Chapter 56

She soon discovered the reason for their excitement.

The children's table was a whirlwind of eating; once finished, they ran outside to play. The men's table had just started eating due to drinking wine, while the women's table had finished and were all helping to clear it.

Once the table was cleared, they all sat back down, their faces brimming with excitement.

"Sang Luo, about what you said just now, could you explain it to us in detail?"

It was Lu Lao Tai who spoke up first.

With the children playing outside, the courtyard was relatively quiet. The men at the other table also heard and turned to look. Seeing the women's table so animated, with his wife's eyes shining, Shi Erlang asked curiously, "What are you discussing?"

The bystanders were too engrossed in listening to Sang Luo to answer him; his wife, however, softly explained: “Have you tried the tofu on the table? The white and green ones? They’re made from Sang Luo’s family recipe. She’s asking if we’re interested in selling them.”

Shi Erlang perked up instantly.

Sang Luo's house wasn't built by selling wild vegetables; they were well aware of this.

So it was tofu?

The men at their table all pricked up their ears.

Sang Luo, not wanting to keep them in suspense, briefly explained her and Qin Fangniang’s previous venture of selling Immortal Tofu and wild vegetables in the county. “In the county, there are markets where you have to pay a market tax to enter. Alternatively, you can carry a load and sell in the alleys. Another option is the Sanli Village market and nearby villages. Tofu at two coins per piece might not be an everyday purchase, but occasionally people will buy.”

“As for me, I used to make Immortal Tofu, and now I’ve added tofu. Honestly, after escaping famine and surviving the past few months, my health has deteriorated. Making these foods is too time-consuming, and I no longer want to trek twenty li to the county daily. I need some respite. You all helped me build this house, and I don’t have much to repay you, so I thought of asking if you’d like to do the same as Aunt You Tian: take some tofu from me to sell as a livelihood.”

“Of course we’re willing! How could we not be?”

Before the women could respond, the men eagerly agreed.

Only a fool would refuse such a direct path to prosperity.

In the countryside, other than farming, there are few ways to earn money. There’s occasional labor in the county, but it’s not easy to come by. Without work, you even have to pay a fee to enter the city.

Once the Shi and Lu families expressed their interest, Sang Luo continued: “Since that's settled, let me explain the terms. Tofu and Immortal Tofu from me cost three coins for two pieces. You sell them for two coins each, making a one coin profit per two pieces sold, which is a 25% margin. It doesn't sound like much, but during my time selling, it was quite profitable. I previously sold only Immortal Tofu, and in the county, I could easily sell fifty or sixty pieces a day. However, individual results may vary due to personal skill and luck; I can't guarantee you'll have the same success.”

Everyone nodded, understanding the logic. Lu Lao Tai smiled and said, “We understand.”

Sang Luo also mentioned that Immortal Tofu could be sold for another month or so, and tofu all year round. “Making these is quite laborious, so I can only supply a limited amount to each of the three families. Of course, if you feel you can’t sell that much, you can order less to minimize the risk of unsold perishables. Just let me know the quantity you need by early morning, and I'll prepare accordingly.”

Shi Erlang, initially a bit skeptical, quickly agreed: “That makes sense. It’s better to start cautiously, test the waters, and then gradually increase.”

Gan Shi asked, “Are there any other requirements?”

Sang Luo nodded and said, “Yes, there are some rules. Aunt You Tian sells in the eastern market, so we shouldn’t interfere with each other's businesses. If you get your supply from me, I’d suggest you avoid the eastern market in the county. You can discuss among yourselves who goes to the western market and who does street vending. I won’t interfere, but it’s best not to sell in the same area to avoid competition. For pricing, stick to the rates I set, no increase or decrease. Keeping a stable price ensures a sustainable business. Those are pretty much my only requests.”

The families from the three households nodded in agreement. They knew each other well and certainly wouldn’t want to jeopardize their relations over competing for business locations.

Lu Lao Han said, “We'll discuss this at home tonight, decide who will take up this business, and get things started after the busy farming period.”

The men, too, seemed eager to go home and discuss the new venture. Their eating pace noticeably quickened.

