I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

Days are passing by, and the end of the year is approaching!

"Young master, shall we continue to stay here?"

"After chopping enough firewood to last all winter," Zhou Biao asked.

Qin Li waved his hand, indicating that it was not necessary.

The reason he stayed here incognito was to find out what ordinary students all over the world were thinking.

Cao Quan and the Chen brothers represent two extremes.

Cao Quan was eager to curry favor and seized every opportunity to climb the ranks.

Now, he has truly become the shopkeeper's godson.

Not only do they eat better than them, but they also no longer live in the warehouse.

The shop assistants at the rice shop all treated him with great respect.

With just a word, he can decide who to hire and who to fire.

The Chen brothers, however, adhered to their principles, working during the day and studying at night.

Next year's spring imperial examination will be their time to soar to new heights.

Another reason is that Qin Li wants to leave.

With the year-end approaching, so many women in the mansion were waiting for him.

Qin Li didn't want to spend the New Year in the warehouse either.

When it's time to enjoy yourself, you should!

So he told Zhou Biao that they would leave after finishing today's work.

However, plans can't keep up with changes.

Early in the morning, a waiter came to deliver a message saying that the manager wanted to see them.

They not only called them, but also the two Chen brothers.

When the group arrived, Cao Quan was also there.

After not seeing him for several days, Cao Quan looked completely refreshed from head to toe, wearing the finest clothes.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was the shopkeeper's biological son, which shows how well Cao Quan had won over Shopkeeper Cao.

As soon as the group arrived, the shopkeeper said, "You've hit the jackpot! The owner will be coming over in person to reward you later."

"us?"

Chen Shoutian pointed to himself, looking utterly bewildered.

They weren't even considered regular employees of the rice shop, so why would the employer reward them?

"Yes, it's you guys."

The shopkeeper patted his large belly and said, "My godson's words today have been very enlightening. Every year at this time, the boss comes to reward us personally. In the past, I always brought a few clever and quick-witted people to greet us, but this year my godson said that bringing them is useless, and it would be better to bring you. Do you know why?"

Chen Shoutian shook his head, unable to understand.

The innkeeper smiled and said, "Who are you? You're not from the capital, but from out of town. You're scholars who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations. If you knew that I took you in and provided you with food and lodging, you would surely admire my kindness and say that I did a good deed."

"In this way, I will leave a better impression on the owner, and our rice shop will receive more support from the owner."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood; so that's how it is.

It was Cao Quan who taught the shopkeeper how to curry favor with the boss.

Thinking of this, the Chen brothers looked at Cao Quan with undisguised disgust; they were ashamed to be from the same hometown as Cao Quan.

The shopkeeper saw their gazes and couldn't help but scold them, "What kind of looks are those? If it weren't for my godson speaking up for you, would you even be able to see the boss? In your next life!"

"You all better watch your step. When the boss comes over, anyone who dares to mess things up will be kicked out immediately."

"As the year draws to a close, the snow is getting heavier and heavier. You know what the consequences will be if you go out."

Without a place to stay, they would only freeze to death. Thinking of this, the Chen brothers shuddered.

After saying that, the shopkeeper went to busy himself with the various matters of welcoming the master.

As soon as the shopkeeper left, Chen Shoutian couldn't help but say, "Cao Quan, Cao Quan, how come I never saw you like this before? You said your family wasn't short of money, how did you become like this after coming to the capital? You've become someone else's dog."

This time, Chen Wangju did not stop his brother Chen Shoutian.

These were his true feelings, and he had to say them.

Cao Quan stood with his hands behind his back, his back straight, looking every bit the part of a rice shop owner who was very popular with the shop.

He said, "What's wrong with being a dog? It depends on who you're a dog for. If I inherit this rice shop in the future, you mustn't be jealous."

"Whoever is jealous is a dog," Chen Shoutian said ruthlessly.

Cao Quan was too lazy to pay any more attention to Chen Shoutian, and simply said to the others:

"The boss will be here soon. Just tell him the truth."

After saying that, Cao Quan left to help his godfather.

After Cao Quan left, Chen Shoutian couldn't help but say to Qin Li and Zhou Biao:

"My benefactor, look at him! He's greedy and ungrateful; he's no good."

"Just wait and see how long he can be so arrogant. When the imperial examination comes next spring, my brother Wang Ju will be the top scholar and we'll definitely give him a good slap in the face."

Qin Li remained silent, but Zhou Biao chuckled and chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, give him a good slap in the face."

After waiting for a while, someone called them out. The owner had arrived, and the group walked out together in a line.

At the entrance of the rice shop, the owner was being helped off his carriage.

Upon seeing his employer, Zhou Biao almost burst out laughing. He whispered to Qin Li, "Young Master, what should we do later?"

The owner was none other than Song Qian.

Qin Li frowned and asked, "Wasn't she doing business in the Northern Border? Why did she return to the capital? When did she come back?"

Zhou Biao shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

As they spoke, Song Qian had already led her maids to stand before the crowd.

"Greetings, Master."

