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With three pounds of meat per test batch, Chu Qingzhi prepared ten batches, each with a different ratio of salted duck egg whites to experiment with.

As she busied herself in the workshop, Chu Xuhua, Chu Qingning, Chu Qingshuang, and Wu Yaqing came to assist.

Seeing Wu Yaqing, Chu Qingzhi recalled her earlier visit to the bookshop and asked, “Yaqing, how did your story go?”

The others, intrigued by the mention of a story, looked on with curiosity.

Wu Yaqing, who had faced rejection at the bookstore, shook her head in dejection, “Don’t mention it. The shopkeeper wouldn’t even look at my book, dismissing me as a troublemaker.”

Chu Qingzhi comforted her, “Don’t worry, we’ll think of another way.”

Wu Yaqing was visibly disheartened by her experience, lamenting the lack of recognition for her talent and wishing she were a man to at least have her stories considered before being rejected.

Chu Qingzhi then suggested, “If it really doesn’t work out, we can open our own bookstore. What’s there to fear?”

This idea sparked a light in Wu Yaqing’s eyes, and she quickly embraced the suggestion, “Right, why should I wait for others’ approval? I’ll start my own store.”

Everyone agreed that this was a direct solution to the problem.

Wu Yaqing glanced at everyone. “I’ll go find a site tomorrow and open the bookstore.”

Chu Qingzhi suggested, “Before opening a shop, go and take a look at someone else’s shop. You can open it after you know what to do. Don’t be rash. Otherwise, it will be very troublesome to clean up the mess.”

Wu Yaqing nodded. “Qingzhi, I’ll listen to you. I want to go and take a look, but I’ll definitely open the bookstore.”

“We all believe in you.”

Chu Qingning asked with interest, “Yaqing, what story did you write? Can you show it tons?”

Wu Yaqing agreed readily. “I’ll show it to you when we get back.”

Chu Qingningnodded, “Okay.”

With the discussions and laughter, Chu Qingzhi’s ten batches of sausages were ready.

She scooped up the sausages from the pot and placed them on a plate that was numbered. Then, she brought the sausages home and cut them into pieces. She placed them on the table for everyone to eat and choose the best one.

The plates were placed on the table in a row. Chu Qingzhi asked everyone to eat them all first. Then, they could place the chopsticks in front of the dish that they felt was the best. The dish with the most chopsticks was the best.

After explaining the rules, Chu Qingzhi had everyone taste test the sausages.

The unanimous choice was the third batch.

This batch had the perfect balance of flavor, unlike the others, which were either too salty, too bland, or looked unappealing due to excessive egg white.

“Ruyue, could you ask Fourth Aunt to send over the whole salted duck eggs tomorrow? We’ll replace the salt in the sausages with salted duck egg whites as soon as possible.”

“Alright, I got it.”

The matter of the salted duck egg white was easily resolved.

“By the way, I have something else to say.” Chu Qingzhi took out the tissues and distributed one to everyone. “Everyone, look at the tissues in your hands. After listening to me, tell me your opinions.”

Everyone did not quite understand. They held the paper and looked at Chu Qingzhi in confusion.

“This is the paper I made from the scraps of paper pulp. This paper is not used for writing and drawing, but for daily life…” Chu Qingzhi explained the use and benefits of the tissue in detail.

Everyone had different reactions.

The elders, much like Chu Feng, reacted similarly to the concept of paper towels—seeing them as extravagant, wasteful, and impractical. They expressed their opposition in an euphemistic manner.

Chu Xuhua, having grown up in the village, was open to the idea but still felt it was somewhat luxurious.

Wu Yaqing, Ge Lihua, and Hong Yujun, however, were enthusiastic about the paper towels, eager to purchase them if available.

Li Zhangjie, often quiet, suddenly suggested, “Sister Qingzhi, if these are intended for ladies’ use, perhaps we could add some fragrance to the paper. Scented paper would surely be more appealing.”

Chu Qingzhi praised, “That’s a good idea. I’ll consider it.”

After receiving confirmation, Li Zhangjie smiled shyly.

Wu Yaqing thought for a moment and said, “Qingzhi, this tissue is suitable to be sold to rich people. There are many people in the capital. It will definitely sell well.”

Ge Lihua nodded. “I want to use it now.”

When Chu Qingzhi heard everyone’s words, she had an idea. “Everyone, let’s have dinner. I’ll think about it and prepare to try it out.”

At Chu Shi’an’s house.

Chu Lan’er changed out of her work clothes and put on her usual old clothes. She came out of the room and prepared to cook. Unexpectedly, her father had already finished cooking.

She walked towards the table and widened her eyes in shock. “Father, there’s meat to eat?”

Chu Shi’an smiled and said, “This is a gift from your Uncle Chu Rong.”

Jiang Zhaoyong’s deer was too big. Everyone ate a lot, and the rest were stuffed into the fridge. However, the fridge could not hold so much, so Chu Rong gave the excess to those close to him.

Chu Lan’er said enviously, “Uncle Chu Rong’s family is too rich. They can eat meat casually.”

Chu Shi’an responded, “Lan’er, their wealth was earned with hard work, not blown in by the wind. All we can do is work hard and earn money honestly, understand?”

Chu Lan’er nodded, “Dad, I understand.”

Chu Shi’an, concerned that Chu Lan’er might harbor improper thoughts, added, “While I work, your Uncle Chu Rong discreetly pays me two hundred copper coins a day. Once I finish planting their wheat, we’ll earn quite a bit. Then, our family won’t lack food or clothing.”

Hearing this, Chu Lan’er suggested, “Dad, why don’t we also clear some wasteland to plant wheat?”

Chu Shi’an was inspired, “That’s a good idea. We have a large piece of unused land behind our house. Let’s clean it up after dinner. Once we’re done with Chu Rong’s wheat and have the money, I’ll buy some seeds to plant.”

Chu Lan’er responded eagerly, “Mhm, mhm, let’s hurry and eat then.”

“Okay.” Chu Shi’an felt a spark of hope for their lives.

In Chu Qingzhi’s room.

Chu Qingzhi locked her door and drew the curtains before lying on her bed to communicate with Tang Jinghong through the golden feathered phoenix.

Tang Jinghong’s deep voice reached her via the golden feathered phoenix, always making Chu Qingzhi’s heart flutter, “Qingzhi, have you gone to bed yet?”

Chu Qingzhi looked up at the golden phoenix, “Not yet, what about you?”

“I’m outside, about to put an end to Lord Zhang’s salt smuggling.”

“Are you confident?”

“I’ve been tracking them for many days; they won’t escape this time.”

“Be careful, let’s leave it here for now. Contact me again after you’ve dealt with it.”

“Ok.”

Chu Qingzhi beckoned the golden feathered phoenix closer with a hook of her finger, and it returned to her arm.