Chapter 157

Chapter 157

After finishing this bowl of sweet rice dumplings, Lin Chunyan thought of rice wine dumplings. After washing the dishes, she went back to the kitchen and soaked some glutinous rice.

Soaking it overnight, by the next day, she would drain the water and steam it for 30 minutes before pouring it into a prepared jar.

Their house had plenty of these jars, used for pickling, brewing wine, and storing jams.

It would be wonderful if they could make these jars on their own, Lin Chunyan thought. She had only experienced how to make pottery before and never knew how people from this time made them.

After the glutinous rice spread out in the jar, she added some cold boiled water so that the rice would become distinct grains, and then mixed in the fermentation starter.

After pressing it down, she made a well in the center so that when the wine started to form, it would be easy to see.

Lin Taohong had been eagerly waiting to try the sweet rice wine. Unfortunately, the jar was tightly wrapped in a thick quilt for fermentation, so she couldn’t even peek at the progress.

Actually, leftover rice could also be used to make rice wine, but the texture would be slightly softer.

While waiting for the fermentation, Lin Chunyan went up the mountain with Wang Yingniang. They headed to the place where they had found wild kiwis last year.

Unfortunately, they came late this year, and many of the wild kiwis had been eaten by birds, much to Wang Yingniang's dismay.

After picking two baskets to take back, they found some schisandra in the forest, which finally cheered Wang Yingniang up.

On the way back, they ran into Jiang Qin. When she saw them, Jiang Qin managed a strained smile.

Last time, she had sent her daughter Huan Jier to deliver some steamed buns, hoping that Lin Chunyan accepting them might signal a turn for the better. She had waited at home for several days but saw no sign of Lin Chunyan.

Feeling a bit uneasy, she went up the mountain to pick chestnuts, wondering where things had gone wrong.

Seeing Lin Chunyan now, she felt a bit embarrassed and awkward, unsure of how to ask, and hurriedly greeted them before heading home.

"What's wrong with her?" Lin Taohong asked curiously. "She looked like she’d seen a ghost."

Lin Chunyan knew the reason but didn’t say it directly. As they were about to go down the mountain, they ran into Ding Hui Niang going up.

"Are you here to pick fruits?" Ding Hui Niang looked behind them. "I'll pick some more for you later."

Lin Chunyan didn’t decline and asked her about Geda. "If no one is watching him, send him to our house."

Previously, when Ding Hui Niang was helping at the establishment, Geda sometimes stayed at their house and sometimes at Madam Sun's.

Having spent a lot of time together, Wang Yingniang also liked Geda and said the same thing to Ding Hui Niang, "Don’t confine him all the time. Last time when Li Jia Xiaoniang sent over the dowry, we didn’t see him come out to play."

Ding Hui Niang had a bitter smile. "This child is very sensible. Even when I ask him to go out and play, he insists on staying home to help me with some work."

After Ding Hui Niang started working at the ham-making place up the mountain, she had a break every noon, but Geda, fearing she would come back tired, had already started learning to cook.

"Be careful not to burn yourself while cooking," Lin Chunyan felt sorry for him. "Or let him learn some arithmetic with Dan the Kid."

"Isn't he too young?" Ding Hui Niang had thought about this before but was worried that Geda might be too young to learn and they would waste their money.

"No, they have beginner and intermediate classes there."

Ding Hui Niang nodded. "Alright, I'll talk to Geda about it."

After that, she hurried up the mountain. The three of them went down, and in the distance, some of the leaves on the mountain had turned yellow, some red, and some had already fallen off.

"The mountains weren’t as vibrant as they had been earlier, with some leaves already turning yellow and red, while others had fallen completely," Lin Chunyan observed.

These mountains are truly amazing, each one a different shape, and the wild trees and fruits growing on them are all distinct.

A gust of autumn wind blew past, and Lin Taohong pulled her collar up, urging them to hurry down the mountain. "We still need to go to the shop later, and I'm starving."

Over the past year, the three sisters had been eating much better, and their heights had grown taller. They didn't dare to make clothes too fitted, afraid they wouldn't fit in some time.

After saying this, Lin Chunyan and the others quickened their pace, saying they would wear more layers the next time they went up the mountain.

Young Master Hu stepped out of the house in Bian City, and feeling the cold wind, he shivered. After getting into the carriage, he slumped in his seat, no longer as spirited as he had been outside.

Shuxiang quickly took out a food box, which contained some pastries that Young Master Hu usually enjoyed. Every day after school, he would eat several pieces.

But today, Young Master Hu had no appetite. Seeing the familiar pastries, he waved his hand. "I'll eat when I get back to the household. On a cold day like this, a bowl of noodles will warm me up."

