Jinguan City, late August.
A gentle breeze rustled the willow branches, and the fragrance of hibiscus flowers filled the city.
In the West Market, shops lined both sides of the street, their doors adorned with fine silk and brocade. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the bustling crowd jostled shoulder to shoulder. The clamor of vendors hawking their wares mingled with the haggling of customers, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere.
The East Market was known for its elegance and was the preferred trading spot for the wealthy. In contrast, the West Market, with its diverse mix of people, was a favorite haunt for commoners and foreign merchant caravans alike.
Among these, the itinerant Hu merchants often found lodging near the West Market. Once they had sold off their goods, they would indulge in the local delicacies, filling their bellies before returning home laden with the “Three Wonders of Shu.”
“Hahaha, Jinguan City truly excels in its culinary delights,” a voice boomed.
Inside a bustling eatery, seven or eight robust Hu merchants sat around a table. The leader, named An Tuoyan, wiped his spicy red lips and, in a peculiar accent, called out boldly to the waiter:
“Hey, waiter! Do you know of any local specialties here in Jinguan City that we can take on the road? Something that tastes good.”
“You’ve come to the right person, sir,” the waiter replied cheerfully, tossing a cloth over his shoulder. “I might not know much else, but when it comes to food:”
He drew out his words: “Liang’s pickled ginger is refreshing and pairs wonderfully with rice; Shi’s cured pork is tender and flavorful, leaving a lingering taste; and then there’s Yang’s dried fish…”
The waiter spoke with such enthusiasm that the Hu merchants began to salivate. After a brief pause, he continued:
“But if you fancy pastries, just head a hundred steps south along the street. There’s a small stall called Ruan’s Pastry Shop. Their sanzi is crispy and delicious, and the glutinous rice sticks are sweet and fragrant, perfect for snacking on a journey. I’ve heard they recently introduced a chestnut-filled pastry, with a flaky crust and aromatic filling. It’s unforgettable, though it might be a bit pricey.”
It’s not unusual for pastries to be expensive.
The Hu merchants, having just sold several cartloads of spices and porcelain, were not short on money. An Tuoyan waved dismissively, inquiring about the location of Ruan’s Pastry Shop. After paying for the meal and tipping the waiter with a few extra coins, the group leisurely left the eatery.
Besides eateries and taverns, the West Market also had numerous food stalls. Vendors had to register at the Market Supervisory Office, pay a fee, and then receive a permit from the Market Marshal, who would assign them a spot.
The stalls in the West Market were quite uniform, with large stone slabs supporting the tables and a simple thatched roof overhead.
The weather was pleasant today, and many people were out and about. One particular stall was surrounded by a crowd.
At a glance, a flag made of coarse cloth was fluttering from a bamboo pole beside the stall, with the words “Ruan’s Pastry Shop” written in bold, artistic strokes.
The stall’s table was covered with a clean white cloth. On the right were small towers of flaky chestnut cakes; on the left were golden strands of sanzi and glutinous rice sticks coated in maltose syrup.
Pink hibiscus flowers adorned the sides of the table, their fragrance adding a touch of elegance to the simple stall.
A ge’er was busy at the stall. He had fair skin, almond-shaped eyes, and a delicate nose. A small red mole adorned his forehead. He wore a narrow-sleeved short jacket and linen trousers, with the cuffs tied with string and cloth shoes on his feet.
Though his attire was simple, it was clean and tidy, giving a pleasant impression.
“Hey, Ruan ge’er, give me a pound of sanzi and half a pound of glutinous rice sticks. My old man loves them these days.”
“Proprietor Ruan, I need five chestnut cakes. I bought two yesterday, and my two little chubby kids finished them in no time.”
“Ruan ge’er, I’ll have one chestnut cake and half a pound of sanzi.”
“Two pounds of sanzi, please.”
“I want…”
Ruan Su deftly used bamboo tongs to place the pastries and chestnut cakes into oiled paper, wrapping them up before handing them to the customers. As he listened to the clinking of coins dropping into the jar, he squinted his eyes and smiled sincerely: “Aunt Yang, here are your sanzi and glutinous rice sticks. Keep them safe and enjoy them slowly at home. They’re delicious.”
“Boss Ma, your chestnut cakes are freshly made today, and the crust is still flaky.”