Once everyone had finished eating, the group of women helped clear the tables and wash the dishes. Sang Luo checked the leftover dishes. With the large number of guests, most of the chicken, duck, and braised pork were gone, leaving not much behind.

She set aside a few pieces for the children to enjoy later and divided the rest among the three families: “It’s too hot for the dishes to keep; just a few pieces for each family, enough to please the kids.”

It wasn’t so much about doing a favor, but more so because of her past experiences, Sang Luo usually didn’t eat leftover food, especially if it was from a previous meal.

Even if she only had a single coin left, there were still two eggs at home, some soybeans, and plenty of vegetables given by other families, enough to fill a small basket.

So, she wasn’t worried about running out of food and was happy to share the leftovers.

Thus, she generously distributed the food among the families.

……

The bustle in the small courtyard didn't die down until late evening. By then, every corner of the yard and kitchen had been tidied up by a group of people. Since Sang Luo had distributed the leftover food among the families, even the tables, benches, bowls, and dishes were carried away, leaving the courtyard clean without her needing to tidy up again with her two little ones.

Even the children outside helped fix the entire fence around the vegetable garden.

With everyone busy with their farm work and Sang Luo too occupied today, the yard bustling with people, she didn't gather leaves from the immortal tree. Only the two liters of soybeans she bought during the day were available. Deciding not to fuss about it tonight, she bathed early and rested. Before sleeping, she soaked the soybeans, planning to grind them early the next morning to make tofu - a perfect idea for a fresh, warm tofu pudding for breakfast.

The sisters-in-law in one area had fed the chickens and ducks in the backyard, enjoyed a comfortable bath, and were already lying in bed early, fast asleep.

On the other hand, the Chen family was alright, but the Lu and Shi families were in for a sleepless night.

The Shi family was excited, while the Lu family was distressed.

……

Wang Chunniang was wiping tears inside her house.

"Mother is too biased. It was you and our sons who helped the Sang family build their house. We got this business opportunity as a thank you from them. It should have been me going, right? But no, she insists on sending my sister-in-law."

Lu Dalang was troubled. He was initially happy, and when his mother discussed this outside, his wife didn't say anything. But once they returned home, she wouldn't stop crying.

"Whether you go or your sister-in-law goes, doesn't it amount to the same thing? It's all for the family's business, and the money will ultimately be handed over to mother, right?"

Wang Chunniang was annoyed, "How is it the same? That's an opportunity to handle money. Even selling wild vegetables on the way could earn some extra coins. Isn't that money too? What can I handle staying at home?"

The wife always wanted to save some private money, and Lu Dalang knew it but it was hard to save. He turned a blind eye, not bothering to say much.

But now, there was suddenly a job involving daily handling of money at home, and it was specifically assigned to his sister-in-law by his mother. Watching the chance to handle money slip away, his wife, who didn't dare to say much outside, started crying non-stop once back home, only bothering him.

Lu Dalang didn't support it, but he didn't know how to calm her.

After Wang Chunniang wiped her tears for a while and saw her husband remaining silent, she said, "You talk to mother, let me go. My younger sister-in-law doesn't talk much, not suitable for trading. I don't think she really wants to go either."

Lu Dalang shook his head, "I didn't see any reluctance from my sister-in-law; she's just worried about not doing well. Isn't Tian's wife also not talkative? But she does well, right? Our father asked around, and she can earn over thirty wen a day. My sister-in-law sits in the weaving room all day; I think mother's arrangement is good. It'll let her get out and may improve her mood gradually."

Saying this, Lu Dalang's face showed guilt, and his voice weakened, "We have wronged my sister-in-law too much. You're the eldest sister-in-law, don't compete with her for everything."

Wang Chunniang was left speechless, only able to wipe her tears in silent frustration.

After crying for a long time, the next morning, her eyes were swollen.

Old Lady Lu entered the kitchen and, under the dim light of the oil lamp, noticed it at first glance.

She didn't say anything until her daughter-in-law went out to fetch firewood. Then she asked, "Are you upset about my decision to have your sister-in-law sell tofu while you stay home weaving?"

