Chapter 256

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

The busiest two hours at Song Ji are before dawn; if you arrive late, the other food items are fine, but the meat-and-vegetable buns definitely can't be wrapped in time, and the various rolled-rice-noodle fillings and such also can't be prepared in time — everything gets delayed.

Zhang Siniang was truly anxious, but the hour was too early; on the road there were only laborers coming and going, and peddlers and farmers carrying loads into the city — not a single passenger carriage in sight.

Seeing it wouldn't work, and not knowing what had happened, fearing she would miss the matter, she simply went back inside, took a lantern, hitched up her trouser legs, rolled up her sleeves, and without waiting any longer, lantern in hand, set off running toward Song Ji.

She had run halfway, already panting and drenched in sweat, when she saw that a few more steps ahead was Suanzao Alley — only then did she hear a rumbling wheel sound behind her.

At this time the sky was still pitch black; Zhang Siniang holding a bright lantern was quite conspicuous on the road.

She heard someone behind call out: "That Niangniang Zhang!"

She turned her head — sure enough, a familiar mule cart was driving over.

Xu Shifu cried "Aiyo, aiyo" and said: "How come you left on your own! You made me search all the way!"

Speaking, he reined in the mule at the side and said: "Quick, get on!"

As soon as Zhang Siniang got on the cart, she saw Dabing sitting inside, the head wrapping undone, fanning himself while wiping sweat, his complexion not looking too good.

Xu Shifu didn't rush forward immediately; he only turned his head with an apologetic smile and said: "Truly a coincidence — last night, deep into the night, a heavily pregnant woman on the street had a difficult labor; the midwife couldn't handle it, the family found me, crying and begging me to drive to Ma Xing Street to fetch a doctor — after all, it's a matter of two lives, I didn't dare refuse, hurriedly sent someone to the medical hall to summon a doctor, there and back, so setting out for here was delayed that little bit — fortunately nothing was missed!"

He added: "Niangniang Zhang, don't hold it against me; I just told Dabing the same — though he's young, he's sensible, told me not to take it to heart!"

A life hangs by a thread; hearing it was to save a birthing woman, though her heart still felt somewhat uneasy, Zhang Siniang naturally couldn't say more, just wiped her sweat and said: "Forget it — just next time something like this happens, you find someone else to pick us up early, or arrange it in advance; otherwise if the food shop misses business, whose fault is it?"

She also asked: "Were the woman and child both saved?"

Xu Shifu said: "I dropped them off and came straight back to fetch this load — still don't know!"

He added: "Ah, this wasn't something I could have foreseen."

Seeing Zhang Siniang's expression still somewhat apprehensive, he couldn't help adding: "Today was a bit late; if Song Xiaoniangzi and Cheng Erniangzi ask about it, can you help cover for us?"

"My household has many mouths, expenses are large; I've been wanting to perform well — if I could become a full-day long-term worker at Song Ji, it would save me from pulling passengers and scrounging for food in the scorching heat; considering I've given it my all these days, please both of you put in a good word!"

Zhang Siniang and Dabing exchanged a glance and gave a vague assent.

By the time they reached Song Ji, they were indeed later than usual; the two hurriedly tidied up, working so hard their soles nearly sparked.

Song Miao and Cheng Erniang only asked a couple of cursory questions; with so much to do, they didn't pursue it deeply.

After much difficulty they finished the rush, finally managing to prepare the breakfast foods; Song Miao and Dabing went off to set up their stalls, Cheng Erniang took Zhang Siniang out to deliver goods — besides breakfast, there were also various meat jerkies, pastries and such ordered by other clients to deliver; they were busy until nearly noon before returning.

After returning, there was still the small-restaurant business; in the afternoon they again prepared ingredients and cooked, and on top of that Xu's Wuguan had ordered a large quantity of cuttlefish, dried fish, and pork jerky — rushing this order, everyone was busy, practically non-stop from morning to night.

Fortunately, earlier Cheng Erniang had found two short-term-hire aunties through contacts; they'd worked some days and were already up to speed.

