Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Shen Qing didn't care about the other stall owners' reactions; she just wanted to complete the task and get the reward.

After all, she'd had enough of living in this dilapidated house.

She kneaded the dough quickly, took a small piece, and rolled it out rapidly with a small rolling pin.

Soon, a round piece of leather about two inches in diameter appeared in her hand. It was thick in the middle and thin at the edges, so much so that light could pass through it.

Scoop a spoonful of filling and place it in the center of the dough. Then, quickly pinch and rotate the dough with your index finger and thumb to create even and fine pleats, like a small flower blooming on your fingertips.

The whole process is extremely fast; in just a few seconds, a basket of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) is ready.

Shen Qing thought for a moment and decided to steam this batch first, using the aroma to attract customers.

She lined the steamer with carrot slices to prevent sticking and enhance the aroma. After the water boiled, she steamed the dumplings directly in the steamer. In just 15 minutes, the crystal soup dumplings were ready.

As soon as the lid is opened, steam instantly disperses in all directions. Upon closer inspection, the skin of the xiaolongbao is crystal clear, and the soup and tender meat filling inside are clearly visible.

Shen Qing took a long breath.

Mmm~ Delicious, really delicious.

"It smells so good!"

Before Shen Qing could even take a bite, a surprised voice rang out.

It was the stall owner she had been chatting with earlier.

The stall owner had already moved closer to Shen Qing's stall, staring intently at the crystal steamed buns in the steamer.

"This...this is a kind of steamed bun?? It looks so good, I've never seen one before, it's so beautiful."

Shen Qing explained, "It is indeed a type of steamed bun, filled with fresh meat. Would you like a basket?"

"It smells amazing." The stall owner couldn't help but lick his lips. "How much, one basket?"

"Forty coins."

"Huh?" The stall owner stopped taking out his money.

This basket of buns only has five buns, and they're all small, yet it costs forty coins?

The big meat buns sold at the morning market only cost six coins each.

Forty coins could buy six or seven large, filling meat buns.

"Young lady, although this is a ghost market, not everything can be sold at a high price. Your steamed buns may look pretty, but you can't sell them for such a high price!"

It's just steamed buns, you can't raise the price just because you're selling them at the ghost market, can you? He didn't want to be ripped off.

Shen Qing said calmly, "It's not expensive, it's a fair price."

Her steamed buns are made with the best and freshest ingredients, not to mention her skill in making them.

Anyone who has eaten there would not find the price of forty coins too expensive.

"Well... then sell me one, eight coins each, okay?" The stall owner gritted his teeth.

The crystal soup dumplings smelled so good that he couldn't resist trying them.

"Ten coins each."

"Why is it ten coins again?"

"Selling them individually is too much trouble, so they're expensive." Shen Qing remained indifferent throughout, lacking the enthusiasm of the other stall owners.

"Then I don't want it. You can keep it and sell it later."

The stall owner waved his hand and returned to his stall. He sold ancient books and hadn't made a single sale yet today.

He was somewhat reluctant to spend ten coins before even opening for business.

Moreover, how could anyone possibly buy food from this young lady selling it in the ghost market? He's trying to be helpful by patronizing her business, yet she's so stubborn and inflexible.

Without him as a customer, I'm afraid this steamed bun stall won't be able to open for business tonight.

After the guests left, Shen Qing was not discouraged. Instead, she ate the steamed buns she had just made.

She gently picked one up with her chopsticks, bent down, and took a bite.

Chi-

A burst of hot, fragrant broth instantly filled my mouth.

Slurp up all the broth in one bite, then bite into the meat filling and dough soaked in the juices—yum!

It's bursting with meaty flavor, the minced meat has a grainy texture and is very elastic. The sharp spiciness of the minced ginger blends perfectly with the original flavor of the pork, making it fragrant but not greasy.

After swallowing it in one gulp, the aftertaste still carries a hint of the sweet fragrance of scallions.

My mouth was watering.

Shen Qing was very satisfied and ate one after another.

Since she transmigrated to ancient times, she has almost never eaten a late-night snack, but tonight she's really enjoying it.

The stall owner selling ancient books next to him stared longingly, drooling without even realizing it, wanting to eat but too embarrassed to do so.

After finishing five xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Shen Qing was very satisfied and then continued to roll out the dough and fill the dumplings.

......

Zhao Cheng was strolling around the ghost market. His grandfather's birthday was coming up, and he had searched all over Ping'an County but had not been able to find a birthday gift that suited his taste.

So they went to the ghost market to choose.

After browsing for a long time, I still couldn't find a birthday gift, but a wonderful fragrance lingered in the air, making me very tempted.

Footsteps unconsciously lead to the source of the fragrance.

After a while, I saw a small stall steaming with steam, and a girl next to it seemed to be making steamed buns.

"When did steamed buns start being sold at the ghost market?" Zhao Cheng muttered to himself, his face full of doubt.

The aroma is richer now, a delicious meaty scent mixed with a pure wheat fragrance.

Zhao Cheng couldn't help but lean closer, still somewhat uncertain: "Does your stall sell steamed buns?"

After all, no one has ever sold food at a ghost market before.

"Yes, crystal soup dumplings, forty coins a basket, would you like one?"

"I'll take one!" Zhao Cheng said instantly, taking out forty coins.

The aroma was so enticing that he couldn't resist trying it. He wanted to see what these crystal soup dumplings tasted like.

"Wait a moment, these baskets will be ready soon." Shen Qing remained calm.

Seeing this, the stall owner selling antique books next to him couldn't help but say, "Forty coins a basket is so expensive, don't get ripped off."

After a moment, Zhao Cheng realized that the person was speaking to him.

"I have plenty of money. What's forty coins? As long as I'm happy eating, it's worth it, even if it's four hundred coins."

His father was the richest man in Ping'an County, and he never asked the price of things when he went out to buy them.

If you want something, or want to eat something, just buy it.

The stall owner selling ancient books ran into a snag and sighed.

He's really a fool with too much money. How come he never encounters customers like that? If only he could buy all his ancient books.

Harmful!

After waiting for only three to five minutes, Shen Qing lifted the lid of the cage.

Instantly, a large cloud of hot, moist white steam surged out and hit people's faces.

The early spring nights were still a bit chilly, but the steam made Zhao Cheng feel warm and comfortable.

In particular, the steam carries a mild and rustic aroma of wheat.

After the steam dissipated slightly, a closer look revealed rows of small buns neatly arranged in the steamer, with carrots placed underneath them.

The dough was crystal clear, as thin as a cicada's wing and as transparent as glass, through which you could vaguely see the tender pink meat filling and the slightly swaying broth.

"Your crystal xiaolongbao."

Zhao Cheng took the steamer basket and sat down at the small table next to him.

As you get closer, the aroma of wheat, fresh meat, and oil fills your nostrils.

So delicious.

Just as Zhao Cheng was about to pick one up and put it in his mouth, Shen Qing's voice rang out:

"When eating crystal xiaolongbao, you should lift it gently and move it slowly, open a window first, and then drink the soup."