Wen Yiliang hesitated upon hearing this. His original plan was to check if the docks or rice stores were hiring laborers. He didn’t want his daughter to witness his current predicament of barely supporting the family through lowly manual labor.
Shen Shi understood his concerns and patted his shoulder gently. “We still have some silver left from pawning the earrings the other day. One day won’t make much difference. Husband, why don’t you take Ranran out for a stroll today?”
Seeing their approval, Wen Ranran beamed with joy, already calculating potential business opportunities in her mind.
As they were about to leave, Shen Shi discreetly wrapped her bracelet and handed it to Wen Yiliang, whispering, “If you run short of money, pawn this bracelet. Ranran rarely goes out – buy her whatever she wants. Her happiness matters most.”
Wen Yiliang tucked the bracelet away, looking at his wife and daughter with a soft sigh. “Qiong Niang…”
“Go on now!” Shen Shi pushed him playfully. “Ranran’s waiting!”We’ll return before dinner,” Wen Yiliang instructed before leading Wen Ranran out.
The afternoon post-meal hours buzzed with activity.
Women leaned against their doorframes chatting with neighbors, playful children gathered companions for games, and young maidens walked in small groups toward the market street, discussing which shop offered the best rouge at reasonable prices…
Walking beside her father, Wen Ranran observed Qiaojing Hutong with keen interest. The stone-paved pathways connected neatly arranged tile-roofed houses, each household growing vegetables in front of their homes, utilizing every inch of available space – creating a refreshing vista in the distance.
The hutong was surrounded by waterways spanned by several bridges. Porters and pedestrians crowded the bridges while women washed clothes along the banks below… every scene pulsed with vibrant life.
After walking east from Qiaojing Hutong for about twenty minutes, Wen Ranran noticed the surroundings growing increasingly bustling and prosperous.
Lush locust trees lined the streets where shops and stalls stood row upon row, their hawkers’ cries rising and falling in succession. There were fruit stores, pepper bamboo shoot stores, general goods stores on one side; medicine stores, brush stores, and books and documents shops on the other; further ahead stood rice stores, gold and silver banks, silk stores… Countless food stalls offered stewed tripe and lung, chicken offal, sesame drink fine noodles, snow cooling drink, steamed cakes, sour filling and various other snacks – a dazzling array that overwhelmed the senses.
Though accustomed to modern urban prosperity, Wen Ranran found this ancient marketplace exceptionally novel.
Surveying the passersby, she noticed women and children carrying chilled drinks and fruits everywhere – clear indicators of a relatively abundant era where common people enjoyed comfortable livelihoods.
Prosperity was good! Only when people lived comfortably could she make money!
As they walked, Wen Ranran kept asking questions, gradually understanding this era’s price ranges.
The available ingredients were remarkably diverse, nearly matching modern varieties.
Grains were cheap: rice and soybeans cost about ten-odd wen per dou, wheat seven to eight wen. Ground flour cost one or two wen more per dou, with cornmeal being cheapest at four to five wen per dou.
Salt and sugar were expensive, costing forty to fifty wen per jin, with premium grades being even pricier. The most expensive were various non-local imported spices like pepper, costing about one hundred wen per jin.
Among meats and aquatic products: chicken, duck, and goose cost twenty-odd wen per jin, pork thirty wen, mutton fifty wen, while beef was most expensive at about one hundred wen per jin. Fish was cheaper at seventeen to eighteen wen per jin.
Other fresh seasonal vegetables were much cheaper, with the most expensive costing only a few wen per jin.
The various snacks and appetizers sold by the roadside cost no more than fifteen wen for meat dishes and □□ wen for vegetarian ones. Hu Bing and congee were only two or three wen each, while Steamed Cakes were slightly more expensive at seven wen each.
Wen Ranran stood by the street, gazing absently at the clerks, laborers, peddlers, and porters coming and going. For small businesses, attracting stable customers was crucial in the early stages, and these people who made their living on the streets daily were the most reliable.
When they were away from home, food was naturally inconvenient. To target this group as customers, the food needed to be substantial, affordable, and filling. But after observing twice, she noticed that most street food stalls focused on snacks, rarely catering to the needs of these laborers. There were Hu Bing stalls and steamed bun stalls, but a young adult doing physical labor would need to eat at least two or three to feel full. Even the cheapest Hu Bing would cost five or six wen, and it was dry without any oil. If paired with a bowl of plain soup, a single meal would total □□ wen. Considering that a dou of rice cost only over ten wen, how could they afford it?