Originally one worked mornings, one afternoons; today seeing the workload, both voluntarily stayed on, working overtime together, which helped a great deal.

After dinner, seeing the sky darkening, Song Miao specially sent for a cart to send Dabing, Zhang Siniang, and the two short-term hires home.

Once aboard, the driver asked each destination; when it came to the short-term hires, the two aunties simultaneously said "Mawei Lane" — one said to Xiangquan Wine Workshop, the other to Lingqing Wine Workshop.

Dabing asked curiously: "Aunties, do your families both run wine workshops?"

"What ability would we have for that!" one laughed, "We two still have to work as wine-seller women at night."

It turned out that at this time clear wine was expensive, turbid wine cheap; those small wine shops and late-night stalls had thin capital, couldn't buy much clear wine to stock, and had no face to buy on credit, so they could only keep a little — thus occasionally when luck was good and business boomed, the clear wine would sell out and they couldn't leave to restock.

The wine workshops didn't want to lose the small business, so they would hire some wine-seller women, who each night would push carts or carry loads, peddling their own wine everywhere.

Wine-seller women have no wages; each day however much they sell is priced by volume.

Hua Prefecture naturally has no such occupation; Zhang Siniang was astonished and asked: "Then if they can't sell any for a whole night, isn't that working for nothing?"

"Right — four or five out of ten trips come up empty; fortunately the work is flexible, go if you want, no harm if you don't."

No wages at all — naturally no harm if you don't go!

At this point one of them asked: "Seeing Song Ji's business growing, now it's only half-day work — don't know if later they'll want full-day workers? Niangniang Zhang, do you think we'd make the cut?"

Acquaintance shallow, Zhang Siniang dared not speak deeply; she only shook her head and said: "I'm new here myself, don't know the proprietress's plans."

Asked Dabing, Dabing also said: "Niangniang hasn't said anything."

After the two got off the cart, Zhang Siniang said: "Always knew finding a good job in the capital isn't easy; who would've thought these two are native-born capital dwellers, yet still have to do short-term work."

Dabing said: "Depends on the person — earlier a few short-term-hire aunties came, saw we wash vegetables five times, pots and bowls repeatedly washed, sweeping requirements many; they only lasted two or three days and left — these two are more quick-handed and can endure, that's why they stayed."

He added: "I see our food shop's momentum — probably within a month or two Niangniang will have to consider hiring full-timers; as long as they're steady and perform well, eight or nine out of ten chance they'll make it."

Zhang Siniang acknowledged, said no more, but in her heart was deeply glad she had listened to her sister-in-law back then, and had both natal and marital family support, allowing her to enter the capital in time — otherwise at this rate, if she had waited for Song Xiaoniangzi's letter to arrive, then set out, by the time she reached the capital the yellow flower vegetables would be cold.

Although Niangniang summoned me, there's certainly a vacancy to keep me; but one month earlier or one month later, the weight of my words in the food shop differs enormously.

Thinking of this, she grew even more anxious, and felt her own greed, and couldn't help thinking: if only Sanlang could also come over, how good that would be.

Now anyone with eyes can see Song Xiaoniangzi's food shop has great future prospects — compared to enduring days on the dock, moving stones, gambling on whether one might rise in the future — it's who knows how many times better.

Thinking of Sanlang at home, she couldn't help asking: "What time did Xu Shifu arrive at your place this morning? When I got on the cart, I saw you were also sweating all over."

Daytime was truly extremely busy, no free moment found; just right now no outsiders present, Dabing had a bellyful of anger.

"Just wanted to talk about this! I saw the hour was too late, fearing I wouldn't make it in time, I also left on my own — ran all the way to Lian Yun Street before Xu Shifu caught up with the cart — if he had really waited at my doorstep, it would probably have been even later!"

He recounted the previous time he saw Xu Shifu urinating halfway, and added: "I really couldn't stand it — but he speaks so pitiably, making it seem like me speaking behind his back is petty tattling — and he was found by Erniangzi; I've heard Erniangzi praise him several times for being capable — saying something isn't right, not saying anything isn't right either……"

Dabing couldn't even put it into words; Zhang Siniang even less so.

