Chapter 236

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

After packing up the green plum wine and seeing Chen Fuzi off, the three at home rested for a while; by afternoon they had finished about seventy or eighty percent of everything that could be prepared in advance, and only then did Song Miao gather Cheng Erniang and Da Bing together.

She first told them about the Taixue Canteen matter this morning, and finally said: "Right now, although we don't know what the situation is, the matter may not succeed, but I still want to ask in advance: if we add steamed buns every day, do you think you can keep up?"

She also said: "Don't force yourselves; we're all in our own business, behind closed doors — say whatever there is to say."

At these words, both Cheng Erniang and Da Bing hurried to express their stance.

Cheng Erniang spoke up first: "My thoughts, Young Lady has always known — I only worry about business being bad, never afraid of being busy — if we truly get the Taixue as a regular customer, I'll stay up all night and wrap them out for them! Only my skill at wrapping buns isn't pretty enough; I don't know if they'll look down on it!"

She also said: "Besides, Da Bing lives outside after all, and is young; he has to leave before dawn every day and walk all the way over — it's much harder for him than me, and I'm afraid it's somewhat unsafe..."

Da Bing hurriedly said: "No such thing! When I was an apprentice at the government office before, I had to get up even earlier than now! Our Song Ji's breakfast business right now is precisely about being early! At noon I can still catch a nap, and at night I go to bed early — where's the hardship!"

He continued: "When I go out, the whole road is full of people coming to the capital to do business, going to the docks and shops to work — there are tons of people! And another thing, Young Lady and Erniang likewise go to purchase goods before dawn — aren't you unafraid too?"

As he spoke, he practically wished he could stand up, rise on his tiptoes to look taller, older, so people would find him reliable.

"And put a hundred and twenty hearts at ease regarding me, Da Bing! Who doesn't constantly hope for good business! Young Lady said the extra monthly profit would be shared — I only hate that I can't do more — one listen and you know, my name even has 'Bing' in it, I was born to make pancakes and steamed buns, always quick-handed, nothing more nimble!"

Hearing him speak like this, Cheng Erniang truly gained some insight, thinking to herself: As expected, someone from the government office is different — with such eloquence, if Xiao Lian could also be so articulate in the future, would she still fear not being able to establish herself in the capital?

Song Miao also couldn't help but find it amusing.

Seeing their reaction, she had a clear idea in her heart, and only said: "Let's wait a bit more; it's not too late to decide when there's news — perhaps we'll need to hire another person or two; also, Erniang is right, Da Bing going out in the dark every day really makes one uneasy."

She thought a moment, then said: "I'll look for a suitable cart driver; we'll hire the cart for half a day each day — first, to pick up Da Bing and conveniently buy some fresh meat and vegetables on the way back; second, with the weather so hot, Young Lady delivering meals to various places every day won't have to rely entirely on her own two legs, and it'll be much faster."

Da Bing was both surprised and delighted, held back and held back, then bashfully said: "I'm just an apprentice; it's not proper for me to ride in a cart!"

Cheng Erniang was also happy on one hand, but on the other couldn't help habitually declining, only saying it costs money, and also: "I go deliver meals in the morning; it's not that hot!"

Song Miao smiled: "You Xuelu just came asking, wanting us to restart the midday small dining table; when that time comes, we'll have to make breakfast and also manage the small dining table — with only three people at home, it's already very strained; we must save time and energy to do the money-making things — hiring a mule cart, whether for picking up Da Bing or for me and Erniang to purchase and deliver goods, will speed things up considerably."

Speaking to this point, she specially added: "The weather's too hot; if we're delayed on the road too long, I'm afraid the food will get steamed and won't taste as good as originally — although we're a small business, if we want to grow, money that should be spent can't be saved, and we can't just wear people out!"

Cheng Erniang was delighted in the end; she and Da Bing exchanged a glance, so happy they couldn't even get out the usual polite refusals.

Although they don't fear hardship, who in the world actually likes to invite suffering on themselves, to eat bitterness when there's none?

The matter of finding a cart driver was thus settled.

It was Cheng Erniang who hesitated a few breaths, then said: "There's a matter I was just about to report to Young Lady — today delivering early food to the Xunpu and the government office, because there were no shaomai, the constables all had quite a few complaints; they said although glutinous rice is very filling, they're on duty every day, eating only this is still too light, and they still want meat and vegetables — they asked if there could be something else."

"Food Alley has rolled rice noodles to replace shaomai, but the Xunpu and government office don't; and because Young Lady said rolled rice noodles must be rolled fresh — once made and delivered, it loses its flavor — but if I make it fresh here, I won't make it in time for that side."

"Today mentioning steamed buns, I thought: Young Lady's buns are peerless, especially the sour pickled vegetables, sour cowpea shreds, tofu, red bean paste, shiitake cabbage, and mutton buns — every kind delicious. Before, it wasn't good to steal others' business in Food Alley, and also because we had to make shaomai, we couldn't spare the hands."