“You must be new here, sir. Our chestnut cakes are delicious, and the sanzi is crispy and sweet. The more you chew, the better they taste. If you enjoy them, do come back next time.”…
After sending off the customers, only about ten chestnut cakes remained on the table, along with roughly two pounds of sanzi and glutinous rice sticks. Estimating that it wouldn’t be long before he could close up shop, Ruan Su happily rearranged the remaining chestnut cakes.
“If only I had a shop,” Ruan Su thought wistfully. “I could make them fresh and sell them on the spot. The aroma would attract even more customers.”
Ruan Su wasn’t boasting. When the chestnut cakes came out of the oven, their enticing aroma was irresistible to anyone passing by.
But unfortunately:
He was short on money. Having a small stall in the West Market was already a blessing, let alone dreaming of owning a shop.
“Young proprietor.”
The strange accent caught Ruan Su’s attention. He looked up to see eight Hu merchants standing in front of the stall. The leader, with deep-set eyes and a tall stature, asked, “I heard from the waiter at Liu’s Eatery that your pastries are delicious. I’d like to see if they’re as good as he says.”
Seeing An Tuoyan and his group dressed in Hu attire, laden with goods, including plenty of fatty cured pork, Ruan Su’s eyes lit up. He immediately realized he had a “big customer.”
“You’ve come to the right place,” Ruan Su said, taking a small knife from his bag and cutting a chestnut cake into eight pieces. He placed them at the front of the table, along with some sanzi and glutinous rice sticks, and said with a smile: “Since it’s your first time here, if you don’t trust me, you can try a sample first.”
This gesture won An Tuoyan and his companions over, and they decided that even if the taste wasn’t great, they would buy all the pastries from the young proprietor’s stall.
“Hahaha, the young proprietor is generous,” An Tuoyan laughed. “If the taste is as good as you say, I’ll buy everything you have left.”
Ruan Su smiled lightly: “I might have to close up early today then.” His confidence was evident in his words.
An Tuoyan picked up a piece of chestnut cake. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but as he brought it closer, he caught a faint chestnut aroma. The flaky crust was adorned with a few sparse sesame seeds. As he took a bite, the crust crumbled, and the texture was dense and sweet, with a hint of sesame fragrance.
The natural flavor of the chestnuts mingled with the oil, sugar, and sesame aroma, filling his mouth with a delightful taste. By the time An Tuoyan realized he wanted another piece, his companions had already finished the chestnut cakes on the table.
With a helpless smile, he turned his attention to the sanzi and glutinous rice sticks, sampling each. The sanzi was crispy, and the unique aroma of fried flour burst in his mouth, leaving him wanting more.
He also tried the glutinous rice sticks, which were equally crispy. The subtle fragrance of the glutinous rice was enhanced by the maltose coating, making them sweet and delicious.
“How is it?” An Tuoyan asked his companions.
“Not bad.”
“I want more of the sweet cakes.”
“These are perfect for snacking while driving the carriage.”
“Let’s buy them all.”
“It’s not much; we might finish them all tonight.”…
“Wrap them all up for me,” An Tuoyan said with a wave of his hand, asking Ruan Su, “How much will it be?”
Seeing the satisfaction on their faces, Ruan Su smiled and said, “The chestnut cakes are six coins each, the sanzi is sixteen coins per pound, and the glutinous rice sticks are thirty-two coins per pound. There are twelve chestnut cakes left, and a pound each of sanzi and glutinous rice sticks, totaling one hundred and nineteen coins.”
The price wasn’t cheap, which was why Ruan Su had chosen to set up his stall in the West Market. Those who traded there generally had more money than ordinary folk.
“Alright.”
An Tuoyan handed over a total of one hundred and thirty coins. Ruan Su declined twice, but in the end, under An Tuoyan’s insistence, he accepted the coins with a smile.
After Ruan Su packed up the pastries and handed them to An Tuoyan’s companions, An Tuoyan said, “I have other brothers. We’ll be leaving Jinguan City the day after tomorrow and will need one hundred and fifty chestnut cakes, forty pounds of sanzi, and fifty pounds of glutinous rice sticks. Would you be willing to take on this order?”
He knew it was a big order!
