After Transmigrating, I Gained a Wife - Chapter 3

“You’re this good at painting?” Li Hanxue’s face was full of disbelief.

Luo Yan looked at her wife’s reaction with a doting gaze, which suddenly made Li Hanxue feel quite shy.

“Madam, do you know how to ride a horse?”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?” Li Hanxue asked, puzzled.

“We walked all the way here, but now that we have money, I naturally can’t let my wife walk all the way back,” Luo Yan said seriously.

Wen Liang stood to the side, earnestly “eating melons” (spectating) as he watched his Master and Mistress interact. He felt that his Master was a great person, constantly taking care of the Mistress during their conversation—something he felt was worth learning.

Hearing Luo Yan’s words, Li Hanxue felt a warmth in her heart. Her face grew flushed with shyness, and she eventually didn’t know how to respond.

“I… I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Luo Yan: “Oh, I see.”

Luo Yan turned around and asked Wen Liang where the market sold miscellaneous books, paper, ink, and livestock. Then, she led her wife over.

Her wife was beautiful, and passersby couldn’t help but steal extra glances. Once Luo Yan noticed this, her vigilance immediately flared up!

Luo Yan slowly moved closer to her wife and took hold of that fair, smooth hand. The moment she grasped it, Luo Yan felt as if her soul were taking flight!

When her hand was taken by her “husband,” Li Hanxue was startled, and her body stiffened for a second. Her husband’s palm was warm and steady; Hanxue did not try to pull away.

Her husband’s hand was much larger than her own; her hand was almost entirely enveloped by it.

As they passed a jewelry shop, Li Hanxue looked toward it twice. Noticing this, Luo Yan directly pulled her wife inside.

“Take a look. See which style you like.”

Being noticed by her husband made Li Hanxue feel a bit embarrassed, but she still took the time to look seriously. “Mhm.”

Luo Yan smiled and began browsing along with her.

The shopkeeper looked at the young couple with a face full of smiles.

“Have a look! See which one you like~ These are all brand new arrivals!”

Luo Yan saw a sandalwood hairpin that was quite nice. Hearing the shopkeeper speak, she nodded to him.

“Do you like this one?” When she looked at her wife, she saw Hanxue already holding an elegant, simple hairpin. Her wife really did have good taste.

“Yes, I think this one is quite nice.” Li Hanxue felt shy; was Luo Yan really going to buy it for her?

“Shopkeeper, how much for these two?” Luo Yan asked.

Both had excellent eyes, and the styles they chose were top-tier. “The hairpin the young lady is holding is 1 qian, and the sandalwood one in your hand is 30 wen.” The price for the “young master” wasn’t high, but the shopkeeper felt this deal would go through and was very happy.

Luo Yan didn’t haggle over the price. She also let her wife pick out a hairpin to give to Li Hanxue’s mother. The one her wife chose was also sandalwood, but the style was more reserved and subtle compared to the one in her own hand. The final total was 1 qian and 60 wen. (Note: 1 qian is roughly 100 wen)

Seeing Luo Yan pay, Li Hanxue felt a deep sense of happiness in her heart.

Luo Yan pulled her wife along to continue browsing. “Wife, shall we buy a donkey cart?”

Hearing that Luo Yan wanted to buy a donkey cart, she naturally agreed. Her own family had donkey carts and even horse carriages. As for how much they cost, she wasn’t actually sure. “Okay. With a donkey cart, traveling back and forth will be much more convenient.”

Luo Yan: “Exactly, Madam. Next time you come to the market, you won’t have to get tired walking if you have a cart.” Thinking about how exhausted her wife looked on the way here, she felt pained. She had to treat her wife even better!

After asking for directions a few times, Luo Yan and Li Hanxue arrived at the livestock area.

Even now, Li Hanxue was still blushing from Luo Yan’s earlier words.

Luo Yan led Li Hanxue in a circle around the penned animals. Her behavior left the shopkeeper wondering if she actually intended to buy anything.

