Wen Ranran hadn’t set up her night market stall yesterday as she was experimenting with braised dishes, so she arrived slightly earlier today.
As dusk began to settle, Wa Si Restaurant was just starting to get lively.
Song Da Niang, who sold Mohe Le next to her stall, smiled and greeted Wen Ranran and her father: “Why didn’t you come yesterday, Miss Wen? Quite a few people came looking for you!”
Normally, selling Mohe Le only earned Song Da Niang enough for basic sustenance—just enough to get by. But ever since Miss Wen started her stall nearby, customers who bought Bo Zai Gao would often glance at her stall too, and her business had noticeably improved!
Because of this, Song Da Niang usually helped keep an eye on Wen Ranran’s stall and had even chased away a few people trying to take the spot.
After all, Miss Wen was like her lucky star! Just being nearby brought good fortune, so she had to lend a hand!
“We had matters at home yesterday, so we took a day off.” Wen Ranran helped her father park the cart and took out two Bo Zai Gao, handing them over. “Auntie Song, take these. They’ll keep you full later—the night is still long.”
“How can I accept these?” Auntie Song refused repeatedly, feeling embarrassed. “These two are worth ten coins!”
“Please take them!” Wen Ranran insisted, pushing them back. “Sometimes when I arrive late, my spot hasn’t been taken—it must be you watching over it. Even though you never mentioned it, I understand.”
Auntie Song felt a bit awkward and was about to say more when a customer came to buy Bo Zai Gao. She tactfully stopped talking, thanked Wen Ranran, and took the Bo Zai Gao back to save for her granddaughter.
Before Wen Ranran had even fully set up her stall, a crowd had gathered and started lining up. Some regulars complained jokingly: “You didn’t come last night, Miss! My two little rascals were craving these so badly they wouldn’t even eat Songzi Tang!”
“It’s not just the kids fussing—my wife was urging me too! She said these are trendy in the capital now, and all her friends have tried them except her.”
Hearing this, several men in the line nodded in agreement. It seemed they were all buying for their wives.
Wen Ranran’s almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile as she packed Bo Zai Gao and said, “A cherished wife brings wealth and treasure. Gentlemen, you’re sure to be promoted and prosper, with lives getting better and better!”
“Yes, yes, the young lady speaks truth! A happy wife means a happy life. When men venture out without worries at home, isn’t that just attracting wealth and treasure?”
“Exactly! Without my wife managing the household and caring for our elders, how could I have peace of mind?” The man, moved by his own words, paused. “Miss, please pack one of each flavor of Bo Zai Gao for me!”
Following his lead, others in line clamored to buy more portions. Even those who had originally planned to buy only for their children added several more to take home to their wives.
Amid the customers’ cheerful chatter, Wen Ranran’s stall appeared even more bustling.
“Miss, what’s in that pot? It smells incredible!” The first customer in line pointed at the pot on the cart, practically drooling as he spoke.
He had already eaten dinner, but the spicy, fragrant aroma made him hungry again.
“This is a new braised dish I developed yesterday.” Wen Ranran had been busy packing Bo Zai Gao and hadn’t had a chance to attend to it yet. Hearing the question, she immediately lifted the lid.
A fragrant and spicy aroma with a subtle sweetness instantly wafted through the air, causing the neatly lined queue to suddenly break into disorder as everyone stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to get a look. Passersby were also drawn in, gathering around and staring intently at the braising pot.
Dried tofu, lotus root slices, duck wings, and duck heads soaked in the gleaming red braising liquid, glistening enticingly.
The crowd watched, swallowing their saliva in unison.
Wen Ranran beamed at their reactions. Today’s braising broth was made using yesterday’s master stock—the longer it simmered, the richer the flavor, and today’s batch was even more fragrant than the previous day’s!
“Miss, how much for the Braised Dish?” someone couldn’t resist asking.
Wen Ranran smiled as she listed the prices: “Three pieces of dried tofu for two coins, potato slices for four coins per serving, lotus root slices for six coins, bamboo shoots for seven coins. Duck heads are seven coins each, and duck wings are three coins apiece.”