It was worth giving out a sample of the chestnut cake. Suppressing his excitement, Ruan Su’s eyes sparkled as he confidently promised, “Of course, there’s no problem. Rest assured, my skills are reliable. The taste you experience today will be the same when you pick them up in three days.”
After agreeing on the delivery time and receiving a deposit, An Tuoyan and the Hu merchants quickly moved on to other places.
“Today was a lucky day.”
Placing the money jar into his basket, Ruan Su folded the white cloth from the table and placed it on top of the jar. He took down the Ruan’s Pastry Shop flag and tucked it into the basket. He gave the hibiscus flowers to An Tuoyan as a gift, then cheerfully headed to the Market Supervisory Office to return the permit.
Petals from the hibiscus flowers floated on the Jin River, and the sound of singing drifted from the boats. Ruan Su, carrying his basket, hummed along to the tunes favored by the wealthy young masters as he crossed the stone bridge, heading straight for the city gates.
Outside the gates, several ox carts were parked, one of which still had room for a passenger. Ruan Su approached and paid two coins, cradling his basket as he sat down.
As the wheels rumbled along, the bustling cityscape of Jinguan City gradually gave way to the wildflowers and greenery lining the dirt roads. The Shu region was mountainous, with winding rocky paths. Even the villages surrounding Jinguan City required a journey of one or two watches.
The ox cart passed by several village entrances, with passengers disembarking along the way. As the cart became less crowded, Ruan Su placed his basket on the empty seat beside him, enjoying the view of wild chrysanthemums and lush grass along the mountain path until the driver called out in a drawn-out voice:
“Huanhua Village is here!”
Thanking the driver, Ruan Su jumped off the ox cart, slung the basket over his back, and cheerfully headed home.
A stream meandered alongside the path at the village entrance. The houses in Huanhua Village were scattered, and being close to Jinguan City, the villagers were well-off. There were about ten families living in blue-brick houses, and even those in thatched cottages rarely lacked food and drink.
Enviously glancing at the blue-brick houses of others, Ruan Su resolved for the umpteenth time that he would have one too someday!
Unlike other houses in the village, the Ruan family home backed onto a large mountain, with no close neighbors, as if it were a forgotten corner of Huanhua Village.
The thatched cottage wasn’t very large, with weathered wood showing signs of wear. The doors and windows bore grayish-white marks from repeated paste repairs, and a rough wooden fence barely enclosed a yard.
Facing the gate was the main room. To the left was the master bedroom where Ruan Jian and Zhou Mei slept, and to the right was Ruan Su’s room. Next to the master bedroom was the kitchen, and beyond that was a crude chicken and duck pen.
Outside Ruan Su’s room was a straw shed, housing two large water jars, piles of hay, a sickle, and a hoe. Beside the water jars was a stone platform resembling a stove, with a mud-covered arched “cave” on top, similar to a clay oven but different.
Behind the house, a wooden fence enclosed a small vegetable garden, with the outhouse conveniently nearby for irrigation.
Hearing the distant clucking of chickens and ducks, Ruan Su quickened his pace. As he approached, he noticed an unfamiliar visitor in the yard, dressed in red and green, with a sycophantic smile. It was Matchmaker Liu, known throughout the area.
Standing opposite Matchmaker Liu was a thin, sallow-faced woman in coarse linen clothes, Ruan Su’s mother, Zhou Mei.
“Sister Zhou, listen to me. Although Young Master Qin isn’t from our Shu region, his family is very respectable and generous. Ruan ge’er won’t suffer if he marries into their family. If you agree to let Ruan ge’er marry him, the Qin family has promised this much for the bride price.”
Matchmaker Liu gestured with her hands, causing Zhou Mei’s eyes to widen in surprise. Seeing Zhou Mei’s reaction, Matchmaker Liu smiled smugly and continued:
“I say this is a blessing from the heavens. The Qin family’s second young master is handsome and dignified. You know, if you miss this opportunity, there won’t be another like it. Besides, Ruan ge’er isn’t getting any younger; it’s time to make plans.”
Hearing Matchmaker Liu’s words, Zhou Mei hesitated and said, “Well… I’ll discuss it with Ruan ge’er when he returns.”
“What’s there to discuss!” Matchmaker Liu said, exasperated. “It’s always been the parents’ decision and the matchmaker’s word. Since Ruan ge’er acknowledges you as his mother, you can make the decision for him!”
