54: Chapter 55 Buying Fabric_1 54: Chapter 55 Buying Fabric_1 The doctor examined the mountain ginseng and then smelled it.
He stroked his beard and said, “Miss, the quality of this mountain ginseng is not bad, but it’s a bit small, and therefore won’t fetch a good price.
You, miss, suffer from both qi and blood deficiency; it would be better if you took the ginseng home and consumed it slowly as thin slices to nourish your body.”
Mountain ginseng is a holy product for replenishing blood and qi.
Eating it for a month or two would definitely make a difference in one’s health.
After considering for a moment, Qiao Duo’er said, “Thank you, doctor.”
She had hoped to sell the mountain ginseng for three or two silver, but now it seemed unlikely to reach the expected price.
Then again, why not just take it home and consume it herself?
There’s a saying that health is the capital of revolution.
As long as she took care of her health, how much silver couldn’t she earn back later?
Seeing Qiao Duo’er put away the mountain ginseng, the doctor quickly handed her half taels of silver.
Qiao Duo’er promptly said, “Sir, my family doesn’t have any use for silver; please give me five hanged money instead.”
The doctor, with a pleasant and agreeable expression, exchanged it for copper coins and added, “Miss, if you have more herbs in the future, you can deliver them all to Ren Xin Hall.
I will make sure the price will not shortchange you.”
Ren Xin Hall is a small pharmacy that has always been known for its honesty, never cheating or swindling customers.
“No problem!” Qiao Duo’er agreed readily.
After all, she guessed that for a long time to come she would have to rely on gathering herbs to make a living.
In a society that favored men over women to such a degree, it was difficult for women to find decent jobs.
It was more comfortable to gather herbs.
Moreover, she had a disabled family member at home, and every time she came to town, her mind was full of concerns for him.
After securing the silver, Qiao Duo’er went to the grocery store to buy spices and then to the Cloth Shop to purchase fabric.
Her clothes had to be remade; every time she washed them, it was a sad affair.
Not to mention the many patches sewn on them, the fabric also tore easily because it was worn for too long.
To Qiao Duo’er, this was as uncomfortable as swallowing a fly.
Women from landowner’s families generally wore tops and skirts; she chose a piece of pink printed fabric and a piece of water red material.
This would be enough to make one set of clothes, and the remaining fabric could be used to sew two undershirts.
After selecting fabric for herself, she also picked out a piece of dark cloth; it was time to change Tan Zhenghong’s clothes as well.
He looked very handsome in dark colors.
She could sew clothes in her free time, to avoid just staring at Tan Zhenghong with nothing to do.
However, fine fabric was quite expensive, and the three pieces of material consumed most of the money she had earned from selling the herbs, but wearing comfortable clothes was worth it.
Having finished her purchases, Qiao Duo’er sought out Sun Erhu and Er Ya.
When she arrived at the booth, she was surprised; she had only been away for half an hour at most, and yet most of the baskets and other items had been sold!
Could Tan Zhenghong’s handmade items really be so popular?
“They’re selling that quickly?” Qiao Duo’er couldn’t help but ask.
Upon seeing Qiao Duo’er, Sun Erhu immediately handed her the money bag.
And as he explained, “It was all because a big customer came.
The Housekeeper from the Wang Family really liked Brother Hong’s woven goods and snapped up the vegetable baskets and straw hats all at once, leaving only a few carrying baskets.
Those will be sold soon as well.”
With a delighted nod, Qiao Duo’er hadn’t expected to return home until the afternoon; she had even prepared steamed buns and water.
As they were talking, another customer approached.
“Young man, how much for this carrying basket?” asked a man.
Sun Erhu hastily replied, “Eight wen money.
They are handmade by us and won’t break for three to five years; very good quality!”
The man examined it closely, saw that the quality was indeed good, and then paid the money.
Indeed, Tan Zhenghong’s craftsmanship was that good, and his goods were that popular!
Qiao Duo’er couldn’t help but glance at the baskets and had to admit, he was indeed extremely skilled with his hands.