Second Grandpa Li was quite excited, rubbing his hands together, wanting to touch but not daring to, so he could only ask softly, “Is this the bean sprouts grown from beans? They don’t look like it—more like crop seedlings before they break through the soil…”
Tang Tian was busy assisting her mother and replied cheerfully, “Second Grandpa, we saved some at home. When we get back from the city, I’ll cook some for you to try!”
“Ah, good, good!” Second Grandpa Li patted Tang Tian’s little head, feeling very pleased. “Tang Bao’er is such a filial child. With you kids by her side, your mother’s future days will surely be good.”
Third Grandma Tang had trouble with her legs and feet, so she got onto the cart and held Tang Chuan and Tang Tian close. Li Jin and Li Tie pulled and pushed the cart respectively, while Second Grandpa Li, Li Qiushuang, and Tang Hai walked alongside. The group set off quickly.
Some villagers stood on tiptoe in the distance, watching with great curiosity.
Especially the women from various households, who gathered again by the wall to bask in the sun and do needlework, couldn’t stop talking about the Tang Family.
Zhang Shitou’s wife, having been beaten up, was filled with resentment, but when she opened her mouth, her missing teeth made her feel somewhat insecure, so she closed it again…
Sitting on the cart, swaying gently, Tang Tian couldn’t help feeling sleepy again, so she closed her eyes to rest and ponder things.
It had to be said, the folks of Tangjia Fort were relatively good—they didn’t bully or mistreat the family because Tang Dayong had abandoned his wife and children.
Moreover, Third Grandma Tang and Second Grandpa Li took great care of them.
But at any time, to earn others’ respect, one also needed to appropriately “show some strength”!
Originally, she planned to wait until the bean sprout business took off before making further plans.
But since the opportunity presented itself now, she might as well seize the day and go with the flow…
After walking for over an hour, the group finally reached the city gate. Li Qiushuang took the initiative to pay the entry tax and was about to look for a restaurant to promote the bean sprouts when Tang Tian said, “Mom, back when we settled the separation, the county magistrate and his assistant at the yamen were just and fair officials who stood up for us. Let’s send them some bean sprouts to try first!”
Li Qiushuang was somewhat hesitant about dealing with officials, but her daughter’s reasoning was sound, so she steeled herself and agreed, “Those just officials must be very busy, right? Let’s go and see. If they don’t have time, we won’t bother them.”
“Alright, whatever you say, Mom!” Tang Tian replied with a smile, appearing very obedient.
However, as soon as they reached the entrance of the county yamen, she jumped off the cart and dashed toward the side gate, shouting, “Just and fair official, thank you for standing up for our family! Tang Bao’er has brought you something delicious to eat!”
Two guards at the gate were yawning and chatting idly when, caught off guard, Tang Tian rushed past them. They could only chase after her, shouting reprimands.
As luck would have it, the goatee-bearded assistant happened to be coming from the rear yamen and stopped to ask about the commotion.
Tang Tian ran over and hugged his leg, raising her sweet, smiling face as she exclaimed, “Just and fair great assistant! Tang Bao’er gets to see you again! Tang Bao’er’s family grew bean sprouts—they’re so delicious, and Tang Bao’er brought them to you first!”
The goatee-bearded assistant, surnamed Tian, also had a daughter born late in his life. Hearing Tang Tian’s jumbled address, he couldn’t help but laugh and teased, “Oh, little girl, I’m not any ‘just official’! Did you get the wrong person?”
“No mistake here,” Tang Tian blinked her large eyes, her face full of innocence and admiration. “That day, my father and grandmother bullied my mother nearly to death. It was you who stood up for our family and saved my mother. You are the Great Master Tian, the greatest advisor!”
Master Tian laughed heartily, studying Tang Tian carefully as some memory surfaced. After a moment’s hesitation, he dismissed the bailiffs and led Tang Tian outside.
Outside the side gate, Li Qiushuang and the others were terrified out of their wits. They all knew Tang Tian had strong opinions, but none expected her to be so unpredictable. What if she offended some important figure in the government office?
Li Qiushuang was so worried she was about to charge in herself when Second Grandpa Li stopped her.
“Chuan Ge’er’s mother, wait a moment. Let me send Tiezi in first to check. Even if he offends someone and gets beaten with boards, Tiezi can take it better than you!”
Li Tie grinned wryly…
This was truly his biological father!
Fortunately, at that moment, Master Tian emerged holding Tang Tian’s hand.
Seeing the smile on Master Tian’s face, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed respectfully.
Tang Tian showed no fear at all, directing Li Tie to bring down a basket of bean sprouts. She picked up a handful with her small hands and presented them proudly to Master Tian.
“Great Master Tian, these are the bean sprouts our family grew. They can be used in cold dishes, stir-fries, soups, and even as dumpling fillings – they’re absolutely delicious!”
Master Tian hadn’t thought much of it initially. The Tang Family were commoners, and during years of famine, what good food could they possibly offer?
But these plump, white, crisp and tender bean sprouts truly surprised him.
“Oh my, they look quite fresh and appealing! Probably much tastier than dried vegetables!”
“Of course! Our family has already tried them – they’re particularly delicious!” Tang Tian lifted her chin, smiling with pride and charm, then tentatively changed her address.
“Uncle Master Tian, could I ask you to share half of these bean sprouts with the County Magistrate? Tang Bao’er would like him to taste them too!”
Master Tian nodded. As he worked under the County Magistrate, it was only natural not to forget his superior when good things came along.
“Good, I’ll taste them first. If the flavor is indeed good, I’ll naturally present them to His Honor the County Magistrate.”
With this promise, Tang Tian became even happier, showering him with countless compliments before adding, “Uncle Master Tian, we need to go now. My mother still needs to take the bean sprouts to various restaurants to try selling them. If we can earn some money, we can buy medicine for my brother!”
Without waiting for Master Tian’s response, she politely bowed and climbed onto the cart.
Li Qiushuang and the others hadn’t managed to say a single word throughout, their hearts in their throats the entire time. Now they quickly bowed and took their leave.
Master Tian stood at the gate, stroking his beard as he watched them depart, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“This little girl is remarkably clever!”
A bailiff holding the basket cautiously asked, “Master Tian, these bean sprouts…”
“Take them to the kitchen,” Master Tian waved his hand, then called another bailiff forward and gave brief instructions…
Tang Tian and the others’ second stop was Old Liao’s grocery store.
Due to the village rumors, Li Qiushuang still didn’t step forward despite Shopkeeper Liao’s enthusiastic greeting, leaving Tang Tian to handle the interaction.
Shopkeeper Liao wasn’t surprised by this. After all, this little girl had managed to extract twenty taels of silver from his young master – she definitely couldn’t be treated as an ordinary child.
Tang Tian delivered the bean sprouts and casually bought some soybeans and mung beans as well. After making sure both Second Grandpa Li and Third Grandma Tang understood her intentions, she hurried off to promote her products at the tavern.
The largest tavern in the county was called Meiwei Ju, rumored to have hired skilled chefs from the capital. Naturally, it was one of the most prosperous businesses in Tailai County.
Tang Tian had rehearsed a whole speech in her mind, hoping to make a successful start.
But Li Qiushuang, recalling the dismissive and contemptuous attitude of the bookstore clerk that one time, stepped in front of her daughter. Picking up a basket of bean sprouts, she mustered her courage and strode through the tavern’s entrance first.