Xianggong, Please Divorce Me!

Ch. 16: Deep In The Enemy Camp Scouting The Actual Situation

[1] 干粮; field rations, dried provisions, dried food.

[2] The text has 古怪涅 (gǔguài niè) though I believe 古怪孽 (gǔguài niè) is meant.

[3] 和禧院; harmonious auspicious, or harmonious joy courtyard

[4] 韵院; Music, beautiful sound, or charming courtyard.

[5] 时辰 is the unit of time used. I'm converting it into hours since that is what modern readers are used to.

[6] 饼; This generally is something round and somewhat flat which can be eaten.

Ch 16 – Deep in The Enemy Camp Scouting the Actual Situation

Su Tang had a crafty smile. "Don't worry, people are always come up with a resourceful solution!  Oh, right. The manufacturing tools and materials are settled, and a qualified master has been taken care of?"

"I already finished inquiring about the former, and also found a shop assistant. Only, qualified workers are not too easy to find as the good ones are all already working in pastry shops belonging to other families. I also don't dare collect samples, the exteriors are all repulsive, and the workmanship is still not as good as mine!" Xiao Mo hung his head as he spoke, an appearance of the assistant having disgraced the mission.

Su Tang patted his forehead, smiled and said, "It'd would be a wonder if you were able to find a good master worker in these few days.  However, we cannot persuade resources from competitors to come to our side. Everyone says that there are many officials in the capital, an abundant number. We do not have footing here and cannot rashly offend people. Moreover, the other family's master workers are good but they are not better than your family's young miss!"  Speaking, Su Tang had a proud expression.

Su Tang had pride in her ability to capitalize on things. It was as if she was born to be in the pastry business, quick brains, remarkably fast churning out new products, and in particular, out of the ordinary ingredients. In the prior few months at Su Ji, she introduced a round dumpling, sweet rice flour mixed with pumpkin enveloping a sesame filling. Because of the sweet scented exterior layer, non-sticky sweet rice inside, and rich sweet fragrance, it in no small measure received the partiality of numerous married women and young ladies. Even the county magistrate, who ate one every now and then, also praised it without ceasing. Just because of this new variety, Su Tang's final days in Ping city also fiercely earned a bunch of profit.

"Oh, where are you staying now? Do you have enough spending money?"  Su Tang gave Xiao Mo 32 silver when he went to the capital.

"Enough, enough!" Xiao Mo smiled. "I'm now staying in the southern part of the capital at Mountain God Temple."

Initially hearing this Su Tang's eyebrows raised. "But Mountain God Temple doesn't demand payment! Then did or did you not use a single penny of that 32! Food and drink still is on your own money!"

Ill at ease, Xiao Mo laughed and lowered his head, not daring to reply. All along he used his own money, usually just carrying some dried provisions [1] with as he busily rushed about. The prices in the capital were too high, he must economize a little for young miss. When the time comes to open the shop, the expenditures will be great!

Su Tang looked at this appearance of his, not knowing what matter was weighing in his mind. She wanted to firmly bat his head, but it softly fell in the end.  "You are still physically growing now. If you don't eat and live a little better then you won't grow tall.  I don't want a little dwarf stationed in my store! Your family's young miss has money, no need for you to economize.  You just save that little, keep nicely accumulating to be your wife's principal source!"