Shuxiang, also feeling a craving, quickly shared the good news with Young Master Hu. "The young ladies in the Hu household have sent us a lot of things. When I left, I glanced at them. Besides the hams, there's also mushroom sauce."

Hearing this, Young Master Hu perked up and told the young servant driving the carriage to speed up. "I wonder if Mother is feeling better today. It would be nice if she could eat with us."

Madam Bai had been sick recently, and Young Master Hu didn't know what had happened between her and Hu Xianggong. Even when she was ill, Hu Xianggong hadn't come to see her.

In his heart, Young Master Hu harbored many complaints about Hu Xianggong, but he couldn't show them. He only revealed a bit of his feelings in front of Madam Bai.

Upon returning to the Hu household, Shuxiang went to the kitchen to instruct the servants to make noodles, while Young Master Hu headed straight to Madam Bai's room.

This time, however, he saw Hu Xianggong in Madam Bai's room. Before he could feel happy, he saw Hu Xianggong leaving with a dark expression on his face, and a cold snort, telling Madam Bai to take care.

"Mother, what's the matter with him?" Young Master Hu, feeling sorry for her, gently tucked the blanket around Madam Bai.

Showing up just to say these things, he might as well not come at all. At least then, Madam Bai's spirits would be better.

"It's nothing, just a quarrel."

Madam Bai lovingly looked at Young Master Hu. "The young ladies from town have been thinking of us. They bought a lot of things from Madam Lin. See if there's anything you like."

"Shuxiang has already told me. I asked him to tell the kitchen to prepare some noodles and use that mushroom sauce for seasoning. It should taste excellent."

Seeing Young Master Hu's eager expression, Madam Bai's eyes curved even more. "With Madam Lin's skills, it'll be delicious. Let me have a taste too."

Relieved to see her appetite, Young Master Hu sighed in relief. When Ru Liu brought the food box in, besides the noodles seasoned with mushroom sauce, the ham was also sliced and served with a side of cold dishes.

Ru Liu cautiously said, "It's best if the elder lady doesn't have these cold dishes, so you won't cough at night."

Young Master Hu also nodded. "Yes, Mother, you need to take care of your health."

Madam Bai could only nod. "With both of you looking after me, I can't even sneak a bite."

The noodles seasoned with mushroom sauce tasted so good that even Madam Bai, who had been without an appetite, finished a bowl, much to the delight of Ru Liu, who could only express her joy through prayers.

Ru Liu's face was powdered, and if not carefully observed, she appeared the same as usual. As Young Master Hu left, he asked Ru Liu to see him off.

Madam Bai had just laid down to rest, and Ru Liu, still concerned, kept looking back. She knew what Young Master Hu wanted to ask, but as a servant, how could she speak of such matters?

She had been with Madam Bai since she was young. The other ladies in the Hu household had married into higher status, living superficially glamorous lives, with only they themselves knowing the internal struggles. Originally thinking that their lady had a good fate, who would have known that Hu Xianggong was no better than a man who pretends to be kind but isn't.

Much of Madam Bai's illness was caused by Hu Xianggong's anger, and just as she seemed to be getting better, Hu Xianggong came and lost his temper again, leaving Ru Liu anxious.

But such matters couldn't be told to Young Master Hu. No matter how much he loved and cared for Madam Bai, he would still have to rely on Hu Xianggong in the future.

"Ru Liu, what really happened?"

Young Master Hu asked, and Liu Ru simply repeated her previous explanation, "It's just a quarrel between husband and wife."

Obviously not convinced, Liu Ru thought for a moment and added, "It's related to that former young lady in the estate."

Those unaware of the truth might think that Lady Bai had unilaterally sent the young lady back to the town, causing displeasure to Lord Hu.

Shuxiang, who was standing nearby, felt alarmed. He was one of the few who knew the truth. After sending Zhou Wanniang back to the town, he had just disembarked from the boat upon returning to Bianjing when Lady Bai’s people stopped him and instructed him to come over.

They advised him not to tell Young Master Hu and to keep it strictly confidential.

Having been in the estate for many years and knowing that Lady Bai had always been good to him, Shuxiang understood that there must be some hidden circumstances and naturally did not dare to inform Young Master Hu.

Helplessly watching Young Master Hu being deceived by Liu Ru, Shuxiang could only sigh inwardly.

When Liu Ru returned to the room, Lady Bai opened her eyes and asked, "Did he ask you about the matter?"

Liu Ru did not dare to hide anything and truthfully explained, "I didn’t dare to say anything else."

"Good. The situation is complicated now, and it's unclear who can get out of it. For now, we should keep it from him and take it step by step."

