Chapter 9

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Shangguan Wan's body trembled.

She had tasted all the delicacies in the world, but even the best soup made from the finest ingredients could not compare to the freshness and delicacy of this Pearl Jade Soup. The freshness seemed to penetrate her heart and soul. Despite her intense hatred for Qin Shaoyou, she could not help but say, "Delicious..."

Unconsciously, Shangguan Wan revealed a simple and innocent demeanor, her eyes filled with a sense of intoxication.

Qin Shaoyou, however, had his nose in the air, having anticipated her reaction. This bowl of soup was intentionally prepared by him. Qin Shaoyou's nose was very sensitive, and he had already detected a faint scent of tofu from Shangguan Wan, indicating her fondness for bean products. Observing her fair complexion, which suggested a lack of protein, he deduced that although she could afford meat, she lacked protein, meaning she did not like meat. People who do not like meat often have a preference for light flavors, so he decided to make tofu soup, which perfectly suited Shangguan Wan's taste.

Of course, the most important ingredient was the chicken essence, a seasoning that could revolutionize the culinary landscape of this era. While it might not seem extraordinary to people from the future, in this time, it was like giving a child who had never tasted sugar the chance to experience its sweetness, an irresistible and unimaginable delight.

Shangguan Wan's first taste made her shoulders tremble, and she eagerly took a second mouthful. However, she forgot to blow it cool and burned her tongue, causing her to stick out her tender tongue, looking even more innocent.

"Is it good?"

"Ugh... ugh..."

"Don't choke." Qin Shaoyou reminded her with a smug smile.

This guy, with his carefree and heartless attitude, made Shangguan Wan secretly hate him, but she could not help herself. She opened her cherry lips and used a spoon to scoop a piece of tofu into her mouth. The tofu, as smooth as pearls, melted in her mouth, fresh and not greasy, making it hard to stop.

Shangguan Wan, who usually had a small appetite, today had a large one. She finished the entire bowl of soup, even the last bits of the broth.

She raised her eyes, realizing her loss of composure, and felt a bit embarrassed. Thinking of Qin Shaoyou's rudeness, she felt a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"Hmm, not bad."

Qin Shaoyou smiled smugly and extended his hand. "Pay up. This soup is made with a secret recipe from a century-old shop, thirty coins."

The price was clearly high, but Qin Shaoyou did not mind turning this place into a black market.

Shangguan Wan's impression of Qin Shaoyou worsened. She thought to herself, "Not only is he a bookworm, but he's also a money-grubbing bookworm."

She touched the pouch at her waist and casually tossed a piece of silver. "Is this enough?"

Qin Shaoyou took it without weighing it, knowing it was more than enough. He smiled. "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. I mistook you for someone sent by the Zhou family to cause trouble. Now that I see you have a fair evaluation of my cooking, it seems like a case of family not recognizing family."

"Who is family with you?" Shangguan Wan cursed in her heart but did not react in the small kitchen, only giving Qin Shaoyou a cold look.

As they left the kitchen, the guards outside could no longer contain themselves. They moved their arms, and a flash of steel appeared as several large knives were placed against Qin Shaoyou's neck.

Qin Shaoyou's body stiffened, unable to move.

At this moment, Shangguan Wan looked at him arrogantly. "What a bold move. Do you know who I am?"

The food was delicious, but the rudeness was another matter. Shangguan Wan, being a woman, thought, "Women are the most venomous." This bookworm dared to be rude to her; she had to show him a bit of her power.

Qin Shaoyou was startled. Was this for real? The ancients were truly barbaric, ready to draw their swords at the slightest provocation, even women were so fierce.

However...

He laughed. Facing several steel knives, even though his cousin Qin Shou was trembling in fear, Qin Shaoyou stood with his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "Do you know who I am?"

Shangguan Wan, expecting the bookworm to be terrified, was surprised by his arrogance. "Who are you?"

"Can't you tell? Fine, I'll tell you. I am a scholar..."

"..." Shangguan Wan was slightly taken aback.

Qin Shaoyou, exuding the air of a pedantic scholar, shook his head and said, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. I, a man of seven feet, have read the classics since the age of three and mastered literature and history by ten. How can I be humiliated by you? You want to kill me? Fine, come on."

"..." The guards looked at each other, unsure what to do.

