Chapter 13 The Turmoil at Granny Wang's House These past few days, due to Jiang Zhenniang's increasingly...
These past few days, as Jiang Zhenniang has become increasingly skilled, Su Zhihan has had a relatively leisurely time selling her wares, giving her more energy to observe her surroundings. She observes her surroundings, searching for new business opportunities, hoping to find other ways to make money.
Although her business was still in its infancy, she noticed several young women selling braised tofu, and one of them even named her tofu "Sun Xiangong Tofu," clearly trying to scam her.
Fortunately, from the moment Su Zhihan started selling braised tofu, she knew that others would follow suit, it was just a matter of time. So she wasn't upset, she just pondered what to do next.
Su Zhihan first told Jiang Zhenniang about the situation, and then comforted her, "Don't worry, Mother. Right now, it's just a few scattered vendors selling it, and the taste of what they sell is definitely not as good as ours."
Once Jiang Zhenniang calmed down, she immediately changed the subject and brought up their predicament: "However, they will be selling for a longer period of time than we are, and they will definitely take away some of our business."
After all, as servants of the Marquis's household, the mother and daughter had to complete their own work first, and could only go out to sell when they had free time. For example, on the day of the eldest daughter's homecoming banquet, they did not go out to sell at noon, but went to the night market to hawk their wares in the evening, and their business was obviously much worse than before.
Jiang Zhenniang knew in her heart that such a good business couldn't last, but the feeling of having her beautiful dream shattered right away was very unpleasant. She muttered, "If only we had known before..."
“Father took it all, not even leaving the principal,” Su Zhihan interrupted Jiang Zhenniang, speaking coldly.
“That’s true.” Jiang Zhenniang instantly calmed down.
“Scattered vendors are fine.” Su Zhihan was more concerned about the merchants who ran food stalls than the individual vendors: “I have confidence in my skills. Those people can’t do as well as me, but the cooks who run food stalls are another story.”
Business people, especially those who can do business in the marketplace for a long time, have a keen sense of smell. They probably wouldn't miss out on this highly profitable food, and some shops should already be figuring out the recipe.
The braised tofu they sell uses few spices and has a relatively simple recipe in order to control costs. Experienced chefs or those with a keen sense of taste should be able to identify the spices, figure out the proportions, and make tofu that tastes similar.
Su Zhihan has never underestimated the skills of her peers. Moreover, she was still amazed by the feast prepared by Chef Xu at the eldest daughter's homecoming banquet a couple of days ago. She was certain that even in later generations, Chef Xu's skills would be considered master-level!
"If the taste could be seven or eight parts similar to ours."
"In addition, they already have customers and can sell to others, while our sales time and location are not fixed. I'm afraid that once their business stabilizes, our business will gradually decline."
"Most importantly, our braised tofu is very versatile. It can be sold in teahouses and restaurants as well as snack shops."
In addition, the ingredients used in braised tofu are cheap, and even if the spices used are not bad, the profit is far greater than the cost. Moreover, their stable supply channels can keep the cost even lower.
For shops that make braised meat and marinated dishes, all they need to do is fry tofu and then add it to the marinade to make a dish that tastes pretty much the same as the original.
Jiang Zhenniang had just been dreaming of a life where her family could earn a hundred strings of cash a year and buy a house in the capital and two maids in two or three years, but in the blink of an eye, her daughter shattered that dream.
She felt terrible and instantly lost the mood to talk; her lips were so pouty they could hang an oil bottle on them.
Jiang Zhenniang plopped down on the stool, clutching her handkerchief with both hands: "According to you, we can only wait for business to get worse and worse?"
Su Zhihan smiled and said, "Not really."
Jiang Zhenniang immediately perked up: "You have other ideas?"
Su Zhihan did have an idea, but she wasn't sure if it would work. She quietly told Jiang Zhenniang her thoughts, and after discussing it, they decided to go out and inquire about it the next day.
“Then I’ll go find your sister-in-law Guihua to switch shifts with me, and I’ll go with you!” Jiang Zhenniang immediately made the decision and rushed out to find sister-in-law Guihua for help.
When Jiang Zhenniang returned to her doorstep, she happened to meet Wang Pozi and her family. She looked up and was stunned. She saw that Wang Pozi had changed from her dejected appearance of the past few days. Not only was her hair neatly combed, but she also had a gold hairpin inserted diagonally on it. Moreover, she was wearing a brand new silk shirt.
Granny Wang, her face glowing, pulled the slender, tall, and honest-looking young man into the house, praising him loudly, "My son, I knew you were the most capable, destined for great things. Look! You've only just gone to Third Master's courtyard, and you've already received so many rewards!"
This man was Wang Pozi's son, Wang Xuerong.
His ears turned bright red from the praise, and he lowered his head, pulling Granny Wang into the house. As Jiang Zhenniang passed by the Wang family's house, she could still hear the conversation coming from inside: "Mother, please don't shout so loudly outside in the future..."