She pondered carefully, and her eyes suddenly lit up: she could make wraps! Affordable and substantial wraps!
Wraps could hold vegetables, meat, or anything—with one wrap in hand, you could conquer the world!
Wen Yiliang saw his daughter staring blankly at the street and assumed she was hungry. “Ranran, is there something you’d like to eat?”
Wen Ranran snapped out of her thoughts. She hadn’t been hungry initially, but now, with the hawkers’ cries mingling with the sizzling of oil pans, she felt a bit peckish.
However… their family was impoverished—how could they spend money so freely?
Wen Yiliang noticed her hesitation and patted her head gently, smiling. “Ranran, don’t worry. We still have enough for some snacks.”
Hearing this, Wen Ranran didn’t refuse. Besides, she needed to inquire about the details of setting up a stall. If she asked questions without buying anything, the stall owners might not be willing to talk.
With this in mind, she found a congee and pancake stall. It was cheap, and the owners were an elderly couple with kind faces who seemed approachable.
Wen Ranran and Wen Yiliang walked over and sat down. The old woman immediately came over with a warm smile. “What would you like to eat, guests?”
“Father, a Hu Bing is enough for me. What about you?Wen Yiliang knew his daughter was reluctant to spend money and felt heartbroken. He quickly said, “How can one Hu Bing be enough?” Then, he asked the old woman, “What kinds of congee do you have?”
“We have plain congee, vegetable congee, and Fish and Meat Congee,” the old woman replied cheerfully. “Plain congee is two wen a bowl, vegetable congee is three wen, and Fish and Meat Congee is four wen.”
“Then, let’s add a bowl of Fish and Meat Congee,” Wen Yiliang said, turning to Wen Ranran to reassure her. “I ate a lot at noon and am not hungry yet.”
Wen Ranran felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at this middle-aged man who cared for her so attentively, moved beyond words.
The stall owner was very efficient, serving the Hu Bing and congee in the blink of an eye.
“Thank you, Granny!” Wen Ranran thanked her brightly, her smiling eyes sweet as honey.
The Hu Bing was sprinkled with sesame salt, steaming hot with a toasted aroma, while the Fish and Meat Congee was fragrant and fresh, clearly made with fresh fish.
Wen Ranran broke the Hu Bing in half. The crispy crust flaked off like snow, and the inside was soft yet chewy—it took decades of baking skill to make such a perfect pancake!
“Father, you have some too!” She handed the bun to Wen Yiliang, then lowered her head to take a bite. The crust was crispy while the inside remained soft, with the rich aroma of rice complemented by the savory fragrance of sesame salt—utterly delicious. The Fish and Meat Congee was equally exceptional; the stall owner was generous with ingredients, simmering the congee until it was soft, thick, and velvety. The fish slices were tender and flavorful, infused with a fresh seafood taste that left a delightful aftertaste without any hint of fishiness.
Wen Ranran ate with relaxed contentment, sincerely praising, “Grandma, your Hu Bing is delicious, and the congee is wonderfully fragrant!”
“Oh my! What a sweet talker this young lady is!” The old woman beamed at the compliment, especially coming from such a lovely-looking girl, her smile widening with pride. “It’s no exaggeration—my husband’s skill in making Hu Bing is unmatched anywhere in the capital!”
The old man, busy tending to the stove, grew slightly embarrassed by the praise and muttered under his breath, “This woman, she’ll say anything without fear of tripping over her own tongue.”
Wen Ranran, still munching on the bun, continued with flattery: “Grandpa, you’re too modest. Your skill rivals that of high-end restaurants! In my opinion, even the imperial chefs can’t compare!”
“Goodness, we dare not compare to the imperial chefs!” The old woman waved her hands dismissively, but the crinkles at the corners of her eyes bloomed like flowers, her face radiant with joy. In high spirits and growing fonder of the bright young lady, she turned to fetch another Hu Bing and placed it on Wen Ranran’s table. “It’s rare to find someone who can cheer me up like this. Take this bun on the house!”
Wen Ranran quickly declined, “How could I accept that? You and Grandpa work hard every day making buns and congee—every coin earned is through sweat. I couldn’t possibly take it for free!”
“It’s just a bun, nothing expensive. Don’t stand on ceremony, young lady—just come back often!”
The old woman was so insistent that Wen Ranran felt it would be impolite to refuse further. Thanking her, she accepted the bun and wrapped it up, planning to bring it home for her mother.
