The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

"Thirty percent!"

Jin Chong gritted his teeth, forcing the words out as if they physically pained him. He braced himself for Jiang Huaiyu's refusal, ready for a lengthy back-and-forth negotiation.

To his surprise, a faint ripple of delight softened her composed demeanor, like a single petal disturbing the stillness of a pond.

"Thirty percent it is," she said smoothly, lifting her tea to her lips with a serene smile. "Since we've come to an agreement, let's draft the contract and work out the details."

Jiang Huaiyu's calm acceptance left Jin Chong stunned, though he quickly masked his reaction. This was not like her previous collaborations, such as the one with Qin Ziqin. Expanding these spice blends into everyday essentials for not only the entire Yun Kingdom but even the neighboring barbarian lands required an alliance far beyond her personal means.

Initially, she had only aimed to attract restaurant managers, leveraging their connections to spread the word. Yet instead of catching a modest koi, she had reeled in a golden carp.

Despite her satisfaction with the agreed-upon percentage, Jin Chong's concessions left a bitter taste in his mouth. Feeling he needed to assert some control, he issued a sharp warning: "If these supposed dozens of unique flavors fail to live up to your claims, don't blame me for being merciless."

"You have my word," she replied confidently. "May our venture sail smoothly from here on."

The two exchanged preliminary ideas, with Jin Chong indicating he needed to return to finalize the terms with his managers. After a polite farewell, Jiang Huaiyu left the private room, descending the staircase.

But just as she reached the middle of the stairs, two rowdy children barreled up, their laughter echoing through the wooden structure. Without regard for their surroundings, one shoved the other, and the collision sent Jiang Huaiyu tumbling backward.

The sharp, gut-wrenching sensation of falling gripped her. Panic surged as the world spun around her, leaving her with no time to even cry out.

"Ah!"

A chorus of gasps filled the restaurant.

All eyes turned to the staircase, watching helplessly as Jiang Huaiyu's slender figure plummeted from the railing.

In a flash, a shadow darted through the crowd. Strong arms extended, catching her mid-fall. The force of the impact was cushioned by the rescuer's firm hold, sparing her from a disastrous landing.

Still reeling, Jiang Huaiyu opened her eyes to find herself cradled securely. The man quickly set her down, and her feet met the ground with reassuring stability.

"Thank you for saving my life!" she exclaimed, her shock giving way to heartfelt gratitude.

Raising her gaze, she found herself staring into the eyes of her savior. His features were striking, refined to a degree that felt almost unreal.

Even in this moment of gallant heroism, his expression remained calm, his wolf-like eyes cold and indifferent. Yet, when their gazes locked, a flicker of surprise flashed across his face.

"Thank you," she repeated, bowing slightly.

"It was nothing," the man replied tersely, stepping back as if putting distance between them was his instinctive reaction.

"Still, I am in your debt," Jiang Huaiyu insisted, her voice steady. "If there is ever any way I can repay you, please let me know."

"Do you not know who I am?" he asked, his tone sharp, almost probing.

"…Should I?" she replied hesitantly, confused by the question.

"I am He Congjun," he said simply, his tone revealing nothing.

The name struck her like a gong. For a fleeting moment, Jiang Huaiyu's mind raced. She couldn't shake the sense that this was no ordinary encounter. A fateful brush with Jin Chong earlier, and now, a rescue by someone who might very well be a prince or duke?

She stepped back instinctively, offering him a formal nod. "It is an honor, Master He."

He Congjun studied her, his gaze intense but unreadable. Finally, he spoke again, his voice laced with an almost imperceptible emotion. "Be more careful in the future."

With those words, he turned and walked away. His figure was straight as a blade, radiating an air of unyielding strength.

Jiang Huaiyu watched him leave, bewildered. Something about his demeanor hinted at familiarity, yet his attitude was distant, even resigned. What had she stumbled into?

The children who had caused the accident had already fled, leaving the restaurant staff scrambling awkwardly. Jiang Huaiyu, her thoughts still tangled, exited quietly.

