Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
She did not want the Qiao Family to know what she had at her home.
Chickens and eggs were okay, because villagers always had some chickens at home.
Ms. Fang had already learned how Qiao Xuan's life was at her own home, so she somehow disliked her parents. Hence, she nodded at Qiao Xuan's suggestion.
She smiled. "Sure, then I will give you 20 liang like I did last time, and you can do whatever you want."
Qiao Xuan thanked her and said, "I will give the remaining amount back to you, Mom!"
Ms. Fang laughed. "Just add it to your own savings! Yunduan needs money, and the expenses can be counted from the shared savings. After all, when
Yunduan becomes successful in the future, he will take care of his brothers. They can take care of him now!"
Qiao Xuan did not counter that, but nodded in agreement, smiling.
Her mother-in-law was such a nice lady!
So Ms. Fang and Ms. Xu prepared their stuff.
They had smoked meat, sausages, fish and ducks with them, as well as 10 kgs of wild boar for each family as two jars of wine. Qiao Xuan and Taotao also picked two baskets of fresh mushrooms for them to take along.
The Yuezheng Family had given a few melon seeds, peanuts, pine nuts, preserved fruit, peanut candy, walnut candy, osmanthus cakes, some of which were also put in their luggage.
If either of them needed to add something, they could buy the things with their own money.
Ms. Xu picked three garments, a few folk flowers and two bags of needles and threads. Apart from this, she was going to offer four liang to her mother.
On the day when they left, Ms. Xu dressed up her children whilst she herself had a silver hairpin on top of her hair as well. She was dressed in new clothes and left together with Ms. Fang, Eldest Uncle and Taotao.
They had a donkey cart and did not need to walk any more.
Shao Sanlang was driving the cart. He dropped Ms. Xu and Shao Dalang, and then Ms. Fang.
Ms. Xu's home was located in a village which wasn't big enough for the donkey cart to get in. They still needed to walk a few miles, but that already was much more convenient than before.
Shao Sanlang spent one night with Ms. Fang at his grandparents' place, and returned home the next day. Then he picked up Ms. Xu and her family so they could head home together.
When they were gone, the house seemed so quiet.
Especially since the two children were not at home, making some noise.
They had nothing else to do but think about what to eat.
Yang Xiaoni and Qiao Xuan were talking about how to make the claypot rice, which Qiao Xuan had decided to make for dinner.
Shao Xiaoqi offered to help too.
Yang Xiaoni was proficient in making the preparations. She washed the pot, and Qi prepared the fire and stove.
Qiao Xuan picked some cabbage and garlic sprouts from the garden.
When the claypot rice was almost cooked, she spread the sliced sausage and
smoked duck on top, poured over the prepared sauce, added the blanched lettuce, and sprinkled the chopped garlic leaves when it was almost ready. A delicious and wonderful portion of claypot rice would be served.
Qiao Xuan and Yang Xiaoni chatted happily in the open, bright kitchen.
When the claypot rice was just on the stove and the side dishes were about to be put in, a very loud female voice arose at the door. "Where is everyone?
Shao Xiaoqi shouted loudly. "Cousin, Third Sister-in-law and Fifth Sister-in-law are cooking in the kitchen!"
Qi wasn't that glad when he made the announcement.
Cousin? Yang Xiaoni and Qiao Xuan exchanged a look. Qiao Xuan thought for a while and said, "Shao Meizhi, I believe? The daughter of Third Uncle. She might have gone to her parents' house to deliver presents."
Yang Xiaoni pursed her lips. "She isn't very nice.. She was not here at our wedding, did she come over when you got married?"