The two sighed long and short, inevitably complaining together about Xu Shifu, and worrying what to do if he's late again tomorrow morning.

Dabing said: "I'm actually hoping he's late again — one more time late, and I'll have grounds to tell Erniangzi — but then I'm afraid if he comes late we won't make it in time to work!"

Zhang Siniang felt the same empathy.

This day Wang Sanlang likewise returned very late.

Although during the day he had padded his back with several layers of hemp towels, yesterday his flesh was already bruised and swollen; today injury atop injury, several spots directly broken skin and bleeding, quite severe.

Zhang Siniang felt such heartache she said, "Why don't you skip the dock work tomorrow, rent a mule cart first, and walk the whole city inside and out?"

She first told the situation inside the food shop, then made a gesture, and learned the various locations of the list buyers to about thirty or forty percent, finally saying, "I followed the cart delivering goods everywhere today. That Xu Shifu driving the cart is an old hand, but far less careful than you. Before, when you delivered fish to each household, the water in the bucket rarely splashed out, yet he is very casual about it!"

Wang Sanlang went out to work today bearing his injury, truly strenuous, and did not dare to be big-headed anymore. Hearing this, he was very tempted, but still said, "Don't go telling tales behind his back, and don't say anything. Bear with it for now. We are new here; getting along with everyone is most important. Only if he goes too far then we'll speak!"

He ultimately could not hold it in, saying, "If it's about driving a cart, I am extremely steady! These past days I've actually become quite familiar with the nearby roads. Tomorrow I'll run those several places you mentioned again!"

Early the next day, the couple acted separately.

This day Xu Shifu actually did not arrive late. When he waited until the Song Family Eatery, everyone had prepared all the early food and snacks. Zhang Siniang then, following the previous arrangement with Cheng Erniang, divided the things respectively. Seeing the hour was about right, she called for another cart.

Fearing Zhang Siniang would not recognize the roads, Cheng Erniang gave Xu Shifu's cart to her, and herself took the one temporarily hailed. The two each went out the door to deliver food.

Zhang Siniang sat alone in Xu Shifu's mule cart for the first time. After boarding, the other party was curious in a hundred ways, asking incessantly — asking her origins, asking her family situation.

Upon learning she was a newlywed young lady, and moreover from Hua Prefecture, Xu Shifu let out an "Oh," and asked, "From Hua Prefecture, how did you enter the Capital, and still find work at Song Ji? Your fortune is not shallow! Could it be you know someone with influence in the Capital who helped introduce you?"

Zhang Siniang originally did not want to mention her past dealings with Song Miao in Hua Prefecture, lest people think it was boasting. Now seeing the other party ask so privately, she was even less willing to elaborate, only smiling and saying, "Sanlang is still carrying sacks at the dock. If he knew someone, why would he be working so hard?"

"Just like Young Lady Yuan and them, I was also introduced by someone. Because I made clear I didn't want wages, only wanted to follow and learn the craft, the Young Lady perhaps saw my sincerity. In the end she not only took me in, but also paid wages as usual."

Xu Shifu seemed to suddenly understand, saying, "So it's like that."

After learning Zhang Siniang's origins, he became even more casual. All along the way his mouth didn't stop. Because he was focused on asking, he inevitably got distracted. Several times the cart wheels accidentally ran over dry branches and stones, shaking the cart frame bump after bump. Once more he failed to dodge a mud pit in time — "Clang!" — a whole cart body of food nearly flew up.

Zhang Siniang was startled and hurried to protect the steamer baskets, and used her knees to brace the box cage holding the drinks, fearing it would affect the appearance or accidentally spill. Her mouth couldn't help but instruct Xu Shifu: "Master watch the road," "Be careful," "Stop talking," and so on.

Xu Shifu didn't know if he listened in or didn't listen in, but indeed he spoke a bit less.

The two delivered goods this trip, and had only delivered to a few households when Zhang Siniang felt the difference.

