Pei Xia asked Qi Jiao to watch the stall while he went to a breakfast shop on the neighboring street to fetch two bowls of wontons.
The wontons were white with a tinge of pink. Each one had a thin wrapper and a generous filling. They were drizzled with sesame oil, and there were plump shrimps and green scallions on top. Just looking at them made one's mouth water.
Pei Xia carried the bowls in both hands and offered one to Qi Jiao.
Qi Jiao reached out to take it. Her slightly cool fingertips brushed against Pei Xia's long knuckles and then quickly withdrew.
Qi Jiao sat on a small stool and gave him a smile before holding the bowl and starting to eat.
Since his father's death, Pei Xia had been busy making a living for the family and had no interest in women. Getting married was just one of the things he had to do in his life.
Qi Jiao suddenly barged into his sight, vivid and full of life.
The feeling of her touch still lingered on his knuckles, delicate and smooth, like the finest silk.
A strange feeling suddenly welled up in Pei Xia's heart. He even vaguely hoped that the touch would last a little longer, just a little longer.
The sun rose, and the morning market became even more bustling with people coming and going in a steady stream.
Qi Jiao stared at the large yellow croaker, feeling worried. Many people came to inquire, but as soon as they heard the price, they lost interest and walked away dejectedly.
The whole fish was priced at two taels of silver, which Qi Jiao thought was not expensive at all.
As the saying goes, rarity makes the price. In modern times, large yellow croakers are as valuable as gold.
It was precisely because there was no over - fishing in this era and the marine resources were abundant that a large yellow croaker weighing over ten catties was sold for only two taels of silver, equivalent to the price of three lambs.
Qi Jiao observed the passers - by. Most of them were ordinary people from the neighborhood, dressed in simple clothes. Even those who were a bit better off would rather spend two taels of silver on rice than on a fish.
She said to Pei Xia, "Where is the wealthy area in the county?"
Pei Xia understood her meaning immediately.
However, he slightly raised his eyebrows in surprise and said, "You've been in the Guo family for ten years, and you don't know?"
Qi Jiao wrung her fingers and said firmly, "I've always been in the inner courtyard of the Guo Mansion and rarely went out, so I don't know."
Pei Xia nodded in understanding. No wonder Jiao Niang was so curious about everything in the city. After they finished their business, he would take her for a good stroll.
"The wealthy families live in the Official Lane and around the Misty Rain Bridge."
Qi Jiao said okay. "Let's go and take a chance."
Pei Xia looked around. Except for the large yellow croaker, most of the other seafood had been sold.
Although the autumn sun was not as scorching as in summer, seafood was most vulnerable to sunlight, so it was best to sell it as soon as possible.
So he nodded in agreement, packed up the remaining three or two catties of fish and shrimp, and gave them to the neighboring vendors.
When they were about to leave, the aunt who sold steamed buns gave Qi Jiao two big white buns.
She was also stuffed with a handful of roasted chestnuts, two bunches of green vegetables, and three radishes...
Qi Jiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry and could only thank them repeatedly. These people were really kind - hearted and simple!
The Official Lane, as the name suggests, was where the officials lived. Qi Jiao knew nothing about it.
The only wealthy family she knew in the county was the Guo family.
The Guo Mansion was located north of the Misty Rain Bridge. It was a large and deep - seated mansion. Some maids had lived their whole lives inside and never stepped out.
Qi Jiao planned to use the Misty Rain Bridge as the center and sell the fish in the surrounding areas.
Big mansions had many gates. Purchasing was usually done through the back gate or side gate.
From afar, Qi Jiao saw a large and magnificent mansion. Standing outside the wall, one could see the exquisitely crafted eaves in the inner courtyard. It was clearly a wealthy family.
She pulled Pei Xia straight to the back gate of this mansion.
The back gate was open, and there were gatekeepers standing on both sides.
Qi Jiao stepped forward, curtsied, and said with a smile, "May I ask if your esteemed mansion is interested in buying fresh and plump large yellow croakers?"
The servants of the Shu Mansion were used to seeing poor people come to sell goods. At first, they wanted to drive her away, but seeing Qi Jiao's gentle smile and humble attitude, they hesitated.