Wang Chunniang remained silent.

Old Lady Lu: "If you're dissatisfied, speak up. Whether it's reasonable or not, let me hear it. If it's reasonable, I'll agree with you; if not, at least you'll have said your piece and won't have to keep it bottled up."

Something in those words struck a chord with Wang Chunniang, or maybe she genuinely felt aggrieved, so she finally spoke up.

"Since you want me to speak reasonably, here I go. Mother, this business opportunity originally came thanks to the Sang family thanking Dalang and a few others for their help. My husband and my children helped too. Doesn't that mean I should be the one to go? Besides, with her temperament, my sister-in-law isn't as suitable as I am. I can't make sense of it."

Old Lady Lu glanced at her: "It's not that you can't make sense of it, you just can't accept it. Your husband, your children helped, so you think you're entitled to reap the benefits. Is that what you complained about to Liuniang yesterday before the feast?"

Wang Chunniang didn't expect the old lady to know about this and her face changed slightly as she turned away.

Old Lady Lu scoffed softly, "Wang Chunniang, sometimes you have to have a conscience. Your husband? Your children? Where is Liuniang's husband? Where is Erlang?"

Wang Chunniang shuddered imperceptibly.

But Old Lady Lu wasn't ready to let her off: "Where is Erlang? When they conscripted soldiers, it should have been Dalang who went. But because you cried, made a scene, threatened to kill yourself and the children, it was Erlang who went in his brother's place. Did Liuniang willingly let her husband go? Didn't she have a child? Axu was even a year younger than Shitou!"

"Mother," Wang Chunniang's lips trembled, "my child's father almost lost his life working on the canal last winter, his health was ruined. Mother, I was afraid he'd die before even reaching the battlefield."

Speaking of her second son, Old Lady Lu's eyes grew moist. She blinked away the tears and looked outside the kitchen. In a low voice, she said, "Yes, you were worried about your husband, you had your reasons. So, Erlang went in his brother's place. Liuniang cried too, but she didn't make a scene."

"Now, Erlang is gone. Liuniang and Axu are left without a husband and father, a widow and an orphan."

"Wang Chunniang, how dare you? How dare you use your husband and son as an excuse? If Erlang hadn't replaced Dalang, would Liuniang have lost her husband? Would Axu have lost his father? Would he be five years old without a younger brother or sister? How dare you?!"

Startled by her mother-in-law’s stern but compelling question, Wang Chunniang stepped back half a step in fright, steadying herself against the stove, tears falling from her eyes: “Mother, it wasn’t intentional. I only vented a bit to Da Niuniang; I didn’t know Er Dimei would overhear. In all these years, Er Dimei has been upset with me, barely speaking a word or showing kindness. I’ve never dared to say anything, Mother.”

Old Lady Lu laughed out of frustration: “What, she didn't give you a friendly response? It's barely been a year since Er Lang's (her husband's) death, does she have to smile at you?”

“You didn’t say anything, what more did you want to say? Crushing someone’s spirit, that’s just your style.”

“Since you asked today, let me be clear. If you hadn’t said those things yesterday, attacking your brother and sister-in-law, thinking about your nature, I might have really let you run the tofu business. But with those words you said, don’t even think about it anymore.”

“You say I’m biased, well, I am. You have a husband and four sons, you don’t lack my affection. But your brother and sister-in-law, I need to support them to stand on their own, especially now that they only have Ah Xu. If you still don’t understand or aren’t convinced, then weave more fabric. Weaving calms the mind. Think it over slowly, if not in a day, then in a month; if not in a month, then in a year.”

Not far from the kitchen, in a corner of the wall, Feng Liu Niang wasn’t gathering firewood but standing there for quite a while, tears streaming down her face as she listened to her mother-in-law talk about her husband and defend her.

Pressing the base of her palm against her eyes to wipe away the tears, she took a moment to compose herself before quietly heading to the woodshed to fetch firewood.

Her mother-in-law was right; she still had Ah Xu. She couldn’t indulge in grief endlessly. She had to stand up, for her child, she must rise.