The shopkeeper led everyone in bowing to Song Qian.

"Master, it's freezing cold outside, how could I trouble you to come in person? Just send someone to let me know, and I'll bring my men over."

The short, stout shopkeeper fawned over him, his eyes narrowing into slits.

Song Qian raised her hand and said calmly, "You've worked hard all year, so it's my job as your boss to come and see you. Men, bring in all the rewards and treat the workers."

This is an annual tradition of the Song family; Song Qian gives rewards to her subordinates every year.

This is not only an affirmation of their efforts over the past year, but also an encouragement for them to work even harder in the coming year.

That's how you can grow your business bigger and bigger!

"Thank you so much, employer!"

The shopkeeper was practically begging on his knees.

Song Qian hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping over everyone's faces one by one.

At first, Song Qian didn't care, but when her gaze swept across the faces of two of them, her eyes froze.

The eldest prince?

Wait, why are the Crown Prince and Zhou Biao here?

Xiu'er, Song Qian's maid, also noticed their presence. She gently shook Song Qian's arm and excitedly said:

"Miss, isn't that...?"

Before Xiuer could finish speaking, Song Qian quickly stopped her, because she saw Qin Li giving her a meaningful look.

Seeing that Song Qian's gaze lingered on Qin Li and his group, the shopkeeper seized the opportunity and quickly stepped forward to say:

"Master, these are all students from other places who have come to the capital to take the imperial examinations. I felt sorry for them because they were penniless, so I took them in to work in the rice shop and provided them with free food and lodging. They can also study at night."

"If they can pass the imperial examination with flying colors next year, we will also be proud."

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Qian smiled and said, "Not bad, not bad."

The shopkeeper was even happier, looking at his godson Cao Quan beside him, for everything was thanks to Cao Quan.

"Shopkeeper, I'm short a few servants. I think these two would be fine. I wonder if you could spare them?"

Song Qian spoke up.

Normally, Song Qian would never make such a request.

But this time, it was Qin Li's eyes that prompted her to do so; Qin Li told her to take both herself and Zhou Biao away.

Upon hearing this, how could the shopkeeper refuse? He replied with a smile, "Since the master has spoken, how could I disobey? Let alone two, the master can take them all with him."

Song Qian said, "No, I'll take these two."

Song Qian pointed at Qin Li and Zhou Biao.

"Aren't you going to thank your employer yet!"

The shopkeeper urged the two of them on.

Qin Li and Zhou Biao quickly bowed and thanked him.

After praising the shopkeeper a few more times, Song Qian turned to leave with his men, as he still had many more places to visit.

"Take care, sir."

The shopkeeper and his men saw them off.

Before Song Qian boarded the carriage, she pointed at Cao Quan, who was standing next to the innkeeper:

"Take him with me too."

This was also Qin Li's request; Qin Li wanted to see how high Cao Quan could climb if given the opportunity.

The fact that Cao Quan was leaving before the departure was something neither the shopkeeper nor Cao Quan himself had expected.

"What, you can't bear to part with it?"

Song Qian asked deliberately.

The shopkeeper, regaining his composure, smiled and said, "Not at all, please take them with you, sir. Or perhaps you could take both of them with you too?"

The shopkeeper pointed to the Chen brothers, "They all came together, and they're from the same hometown."

Song Qian refused: "I want him."

Since Song Qian had already said that, the shopkeeper couldn't force anyone else to join him, so he could only watch Song Qian leave with the three of them, leaving the Chen brothers behind.

After Song Qian's convoy left, the shopkeeper scratched the back of his head, utterly puzzled: "Why didn't the master want you?"

The Chen brothers scratched the back of their heads, little did they know that it was probably because the employer didn't like them.

Today, while rewarding my employees, I ran into Qin Li and Zhou Biao.

Song Qian had no interest in going to the next place, so she took her people back to the Song residence.

After dismissing everyone except Qin Li, Song Qian respectfully bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Qin Li reached out and helped her up by the arm: "That's why we say we're family, we can't help but run into each other like this."

Song Qian smiled slightly, stood up, and asked, "Why is Your Highness at the rice shop?"

After Qin Li sat down, he said, "That's a long story. I'll explain it to you slowly later. By the way, weren't you doing business in the Northern Border? When did you return to the capital?"

Song Qian replied, "I just returned not long ago. The Northern Territory is extremely poor, and everything has to start from scratch. I need to come back to coordinate."

Qin Li nodded.

After a while, Qin Li said again, "The person I asked you to bring back is called Cao Quan. Give him a chance and see how high he can climb."

Song Qian dared not disobey Qin Li's order and said "Yes".

After drinking a cup of tea, Qin Li gestured for Song Qian to close the door.

It's been so long since they last met, he wants to catch up with Song Qian.

Song Qian feigned shyness, raising her hand to cover her face, "Your Highness, this isn't appropriate, it's still broad daylight."

"What's wrong with it being broad daylight? Haven't you heard the saying?"

"What did you say?"

"Proclaimed in broad daylight..."