She knew of a method that could double the shelf life of pickled vegetables, and she also knew how to make delicious sauces from simple ingredients. But for now, such things would attract far too much attention.
“We’ll think about those things slowly after we’ve put down roots in Han Village, have our own fields, and build good relations with the neighbors.”
She said it to Shen Mingxuan, but it sounded as though she were reminding herself as well.
“Right now, the most important thing is filling our stomachs and giving Father and Mother fewer things to worry about.”
When Shen Jingzhi returned from work, the family was sorting dried wild vegetables in the courtyard.
Shen Weiwan told him about their plan to go to the market, emphasizing in particular:
“We’ll only sell fresh vegetables and pickled goods. We’ll set the price a little lower than everyone else’s and aim for quick sales without drawing attention.”
After listening, Shen Jingzhi nodded.
“I’ll accompany you on my day off so you can learn the way. At the northern market, there’s an old soldier surnamed Li. He used to be the head bailiff at the yamen and is an upright man. I’ve already asked someone to speak to him. When you see him, be respectful. He can look after you a little.”
“Father has thought of everything.”
Warmth filled Shen Weiwan’s heart.
She knew that although her father seemed quiet and reserved, he always put their safety first.
At the first crow of the rooster, the sky over Han Village had only just begun to brighten.
Shen Weiwan and Shen Mingxuan were already in the vegetable patch, stepping through the dew. The small sickles in their hands glimmered in the morning light as they harvested the greens with swift and gentle movements.
“Brother, slow down.”
Seeing Shen Mingxuan nearly cut through the root of a vegetable in his haste, Shen Weiwan quickly reminded him,
“Look at these dewdrops. Leave as many of them as you can. People can tell at a glance that the vegetables were just picked from the field. The fresher they look, the better the price they’ll fetch.”
Shen Mingxuan slowed down and carefully stacked the harvested vegetables into a bamboo basket. The dewdrops rolled across the leaves, reflecting his face.
“I understand. I’ll be more careful.”
The siblings worked quickly, and in less than half an hour they had filled three baskets.
The lush green vegetables were packed tightly together, carrying the damp scent of earth and fresh grass. Just looking at them lifted one’s spirits.
Liu Shi had long since gotten up. She had cooked several coarse-grain flatbreads and packed two large jars of pickled radish into Shen Mingxuan’s basket.
“If you get hungry on the road, eat the flatbreads. Don’t argue with anyone. If you can’t sell everything, come home early. I’ll keep some hot soup ready for you.”
“Mother, you’ve already said that three times.”
Shen Weiwan smiled as she took the flatbreads and tucked them into her clothes to keep them warm.
“It’s not our first time going out. Don’t worry.”
Yet Liu Shi still couldn’t put her mind at ease. Pulling on Shen Mingxuan’s arm, she continued to nag,
“Xuan’er, you’re the older brother. Take good care of your sister. The market is crowded with all sorts of people. Don’t let anyone trick you…”
“I know, Mother.”
Straightening his back, Shen Mingxuan already carried a sense of responsibility despite being only thirteen years old.
“I’ll protect my sister. Just wait at home for our good news.”
Shen Weiwan also stepped forward and hooked her arm around Liu Shi’s.
“Mother, think about it. Brother and I are still young and look rather pitiful. Who would have the heart to bully us? Besides, didn’t Father say that Old Soldier Li would look after us? We’re only going to scout the place and see what the market is like. If we want to keep going in the future, we have to start somewhere. We can’t rely on Father’s salary forever, can we?”
Her words were practical and sensible. Although Liu Shi’s heart was still uneasy, she knew her children were right.
Their family was no longer living in the Marquis’s Estate. Every coin had to be stretched as far as possible. Any additional income would be a blessing.
“Then… be careful on the road and come back early.”
At last, Liu Shi relented and slipped a small cloth pouch into Shen Mingxuan’s hand.
“There’s ten copper coins in here. If anything happens, they might come in handy.”
“Mother, we have money already.”
Shen Mingxuan tried to hand it back, but Liu Shi pressed his hand shut.
“Take it!”
Her voice caught in her throat.
“Mother can’t help you with much. This little bit of money…”
“Mother, we’ll take it.”
Shen Weiwan quickly accepted it and tucked it into Shen Mingxuan’s pocket.
“You should go back inside. We’re leaving now.”
The siblings waved to Liu Shi, shouldered their baskets, and headed toward the village entrance.
The morning sun stretched their shadows long across the ground. Shen Mingxuan walked ahead with steady steps, while Shen Weiwan followed behind, turning back from time to time to look at Liu Shi standing in the courtyard gate, until her figure became nothing more than a tiny dot.
“Wan’er, how much do you think our vegetables will sell for?” Shen Mingxuan asked, his eyes full of anticipation.
“Quite a lot, surely.”
Shen Weiwan was full of confidence.
“Our vegetables are fresh, and we’ll price them two copper coins cheaper than the others. They’ll definitely sell. Oh, and when we get to the market, talk less and listen to me. Smile more when you meet people. You can’t go wrong with that.”
“All right.”
Shen Mingxuan nodded.
He knew his younger sister had more ideas than he did. Most of the family’s affairs these days had been arranged by her.
The two of them continued on their way. The morning breeze brushed their faces, carrying the fresh scent of the fields.
More and more people appeared on the official road ahead, most of them villagers heading to the market just like them. Some carried shoulder poles, while others held baskets in their hands. The sounds of footsteps and conversation intertwined, full of everyday life and warmth.
Looking at the increasingly lively road before her, Shen Weiwan felt both nervous and excited.
She knew that this was the first time since leaving the Marquis’s Estate that their family would truly be earning a living with their own hands.
Shen Weiwan and Shen Mingxuan squeezed through the bustling crowd.
The vegetables in their bamboo baskets swayed gently in the morning breeze. The dewdrops had already dried, leaving only a thin layer of dust on the leaves.
“Wan’er, look over there.”
Shen Mingxuan nudged her with his elbow and motioned toward a nearby vegetable stall.
“It’s the same kind of greens, but one stall is asking five coins and another is asking eight. What about us…?”
Shen Weiwan frowned, her heart sinking.
Before coming, she had calculated that their vegetables were fresh enough to sell for seven coins a jin. But judging from the market now, even five coins might invite bargaining.
Vegetable stalls stood side by side all around them, and the greens in every basket looked fresh and appealing. Mixed in among them, their vegetables were utterly unremarkable.
The bigger problem was finding a place to set up.
All the good spots on the main street had long been occupied by veteran vendors. Circles marked in lime on the ground showed their permanent territories.
The remaining places were either too remote or next to foul-smelling ditches. Forget selling vegetables—even standing there for long was unpleasant.
“We can’t keep carrying these forever.”
Sweat had begun to bead on Shen Mingxuan’s forehead, and the baskets digging into his shoulders hurt.
“How about we put them down in some corner first?”
Shen Weiwan didn’t answer.
Her eyes rapidly swept across the market.
The sky had only just brightened, and many shops still had their door curtains rolled down while their assistants busied themselves removing the wooden panels.
Peddlers in short jackets wandered through the streets carrying shoulder poles and shouting their wares. The crisp clinking of copper coins mixed with the aroma of fried dough and the bloody smell of fresh meat.
Then she noticed something.
Several well-dressed people with identification plaques hanging from their waists were strolling leisurely through the market. They would occasionally stop to inspect a stall’s goods and ask about prices, but rarely bought anything immediately.
Shen Weiwan recognized them.
They were purchasing stewards from various households and cooks from restaurants.
They had come to pick out the finest goods.