Chapter 266 Self-Reliance
A simple shed, a wood-fired stove with a large iron pot on top, filled with boiling water, and three tables and a long bench set up along the main road.
On the cutting board next to the wood-fired stove were already wrapped wontons and glutinous rice balls.
Song Zhimian, Princess Shou Kang, and Princess Yongxin sat at a table further inside.
Their clothes were exquisite, and people immediately stopped coming over when they saw their demeanor.
Song Zhiqing smiled and placed the cooked wontons and glutinous rice balls in front of the three of them.
"Try it, I made it myself, it's very clean! I only gave you half the portion of each dish, so try them all!" Song Zhiqing said, pulling out three clean white porcelain spoons from under the cutting board.
“I’ve been keeping it safe because I was afraid of running into wealthy guests here. I never expected you to be the first to use it.”
Not only did Song Zhimian remain silent, but Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin also remained silent.
They both knew Song Zhiqing; she had been a guest at their banquets in the capital.
Although Song Zhiqing's status couldn't compare to theirs, she was still a daughter of the capital, a noble family, and now...
He was dressed in simple clothes, his hands were rough from working, and his face was not as fair and tender as it was in the capital city because of the wind and sun.
Song Zhimian picked up a spoon, scooped up a wonton, and ate it.
The fennel filling has a unique, refreshing aroma.
I took another bite of the glutinous rice ball; it was filled with black sesame and tasted great.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin each took a bite.
"It tastes good. I never knew you could make these kinds of dishes!" Song Zhimian asked.
Song Zhiqing smiled.
"I never had the chance to do it before!"
"How did you end up here? I thought you were going to Jinling. I even inquired about it in Jinling a few days ago!" Song Zhimian continued to ask.
Song Zhijing smiled shyly.
"When I first left the capital, I wanted to go to Jinling. At that time, I thought Jinling must be the most prosperous prefecture city in Jiangnan."
Later, they traveled to Jiangnan with the merchant caravans from Suzhou.
I chatted with the people in the caravan, and they all said that Suzhou's prosperity was no less than that of Nanjing.
"Besides, there are many women in Suzhou who go out to do business, so I came to Suzhou with the merchant caravan," Song Zhijing explained.
Song Zhimian nodded and continued eating her wontons and glutinous rice balls.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin, who were standing nearby, asked Song Zhijing some other questions...
Song Zhiqing lived outside Suzhou City in a rented courtyard, paying ten taels of silver a year.
She originally wanted to set up a stall in Suzhou, but the cost of setting up a stall in Suzhou was higher than outside the city. Not only was there no suitable place, but it would also take a considerable amount of time to go in and out of the city every day.
Later, seeing that there were many merchant caravans coming and going on the official road, Song Zhijing decided to set up a stall here.
Song Zhiqing told outsiders that she came to Suzhou to make a living after her husband died. Because she was the second child in her family, everyone called her Song Erniang.
"The shed was built with the help of others. Although Suzhou gets a lot of rain, it is still quite sturdy."
"The fillings for wontons and glutinous rice balls aren't just vegetarian; there are meat fillings too. But I didn't make any meat fillings for you. You're important people, and I wouldn't dare give you greasy food from outside. It wouldn't be good if you got an upset stomach." Song Zhijing said as she continued wrapping wontons.
"How much can you earn in a day?" Song Zhimian asked.
"A day... after deducting costs, I can earn at least fifty coins, which is not bad and quite stable. My glutinous rice balls are delicious, and many city people come to eat them!" Song Zhijing said with a bit of pride.
Song Zhimian nodded.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin asked Song Zhiqing a few more questions.
Song Zhijing answered them one by one.
"Can you buy land? If you have land, life should be a little easier!" Song Zhimian continued to ask.
Song Zhimin knew that Song Zhiqing must have enough money to buy land.
Even excluding what her mother secretly gave her, the little purse that Song Zhimin gave her could buy quite a lot of land.
With a small courtyard and some land, Song Zhiqing should be living a pretty comfortable life in Suzhou.
Song Zhiqing smiled and shook her head.
"Elder sister, I know you mean well. Having land means I can make a living no matter what."
But I live alone. If I buy land, I'll have to hire people or rent it out to others to farm.
Since I don't have any scholars or graduates around me, I can't avoid paying land taxes.
When you calculate it this way, after a year of hard work, you don't save much money.
Although the imperial court is considerate of the people and has reduced taxes significantly, I, as a woman, still find it difficult.
If the harvest is bad, life will be even harder.
"It's better to set up a small stall like this. The cost isn't high, and I can make money every day. I can eat my fill and my whole family won't go hungry!" Song Zhijing said with a smile.
Song Zhimian felt as if something flashed through her mind, but it quickly passed.
Looking at Song Zhiqing's current state, she suddenly asked a question in a low voice.
Are you tired?
Song Zhiqing was taken aback, then gently shook her head.
"I'm not tired! Although I have to get up early and work late every day and do everything myself, I feel more at ease now."
She used to be a pampered young lady, with everything done for her, and seemed very carefree.
They all have things hidden in their hearts.
But now, after I'm done with my work and have made some money, I sleep really well and feel very at ease.
At least now I earn what I eat and drink with my own hands. I am not a...useless person.
I seem to be able to survive anywhere.
"Elder sister, you don't need to worry. I'm doing very well. I'm content with my life now. At least I have a stable life with simple meals and no worries about being dragged into someone's house and beaten up all the time," Song Zhijing said earnestly to Song Zhimin.
Song Zhimin nodded and stopped asking Song Zhijing about these things.
Before leaving, even though Song Zhiqing repeatedly declined, Princess Shou Kang still left her a purse.
"Take it! It's fate that I ran into an old friend while I was out on business."
What? You dare not accept this princess's reward?
Song Zhiqing then accepted the purse.
Princess Yongxin also left a note for Song Zhiqing.
"When you live alone, you're bound to encounter all sorts of difficulties. If you ever run into something that's hard to solve, take this post to Chun Bu Wan in Suzhou, and the people there will help you."
Song Zhiqing accepted it, and then looked at Song Zhimian.
She knew that these two people were only taking care of her because of Song Zhimian.
"Elder sister..." Song Zhiqing didn't know what to say.
"Take good care of yourself. Life is what you make of it. You've already overcome such difficult times, so things will be better for you now."
"We're leaving!" Song Zhimin gently patted Song Zhiqing's shoulder before getting into the carriage.
Song Zhiqing watched as the three of them boarded the carriage and drove towards the gates of Suzhou...
She smiled, put away her purse and the invitation, and continued to greet people loudly.
"Wonton and glutinous rice balls, both vegetarian and meat fillings are available!"
Song Zhimin glanced back at Song Zhijing, who was busy greeting customers, and suddenly felt a little relieved.
Everyone has their own path to walk...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
