Chapter 3

The implication was that with the first option, she could still sell the recipe to others. After all, each sale would earn her one copper coin, so naturally, the more she sold, the more she would earn.

Anyone who could propose such terms must have great confidence in these pastries, knowing they would surely become bestsellers.

Indeed, the shopkeeper genuinely felt these pastries were excellent, sweet, fragrant, soft, and glutinous with a rich flavor, suitable for all ages.

He pondered for a moment while discreetly observing Gu Xinxin. Her attire suggested poverty, but her demeanor did not quite match that of someone destitute… This made it somewhat tricky. Offering too much would strain his own finances, as money didn’t grow on trees. Offering too little, however, might risk making an enemy.

After all, a family down on their luck might not necessarily lack the potential to rise again.

The shopkeeper’s conscience wrestled with the decision. Gu Xiangrong wanted to speak, but Gu Xinxin stopped him. Negotiating business often tested one’s patience; whoever held their composure longer was likely to come out on top. Impatience, after all, never led to victory.

“I’ll choose the second option—a one-time payment of one hundred taels of silver,” the shopkeeper said after a quarter of an hour, holding up two fingers, his face twitching with visible pain at the expense.

Gu Xinxin did a quick mental calculation: one hundred taels… that was no small sum. It could buy a medium-sized house in the county town.

She nodded. “Agreed. Please prepare the contract and bring me writing materials. I’ll write down the method to ensure you don’t miss any steps when learning it.”

The shopkeeper promptly agreed and hurriedly sent someone to fetch ink, brush, and paper.

Gu Xinxin sent Gu Xiangrong to stand by the door. “I’ll write it myself; no need to watch. Just keep an eye on the kitchen.”

Gu Xiangrong was puzzled, what was there to watch in the kitchen? But now, having heard with his own ears that the shopkeeper was willing to pay one hundred taels for his sister’s secret recipe, one hundred taels! He had never even seen one tael of silver before, and now they were getting a hundred all at once.
What did this mean?

It meant his sister truly had skill and resourcefulness. So, all he needed to do was obey.

The shopkeeper soon returned with the contract and the silver—ten silver ingots in total, each weighing ten taels. Gu Xinxin picked one up to examine it and noticed the official mark stamped underneath, indicating it was government-issued official silver.

Official silver could be used anywhere, at any time.

Gu Xinxin then took a pair of scissors—conveniently provided on the tray for inspecting the silver—and cut one of the ingots open. Watching her series of actions, especially how she examined the cross-section with such familiarity, the shopkeeper became even more convinced that Gu Xinxin came from a wealthy family. He felt relieved that he hadn’t acted unethically earlier.

After inspecting the silver, Gu Xinxin reviewed the contract. There wasn’t much to scrutinize, but it was a straightforward transaction, with clear terms laid out.

Gu Xinxin had no objections, so two copies were made, one for each party.

Afterward, Gu Xiangrong was to teach the shopkeeper the method of whipping egg whites and yolks. There was no secret to it—just vigorous and swift stirring, with strict requirements for the degree of whipping. Otherwise, the cake could easily turn out like a flatbread.

With silver in hand, the siblings stepped out. Gu Xiangrong was quite excited: “Eldest sister, are we going home now? With this silver, we needn’t fear Father blaming us…”

…for the egg incident.

Gu Xinxin shushed him: “Let’s find an inn to stay first.”

She needed a bath.

Moreover, she wasn’t sure if the shopkeeper would send someone to follow them. Staying in the county town was safest for now, especially since it was close to the magistrate’s office. Unless the shopkeeper was the magistrate’s father, he’d likely not dare to kill for silver within the town.

Before bathing, they went to buy clothes. She bought four sets for herself and four for Gu Xiangrong, but no jewelry—since anything bought might not remain in their possession.

It wasn’t that she feared the Gu family, but she wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble for the time being.

At the inn, Gu Xinxin asked for hot water twice, thoroughly enjoying a long soak in the bath. Washed clean from head to toe, she felt as if a layer of shell had been peeled off her body, leaving her five pounds lighter.

By now, the sky had turned pitch black. Having traveled from the village to the county town, inquired about pastry shops, made sponge cakes, bought clothes, and bathed, the outside world had grown almost completely silent.

Gu Xiangrong had probably already fallen asleep.

Gu Xinxin, however, couldn’t sleep. Slowly drying her hair, she pondered the Gu family’s affairs. Her original body’s mother had been literate, hence naming her and Gu Xiangrong “Xinxin Xiangrong” (flourishing). As a child, she had learned to write from her mother.

But beauty often fate is unkind—when Gu Xiangrong was about one or two years old, their mother fell seriously ill and passed away.

The Gu family claimed they needed someone to care for the children—Gu Xinxin was only six at the time, so Stepmother Gu Chenshi entered the household. Soon after, she gave birth to a son, Gu Wenshu, followed by a daughter, Gu Qiuhe.

