Chapter 26: Earning Money

Ten chestnut cakes had barely had a chance to see the bustling market before they were tucked into the scholar’s book satchel.

Shao Diandian, a woman of her word, gave him one as a gift.

Now, a new problem arose: which flavor should he choose?

The preserved vegetable filling was excellent—oily yet not greasy, crispy without being dry, and carrying a hint of sweetness amidst the saltiness; it was a particularly satisfying eat. However, the red bean and mung bean fillings were no slouches, either.

After agonizing over the choice, the scholar fished out twenty copper coins and bought enough to have all three flavors.

Shao Diandian handed him the packaged cakes and remarked, "Yesterday, you didn't seem very interested in eating my cakes, did you?"

The scholar huffed, "I—I—I just feel like having them today, is that a crime?"

Shao Diandian smiled faintly. "Not at all."

The little chubby girl was actually quite cute when she smiled.

The scholar cleared his throat, adopting an air of aloof superiority. "Well, will you be coming back tomorrow? Will you be late again? Will you be changing your spot again?"

Faced with this soul-searching interrogation, Shao Diandian was silent. Due to various uncontrollable factors, her street vending was highly spontaneous, and she could make no promises.

The scholar suggested, "How about you come sell them at the entrance of our academy? Many people from our academy travel far just to buy snacks from Jinji."

His words seemed ordinary, but they were actually high praise—he was practically calling her "wife cakes" a high-end, affordable alternative to the famous Jinji pastries. In ancient times, while academies certainly welcomed students from humble backgrounds, they were also filled with children from wealthy families. This gave Shao Diandian a new idea.

Shao Diandian thought for a moment and asked, "But are vendors allowed at the academy entrance?"

The scholar replied without hesitation, "Yes, of course!"

Shao Erdan, standing to the side, looked at him strangely. "How do you know? Do you own the academy?"

The scholar replied, "I do."

Shao Erdan was speechless.

The scholar’s name was Shen Chuan, courtesy name Qinghe, and he truly was the eldest son of the dean of Wutong Academy. Apricot Blossom Town was not large, and there was only this one academy. It was not in the center of town, but it was not too far either—about three or four miles away on foot.

Shen Chuan sighed, "I’ve asked Jinji to set up a stall there before, but they looked down on the idea."

It was natural for Jinji to look down on it; after all, they had no shortage of customers.

Shao Diandian said, "I'll consider it."

It was not far from Jinji to the academy, but if one included the distance from the village to the town, it was a full ten miles. Distance was one factor; on the other hand, the primary customers there were students. If she couldn't sell out before their morning classes began, she would likely have to wait until they were dismissed at noon. That would make the time cost quite high.

Shen Chuan wanted to press her further, but another customer arrived—a plump, easy-going middle-aged woman.

The woman, carrying a basket, nudged Shen Chuan aside with her hip and said to Shao Diandian with a grin, "Oh, you're here, girl! I’ve passed by several times, I thought you weren't coming to sell your cakes today!"

Shao Diandian replied politely, "I was a bit delayed today. Which flavor would you like? Still the same as yesterday: two preserved vegetable and one red bean?"

The woman looked at her in surprise. "Goodness, girl, you have such a good memory!"

Shao Diandian smiled. "You have such a kind presence, it's hard not to remember you."

In the business world, who doesn't know how to say a few pleasant words? But she was the first to praise the woman in such a way.

The woman was overjoyed. "I'll have the preserved vegetable ones, and the red bean ones too. And are there any other fillings?"

"There is mung bean," Shao Diandian said.

"Give me four of those!" the woman said.

In the blink of an eye, eight more were sold. Although they had missed the morning rush, they sold out quickly, and thanks to the repeat customers, the number of "wife cake" samples given away was half of what it had been yesterday. Furthermore, she had corrected the packing method from the day before, and not a single cake had been crushed today.

"Sister, sister! We made nine hundred coins today!" Shao Erdan said excitedly.

It was still one hundred cakes in total—six for samples, one given away, and Shao Erdan had eaten three during his "live broadcast."

"That's nearly a tael of silver!" He thought about how many times he and his father would have to swindle people to make this much!

"Let's go to the market," Shao Diandian said.

"You got it!" Shao Erdan tucked away the coin purse and took Shao Diandian's bamboo tray and basket. "Sister, let me carry them!"

"I'm on a diet!"

"Uh, alright then."

Shao Erdan turned and handed her his own basket instead.

Shao Diandian was speechless.

The two went to the market. The butcher was chopping pork bones for a customer. As soon as he saw Shao Diandian walking toward him, his hand shook so violently from nerves that he nearly chopped off his own thumb!

"That'll be fifty coins in total," he said to the man buying the bones.

The man looked at him like he was an idiot, paid, and left with the bones.

The butcher gave a sheepish smile. "You... you actually came?"

Shao Diandian took a bowl of braised pork intestines from her basket. "Here."

The butcher moved to get his coins.

Shao Diandian said, "No need, this bowl is a gift for you."

The butcher was shocked. "What? A gift for me?"

Shao Diandian smiled. "If you think it tastes good, how about I set up my stall here in the future?"

"Huh?" The butcher was stunned again.

Shao Diandian said earnestly, "I’ve been watching for a few days, and there are no braised dishes sold in the market. We can split the profits—I'll rent your stall and give you ten percent of my daily income. Or, I can supply you at the lowest price, and you can sell them for whatever you like."

The butcher's smile stiffened.

The little chubby village girl wasn't interested in him... she was interested in his stall...

***

Elsewhere, Shen Chuan returned to the academy with a large bag of freshly bought wife cakes.

"Father! I’m back!"

He went to his father’s courtyard first to pay his respects, but his father was not in the room. Just as he was about to leave, an infuriated young voice rang out from a room in the back.

"How does your Rong’en Hall treat patients! It’s already been two days! Not only has my cousin not improved, he’s gotten even worse! He used to be able to wake up three or four times a day, but since yesterday noon, he hasn't woken up once! Is this what you call the most skilled doctor in Rong’en Hall? My cousin is being treated to death by you lot!"

"Young master, please calm your anger. Allow Dr. Dong to check his pulse again."

"Check his pulse? What's the point! You’re nothing but quacks!"

Clang!

The youth seemed to have smashed a vase.

Shen Chuan let out a low "wow."

Suddenly, someone asked in a deep voice behind him, "What are you doing?"

Shen Chuan shuddered and turned around to see his father. "Father! You scared me to death!"

Dean Shen looked sternly at his son. "Who told you to eavesdrop here?"

Shen Chuan defended himself, "I wasn't eavesdropping, I came to bring you snacks. Didn't you say yesterday's wife cakes were delicious? I went to buy some more."

Dean Shen remained expressionless and silent.

Shen Chuan asked curiously, "Father, who exactly are those two guests who suddenly moved into our house? The older one looks like he’s on his deathbed, and the younger one looks like he’s ready to kill someone."

Dean Shen said coldly, "It is not for you to ask; do not ask."

Shen Chuan curled his lip and muttered under his breath, "Actually, I know a doctor. She’s quite skilled."

Dean Shen glanced at his son and warned, "Don't you dare mess around. The person inside is not someone just anyone is qualified to treat. If anything goes wrong, heads will roll!"

Shen Chuan froze.