The next morning, Yue Qingqing was awakened by a delightful fragrance.
Lin Chunju opened the pickling jar and scooped out the now well-pickled wild vegetables.
She blanched them quickly in boiling water, then added minced garlic, chopped green onions, celery, and daylilies.
After adding a few drops of oil, she stir-fried the bean sauce thoroughly, sprinkling a little rice vinegar before pouring it all onto the wild vegetables.
With a sizzle, the oil released all the fragrant aromas of the vegetables.
An indescribable scent of sour and spicy filled the entire house.
Last night, after the adults had fallen asleep, Qingqing had practiced for a while, enhancing her senses far beyond those of an average baby.
When Zhang Ying carried her to the table, she saw several men of the Yue Family devouring the mixed wild vegetables and slurping their porridge.
The freshly stuck cornbread was golden yellow, its edges slightly crispy.
Yue Qingqing's saliva flowed uncontrollably.
Zhang Ying could only, with a blushing face, take her to Wang Xiaoni's room.
"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry to trouble you again today," she said.
Wang Xiaoni grinned, "What are you talking about, sister-in-law? Your child is just like my own daughter to me!"
Yue Qingqing could only sadly drink her milk, praying that she would grow up quickly.
After the household's labor force had gone to work, Lin Chunju also came to Wang Xiaoni's room.
"How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?"
Cradling one child in her arms, Wang Xiaoni replied softly, "Mother, I'm fine, I'll be ready to work in a couple of days."
Lin Chunju glared at her, "You just gave birth, and you already want to go back to work? What's this, is the Yue Family mistreating you?"
Wang Xiaoni hurriedly explained, "No, not at all, I'm just used to working. Lying in bed doesn't feel right."
The Yue Family was very poor and every member was incredibly hardworking, afraid that resting even for a few extra days would burden the family more.
Lin Chunju sighed inwardly, taking Yue Qingqing from Wang Xiaoni's arms.
"Rest a few more days, I just went behind the house and saw the old hen laid a few more eggs today; I'll make you a soup at noon," she said.
Before Wang Xiaoni could refuse, Lin Chunju had already left with Yue Qingqing in her arms.
Innate Qi was indeed useful. Since her practice last night, Yue Qingqing found her progress was advancing leaps and bounds.
She could now clearly see the fortunes running through ordinary people with her eyes.
Lin Chunju was enveloped in an orange-yellow aura, like the morning sun, which was very comforting to look at.
Seeing the little one's big round eyes staring unblinkingly at her, Lin Chunju couldn't help but smile.
However, that smile disappeared the moment she saw Jiannan, that mischievous boy.
"Stop right there, where are you going!"
About to sneak out, Jiannan's steps stiffened, and he quickly put on a well-behaved facade.
"Mother, I was just going to our field to see if I could be of any help."
"Really?" Lin Chunju narrowed her eyes.
Jiannan was a posthumous child and born premature; his two older brothers and sister had always taken care of him from a young age.
Because of his weakness, he usually couldn't handle the physical labor of farming but enjoyed fishing by the river or setting traps in the mountains for birds and wild rabbits.
The reason why few villagers ventured into those mountains was not only because they were undeveloped but, oftentimes, large ferocious animals came down to forage.
Only Jiannan, unaware of his own limits, regularly ventured there.
Seeing his mother's expression, Jiannan got nervous and hurriedly promised, "Truly, I'm older now, I should start pulling my weight around here."
Lin Chunju's expression softened a bit, "Alright then, just make sure you come back early."
Just as Jiannan received the permission to leave, the baby girl in Lin Chunju's arms suddenly began to wail.
Her heart-wrenching cries nearly caused Jiannan to fall over.
"Mother... what's wrong?"
While crying, Qingqing stared intently at Jiannan.
Others might not see it, but Qingqing could see it clearly.
Jiannan was shrouded in a cloud of black mist, so thick and terrifying that it sent chills down her spine.
This was an omen of great misfortune; if Jiannan stepped out that door, he would never return!