31 Waiting for You to Become a High Official

Lin Yuejiao pursed her lips. "You usually make a living by selling rouge and powder. I believe that if you take charge of this book, it will be a perfect use of your talents. I intend to open a shop specializing in beauty creams and cosmetics, but since it is inconvenient for me to be seen, you shall be the owner."

"I... I am to be the owner?" Shu Niang was stunned.

Lin Yuejiao took a five-hundred-tael banknote from her bodice and handed it to her. "Take this money. First, settle your personal affairs, then lease a shop in the city. This should be enough for the raw materials for the first formula, shouldn't it? Start with that one. From now on, as long as you are with me, you will never have to worry about food or clothing again."

"This..." Shu Niang was dumbfounded. Lin Yuejiao had handed her such a massive sum of money without a second thought.

Lin Yuejiao nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. I will come to see you in a month. Do not worry; the people from the gambling den will not dare to bother you again."

With that, Lin Yuejiao turned to leave. Shu Niang looked at the banknote in her hand, feeling its heavy weight, and quickly grabbed Lin Yuejiao’s sleeve. "Miss Lin, please wait a moment!"

With a sudden burst of energy, Shu Niang rushed into the house like a whirlwind. A moment later, she returned with a piece of paper and handed it to Lin Yuejiao. "This is my deed of indenture. If you do not accept it, I dare not take your money to conduct this business."

She had originally assumed Lin Yuejiao only wanted the book, but never expected her to hand over five hundred taels for a shop without a moment's hesitation.

"If you insist, Shu Niang, then I shall accept it. I believe you will not disappoint me." Seeing the determination in her eyes, Lin Yuejiao took the deed and turned to the child standing nearby. "He is of age; has he started his schooling?"

Shu Niang bit her lip and shook her head. "Everything in our home was gambled away by his father; we can no longer afford the tuition for a private tutor."

"If you are willing, Shu Niang, let him be a companion to my younger brother and study alongside him. The schoolhouse at the Lin estate is far better than an ordinary private tutor's. Whether it is in literature or martial arts, he will be well looked after." Lin Yuejiao smiled faintly. She knew that if Shu Niang was feeling uneasy, she ought to give her some peace of mind.

Upon hearing this, Shu Niang was overjoyed and said gratefully, "Thank you for your grace, Miss. It is his blessing to be able to study with the Young Master. Xiyan, hurry and thank the Miss."

"Thank you, Miss." The child’s eyes lit up the moment he heard he would be able to study and learn martial arts.

After leaving Shu Niang’s home, both Iris and Tami looked moved.

"Miss, I never thought there were such people in the world. A man who gambles away his own wife and then kills himself to escape, leaving behind a widow and an orphan. If they hadn't met you, their fate would have been truly dire," Iris sighed.

Tami looked at her with admiration. "Miss, you just gave her five hundred taels! It's fortunate she handed you her deed of indenture; otherwise, I would have been worried for you."

Lin Yuejiao chuckled softly. "Do not employ those you doubt, and do not doubt those you employ. If I didn't know her character, I wouldn't have dared to use her. Shu Niang is truly pitiful; when a woman entrusts her life to the wrong person, it is a tragedy for a lifetime."

Both maids were absolutely loyal to Lin Yuejiao and did not ask how she knew about the book in Shu Niang’s house. In their eyes, everything their mistress had done lately was nothing short of omniscient and omnipotent. Their mistress was simply that brilliant.

"Miss, where shall we go next?" Tami asked.

Lin Yuejiao smiled. "Young Master Zhai left his address last time he visited. With the imperial examinations approaching, I wonder if he has the funds to participate. Let us go and see; if he is in need, we shall provide some support."

"You are truly a Goddess of Wealth today, Miss," Iris said, covering her smile.

They left the Qingliu alley and arrived at a remote, dilapidated cottage on the outskirts of the city. Zhai Jinchi sat within the brush fence, reading, while an old woman sat beside him, mending a faded, worn garment. A look of comfort graced her face as she watched her son study.

Seeing Lin Yuejiao and her two maids appear, Zhai Jinchi was startled, then quickly set down his book and hurried to greet them. "Miss Lin, why have you come?"

"Judging by your tone, Young Master Zhai, it seems you do not welcome me?" Lin Yuejiao smiled, adding a touch of playfulness.