"Now that we need a replacement, even if Taixue ultimately doesn't want our buns, can't we start making them first — make a hundred or eighty first, I'll bring them along and ask if they want them; if they do, best; even if they don't, I'll hawk them along the way — there are regular customers all along the route, just a few extra circles and they'll sell casually! No need to worry at all!"

These few months in the capital, Cheng Erniang had many setbacks at the start, bumping into walls everywhere — it seemed whatever she did was wrong, even her accent was looked down on — so she acted constrained, cautious in everything, and dared not speak much.

But ever since she joined Song Ji, she no longer worried about daily livelihood; eating and living together, mutually caring for each other — it truly felt like a family.

Because she only needed to work hard at her tasks, without overthinking anything — what to do, how to do it, Young Lady Song had a clear plan for everything, and would even explain in advance what to do each day and why, and what benefits doing it well would bring.

Knowing the purpose, and truly grateful in her heart, Cheng Erniang worked with great vigor; sometimes even things Young Lady Song hadn't instructed, she would carefully observe and do well.

For example, delivering meals in the morning — because she heard a guest say the soup inside the shaomai often spilled out, making it unsightly to eat — she researched several times and discovered it was due to the wooden tray jolting during transport; so afterward, every time she delivered, she would definitely carry the box cage in herself, rather than use extra effort, than let it affect the guest's impression — such good food, such good skill, if ruined by a tiny detail, she truly couldn't get past that hurdle in her heart.

And these special efforts, whenever Young Lady Song delivered meals together, or happened to see them, she would not only see them, but also praise and commend them.

Cheng Erniang thus became even more spirited.

Things done well, Young Lady Song so happy, so praising; occasional mistakes, only a reminder, even guidance gentle — Cheng Erniang gradually gained more confidence, more self-assurance.

Add to that the profit sharing — when she received an extra sum of money, even more than her wages — she simply had an urge to not sleep at night, to get up all night and make more food to sell.

Cheng Erniang learned to read, learned to keep accounts, sometimes followed to set up a stall, sometimes helped deliver to the government office and Xunpu, later even went house to house asking about house repairs large and small — clearly still the same person, the things learned only just entry-level, barely scratching the surface — but inexplicably, it seemed the whole capital, unknowingly, had opened up to her.

She no longer did things timidly, shrinking back — but because she was open and aboveboard, not reading expressions like before, others instead looked at her with higher regard.

Or there might still be some unpleasant people — she also no longer cared about their attitudes and words like before — daily tasks are already too busy! Doing proper work, earning money is important — who has the leisure to bother with you!

At this moment, talking about the shop's business, talking about her proactively going out to push the cart and hawk — she no longer had the former nervousness, but was full of confidence, and had even planned ahead how to arrange things, just waiting for Song Miao to give the word, then she'd do it.

And sure enough, hearing this, Song Miao smiled: "Erniang and I thought of the same thing!"

She also said: "Let's try making eighty tomorrow first, see how long it takes, and see if there's a way to do it faster — just treat it as preparation for the Taixue side!"

Cheng Erniang nodded vigorously, agreed.

She felt she truly had a life of toil.

When Young Lady Song wasn't in the capital, she did everything she could, yet her heart was still uneasy — always feeling she let down those monthly wages, and the other party's constant care for her.

Now Young Lady Song has returned; clearly matters are increasing — but she at once felt settled; she only felt the harder she worked, the less guilty she'd feel when profit-sharing time came and she took the money.

Considering cost, difficulty of seasoning fillings, and many other issues like perishability, Song Miao finally settled on four flavors: mutton, pork, sour cowpea minced meat, and shiitake cabbage — just waiting for tomorrow's purchasing to be done, to see how many can be made, then set the price.

Seeing it was nearly the Shen hour, Da Bing proactively went to light the fire and rinse rice; the rice was just cooked, and he came to ask about the dish, but heard someone calling at the door outside.

Answering the door, it turned out to be a messenger, looking precisely for Da Bing; upon seeing him, he said: "Liu Xiaoxiong, your Elder Sister-in-law sent me with a message — she says an acquaintance's family has a white funeral; after you finish things here, don't stay at the employer's to eat — hurry back and come along to help run errands and handle some matters."

Da Bing hurriedly agreed; he didn't even bother eating, said a word to Song Miao, and left first.

It was Cheng Erniang who came over and said: "I forgot to tell Da Bing just now — tonight we're testing new glutinous rice; he still cooked rice according to the usual amount — I'm afraid it won't be finished."

Because Song Ji's glutinous rice is a signature dish, daily consumption is huge; although they'd agreed with the grain shop on regular delivery and specially stipulated same variety, same origin — even fruit from the same tree, grown on the sunny side versus the shady side, differs in sweetness; grain is the same — even separated by a mountain ridge, the rice produced differs in water absorption, softness, and texture.

