There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 209 No Agreement Reached

Seeing that the two were arguing, Li Shuchen quickly spoke up to stop them.

"Oh dear, I'll buy them myself. Grape, you go with Princess Changning to the Flower Pavilion to buy clothes. Remember to buy one for my parents and one for Xiao'er too."

"Okay miss"

Princess Changning looked at Li Shuchen and asked...

"We're all out, who will take care of you?"

Li Shuchen pointed at Gu Ziying

"Ziying, Ziying, stay and take care of me."

"Alright"

Gu Ziying sat back down on the edge of the bed.

Li Shuchen wanted to have the energy to sit and eat with her friends that evening.

He stayed in bed and rested, conserving his energy.

Later, Princess Changning returned from her "hunting" and handed Li Shuchen a red purse and some loose silver.

"Li Shuchen, I couldn't buy enoki mushrooms, but I did manage to buy matsutake mushrooms, as well as some abalone and scallops. I don't know if you'd like them."

Li Shuchen's eyes lit up upon hearing this. Matsutake mushrooms, abalone, and scallops were incredibly expensive; she'd hardly ever eaten them in her life. Following Princess Changning was truly a luxury. She quickly replied...

"I love it, thank you Changning!"

"I'm glad you like it. But what kind of shrimp paste are you talking about?"

"Oh, it's simply peeling the shrimp, mincing them, adding egg white, salt, pepper, and a little cornstarch, then mixing well."

Gu Ziying rolled up her sleeves and said

"I'll make this one."

Princess Changning also rolled up her sleeves and prepared the ingredients with Gu Ziying.

Li Shuchen explained how to make the broth and dipping sauce, and they made them as she spoke.

While Princess Changning and Gu Ziying were washing and chopping vegetables,

Li Shuchen leaned against the bed and began wrapping red envelopes. The wages were put in loose silver coins for their daily expenses, while bonuses were put in silver notes. Such a small purse was inconspicuous even when walking down the street, safe and secure, preventing theft.

Time ticked by until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).

[It's 7 PM on the 30th day of the 12th month of the 9th year of the Purple Star Dynasty. The system is starting to settle the main inn quest. The condition of 'becoming famous' has been met, and the system is now checking.]

[Happiness value 2166 ≥ 2000, Completed]

[Profit value ≥ 2 silver, completed]

[Popularity value 3332 ≥ 3000, Completed]

[Host has been detected to have completed the main quest "Rise to Fame" at the inn. Special reward: one manual for rapid advancement of light footwork, one bottle of Forgetfulness Potion, and one seed of a tassel flower tree.]

[Host has completed a side quest. Reward: One Resurrection Pill]

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen quickly muttered to herself: "Put all of Xiao Jizi in my bed."

If this happened near Changning and Ziying, and they found out, it would be difficult to explain.

[Reward has been sent, please check it, host.]

Li Shuchen secretly reached under the covers for his reward. He touched the book first, then a small porcelain bottle, and then two small bags. These two bags likely contained seeds of the fringe flower tree and a resurrection pill.

Hehehe, putting everything else aside, this Resurrection Pill is a wonderful thing! If someone close to her were to face a life-threatening crisis like Changning, she could give them a Resurrection Pill and they would be saved.

Little Jizi is really great, awesome!

Li Shuchen rummaged through the items, hid them inside the blanket, and said to Grape...

“Grape, go and distribute the silver I prepared for everyone, and tell them that in addition to their wages for this month, each person will receive an extra ten taels of silver as a New Year's bonus.”

Tell them that our Happiness Inn will be closed for half a month and will officially reopen on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, so that everyone can have a happy and relaxed New Year.

"This silver is for the people in the three orchards, ten taels of silver each as a New Year's bonus. It will be given to Seventh Sister to distribute."

"Yes, miss"

Grape was overjoyed, and carrying her red purse, she hurried downstairs. She wanted to tell everyone the good news as soon as possible so that everyone could share in the joy.

Gu Ziying: "Shu Chen, it's time to eat."

"I'm coming"

Princess Changning helped Li Shuchen put on her outer clothes and helped her sit down at the table.

"Wow~, this steaming hot pot is so blissful! Quickly, put in some glass noodles and potatoes—things that can withstand long cooking times!"

Gu Ziying said softly

"Okay, I'll take a break. Shu Chen, just sit still and wait for your meal."

"Hehe, thanks to you two, I can also enjoy being taken care of by beautiful women."

Princess Changning picked up a piece of hot mutton roll and placed it in the sesame sauce dish in front of Li Shuchen, then asked...

"Come on, Li Shuchen, how about trying this mutton?"

Li Shuchen picked up a thin slice of mutton, dipped it in sesame sauce, and put it in his mouth, savoring it.

"Mmm~, so fresh~ tender~ fragrant~, with a milky aroma, not gamey at all, it's so delicious!"

Princess Changning smiled smugly upon hearing this.

"I bought some fresh lambs, they're the most tender and delicious, I bet you'll love them."

Li Shuchen quickly shook his head and replied.

"I love it, I love it so much!"

"Ha ha ha ha"

This scene amused Gu Ziying, and even Princess Changning and Li Shuchen laughed.

Outside, it was quiet, cold, and snowing heavily; inside, laughter and joy filled the air, making it as warm as spring.

new Year

Li Shuchen woke up early, sat up and stretched. A new year, a new beginning—she wanted to become a better Li Shuchen. Go for it!

"Chen'er, Chen'er"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen tried to lift the covers and get out of bed, but Madam Li pressed him down. She looked up and said...

"Father, Mother, how did you manage to come in such cold weather?"

"And me, older sister."

Li Lingxiao peeked out from beside Master Li with a smile.

Li Shuchen smiled.

"Xiao'er is here too."

Master Li took off his cloak and said...

“Our family should celebrate the New Year together, all together. Chen’er is injured and can’t go home, so we’ve come to spend the New Year with him. Where we celebrate isn’t important; what matters is that the family is together. That’s what makes it a proper New Year. Dad has made dumplings and will cook them in a bit. Chen’er should have breakfast soon.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen's eyes welled up with tears.

"Thank you, Dad."

"No need to thank me, Grape, go and cook the dumplings."

"Yes, sir"

When Li Shuchen heard about cooking dumplings, she forced a smile, wiped away her tears, and wondered, "Can I eat dumplings that are all skin and no filling?"

Mrs. Li inquired with concern

"Chen'er, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, Mom. I can already walk a few steps."

Madam Li wiped away her tears and said

"That's good. We'll be relieved to see you recover gradually."

Li Shuchen wiped away Madam Li's tears and said

"Don't worry, Mother. Princess Changning has given me plenty of good things to nourish my body. I'm almost sick of all the delicacies."

Princess Changning is a good child.

Li Shuchen nodded.

Yes, she's my good friend.

Grape: "Master and Madam, the dumplings are ready."

Master Li quickly said, "Quickly, serve Chen'er a bowl."

Madam Li helped Li Shuchen up from the bed. Li Shuchen sat down at the octagonal table, looking at the fist-sized dumplings in front of him, and trembled.

Seeing the dazed Li Shuchen, Master Li urged him...

"Chen'er, eat quickly!"

Li Shuchen forced a smile and replied.

"Dad, I'm not hungry yet. How about we have hot pot? There's so much food in the kitchen: lamb, beef, abalone, shrimp paste... so much!"