Jiang Song had gone out twice during the day just to ask about these things.
The family still had four strings of cash. If they saved a little more, they could cover a month’s rent and the ground-use fee.
Jiang Song did not need Jiang Ran to explain the advantages of renting a house.
Even though it would cost two extra strings of cash every month in rent, they would save the time spent traveling. Two hours a day—if they used all that time to sell food, they would definitely earn more than the monthly rent.
And they would not have to work quite so hard.
Right now, life was truly exhausting.
Jiang Ran had lost weight. By the end of every day she was completely worn out. She stayed up late at night and had to head out again early the next morning.
Every day she forced herself to keep going while running the stall. Once she got home, she did not even want to move.
If they had a house, she could sleep a little longer.
Jiang Song had already asked around.
A single room was cheap, only five hundred wen a month.
But since he and Jiang Ran were siblings and also needed space to prepare food, a single room would not do. Their requirements were naturally higher.
After swallowing a bite of steamed bun, Jiang Ran said happily, “Really?”
Jiang Song replied, “I’m thinking about it, but we still need to find the right place.”
The location had to be suitable, and so did the price.
Ideally, it would be close to Bianhe Street.
Of course, they could not expect a large or luxurious house.
A rented house had likely passed through many owners. Some had taken good care of their homes, while others had not. Most were small, and the larger the house, the more expensive it was.
The village estate could not compare to Bianjing in many ways, but their living space there was definitely larger and came with a yard.
Fortunately, Bianjing was not far from the estate.
If they needed anything, they could always go back and get it.
If they moved into the city, they could return every two or three days.
The baby bok choy could be left with its roots attached in a cool place for several days without any problem.
Once the chickens and ducks started laying eggs, they could save them up and bring them into the city every few days.
It would definitely be more convenient than living at the estate.
As for Madam Yun and Jiang Chuanli, Jiang Song planned to inform them.
Now that he was managing the household, they would simply follow his decisions.
Besides, the money from the food stall was enough to cover the rent.
Jiang Ran thought to herself, At last, we’re going to rent a house.
If they delayed any longer, she might not even be able to make the trip to Bianjing anymore.
“Brother, I still have money. If you’re short, you can take some from me first.”
But Jiang Song shook his head.
“Didn’t you say we still need a better pot? Let’s make the pot first.”
Jiang Ran nodded.
They really did need a new pot first.
With a larger pot, she could cook several portions at once.
She had noticed quite a few people glance at the crowd around the stall and then leave.
If business became even better later, they could also switch to a larger cart.
The one they used now was the family’s small handcart.
It had two wheels and was long but narrow.
When they arrived at the stall, they had to prop up the front of the cart with bricks before they could use it properly.
Since Jiang Ran cooked every day, she knew exactly what setup worked best for her.
If the stove were moved to the ground, they could park the cart behind it.
They should also get two larger tables and chairs, plus a canopy.
Ideally, everything would be made together.
The weather had been getting hotter over the past two days.
After standing outside all day, Jiang Ran’s face turned red from the sun.
That was why she actually preferred selling at night. It was cooler and more comfortable.
And this was not even the hottest part of the year yet.
Summer had not arrived.
Jiang Ran felt these things could be done gradually.
“Then let’s ask about the pot first and get that made.”
Jiang Song nodded, but his brows remained furrowed.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ran asked, “Brother, are you worried the family won’t agree?”
Jiang Song shook his head.
“As long as Father and Mother are properly warned, they’ll be fine. I’m more worried that the eldest branch won’t let things go.”
Jiang Ran nodded.
Given Madam Lin’s personality, if she found out they were renting a house to do business, she would definitely assume the business was thriving and earning a huge amount of money.
Although renting a house really was for business purposes, if Madam Lin heard that, she would be green with envy.
There was still no news of Jiang Xing.
No one knew how she was doing at the Marquis’s residence.
Jiang Ran had seen Su Yu once, but since Jiang Xing had gone to serve in Fifth Young Lady’s courtyard, she had not asked about her.
Jiang Ran did not want other people sticking their hands into the business she had worked so hard to build.
Over the past two days, she and Jiang Song had been leaving early and returning late.
