Chapter 19: Ready for Business

Having made the tea eggs, Wang Yuan’er carefully placed them in a clay jar, pouring the tea broth and seasonings over them. This way, the tea eggs would absorb more flavor. She stored the extra tea broth in another clean jar.

With the fresh food prepared and not having split from the family yet, Wang Yuan’er gritted her teeth and took two eggs to the main house for her grandparents to taste. She also gave one to Madam Liang, leaving only fourteen eggs.

Everyone who tasted the eggs said they were delicious. Thinking they might be hard to digest, her grandparents gave some to the second household. Fuquan ate half an egg and wanted more, and the second aunt shamelessly asked for more. If not for her grandmother stopping them, there might have been even fewer eggs left.

With the tea eggs ready, the next step was to find a place to sell them. Wang Yuan’er already had a good spot in mind.

Changle Town, situated near the capital, had the Changle River nearby. Naturally, it had a pier, which was a busy hub connecting Jingzhou and the capital by road.

Wang Yuan’er knew that shortly, Changle would also open up canal transport, increasing the flow of merchants and making the town and pier even busier. Land prices would also rise.

Although everyone had tried eggs, they weren’t commonly eaten by everyone. A raw egg cost two wen, and few people would spend several wen on an egg as a snack. So, Wang Yuan’er targeted the travelers at the pier.

Travelers at the pier were either leaving Changle Town or just arriving. Wang Yuan’er focused on those arriving. They’d be hungry after a long boat ride, especially in this cold weather. A fresh, filling snack before continuing their journey would be ideal.

“Eldest sister, isn’t five wen too expensive?” Qing’er, who had insisted on coming to sell the eggs, asked anxiously upon hearing the price.

“If they don’t sell, we’ll lower the price,” Wang Yuan’er said, looking at the small stove with the clay jar in their basket.

Qing’er was about to say more when someone shouted, “A boat is docking!”

The sisters looked and saw a large boat slowly approaching the dock. The nearby vendors quickly ran over with their goods, eager to attract the first customers.

The sisters quickly picked up their basket and ran over, too.

The boat soon docked, and passengers began disembarking. There were scholars in long robes, weathered villagers with bundles, and even swordsmen. Vendors swarmed them.

“Fresh mountain goods, sir. Take a look.”

“Changle Town’s specialty snacks, ma’am. Buy some for your children.”

Wang Yuan’er, stuck at the back, was getting anxious and shouted to Qing’er, “Qing’er, use your loud voice. Say we have fresh tea eggs.”

Qing’er nodded, took a deep breath, and shouted, “Selling tea eggs! Hot, delicious tea eggs, the best in the world! One taste, and you’ll crave more!” Her clear voice cut through the noisy pier like a refreshing stream, quickly attracting attention.

“Tea eggs? What are those?” A bearded man with a sword nearby looked over.

“Brave sir, these are eggs cooked with special seasonings unique to Changle Town. Only five wen each. Would you like to try one?” Wang Yuan’er said, smiling as she scooped an egg and offered it to him.

Chapter 20: A Good Start

At the hour of Chen (7-9 am), Changle Town started its daily routine like a child waking up. The main street was bustling with hawkers, buyers haggling, neighbors chatting, and people coming and going, creating a lively and energetic scene.

“Oh, you two sisters, where are you coming from so early in the morning?” an aunt asked with a smile, addressing the girls in floral jackets.

“Aunt Liao, we’re coming from the pier!” replied the taller girl, smiling brightly, making her look pleasant.

These two were Wang Yuan’er and Wang Qing’er.

“The north wind is like a cold knife. Why are you catching the cold wind at the pier so early?” Aunt Liao asked curiously.

“We made some food to sell today.”

“Oh my, you’re doing business now? Already sold out? What did you make?” Aunt Liao glanced at their basket, which only had a stove and clay pot.

“Auntie, we’ve already sold out,” Wang Qing’er replied cheerfully. “We only sold a few eggs. Next time we make more, we’ll bring some for you to try.”

They had met a swordsman at the pier who, after trying one tea egg, couldn’t stop praising it. Perhaps he was hungry after the long boat ride, and being a big eater, he ate two more.

When it came time to pay, he looked at the time and asked Wang Yuan’er how long it would take to get to the capital. Learning it would take another hour and a half, he bought all their remaining eggs to eat on the way.

For this first attempt, Wang Yuan’er hadn’t made many eggs, and after her family had tasted some, there were only about ten left. The swordsman bought them all, much to her delight. She wrapped them up and exchanged them for a small piece of silver, making it a successful first sale.

Now, she plans to go to the market to buy more eggs to make tea eggs!

After chatting with Aunt Liao for a bit, the sisters headed to the market, greeting many familiar faces along the way.

The market was bustling with vendors, even several selling cosmetics. Wang Qing’er ran over, eyes bright with excitement.

“Eldest sister, this rouge is so pretty, even prettier than Wang Min’er’s,” Wang Qing’er said, pointing to a box of peach-colored rouge.

Wang Qing’er was outgoing, sharp-tongued, and bold. She loved food and beauty and had a competitive streak. In her previous life, she had disappeared suddenly, and no one knew where she went. Some even said she had been taken to a brothel.

Looking at Qing’er’s beautiful profile, her delicate chin, and bright eyes, Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but worry. This sister needed some guidance.

“Qing’er, it’s time to go.”

Reluctantly, Qing’er put down the rouge, her eyes dimming.

“Don’t worry, once we earn more money, I’ll buy you the prettiest rouge,” Wang Yuan’er said, patting her head.

Qing’er’s eyes lit up. “Promise?” She wasn’t unreasonable and understood their current situation. They had made quite a bit of money today, and at this rate, she believed she would one day have the best rouge.

The sisters picked up their basket and left, chatting as they walked.