The animals looked good. “Shopkeeper, how much for your donkey carts? And the horse carriages!” Luo Yan said.

Shopkeeper: “A donkey is 500 wen, a donkey cart is 8 qian, an average horse is 7 guan…”

Luo Yan: “Shopkeeper, if you can do the donkey cart for 500 wen, I’ll take it. I won’t buy the horse carriage for now, but I’ll be back for it in a while.”

The shopkeeper looked at the thin, weak “young master”—he hadn’t expected him to be such a tough bargainer. A donkey cart for 500 wen?! He really had the nerve to say it.

“Young master, 500 for a donkey cart really isn’t possible. How about 650 wen?”

Luo Yan: “Let’s say 600 for the donkey cart. I see you have cows here too; I’ll take one, pick a dairy cow for me. I also want two hens and two ducks. Shopkeeper, calculate the total for all of this.”

Hearing the string of livestock the young master wanted, the shopkeeper realized the other party knew livestock prices very well. “Young master, a cow’s working life is short, so I’ll charge you 1 guan 200 wen. Ducks are 160 wen each, let’s say 150. Hens are 50 wen each, I’ll give them to you for 40. I can still make a tiny profit that way.”

“If the young master needs a horse or carriage in the future, please consider my shop first, alright?”

Seeing the shopkeeper was so straightforward, Luo Yan also cheered up. “Of course. I also need a favor. I’ll give you an extra 50 wen to find someone to lead the cow to my house.”

Shopkeeper: “Certainly.” Delivering it for 50 wen was definitely doable. He couldn’t understand how this young master did his math—50 wen was the cost of two or three chickens…

Li Hanxue: We’re already done buying? Also, are donkey carts really that cheap? Even horse prices don’t seem that expensive?

Luo Yan was able to bargain the price down so low; she was truly impressive.

Luo Yan and the shopkeeper agreed on a time to send the cow and depart together.

After the purchase, Luo Yan drove the donkey cart and took her wife around the market. She needed to buy some books and stationery; one needed the “Four Treasures of the Study” to teach someone to paint. Conveniently, she would need them herself later too.

She wondered when that boy Wen Liang would come to start his apprenticeship. But thinking about it, being able to teach others after arriving in this world wasn’t a bad deal.

Li Hanxue: “Did you… know the prices of those animals beforehand?”

Looking at her wife, Luo Yan replied seriously: “I didn’t know the exact prices. When I asked at first, I just wanted to see the shopkeeper’s starting range. Merchants always want to make a profit. Take the donkey, for example—the shopkeeper marked it up by several hundred wen at least. 7 guan for a carriage isn’t expensive, but it could probably be cheaper too. The price for the cow seemed reasonable. I lowered the price first and then negotiated.”

“From the shopkeeper’s reaction, he probably assumed I knew the market prices inside out.”

Li Hanxue only understood after her husband finished explaining.

She felt Luo Yan had many more talents she didn’t know about yet—talents that would likely continue to surprise and impress her. Li Hanxue found herself becoming more and more curious about and invested in her husband.

If women and women could be like men and women… then being with her husband would be a wonderful choice. When she learned Luo Yan was a woman, the other’s honesty had made her feel very secure. So, that was the reason she hadn’t touched her…

As she thought, Li Hanxue’s cheeks began to flush, and the tips of her ears turned red.

However, since Luo Yan was busy driving the donkey cart, she didn’t notice.

At the market, Luo Yan bought vinegar and sauce, and even 2 liang of wine for her old man. The wine was 50 wen, and Luo Yan was thick-skinned enough to ask the merchant for a free container to hold it.

After Luo Yan left, the liquor shop owner sighed: Are young men these days all such clever rascals?

Luo Yan hadn’t expected to earn so much money just from doing one painting in the county town. However, since the yamen wanted the painting, the reward would have been even higher if they found the person in the portrait. But that was none of Luo Yan’s business.

On the way, Luo Yan bought some brown sugar and honey as well.

