In ancient times, women had little status in the family. Even spending a single coin required the man's consent. Underage children had no right to spend money, especially during years of famine when food prices were so high. Who wouldn't want to use their savings wisely?

Liang Shuyan made her decision, stood up, clapped her hands, and said, "Dashan, Erniu, pack your things, shall we try another place?"

Zhang took off her apron and looked at her mother-in-law with a puzzled expression: "Mother, where are we going?"

“Look, we’re right here at the East Gate, where people from several villages come and go. The South Gate, on the other hand, leads directly to the capital, where people are either officials or businessmen. Let’s try our luck there! Besides, it’s close to the docks, so there should be plenty of wealthy men there.”

Along the way, the mother and her three children pulled the cart, making a clanging and clattering sound, until they arrived at the South Gate.

Sure enough, the atmosphere at the South Gate was quite lively, with a constant stream of pedestrians. Waves of men were carrying large bags on the dock. Surprisingly, a group of people were building a wall on an open space nearby, which looked like a large training ground. The sun was scorching on the men's dark backs, and beads of sweat were dripping down their backs.

Liang Shuyan chose a large tree some distance away, set up a stall with the children, and started calling out to attract customers. Zhang Shi tied on an apron and saw that there were noodle and steamed bun vendors across the street, and all the people sitting at the door were men. She said in surprise, "Mother, you are absolutely right. Sure enough, it is all men eating here. Look, all the people sitting on that bench are men."

Erniu glanced at the stall and said, "At the very least, we should have a table and a chair. Why don't I go ahead and ask around to see if there's a cheaper set of tables and chairs we can rent for now?"

Liang Shuyan nodded: "Okay, here's 20 coins. Take it to rent some water, and while you're at it, see where there's water and bring some over for us. Dashan, you go with Erniu!"

Zhang couldn't stay idle either, so she imitated her mother-in-law and started calling out: "Delicious and pretty cold noodles, colorful little steamed buns, free samples, five coins a bowl!"

Zhang's soft voice immediately attracted the attention of two men.

A burly man glanced at Zhang and Liang Shuyan and asked, "What are these things? And some of them are green, are they edible?"

Seeing that customers were coming over, Liang Shuyan quickly followed: "Gentlemen, this is cold mung bean jelly. On this hot day, a bowl of it will cool you right up. Free samples are available, but quantities are limited, so hurry up and they'll be gone!"

The man glanced at the cart and saw several bowls, all filled with thin green and white strips, drizzled with bright red chili oil and sprinkled with cilantro. They looked so tempting that it almost made him want to eat them.

The man picked up the bowl, first licked it with his tongue, then picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. Before he could even taste it, a piece of jelly slid down his throat and into his stomach, giving him a refreshingly cool feeling.

He then picked up the bowl, took a sip of the liquid at the bottom, smacked his lips a couple of times, and said, "Hmm, not bad, delicious, and really refreshing. Damn, the water in that vat was so hot that I was stuffed, but this stuff cools me down with just one bite. Good stuff."

The man glanced at the small steamed bun in front of him again, his eyes widening in surprise: "What else do you have here besides jelly?"

"These are small steamed buns. Our small steamed buns are also carefully made by hand. Because the process is complicated, the price is a little higher than other steamed buns. But our steamed buns are unique in taste, soft and beautiful."

"Give me a bowl of cold noodles, and two small steamed buns!"

Liang Shuyan then quickly handed a bowl of cold noodles to the man, and Zhang Shi also quickly opened the steamer, took out two small steamed buns, and brought them over.

"I'm really sorry, but since I don't have a table here, you'll have to stand. However, you're our first customer here, so we'll give you two small steamed buns as a gift. Try them, and if you like them, please help us spread the word."

The man smiled憨厚ly: "It's alright, I'm building a wall in the military camp across the street. If your stuff is delicious, it'll be gone in no time without me advertising it."

The first bowl of cold noodles was sold, and the man praised it with great satisfaction: "Your steamed buns are so delicious! They're not only soft and sweet, but they're also decorated with carvings. This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it!"

Soon, Dashan and Erniu arrived. Erniu was carrying a table and a long bench, while Dashan had a bucket of water on his shoulder. They walked over with smiles on their faces.

"Mom, we have tables and chairs now. The shopkeeper said he'd rent these two tables and chairs to us for 5 coins a day, which is quite cheap."

As Erniu spoke, he arranged the table and chairs. Zhang Shi, being perceptive, stepped forward and quickly wiped the table and chairs.

Da Shan chuckled and said, "Mother, was that man our first guest?"

Liang Shuyan made some arrangements and then instructed Dashan: "Yes, that's right. Dashan, find a wooden board and make a nice-looking sign for our cold noodles and steamed buns, and put it in a conspicuous place."

Thinking about her first business deal of the morning, which ended because the woman left without disposable bowls and chopsticks, Liang Shuyan took advantage of a break to buy disposable lunch boxes and chopsticks from the system. These lunch boxes had no markings or names, so even in ancient times, one could easily pass them off as disposable.

Soon, another group of people came to the stall. This time, two men got off a carriage. One of them was wearing a purple robe with a jade pendant at his waist and a fan in his hand. He was obviously a young master from a wealthy family. The man behind him bowed and nodded, looking like a servant.

"Excuse me, what kind of food are you buying? One bowl, please! No, two bowls!"

A man dressed in fine clothes walked over, and another man hurriedly stood up, wiped the stool, and said, "Please sit down, and try this woman's food first."

Seeing that the man still didn't speak, Liang Shuyan stood in front of the stall, observing the two men's every move.

The man took a bite and immediately exclaimed, "What is this? It's so refreshing and delicious! Give me another bowl!"

The man serving him also took a bite and exclaimed in surprise, "Young master, this is so delicious! Even the head chef in the manor couldn't make something this good!"