The Head of Imperial College, Yao Qizhao, was a man of integrity—honest, incorruptible, and spotless throughout his life.

But one day, he suddenly broke off his granddaughter’s engagement in the middle of the street and even struck a court official. From then on, his reputation was tarnished, and his health rapidly declined.

He had lived in poverty all his life, owning only a little over twenty strings of coins and a tiny house next to the Imperial College… which, as it turns out, still carried a massive mortgage owed to Xingguo Temple!

When Yao Ruyi, who had lost an eight-year battle with cancer in her previous life, transmigrated into this body, the temple was knocking to collect the debt, the rice jar in the kitchen was empty, and the original owner had planned to die together with her gravely ill grandfather.

But now, with this healthy body, no matter how hard life gets, Yao Ruyi is determined to survive.

Especially since Grandpa Yao’s house has a hidden door that connects directly to the back gate of the Imperial College — prime position in the heart of Bianjing!

Yao Ruyi pulls herself together and restarts her old family business from her previous life, opening a school shop in ancient times — selling stationery, sausages, fruit, breakfast, poetry collections, “Become a Scholar in 3 Years,” “Top of the Exam in 5 Years,” as well as basins, buckets, toothbrushes, towels, laundry powder…

While working hard to pay off the debt, she also gets to admire the handsome, talented young scholars of the Imperial College every day. Life starts to feel pretty good.

—

After years away mourning his mother and recovering from injury, Lin Wen’an finally returns to the capital, only to hear that his mentor’s family had been destroyed. Rushing back in hurry, he finds the little courtyard has been transformed into a vibrant street-side shop, shelves overflowing with goods. From behind a tall counter, a bright-eyed young girl with a charming smile peeks out:

“Sir, would you like to buy something?”

“…” This… this is the same shy, timid granddaughter of his mentor who used to be too afraid to even speak??

Lin Wen’an hesitates for a moment. Just then, from the back courtyard, he hears the booming scolding voice of his former mentor:

“You call this a solution? What a mess! It’s better to quit school and go home to farm!”

Peeking in, Lin Wen’an sees a few trembling students standing under the eaves, being berated like pickled vegetables, while the old man drinks tea from a massive mug and whacks them on the head with a ruler.

Lin Wen’an: “…” Who started that rumor?! Who?!

—

Before reading:

1. Warm, slice-of-life business management story with light ensemble cast.

2. Set in a fictionalized version of the Song Dynasty — fully fictional.

3. Super sweet romance. Older man x younger woman. Male lead is 7 years older. Fake-shy girl x quiet, stoic big wolfdog man.

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