After chatting a bit more with the old woman and growing friendlier, Wen Ranran seized the opportunity to inquire about setting up a stall: “Grandma, do vendors in the market nowadays need to pay a market fee? And how are taxes handled?”
Wen Yiliang was taken aback by her questions: Why is Ranran asking about these things?
Hearing her interest, the old woman promptly pulled up a stool and sat beside her, eagerly explaining the ins and outs of street vending in detail: “Here in the East Market, fixed stalls like ours require an annual market fee of two taels of silver. If your yearly earnings fall below ten taels, you’re exempt from taxes. However, securing a stall in a decent location would cost at least fifteen taels upfront. Mobile vending is much cheaper—no stall rental fee or market fee is needed. As long as you follow the rules, you can move around the market freely, and the City Patrol Supervisor officials won’t bother you.”
“If you’re thinking of vending in the West Market, the market fee is higher—ten taels per year. But the West Market is closer to the imperial city, surrounded by mansions of nobles and officials. The wealthy frequent there, so you’d likely earn more.”
As she listened, Wen Ranran silently calculated: given their current situation, they couldn’t afford the market fee for the East Market, let alone the West Market, not to mention the initial cost of renting a stall.
Mobile vending seemed feasible, but she still lacked the startup funds…
The old woman, enthused by the conversation, squinted with a smile and asked, “Young lady, are you asking because you’re thinking of setting up a stall?”
Wen Ranran nodded. “Indeed, our family’s situation isn’t good now. With over ten mouths to feed but no rice in the pot, I thought of setting up a small stall to sell some food, so we’d at least have some income. I’m not seeking great wealth, just hoping for enough to eat and wear.”
Hearing this, Wen Yiliang’s hand holding the Hu Bing paused slightly. He stared blankly at Wen Ranran, forgetting to chew. Seeing that his daughter, who had been pampered since childhood, now had to worry about basic sustenance and wanted to endure hardship by running a stall to supplement the family income, his heart ached with pity and guilt. He couldn’t help but lower his head and sigh.
“Oh my!” an elderly woman exclaimed, clapping her hands as she looked at the delicate, lovely young girl before her, repeatedly praising, “This young lady is so sensible! So young, yet she already knows to earn for the family!”
“Father works so hard copying books for others. I want to share his burden,” Wen Ranran said with a beaming smile, though she ended with a soft sigh. “But I have no starting capital. I don’t know how long it will take to save up.”
Wen Yiliang felt his eyes grow hot at her words, instinctively reaching to touch the pair of jade bracelets tucked in his robe.
The elderly woman smiled kindly and quickly offered comfort. “Money will be saved up eventually, young lady. Don’t rush.”
“Ah! Thank you, Granny!” Wen Ranran responded, then turned her gaze to Wen Yiliang. “Father, it’s getting late. Shall we head back?”
Wen Yiliang nodded, pushing his bowl aside as he stood up.
Wen Ranran deftly collected the bowls and chopsticks, placing them in a bucket beside the stall. With a bright smile, she bid farewell to the elderly woman. “Granny, Father and I are heading back now. Next time we come to the East Market, we’ll eat Hu Bing at your place again!”
“This young lady is truly something—sweet-tongued and diligent. If she goes into business, she’s sure to do well!”
The elderly woman’s voice echoed behind them as Wen Yiliang gradually slowed his steps. After a long moment, he stopped in the street and turned to look at Wen Ranran. “Ranran, do you really want to set up a stall and do business?”
Wen Ranran nodded. “We can’t spend our whole lives huddled in that little thatched hut, starving and freezing.”
Even in her previous life at the orphanage, she had never endured such miserable days!
“Come, let’s not go back just yet.”
Wen Yiliang gritted his teeth, took his daughter’s hand, and headed straight for the pawnshop ahead.
The sun gradually sank, and pedestrians hurried by.
Wen Ranran and her father visited several pawnshops in a row, but no matter how much she pleaded, the highest offer they received was just over five taels of silver. Not only was Wen Yiliang heartbroken, but Wen Ranran also felt a sharp pang of regret. In her past life, she had seen many fine things with her master—those jade bracelets were of excellent quality, truly superior jade.
Fortunately, they had pawned them with a redeemable contract. They must reclaim those jade bracelets in the future!
“Ranran, take a look and buy whatever you need for the stall.”
Wen Ranran nodded, handing the silver notes and pawn ticket to Wen Yiliang for safekeeping. She pocketed the loose change and glanced around. The vegetable farmers were tidying up to close their stalls—this was the perfect time to buy at a good price.
