Chapter 70: Mushroom Picking

Shen Ning didn’t see anything wrong with this arrangement. She happily bounced up, dragging Shen An towards the house. Upon reaching the door, she realized and pushed Shen An inside, standing guard at the door.

“Big brother, change quickly. I’ll come in and change afterward.”

It didn’t take long for the siblings to swap the pants. The new pair Sang Luo made, when worn by Shen Ning, was a bit long. Despite being twins, there was still a height difference. Sang Luo saw the young girl emerging from the house, hands hoisting up her pants.

Laughing heartily, Sang Luo helped Shen Ning roll up the pants and then secured them tightly with a cloth tie.

Shen An watched from the side, quite happy, thinking today was his sister’s turn, and tomorrow would be his.

People living in the mountains knew well about the seasonal offerings of the woods, so while Sang Luo was busy adjusting the pants for Shen Ning, the young girl Xiao Ya came running to the courtyard, peering inside, and seeing everyone there, she joyfully entered.

"Sister Shen, my grandma asked if you're going to the mountains today? She, Mrs. Lu, and Mrs. Shi are planning to pick mushrooms."

"I will!" Sang Luo replied cheerfully, beckoning the little girl in. "When are your grandma and the others leaving?"

The little girl came in smiling, "We’re leaving soon. My grandma said if you're coming, just wait at home. She's getting things ready in the kitchen and will come over with Mrs. Lu to fetch you."

Since Sang Luo arrived in this time, she and the kids had been eating three meals a day, earlier than most households. They had woken up late today, and after breakfast and some sewing, she guessed that others were just finishing their breakfast and still had chores like dishwashing and feeding the chickens.

Just as she finished tying Shen Ning's leggings, Sang Luo smiled, "Alright, we'll wait at home."

She then asked the little girl to wait and sent Shen An to the kitchen to fetch a tofu residue pancake for her.

The little girl was a bit awkward upon hearing it was for eating, "Sister Shen, I've already had breakfast at home, I just came to deliver a message and was about to head back."

As she was about to leave, Shen Ning stopped her, "It's like the fried balls we made last time, but these are pancakes. I made them, try them."

Sang Luo, amused by the scene, let the two girls chat while she washed her hands and returned to the kitchen to dish up some fresh tofu residue for the little girl, advising, "Take this to your grandma. Just fry it in a little oil, add water, boil, and season. Remember to boil it thoroughly, or it can upset your stomach."

The little girl, holding a golden-brown pancake in one hand and a bowl of unfamiliar food in the other, was puzzled. She just came to deliver a message and ended up with so much.

Sang Luo, seeing her reaction, chuckled and suggested, "Shen Ning, why don’t you accompany your little friend back? Explain to your grandma Chen how to cook this tofu residue."

Concerned about the little girl's young age and fearing she might not relay the instructions accurately, which could lead to digestive issues if the residue wasn’t boiled properly, Sang Luo didn’t want her good intentions to backfire.

Shen Ning agreed readily, taking the bowl of tofu residue from the little girl's hands, and walked her out.

Outside the courtyard, the little girl remarked, "Sister Shen Ning, your stone-paved ground is great, it doesn’t dirty the shoes at all."

She glanced at her own shoes, already dirtied from the walk over.

But Shen Ning's shoes were still relatively clean.

This morning, Shen Ning noticed the stark difference between the stone-paved path in their yard and the unpaved ground outside. Previously, she had only appreciated its aesthetics, but today she truly realized its practical benefits.

"My brother said he will pave the path from our yard to the spring, the chicken and duck shed, and the vegetable garden in the next few days."

They had gathered a large pile of stones over these days, which should be enough.

The little girl glanced at Shen Ning's pants, which didn't have a single patch: "Is that a new pair of pants your sister-in-law made for you?"

Shen Ning shook her head, "No, they're for my brother, but whoever goes to the mountain wears them. I'm wearing them today because I'm going to pick mushrooms with my sister-in-law."

"Your sister-in-law is really good to you both."

The two girls chatted happily as they walked down the mountain.

Mrs. Li, sweeping the yard, spotted Shen Ning holding a bowl and walking with the Chen family’s little girl, who was carrying a golden-brown pancake.

