"I can’t." Yang Ruxin shook her head decisively, "Uncle Han, you should understand the principle that scarcity brings value. I trust that the other dishes in your restaurant have also been selling well these days, haven’t they?"
"Exactly, exactly." Han Baichuan nodded, "It’s just that seeing them sell so well made me a bit eager. You, young lady, are really clear-headed..."
"It’s only human nature." Ruxin smiled.
"Here, these are our restaurant’s pastries. Take them back for your younger brothers and sisters to try." Han Baichuan took out two packages of pastries from the counter, "Don’t be modest with me now..."
Yang Ruxin indeed didn’t stand on ceremony, accepting the pastries and handing them to the old basket carrier, "Uncle, I need to take a trip to the county town later, so you go on ahead. Can you help me take these pastries back home?"
"Sure thing." The old carrier walked off happily.
"Uncle Han, I’m thinking of making a trip to the County Governor’s Office. Could you help me find a carriage?" Yang Ruxin turned back to the tavern and sought help from Han Baichuan, "I’m not familiar with the carriage services around here." The uncle’s mule cart was too slow.
"You’re going to the county town?" Han Baichuan immediately smiled, "Then why rent a carriage? I have one myself. Let’s go; I’ll take you. If you finish your business smoothly, you’ll be back by the afternoon..." Seeing Ruxin about to refuse, he hurriedly waved his hand, "Don’t be polite; otherwise, we’ll become estranged..."
Yang Ruxin no longer demurred, and so she took the carriage offered by Han Baichuan and left town.
The distance from Lianhua Town to Baihua County was only about ten miles, and the road was fairly wide, allowing the carriage to enter the county town in just about an hour.
"I didn’t expect Baihua County to be so bustling!" Yang Ruxin looked out of the carriage window to see an endless stream of people, and there were many more shops and stalls than in Lianhua Town.
"Baihua County is conveniently located for both land and water travel. Whether it’s coming from the south of Beijing or heading north from the south, unless they’re in a hurry and willing to take the risk of crossing mountains, they’d pass through here. How could it not be lively?" Han Baichuan drove the carriage carefully while introducing the area to Ruxin, "If it weren’t for the expensive rent here, I’d have thought of opening another branch..."
But Yang Ruxin’s mind was stirred. She glanced at the rows of double-story buildings outside, setting herself a small goal: to buy a house in the town this year, and definitely to buy a house in the county town the next year.
She had previously given Doctor Wang some silver to help with some inquiries; by now, there should be some news. Once she settled the female household registration in the county town, she would go ask him and also have Doctor Wang check her mother’s health. Now that Xun Hui had woken up, they couldn’t keep it a secret forever.
"Girl, it’s already noon. Let’s eat first." As she was contemplating, Han Baichuan stopped the carriage in front of a tavern.
Yang Ruxin hopped off the carriage and stretched, then looked up at the signboard above the door – Taibai Building – which appeared very upscale and opulent. The people entering and leaving the building were dressed lavishly, clearly showing they were either wealthy or noble.
"Where could we simply grab a quick bite?" Han Baichuan laughed, "Don’t think of saving money for your Uncle Han. I’ve been wanting to treat you to a meal, and now the opportunity has finally arrived. The Taibai Building is one of the best restaurants in the county town. Their specialty is Beggar’s Chicken."
Yang Ruxin smiled, "In that case, let’s go give it a try."
"Then wait here for a moment; I’ll go with Xiao’er to park the carriage first." Seeing Yang Ruxin agree made Han Baichuan happy. He had talked with Wang Zhenggang over the past few days, and to his surprise, the old man had a very high opinion of this young lady. Therefore, he decided to strengthen his cooperation with her – who knew, there might be pleasant surprises in the future.