Their father, Gu Daniu, was a hunter. Being somewhat skilled, the family managed to get by, at least ensuring the two siblings didn’t starve.

Dwelling on the past was useless; she couldn’t change anything. So, she focused on planning for the future. Since she was here, she might as well accept it. With no guarantee that death would send her back, she had to cherish this life and find a way to survive in this world.

First, she needed money.

Second, she needed strength.

With both, her life would be secure.

Money wasn’t a concern for her, but strength… Gu Daniu held old-fashioned views, never believing a daughter could uphold the family. Even though he was a skilled hunter renowned in the area, the original owner had never learned any related skills.

Perhaps she could find a way to learn after returning.

But he always favored sons over daughters… If all else failed, she might have to use money as leverage.

Estimating her hair was mostly dry, Gu Xinxin tucked the remaining silver ingot under her pillow and closed her eyes to sleep.

She slept poorly, her mind alert, resulting in a light slumber. As dawn barely broke, she opened her eyes.

Gu Xiangrong was pacing outside her door. Seeing her emerge, he quickly grabbed her arm: “Eldest sister, should we go back today? We’ve been away for a full day and night. Who knows how angry Father must be at home?”

Gu Xinxin looked at him: “Why do you assume he’s angry rather than worried? Normally, if children are away for a day and night, shouldn’t parents be frantic with worry and out searching?”

Gu Xiangrong stood with his mouth agape, unable to formulate a response for quite some time.

Gu Xinxin ruffled his hair and said, “Let’s go to the pharmacy.”

She valued her life, and the original owner of this body was still ill.

The siblings were now decently dressed, so the physician prescribed slightly more expensive medicine—truly, the original owner’s constitution was extremely weak. She had rarely eaten her fill before, and at this critical age of growth and development, even her lunar water brought excruciating pain.

Such tonics for replenishing qi and blood had always been pricier.

After buying the medicine, only nine silver ingots remained from the original ten.

She inquired about a money house and went specifically to open an account—unlike a bank, which pays interest and allows you to earn by saving, the money house charges a safekeeping fee. She deposited eight ingots, equivalent to eighty taels, and would have to pay four taels per year for their service.

Gu Xinxin then enthusiastically took Gu Xiangrong to buy two sets for Gu Daniu and two for the old lady Gu, aiming to keep them from complaining. Besides, since she was determined to learn archery, she considered it a form of apprenticeship.

For an apprenticeship, gifts were necessary: two jin of meat, two jin of tea, two jin of pastries, and two jin of brown sugar.
Tired from shopping, they had lunch in the county town before Gu Xiangrong, nearly frantic with impatience, hurried them toward the city gate.

At the gate, several ox carts were waiting, but Uncle Li wasn’t among them.

So, they had to settle for a nearby one, heading to the adjacent town, and walk the remaining distance themselves.

Sitting in the cart, Gu Xiangrong grew anxious. “Will Father hit us? If he does, just hide behind me, Eldest Sister. I’ll block him.”

Gu Xinxin glanced at him. “How long could you hold him off? After hitting you, wouldn’t he still come for me? From now on, listen to me. Do whatever I say, and I promise you’ll live a life of luxury with me.”

Gu Xiangrong blinked, then nodded vigorously. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Eldest Sister. But what about silver? Aren’t we giving it to the family?”

“If we give it to them, will there be any left for us? We’re saving it. When you’re older, it’ll be for your wedding and building a house.” Gu Xinxin replied. Gu Xiangrong quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I don’t want it. You earned that money yourself with the secret recipe, keep it for your dowry. Speaking of which, Eldest Sister, where did that secret recipe come from?”

He glanced around furtively, like a thief. “Where did you get it?”

“I dreamed it,” Gu Xinxin brushed him off. “When I was nearly dying from illness, Mother appeared in my dream and taught me a few ways to make money. It didn’t cost anything to try, and look, it brought us money, didn’t it? You mustn’t tell anyone, or they might capture and torture me to get the recipe.”

Gu Xiangrong promptly pinched his own lips. “I definitely won’t tell anyone.”

As the ox cart jostled along, Gu Xinxin grew drowsy. Having slept poorly the previous night, she couldn’t stay awake. Gu Xiangrong covered her with clothes, shielding her head from the sun. “Eldest Sister, rest for a while.”

After all, there was no one else in the cart.

After walking all the way back from town, the siblings had just reached the village entrance when people sitting under the big tree spotted them. Someone who loved stirring up trouble immediately called out: “Aren’t Gu Daniu’s two children? Back from the county town already? Oh my, they’re wearing different clothes now! Where’d they get these new outfits? The siblings look quite fine in them.”
An ill-intentioned woman chimed in: “They couldn’t have gone to the county town to steal, could they? Look at all those bags they’re carrying – what good stuff have they brought back this time?”

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