Moreover, merchants — they verbally agree, but when receiving the grain they may not distinguish so meticulously; the final delivered goods actually differ every batch.

To ensure stability, every time new rice is switched, Song Miao always takes some out in advance, steams and cooks it separately for a trial taste, to grasp the quality for when they set up stall.

Hearing Cheng Erniang speak, she went to look — sure enough, one pot of rice, one pot of glutinous rice, both the usual two large and two small portions.

Song Miao always measured rice precisely when cooking, rarely had leftovers; now with the hot weather, she disliked eating leftover rice even more.

She thought a moment, then said: "No matter; there's still wine lees at home — at that time, keep one pot out to make fermented glutinous rice; use it to pickle sour vegetables, or make baozi, or eat it ourselves — all fine."

Just as they were speaking, someone called at the door.

Cheng Erniang went to answer and let in an acquaintance.

It was He Qi's servant, Beizhi.

He wore a rather awkward expression; entering, he first bowed, then said, "This lowly one presumes to visit — not knowing if Song Xiaoniangzi has any other arrangements this evening?"

Song Miao replied, "I was just about to make dinner; the rest are ordinary matters, nothing important. Is it that Young Master He has leisure today and wants to come look after my family's business?"

Beizhi said, "The Young Master has wanted to come for a while, but these past days there were matters at the residence, so he had to accompany a trip to the western suburbs. Only today did he prepare to return; he originally wanted this lowly one to notify Xiaoniangzi in advance, then come to arrange..."

Speaking to this point, his face actually showed a bitter smile: "Who could have expected that early this morning he encountered He Family's Xiaoniangzi at the door, clinging to ride in the same carriage. Sure enough, halfway there she wouldn't stop sweet-talking, clamoring to hurry to the food shop to find Song Xiaoniangzi to play. The Young Master couldn't refuse her, so he had to send this lowly one to ask first — if Xiaoniangzi finds it inconvenient, just say so!"

Song Miao understood that the so-called "He Xiaoniangzi" referred to Zhu Jie'er; she couldn't help smiling and said, "No matter, please have the Young Master and He Xiaoniangzi come directly! Just don't know when they'll arrive, and what they'd like to eat?"

Beizhi visibly relaxed, yet the embarrassment on his face became even more obvious: "It's really embarrassing to tell Xiaoniangzi — actually they've already arrived at the alley entrance, just don't dare come in!"

He further explained: "The Young Master persuaded all the way, truly couldn't move her. He still delayed some time, sent Dongzhi to report to He Lao Furen. Who knew the Old Madam changed her temperament this time — hearing it was 'the Xiaoniangzi's food shop that made salty bone porridge last time,' she didn't stop them at all, and even told the Young Master to bring back anything good he saw for her..."

Song Miao heard this and froze, then smiled gently: "My family runs a food shop; how can we let guests wait outside? Moreover, the Young Master treats me so well! Shall I go welcome them?"

Beizhi hurriedly thanked her, repeatedly saying no need, and rushed off. Before long, a carriage indeed stopped at the door. He Qi got down first, then two nannies, last came down a small person — she refused to be carried, stubbornly waiting for a small stool. At first she sat and scooted down; by the last two steps, she hopped down happily.

Off the carriage, she followed behind He Qi, entered Song Ji's door, saw Song Miao, truly overjoyed. Not knowing what she thought of, she hurriedly hid behind He Qi. Only after seeing him finish greetings did she finally poke her head out, urgently half-covering her face with her hand, revealing only half an eye, asking in a rough voice: "Song Jiejie, guess who I am!"

Song Miao deliberately put on a serious thinking look and answered: "You hide so well, so hard to guess — but you call me so obediently, so cleverly, could it be Zhu Jie'er?"

The little person opposite immediately put her hand down, wearing a proud look: "Aiya, only a little obedient! Doesn't count as especially obedient!"

Speaking, she glanced at He Qi; seeing he didn't stop her, she then pitter-patter ran forward, circled around Song Miao, and asked: "Song Jiejie, today I'm wearing a skirt the same color as jasmine flowers, look — is it pretty!"

She also asked: "Brother Qi said, last time Jiejie's family had a sick little sister who gave me bone porridge — that porridge was really delicious! I want to thank her; is she at home?"

?? Thank you Rang Xiang Bu Dao for personally gifting me a sachet, and Xiao Yi and Yang Zhong for each gifting me a peace talisman for liking to read books:)

? Thanks to Book City Occasionally Relax, my cat named Egg Egg, and Reader three dear ones for each gifting me a small gift =3=

? Thank you Xiao Xiang yblack for gifting me a peach blossom fan ^_^

? Thank you everyone, especially thank you everyone's special tickets~