Transmigrated as the Princess's Scummy Wife - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Earning Money to Spend on the Princess

Nan Qing remained completely unaware of the events transpiring within the Zhenghe Hall; she only heard the Emperor’s imperial decree.

“I have often heard of the Qinghe Consort’s culinary skills how they extract the essence of nature in clean, refreshing dishes that are fresh, delicious, and possess an endless aftertaste. I hereby appoint the Qinghe Consort as the Head Chef of the Peach Banquet. All matters regarding the banquet are entrusted to her.”

After reciting the decree in a loud voice, the palace maid shifted back to her own tone.

“Fifth Consort, Prince Yan asked me to tell you that the Peach Banquet will be held in three days. Time is short; she hopes you will hurry to prepare the menu. Prince Yan will send someone to collect it at noon tomorrow.”

“The Qinghe Princess Manor has also dispatched a messenger. By now, the Fifth Princess should have received the news. You need not worry about her disapproval.”

Having delivered the command, the maid ran off at high speed, disappearing through the West Side Gate in the blink of an eye.

The sisters looked at each other. Nan Tianwei hesitated, wanting to say something, but Nan Qing interrupted her: “Catch the shrimp first.” Left with no choice, Nan Tianwei could only continue catching them gloomily.

Once four large baskets were full, they headed toward the capital’s largest market, the West Market, as the sun began to set.

The West Market was the capital’s grandest bazaar, bustling with people. Shops, stalls, vendors, and porters were everywhere. As the first stars appeared, the scene was one of prosperity and lively festivities.

Relying on their sturdy physical builds, the two grabbed a highly conspicuous spot at the busiest street corner, set down the baskets from their hands and backs, and sat on the ground.

Crawfish were immensely popular among the common folk. As soon as they lifted the lids, the crowd swarmed around to ask for prices.

“Whoa, Boss! The shrimp here are huge! Which district do you live in? Give a neighborly price! My master has many mouths to feed; he can take a whole basket!”

“Little lady~ Will you sell them cheaper? This sister is sincerely buying!”

Nan Qing spoke with righteous conviction: “I already have a lady (wife).”

The person: Nan Tianwei wore a maternal grin.

Just as everyone was about to haggle, a scream erupted from the back: “Isn’t this the Qinghe Consort!? Why has she come out to sell big shrimp!?”

“Hah, who doesn’t know that the Qinghe Consort was beaten by the Princess a few days ago and had half a year’s stipend confiscated? The Consort is likely short on cash; that’s why she’s out peddling shrimp!”

The Qinghe Consort!?

The crowd was dumbfounded.

The person who had just flirted with the “little lady” Consort dropped to her knees instantly. But the crowd was so dense that as her knees slightly bent, she ended up leaning against the person in front of her. Those behind pushed forward even harder, leaving her stuck, drenched in sweat and unable to move.

“Everyone, form a line! Don’t push! This Consort is doing business sincerely to earn some pocket change.”

“As for these shrimp, my sister and I caught them in the demonstration fields. The taste is completely different from the pond shrimp outside! Sold by the jin. We only charge this much.”

Nan Qing gestured a number. The crowd gasped, and a flurry of discussion broke out.

“That’s about the same price as pond shrimp. The Consort is selling so honestly!?”

“Shrimp from the rice paddies are much cleaner than pond shrimp. Look, they only have some straw on them, and their gills are white and clean! They’re huge, too every one is lively. Ahhh, I can already imagine how firm the meat is…”

“I’m done chatting! I need to buy some for home as fast as I can! Hehe, I’m at the very front. Fifth Consort, give me eight jin!”

The speaker was quite bold, asking for eight jin at once. The four baskets only held about four or five hundred jin in total; if anyone was late, the people at the front might buy them all out. Everyone craved a taste, their eyes turning red with urgency as they pushed forward with all their might.

Nan Qing gave Nan Tianwei a look. In an instant, those intentionally pushing forward were hoisted up by Nan Tianwei’s single hand.

“I won’t sell to anyone who pushes! Everyone, line up properly!”