“I…” Zhou Mei said awkwardly, “I can’t decide for Ruan ge’er.”
Matchmaker Liu furrowed her brows, about to persuade further, when the gate creaked open and a clear voice called out, “Aunt Liu, if you have something to say, say it to me. Don’t trouble my mother.”
“Ruan ge’er!”
Zhou Mei, as if seeing a savior, quickly took the basket off Ruan Su’s back and said to him, “You talk to Aunt Liu. I’ll take these things into the main room.”
The basket contained forty pounds of flour and forty-two pounds of glutinous rice flour. Ruan Su didn’t want her to carry it, but seeing Zhou Mei’s insistence, he let go.
Turning to see Matchmaker Liu still standing there, Ruan Su approached with a smile and said, “Auntie, you’re introducing a match for me?”
“Yes,” Matchmaker Liu began to repeat what she had told Zhou Mei, but Ruan Su interrupted, “There’s no need to trouble you, Auntie. I already have plans.”
Matchmaker Liu became anxious: “Ruan ge’er, do you know what kind of family I’m introducing? Ordinary families can’t compare. Don’t be foolish and give up the chance to be the legitimate wife of a wealthy family, only to marry a farmer!”
Ruan Su replied calmly, “Don’t worry, Auntie. Since it’s a matter of my future, I won’t take it lightly. I’m sorry you made the trip for nothing.”
Matchmaker Liu, not one to give up easily, pressed further: “Who is it that Ruan ge’er has taken a liking to? If it’s not settled yet, we can still discuss it.”
“There’s no need,” Ruan Su said with a faint smile, his expression serene. “I’ve arranged with a broker to buy a man to be my live-in husband in a few days.”
Author’s Note:
Ruan ge’er: Guess if I’m serious or not
Qin Yunxiao: Deep in thought
Check out my next book: “The Lazy Little Brother of the Overpowered Protagonist”
Bai Li accidentally transmigrated into a power-struggle novel, becoming the sidekick of the overpowered protagonist, Mu Fengze.
Unfortunately, Bai Li arrived neither at the time when Mu Fengze was commanding armies nor when he ascended the throne…
Spitting out the grass stem he was chewing, Bai Li looked at the protagonist, who was dressed in patched clothes like him, and sighed, “Ao Tian, when will you make something of yourself? I just want to relax.”
Putting down the stick in his hand, the “Overpowered Protagonist” turned to him with a puzzled expression: “Ah Li, you’ve got my name wrong again. I’m Er Niu.”
Bai Li: …
Right, the “Overpowered Protagonist” was not yet overpowered, just a five-year-old village boy; Mu Fengze wasn’t Mu Fengze yet, but Wang Er Niu.
Sprawled on the ground, Bai Li closed his eyes in frustration.
He longed for a life of wealth and luxury, not one without computers or phones, filled with endless farm work.
But the protagonist is still the protagonist, and his aura quietly descended. At thirteen, Mu Fengze was discovered by the royal family as a lost heir, and Bai Li, as a lucky charm, followed him into the palace.
However, being a prince was tough. To become Mu Fengze, Wang Er Niu had to endure many hardships.
For example: waking up before dawn to study, practicing martial arts daily, writing calligraphy, studying military strategy, and mastering the classics… nothing could be neglected.
Bai Li grinned, lounging in the hall with his legs crossed. The “Overpowered Protagonist” was meant to be ambitious, while he, as a sidekick, chose to be a carefree slacker!
Witnessing Mu Fengze’s rise from prince to crown prince, and from crown prince to emperor, Bai Li nodded in satisfaction. Just as he was about to ask his “big brother” to arrange a residence for him in the capital, he saw the imposing Mu Fengze kneel and gently take his hand, asking with tender eyes:
“Ah Li, would you be my consort?”
Bai Li: !
Wasn’t he just a sidekick? How did he become a consort?
[Mini Theater]
Bai Li: “I don’t really want to be a consort.”
Mu Fengze’s smile remained unchanged: “That’s fine. Do you want to go back to the village and farm?”
Bai Li: ?
Bai Li angrily retorted: Is this how you treat someone you like?
Mu Fengze: Just kidding, you can’t go back to the village anyway.
Beautiful, carefree slacker uke * Overpowered, obsessive seme
1v1, both pure