“These were freshly braised this afternoon, using only the finest spices and white sugar.”
As she spoke, she fished out a few pieces of dried tofu and other vegetarian items, chopped them into bite-sized pieces, and placed them in a bowl. Setting out a few bamboo skewers nearby, she added cheerfully, “If you’re worried it might not suit your taste, feel free to sample it first. Buy only if you find it delicious and to your liking. After all, no one’s money grows on trees, and there’s no sense in wasting it, right? You’re all regulars here—I’d never let you feel shortchanged.”
Her words left everyone feeling reassured and content, more than willing to spend their money at her little stall.
“Then I’ll try a sample first!”
A middle-aged woman at the front of the line picked up a skewer, speared a piece of dried tofu, and popped it into her mouth. Every tiny pore of the tofu was saturated with the savory, spicy broth, carrying a hint of sweetness that blended perfectly with the bean’s aroma—it was indescribably delicious!
Before she had even swallowed, the woman pointed urgently at the braising pot and exclaimed, “Give me one of each! And three servings of the dried tofu!”
“Right away!” Wen Ranran responded brightly, deftly packing up the Braised Dish.
Those watching nearby quickly stepped forward to sample as well. Without exception, everyone who tried it had their eyes light up, exclaiming in delight over the exquisite flavors and hurriedly placing their orders, afraid they might miss out.
Just as her stall was bustling with activity, a sudden burst of argument erupted nearby, accompanied by the sound of shattering porcelain, drawing the attention of many.
Wen Ranran glanced over and saw a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes wearing a mocking smile as he sneered, “Why were you standing under the first willow tree on the left side of the bridge earlier?”
“I was waiting for you to come out,” replied the dignified, elegant woman standing opposite him, her face full of confusion.
“It seems my lady has forgotten? It was under that very tree years ago that you had quite the long chat with a certain someone!”
The woman looked exasperated and chose to ignore him.
Catching the drift of their exchange, Wen Ranran slowed her movements slightly: Huh??? There’s tea!!!
“Isn’t that Master Fu and his wife? Why are they arguing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He’s jealous over his wife’s former fiancé! I heard they were well-matched in social status and deeply in love, but then Master Fu fell for the lady at first sight and snatched her away…”
“Master Fu was quite the unruly playboy in his youth, gallivanting through the streets on horseback. But to win the lady over, he completely turned over a new leaf—became diligent and much more devoted. Ever since Madam Fu married into the Fu family, we’ve never seen him act recklessly again.”
Wen Ranran pricked up her ears, listening for a good while: Wow! So this is the ancient version of the slacker school bully × aloof school belle trope!
Fu Xiao pointed at the porcelain fragments on the ground and gritted his teeth. “Look, even buying a vase has to be one painted with willow trees.”
Xie Shi shook her head helplessly. “Don’t be unreasonable. You were the one who said this vase looked nice earlier, and I only agreed to buy it after your comment. I hadn’t even seen clearly what was painted on it.”
Fu Xiao choked on her words, suddenly realizing he was in the wrong. It was true that he had been testing her earlier, but he never expected his wife to actually buy it!
Xie Shi had no intention of continuing the argument with him and was about to walk away when she suddenly caught a rich, sweet and spicy aroma.
The fragrance was so enticing that she unconsciously followed the scent, eventually stopping in front of a pushcart.
The pot was filled with various Braised Dishes coated in rich marinade, glistening with oil, the fragrant and spicy aroma wafting straight into her nostrils.
Wen Ranran, seeing her approach, proactively greeted, “Would you like to try some, madam? These are all freshly made Braised Dishes from today.”
Noting that the young woman was fair and delicate, resembling jasmine and narcissus, Xie Shi softened her tone. “Is it spicy?”
“It’s sweet and spicy.” Wen Ranran smiled cheerfully, deftly skewering a piece of dried tofu with a bamboo stick and handing it to her. “Please try it, madam. If it suits your taste, you can buy some.”
Xie Shi glanced at her twice: This young woman is quite young, but she knows how to do business.
She took the sample and tasted it, her eyes lighting up in surprise.