Ding Zhu's foster mother was the cook in the Shu family. He saw that Qi Jiao and Pei Xia were dressed simply, but their looks and expressions were not like those of ordinary people in the market. So he said, "What kind of large yellow croaker? Let me take a look."
Pei Xia and Qi Jiao exchanged glances and knew there was a chance.
Pei Xia quickly put the wooden bucket on the stone steps. "These are the fish we caught ourselves when we went out to sea. We just got them this morning."
Ding Zhu often helped his foster mother choose goods outside. He had a sharp eye and could tell at a glance that it was good stuff.
What was most remarkable was that the large yellow croaker was big and fresh.
So he said, "Okay, you wait here. I'll go in and call someone."
After a while, Ding Zhu came out with a stout woman.
Aunt Mei was white and plump, but she was very agile in her movements.
She took a few steps and stepped over the threshold. When she saw the large yellow croaker, she was immediately overjoyed.
In the past few days, the old lady of the Shu family had a poor appetite due to a digestive disorder.
The old lady had a strange temper and hated taking medicine. Aunt Mei was worried about not having good ingredients to make nourishing meals.
Aunt Mei was determined to buy it, but she didn't show it on her face. She deliberately said in a flat tone, "How much is this fish?"
Pei Xia made a gesture. "Three taels."
He was not unfamiliar with dealing with the stewards and maids of wealthy families. As soon as he saw Aunt Mei's expression, he knew she would try to bargain, so he raised the price a bit.
Sure enough, Aunt Mei began to pick on the fish. "This fish is too fat. I'm afraid the taste won't be good."
Qi Jiao interjected, "Auntie, you must be an expert. But you may not know that although the large yellow croaker looks big, its meat is extremely tender and is just suitable for stewing. After scaling and boning, there won't be much meat left. Moreover, there are many people in the mansion, and a big fish is just right. It looks auspicious."
Aunt Mei looked at her and smiled. "You, little lady, have a glib tongue."
"Okay, it's not easy for you to come from so far to sell fish. If you lower the price a bit, I'll buy it. If you have any other good goods in the future, just come to me, Aunt Mei."
Pei Xia knew that people like Aunt Mei, who used the master's money to buy things, would surely make some profit for themselves.
Selling it at a slightly lower price to make a good impression was like opening a small sales channel.
Pei Xia raised his eyes, looking hesitant. Finally, as if making up his mind, he sighed and said, "We are just rural people trying to make a living. If you want it, two and a half taels will do."
Hearing this, Aunt Mei couldn't bargain any further. So she paid the money briskly and waved for a young servant to bring out a large wooden basin to hold the fish.
During this short time, Qi Jiao took the opportunity to chat with Aunt Mei and told her two recipes for cooking fish.
Aunt Mei was so happy that she clapped her hands and said that in the future, she would give their family priority when buying seafood.
Qi Jiao achieved her goal and smiled with her eyes curved. Pei Xia was also infected by her and a smile appeared in his eyes.
After successfully selling the large yellow croaker, both of them felt extremely relaxed.
Qi Jiao's steps became lighter.
Pei Xia looked at her and said, "It's still early. Let's go for a stroll on the street."
Qi Jiao's eyes lit up. "Okay."
The county they were in was called Lingle County, which was subordinate to Yulin Prefecture and located in the southeast of the Dacheng Dynasty.
There were twenty - one marketplaces in the county, and the busiest street was Qing'an Avenue.
All kinds of shops had their doors wide open, with various signs and flags hanging at their doorways. The sounds of people coming and going were continuous.
Pei Xia first took Qi Jiao to a clothing store.
The clerk in the store sized them up at a glance and then showed a lazy expression. He didn't seem very interested in serving them.
Qi Jiao saw this and said nothing. She just pulled Pei Xia and left.
There were so many shops. It wasn't the only one doing business!
Pei Xia couldn't help but laugh and followed Qi Jiao to another store.
This store was not as grandly decorated as the previous one, but it had its own elegance.
The clothes in the store were neatly arranged and looked very clean.