Nan Tianwei let out a roar. Backed by her sturdy build, the crowd could only blush and line up silently. Anyone trying to cut was tossed to the very end of the line by Nan Tianwei.

The spot Nan Qing chose was very strategic. Not only was the foot traffic high, but the stall next door sold bamboo baskets. Originally, that stall owner was quite disgruntled about them taking the spot through brute strength, but when Nan Qing made a sale, she conveniently bought the baskets to pack the shrimp for customers. The stall owner’s smile instantly reached her ears.

The shrimp in the four baskets were soon sold out. Nan Qing’s hands grew tired from counting the money; as the heavy currency weighed down her hands, she truly missed mobile payments.

Those at the back of the line who didn’t get any stamped their feet in frustration. The one who had cut the line and been tossed to the back was even more full of regret. Those who missed out gathered around the stall, chattering.

“Consort, will you come tomorrow? Shall this lowly one save a spot for you in advance?”

“Yes! We all want to taste the shrimp from the demonstration fields!”

Only after tucking the money into her pouch did Nan Qing speak unhurriedly: “No need to save a spot. Stalls follow the rule of ‘first come, first served.’ Don’t break the rules.”

“If you want to buy, you can pre-order directly. I’ll take a one-third deposit. If you can pick them up yourselves at the entrance of the demonstration fields, the price will be cheaper. If you bring your own baskets, the packaging fee can be waived.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the line formed again.

Nan Qing calculated the amount they could catch tomorrow, took the deposits, and wrote out pickup slips for them. After finishing all the work and officially closing the stall, the streets became even more crowded.

“Everyone has just finished dinner and is out for a walk. Today was a great harvest. Qing-ah, do you have any plans?”

“Didn’t a customer just say that Old Wang’s roasted chicken is unparalleled?”

As they spoke, they had already walked to Old Wang’s shop. A crowd was at the door, and the waiter was calling out numbers one by one. It was unclear how long the wait would be. Nan Qing silently took two numbers and picked a corner to wait for the call.

The two carried their large empty baskets, the copper coins and silver clinking in their pockets. Nan Tianwei looked expectant: “It smells delicious! If only we didn’t have to wait in such a long line, it would be perfect!”

Nan Qing laughed. “We wouldn’t dare go to a place with no line.”

“True. Tomorrow’s orders are set. Shall we go to Tianxiang Pavilion for a big meal after we finish selling tomorrow? I’ll call A-Yu as well.”

“Alright.”

“Wife!”

Mention Bai Yu, and Bai Yu appears. She arrived in a hurry, carrying a food box. Faint sweat beaded her temples, and her eyes held only the reflection of Nan Tianwei she had eyes only for her wife.

Judging by her attire, she had likely just finished her shift. The Bai family had been officials for generations, and remarkably, every generation had passed the exams on their own merit. Because they were incorruptible and didn’t like to over-calculate their climb up the ranks, the highest rank a Bai had achieved was a fifth-rank capital official that was Bai Yu’s grandmother.

Bai Yu herself had passed the Jinshi exam the year before last and was now a seventh-rank editor at the Hanlin Academy. Like everyone in her family, she wasn’t fond of upward networking and was essentially “love-brained.” She set down the food box and lightly looped her arms around Nan Tianwei’s, shaking them slightly with a coaxing tone: “Wife, I brought you some dinner.”

After speaking, she looked at Nan Qing: “The Consort should eat together as well.”

Who would dare eat a “love meal” made by someone else’s wife? Certainly not Nan Qing. She shook her head repeatedly, saying “no, no.” Bai Yu insisted, so Nan Qing, helpless, bought a bowl of wontons from the neighboring stall. The three of them shared a small table in the corner.

Nan Qing sat there as a giant “third wheel,” eating wontons while waiting for the roasted chicken. Several times Nan Tianwei looked as if she wanted to speak; Nan Qing knew what she wanted to ask it was about the Emperor’s command.

She said: “Sister, don’t worry. I’ve already thought of a menu.”

“Is it about the menu!? It’s clearly.”

“Shh.” Bai Yu covered her wife’s mouth. “One must not speak recklessly. At least, not in public.”

