The sweltering July had passed, and August brought cool temperatures in the mornings and evenings, particularly living near the mountains, which was even more refreshing. Wufu finally felt as though she had stepped out of an irritating cage.
Days passed in mundane tranquility, and during that time, except for the visits from Aunt Lady Liang, Wufu rarely saw anyone else from the Zhou family. Lady Liang only came to consult Madam Zhou about embroidery work and chatted about household affairs, which prompted more smiles on Madam Zhou’s face, endearing Aunt Lady Liang to Wufu even further.
Madam Zhou was too lonely. Having someone to talk to was a good thing, especially since it was a relative on her side. Since the other party had not caused any trouble, she let it be.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival in August drew near, Wufu remembered the game in the mountains would be fat in the fall, and she recalled her plan to buy a bow and arrow. However, there was no such good quality merchandise in town, so she wanted to make a trip to the county seat.
"You want to go to the county seat?" Madam Zhou was somewhat astonished, "The county seat is far away. What for? Is there anything you can’t buy in town?"
"Game is fat in the fall, I want to buy a good bow and arrow for hunting," explained Wufu. She added, "Fifty li is not too far, and if I can’t walk, I can take an ox cart."
Hearing about going hunting in the mountains, Madam Zhou gave it some thought, then cautiously said, "Wufu, why don’t you just not go?"
Wufu looked at her steadily.
Seeing that look, Madam Zhou knew she was waiting for an explanation and hastily said, "Our family can afford to buy meat now. It is too dangerous in the mountains. If you get hurt, it would be the death of me."
Wufu’s heart relaxed, saying, "Mother, it’ll be fine. Hunting can also train my skills. Besides, when fall comes, winter is not far behind. Then we won’t go out as much. Storing more meat is good, and what we can’t eat, we can preserve."
"Mother, our family has many mouths to feed now, all children halfway to adulthood, and they eat a lot. That little bit of meat is not enough," Wufu said with a smile. "There’s a saying: ’Half-grown kids can eat their fathers into poverty.’ Without hunting, just buying meat can cost a lot of silver."
With that remark, Liu Jin and Hongyu both blushed and promptly said, "Tonight, I’ll eat one less bowl."
In fact, aside from Madam Zhou, they were all still children, around ten years old. Especially Liu Jin, only seven, running around with Wufu, he naturally expended energy and ate more.
Wufu teased them, "What nonsense are you talking? We’re not lacking food at home. If you don’t eat enough, how will you work? I’ve made it clear, I don’t do household chores."
She did not enjoy doing chores. When there was no one to help before, she had no choice, but now with two youngsters, she chose not to partake. It wasn’t that she was lazy, she just didn’t keep idle hands. Since she was the one earning the silver, she delegated domestic matters to others, ensuring everyone had their responsibilities.
"The young master need not worry, we’ll handle it well," Liu Jin immediately said, and Hongyu nodded too. Having come to this household, they had learned what living truly meant and naturally cherished it.
"Mother, we need to cut costs, but we also need to find more sources of income. So going to the mountains is inevitable," Wufu added.
After saying so much, what else could Madam Zhou say? She knew that the household now largely depended on Wufu and understood what she had to do.
"Then take Liu Jin with you," Madam Zhou could only relent.
Hongyu’s eyes lit up, looking eagerly at Wufu.
"I’ll bring you next time; you stay at home for this one. I’ll take Liu Jin with me," Wufu said, ruffling her hair.
Hongyu immediately looked dejected, like a wilted eggplant, until Wufu whispered in her ear to watch over Madam Zhou and keep her from being coaxed away by the Old Zhou family, then she perked up as if injected with vigor.