Chapter 18

Chapter 18: First Bang
Tang Yi Xiao knocked on Third Master Tang’s door.

Third Master Tang opened it looking half-asleep, rubbing his eyes. “Just wait at the village entrance. I’ll show up at the usual time. You don’t need to come looking for me.”

Tang Yi Xiao cleared his throat, awkward but steady. “Third Grandpa, our family wants to rent your ox cart exclusively. What price do you think is fair?”

“Exclusively?” Third Master Tang paused mid-yawn, confusion wiping away some of the sleep. “Why do you need it to yourselves? What happened?”

“Our family has some business in town,” Tang Yi Xiao said. “There are a lot of us going, and we have a lot of things. We want one private trip. Don’t worry—after you drop us off, you can still come back and run a second trip. It won’t affect your earnings. It’s just a matter of what price you think is fair. If it’s too expensive, we’ll ask someone else.”

Third Master Tang considered that, then waved a hand. “Not expensive, not expensive. If I do this trip just for you, 20 copper coins.”

Most village women were frugal. Unless they had goods to sell, they usually walked to town. If he ran a cart for one family only, he couldn’t even fill 10 seats. A flat rate guaranteed profit.

“15,” Tang Yi Xiao bargained.

Third Master Tang’s mouth twisted. “You brat—why are you so shrewd?”

“15 copper coins is just for taking us into town,” Tang Yi Xiao said. “You don’t have to bring us back. If we need a return ride, we’ll pay per person then.”

Third Master Tang grumbled, but in the end he agreed.

It was still early. After dropping them off, he could run another trip. So he went to tell Madam Wang, who was going into town today, to pass the message along: everyone else should wait at the village entrance a bit later. He’d take Li Tao Hua’s family in first, then come back for a second run.

When Third Master Tang knocked on Madam Wang’s door, Li Tao Hua and the others were already moving their things. Madam Wang’s face soured when she heard him. Still, the Tang Family was willing to spend the money, and she couldn’t stop Third Master Tang from earning it. No matter how unwilling she felt, she had to swallow it.

She was just dying to know what tricks that shameless Li Tao Hua was playing now.

Yesterday, the Tang household had been bustling in and out, making a racket. Madam Wang had even propped a ladder against the wall and peeked over, but she still couldn’t figure out what they were doing.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that it was “just a small business.” There was a lot they needed.

The Chilled Jelly Noodles were packed into a big wooden tub. The braised meat had been sliced the night before and packed into a back basket lined with lotus leaves, with clean leaves laid on top. The bamboo tubes and disposable chopsticks had to be carried too. Then there were the sauces Qin Hui Yin had mixed, poured into the last few large bowls the household still had.

Third Master Tang sniffed the air as they loaded up. “What did your family make? Why does it smell so good?”

“I’ll tell you in a bit,” Qin Hui Yin said. “Third Master, sorry to trouble you.”

He’d only asked casually. He hadn’t expected an answer, much less whatever smell was tormenting him this early in the morning.

Not long after—about the time it took an incense stick to burn—Third Master Tang delivered them to the market entrance.

While Li Tao Hua and the others unloaded, Third Master Tang didn’t sit idle. He hopped down and helped carry everything to the spot they chose.

When the last item was set down, Qin Hui Yin handed him a bamboo tube she’d prepared ahead of time, with a few slices of braised meat tucked on top.

“Third Grandpa, we’ve troubled you again,” she said. “This is just a small token—don’t mind it.”

Third Master Tang’s grin stretched wide as he accepted it. “Smells amazing. Then I won’t stand on ceremony, hahaha…”

He picked up a strip and ate it. His eyes widened. “What is this? It’s cold and refreshing—crisp and delicious.”

Li Tao Hua’s voice rose like a bell over the market. “This is Chilled Jelly Noodles! The recipe was copied from an ancient book—it’s been lost for hundreds of years. My daughter is smart; she managed to bring it back. I can guarantee that in the whole world, only my daughter can make Chilled Jelly Noodles!”

She pointed at the serving size. “A bowl this big is only three copper coins—fair price, honest trade, young and old alike!”

Qin Hui Yin stepped in smoothly. “Today is our first day open. Buy one serving of Chilled Jelly Noodles and you get five slices of braised meat for free—only today. When tomorrow comes, it’s gone.”

“And since today is the first day,” she added, sweet as honey, “we’re offering the lowest price we’ve ever had: only three copper coins. Tomorrow it’ll be five.”

It was the time for the morning market. Plenty of town residents didn’t want to cook, so they wandered the stalls to grab something quick. Two steamed buns cost one copper coin. A plain bun cost one. A meat bun cost two. Even a flatbread cost two.

When people heard “lost for hundreds of years” and “grand opening discount,” curiosity and the urge to grab a bargain pulled them in. One by one, they crowded closer.

Third Master Tang had to hurry back for his second wave of passengers. He left with his bamboo tube, still eating as he walked, clearly delighted.

Hearing that the noodles cost three copper coins today—and would jump to five tomorrow—only made him think better of the mother and daughter. Whatever Li Tao Hua was like with men, she was generous and decent in her dealings with people.

A man in the crowd scoffed. “Three copper coins, and there’s no meat. Not worth it.”

“Who says there’s no meat?” Li Tao Hua snapped, as if personally offended. “Isn’t this meat? I’m telling you, this meat’s origin is no simple thing. My ancestors were imperial chefs. This is the kind of good stuff only the palace gets to eat!”

Qin Hui Yin’s mouth twitched.

If anyone could brag with a straight face, it was her mom.

The tall tales flowed like water from Li Tao Hua’s lips, and it worked. People leaned in, dazzled by the confidence, the beauty, the way she carried herself like someone who’d once belonged somewhere far grander than this small town.

Someone shouted, “Just because you say it tastes good, it tastes good? We haven’t even tried it! How do we know? Give us a taste. If it’s good, we’ll buy.”

“Auntie,” Qin Hui Yin said quickly, “our family has been working on this for more than half a month. We can’t afford to hand out samples. How about this—on the first 20 servings, we’ll give five extra slices of meat.”

Tang Lu Wu and Tang Yi Xiao stood stiffly to the side, unable to get a word in. With so many people crowding around them for the first time, their ears burned with embarrassment.

Qin Hui Yin leaned toward them. “Little brother, you and Sister Lu Wu take these five portions to your older brother. One is for him to taste, and the other four are for the tutors and the teacher’s wife.”

Li Tao Hua frowned immediately. “Daughter, we haven’t even sold anything yet. You’re giving away one portion after another—do we still plan to do business or not?”

“Mom,” Qin Hui Yin said, blinking innocently, “there are plenty of students at the private school. And a lot of them are rich.”

Li Tao Hua’s eyes sharpened as understanding clicked into place. “All right. Then send them!”

Not every student attended because they caught the tutor’s eye. Many were sent by parents who dreamed of success for their children, and those families didn’t lack money.