Then she went to the shop selling “miscellaneous” books. As for why she bought miscellaneous books? Because they were cheap, of course!

Hahahaha…

She asked the shopkeeper for the price, confirming they were indeed a bargain. 300 wen per book, take your pick.

Luo Yan only bought three: a book on the politics of this world, one on medicinal herbs, and one on military strategy (though it was only one volume of it).

Li Hanxue: “The shop next door sells brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones,” she reminded her as she watched Luo Yan pay.

Luo Yan smiled at her: “Mhm, let’s go.” Her wife was so thoughtful.

Regarding the “Four Treasures of the Study,” take brushes for example—different craftsmanship and materials meant different prices.

Of course, Luo Yan couldn’t afford the top-tier brushes yet. She settled on three standard brushes.

She bought two reams of paper, which would last a long time. She also bought a decent inkstick worth 1 qian.

Luo Yan: “Hanxue, let’s go eat.”

It was indeed lunchtime. “Okay,” Li Hanxue said.

Luo Yan: “What does Hanxue want to eat?”

Li Hanxue: “Wonton soup.” There was a small shop not far away with great flavor. Every time she went out before, she tried to have a bowl.

“I know a place nearby. The taste is very good,” Li Hanxue said.

Luo Yan: “Alright. If Madam says it’s good, it must be delicious. You lead the way, Madam.”

“Mhm,” Li Hanxue answered shyly.

After walking with her wife for a few minutes, they arrived at the wonton stall. It was a small business, but the people eating there looked happy; it was clear the food was good.

She sat down with her wife and ordered two bowls of wontons.

Luo Yan: “Did Madam come here often before?”

“Mhm.”

“Then in the future, whenever you want to eat them, we’ll come,” Luo Yan said.

Such words were coming from Luo Yan more frequently and more naturally since last night.

Seeing her wife didn’t respond, she realized she was shy again. Sigh, her wife was just so easily embarrassed.

Just then, the wontons were served.

Shopkeeper: “Your wontons, enjoy.”

Luo Yan: “Thank you.”

Luo Yan handed her wife the chopsticks. “Eat up.”

Li Hanxue: “Mhm.”

Luo Yan tasted them; the wontons were quite good. However, the broth was lacking—no dried shrimp or cilantro. It felt like it had no soul.

“Madam, wait for me here a moment. I’ll go buy some groceries and be right back.” Luo Yan thought for a moment and decided she wanted to make a bowl herself right now.

Li Hanxue: “Go now?”

Luo Yan: “Mhm.”

“You only took two bites; you can finish before you go.”

Luo Yan: “Um… I’ll listen to my Madam.” It wasn’t that she was afraid of her wife; she just didn’t want to waste food, yeah!

Luo Yan quickly finished her bowl but didn’t drink the broth. Her wife ate elegantly and was still only halfway done.

“Madam, I’m finished. I’m going to buy the groceries.”

Before Li Hanxue could speak, Luo Yan stood up and rushed off. Why is she in such a hurry?

When she reached the vegetable vendors, Luo Yan was pleasantly surprised. She really hadn’t expected to find cilantro or dried shrimp. The dried shrimp were quite different from the ones in her world, but she bought some anyway. She also bought some other vegetables she noticed were missing at home.

Luo Yan moved quickly. By the time she got back, her wife had finished her wontons. “Are you full? Want another bowl?”

Another bowl? She hadn’t said she was very hungry. “I’m full.”

“Okay,” Luo Yan said with a smile.

Luo Yan called the shopkeeper over, saying she wanted to discuss something with him, leaving the man looking confused.

Luo Yan: “Hello, shopkeeper. I’ll get straight to the point.”

Shopkeeper: “What does the young master wish to say?”

Luo Yan smiled. “I’d like to borrow your stove and pot for a moment. Would that be okay?”

Borrow a pot? The shopkeeper didn’t understand what this young master was up to, but using it for a moment was fine. “Sure.”

Luo Yan: “Thank you, shopkeeper.”

