After that, during the day, Ye Yunniang would first go to work at the Baise Embroidery Shop.
After closing the shop, he would run all over Jiangcheng, buying back mountain products, dried fruits, salted fish... anything edible and storable, and storing it in the cellar.
Taking advantage of the changing seasons, Ye Yunniang went to the pharmacy and bought a lot of ready-made pills, citing the fear that the elderly and children in her family might get sick, and put them in the cellar.
Watching the shelves in the cellar gradually fill up, Ye Yunniang felt a great sense of accomplishment.
During this period, Jiangcheng also began to clean and dig deep wells throughout the city. News of this year's drought also spread.
People in Jiangcheng rushed to queue up to buy food.
Grain prices rose rapidly in an instant.
To avoid arousing suspicion, Cai Damei and Ye Yunniang took turns queuing up to buy grain from the rice and flour shops.
The price of rice and flour changes every day.
The price of flour, which was originally 8 coins per pound, rose to 20 coins per pound in just 8 days.
Rice also rose from 6 coins per catty to 30 coins per catty.
Even so, it's still very difficult to buy. People queuing up every day often miss out on food. Families end up going hungry.
The people cried out in sorrow and resentment.
Bao Min, as the prefect of Jiangcheng, acted promptly and summoned the major grain merchants for talks.
Rice and flour shops are operating normally, but there is a purchase limit of 5 jin per person per day. Prices have dropped somewhat, but are still 8-10 wen more expensive than usual.
Ye Yunniang, who had been queuing up early in the morning, bought 5 jin of rice, while Qiongniang, who was behind her, bought 5 jin of flour.
Back in Wanxia Lane, we went to the Li family's house first.
Ye Yunniang weighed out 2 jin of rice and gave it to Mi Qiongniang.
Qiongniang weighed out 3 jin of flour and gave it to Ye Yunniang.
Give the money for the rice and flour to the other party.
Qiong Niang returned home satisfied.
Ye Yunniang put the rice and flour in the kitchen.
A knock sounded on the door.
The door opened and there was Chunyao.
After entering the house, Chunyao said mysteriously, "I have connections to buy rice and flour. Do you want some?"
Is it safe? Is it reliable?
“Absolutely no problem. Your brother-in-law found the way, and my family ordered 5,000 jin of rice and 3,000 jin of flour.” Chunyao announced the quantities her family had ordered.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunniang expressed her desire to buy it. However, she said, "How much is it? I don't have much money."
"The prices are a bit higher than in the market. Rice is 29, and flour is 25."
"So expensive!"
"They're smuggled into the city from the south. It takes money to bribe officials on all sides," Chunyao explained, justifying the high price.
After considering it, Ye Yunniang gave the quantity she wanted.
"I need 100 jin of rice and 200 jin of flour."
"You only bought this much?"
"I want to buy more, but my family can't afford it," Ye Yunniang said, her pockets empty.
"I'll lend it to you," Chunyao readily agreed.
Chunyao believed that by helping Ye Yunniang, she would receive double or even a hundred times the reward from Jiang Mingzhe in the future.
“Sister Chunyao, I appreciate your kindness. But I can’t lend it to you; it’s not easy for you to earn money.” Ye Yunniang shook her head.
"I bought some before, and with this purchase, it's enough for my family to eat for 2 to 3 months."
After finishing our meal, we received the summer harvest. The prices of rice and flour should drop somewhat.
"It hasn't rained for over a month. If it continues to stop raining, we don't even know if we'll be able to harvest the summer grain," Chunyao advised Ye Yunniang, urging her to make preparations as soon as possible.
"I believe the imperial court won't abandon us. I'm queuing up to buy food every day now, and I'm able to save some."
Seeing that Ye Yunniang had made up her mind, Chunyao stopped trying to persuade her and went home.
"What did Madam say?"
"100g of rice, 200g of noodles," Chunyao announced the weight Ye Yunniang had bought.
"How can this little bit be enough to eat?" Chef Jin frowned.
"I've tried to persuade her until my tongue is dry, but she still won't buy more," Chunyao said helplessly.
"Let's buy a little more. If it's not enough, you can send some to Madam," Chef Jin said after thinking for a moment.
"Where would we get the money at home?" The money to buy food was raised by Chunyao by pawning some of her jewelry.
"I have a way," Chef Jin said without revealing his answer.
Ye Yunniang didn't ask Chunyao when the rice and flour would arrive, and she still lined up early every day to buy rice and flour.
Half a month later, Ye Yunniang received a message from Chunyao that the rice and flour had arrived.
Ye Yunniang gave the money she had prepared to Chunyao.
One night, Chef Jin brought 20 bags of rice and flour with someone he trusted.
"Brother-in-law Jin gave too much; take it back." Ye Yunniang's money is at most three bags.
"Eat this food first. If it's not enough, I'll send more," Chef Jin said before leaving with his men.
Afraid of waking up the Xu family next door, Ye Yunniang didn't dare to speak loudly or stop them.
Looking at the 20 bags of grain in the main room, he rolled up his sleeves.
The main room faces the courtyard gate, so that anyone can see it by peeking out during the day.
Ye Yunniang tried to carry it on her back, but she couldn't.
The sack slipped and was about to hit Ye Yunniang.
A strong hand caught the sack that was about to hit Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang looked up and saw Tong Mo.
What are you doing here?
"I heard a noise and came to check it out," Tong Mo explained, picking up a sack in each hand.
The sack of grain that Ye Yunniang carried was as heavy as a mountain, but Tong Mo handled it as easily as if it were a toy.
Tong Mo easily carried the grain into the cellar.
"I've boiled some water. Take it back and wash yourself."
"Okay." Tong Mo took the bucket of hot water from Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang withdrew her hand, and Tong Mo grasped Ye Yunniang's hand with his other hand.
"I acted rashly before and hurt you. I apologize. I will change. I will become more mature and stable. Please give me a chance?"
After Tong Mo finished speaking, he released Ye Yunniang's hand and left.
He was afraid of hearing Ye Yunniang's rejection.
Ye Yunniang smiled as she watched Tong Mo flee in a somewhat disheveled state.
Where is he being composed?
The well cleaning team arrived at Sunset Lane.
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