PNB Chapter 25 Wontons
Chapter 25 Wontons
"This stall has meat wontons and vegetarian wontons. The meat ones are 12 coins for 15 wontons, and the vegetarian ones are 8 coins for 15 wontons. Which one would you like, sir?" the old lady said.
Just as Song Jiaojiao was about to speak, Mu Xue tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Mom, this is too expensive. Let's go eat steamed buns. Steamed buns are cheaper, tastier, and filling."
Song Jiaojiao looked at Mu Qing and He Fan with pained expressions; twelve coins could buy half a pound of lean meat.
"It's alright. Since we're already here, let's try the wontons and see if they're good. We'll buy steamed buns later when we get back," Song Jiaojiao said with a smile. "Give us four bowls of meat wontons."
"Okay, please wait a moment, sir." The old lady said with a smile, and went to get busy after Song Jiaojiao had ordered.
Amidst the laughter and conversation, the wontons were cooked and served. The round, steaming wontons, garnished with bright green scallions, looked incredibly appetizing.
"Eat up, and then we'll go shopping. Today, you can each buy one thing you like," Song Jiaojiao said, blowing on her wontons.
One bite reveals its fresh, juicy, thin-skinned, and generously meaty texture. I wonder how the restaurant prepared it; it's just as delicious as the dishes I made in my previous life.
The three siblings buried themselves in their food, and the only sound throughout was the chewing.
In no time, Chaos was completely wiped out, leaving nothing even for Mu Qing, who had the smallest appetite.
"Are you full? You can order more if you're still hungry," Song Jiaojiao said, seeing that the group still seemed to want more.
"Mom, um... I'm full. These wontons were so delicious, I want to eat them again next time." Mu Xue said happily, patting her round belly and letting out a satisfied burp.
"Okay, we'll go buy meat later and make wontons at home," Song Jiaojiao said with a smile. "Can we still leave now? If we don't leave soon, the meat vendor will be sold out."
"I can walk, I can walk, Mom, let's go quickly." As soon as Song Jiaojiao finished speaking, Mu Xue stood up abruptly and pulled Song Jiaojiao to leave.
Song Jiaojiao shook her head and smiled, then put the money for the wontons on the table and called out to the old lady, "Auntie, I've put the money on the table for you, remember to take it."
Before the restaurant could reply, Song Jiaojiao was pulled away and walked away. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think they had dined and dashed, since they were running away so fast.
"Slow down, slow down, let's go ask about the silver ear fungus first. We can only buy meat after we sell it and get the money," Song Jiaojiao said helplessly. In just a short while, they had walked several hundred meters, which was faster than running.
Hearing Song Jiaojiao's words, Mu Xue had no choice but to let go, saying, "Alright, let's go sell the white fungus first. I wonder if there will be any meat left after we sell out." She muttered to herself.
Mu Qing and Wang Hefan finally caught up, only to hear Mu Xue muttering something under her breath, "Little sister, you run too fast, even my older sister and I can't keep up with you."
Mu Qing remained silent, her face slightly flushed, breathing heavily.
Mu Xue stuck out her tongue shyly, her ear tips turning slightly red, and said coquettishly, "Okay, big brother, I know, I won't do it again next time."
Song Jiaojiao looked at the group with amusement and said, "Let's go, Huichuntang is just ahead, let's go ask them first."
As the group entered Huichuntang, Manager Liu was standing behind the medicine cabinet, fiddling with his abacus. He looked up when he saw them arrive.
"Oh, what a rare guest! Madam Song is here." The he shou wu that Madam Song sold last time was delivered to my employer's house by me. My employer needed it, and it gave me a significant raise.
"Did Madam Song bring me any good medicinal herbs today?" Manager Liu came out from behind the medicine cabinet and quickly walked up to Song Jiaojiao to ask in a low voice.
"Manager Liu, good medicinal herbs aren't so easy to come by; it depends on fate," Song Jiaojiao replied in a low voice. Manager Liu, hearing this, assumed Song Jiaojiao had only come to buy something. Before he could speak, Song Jiaojiao changed the subject...
"However, I have something here, I wonder if Manager Liu would accept it?"
“Anything that Madam Song can bring must be extraordinary. Come, let’s go sit in the backyard. Madam Song, please.” Upon hearing this, Manager Liu’s eyes lit up. He quickly led Song Jiaojiao and her party to the backyard and hurriedly ordered the shop’s apprentices to serve tea and snacks.
When Manager Liu saw the group of people following behind Song Jiaojiao, his eyes darted around, and he secretly wondered, "If I'm not mistaken, these children behind Madam Song must be her family members."
"Shopkeeper, you have a good eye. These are my sons and daughters," Song Jiaojiao said, handing a piece of pastry to Mu Xue and Mu Qing.
"I didn't believe Madam Song when she said she was already married last time. She looks so young, I didn't think she was married at all. I never imagined her child was already so big," Manager Liu said with a smile.
Who doesn't like to hear nice things? Especially compliments on a woman's youth. "Oh, not at all, Uncle Liu, you flatter me," Song Jiaojiao said modestly, waving her hand. If you ignored the way Song Jiaojiao smiled, her eyes practically disappearing into her teeth, it would be even more convincing.
"Madam Song, we're old acquaintances, so I won't beat around the bush. I wonder what good things you've brought today?" Seeing Song Jiaojiao so happy, Manager Liu quickly revealed his purpose.
An old acquaintance? Us?
If I remember correctly, this was only the second time we'd met...
Song Jiaojiao took out the silver ear fungus that was packed in a wooden box from her basket and pushed it in front of Manager Liu.
"I found this in the mountains, and it's already dried. Manager Liu, would you like it?"
As soon as Manager Liu picked up the box and opened it, he became so excited that his face turned red. "If I'm not mistaken, this is silver ear fungus?"
Manager Liu put down the box and carefully took out a silver ear fungus. The slightly yellowish silver ear fungus was undamaged, and its spread patterns resembled a blooming peony. Such high quality was rare even in the capital city, and it would have a place even as a tribute.
"Madam Song, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore. I'll take all the white fungus. I'll charge you thirty taels and one mace." Manager Liu gently put down the white fungus and immediately made the decision, looking nervously at Song Jiaojiao.
Before Song Jiaojiao could speak, Mu Xue was so surprised that she dropped the pastries in her hands without even noticing.
How much? Am I hallucinating? That white silver ear fungus, the one I dried, is worth thirty taels of silver! That box is almost a pound! How much money is that?
Not only was Mu Xue shocked, but Mu Qing and He Fan were also so surprised that they didn't know what expression to make and could only stand there stiffly.
Song Jiaojiao showed no outward expression, but was extremely shocked. She thought it would be good if this thing could sell for 100 taels per catty, but she didn't expect it to be as high as 300 taels per catty.
Seeing that Song Jiaojiao remained silent and expressionless, Manager Liu assumed he had offered too low a price. This kind of white fungus was indeed rare in Yunshui Town, and even in Tongan County, it was uncommon. With that in mind, Manager Liu raised the price for Song Jiaojiao.
“Madam Song thinks the price is too low? How about this, I’ll add five taels for Madam Song, making it thirty-five taels and one mace. Even in Nanling County, this price wouldn’t be low.”