After saying that, Luo Yan took her cilantro and dried shrimp to make wontons. She fried the shrimp in oil first; the aroma was very fragrant.

Boiling water, wontons in the pot, salt, lard, chopped green onions, sesame oil, a bit of garlic, plus the prepared shrimp, then adding the wonton water to create the broth.

At this point, both the shopkeeper and her wife crowded around to watch her cook.

Looking at her method, the shopkeeper noticed the process wasn’t very different. But the broth ingredients were very different—he just didn’t know how it would taste.

He hadn’t expected Luo Yan to know how to make wontons. Seeing her skillful movements, he wanted to taste it soon.

Luo Yan gave her wife a silly grin. The shopkeeper looked over and laughed too. This young couple certainly had a good relationship.

The wontons floated up, done. Luo Yan scooped them out and placed them into the prepared broth. She divided it into two bowls: one for her wife to taste, and the other mainly for the shopkeeper.

After the three of them sat down, Luo Yan spoke. “Shopkeeper, give it a try.”

Shopkeeper: “Alright. The smell is certainly fragrant.”

Luo Yan: “Madam, you taste it too.”

The moment Li Hanxue put it in her mouth, she heard the shopkeeper speak. “Young master, these wontons are delicious! The broth is the crowning touch; it’s too tasty!”

Li Hanxue ate hers too; it felt as beautiful as fireworks. Delicious! “The wontons are very good!”

Seeing her wife say it was good, Luo Yan felt as happy as a blooming flower.

Shopkeeper: “Young master, would you sell this recipe to me?” He spoke bluntly, but he was nervous inside.

Luo Yan: “How much are you offering?”

Huh? So it can be sold. “20 taels. What do you think, young master?”

20 taels? Luo Yan naturally wouldn’t sell. “20 taels? You really have the nerve to say that. Although your shop isn’t big, judging by the number of people who come to eat here, the money you earn must be significant. This recipe of mine would only make you a fortune!”

This young master is very sharp. I’m afraid she won’t sell, the shopkeeper thought.

Seeing the shopkeeper fall silent, Luo Yan wasn’t in a hurry. she stated her own idea. “I am willing to cooperate with the shopkeeper so we can earn money together.”

Shopkeeper: “Cooperate… how?”

Luo Yan: “I provide the recipe, but the ownership of the recipe remains mine. We will draw up a contract. Of the money earned daily from wonton sales, after deducting costs, we split the profit. You take 55%, I take 45%. See if you are willing.”

After deducting costs? Shopkeeper: “That means I’d earn much less. Young master, this doesn’t seem like a good deal.”

Luo Yan understood the shopkeeper’s meaning, but her wife was nervously tugging at her clothes on the side. Luo Yan took the opportunity to take her wife’s hand and gave it a squeeze to tell her not to worry.

Luo Yan: “I originally planned to open my own shop, but my wife loves your wontons, so I came here. Your filling is indeed good, but I can make even more delicious fillings. I’m afraid when the time comes, you won’t have any business left.”

The shopkeeper was half-doubting, half-believing, but he didn’t want to lose this opportunity.

Luo Yan: “Tell you what. When you have time, come to my house for two days to learn from me. Then try selling it and see how it goes. But I can only let you sell it for ten days. If you don’t cooperate with me and continue to sell it, we’ll have to see each other at the yamen! Of course, the money from those ten days will be yours.”

After hearing this, the shopkeeper thought it was feasible. “Alright, I’ll go every afternoon for the next two days.”

Luo Yan: “Deal.”

Author’s Note:

• In ancient times, a horse was about 7 guan; most farm households would have one. This fits the story.

• Ancient people loved mutton. Cows were protected by the county and court for labor; this also had stages.

• Donkey carts were common and cheap, but since most people were farmers, few bought them.

• The court distributed much land, but taxes were high. If a family had little good land and the men didn’t work for extra money, survival was hard.

• If a family was lazy, it’s hard to imagine how they’d live.

• Life now is better, I love it~ Haha~ Takeout is just too convenient.