“Then how much is this lump of rice wrapped in lotus leaf?!” Another auntie stood in the direction closest to the steamer and asked.
“This is called glutinous rice chicken.” Mother Rong corrected her. “Marinated chicken meat has been added inside the glutinous rice. It’s real glutinous rice and meat! Then, we wrapped it in a lotus leaf bag and steamed it in a steamer. When eating it, your mouth will be filled with the fragrance of the lotus leaves. The glutinous rice is tainted with the smell of soy sauce chicken during the process of steaming. It’s very flavorful and meaty. A man would be very full after eating one! It costs five copper coins each.”
“Huh—”
When the auntie heard the first half, she had a look of yearning on her face. She was listening intently, but when she heard the price, her eyes widened. She let out a clear sound and took a step back.
Then, she shouted, “This is too expensive! I can buy three flatbreads for five copper coins! One catty of yellow noodles!”
There was another uproar in the surrounding crowd.
“It’s really too expensive.”
“Selling gold? This glutinous rice chicken doesn’t look big.”
…
Amidst the discussions, someone asked, “Then what about the fried dumplings? How do you sell them? Don’t tell me it’s inlaid with silver and costs one copper coin each? It looks like ordinary dumplings to me. Your family didn’t eat it just now, so the taste should be ordinary, right?”
Mother Rong glanced at that person with a sinister look in her eyes. She had the stance of a fierce village woman and said, “You don’t have to think so much. I’ve already said everything.”
Women were not to be trifled with. Mother Rong had some power and influence. That person shut her mouth embarrassedly. It was obvious that she was a busybody.
Mother Rong added, “Twelve fried dumplings cost ten copper coins. Six fried dumplings cost six copper coins. Our secret chili sauce can be added for free.”
As expected, there was another gasp.
“Oh my, this stall is amazing. Everything is so expensive.”
“The steamed dumplings next door are made with pork and onions. Ten of them cost only five copper coins. Your dumplings are inlaid with silver.”
Someone in the crowd said, “It is indeed very fragrant and looks fresh, but they’re really too expensive.”
“That’s right.” A mean-looking auntie raised the corners of her eyes and snorted. “You’re selling food at such an expensive price. Are you guys stupid? Who would buy it? I want to see who would pay for such a high price!”
“It’s just chili sauce made by your family. Why is it a secret? How would you poor people have any secret recipes?”
Some people’s words were already unpleasant. It was unknown if they were unsatisfied with it being expensive or angry at their unreasonable pricing.
Mother Rong said, “When we do business, we have our own pricing. Everyone has their own intentions, and we won’t force a sale.”
In fact, she gritted her teeth because Ye Lulu had taught her not to lower the price no matter what. When someone said that it was expensive, she could not back down.
Mother Rong was also feeling alarmed. As a farmer, she was already unsure when sharing such high prices. Furthermore, although she had a crisp personality and was domineering in the village, she did not usually leave the mountains. She did not dare to shoulder responsibility. Faced with the unanimous opinions of so many people, she was also feeling very guilty.
It was all because of Ye Lulu’s repeated instructions that she gritted her teeth and refused to change her expression.
“We can make congee now and sell them.” Mother Rong said as if the people in front were just here to support her.
Little did she know that behind her, Eldest Brother Guan and the other men had tight expressions on their faces and were silent. Eldest sister-in-law Guan and Second sister-in-law Guan did not dare to make a sound and also clenched their fists tightly. Their palms were covered in sweat.