Before, Jiang Ran would come home in the afternoon and still see people around.
Now she barely saw anyone at all.
That could still be explained away by saying business was slow and they stayed out later trying to sell everything, or that they were delayed on the road.
But if they moved directly into Bianjing, that would be much harder to explain.
They could hardly claim business was poor while renting a house in the city.
Jiang Song remained silent.
Jiang Ran suddenly asked, “Brother, do you still have the books you used before?”
…
It was already very late.
By the time they got home, it was nearly midnight.
Madam Yun and Jiang Chuanli came out of their room and urged the siblings to go to bed.
Jiang Ran said, “I’ll put the tea eggs together first, then I’ll sleep.”
If they were not soaked overnight, they would not absorb enough flavor and would not taste good.
Fortunately, they were easy to make.
Including the time needed to boil water, the whole process took only a little over fifteen minutes.
The next morning, Madam Yun would start the bone broth and chop the minced meat.
That would let Jiang Ran sleep for another hour or more.
The couple had never really been told how the business was doing.
Madam Yun probably still thought Jiang Ran only earned enough each day to cover costs and buy some necessities for the household.
Madam Yun did not return to her room.
Instead, she sat by the large stove boiling water.
The firelight flickered inside the stove.
Occasionally, crackling sounds came from the burning wood.
Once the water boiled, Jiang Ran put the eggs in.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t go anymore.”
The water bubbled noisily, and the fire burned brightly.
Jiang Ran glanced at Madam Yun, making sure she had heard correctly.
“What did Eldest Aunt say to you?”
Madam Yun did not answer.
And her silence was answer enough.
Jiang Ran checked that none of the eggs had cracked while silently counting the cooking time.
She wanted to tell Madam Yun that she was making money now, that all the hardship was worth it, and that she could even afford to rent a house.
But when she thought about the Jiang family, she knew she could not say any of it.
Instead, she handed over the sugar cakes she had bought.
“It’s too late tonight. You and Father can eat these tomorrow. Brother and I already ate in the city, so don’t save food for us. They’re filled with sugar. Use a little oil and fry them again—they’ll taste even better.”
Madam Yun said, “Go to sleep. I’ll take care of the tea eggs.”
Jiang Ran shook her head.
“I’ll sleep after they’re finished.”
If Madam Yun did them alone, all the eggs would be fully cooked.
Jiang Ran timed everything carefully as she took them out.
There were two batches altogether.
She and Madam Yun worked together.
“Crack the shells by rolling them around. Don’t peel them.”
“After the spice packet boils, pour enough liquid to cover them and let them soak. Don’t touch them after that.”
With two people working, the job went much faster.
Once everything was done, Jiang Ran returned to her room.
There had been three hundred wen left over that day.
But fifty wen had been spent on bowls.
The fifty wen she had given Jiang Song that morning had come from her own pocket, so that had to be deducted as well.
She set aside one hundred and thirty wen for the household.
The rest went into her private savings.
Jiang Ran quickly fell into a deep sleep.
She was so tired that she did not even manage to give the household’s share of the money to anyone.
The next morning, it was Madam Yun who woke her.
A gentle voice came from outside the door.
“Ranran, are you still going today?”
Go?
Of course she was going.
Jiang Ran quickly climbed out of bed.
She sat for a moment to wake herself up, got dressed, went to the well to wash up, and then hurried to stir-fry the minced meat.
After packing everything up, the brother and sister set off beneath the faint light of dawn.
For the past few days they had left so early that they never ran into anyone.
Today, however, they met Madam Lin.
Madam Lin exclaimed, “You’re really going every day? Why are you leaving so early?”
Lowering her head, Jiang Ran said, “If I don’t go early, I’ll earn even less money. Eldest Aunt, when is Second Sister coming back? Please put in a good word for me so I can enter the Marquis’s residence too…”
Madam Lin’s expression immediately darkened.
She said, “…When your second sister comes back, I’ll mention it to her. Alright, alright, hurry up and go. Don’t be late.”
Once they reached the official road, Jiang Ran finally relaxed.
Meeting Jiang Song’s helpless gaze, she burst out laughing.
Different people required different methods.
As long as Jiang Xing and money were mentioned in front of Madam Lin, she would stop asking questions.
