But does Madam mean that if she sells to us officials, she'll raise the price?

As she spoke, she was clearly asking if the other party was going to raise her price, and there should have been some embarrassment in her voice. However, Xi Rou appeared completely open and honest.

I thought she was a respectable servant in a wealthy family, but it turns out she was actually the mistress of a poor household.

A rare look of surprise appeared on Gu Yaoniang's face: "You are Zhang's sister-in-law?"

Xi Rou was surprised: "Do you know my master?"

Gu Yaoniang chuckled: "The first time I met Lord Zhang, he brought many snacks for you. Your deep affection for each other is truly enviable."

A sweet smile appeared on Xi Rou's face, but her words sounded like she was annoyed: "He brought that for me! He just wanted something sweet."

The smile on her face was impossible to hide.

Having received Zhang Wushan's righteous words, Gu Yaoniang felt a greater affinity for Xirou.

She smiled and said, "Lord Zhang spoke up for the Gu family, and the Gu family will always remember this kindness. Sister Xirou, you came here in person today to order meals for the ordinary people who work in your home, so how could I raise the price?"

The term "wife" was replaced with "elder sister".

In fact, Xi Rou was prepared for Gu Yaoniang to raise the price. Even if it was more expensive, it was still better than building a new stove in the mansion. It would save her from the unsightly appearance of a new stove if she didn't take it down, and the heartache of spending money if she did. But to her surprise, Gu Yaoniang didn't intend to raise the price, so she felt a little embarrassed: "Madam Gu, didn't you say this was a losing deal? It's alright, we'll still pay you the price you set at no loss."

Gu Yaoniang smiled and shook her head: "No need. Sister Xirou, if you really feel bad about it, please mention our Cheap Kitchen to others for me. If more households order meals from our Cheap Kitchen, I will be more than grateful to you!"

Xi Rou then gave up and readily agreed.

After seeing Xirou off, Gu Yaoniang and Bitao exchanged a glance and laughed. Gu Yaoniang had finally figured out how to make money from the cheap kitchen.

The food was all for the laborers, and the laborers wanted to work for the families who provided the meals, but they couldn't bear to spend their own money on food. Gu Yaoniang could come up with a different idea: to have the families they worked for pay for their meals.

That's really great!