I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 68 Sesame Paste Recipe

“It’s all because my father misjudged people, trusted the wrong people, and let the wolf into the house,” Jun Wenhui said bitterly.

Who would have thought that the person you've shared your bed with for over twenty years is a liar?

"You should just stay here and live peacefully. Those people will get their comeuppance," Dongfang Jin said, unsure of what to say or how to comfort him.

Jun Wenhui felt relieved after speaking, and gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Hehe, just as you said, meeting you and Chenglin is our blessing, and it is a new life for the three of us."

They chatted casually like that until noon, when Gu Chenglin and Jun Qirui returned.

Seeing the undisguised smile on Jun Qirui's face, Dongfang Jin knew that the magistrate had made his move.

After they had lunch, without resting, Gu Chenglin drove the oxcart, pulling Jun Qirui and Dongfang Jin, carrying two pieces of meat, a box of pastries, a jar of sesame paste, and a small bottle of sesame oil, and took a shortcut to Lin Lizheng's house.

Gu Chenglin said that it was lunchtime now and everyone was at home. If they went a little later, they would probably all be in the fields, and it wouldn't be good to disturb them in the evening.

on the way

When they encountered some villagers from Lingwu Village, some greeted them, while others hid when they saw them.

Gu Chenglin acted as if nothing had happened, nodding and responding to those who greeted him.

Dongfang Jin glanced at those who were hiding, smiled mockingly, and said, "Just wait, you will soon receive the punishment you deserve."

She doesn't even need to lift a finger, haha...

When they arrived at the village head's house, the family had just finished lunch. The table hadn't been cleared yet, and they were all gathered around peeling corn.

I overheard Lin Li talking to his family, saying that he was going to plant wheat in the fields that afternoon.

They also said that autumn here is colder than usual this year, and winter might come early, so the wheat needs to be planted this morning.

When Gu Chenglin and Dongfang Jin entered, a refined and handsome man followed behind them.

The whole family was stunned. Needless to say, this man's behavior and mannerisms were those of a scholar.

Why would someone like that come to his house? That's what the Lin family thought.

Lin Lizheng got up and warmly invited them into the house, and the Lin brothers followed him in.

The village head and her two daughters-in-law were busy clearing the table, muttering to themselves as they did so, saying things like, "We can't be so lazy in the future, or we'll embarrass ourselves."

Dongfang Jin found it somewhat amusing. Indeed, with autumn being so busy, no one really came to visit.

Those who were always looking for trouble would gather under the big locust tree in the village to gossip.

These people are naturally gossipy and can't keep secrets. No matter how busy they are, they'll come here to chatter whenever they have a spare moment.

Once the village head and his family had all arrived, Gu Chenglin didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

Upon seeing this, Madam Lin was about to take her two daughters-in-law out, but Dongfang Jin stopped her.

Tell them she has something to say, and it would be best if everyone were present.

Upon hearing this, and seeing her husband nod in agreement, Lin Fengshi pulled her two daughters-in-law back down to sit.

Upon hearing that this young master Jun was a scholar who had come to seek refuge with Gu Chenglin because his family had suffered misfortune, Gu Chenglin was immediately impressed.

Jun Qirui stammered out what Dongfang Jin had taught her, and it was the first time he had lied, so he was red-faced and his neck was thick with anger.

In the end, Dongfang Jin repeated the statement again.

Jun Qirui's actions made the village head's family trust him even more.

Since Gu Chenglin was serving his corvée labor in the south, they had no doubts when Gu Chenglin offered his help.

Although Gu Chenglin is usually quiet and reserved, he has a kind heart and always lends a helping hand whenever someone is in trouble, no matter where they are.

Aunt Gu's two sons were rescued by Gu Chenglin that year; otherwise, both children would have perished in the river east of the village.

How old was he then? And what happened after that?

