Everyone thought their ears were playing tricks on them.
They stared straight at Shen Qingyue in disbelief.
This bully was actually giving things away?
Aunt Zhang was the first to react, eyeing the oil-paper packages in Shen Qingyue’s hand suspiciously.“Sweet cakes, such a rare treat—how could the Shen family possibly make them? Who are you trying to fool?”
“Don’t be deceived by her!”
“If the Shen family could make sweet cakes, roosters would lay eggs!”
Shen Qingyue ignored Aunt Zhang, passed the sweet cakes to Chen the hunter.
“Returning a favor—here’s a gift in return.”
Chen the hunter thanked her, unwrapped the oil paper, revealing neat pale honey-colored sweet cakes. The fresh, sweet scent of rice filled the air, making mouths water.
The three children gathered around, eagerly eyeing the sweet cakes:“Dad, I want some…”
Aunt Zhang wiped her mouth and, on her own, reached out,“There’s so much sweet cake, I’ll try a piece too.”
Chen the hunter was quick, dodging Aunt Zhang’s hand and handing a piece to each of the three children, putting the rest away,“Our family is large, we don’t have enough for ourselves.”
Old Madam Chen also protected the food, signaling Chen the hunter to take the sweet cakes inside and standing in front of Aunt Zhang,“Didn’t you say the Shen family couldn’t make sweet cakes? Now the food is right here—keep your mouth shut and stop gossiping behind our backs!”
Aunt Zhang’s face fell but she snapped back sarcastically,“What kind of morals do the Shen family have? The whole village knows—look at you, spineless and weak, bought off by just a bite.”
Old Madam Chen, sharp-tongued, fired back immediately,“Right, right, our Chen family’s spineless. You’re so full of backbone, why did you just try to grab some sweet cake? Go make your own at home.”
Aunt Zhang was furious—there wasn’t enough food to eat, where would money for sugar come from? Could she even make sweet cakes?
The two neighbors fell out in an instant.
In the village, petty squabbles were common—some days they fought, some days they made up.
Shen Qingyue had no interest in joining the argument, bid farewell, and stepped out of the yard.
Next, she also visited the Xu family but didn’t stay long there either.
**
Early the next morning.
Shen Qingyue and Shen Erya took the ox cart into town to sell sweet cakes.
Shen Erya looked at the struggling passersby, their coarse cloth clothes patched over and over, and worriedly asked,“Brother, with famine and food shortages, no one has extra money. Will the sweet cakes sell well?”
“Even if ordinary people have money, they won’t spend it easily,” Shen Qingyue pondered.“Let me think…”
After a moment, an idea struck her,“We can set up a stall at the academy’s gate. Most students there come from wealthy families and must have money.”
The two pushed their stall setup to the academy entrance.
Many stalls were around, mostly selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Only a few sold food.
Good spots were already taken.
Shen Qingyue had to set up further back.
“Erya, we’re far away. When the students finish classes later, shout loudly to attract them,” Shen Qingyue instructed. They couldn’t miss the best chance to sell.
“I…I’ve never shouted before. I’m afraid I won’t be able to,” Shen Erya nervously twisted her clothes.
When selling embroidery, customers came over on their own when they liked something; no shouting was needed.
Besides, in front of these refined students, she felt shy and unworthy, barely daring to speak, let alone shout.
Shen Qingyue patted her shoulder, jokingly comparing:“Just think of the students as walking silver coins! If silver could walk to you, wouldn’t you have to shout and call the God of Wealth?”
Shen Erya giggled, the nervousness instantly gone.
Shen Qingyue looked again toward the academy gate, just in time to see it open and students in Confucian robes walking out.
“The academy’s dismissed—start shouting!”
Shen Qingyue reminded her and began waving her hand, calling out:“Passing by, don’t miss out! Fragrant, soft sweet cakes—one hundred wen per jin! Not tasty? No charge!”
The price was higher than usual snacks, so most students just glanced without approaching.
Shen Qingyue adapted immediately, wrapping a piece in oil paper and walking up to a student.
“Young sir, would you like to try a piece? Twelve wen each, fragrant, sweet, and soft. Try one yourself, or take some home for your wife and children.”
The student hesitated, reluctant to spend money.
Shen Qingyue cut a small piece, carefully skewered it on a thin bamboo stick, and offered it,“Free sample, sir—please have a taste.”
The student bit into the sweet cake, eyes lighting up,“Actually better than the sweet cakes sold by Xu’s!”
Nearby students looked over.
“Really? Such a small stall makes sweet cakes this good?”
Zhou Xingwang, a landlord’s son with no shortage of money, and not very scholarly but a big foodie, stepped forward quickly.
He handed over twelve copper coins to Shen Qingyue,“Boss, give me one. I don’t believe it can beat Xu’s sweet cakes!”
Shen Qingyue gave a glance to Shen Erya.
Erya understood, wrapped a one-li piece of sweet cake in oil paper, and handed it to Zhou Xingwang.
Selling by the piece was better than by weight.
Good idea from brother.
Zhou Xingwang unwrapped it and bit in, loudly exclaiming,“Definitely better than Xu’s, with a faint herbal fragrance!”
“Boss, give me a jin!”
“All right!” Shen Erya’s spirits soared. With money coming in, shyness was forgotten as she quickly weighed, wrapped, and handed the sweet cakes to Zhou.
People love to join crowds, and students were no exception.
After the first buyer, many students eagerly handed over coins, competing to buy sweet cakes.
“Boss, one piece for me!”
“I’ll take three!”
“Give me a jin!”
The clinking of coins dropping into the money pouch never stopped.
Shen Erya beamed with joy, no trace of shyness left, shouting even louder than Shen Qingyue:“Soft and fluffy sweet cakes! Not tasty? No charge! One piece twelve wen, three pieces thirty wen, one jin one hundred wen…”
Scholar Wang walked out of the academy and frowned instinctively when he saw Shen Erya calling out.
He originally didn’t want to pay attention, but the sweet cakes looked so tempting he couldn’t help but swallow.
Shen Erya had liked Wang for years, always able to spot him in a crowd.
This time was no exception.
Her gaze involuntarily fell on Wang, fingers clenched tightly, silently telling herself not to look, not to think, forget the faithless man!
Wang saw Shen Erya ignoring him and suddenly felt a surge of anger.
He strode to the stall and sneered,“Shen Erya, all your past affection was just an act!”