Chapter 74: Chapter 074: Picking up Gold Without Pocketing It (Third Update)
Translator: 549690339
Bai San picked up Zhuang Qingning earlier than usual today because there was a market in the town and more stalls were set up.
Even so, the town was already bustling.
Fortunately, they had a fixed spot in the town where they had been setting up their stall for years, so their spot was not taken.
After setting everything up and delivering tofu to several restaurants, they finally began to sell tofu in peace.
It was only after selling several pieces of tofu that Mrs. Liu arrived late.
“Aunt Liu, you’re late today.” Zhuang Qingning grinned as she helped Mrs. Liu fix her stall.
“I wasn’t feeling well since yesterday afternoon, so I had some medicine soup last night and ended up waking up late this morning.”
Mrs. Liu yawned as she spoke.
She did not seem to be in her best form.
“Initially, I decided not to come. However, considering today’s a big market day and there’s not much to do at home, I decided to come anyway.”
A bigger market would bring in more business, compensating for the quiet days. No matter how tiresome today might get, they could rest for the next couple of days. It was well worth it. That’s what Mrs. Liu thought.
“You should take good care of your health, Aunt Liu.”
If only they lived more comfortably, they wouldn’t have to work so hard on making and selling fried chop rice cakes. Mrs. Liu wouldn’t have to force herself to keep going despite feeling unwell.
Therefore, Zhuang Qingning didn’t insist, she only helped Mrs. Liu shout for customers, hoping to sell all the fried chop rice cakes sooner, so they could go home and rest.
“I know.”
Mrs. Liu understood Zhuang Qingning’s intentions. After chuckling and suppressing a couple of coughs, she mustered the energy to continue selling fried chop rice cakes.
The tofu business carried on well, even better on the big market day, selling out faster than usual.
Many people asked about the salted duck eggs’ price and availability during the day. But the eggs were still marinating. Even though formula powder shortened the marination time, it would still take around ten days.
Zhuang Qingning explained individually, stating that the eggs were not yet ready but would be sold in the market as soon as they were finished marinating.
The customers who came excited but left disappointed, felt slightly better knowing they wouldn’t have to wait much longer. They repeatedly insisted that more salted duck eggs must be stocked and sold in the market once done.
After all, they were the salted duck eggs that caused Zhang Yongchang and others to argue and almost fight in the street. They couldn’t wait to taste them and understand why they were so sought after.
Zhuang Qingning agreed with a smile and sent these customers away.
The tofu sold out quickly, considering Mrs. Liu was feeling unwell, Zhuang Qingning didn’t rush to leave after finishing her business. She stayed there with Mrs. Liu.
Meanwhile, she asked Zhuang Qingsui to buy some snacks.
“Then let’s buy some sesame candy.” Zhuang Qingsui suggested.
The candy, made with sugar, honey, sesame, raisins, and peanuts, cut into small strips, was sweet and crispy. It tasted quite good.
“Alright, get both black and white sesame candies and a few shortbread too.” Zhuang Qingning handed the money to Zhuang Qingsui.
“Sure.” Zhuang Qingsui accepted the money and bounced off to the pastry shop nearby.
Zhuang Qingning continued to help Mrs. Liu sell fried chop rice cakes.
“I’ll take two fried chop rice cakes.” A little girl handed over the money and picked two fried chop rice cakes, wrapping them up in a kerchief.
Ordinary people buying fried chop rice cakes would simply wrap them in the greasy paper offered by Aunt Liu or eat them on the spot. They would not want to soil their cherished kerchiefs.
Especially when the kerchief was made of silk, not cotton.
Zhuang Qingning couldn’t resist looking up.
She had a round face and her clothes, although made of simple cloth, were very delicate. The collar was embroidered with a row of intricate flowers and she wore a small pearl flower on her hair.
She habitually held her hands against her stomach and leaned forward slightly.
Based on her demeanor, it didn’t seem she was an ordinary girl. She seemed more like a maid from a prominent household. Seeing her luxurious attire and heavy silver bracelets, she seemed like a well-favored maid.
Especially, a grand carriage was parked nearby, that further reinforced Zhuang Qingning’s guess.
There were many grand mansions not far from the town. It was common to see rich young mistresses and the young masters there.
Zhuang Qingning did not think much about it, she only took the money and smiled, telling the lady to come again if she liked the taste.
The maid picked up the fried chop rice cakes and left, climbing into the nearby carriage.
[Ding! Picking up money and not pocketing it is a traditional virtue. Congratulations, host, you have triggered a lost and found task The host needs to return the purse that she has picked up to its owner to complete the task. After completing the task, you can obtain 30 diligence points and a random reward.]
[Hint to the host, it seems to be a recipe.]
These past few days, there weren’t any additional daily tasks. Zhuang Qingning was busy with the tofu mill business and almost forgot about Xiaowu’s existence.
But this hint revived her spirits.
A recipe meant the potential for more income.
However, the sudden task was also quite peculiar. A lost purse?
She hadn’t picked up any purse now.
Zhuang Qingning looked around carefully, even walked a whole circle around the tofu stall and the fried chop rice cake stall. But, she didn’t see any purse.
Zhuang Qingning couldn’t help but frown.
How was she supposed to return something to someone else if she hadn’t picked anything up in the first place?
While Zhuang Qingning was puzzled, Zhuang Qingsui returned, also with a frown on her face.
“Sister.” Zhuang Qingsui handed something to Zhuang Qingning: “I picked this up from the floor while I was buying the sesame candy. But when I looked up, many people were in the room, and I couldn’t tell who dropped it. I brought it back so that you could decide how to return it to the owner.”
So, the lost purse Xiaowu was talking about was this.
Zhuang Qingning took the purse and examined it carefully.
A small piece of high-quality satin was used to make the purse. Instead of embroidering her name on it, the owner had embroidered a few small flowers. The pattern of the flowers…
It was identical to the pattern on the dress of the maid who just bought the fried chop rice cake. The color also seemed to be very similar.
The purse should belong to the maid or someone she knew.
“I probably know who lost this, but it’s better to confirm it first.” Zhuang Qingning contemplated as she opened the purse to look inside.
Verifying the item inside was, usually, the most reliable method.
However, instead of coins, silver notes or common belongings of a young girl, the purse contained a tuft of hair tied together neatly with a thin red string..
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