Everyday Life in Jiangnan

A new three-story shop opened in Suzhou, with all kinds of goods inside.

Seafood from the coast

Fruit from Lingnan

Cattle and sheep from the northwest

Out-of-season vegetables

Black, green, flower, and fruit teas

Silk, brocade, cotton, and linen fabrics

The dazzling selection left people giddy, and even the city's wealthy families did much of their shopping there.

Nobody knew that, at first, the grand shop had been nothing more than a little grocery in Suzhou that no one cared about.

An orphaned girl, alone and adrift, came from the north to inherit her uncle's business. She tended the little grocery and slowly managed to establish herself.

*

Doing business is hard, and making a name for a grocery in Suzhou is harder still. Having transmigrated, He Lingyi wants to open more than just a little shop like this.

Unfortunately, this dynasty imposes a heavy tax on unmarried people, and merchants are subjected to layer upon layer of exploitation.

He Lingyi planned ahead. After the New Year, she would find herself an honest, capable, obedient live-in husband.

Then, when she went out to buy supplies, someone would be home to watch the place, and when she returned, there would be a hot meal waiting for her.

Whether his affection was genuine or not, at least she would have someone to ask after her and keep her company. As long as she had the ability to look after herself and kept a tight hold on her purse, she wouldn't be fooled.

If a man proved truly unreliable, she would wait until she had a child, then divorce him. At worst, she would pay him some compensation. Whatever happened, the family business couldn't fall into an outsider's hands.

*

The grocery closed early in winter. One day, He Lingyi rescued a man in the back alley.

The man's name was Cheng Jie. He was a mountain hunter, with no parents, an honest nature, few words, and plenty of strength. He met all the requirements for a live-in husband, except that his face was a little too striking.

They had two children in three years.

He Lingyi was good at business, and over the years, the shop became the most famous grand store in Gusu.

Unfortunately, she had misjudged him. Just when everything seemed to be going well, the man ran off.

Maybe he couldn't stand being scolded, or perhaps he couldn't bear being hit. Maybe it was because she wouldn't give him money to spend.

Only then did He Lingyi realize that she hadn't exactly treated him well. Still, at least she hadn't lost much. She gritted her teeth in secret. Look at that, it had only been three short years, and the fox's tail was already showing.

*

The capital was in turmoil, and even He Lingyi, far away in Gusu, heard the news.

A new emperor had ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Zhen'an.

He Lingyi chatted with Auntie Xu from next door, who had been trying to set her up with a second husband. What a coincidence, her daughter's name was He Qingzhen and her son's was He Qing'an.

Auntie Xu leaned toward He Lingyi, smiling as she whispered:

"They say the new emperor is the former Prince of Jin, who fought his way back from among the common people. His name is Li Chengjie..."

#A sweet, everyday story about a devoted couple.

Content warning: The female lead has two children.

Theme: Plucking a blossom and meeting a messenger, I send it to the one at the head of the pass.