"Looks like Sang Luo is sending something over to the Chen family."

She spat disdainfully, "Always playing favorites."

Murmuring under her breath, she expressed her disdain openly.

Although not loud, Shen Jin and others in the yard heard her. Shen Jin peered out curiously, spotting Shen Ning and the Chen family's little girl, particularly the golden pancake in her hand.

His first reaction was craving, followed by confusion — was his mother scolding Shen Ning or his eldest sister-in-law?

Shen Jin’s face fell, the initial joy of seeing the pancake quickly fading.

Seeing his reaction, Mrs. Li snapped, "What are you looking at? Do you think they’ll give you some?"

"Shen Jin nervously glanced at Shen Ning, who was approaching, terrified that his mother's words would be overheard by him. His face flushed red as he protested, 'Who says they never fed me? My sister-in-law and Shen An have given me plenty to eat.'"

"Li’s face darkened further. 'Yes, indeed, how capable you are. The family has never made you do hard labor, yet you managed to take your two younger brothers to sell your labor elsewhere for some food. You really are something – why don’t you just die of gluttony?'"

"As Shen Ning approached and overheard this conversation, she glanced at her aunt and Shen Jin, pursed her lips, and remained expressionless. Without addressing her aunt, she followed Chen Xiao Ya directly into the Chen family’s courtyard."

"Li was infuriated. The girl who once begged for food from her was now showing such capability."

"With a sneer, she gave Shen Ning’s retreating back a contemptuous look. 'Who taught you such lack of manners!'"

Shen Ning paused in her steps, gently tugged by Chen Xiaoya, and whispered something before following her.

Shen Jin, feeling extremely embarrassed with his neck flushed red, tried to stop his mother from speaking further.

Mrs. Li, unwilling to cooperate, saw Shen Ning pause then continue walking, which only fueled her anger.

This anger had been accumulating since the construction of the main house, while they, living next door in the Chen family, were eating meat every day. It reached its peak during the autumn harvest, when they toiled to death and returned home at dusk, only to be mocked by villagers asking why they weren't invited to the housewarming party at the main house.

It had reached a breaking point.

There were rumors in the village about Sang Luo having a recipe to make food to sell in the county. Now, women from the Chen, Shi, and Lu families were setting up stalls in the county, leaving early in the morning and returning in the afternoon – everyone noticed it.

Thinking back, it all started with Qin Fangniang following Sang Luo, and then the Shi and Lu families helped Sang Luo build a house before joining her. It was obvious that Sang Luo played a key role in this.

Mrs. Li, feeling resentful that she wasn't getting any benefit despite being related to the Shen family, was particularly annoyed by Mrs. Chen's constant cheerful demeanor.

At this moment, Mrs. Li found nothing pleasing about the main house, or the Chen, Lu, or Shi families, even resenting her sons who worked for the main house. Unable to do anything to Shen Ning, she smacked her son on the sleeve when he tried to intervene.

Shen Jin winced in pain and, seeing that Shen Ning had left, didn’t linger and returned to his room with red eyes.

Shen Yin and Shen Tie quietly followed him, “Big brother, didn’t you say there were some stones piled outside second brother’s house? Weren’t we going to pick them up and send them over today? Shall we go now?”

Shen Jin, disheartened, pulled a straw from beneath the mat, “No, I’m not going.”

He was too ashamed to face them.

……

Shen Ning didn’t take to heart the sarcastic remarks she heard from her aunt on the road. Not wanting to upset her sister-in-law, she didn’t mention it at home.

Mrs. Chen’s group arrived quickly, including Old Lady Lu, Mrs. Shi Er-lang, and a girl from the Lu family named Da Niuniu.

Mrs. Chen brought a large bowl of bean dregs for Sang Luo, along with a cucumber and a head of Chinese cabbage as gifts.

After a rare rainfall, many women from the village ventured into the mountains to gather mushrooms. Sang Luo joined Old Lady Chen and other women from the village on this excursion.

Guided by the two elderly ladies, they traversed unfamiliar terrains. The old ladies, having lived in the village for many years, knew the surrounding mountains well and led the way to areas where they previously found mushrooms.

With snake-repelling powder and in the company of several women, they ventured deeper into the woods than other village women, resulting in a significant harvest.

