I’m a Street Vendor in Ancient Times, and the Big Shots Are Going Crazy for My Food?

Gu Yanxi is a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a poor girl in the Da Shuo Dynasty three years ago. After losing her memory upon arrival, she lived as the dutiful daughter of the Gu family, a household struggling with poverty, her father’s lame leg, her mother’s chronic illness, and her younger brother Gu Yu’s gambling debts. When a fever restored her memories, she realized her culinary skills could transform their dire financial situation. The Gu family consisted of her father Gu Guosheng, who worked as a night soil collector; her mother Zhao Shi, who did laundry; and Gu Yu, a once-promising student who had fallen into bad habits after being forced to drop out of school.

The story begins with Gu Yu returning home in panic after incurring a hundred taels of debt to a local thug named Li Si. Li Si and his men attempted to coerce Gu Yanxi into paying the debt by threatening her, but she skillfully defended herself with a kitchen knife, forcing them to retreat. Following this incident, Gu Yanxi decided to start a food business to pay off the debt and support her family. She introduced her family to modern dishes such as Tieban Tudou (iron plate potatoes) and Liangmian (cold noodles), which were revolutionary in an era where such flavor combinations were unknown. Despite her mother’s initial reluctance to engage in commerce, Gu Yanxi convinced her parents by demonstrating the deliciousness and market potential of her dishes.

Gu Yanxi invested their meager savings into purchasing a stall cart and iron griddles. She recruited Gu Yu as her assistant, enforcing strict discipline after catching him attempting to steal from her savings. The siblings set up their stall near Yunchang Academy, a prestigious institution attended by wealthy students. Initially, sales were slow as customers were hesitant to try unfamiliar food. Gu Yanxi employed a smart marketing strategy by offering free samples, which quickly attracted a crowd. The unique spicy and numbing flavors of her dishes created a sensation, leading to sold-out days and significant profits. Within two days, they earned enough to cover their initial investment and begin repaying Gu Yu’s debts.

A pivotal turning point occurred when the Emperor of Da Shuo, suffering from a loss of appetite, happened to pass by the stall. His chief eunuch, Yuansheng, purchased portions of Tieban Tudou and Liangmian for him. The Emperor was delighted by the food, which restored his appetite, and rewarded Gu Yanxi with ten taels of silver. This royal endorsement brought immense fame to the stall, drawing even larger crowds and establishing Gu Yanxi’s reputation in Jingdu. Shortly after, Su Taifu, the Academy Head of Yunchang Academy and the Emperor’s tutor, discovered the stall. He became a regular customer and later visited the Gu family home, where he was impressed by Gu Yanxi’s intelligence and culinary talents. Their interaction highlighted Gu Yanxi’s ability to navigate social hierarchies with dignity and wit.

Conflict arose when Gou Dehao, the arrogant third young master of the powerful Gou family, attempted to bully Gu Yanxi and cut in line at her stall. He was humiliated when the students and Su Taifu defended her, forcing him to retreat. This incident underscored the dangers Gu Yanxi faced as a low-status merchant interacting with the nobility. Meanwhile, Gu Yanxi continued to innovate, introducing new dishes like Pea Jelly and hand-shredded chicken to keep her menu fresh. She also implemented a numbering system using bamboo tokens to manage the long queues efficiently. Her business acumen allowed her to save money not only to clear debts but also to fund Gu Yu’s education at Yunchang Academy, aiming to redeem his future. The narrative follows her journey from a struggling transmigrator to a successful entrepreneur who uplifts her family while navigating the complexities of imperial society.