Chapter 359 Extra Chapter: Song Erniang (Part 1)
Near the city gate outside Suzhou, in a simple shed, a pretty young woman was quickly wrapping wontons.
This is a wonton stall, and in addition to wontons, it also sells snacks such as fried dough sticks and fried dough twists.
People coming and going from Suzhou often stop here to eat a bowl of wontons or buy a couple of fried dough sticks to take with them.
"Song Erniang! You're here really early today! You've already made so many wontons!" The old woman selling tea across the street greeted the young woman with a smile as she set up her stall.
Song Erniang quickly smiled and said a few words.
"There are many merchants traveling these days. Although there are many restaurants in the city, there are always those who are in a hurry to get on their way and do not go into the city."
The weather has been a bit hot these past few days, so I got up in the middle of the night to prepare the filling and then came over.
We'll pack some up and leave them in advance, otherwise we won't have enough time when there are more people later!
"Auntie, you're up early today too!"
The two of them started chatting back and forth.
Gradually, more and more people set up stalls outside the city.
There were vendors selling steamed buns, freshly caught aquatic delicacies from the lake, as well as vegetables and other seafood...
The sun had just risen when the place was already bustling with activity.
There are many vegetable vendors in Suzhou, but people who live a regular life know that there are also vegetable vendors outside the city. The vegetables sold there are not only cheaper than those in the city, but they are also very fresh.
People who were careful with their money would go outside the city to buy vegetables when the city gates opened.
This place outside Suzhou gradually became lively.
This Song Erniang has been running her stall here for five years. She used to only sell wontons and could only sell about ten bowls a day, but now she can't even keep up with the demand for wontons she makes every day.
Song Erniang is Song Zhijing, Song Zhimin's half-sister.
Having changed her identity after leaving the capital, she settled down in Suzhou.
She loved everything about Suzhou; the ancient city shrouded in mist early in the morning soothed her restless emotions.
Looking at the ancient city with its dense network of waterways, Song Zhiqing would forget everything that happened in the capital.
In fact, she really is starting a new life in a different place.
My eldest sister said that a path is made by walking it. If she doesn't walk it herself, how can she forge her own path?
Song Zhiqing fell in love with Suzhou as soon as she arrived. She had only seen the name Suzhou in poems before. She knew that Suzhou was a prosperous place in Jiangnan and one of the most popular places for literati.
And so, Song Zhiqing became Song Erniang.
She styled her hair in a traditional Chinese updo, and like the women who ran small businesses, she wrapped her hair in a handkerchief.
People could tell from her accent that she wasn't from Suzhou. Song Erniang was also very generous in telling others that she was from the outskirts of the capital. Because her husband had died and she had no children, she was kicked out by her husband's family. She originally planned to go to Jinling to seek refuge with a relative.
Who knew that the entire family of that relative had moved to Lingnan.
With no other option, she continued south until she reached Suzhou, where she could no longer walk and stayed there.
Later, I realized I couldn't just sit around and do nothing, so I decided to sell wontons.
Upon hearing this, the people around her immediately felt sorry for her. "Alas, she's just a person with a hard life. If she weren't so unlucky, why would such a young girl be out in public setting up a stall?"
Look at the stitches on that person's clothes; they could do a great job even in an embroidery shop!
At first, Song Erniang opened her mouth as she watched the passing caravans of merchants.
But looking at the wrapped wontons there, if they couldn't be sold, she would have to eat them herself. She has a small appetite, how much could she possibly eat?
Left with no other choice, she finally started shouting out her wares.
It worked very well! At least all the wontons we made that day were sold.
Gradually, Song Erniang smiled more and more, and her wonton stall business got better and better.
Finally, her stall was transformed from a carrying pole into a small stall with a canopy, and she was able to serve more and more customers.
Merchants who frequently travel to Suzhou know that there is a pretty young woman selling wontons outside Suzhou.
She was cheerful and generous, and kind to everyone she passed by. If she encountered a merchant who was a little short of money and had difficulty making payments, Song Erniang would always smile and say to them, "It's alright, you can pay next time you come!"
When you're out and about, everyone encounters difficulties sometimes. My abilities are limited, so all I can do is treat you to a bowl of wontons!
Over time, passing caravans would stop at Song Erniang's place to rest and have a bowl of hot wontons.
Of course, some people saw how capable Song Erniang was and thought about finding her a husband.
Aunt Zhang, who sells tea across the street, had thought about finding a husband for Song Erniang.
"It's not easy for a woman like you. Why don't you find a family to marry in Suzhou?"
Find someone with land who's hardworking and can endure hardship; that way, you won't have to work too hard!
Song Erniang shook her head. The word "marriage" gave her a headache. She didn't want to get married again. She was fine as she was, with only herself to feed and no one else to worry about.
If you don't want to stay in Suzhou anymore, you can pack your things and leave.
Song Erniang's wonton stall was set up very well. She was also quite smart. Even without anyone teaching her, she managed to get the little stall up and running.
What Song Erniang didn't expect was that she would run into her elder sister here.
That eldest sister who was a lady-in-waiting in the palace!
...
Song Erniang was stunned when she saw the three people who were surrounded by a large number of guards and attendants coming towards her.
Looking at the woman opposite her, Song Erniang subconsciously murmured two words, "Eldest sister!"
Song Erniang was also familiar with the other two people who came out with her elder sister: Princess Yongxin, the granddaughter of the Duke of Han, and Princess Shoukang, the younger sister of the newly enthroned empress.
The street vendors outside Suzhou were so frightened by the sight of this luxurious procession that they dared not utter a sound.
The procession also included dragon and phoenix banners, indicating that these were dignitaries from the capital...
The three distinguished guests looked around, but finally sat down in front of Song Erniang's wonton stall.
Everyone kept their distance and dared not approach.
Song Erniang greeted her with a smile.
"Eldest sister!" Song Erniang called out in a voice only they could hear.
Song Zhimian nodded and then looked at her stall.
"What can we eat?" Song Zhimian asked.
"I made these wontons myself, and I also prepared the fillings myself. There are vegetarian and meat fillings," Song Erniang said with a smile.
"Cook some for us!" Song Zhimian smiled at Song Erniang.
Song Erniang quickly cooked wontons for the three of them and brought them up.
Song Zhimian pulled Song Erniang to sit down at the table, and they ate wontons while talking.
Song Erniang kept smiling as she looked at everyone.
"How are you doing?" Song Zhimian finally asked after finishing her wontons.
“That’s great! One person eats their fill and the whole family isn’t hungry! Selling wontons is hard work, but I can still earn some money,” said Song Erniang.
"Have you bought the land?" Song Zhimian continued to ask.
"I didn't buy any! I can't work in the fields by myself, and after paying the land tax to others, there's not much left," Song Erniang said honestly.
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