They collected various types of mushrooms, including oyster mushrooms, pine mushrooms, straw mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms, as well as the prized Huaigu mushrooms that Sang Luo was particularly keen on.

Mushrooms often grew in clusters, sprouting from old trees and pine needles scattered on the ground, especially after a night of rain.

The group of six felt as though they had stumbled into a treasure trove, joyously gathering mushrooms.

Despite her age, Old Lady Chen was remarkably agile and sharp-eyed, picking as many mushrooms as Sang Luo. Old Lady Lu was equally adept, as were ten-year-old Da Niuniu and nine-year-old Shen Ning. Only Mrs. Shi Er-lang, in comparison, lagged a bit behind.

They collected a large haul along the way, and the two old ladies were all smiles. After finishing one spot, they took Sang Luo and the others to another pine forest. Along the way, they picked sour dates and offered some to Sang Luo, Shen Ning, and Da Niuniu, commenting on their pleasantly sour taste.

They even gathered some extra sour dates into their baskets to take back for their grandchildren.

Following their example, Da Niuniu also ate some and collected a big handful in her pocket to take home for her younger brothers.

"Shen Ning also started picking sour dates, filling her pocket. Looking at the dates still scattered on the ground, she found it hard to move on, wishing she could gather them all into her own basket. Sang Luo had to gently squeeze her hand to restrain her, and Shen Ning managed not to show any odd expression."

"Sang Luo silently memorized the locations of the fairy trees, sour dates, and konjac plants, planning to return with Shen Ning in the afternoon to secretly gather these sour dates and pick some leaves from the fairy trees for the next day’s use."

As for the devil's fig, since it won't spoil in the soil and no one desires it, Sang Luo plans to dig it up after the mushroom picking craze has passed. She’s cautious about being seen digging up something perceived as poisonous in the local community.

Led by the two elder ladies, they filled their baskets in just half a morning. But they had ventured deep enough and didn’t dare to go any further.

Old Lady Lu suggested returning: "Let's head back, we can't carry more. While the sun's out, let's get home and start drying these."

Sang Luo, intrigued, asked: "Drying them into preserved goods?"

Old Lady Lu nodded: "They can only be eaten fresh once, the rest we dry for winter."

Sang Luo thought about the black trumpets she had gathered in abundance. Drying them seemed a waste, as their fresh taste was far superior to their dried version.

She proposed: “I’ll dry the wood ears, but these fresh mushrooms should fetch a good price. I’m considering taking them to the county, to see if Dong Fu Lou would be interested in buying them.”

These were considered delicacies. Even the arrogant chef from the restaurant opposite Dong Fu Lou had mentioned that wild delicacies were worth offering, indicating that these establishments did buy such items.

Hearing Sang Luo’s idea, the others were tempted, but Mrs. Chen pondered: “Would Dong Fu Lou really buy all of these?”

Sang Luo wasn’t sure either and suggested: “Let’s try taking them there? If they buy, great. If not, we move quickly and take them to the stalls in the market, perhaps sell them there.”

Mrs. Chen readily agreed: “Good idea! Shall we go now?”

In rural areas, such foraged items are rarely consumed by the gatherers themselves if they can be sold for money.

Once Mrs. Chen decided to accompany them, Old Lady Lu also agreed to go: “If we don't make it in time, the worst we'll have is a half-day wasted walk and carrying them back, no big loss.”

Of the four families, three decided to go. Led by the skilled Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Lu, they navigated several mountains, taking a shortcut to the path leading to Sanli Village, already covering half of the distance.

It was indeed a swift journey.

On the way, they ran into Chen You Tian and others, each carrying a sack of grain, who had just dropped their wives and sisters-in-law off at the county in the early morning.

With the dewfall still unlifted, they couldn’t enter the county, so after dropping off their relatives, they utilized the break in the rain to buy grain from a miscellaneous store in Sanli Village and were now on their way back.

Upon seeing them, Sang Luo hurriedly greeted Chen You Tian, asking him to inform Shen An that they had gone to the county to sell mushrooms and would return later.

Failing to inform Shen An could cause the boy to worry endlessly, thinking they hadn't returned from the mountains.