"No, it's like a box. I want to plant some flowers and raise some poultry."
"You even despise my house. You have to know many people want it but couldn't have it."
After eating the dumplings, Qiao Mai cut open a watermelon for everyone and lets them leave after eating.
When she left, Shopkeeper Lu touched her stomach. "Ever since I met that girl, my mouth has been hungry. My stomach has also grown bigger. Those who don't know better would think I'm pregnant again."
"Mother, don't you plan to remarry? You're still so young."
"Marry who? I'm already at this age. I don't want to serve those scumbags. I'm comfortable on my own."
"Then we won't get married either. We'll be like Mother."
"No, you guys are still young. If you meet a suitable man, marry him. The matchmakers are almost stepping on the threshold of our family. Mother is taking a look for you. When Mother finds someone good, I will let you know."
Ruxin blushed. "Mother, I'm still young. Let's wait another two years."
"No, this is the custom here. In two years, the good ones will be picked away."
"Mother, I still want to learn from Master for two more years. Once I get married, I won't have the chance to learn anymore."
"Don't worry. Mother will definitely find you a good in-law. At the very least, your parents-in-law will be reasonable people. They must not be like the Tian and Qiao family. Mother will examine them for you."
Thinking of Qiao Mai's family and in-laws, Shopkeeper Lu couldn't help but shiver.
The next day, when Qiao Mai was about to leave for work, her neighbors, Yuan Jiaqi and Madam Chen, came out of the courtyard at the same time as if they were waiting for her.
" You guys, what's up?"
"The dumplings are delicious. We want to know if there's anything we can help with."
Qiao Mai waved her hand, "I can do all these myself. You don't have to do this. When I need you later, don't push me away."
"Alright, let us know when you need us."
Madam Chen turned around and returned to the courtyard. She usually stayed home, and Qiao Mai rarely saw her. This was the first time she looked her in the eye.
She looked average and dressed decently. She was not the type of woman she hated.
Yuan Jiaqi also wanted to leave, but after thinking for a moment, he spoke.
"Madam Qiao, I know some carpentry and how to write. I noticed that your stall seems to lack a signboard. If you don't mind, I can make one for you. What do you think, Madam Qiao?"
Qiao Mai knew he wanted to return the favor. "Alright, write down the products I've sold recently and leave some empty spots. I'll add them when I have new goods."
"Alright."
When he heard Qiao Mai had agreed to let him make a signboard, Yuan Jiaqi seemed to have put down a heavy burden and happily turned around to go home.
Qiao Mai shook her head. Some people received help from others and would remember it for a lifetime. Some people took advantage of others and would always feel uneasy.
However, some people still felt at a disadvantage after receiving benefits and basking in the light of others. Humans really can't be compared.
When she arrived at the stall, Qiao Mai placed the goods on the table. This morning, she cooked an extra pot of corn to try it out.
With a fixed source of customers, there was no need to worry about business.
As soon as the people thinking about quail eggs arrived yesterday, they realized there was a new dish.
"I say, Madam Qiao, why are you even starting to sell this?"
Qiao Mai didn't explain. She picked up one, peeled off the skin, cut it into several pieces with a knife, and handed one to the man.
"Try it. What's the difference between this corn and ours?"
The man took a bite and chewed it carefully before slowly saying, "It's sweet, sticky, and fragrant."
"This is called waxy corn."
"How much for one ear?"
"Ten coins!"
"Give me fifty quail eggs and five ears of waxy corn. I'll go home and give it to my wife and children."
"Good! You know your stuff."
There were many buyers like this. The villagers ate corn porridge every day. No one cared about corn. If she didn't let them taste it, they wouldn't know how delicious her waxy corn was.
The realm of a foodie was to taste any new food as soon as they saw it.
The town wasn't big, but there were many foodies, which was her favorite.
Hence, the news of Madam Qiao's stall selling waxy corn instantly spread.