“Let’s go,” Jiang Song said.
Along the way, Jiang Ran ate one of the boiled eggs.
Jiang Song tried to give her the remaining one as well, but she refused.
“It’s too dry. You eat it.”
“Then we’ll turn it into a tea egg tomorrow.”
Jiang Ran thought about it and realized he was right.
Since they were making tea eggs anyway, why not just include the eggs from home?
They walked for a while, rested for a while, and after another hour, the bustling city of Bianjing appeared before them.
The morning market had already ended by this time, but plenty of people were still around.
Some were heading to work.
Others were merchants and vendors doing business.
All kinds of people filled the streets.
Not long after Jiang Ran sold a few portions, she heard someone shouting nearby.
“Soup noodles and mixed noodles for sale! Minced meat soup noodles, four wen a bowl! Lard mixed noodles, two wen a bowl! Come and try them! Fresh tea eggs too, only three wen each! Cheap, delicious, and worth every coin!”
The shouting came from behind Jiang Ran’s stall.
The other stall was four or five spaces away, but since each stall occupied less than ten feet of space, the voice carried clearly.
After more than ten days in this area, Jiang Ran had finally discovered someone else selling noodles.
According to Zhao Daniang, there was no problem as long as they were not deliberately pushing forward to crowd others out.
But undercutting prices like this was really unpleasant.
And the tactic worked.
The customer standing in front of Jiang Ran was a new face she did not recognize.
He said, “Miss, never mind. It isn’t cooked yet anyway. Since you’re making food for others, you’ll make food for someone else too. Give me my money back. I don’t feel like eating noodles today.”
A new noodle stall had just appeared nearby, and the prices were lower.
If this customer got a refund, the people behind him who had already paid and were waiting might do the same.
But if she refused, Jiang Ran worried he might cause trouble.
Zhao Daniang was anxious.
Jiang Song could not think of a solution right away either.
Jiang Ran simply smiled.
“Sir, is the noodle dish not to your taste?”
The man looked guilty for a moment.
“I just don’t feel like eating it today.”
The noodles were already cooking in the pot.
Jiang Ran patted her chest dramatically.
“You scared me. I thought there was something wrong with the noodles and that’s why you didn’t want them anymore.”
The customer froze.
Then he understood.
The problem was not with the food.
He was the one trying to back out.
It would have been one thing if he decided not to buy before she started cooking.
But asking for a refund after the food was already being prepared felt inappropriate.
Jiang Ran spoke sincerely.
“It’s not that I’m forcing you to buy it. Anyone can have an emergency. But if I allow this once, everyone might start doing the same thing. Then I’d waste time and eventually wouldn’t be able to run my business at all.”
She paused.
“How about this? You ordered soup noodles. Why don’t you ask whether anyone behind you is willing to take your place?”
Someone nearby immediately chimed in.
“If you want to cancel, that’s your choice. It’s not the stall owner’s fault. This way nobody’s business gets delayed.”
Even if the order was transferred, the next customer would simply move forward in line.
As Jiang Ran had said, it would not affect the other customers or disrupt the stall’s business.
Being able to exchange places so easily was actually very convenient for the people waiting.
They would not have to wait as long.
Whether the man thought the food was too expensive or genuinely no longer wanted it, everyone could save face.
The customer was not an unreasonable person.
After thinking for a moment, he decided it could work.
His only concern was whether anyone would be willing to take the order.
But before he could say anything, another customer spoke up.
“You ordered soup noodles, right? I’ll buy it.”
The man handed him five wen.
Then he turned to Jiang Ran.
“Add two tea eggs.”
He immediately handed over another eight wen.
Jiang Ran smiled.
“Certainly. How would you like your vinegar and chili?”
“Extra chili. Extra vinegar.”
As she prepared the order, Jiang Ran noticed from the corner of her eye that the first customer pocketed the money and headed over to line up at the other noodle stall.
Two people left the crowd in front of her stall.
But most of the customers stayed where they were, and no one else asked for a refund.
Jiang Ran finally felt a little relieved.
After she finished serving the waiting customers, she handed some money to Jiang Song.
“Brother, go try it and see how it tastes.”