But you've gone hungry before - when the emperor messes up again, or because your purse was stolen or just because of a bad day. You consider food bought at street stalls dear, but it's cheaper than cooking yourself, unless you've got a family of two spouses and a few children. Children are very important to you. Everyone spoils their children, and other peoples children. Killing a child is the ultimate crime.
Pregnant women are almost sacred.
You don't consider humans, rats or milk food, but everything else is fair game. You might kill your own food, if you're lucky enough to have a backyard where you can raise a few chickens, a goat or perhaps even a pig. Your water is supplied by the nearest lauye , or public fountain, and you assume that it is fit to drink. But mostly you prefer wine or small beer , made from bread soaked in water with honey. Tea is a luxury, and you've heard about cocoa-wine.