Chapter 358: Selling Laba porridge (2)
A Blessed Daughter
Chapter 358: Selling Laba porridge (2)
Translator : Virichime
This translation made by Moonlight Teatime.
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But the rich and powerful were different. They cared about quality, and the more expensive something was, the more it seemed to match their social standing.
That’s exactly the logic behind the saying: “While wine and meat go to waste behind wealthy doors, the bones of the poor freeze out on the street*.”
“Don’t celebrate too early,” Wei Ruo replied. “We still need to prepare ingredients tonight—we’ll be selling again tomorrow.”
“If we can earn that much silver, I wouldn’t mind not sleeping at all tonight!” Xiumei said excitedly.
“That won’t do. Your health is worth more than silver!” Wei Ruo said firmly.
“You’re scolding me, but aren’t you the same, Miss? When it comes to other tasks, you always say you’re tired. But as soon as something involves money, you can stay up all night!” Xiumei shot back.
Actually, aside from earning money, saving lives was another thing that could make Wei Ruo forget to eat or sleep.
…She had no counterargument.
“Alright, alright,” Wei Ruo quickly changed the subject. “Let’s get busy with the next steps. We’ve got a lot of ingredients to prepare, and if we’re too slow, we’ll miss the perfect opportunity to sell on Laba Festival tomorrow.”
Then she didn’t give Xiumei another chance to tease her. She grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the carriage.
Early the next morning, as soon as Xu’s Braised Food Shop opened, a small stall selling Laba Porridge was set up right at the entrance.
Yesterday, the porridge was only placed in a prominent spot inside the shop, but today, it was directly displayed at the storefront.
Next to it stood a sign that read: “Laba Porridge, one tael per bowl.”
At first, people passing by thought the owner of Xu’s Braised Food Shop must have gone crazy for money—how dare they sell a simple bowl of porridge at such a sky-high price?
But those who thought that quickly realized they were wrong. Not only were there buyers for the expensive porridge—there were a lot of them!
The buyers were the relatives of high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and children of noble families in the city.
On the same street, Drunken Immortal Restaurant was also selling Laba porridge that day, but clearly, their business couldn’t compare to Xu’s.
After selling for about an hour, Shopkeeper Shen of Drunken Immortal Restaurant came over to Xu’s Braised Food Shop to find Wei Ruo.
“Is Young Master Xu here?” Shopkeeper Shen asked Chen Aqing, who was busy in the front of the store.
“I don’t know. I’m just focused on doing business,” Chen Aqing replied.
In fact, Wei Ruo was in the courtyard behind the shop, but Chen Aqing still said she didn’t know—because she wasn’t sure whether her young mistress wanted others to know she was there.
Sister Xiumei had taught her: in situations like this, just say you don’t know.
Just then, the curtain between the shop and the courtyard was lifted, and Wei Ruo walked out from the back.
“Greetings, Young Master Xu,” said Shopkeeper Shen with a polite smile. “It’s like this—my master would like to invite you to Drunken Immortal Restaurant for a chat. I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”
“I’m free. I’ll go with you now,” Wei Ruo replied straightforwardly.
“Very well! Young Master Xu, please follow me!” Shopkeeper Shen immediately led the way.
When they arrived at Drunken Immortal Restaurant, Shopkeeper Shen once again brought Wei Ruo to the same private room in the corner, with the words ‘Crane Pavilion’ (鹤亭) on the doorplate.
Just like last time, Fan Chengxu sat alone in the room, with tea and pastries laid out in front of him.
“Master Fan, what is it you’ve called me for today?” Wei Ruo asked directly.
“I wanted to ask—when can you start supplying the five-spice powder and oyster sauce we agreed on last time? You said you'd need a few days. I think enough time has passed now, don’t you?”
That’s exactly the logic behind the saying: “While wine and meat go to waste behind wealthy doors, the bones of the poor freeze out on the street*.”
Counting the thirty taels of silver in her hands, Xiumei beamed with joy. “Miss, this Laba Porridge is just too profitable! After deducting costs, the profit is way more than what we make from selling vegetables, sweet potatoes, or even braised foods!”*While some people live in unnecessary luxury, others struggle just to survive.
“Don’t celebrate too early,” Wei Ruo replied. “We still need to prepare ingredients tonight—we’ll be selling again tomorrow.”
“If we can earn that much silver, I wouldn’t mind not sleeping at all tonight!” Xiumei said excitedly.
“That won’t do. Your health is worth more than silver!” Wei Ruo said firmly.
“You’re scolding me, but aren’t you the same, Miss? When it comes to other tasks, you always say you’re tired. But as soon as something involves money, you can stay up all night!” Xiumei shot back.
Actually, aside from earning money, saving lives was another thing that could make Wei Ruo forget to eat or sleep.
…She had no counterargument.
“Alright, alright,” Wei Ruo quickly changed the subject. “Let’s get busy with the next steps. We’ve got a lot of ingredients to prepare, and if we’re too slow, we’ll miss the perfect opportunity to sell on Laba Festival tomorrow.”
Then she didn’t give Xiumei another chance to tease her. She grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the carriage.
Early the next morning, as soon as Xu’s Braised Food Shop opened, a small stall selling Laba Porridge was set up right at the entrance.
Yesterday, the porridge was only placed in a prominent spot inside the shop, but today, it was directly displayed at the storefront.
Next to it stood a sign that read: “Laba Porridge, one tael per bowl.”
At first, people passing by thought the owner of Xu’s Braised Food Shop must have gone crazy for money—how dare they sell a simple bowl of porridge at such a sky-high price?
But those who thought that quickly realized they were wrong. Not only were there buyers for the expensive porridge—there were a lot of them!
The buyers were the relatives of high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and children of noble families in the city.
On the same street, Drunken Immortal Restaurant was also selling Laba porridge that day, but clearly, their business couldn’t compare to Xu’s.
After selling for about an hour, Shopkeeper Shen of Drunken Immortal Restaurant came over to Xu’s Braised Food Shop to find Wei Ruo.
“Is Young Master Xu here?” Shopkeeper Shen asked Chen Aqing, who was busy in the front of the store.
“I don’t know. I’m just focused on doing business,” Chen Aqing replied.
In fact, Wei Ruo was in the courtyard behind the shop, but Chen Aqing still said she didn’t know—because she wasn’t sure whether her young mistress wanted others to know she was there.
Sister Xiumei had taught her: in situations like this, just say you don’t know.
Just then, the curtain between the shop and the courtyard was lifted, and Wei Ruo walked out from the back.
“Greetings, Young Master Xu,” said Shopkeeper Shen with a polite smile. “It’s like this—my master would like to invite you to Drunken Immortal Restaurant for a chat. I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”
“I’m free. I’ll go with you now,” Wei Ruo replied straightforwardly.
“Very well! Young Master Xu, please follow me!” Shopkeeper Shen immediately led the way.
When they arrived at Drunken Immortal Restaurant, Shopkeeper Shen once again brought Wei Ruo to the same private room in the corner, with the words ‘Crane Pavilion’ (鹤亭) on the doorplate.
-Crane Pavilion
Just like last time, Fan Chengxu sat alone in the room, with tea and pastries laid out in front of him.
“Master Fan, what is it you’ve called me for today?” Wei Ruo asked directly.
“I wanted to ask—when can you start supplying the five-spice powder and oyster sauce we agreed on last time? You said you'd need a few days. I think enough time has passed now, don’t you?”
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