Sun Xing, a member of the Sun family, went up the mountain to chop firewood and was chased by a wild boar. It was Sun Xing who, along with a hunter, used a wooden sword to kill the wild boar and save Sun Xing.

The people he helped were all people he had helped when he was a child; this kid is grateful.

Otherwise, why would a scholar come seeking refuge with them?

That's why Jun Qirui no longer had the heart to continue the scientific expedition, because he had to take care of his mother and younger sister.

So he wanted to settle down in Lingwu Village. In order to repay the village head, Jun Qirui wanted to buy the house where Gu Chenglin and the others used to live.

He wanted to build two new houses there and become a schoolteacher in the village, only to give children their first education. If any of them wanted to take the imperial examinations, they could go to a formal private school later.

When Dongfang Jin said this, the Lin family was stunned by the surprise.

Lin Lizheng was even more shocked. His hands trembled and his tongue slurred as he confirmed it again and again.

With a wave of his hand, he agreed.

It's a great blessing for Lingwu Village to have a scholar stay there.

He's even condescending to teach those kids their early education! That's wonderful! This is an incredibly good thing.

That way, when the children from their village go to school in the county, they won't fall behind.

He had suffered those kinds of disdain and ridicule several times, so he spared no effort to send his grandson to school.

Just then, Gu Chenglin handed Lin Lizheng a household registration certificate issued by the county magistrate to Jun Qirui.

After Lin Lizheng finished reading, the last trace of doubt in his heart disappeared, and the smile on his face became more genuine.

This proves that Jun Qirui is not the kind of person who is involved with criminal officials.

Lin Li was imagining that Jun Qirui was probably the kind of person who had been implicated by his family.

He was used to such things; the punishment of implicating nine generations of relatives was commonplace in their eyes. They were innocent people who had suffered undeserved misfortune.

The matter concerning Jun Qirui's family was thus settled.

As soon as Dongfang Jin put down the pen from the household registration book, she took out a few sheets of paper from her sleeve and handed them to Lin Lizheng.

Lin Lizheng took the papers, looking puzzled. "What's this?"

Dongfang Jin smiled at him, keeping him in suspense: "Open it and see if it's suitable for your home."

Lin Li was being stared at by her. He opened the paper in his hand, which read, "Sesame paste."

My hand trembled slightly, and then I looked down and saw the whole process of making sesame paste.

My hands were trembling slightly after reading it.

The second page shows the steps, precautions, and storage methods for applying sesame oil.

Upon seeing this, not only did my hands tremble, but my lips also began to quiver.

At the very bottom is the contact information for Ping An Restaurant.

He was almost speechless, gesturing wildly in agitation.

Seeing his expression, Dongfang Jin smiled helplessly and pointed to the last item: "This is what I wrote myself. Will your family cooperate with Ping An Restaurant in the future, or do you already have your own partners?"

That's up to you two, but you should also discuss whether it's feasible.

Lin Li looked at Dongfang Jin, suppressing his excitement, and asked seriously, "This...? Xiao Jin, tell your uncle, what is this...?"

Is that what he thinks? If so, his family...

"Uncle Village Head, this is a business deal I'm offering to your family. But as I said before, do you think your family can handle it on their own?"

My family members, Shi Tou and Cai Wei, can both make this sesame paste.

The meaning shouldn't be too obvious; it's to tell them that both of their children can do it.

After listening to Dongfang Jin's words and seeing his father's expression, Lin Yu took the paper from his father's hand and began to read it seriously.

After reading it, he remembered that Dongfang Jin had asked him a question on the way he took the family to the county government office that day.

Lin Li rubbed his old face vigorously to calm himself down.

Looking intently at Dongfang Jin, she asked, "Xiao Jin, do you mean to hand over this sesame paste making business to my family?"

Dongfang Jin nodded: "Yes, I remembered it when I saw my sister-in-law tapping sesame seeds that day."

Lin Yu looked puzzled: "Isn't it good that you and Cheng Lin are doing well together?"