Zhai Jinchi instantly flushed and waved his hands. "No, no, that is not what I meant at all. Your presence brings honor to this humble dwelling. I just did not expect that you would come to a place like this in person..."

"The examinations are nearing, so I came to see how our great scholar is preparing." Lin Yuejiao walked in with a gentle smile, then turned to the old woman. "Greetings, Madam. I am a friend of Young Master Zhai; please forgive this sudden intrusion."

Iris and Tami immediately presented the fruits and supplements they were carrying to the old woman. These were gifts Lin Yuejiao had prepared beforehand; she would never arrive empty-handed.

The old woman stood up in surprise and began to bow. "Are... are you that Miss Lin? Welcome, welcome. I never expected you to personally visit our Jinchi. So many gifts—you have spent too much. Thanks to your help last time, we are forever in your debt."

"Madam, you are too kind. Young Master Zhai and I are kindred spirits, and it is my good fortune to call him a friend." Lin Yuejiao quickly steadied her and helped her sit down. "Please, Madam, do not bow to me. Young Master Zhai has already thanked me; there is no need for such formality."

The old woman was deeply moved and emotional; it took some time for Lin Yuejiao to soothe her.

"The imperial examinations are next month. How are your preparations, Young Master Zhai? Have you registered?" Lin Yuejiao asked with clear, bright eyes. She remembered from her previous life that Zhai Jinchi had nearly missed the exams because he could not scrape together the registration fees.

Zhai Jinchi glanced at his mother, his expression filled with shame. "I do not intend to take the examinations this year. Firstly, I cannot afford the fees, and secondly, if I were lucky enough to pass, I would have to go to the capital for the follow-up exams. My mother’s health has only just recovered; if I am not here to care for her, I fear..."

"Jinchi, do not worry about me! You must go take the exams; I do not need you to care for me!" the old woman interjected quickly. "My health is fine. You must prepare for the imperial exams. As for the money, do not worry, I will find a way."

Zhai Jinchi shook his head. "Mother, I plan to study hard and take the exams in three years. Besides, do I not know the situation of our home? Where would you find the money?"

The imperial examinations occurred only once every three years; missing this one meant waiting another three years.

"I still have some money tucked away..." The old woman grew anxious and emotional, tears welling in her eyes. "You cannot hold yourself back because of me..."

Lin Yuejiao finally remembered.

"Madam is right, Young Master Zhai. You should participate. This one hundred taels should be enough for the provincial, prefectural, and palace examinations, as well as the expenses for your trip to the capital." Lin Yuejiao took a hundred-tael note from her bodice and handed it to him with a smile. "You need not worry about the Madam’s safety, either. I will send two experienced maids to look after her. Surely you can rest easy if you leave her in my care?"

Zhai Jinchi quickly tried to return the money. "Miss Lin, I still owe you from last time; I absolutely cannot accept any more of your money."

"Exactly. Since you already owe me, you must participate in the exams. Otherwise, when do you intend to pay back your debt?" Lin Yuejiao said deliberately.

Zhai Jinchi replied sternly, "I can earn money by copying documents or selling calligraphy and paintings. In two or three years, I will have enough to pay you back. I will never default on my debt..."

"Stop. You bookworm, I am not here to collect a debt; I am here to make you take the exams. If not for your own sake, think of your mother. Her illness was brought on by exhaustion and hardship. To make things better, you must rely on yourself." Lin Yuejiao said earnestly. "It is merely a loan; why are you so afraid that you cannot repay it? You are young, with hands and feet to work. If I am not afraid of you defaulting, what are you afraid of?"

Zhai Jinchi realized there was logic in what she said.

"Miss Lin, you are too kind to me. This, I..." Zhai Jinchi was at a loss.

Lin Yuejiao gave a gentle smile. "Do not make it sound as if I am selfless. I am counting on you to become a high-ranking official so I can collect my due. Didn't I tell you? I see your great talent and know you are destined for the gold list and a lifetime of glory. I am simply investing in our friendship early—I am a social climber, not someone who does good deeds without seeking a return. You need not feel burdened."

Her frank, self-deprecating manner, intended to protect his pride, left Zhai Jinchi looking at her in silence. He suddenly felt that any further refusal would be far too common and trivial.