Song Erlang replied without any rush.
“Auntie, I can’t say whether eating our fish will give you twins, but one look at you and it’s clear you’re the kind of mother who spares no expense for her children. The kids at home must be plump and well-fed under your care!”
The aunt beamed with delight. “That’s true enough—I’ve never held back on food or clothes for my children. My son is only eight, and he’s almost as tall as you boys!”
Seizing the opportunity, Song Erlang added, “Auntie, our fish are all caught fresh from the river. They’re a bit pricier, but the flavor is incredibly fresh and delicious. Why not buy one for your little brother to try?”
The aunt waved her hand. “I’ve always paid top dollar for my children’s food. Since you say the fish is this good, I’ll take one!”
Hearing this, Song Erlang excitedly scooped up a fish for her.
After the sale, he piled on a few more compliments, sending the aunt off in high spirits.
An elderly woman who had been watching the commotion chimed in teasingly, “Young man, if we eat your fish, will my little grandson grow up to be as handsome as you two?”
Song Erlang’s mouth opened, and he started chattering away. “Oh my, Granny, have you looked in the mirror before stepping out?”
The old woman’s face darkened at that.
Just as she was about to scold him, Song Erlang continued.
“Look at those willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry lips of yours—you’re as pretty as can be! I’m sure your little grandson takes after you. Tsk tsk, with looks like that, he must be…”
Seeing him stumble, Wu Yulan chimed in from the side, “As handsome as Pan An.”
“That’s right, that’s right—he must be as handsome as Pan An!”
The old woman’s lips curled up uncontrollably. “Ahem, to be honest, my grandson does take after me. Even at his young age, he’s already quite refined. Once he grows into his features, he’ll be exceptionally handsome.”
Song Erlang picked up the thread. “Of course—with your looks leading the way, Granny, if your grandson inherits even three parts of your beauty, he’d already rival Pan An!”
Listening from the side, Wu Yulan’s lips twitched uncontrollably. This kid really knew how to lay it on thick!
“Young man, you’ve got an honest mouth. Alright, give me the biggest fish you’ve got!”
“Coming right up~!”
With Song Erlang’s silver tongue, the fish sold like hotcakes. In less than a quarter of an hour, both buckets were completely sold out.
Watching Song Erlang pack up in excitement, Wu Yulan couldn’t help but marvel.
Good thing she’d brought the boy along—otherwise, the fish wouldn’t have sold out anytime soon. Those flattering words, she truly couldn’t have brought herself to say!
Counting the copper coins in the cloth pouch, it came to two hundred and thirty-four wen in total. A day of hauling cargo at the docks only earned twenty or thirty wen, so making two hundred and thirty-four in a single day was quite a lot.
Still, she couldn’t catch that many fish every day, so she didn’t plan to rely on this as a livelihood.
Stowing the coins away, Wu Yulan pushed the cart toward the street.
Song Dalang and Song Erlang flanked her, one on each side.
As they passed a candied hawthorn vendor, Song Erlang’s eyes lit up, and his steps unconsciously slowed. He looked at Wu Yulan with hope in his eyes.
But Wu Yulan seemed not to notice, walking straight past the vendor.
Seeing this, Song Erlang wilted like a withered weed.
He knew it—how could Grandma ever be willing to buy them candied hawthorns? She’d just been stringing him along!
Thinking of how foolishly he’d believed her earlier, his eyes reddened.
Grandma was still the same Grandma—only knowing how to squeeze and use them, not changed one bit!
Song Dalang patted his younger brother’s shoulder in comfort.
Wu Yulan was at that moment calculating what she needed to buy and didn’t notice the two brothers’ little exchange.
There wasn’t much rice or flour at home, so naturally she needed to buy some.
Salt was also running low, and there wasn’t a single drop of oil—she’d need to buy pork leaf lard to render. And that little baby at home had such delicate skin; keeping him wrapped in old rags wasn’t right either.
After thinking it over, there were quite a few things to buy.
Considering it would be inconvenient to push a heavy load, Wu Yulan first went to the clothing shop she was “familiar” with.
The original owner had been frugal, and the shop she frequented sold clothes at relatively reasonable prices.
In Dongchen Guo, quite a few women were in business, and the owner of this shop was a woman around her own age.
Seeing Wu Yulan, the owner immediately put down the clothes she was holding and walked over. “Oh, sister’s here! Come to buy clothes for your little son again today?”
“Come, come, take a look at these sets—all newly arrived. Made of cotton, most comfortable for scholars to wear!”
Wu Yulan shook her head. “Not buying clothes today.”
The owner was taken aback, then continued with a smile, “Then what would sister like to buy today?”
“Some cotton cloth, in warm colors.”
Hearing this, the owner brought out a bolt of soft pink cotton cloth. “Take a look—does this shade suit your needs?”
Wu Yulan reached out and touched it. The texture was soft—it would be quite suitable for making swaddling clothes and garments for the baby.
Thinking of the several girls at home, Wu Yulan asked, “The shade is nice. How much are you selling it for?”
“Rough cloth is three hundred eighty wen a bolt. This cotton cloth is nearly double—seven hundred forty wen.”
“Give me a better price.”
The owner smiled. “Since sister often buys clothes here, I’ll give you the cost price—how about seven hundred thirty wen?”
Wu Yulan’s sharp eyes caught sight of another bolt of the same color set aside, except it had a small stain on it.
“I’ll take that one. How about seven hundred wen?”
Seeing that Wu Yulan was pointing at the stained bolt, the owner was briefly surprised. But then she thought—families who could afford cotton cloth would mostly turn their noses up at fabric with stains, so this bolt wouldn’t sell easily anyway.
“Fine then, seven hundred wen it is. It’s only because sister comes here often—anyone else wouldn’t get this price!”
Wu Yulan smiled in return. “Sister’s prices here are fair, and the clothing styles you stock are more refined and vibrant than other shops’. Naturally, I enjoy coming here.”
Hearing Wu Yulan praise her good taste, the owner was delighted. “Sister’s words hit right at my heart! The styles in my shop are all ones I hand-picked—unique in Pingjiangzhen. No other shop has them!”
“By the way, didn’t sister ask about scrap fabric last time? Here—I specially saved some for you. Take it!”
With that, the owner tied a bundle of fabric scraps together with the bolt of cloth.
Wu Yulan knew full well those scraps weren’t specially saved for her—it was only because she’d flattered the owner into a good mood that she’d thought to give them away!
At that moment, she too experienced the benefits of sweet-talking.
“Thank you, sister, for thinking of me!”
Wu Yulan took out a tael of silver and paid promptly.
“Oh, right, sister—have you finished embroidering that handkerchief from last time?”
Friendly reminder: If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing track of it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.
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