The clinking sound of copper coins was especially pleasing. Yun Yin counted as she strung them together. When everything was tallied, there were three strings in total, plus another four hundred loose coins.
After calculating the costs and deducting taxes, her profit came to five hundred coins. She was quite satisfied—her hard work making so many bowl cakes and qingtuan had not been in vain. In truth, neither of those earned as much as the cold noodles, but they were simpler to make, so she didn’t mind earning a bit less.
She placed the money back into her cash box. With this addition, she now had 5 guan and 190 coins. Though some would go to taxes, it was still a hopeful amount.
Most of her earnings still came from mushroom sauce. Every time Luo Man bought from her, it was in dozens of jars. Yun Yin naturally hoped to sell more, but the passing caravans were travelers delayed by bandits—they were eager to leave and didn’t want to carry extra goods.
Fortunately, a few merchants who tried her mushroom sauce were very satisfied and planned to buy more next time they traveled west. Though no deals were finalized yet, Yun Yin remained optimistic.
The next morning, Yun Yin climbed out of her simple bed. She touched the thin mattress, with straw padding underneath. Now that she had some savings, it was time to buy a proper bed and bedding.
Previously, even the cheapest wooden bed cost 500 coins, which she couldn’t bear to spend. She had made do with planks. But now, improving her living conditions felt necessary.
After washing up, she gave Zhang Lin some money to buy meat and order a bed. Today was Qingming—the last day to cook before the Cold Food Festival—so she needed to prepare offerings.
She took the meat Zhang Lin brought back and began making steamed pork with rice flour. Mixing ground rice flour with spices like star anise and cinnamon, she prepared the seasoning.
The pork belly was sliced thick and marinated, then coated in the seasoned rice flour and steamed. Spare ribs were prepared the same way.
For the base layer, she used mugwort instead of potatoes, which weren’t available here. Fresh mugwort was cleaned, blanched, and coated with oil before being steamed.
Finally, the mugwort was layered under the pork and steamed together, then topped with scallion and ginger sauce.
The finished dish looked beautiful—each slice coated in rich rice flour, glistening with oil. The aroma alone was mouthwatering.
Yun Yin tasted a piece—soft, fragrant, and perfectly cooked, melting in the mouth. Even the mugwort had absorbed the meat’s richness, creating a unique flavor.
After tasting, she let Zhang Lin try as well, and he praised it highly.
With the offerings ready, they went to the riverside to perform their rituals. Since their families’ graves were far away, this was the best they could do.
Lighting incense and burning paper, Yun Yin bowed three times and quietly spoke of her recent life.
“Grandma, Father… I’m doing well here. Don’t worry about me. I’ll live even better in the future.”
After finishing, she carefully checked that no embers remained before returning to the stall.
By then, it was already bright, and travelers were passing along the road. Yun Yin quickly set up her sign and opened the pot of bone broth—the rich aroma spread immediately.
“Zhang Lin, you handle the noodles today,” she said.
He nodded confidently. “Leave it to me.”
Watching him stretch and cook the noodles properly, Yun Yin tasted the result and nodded. “Very good. From now on, mornings are your responsibility.”
Soon, a passerby approached, drawn by the smell.
“How much for a bowl?”
“Plain noodles or scallion oil noodles are 5 coins. Zhajiang noodles are 8.”
The customer ordered a plain bowl. After tasting the broth, he felt warmth spread through his body, dispelling the morning chill. The noodles were springy and flavorful.
He quickly finished everything, then called out, “Another bowl—zhajiang noodles!”
After eating, he asked, “Do you sell this sauce?”
Yun Yin immediately sat down to discuss. The man, visiting his daughter, ended up buying two jars of mushroom sauce despite thinking it slightly expensive.
Soon, more customers arrived, all attracted by the aroma. The morning passed in a busy rhythm of cooking and serving.
Later, as Yun Yin prepared for lunch, Fu Wang arrived on his black horse.
“Lady Yun, long time no see. I’ve come to eat again,” he said, handing her a box of pastries.
Embarrassed, she replied, “You’re already supporting my business—how can I accept this? Since you brought me pastries, try mine as well.”
She set down qingtuan and bowl cakes.
Fu Wang raised an eyebrow. “So these are yours? I saw them in the county—they were very popular. I wanted to try some, but they were sold out.”
He took a bite of qingtuan, his expression softening. “Delicious—sweet but not cloying. Just the way I like it.”
After finishing everything, he asked, “Can I take some qingtuan to go later?”
“Of course. Also, I’ve made a new dish—would you like to try it?”
“I trust your cooking. One serving of pickled fish, and your new dish as well.”
“Coming right up.”
Yun Yin quickly prepared the fish, slicing it thin and cooking it with pickled vegetables.
Meanwhile, the steamed pork and ribs were already cooking, filling the air with a rich aroma.
Fu Wang inhaled deeply, completely captivated, eagerly awaiting the new dish.