Chapter 79

After making the fermented tofu, Wang Yuan’er couldn’t wait to take it to the market to sell.

Early in the morning, the market was already filled with many vendors. Wang Yuan’er, carrying the tea eggs and dried tofu she made the night before, along with the new fermented tofu, walked to the market with her sister Wang Qing’er by her side.

“Yuan’er, you two sisters are here so early to sell tea eggs?” Someone greeted her.

“Yes, Auntie, we have some fresh goods to sell today,” Wang Yuan’er replied with a smile.

“Oh? What fresh goods do you have?” The auntie stopped, carrying a basket with some meat and mountain goods.

“Auntie, this is something delicious. Not just in Changle Town, but in the whole world, only we have this good stuff,” Wang Qing’er said quickly. “Auntie, you’re lucky today. You got to try it first!”

Everyone likes to hear good things. The auntie laughed and said, “You girl, did you drink honey this early in the morning? Alright, let’s see what good stuff you have.”

Wang Yuan’er had already put down her load. Unlike usual, she brought a wooden board, a small bowl, and chopsticks, all of which were washed very clean. She set up a small stool and placed the wooden board on it, making a small table. Then, she carefully took out a piece of fermented tofu from the jar and placed it in a porcelain bowl, revealing it to everyone.

The fermented tofu had a strong smell, causing the auntie to take a step back. Wang Qing’er giggled and pulled her back, saying, “Auntie, don’t mind the smell. At first, it doesn’t smell great, but once you get used to it, it smells wonderful and tastes even better.”

“Fermented tofu?”

Wang Yuan’er smiled and said, “It’s made from tofu. It’s great for eating with rice or as a seasoning for cooking.” As she spoke, she used the tip of a chopstick to take a bit and handed it over. “Auntie, give it a try?”

The auntie hesitated but, seeing the sisters’ expectant eyes, took it with a determined look and tasted it with her eyes closed.

Hmm!

After a while, she opened her eyes and said, “It’s salty!”

Wang Yuan’er smiled, “It needs to be this salty to go with rice. In farming households, when there’s no good food, it’s common to soak rice in salt water. This fermented bean curd is meant to be eaten with rice. Just a little bit can make you eat two bowls of rice.”

“That makes sense; it is quite fragrant. Can it be used for cooking?” The auntie became interested.

Wang Yuan’er quickly nodded and listed several cooking methods. The auntie laughed and said, “You make it sound so magical. Alright, how much is it?”

“One coin per piece,” Wang Qing’er said, raising her finger.

“Such a small piece for one coin? It’s more expensive than buns!” The auntie frowned; the buns cost only two coins each.

“It’s not expensive. The cost is high. This is a good seasoning for rice.” Wang Yuan’er replied with a smile. She had calculated the price carefully, which was already a thin profit.

“Then give me five pieces.”

“Alright.” Wang Yuan’er quickly took out oil paper bags and packed them while instructing, “Auntie, I originally planned to sell this fermented bean curd with the jar, but I didn’t prepare small jars, so I can only use oil paper bags for now. Next time, you can buy it with the jar or bring a bowl to pack it. When you get home, make sure to put it in a bowl quickly. Otherwise, the sauce will leak out.”

“Yes, Auntie, even I eat three bowls of rice with this sauce!” Wang Qing’er added with a smile, taking the money the auntie handed over.

The auntie laughed and agreed. The sisters looked at the copper coins in their hands and smiled; their first sale was a success.

Chapter 80

With the first sale completed, the second and third sales followed. Everyone was curious about the new item, and since it was said to be a great addition to plain rice, it piqued the interest of many. In farming households, not everyone can afford fancy dishes, and there is a significant disparity between the rich and poor. Some families can’t even afford salt, so spending a penny to try something new was worth it.

Wang Yuan’er didn’t make a lot of fermented bean curd in her first attempt—just enough to fill three jars. Each jar contained several dozens of pieces. Thanks to the support of the villagers, most of it sold out, but she had other plans for the remaining jar.

So, she was ready to pack up when she had only a small amount left. However, her stall, surrounded by many people, still attracted attention, like the woman standing before her now.

“Who is it? Oh, it’s Yuan’er. What are you selling?” A woman dressed in dark green, with her hair in a low bun and a silver hairpin, stretched her neck and asked.

Wang Yuan’er saw that it was Wang Min’er’s aunt, Madam Zhou, who worked as a respectable nanny at the Tang family.

Seeing Madam Zhou reminded Wang Yuan’er of her late mother, Madam Liang. Although her mother had her faults, much of the turmoil was due to her betrothal, which originated from Madam Zhou. Therefore, Wang Yuan’er was not particularly warm towards her.

“Just some snacks,” Wang Yuan’er replied coolly.

Madam Zhou didn’t overthink it. She was always looking for a bargain. In the past, when Wang Yuan’er sold marinated eggs and dried tofu, she got a free taste. Hearing about the new item now, her greed was piqued again.

“What good stuff do you have? Don’t forget your aunt’s share!” Madam Zhou stretched her neck, sniffing and asking, “It smells delicious.”

Wang Qing’er, unlike Wang Yuan’er, didn’t have a good temper. She slapped the basket’s cover and said sharply, “What kind of aunt are you? My aunt is in Shilong Town. Don’t pretend to be close. Even if you pay, we won’t sell to you. Go away!” She despised Madam Zhou’s family.

“You dead girl, is your mouth made of knives? Is this how you talk to your elders?” Madam Zhou’s face darkened. “Such poor upbringing.”

“You…” Wang Qing’er was about to argue when Wang Yuan’er held her back. Looking at Madam Zhou indifferently, she said, “Auntie, this is indeed good stuff. You can try it. If you like it, you can come back and buy more.”

“Eldest sister!” Wang Qing’er couldn’t believe it.

Wang Yuan’er gave her a calming look, then carefully wrapped a few pieces of fermented bean curd in an oil bag. As she introduced it, she said, “The Qingming Festival is coming soon, and spring bamboo shoots will be out. When the mouth feels bland, mix this fermented bean curd with shredded bamboo shoots for a refreshing taste. Both the elderly and children will love it.”

“Mhm, Qing’er, you should learn to be like your big sister,” Madam Zhou said smugly as she took the bag.

Wang Qing’er snorted and turned away.

Wang Yuan’er, seemingly unconcerned, said, “Auntie, you should eat it soon. This stuff can’t be made quickly. If you want to make a good dish for the old lady and madam at the mansion and get a reward, I won’t have any more for a while. And don’t say I don’t have any—no one in the whole world has it.”

Madam Zhou’s eyes twinkled with thought, and she quickly walked away, not noticing the mockery and calculation in Wang Yuan’er’s smile.