Yesterday when together with Cheng Erniang, Xu Shifu not only came down each time to help open and close the cart door, but also took the initiative to carry the heavier foods. But today when it was Zhang Siniang alone, except at the food shop entrance when just boarding he helped carry once and closed the door, after that there was no more.

Zhang Siniang alone carried and lifted, shouldered and bore, and soon broke out in a full body of sweat.

Finished delivering the rest, the next stop was the Xu Family Wuguan.

Because this household ordered too much, a single shoulder load couldn't finish it. Zhang Siniang asked, "Xu Shifu, when we reach that martial hall later, can you give me a hand?"

Xu Shifu frowned, but his mouth agreed in one breath.

However, winding and winding, with great difficulty the front was the Xu Family Wuguan. He suddenly reined the mule to a stop, pointing at the ground not far away and saying to Zhang Siniang, "First time I've come, how would I know there were originally so many pits connected together here? Must be the past two months' rain was too much, the yamen hasn't repaired yet, made it like this. Makes my cart hard to pass. Otherwise if the food inside gets shaken bad it'll be trouble."

"Trouble Young Lady Zhang to walk a few more steps — luckily it's right in front."

Then said, "Actually my age is up there, not like you young ones with good physiques!"

This place was still five or six zhang from the martial hall. Coming and going pedestrians were not few. Xu Shifu matter-of-factly "had to" stay and watch the cart body.

A morning's food delivered, not yet fully finished, Zhang Siniang already felt her ears buzzing, head dizzy and swollen.

She is not a child like Liang Yan. Yesterday following Cheng Erniang for a round, today running a round herself, she very clearly felt this Xu Shifu's formidable nature.

He truly treats people differently according to their status.

When Cheng Erniang was in the cart, Xu Shifu was very careful and meticulous, and proactive and enthusiastic in a hundred ways — even the mule would stop right at the buyer's main gate.

Usually when pulling her and Dabing, there was already some negligence. Lateness not to mention, he nearly shook the brains out of both of them!

Now when it was her alone delivering goods, he acted even more like a grand master.

It's just that Zhang Siniang and Dabing are both later arrivals, and it's not good to speak directly. Because she thought although Er Niangzi looks straightforward, they've known each other a short time, she doesn't know what temperament she truly has. She fears offending her — she's been with the Young Lady longest, their feelings are not comparable to others!

With great difficulty returning to the food shop, although it was divided with Cheng Erniang to deliver, compared to before when one person delivered things, it was actually not much earlier.

Inside the Song Family Eatery, Song Miao saw the people return, and went forward to welcome, smiling and asking, "Si Niang, today first time delivering outside alone, how did it go? Any places you're not used to?"

Better if she hadn't asked. Once asked, Zhang Siniang's whole load of indignation and grievance surged up. She wanted to complain, yet feared Cheng Erniang would overthink, and Song Miao would be put in a difficult spot. For a moment all words stuck in her throat, half a day unable to speak.

Song Miao saw this, surprised: "What's wrong?"

Zhang Siniang hesitated half a day, then said, "I delivered too slow, delayed things a lot..."

Song Miao did not just comfort, but smiled and said, "I wondered what it was. Let's sort it out, see where the problem lies."

Speaking, she took out that route map drawn the day before, picked up a brush and dipped ink, and gently asked, "Where is it not smooth?"

Zhang Siniang at once felt she had returned to Hua Prefecture, when Song Xiaoniangzi led her whole group working on the river channels. Whenever there was a problem somewhere, or somewhere not flowing, she would bit by bit help everyone sort it out.

A sudden impulse, she threw all offenses and personal feelings to the back of her mind, thinking secretly: Clearly a rotten person. Keeping him in the food shop, sooner or later he's a disaster. I only want to be a good person myself — how does that repay the Young Lady's daily kindness to me?

So she immediately said, "Young Lady, I have one matter to tell you — this way is speaking behind someone's back, somewhat not proper. But Xu Shifu is truly not very reliable!"