13:Trial Sale
Although she had been kept busy these past few days, Tao Qinghe’s persistent headache had improved noticeably. Today, as she made her way alone to the county town, her pace was much quicker. When she reached the city gate, the gatekeeper was still sitting there with his eyes closed, yawning.
Having checked the market price yesterday, she had decided to price her pastries at four coins apiece, which would still be slightly cheaper than those at the Zhou family’s bakery. She strode briskly into the county town, passing the stalls on either side. As the entrance was a place where farm produce was sold, she reckoned there wouldn’t be many takers for her pastries there, so Tao Qinghe decided to try her luck on the small street where food was sold.
Early in the morning, the cries of street vendors had already reached her ears. Tao Qinghe was swept up in the atmosphere and reached her destination in no time. Watching the people coming and going before her, she cleared her throat and called out, “Flower pastries for sale! Deliciously Flower pastries! Sweet and tasty, just four cash a piece!”
A woman passing by was startled by the sudden outburst. She patted her chest and, once she’d recovered, turned to look at the person beside her.
“You’ve got quite a voice, young lady!”
Seeing that someone was speaking to her, Tao Qinghe stepped forward regardless. “Sister, did I startle you just now? I’m truly sorry.”
Hearing Tao Qinghe’s address, the woman’s expression softened, though she said, “Why are you shouting so carelessly, girl? You ought to be calling me ‘Auntie’.”
“Oh!” Tao Qinghe looked surprised. “You don’t look like my aunt at all—you look more like an older sister!”
Hearing this, the woman couldn’t help but touch her face, her expression brimming with delight. “You’re quite the flatterer, aren’t you?” She leaned in closer. “What are you selling? It smells rather lovely.”
“These flower pastries were freshly baked this morning. Just one bite and your mouth is filled with flavour. Would you like some, Sister?”
The woman took a few deep sniffs; the scent grew stronger with each breath, so she asked, “How much are they?”
“These flower pastries are packed with sugar and oil, yet they’re only four coins a piece.” Seeing she was interested, Tao Qinghe lifted the cloth covering the basket to reveal the pastries.
“That’s a bit steep!” The woman’s expression darkened upon hearing the price. “Those meat-filled steamed buns are only three coins each!” She glanced at the basket again. “And they’re much bigger than yours!”
Tao Qinghe remained unperturbed by this and simply explained, “Don’t be hasty, sister. These pastries are filled with sugar.” She pointed to the Zhou family’s cake shop not far away. “The pastries in that shop cost dozens of cash a packet! My pastries are no less tasty than theirs, yet the price is genuinely cheaper!”
The woman was somewhat persuaded; if they were sugar-filled pastries, they ought to be more expensive than meat-filled ones. But she’d never tasted them before—how could she simply take her word for it?
Seeing the woman’s hesitation, Tao Qinghe spoke again: “If you don’t believe me, Sister, I can give you a free sample first. If you like them, you can buy some later.”
At the prospect of a free taste, the woman had not a shred of reluctance left; she nodded her agreement at once.
Tao Qinghe took another individually wrapped pastry from her basket and unwrapped it to reveal a pre-sliced sample. The woman had been hit by the aroma the moment the pastry was produced; as soon as she took it in her hands, she ate it without a moment’s hesitation.