Chapter 362: Unanimously

At noon, the strong sunlight shone on the crowded surroundings.

Even though it's still spring, it makes people inexplicably crave a bowl of icy drink.

Especially, seeing others drink iced sour plum soup while one is hot and sweaty.

Just imagining that flavor……

Faced with those expectant gazes, He Jinglan showed a troubled expression, "This……"

Among the four maidservants, Lianxing excelled at cooking; she said solemnly, "Although sour plum soup is a common summer drink, making it with rich layers yet just right is not easy."

"The balance of sour and sweet, fruit fragrance, medicinal fragrance, and floral fragrance—after how many trials of the recipe, we have this now irresistible flavor."

Lula said, "Just looking at this soup's color and aroma, it's different from others."

"Otherwise, miss, why not give it another thought?"

Guangzhu laughed and acted coquettishly, "Everyone in our manor loves it; miss, don't dismiss it as ordinary—let's try putting it in the shop, okay?"

The three maidservants, playing off each other, had already hooked everyone's cravings and curiosity to the peak.

Those around couldn't help but prick up their ears and wait.

He Jinglan hesitated for a moment, "Alright, I'll have someone make a water sign later."

Great! Many people cheered inwardly.

The maidservants chattered again, discussing the opening plans.

Those with intent extracted the key information from their conversation:

Dongshi, a sweet drink shop specializing in various beverages, tasty and inexpensive, will open in twelve days; it remains unnamed for now, located on a prominent street-facing storefront near Pingkang Ward, easy to spot.

These days, there's no such thing as a sweet drink shop in the capital.

Because drinks like sour plum soup are only sold in hot weather, and their varieties are inherently limited.

Therefore, no shop specializes in them.

Some teahouses also sell drinks part‑time in summer, and some restaurants and eateries will offer iced drinks and iced desserts for customers to cool down and stimulate appetite.

The rest are street vendors hawking iced drinks; the owners are mostly local residents, offering only one or two options, and they pack up once sold out.

But these are all seasonal.

Everyone simply cannot imagine what a shop dedicated to drinks would be like.

And it's set to open in Dongshi, where every inch of land is precious.

If only the usual few varieties are offered, can it sustain itself over time? And what will happen when the weather turns cold?

The parade procession hasn't arrived yet, so everyone is just standing around idly.

Thus, one person told another, and the number of people discussing grew.

He Jinglan gave Gu Xixi a little glance that said, "Mission accomplished."

This trick was merely something Gu Xixi came up with on the spur of the moment early that morning.

The spring imperial examinations occur every three years and are a grand spectacle watched by the entire capital.

Those lining the streets to watch the top scholar's procession come from all walks of life, and the streets are emptied as crowds pour out.

Looking over the whole capital, is there any better advertising spot than this?

First, let's launch an advertising wave among the common folk.

Regardless of how effective the eventual spread and conversion are, putting up an ad while watching the festivities costs nothing.

Why not do it?

He Jinglan whispered, "Even the heavens are helping us today—suddenly it's so bright and hot."

"The effect is far better than we expected."

Gu Xixi curled the corner of her mouth and said softly, "Now we just wait for the flower‑viewing banquet."

After a moment, a few older children came running, shouting, "The top scholar has already come from Zhuque Avenue; after two more intersections he'll be here!!"

The common folk instantly perked up, widening their eyes to watch the direction from which the procession would come.

At this moment, Gu Xixi heard someone discussing.

"Have you heard the strange tale about the Fan family's illegitimate child?"

Where there are many people, gossip abounds—nothing unusual about that.

But for Gu Xixi and He Jinglan, the Fan family is a sensitive subject.

The two exchanged a glance without leaving a trace, trying to hear more clearly amid the surrounding noise.

"The Fan family? You mean… that Fan family?"

"Otherwise, who else? A vegetable seller? A night‑blooming jasmine peddler?"

A few people snorted softly.

Then they went on, "What's so strange about an illegitimate child? These powerful, wealthy aristocrats keeping concubines is nothing unusual, so what's rare about having a few illegitimate children?"

The first to spill the beans, trying not to laugh, said, "Maybe we should say this is a rare occurrence."

At this point, besides Gu Xixi and He Jinglan, countless ears around pricked up secretly.

"It's said that the father of this illegitimate child is not a junior member of the Fan family, but the senior-most……"

Gasps of cold air rose and fell.

Someone couldn't help but interject, "You mean that person? He must be about sixty."

"The wealthy and powerful are different—they gulp down tonics like water; can their energy really be the same as ours?"

With that implication, the men let out lewd chuckles.

But the informant said, "What are you thinking? Who said an illegitimate child has to be a newborn?"

"That guy is a young man in his twenties!"

"'It's said he was sent away from the capital since childhood and raised elsewhere; no one knows why.'"

And this illegitimate child, born a bad seed, has been acting high and mighty for years.

Recently, after a massacre case was exposed, the authorities discovered that he truly has not a few lives on his hands!

Massacre? Everyone was shocked.

Someone recalled that earlier in the Capital Prefecture, a woman in mourning clothes had beaten the drum to appeal for justice.

He spoke up, and it immediately evoked much resonance.

Everyone speculated that the timing could match, and the woman's grievance in her petition basically matched as well.

Probably the origin is this case.

Someone sneered, "If this is true, an illegitimate child raised among the commoners, without even holding an official post, can be so arrogant; if it hadn't caused a stir in the Capital Prefecture, the local officials would have ignored it for years."

This shows that his backer carries considerable weight!

It's not convenient to name this backer, but everyone pretty much knows who it is.

Moreover, others raised new doubts.

You say, given his family's power and influence, even if they disdain the illegitimate child as unsightly, just keeping him would be enough.

Why must they send him off somewhere else?

Another person said, "Actually, he could also be given a different surname; that would be even more concealed."

Hearing this, Gu Xixi thought, this is probably the most crucial point.

Why?

He Jinglan leaned close to Gu Xixi's ear and said, "Today you want to create momentum for our shop; someone happens to be in agreement with you, hearts in sync."

Gu Xixi felt helpless; this matter basically needs no more thought.

The illegitimate child's words are certainly not baseless rumors, nor would they be spread for no reason to the streets and crowds.

It seems someone happens to be making similar calculations with her.

All are wanting to use today's opportunity to spread the news far and wide.

Mu Nan Zhao...

It seems he indeed obtained useful information from Fan Dongping.

Finally, the gong opening the parade drew nearer.

Everyone then gradually stopped discussing and refocused their attention on the street.

Only see the palace-dispatched ceremonial guard, wearing gold-red clothing, opening the way ahead, mighty and joyous.

Behind the long ceremonial guard procession, three tall horses can be seen.

On the horsebacks, in order, are the top scholar, second place, third place.

On the lead horse's neck is tied a silk red flower, decorated with six gold flowers, symbolizing the top scholar's status.

Guangzhu excitedly said, "Miss Xixi, is that Lord Jiang?"

"His appearance is even more handsome than the third place!"

Gu Xixi startled; in her peripheral vision, she saw that the reactions of the surrounding girls surpassed Guangzhu's, without exception...