Those who liked to eat corn would buy a few ears, and those who didn't would still buy for their children.
The corn in their field had not ripened yet. No one could bear to break the tender corn and cook it like this. Even if they did so, it would not be as delicious as Qiao Mai's.
Therefore, she was the first in town to do so.
Some people predicted that one day, the people of Tianshui Town would have their pockets emptied by this woman.
Time flew by, and it was time to go to the prefecture.
Qiao Mai woke up early and fed Dong Zao to its heart's content. She locked the courtyard door, connected the leash to the carriage, and went to the grocery store.
She bought twenty baskets in one go. Qiao Mai realized the baskets in town were cheaper than those in the prefecture.
It was her virtue to be frugal and thrifty.
Along the way, Dong Zao ran by himself. Qiao Mai did nothing but sit in front of the cart, half-asleep.
When she was about to reach Wei City, she became spirited. She had long forgotten about Shopkeeper Lu wanting to go to the county town.
She slowed down Dong Zao and entered the cart. Like last time, she took a few fruits from the freezer in the space.
She remembered that she sold six types of food last time. This time, she prepared ten kinds. Qiao Mai removed the watermelon and added oranges, sweet apricot, pomegranate, hawthorn, and crisp dates.
She made two hundred and sixty silver taels last time. This time, she would not have dealings with Wang Jiaru if she didn't earn five hundred silver.
She carried a cart of fruits into the city and arrived at the Wang family's gate. She didn't see Miss Wang, so she waited in the carriage.
Miss Wang should appear at the agreed time.
Qiao Mai leaned against the door frame and wanted to take a nap. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a piercing voice.
"Whose cart is blocking the entrance of our Wang family residence?"
Qiao Mai opened her eyes and smiled when she saw the old woman.
Enemies meet on a narrow road. Isn't this Granny Xiao who framed her? Qiao Mai crossed her arms and watched her perform.
Granny Xiao recognized her the moment she left the house. She was petty by nature and especially vengeful.
Granny Xiao's eyes reddened at the sight of her former enemy.
"Hurry up and get lost! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."
"Look at your face. It's as if this is your house. I remember that your surname isn't Wang but Xiao?"
"Bah, you're just a bumpkin. Get lost from where you came from. Stop lying to my young miss and master."
"I say, is there something wrong with your head? Or are your eyes sick?"
"Hmph, every one of you wants to curry favor with our Wang family. I've seen too many people like you."
Qiao Mai was speechless. Was everyone in the Wang family problematic? Two gluttons and one simple-minded person. She looked at everyone as if they were trying to curry favor with the Wang family. Qiao Mai didn't even know what the Wang family did.
How is this family good? Who could tell her what benefits she would get from fawning over them?
Does Granny Xiao think she wanted to come? How could a dog from the Wang family bite people so casually?
She looked at Granny Xiao. How embarrassing would that be if she left just because Granny Xiao asked her to? She didn't want to come. No matter what, she has to take the money before going back.
After a while, when she saw Miss Wang, she had to ask for compensation for the mental damage.
Granny Xiao saw that she did not speak, and her arrogance became even more prominent. She kept cursing, unaware that Miss Wang's face was as black as the bottom of a pot behind her.
She had finally gotten to know an interesting sister, but this wretched woman dared to scold Qiao Mai.
She was so angry that she walked behind Granny Xiao and raised her foot. She did not have the image of a lady from a noble family and kicked her butt.
Granny Xiao screamed and fell down the steps.
She was lying on the ground and was about to turn around to scream when she saw Wang Jiaru. Her tone immediately lowered.
"Miss, why did you kick this servant?"
"Idiot, she's my sister. How dare you scold my sister?"
"But she almost kidnapped Young Master last time. I did it for the good of the Wang family."
Miss Wang's face was cold as she told the guard, "Go and get Butler Wang. Granny Xiao is so arrogant that she even dares to bully my guest. Sell her at the commercial center."