High-class maid

Chapter 249 Wang's Pickled Vegetables

"You, you mustn't make fun of me. I never want to get married in this life," Zhang Yuzhu said, sitting familiarly at the shopkeeper's table and playing with the white jade abacus on it.

"Why do you say that, Pearl? With your status, the Princess would help you no matter what kind of man you fancy. Why don't you get married?" Shen Xing'er asked in confusion.

“This world is unfair to women. Men can have three wives and four concubines, but we women have to live our lives foolishly guarding our chastity. I’ve seen too many foolish things that the concubines in the mansion do to gain their father’s favor. I don’t want to become that kind of woman,” Zhang Yuzhu said.

"I see. But with your noble status, who would dare to have three wives and four concubines?" Shen Xing'er comforted her.

“It is precisely because of my noble status that no man dares to approach me. Even if a man does approach me, I will feel that his intentions are impure. Rather than that, I would rather stay by my mother and grandmother’s side and fulfill my filial duties.”

"Don't worry, you'll find someone special, they just haven't appeared yet."

Shen Xing'er stepped forward, patted her shoulder, and gently comforted her.

"I was so busy talking about sad things that I forgot to tell you that I came here today with good news." Zhang Yuzhu suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Oh? What's the good news?"

Shen Xing'er was filled with doubt.

“A few days ago, we held a peach blossom banquet at our residence. Grandmother said that the nobles in the city were used to eating delicacies and couldn’t think of any outstanding dishes. Suddenly, she remembered the pickled vegetables that Aunt had sent to our residence a few days ago, so she put a plate of them on each table. Unexpectedly, after the banquet, many nobles asked Grandmother for the recipe in private.”

“Grandmother said it was a gift from someone else, so they asked Grandmother to ask if the person was willing to sell it. That’s why Grandmother sent me here today, and also to let me relax.”

Zhang Yuzhu said.

"It seems we've caught the eye of some important people. If they like them, it wouldn't hurt for us to give them some as gifts," Shen Xing'er said.

Those who can attend the banquet hosted by the Princess must be of noble or wealthy status, and their relationship with the Princess must be extraordinary. Since their family has received such preferential treatment from the Princess, how could they possibly accept money from others?

Zhang Yuzhu smiled upon hearing this. Xing'er was always so honest; it would be strange for her if she agreed without even thinking.

Remembering her grandmother's instructions, she patiently explained to Shen Xing'er...

"Don't be so quick to refuse. Vegetables may not be worth much money to you now, but what about in winter? You know, vegetables are more expensive than meat in winter. You'll still want money then, won't you?"

"Moreover, this pickled vegetable is well-known in my residence. If you take this opportunity to sell it in the capital, people will not make things difficult for you, even if it is out of respect for the Princess's residence."

Shen Xing'er remained silent and lowered her head to think. Yes, now that the opportunity was right in front of her, who would complain about having too much money?

"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Zhu'er. How much do they need? If it's a small amount, send it over first. If it's a large amount, we'll need to buy vegetables to marinate," Shen Xing'er said.

Zhang Yuzhu stated the quantity, and Shen Xing'er called Wang Shi over, asking if she had enough pickled vegetables. Upon hearing that the nobles had been able to eat her pickled vegetables, Wang Shi was both happy and excited.

"Zhu'er, thanks to your family again, there's plenty to go around! I like to make some pickled vegetables whenever I have free time, and I have plenty at home!" Wang said, holding Zhang Yuzhu's hand.

"Auntie, you must make sure there are no problems. This batch of pickled vegetables is crucial. If they find it delicious, it could become a long-term business."

Zhang Yuzhu had been learning household management from her mother these past few days, and she immediately understood the advantages and disadvantages involved.

"I know, I don't know how to thank you enough," Wang said excitedly.

She never expected the princess to serve everyone pickled vegetables. She thought that given the princess's status, she would definitely look down on such a vulgar thing and would give it to the servants in the mansion.

Unexpectedly, not only did she eat there, but she also brought her guests to eat with her, which brought her more business!

Given her status as the eldest princess, even if someone wanted the prescription, she would have no choice but to obediently give it to them. But the person didn't want it and even sent her most beloved granddaughter to deliver the message. How could she not be moved?

"Auntie, you don't need to be so polite. Your pickled vegetables taste so good. Otherwise, even if you gave them to someone else ten times, they wouldn't buy them!" Zhang Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Pearl, you're so knowledgeable, how much silver is appropriate for a jar?"

Wang had never done business before, let alone business with the nobles in the capital, so she humbly sought advice from Zhang Yuzhu.

"The price must not be low; ideally, only they should be able to afford it."

Zhang Yuzhu offered her advice.

She spent her days among noble ladies and knew that they actually despised commoners the most. If she ate the same pickled vegetables as ordinary city dwellers, they would stop eating them soon.

"One tael of silver per jar, buy two jars and get one free."

Shen Xing'er, who had been silent until now, spoke.

"One tael? Isn't that too expensive?" Wang covered her mouth in surprise, looking at Shen Xing'er and then at Zhang Yuzhu.

You should know that when she worked in the Ministry of Rites, she only received four taels of silver a month. Would anyone be willing to buy such expensive pickled vegetables?

“Mother, those who want pickled vegetables are all nobles in the capital. The old jars are definitely no longer usable. It will cost us some money to buy new jars. Besides, we don’t want to raise prices. We earn more now, but when vegetable prices are high in winter, we earn less.”

Shen Xing'er analyzed.

Zhang Yuzhu nodded, agreeing with what Shen Xing'er said.

“Aunt, you should know that the things that noble people eat, just take tea for example, it costs several dozen taels of silver to buy one tael, not to mention large jars of pickled vegetables? It’s really not expensive for them.”

When Wang heard that Zhang Yuzhu said the same thing, she was finally relieved.

“Zhu’er is familiar with the trivial matters of nobles. Since you say it’s okay, then I won’t object. But what’s the name of this pickled vegetable?”

"Let's call it Meizhen Pickled Vegetables, after my mother's name," Shen Xing'er said with a mischievous smile.

"You silly girl, you're teasing me again. How about we call it Wang's Pickled Vegetables?" Wang said.

“That’s great, Pearl. Could you write down their address? We can send the jars over once we’ve bought them,” Shen Xing’er asked.

“Look, I wrote it down when I came out. I bet you’ll agree. If you’re hesitant, that’s not the Xing’er I know.”

Zhang Yuzhu took out a slip of paper from her purse and said.

"Good Zhu'er, you know me best. What would you like to eat? It's my treat." Shen Xing'er stepped forward and hooked her arm around Zhang Yuzhu's shoulder, looking just like a man.

"You little brat, have no manners! Put your hands down right now!" Madam Wang scolded in a low voice.

Zhang Yuzhu and Shen Xing'er exchanged a smile, and then walked side by side to a restaurant on the street for a meal.

And so, on an ordinary day, the famous Wangji pickled vegetables were born. It not only became a sensation but also a specialty of Beijing, to the point that people would buy a couple of jars of Wangji pickled vegetables during festivals and holidays.