Jiang Zhenniang withdrew her gaze and returned home.
Inside the house, Granny Wang was looking at the things her son had brought back, her face beaming with joy: "I'm not making this up, my Xue Rong is really something! Look at him! Who in the servants' quarters is as capable as you? What other young master can bring back so many things as soon as he enters his master's quarters?"
Wang's wife glanced at it, pursed her lips, and saw that it was just two crudely made silk flowers, and some leftover pastries and fruits from her husband's room. The most expensive item was an old turban.
But in Granny Wang's eyes, her son was the most powerful person in the world, someone who could bring her honor. She praised him endlessly, pulling her son and grandson to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) to drink and eat, completely ignoring her busy daughter-in-law.
Wang's wife watched coldly, seemingly obedient and honest. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Wang's mother and grandson were snoring on the kang (a heated brick bed). She quickly piled the pots and pans into a wooden bucket and scooped up a basin of warm water to take into her own room.
With a smile on her face, she attentively took off her husband's shoes and socks, letting him soak his feet and rest properly.
"My wife still cares about me the most."
"Of course." Wang's wife kneaded and pinched him vigorously. Seeing that her husband Wang Xuerong's mood was gradually improving, she asked him how he was doing in front of his husband.
Upon hearing this question, Wang Xuerong immediately lost her smile and slumped her shoulders: "Mother asked once, why are you asking again? I've already said that there are so many people in the young master's group, what am I?"
Granny Wang always thought that having a son born into a family would give him a name and surname in front of Sanlang, without considering how many people were in front of Sanlang.
"Now I'm doing odd jobs for the steward, and I'll have to give him two hundred coins every month. I also have to treat my colleagues to drinks."
Wang Xuerong counted on his fingers as he spoke to his wife, his heart heavy with worry: "I also want to tell you that I'm afraid I won't be able to get much money back starting next month. I'd like you to do some needlework at home to help supplement the family income."
Wang's wife was startled, and her smile almost faltered. She was being asked to stay home and spin a spinning wheel to supplement the family income?
Knowing Wang Pozi's temperament, she'd probably make her work from morning till night! She wouldn't do that! Wang's daughter-in-law was anxious, but her face remained impassive: "I know your difficulties, and I know your family isn't doing well. I didn't come to ask about your future, but I was thinking that maybe I could also go work for the household?"
"You're going? What about Da Bao?"
“I want Mother to come back and take care of Da Bao,” Wang’s wife slowly stated her plan. Before Wang Xuerong could refuse, she quickly added, “You know that after that day, Mother took leave saying she wasn’t feeling well, and she hasn’t gone to work at the mansion for four or five days now.”
"People just treat that as a joke, why did she take it so seriously? Why didn't you try to persuade her? Why did you just let her stay at home?"
"You know your mother's temper. If I tried to reason with her, she would scratch my face!" Wang's wife's eyes instantly reddened, and she said aggrievedly, "You know your mother's temper!"
Wang Xuerong remained silent, while his wife, seeing the opportunity, wiped away her tears and began to recount her grievances: "I'm not saying this to be mean, but your mother's mouth has really offended a lot of people. Other servants have their families helping them find positions in the household, but what about you? If it weren't for your great talent, my husband, you'd probably still be working at the gate."
Wang's wife's words struck a chord with Wang Xuerong. He had secretly complained a lot about how useless Wang's wife was. Not only was she still a rough old woman who raised birds and fed cats at her age, but she also didn't have a close relationship with the head housekeeper. He had to beg and plead with everyone and spend a lot of money to get into Sanlangjun's courtyard.
Compared to other servants, who had grown up with Sanlangjun since childhood, he didn't know when he would ever get ahead.
Wang Xuerong may have his own thoughts, but he didn't like hearing his wife say that: "How can you talk like that? My mother raised me with great difficulty."
"What do you take me for?" Wang's wife glared at her and slammed the towel on the ground. "I just thought that Mother is getting old and it's tiring to work in the mansion. It's good that she can come home to take care of Da Bao and spin the spinning wheel in her spare time to supplement the family income."
“She can do as much as she wants then, which will save her from offending people outside.” Seeing that her husband was gradually becoming interested, Wang’s wife leaned forward and whispered, “Besides, once I’m working in the yard, we can work together as a couple—you don’t want Da Bao to end up like you, having to rely entirely on himself, do you?”
Finally, she touched her belly and said, "I heard that Third Sister is drinking medicine to nourish her body. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and give Da Bao a younger brother or sister, and Da Bao can become the little prince's baby brother!"
"Think about it, what will our future hold..."
"..." Upon hearing this, Wang Xuerong was completely moved. The couple hid under the covers and quietly discussed how to persuade Granny Wang.
...
The next morning, while it was still dark.