The dried tofu was sweet, spicy, and juicy, with a tender yet chewy texture. There was no trace of beany flavor, only the aroma of spices with a hint of sweetness. By comparison, she suddenly felt that the Braised Dishes she usually ate were utterly bland, nowhere near as delicious as this spicy version!
“You have excellent skills, young lady!” Xie Shi praised. “Please pack one portion of each variety for me.”
“Right away!” Wen Ranran promptly agreed. Just as she was packing the order, an unexpected troublemaker appeared.
“Oh! So you still remember someone who loves spicy food?” Fu Xiao sneered twice, then said through gritted teeth to Wen Ranran, “I’ll take everything you have! Don’t sell any to her!”
With that, he tossed two silver ingots to Wen Ranran.
She was about to explain that the madam had come first when Xie Shi gestured for her maid to place four silver ingots on the cart and said gently, “I’m paying more. Listen to me.”
Fu Xiao snorted coldly and threw another four ingots. “Including the previous two, I’m paying more now! Sell everything to me!”
Wen Ranran stared at the gleaming silver on her cart, her heart leaping with joy: Are they holding an auction here?
Xie Shi glanced sideways at Fu Xiao beside her and thoughtfully said, “Our marital squabble has put you in an awkward position, young lady. You may sell the Braised Dishes to him. However, I’d like to trouble you to deliver Braised Dishes to our residence every two days, before noon. I’d like two portions of each variety. Those four ingots will serve as your deposit and service fee. We’ll pay for the Braised Dishes separately, settled daily. How does that sound?”
Wen Ranran felt dizzy from this sudden windfall, nodding repeatedly like pounding garlic.
Just from watching this spectacle, she’d earned so much silver?!
Master Fu gave thirty taels, and Madam Fu gave twenty taels while placing a long-term order for Braised Dishes – this was a huge business opportunity!
Good heavens, this is like getting gold coins for watching a video!
Xie Shi smiled gently. “I simply adore this flavor. Zhi Xia, help the master carry the Braised Dishes he bought. Let’s return to the manor.”
“Yes.”
Watching his wife’s retreating figure, Fu Xiao felt his heart shatter into pieces: She adores this flavor… she adores this flavor, wuwuwu, she’s still thinking about that bastard after all!
Wen Ranran set aside the Braised Dishes for her previous customer, then packed the remainder and handed it to the Fu family maid. Thanks to the Fu family’s commotion, Wen Ranran ended her stall business right after setting up.
They packed up their stall early, and Wen Ranran and Wen Yiliang carefully exchanged their silver for silver notes to keep safe.
She pinched the silver notes in her pouch, unable to contain her joy, and turned her head to look at Wen Yiliang: “This is wonderful now. This silver is enough for Father’s Shuxiu for a year.”
Wen Yiliang looked at his daughter’s sparkling eyes and felt deeply moved, but he shook his head: “Ranran, haven’t you always wanted to rent a fixed stall? That should be our family’s first priority.”
“The first priority should naturally be Father studying to take the imperial exams!” Wen Ranran tugged at his sleeve, her eyes curved in a light laugh. “Father, don’t worry. We’re almost done saving up the silver for renting a fixed stall too.”
As she comforted her father, she suddenly noticed many vendors carrying shoulder poles or baskets entering taverns and teahouses, promoting their food to the customers inside.
Group after group, none of them were chased away by the waiters. In fact, when they encountered familiar ones, they even exchanged greetings.
Wen Ranran was curious and watched several taverns in a row, growing increasingly astonished.
In modern times, if someone brought food into another’s shop to promote it, they would surely be thrown out. But in ancient times, such a practice was actually allowed and appeared quite harmonious.
The customers in the taverns were either wealthy or noble. If their food caught their fancy, they would surely receive silver rewards.
Moreover, if she were to open a shop in the future, these people would all be her potential customers!
Not only could she build a reputation, but she could also lay the foundation for a large customer base. The more she thought about it, the more cost-effective it seemed.
Wen Ranran rubbed her nose: Maybe… take on another job?
After all, the more silver, the better!