Back at the shop, Xiaocao rushed to greet her, holding a teary-eyed Tangbao.

"Madam, Tangbao has been calling for you nonstop! He was so scared he cried until he was hiccupping!"

Jiang Huaiyu's heart melted at the sight of her son's tear-streaked cheeks and quivering lips. "Mama… hic… Mama!"

The child's lisping cries tugged at her heartstrings. She scooped him up, holding him close as if to reassure both of them.

"Shh, Mama's here now. Don't cry, darling," she murmured, stroking his soft back.

As Tangbao calmed in her arms, his sobs gave way to giggles. Jiang Huaiyu smiled softly, her resolve solidifying. If she had hesitated before about how to deal with the loose ends of the original owner's past, she now had no choice. For Tangbao's sake, she would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Don't worry, my sweet," she whispered. "Mama's going to make sure you grow up in a big house, go to school, and one day marry someone beautiful."

Tangbao's laughter filled the shop, his earlier tears forgotten.

The next morning, Jiang Huaiyu finalized the hiring of a matronly woman, Madam Xu, and a young maid. Both were recommended by the local agent. After observing their interactions, Jiang Huaiyu found them polite and professional enough to keep.

Satisfied that her household was finally taking shape, she turned her attention back to the shop. Once there, she updated Qi Jue on her deal with Jin Chong.

Upon hearing the ambitious scope of their partnership, Qi Jue's eyes gleamed with admiration. "I always thought Madam Jiang was merely setting her sights on the capital," he said, "but to think you're aiming to expand to the farthest corners of the land… Such vision is beyond ordinary people."

"People with culture really do know how to flatter," Jiang Huaiyu quipped, amused by his sincerity.

"Take care of the shop," she instructed. "When we start working with Jin Chong, his ledgers will need careful scrutiny. Report any discrepancies to me immediately."

"Understood," Qi Jue replied solemnly.

Later that evening, Jin Chong arrived at the shop with several middle-aged managers in tow.

Jiang Huaiyu wasted no time reviewing the contract he presented, her keen eyes catching a clause that restricted her authority in decision-making.

"I need a say in how this venture is run," she said, pointing to the offending section.

Jin Chong bristled. "Do you have any idea what it takes to manage a business of this scale? If your decisions cost lives or gold, who will bear the blame?"

"Losses are an inherent risk in any business, Jin Chong. And as for managing operations, I wonder how you plan to establish a market among the barbarians? By shipping crates of spices across hostile lands and hoping for the best?"

Jiang Huaiyu's successive interrogations not only made Jin Chong think deeply, but also made the five stewards behind him put aside their contempt and stand up straight to listen to the conversation between the two.

Qi Jue had already closed the shop door.

"So what would you do," asked Jin Chong in a hoarse voice after leaning against the counter and coughing a few times with his hand against his lips.

Knock, knock, knock.

Jiang Huaiyu did not say a word, but tapped her finger on the document she had just asked to remove the clause specifying that she did not have decision-making power.

Jin Chong's face was uncertain, and finally he waved his hand lightly, and the person behind him immediately came forward and took out paper, ink, and brush, in an attitude of rewriting a document.

"The Jin family's paper, ink, and brush for contracts are all specially made by them, so no one can imitate them,"

Qi Jue whispered to Jiang Huaiyu to explain.

Jin Chong heard this and it was no secret. He stood aside waiting for the steward to redraft the document contract. When the ink dried, he slammed the two sheets of paper on the table and said,

"Can we sign now?"

Jiang Huaiyu looked at it again carefully before nodding in agreement.

Although Jin Chong seemed to have a bad temper and a sharp tongue, he was indeed a smart man. Jiang Huaiyu knew very well that not many people could see the business opportunity in condiments at the moment. Jin Chong was indeed a smart man, so no matter what, as long as he did not touch the bottom line of his core interests, he would reluctantly agree to whatever Jiang Huaiyu asked for.