Nan Qing was slightly stunned: “Sister-in-law, you know as well?”

“I saw it today while organizing records.”

She was referring to the imperial command appointing Nan Qing as the Head Chef of the Peach Banquet. Nan Qing understood. The three said nothing more, finished their meal, collected the roasted chicken, and headed to their respective homes. Nan Tianwei looked worried before turning away, and Bai Yu shared that concern. Nan Qing smiled and comforted them, saying she didn’t really mind.

And she truly didn’t mind much. As a modern person, she didn’t hold a strong sense of class hierarchy. But the Great Xuan Dynasty was different; chefs here held a status even lowlier than farmers.

The original owner, as a farmer, had crossed several social strata to marry a princess, and was already looked down upon by the imperial sisters. Now, those blue-bloods actually dared to openly humiliate Nan Qing by making her a chef this was unheard of in the history of Consorts. Only Nan Qing, with her modern mindset, could be humiliated like this and still happily buy roasted chicken to bring back for the Princess to eat.

After being announced, Nan Qing walked boldly into the Qinghe Courtyard and sat in her exclusive spot on the back porch.

The roasted chicken was still fresh and steaming. She cleaned her hands and tore the chicken into bite-sized pieces. The crispy skin split at a touch with a rrip sound, and the chicken fat flowed out along the tender, white, firm meat. Nan Qing swallowed secretly, her stomach growling.

The tenderest drumsticks and wings were given to Xuan Zhaoci; Nan Qing took a large bite of the chicken breast. Her teeth bit down, first tasting the crunch of the outer skin. Once pierced, the fragrant oil enveloped the meat and rolled into her mouth pure, oily bliss. The meat was firm and not dry, the fat fragrant but not greasy; it was the kind of meal that made one feel light-headed with pleasure, wanting a drink.

It was heavenly!

Nan Qing cleaned her hands and wrote many characters to Xuan Zhaoci. Most of the letters were filled with “low-nutrition” fluff praising the deliciousness of the food, but “low-nutrition” chatting is the beginning of a deep friendship. She understood this well and sent in a lot of nonsense.

Your Highness, it is delicious (haochi)!

The Consort is confused. How can a person be eaten (haochi)?

Your Highness is wise indeed; I have been enlightened.

Just like using social media, Nan Qing wrote whatever came to mind, unrestrained. This included what happened in the fields today how she had A-Xiang hide her own vegetables, the joy of catching crawfish, and the palace maid’s command; it included the menu she planned to write for Xuan Hengyan; it also included how much money she earned today (listing the silver and copper counts clearly), and how much the roasted chicken cost.

Everything in detail.

“Sister-in-law brought food to Sister, and I ate wontons beside them. I felt like I was glowing (as a third wheel)…”

At her desk, Xuan Zhaoci unconsciously read the letter sent by that person. The person didn’t refer to herself as “your subject”; it felt uniquely refreshing to read.

The beauty’s eyes crinkled. The “do not approach” coldness had faded significantly. Her posture was relaxed, her back naturally straight, projecting an air of calm and gentleness. However, the fragrant roasted chicken nearby turned the noble princess into an insatiable gourmet.

She lightly brushed her wide sleeve with her left hand and slowly set her pen to paper with her right.

Was the meal made by Sister-in-law fragrant? Crossed out.

If the Consort also… Crossed out.

Xuan Zhaoci’s beautiful brows knit together, her forehead furrowing deeply. A person usually so eloquent was actually held back by a simple, homely sentence, stuck in place.

Donghe rubbed her mistress’s brow: “Your servant boldly guesses the words Your Highness wishes to write.”

Xuan Zhaoci closed her eyes: “Speak.”

Donghe cleared her throat, mimicking Xuan Zhaoci’s usual tone: “Consort, wait. This Palace shall bring a food box to favor you tomorrow.”

Having followed the Princess for over twenty years, she mimicked the tone perfectly. As if her thoughts had been seen through, Xuan Zhaoci bit her lip hard, her ears instantly turning a deep red.

Nan Qing: Come favor me quickly heart eyes.

Xuan Zhaoci: Shameless.

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