Qiao Wei's desserts were exquisite and novel, and soon attracted a bunch of passersby. Qiao Wei was not stingy and cut the red bean and glutinous rice cake into big slices.
At first, everyone thought the snow-white little rabbits looked cute. After eating them, they realized that they were also really delicious but not expensive. You get one for three coppers and two for five coppers. And if you buy ten, you will get one free.
It would’ve been surprising if such high-quality and inexpensive items were not sold off quickly.
An auntie paid five coppers: "Two, please."
"I want two too!"
"Four!"
"Ten!"
Aunt Luo received the money and was dazzled. Qiao Wei used Ruozhu* leaves to pack the red beans and glutinous rice. The cakes were packaged only when the customer requests them. Qiao Wei had no problem remembering who wants how many, even though there were many customers.
(*T/N: Ruo/Indocalamus leaves, used for packing snacks in China.)
Two baskets of sweet cakes disappeared in less than half an hour.
"Are you coming tomorrow too?" a young lady who bought glutinous rice cakes asked while eating.
Qiao Wei nodded: "Yes, we’ll be here."
"Then I will buy it." The young woman liked Qiao Wei's sweet cake very much.
Qiao Wei smiled slightly and said, "Thank you."
After the young woman left, Aunt Luo wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. She was sweating by collecting the money, even though it was winter. The business was so good that she asked: "Xiao Wei, how many are left?"
Qiao Wei opened the basket and counted: "Five more."
She was afraid that it would be difficult to sell, so she only made fifty, but only a quarter of an hour had passed, and there was nothing left. This speed was somewhat beyond even her expectation, and it seemed that this was the right move.
She turned her head and looked at the two little buns behind her. They were sitting on the small bench obediently, teasing the little ferret with a cloth dumpling. Her heart went soft, and she picked up some money and left the stall.
When she came back, she carried three candied haws, one for her son, one for her daughter, and one for the little ferret.
The two people and one beast who got the candied haws were pleased. Qiao Wangshu stood on tiptoes, pulled down Qiao Wei, hugged her neck, and gave her a kiss: "Thank you, mother."
Qiao Wei smiled: "Whatever you like and want to eat in the future, tell your mother."
Qiao Wangshu nodded and licked the big, red, shiny candied haw with the tip of her small tongue: "It's really sweet!" Qiao Jingyun also licked shyly. A little shyer than his sister.
The little ferret was holding the skewers, gnawing rudely and violently; nom, nom, nom...
A gorgeous carriage stopped at the opposite restaurant, and from the carriage walked down a well-dressed woman. She wore an antique satin jacket forged in Haizhou with brightly combed hair and two jade silver hairpins. She held a light green veil in her slender hands, with an elegant and arrogant attitude. Beside her followed a pretty girl.
At first glance, the two knew that they were the nanny and maid of some big family. Few people in town could see such elegant people, and everyone looked at them with curiosity and awe.
Qiao Wei had seen more expensive and indescribable attendants yesterday, and looking at the two in front of her, she wasn’t really impressed. But soon, the two came over to Qiao Wei.
The maid pointed to the sweet cake on the stall: "Mother Fang, look at these little rabbits. They’re so good-looking!"
The servant woman called Mother Fang paused carelessly, glanced at it, and said, "The roadside things are dirty. How long have you been staying in the mansion? Why do you still act like someone who has never seen the world?"
The maid pouted.
Qiao Wei didn't show any reaction, acting as if she hadn't heard their conversation.
Mother Fang hummed irritatedly: "Fine, you can buy it if you like it, but don't let the lady see it."
The maid opened the purse happily, "How much is one?"
Qiao Wei said, "Three coppers for one, five coppers for two, and only the last five are left. If the girl wants it, I’ll sell you all for ten coppers."
It’s a sweet thing to say, she’s a maid, she’s never looked down on her, how can she look down on others? Although it was only a commodity, it was enough for her to be comfortable. She unambiguously took out ten coppers of money: "I’ll buy it all!"
Aunt Luo took the money, Qiao Wei took out Ruozhu leaves, skillfully folded a small frame, and gently placed the five mini white rabbits in it.
The maid's eyes widened: "What quick hands!" Qiao Wei smiled in reply and handed her the sweet cakes.
Mother Fang gave the maid an impatient look: "Can we go now? I’m telling you, if you get a stomachache after eating it, don't come to me crying."
The maid flattered her with a smile: "No, no, Mother Fang. Don't worry."
The two turned around to leave. Before leaving, the maid caught a glimpse of the little ferret behind the stall, who was gnawing at the candied haws, her eyes lit up suddenly: "Ah! Mother Fang, see that! That puppy is so cute!"
A certain ferret who was treated like a dog for the Nth time rolled his eyes.
Mother Fang, who turned around and saw Xiao Bai, showed a hint of surprise across her face: "Ferret?"
Qiao Wei's eyes moved.
The little ferret continued to gnaw on the candied fruit in their paws.
My lady has always wanted a ferret, but she has never found a suitable one. This ferret is not only beautiful but also tamed, and it would be great to give it to her. Mama Fang looked at Qiao Wei, who was closing the stall: "How much for that ferret?"
Qiao Wei didn't raise her eyelids: "No."
Mother Fang sneered. She has seen too many people like this, who wouldn’t agree at first. It’s just to drive up the price: "Twenty taels of silver."
Qiao Wei chuckled, but Xu Dazhuang said that Xiao Bai is more valuable than tigers. Tigers sold for thirty taels. This lady actually only called twenty?
Mother Fang noticed Qiao Wei's disdain and frowned, "Thirty taels?"
Qiao Wei didn't say a word.
"Fifty?"
Qiao Wei still ignored her.
Mother Fang raised the volume: "You want one hundred taels, don’t you?" Qiao Wei folded the tablecloth and put it in the basket: "I said I won't sell it."
Mother Fang gritted her teeth: "You name a price!"
Qiao Wei paused for a moment: "You really want me to name a price?"
"Yes, name it!"
Qiao Wei stretched out her index finger.
Mother Fang frowned: "One hundred taels ?"
Qiao Wei shook her index finger.
"One thousand taels?"
Shaking her finger again.
"Ten thousand?" Fang's mother took a few steps back in fright.
"Yes, in gold." Qiao Wei smiled faintly, "Can you afford it?"
Mother Fang changed her face: "Did you trick me on purpose? Do you know who I am?"
Qiao Wei said calmly: "I don’t care who you are. If you want to buy my ferret, just take out ten thousand taels of gold. Otherwise, you won’t need to talk about it. "
What kind of ferret is worth so much? She obviously does not want to sell. Mother Fang stared at Qiao Wei in anger. How noble a person is her young lady. As the young lady's nanny, she also gets preferential treatment everywhere. When was the last time she was made to suffer such disdain? Overcome with anger, she raised her palm to slap Qiao Wei!
Aunt Luo saw the trouble and rushed over to protect Qiao Wei. The slap fell firmly on her face.
"Ahh!"