Su Zhihan, wrapped in the blankets, was awakened by the sounds of arguing outside. She sat up groggily, trying to hear but unable to make out what she was saying. She reached out to touch the side, but found nothing.
"Han-jie'er, are you awake?"
"Hmm...who's arguing outside? It's still dark..." Su Zhihan yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"It's Granny Wang's house, making quite a commotion." Jiang Zhenniang, carrying a chamber pot, went outside to join the commotion for a while. She told her daughter to sleep a little longer, and then went outside to buy tofu and eggs.
When Jiang Zhenniang returned from outside, Su Zhihan had already washed up and prepared the braising broth. She quickly prepared the braised tofu and also cooked a bowl of wontons, which she brought to Jiang Zhenniang: "Mother, eat quickly."
Jiang Zhenniang happily accepted the food, and while eating, she talked about the gossip outside: "When I came back, I glanced at her and hey! Granny Wang and her daughter-in-law were fighting! I never knew her daughter-in-law was so fierce; she even scratched Granny Wang's face!"
"...Really?"
"Would your mother lie to you? I reckon Granny Wang will need at least four or five more days to recover before she can go back to work at the mansion." Jiang Zhenniang covered her mouth and chuckled.
Although she had already said a few harsh words to Wang Pozi, seeing Wang Pozi fighting amongst herself and getting hurt made Jiang Zhenniang even happier.
While listening to Jiang Zhenniang's gossip, Su Zhihan prepared the braised tofu. After Jiang Zhenniang put the tofu into the bamboo basket, the two of them walked towards the door with the basket in hand. By this time, the onlookers had dispersed, and as for Wang Pozi's house, the door was tightly closed, and only a whistling sound could be heard, it was hard to tell whether it was the wind or crying.
With Su Zhihan's reminder, Jiang Zhenniang noticed the young women selling dried bean curd as soon as she reached the road where she usually did so. Her eyes widened, and her sharp gaze made the shy young women afraid to meet her eyes, so they silently looked away.
However, the young woman who had a signboard and named herself "Sun Xiangong Dougan" ignored it and shamelessly stood there hawking her wares, even offering prices lower than those of the Jiang family.
"What a shameless girl!" Jiang Zhenniang's eyes flashed with disdain as she rolled up her sleeves, ready to reason with her. However, before she could take a step forward, Su Zhihan stopped her: "Mother, have you forgotten? We still have important matters to attend to!"
Su Zhihan and Jiang Zhenniang's purpose today was not to sell dried bean curd, but to find someone who could help them sell it in the future. She pulled Jiang Zhenniang along the road, and in no time, they arrived at the other end. The shop here was larger and more luxurious, but the doors and windows were locked, and it had not yet opened for business.
Su Zhihan walked forward along the road and soon came to a crossroads. To the left were brothels and entertainment venues, straight ahead were schools and government offices, and to the right was a more bustling marketplace, where, in addition to selling all kinds of food, there were also vendors selling headdresses, hats, scarves, combs, and even all kinds of toys.
Further ahead, you'll find all sorts of brokerage shops, some specializing in selling male servants and maids, others in selling singers and dancers; some are small-scale, others are large-scale.
However, Su Zhihan did not want to buy, but planned to rent. She and Jiang Zhenniang walked a little further and found a broker who specialized in introducing servants and maids.
Upon seeing Jiang Zhenniang and Su Zhihan, the other party was very polite: "What kind of place would you two ladies like to rent?"
"We need to rent a young girl or woman, someone hardworking and willing to work. Also, it would be best if her family is simple and doesn't have any drunkards, gamblers, or troublemakers. If there are such people in the family, it will be difficult to explain," Jiang Zhenniang said.
"In addition, the other party must have a place to stay in the city, not my house. They can come over and do things for three or four hours every day."
When the mother and daughter went out, they changed into fine cloth clothes made in the mansion, and their hair was also neatly tied up, making them look very presentable.
The human trafficker had a sharp eye and could tell at a glance that the mother and daughter were servants from a wealthy family, and he immediately understood the reason for Jiang Zhenniang's request.
He opened the roster, counted them for a moment, and then picked out three people for Jiang Zhenniang and Su Zhihan to look at: "Take a look at these three. They all earn 1,200 coins a month, live in the city, are poor and do odd jobs, and are honest and hardworking."
Su Zhihan glanced at the information and felt it was mostly correct, then asked, "Where do they live? Could you call them over to take a look?"
The slave trader readily agreed, but renting was not the same as buying and selling; the girl was still in her own home. After Jiang Zhenniang left a deposit, she arranged with the slave trader to come back and see her again in three days.
With their plans settled, Jiang Zhenniang and Su Zhihan finally felt relieved. They went to their usual stall selling dried bean curd, sold out their basket, and then returned to the Marquis's residence to work.
A note from the author:
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I've finished dealing with things at home. I'll start posting daily again tomorrow. I'll let you know in the comments if I need to take a break =3=
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