After comparing prices at three or four stalls, she finally stopped in front of an elderly, white-bearded man. “Grandpa, how much for these potatoes?”
Seeing a potential customer, the old man quickly halted his packing and smiled warmly. “I sold them for three coins per pound this morning, but I’m closing up now. You can have them for two coins.”
As he spoke, he tremblingly picked up two large, plump potatoes and held them out to Wen Ranran. “Young lady, take a look at these potatoes—I guarantee they’re delicious!”
“I think your potatoes are excellent too!” Wen Ranran chuckled, then glanced at the remaining vegetables on the stall and asked, “And how much for the bean sprouts?”
“The bean sprouts are three coins per pound, but this is all that’s left. If you take them all, young lady, I’ll give them to you for two coins per pound.”
“Alright! I’ll take all the bean sprouts. Could you also weigh six catties of potatoes for me, Grandpa?”
“Sure!” The old man grinned from ear to ear at landing such a large sale. He cheerfully brushed the dirt off the potatoes before weighing them, his movements reflecting the honesty of a farmer: “I’ll shake off the soil for you so it doesn’t add to the weight!”
“Thank you, Grandpa!”
“These bean sprouts are five catties and three taels, but I’ll charge you for just five catties. With the six catties of potatoes, that comes to twenty-two coins in total.”
Wen Ranran paid with a smile, her almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents that made people instinctively like her. “Grandpa, we’re planning to start a food business and will need to buy vegetables regularly. If we always buy from you from now on, could you give us a better price?”
Money was truly tight, and every bit saved counted.
The old man cautiously eyed Wen Ranran. The young lady had delicate skin and seemed like a noble-born daughter from a wealthy family. Why would someone like her go into business? Was she just trying to haggle for a lower price?
He had encountered several people before who used this excuse to bargain, claiming they needed to buy vegetables regularly for their business, but he never saw them again.
“Young lady, this small business of mine isn’t easy to run either.”
Wen Yiliang tugged at Wen Ranran’s sleeve, feeling quite embarrassed.
But Wen Ranran didn’t mind at all, maintaining her cheerful expression. What use was pride in business? Money was what brought dignity.
Having grown up in the restaurants and taverns run by her senior martial brothers and sisters, she had developed a thick skin. Now, she calmly sweet-talked the old man, wearing him down with basket after basket of persuasive words until his attitude softened.
The old man waved his hand. “Alright, alright, I’ll knock off one more coin for you, young lady, but not a single coin more!”
One whole coin!
Wen Ranran happily agreed and bent her head to count out the money.
Wen Yiliang watched with a pang of sadness: Ranran was born a young lady of the Earl’s household, yet now she could be so delighted over just one coin…
The old man tidied the vegetables and handed them to Wen Ranran with a smile. “Young lady, you’re quite the smooth talker! You’re sure to succeed in business!”
Wen Ranran thanked him and even helped the old man pack up his stall and load everything onto his cart. “Grandpa, take care on your way back. I’ll come buy from you again tomorrow—be sure to save some good produce for me!”
“Of course!” The old man beamed. “Don’t worry, young lady!”
Watching the old man depart into the distance, Wen Ranran and Wen Yiliang bought some flour, scallions, ginger, garlic, cilantro, sweet bean sauce, and other seasonings, finally purchasing half a catty of meat.
“Ranran, see if we need anything else?”
They had a pushcart in their thatched shed that could be used for now. As for the rest… Wen Ranran thought of their vegetable patch at home and said cheerfully, “Father, let’s also buy some vegetable seeds. When they grow, we can use them for ourselves or for the business—either way, it’ll save us money!”
Seeing his daughter calculating so carefully, Wen Yiliang naturally agreed to everything.
By dusk, father and daughter returned home laden with goods.
Shen Shi spotted the chatting, laughing pair from afar and went to meet them with a smile, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Wen Ranran’s brow. “You must be exhausted, Ranran!”
“Not at all!” Wen Ranran, thinking they could probably set up their stall and start earning money tomorrow, felt full of energy.
After wiping her daughter’s face, Shen Shi raised her hand to wipe Wen Yiliang’s as well. The happy family of three entered the courtyard gate together.
Sun Shi watched them come in, her eyes darting over the items in their hands. “Oh! You bought so much stuff!”
Liang Shi also came out upon hearing the noise, and her eyes lit up when she saw the bag of flour: “This is perfect! I was just worrying about having no rice or flour tomorrow, and the whole family would go hungry!”
Wen Ranran glanced up at her and slowly said, “Aunt, I bought this for setting up a stall.”