking about?"

"Uh... no! I mean, are there other conditions? Isn't marrying Yufei the condition itself?" Fan Xiu quickly corrected himself. This old man had used the tavern as a lure to get him to agree to the marriage, but the marriage itself had strings attached. Was this some kind of infinite nesting doll?

"Of course!" Master Zhao took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "My daughter is not so easily wed! If you want to make money through me, you must marry my daughter. If you want to marry my daughter, you must meet my conditions! If you refuse, don't blame me for losing my temper!"

As he spoke, a dangerous look appeared on his face. "I have quite a few connections in Zhiyuan County! Even if your cold noodles are delicious, believe me, I can make sure you don't sell a single bowl."

"I believe you," Fan Xiu replied helplessly. Damn! The old man was actually threatening him! Yet, he had the power to back it up. The Zhao family was a prominent household in Zhiyuan County with an excellent reputation, which was exactly why Fan Xiu had chosen them. He just hadn't expected the old man to be so quick to fly off the handle. He had no choice.

"Tell me your conditions, Uncle Zhao," Fan Xiu said.

Master Zhao stroked his beard. "First, the cold noodles and the 'Top Scholar's Fragrance' tea must be supplied exclusively to Zhiwei Pavilion."

"Consider it done," Fan Xiu replied. "Since I came to you, I never intended to supply anyone else. However, I believe it won't be long before others figure out how to make these. I will sell the recipe eventually, but that will be the final profit I make from the noodles."

"Good," Master Zhao nodded. "You decide on that. My second condition is that you must use your status as a Juren to grant tax exemptions to Zhiwei Pavilion, and find ways to increase foot traffic and grow the business."

"This..." Fan Xiu was stunned. He had plenty of ideas to increase traffic, but the old man was still gunning for his tax exemptions? In the Great Yin Dynasty, passing the imperial exams granted tax exemptions, though the types and amounts varied. A Xiucai was only exempt from land taxes, while a Juren was exempt from both land taxes and a portion of commercial taxes. As for a Jinshi, the benefits were even greater.

Seeing Fan Xiu hesitate, Master Zhao narrowed his eyes. "You won't even grant tax exemptions for a single tavern? Are you really trying to force my hand?"

"No!" Fan Xiu said, speechless. "Uncle Zhao, please don't lose your temper. I'll agree, won't I? But to increase traffic, I'll need your cooperation."

Master Zhao nodded. "No problem! You won't be returning home tonight. Stay at the Zhao estate and think about how to improve the traffic. As for your family, I will have Butler Wang send word."

"There's no need to think; I can tell you a few methods right now."

"Oh?" Master Zhao arched a brow, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He felt Fan Xiu was being dismissive. Still, he said, "Go on, then."

Fan Xiu leaned in and began to explain. Master Zhao’s expression shifted from indifference to surprise, then to shock, solemnity, and utter bewilderment. Even when his wives and concubines came by, Master Zhao ignored them entirely.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Guided by a servant, Fan Xiu headed to the guest room. Watching him walk away, Master Zhao turned to Butler Wang. "Butler Wang, what do you think of his methods?"

"Incredible!" The butler gave a thumbs-up. "Inviting county officials and local gentry to draw in the middle and lower classes, implementing a top-up membership system to bind long-term customers, and creating a 'Cold Noodle Festival' to boost the product's appeal... and that story he told at the end? It was brilliant."

Master Zhao smiled. "I thought the tea-infused eggs were delicious but too easy to copy. He used storytelling to cement the status of our 'Top Scholar's Fragrance.' I never imagined a story could be used in such a way."

The butler nodded. "If all of this is implemented, it won't be long before Zhiwei Pavilion becomes the number one restaurant in Zhiyuan County."

Master Zhao waved a hand. "The methods are good, but I still need to test if this boy is worthy of my daughter. My seventh concubine has been acting restless lately. Did you tell her that Fan Xiu is staying the night?"

"I have already informed her, sir. But... are you truly going to use your concubine to test him?" the butler asked, looking skeptical.

"Of course!" Zhao Defu narrowed his eyes. "I just wonder if Fan Xiu has the guts for it." As he spoke, a cruel glint flickered in his eyes.