Qin Shaoyou closed his eyes and muttered, "The universe has a righteous spirit, which is mixed and assigned to all things... Below, it forms rivers and mountains, above, it forms the sun and stars..."

This was Wen Tianxiang's "Song of Righteousness" from the Southern Song Dynasty. Recited at this moment, it gave a sense of noble sacrifice. Shangguan Wan was taken aback and couldn't help but laugh. "I was just joking. Since you scared me, you should give me some compensation. Make me a few bowls of Pearl Jade Soup to take... home."

The guards, seeing Shangguan Wan's change in attitude, reluctantly put away their knives.

Qin Shaoyou inwardly sneered, knowing they wouldn't dare to act. On one hand, the guards had drawn their knives but had not directly harmed him. Since the knives were only placed on his neck, it was likely just to scare him. They had a misunderstanding, but there was no real enmity, so there was no need to kill. On the other hand, by emphasizing his status as a scholar and reciting poetry, he reminded them that killing a scholar, even for a prince or a prince consort, would have serious consequences and impact.

Qin Shaoyou feared death and was very afraid of it, but because he had calculated this, he did not beg for mercy. Instead, he stood firm, forcing the other side to back down.

As for Shangguan Wan, seeing the bookworm start to recite poetry, she seemed to realize something. She did not want to kill and bullying a weak scholar would be unseemly. She decided to let it go and laughed, giving herself a way out.

However, when faced with Shangguan Wan's request, the principled Qin Shaoyou firmly refused. "I'm sorry, but I do not sell my food. As I said, I am a scholar. You threatened me with a knife, and I did not argue with you. Now you are being unreasonable. What is the logic in that?"

Shangguan Wan frowned. "Really won't?"

"Absolutely not." Qin Shaoyou said proudly. "Even if you give me ten taels of silver, I won't!"

"Fifteen taels?"

Qin Shaoyou paused, looking at Shangguan Wan seriously. "Can you add a bit more?"

Shangguan Wan, as if about to leave, said, "Not a single coin more."

Qin Shaoyou, indignant, said, "You are insulting me, I am a scholar!"

Shangguan Wan turned and walked away.

Qin Shaoyou sighed. "Fine, fine, fine. If you like my soup, it's a matter of fate. Fifteen taels it is. Customer, please take a seat in the hall."

Shangguan Wan suddenly remembered someone's evaluation of Qin Shaoyou. This guy, is he really a bookworm? Do scholars really have such thick skin?

But the soup still lingered in her mouth, and she could not bear to let it go. She reluctantly said, "Fine, hurry up."

Shangguan Wan and her guards went to the hall.

Qin Shaoyou immediately became energetic.

Fifteen taels of silver, though not enough to pay off his debts, was enough for a common family's annual expenses in this era.

Qin Shaoyou was very happy and rushed into the kitchen, shouting at Qin Shou, "Start the fire."

The two cousins began to work in the kitchen. In no time, a large sum of money was in their hands. Qin Shou's eyes turned red. He helped skillfully and could not help but say, "Fifteen taels of silver, Master, just a few bowls of soup, and you can sell it for this price. Oh my... Our family's ancestors must be smiling in their graves."

Qin Shaoyou looked at him disdainfully, chopping vegetables skillfully. "You're wrong. The soup itself is not valuable; what is valuable is a scholar's principles and integrity."

"Uh... I don't understand."

Qin Shaoyou said slowly, "I'll ask you, what is the price of a prostitute on the street for one night?"

"Ten coins at most."

"What about the top performer at the Fragrant Pavilion who sells art but not herself?"

"This... it's hard to say, but it must be no less than a hundred strings of coins."

"Exactly. Both are in the same line of work, but why is the one who sells herself not valuable, while the one who sells art is worth a hundred times more? It's because the one who sells art has principles and integrity. They don't serve just anyone. This makes them rare and valuable." Qin Shaoyou couldn't help but sigh. "This shows how important principles are for a person. Big brother, I can't help but advise you to always stick to your principles and learn from me."

Qin Shou stuck out his tongue. "Can I get paid for learning from Master?"

Qin Shaoyou glared at him, and the brotherly bond was replaced by class hatred. "All you think about is money. I'm talking about faith, and you talk about money. I'm talking about principles, and you can't get away from money. You are beyond help, a hopeless case. I am ashamed to be associated with you."

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