Seeing that Lady Bai’s spirit was much better after eating that bowl of noodles with mushroom sauce, Liu Ru boldly asked, "Lady, should we listen to what Master Hu said?"

Lady Bai snorted in disdain, "Listen to what? He's just a cricket on a hot stove, can't jump for long. He came to threaten me, wanting me to help him clear a path."

She still remembered the slap Lord Hu had given her, and naturally, she wouldn’t swallow this loss. She had made a big fuss about returning to her parents' home for a while. Lord Hu, afraid that she might speak out, came to plead humbly for a long time, not daring to offend her.

Lady Bai knew when to stop. After all, she had to consider Young Master Hu. Divorce was impossible; neither her status nor her family would allow it.

Sometimes, she thought, she lived less freely than the ordinary ladies in the town.

After returning to the estate, Lady Bai began to feign illness but kept in touch with Zhao Xinghua and stayed informed about her situation.

Some time ago, when King Zhao married his official wife, the entire Zhao Wang Estate was busy with the event. Lady Bai took the opportunity to visit Zhao Xinghua when she went to deliver her congratulatory gift.

She knew that Zhao Xinghua had been hoping for King Zhao to marry, but when the day finally came and Zhao Xinghua had to move to the back courtyard to live with the other young ladies, Lady Bai still felt a little uneasy.

Fortunately, Zhao Xinghua seemed quite open-minded and asked her about Zhou Wanniang and the others, expressing envy when she heard that she was doing well in the town.

"I wonder if I'll ever have such a day," Zhao Xinghua half-leaned on the couch, gazing out at the pomegranate tree outside the window, "To go up the mountain with them and knit together."

That was easier said than done. King Zhao, feeling that he had wronged Zhao Xinghua, had come to see her the night before he married his official wife, not knowing that this had caused Zhao Xinghua a lot of trouble.

No official wife would stand for a favored concubine like that. On the first day when the young ladies were offering tea, she put Zhao Xinghua in a difficult position.

She wasn’t foolish enough to give Zhao Xinghua an immediate challenge, which would have embarrassed King Zhao. But unable to let it go, she tried to isolate Zhao Xinghua.

However, she didn’t know what Zhao Xinghua was truly thinking. Even when treated this way, Zhao Xinghua had no special reaction and just did as she was told.

The commotion in the Zhao Wang Estate hadn’t lasted many days before the emperor suddenly summoned King Zhao to the palace.

King Zhao had a bad feeling, but since the emperor had summoned him, he didn’t dare to delay.

Sure enough, Prince Jiu was already waiting for him at the palace, with a trembling person kneeling beside him.

King Zhao didn’t recognize the person, but Prince Jiu looked at him triumphantly, "Brother, don’t you recognize him? Previously, when the emperor framed me for counterfeiting silver and poured a huge basin of dirty water on me, who would have thought it was all planned by the emperor? He didn’t care about brotherly loyalty at all."

Hearing this, King Zhao knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. At that time, it was reported by the county. I merely acted according to the law. The evidence from witnesses and objects is clear; it’s not something that can be fabricated with just words."

Prince Jiu raised an eyebrow smugly, "After investigating this matter, the county official covered for one of the scholars, and by coincidence, my men happened to witness it. It turned out that the scholar had been bought off by the emperor."

Sitting at the head of the hall, the emperor listened with increasing impatience. His energy was already lacking, and the bickering between his two sons only worsened his mood. He scowled and ordered both of them to return home and reflect on their actions.

For two grown sons, this command to reflect was essentially a public rebuke, especially with other princes lurking behind them, eagerly waiting for any misstep.

King Zhao thought Prince Nine was utterly foolish. As he left the palace, he glared fiercely at him.

Prince Nine, however, wasn’t about to let him off easy. He shot back, "Now, Brother, you’ll have plenty of time to have kids with your princess."

King Zhao hated when others brought up this matter. It was easier to bear when he hadn’t yet taken a principal wife, as he could claim the need to maintain proper order between legitimate and illegitimate children. But now that his first wife had entered the household, if there was still no child, he would truly become a laughingstock under the heavens.

With a gloomy expression, King Zhao returned to his mansion. He knew that none of his concubines had taken the contraceptive soup, yet none of them had become pregnant.

He vented his frustrations on these concubines, with Zhao Xinghua bearing the first brunt of his anger.

Zhao Xinghua, once favored, quickly lost her standing, and it was said that King Zhao hadn’t visited her quarters in a long time.

Zhao Xinghua indeed felt greatly relieved, recalling the words that Li Daniang had once told her. Her heart raced with hope, imagining that she might soon escape this gilded prison.

As soon as King Zhao was confined, his followers began to tremble in fear. Hu Xianggong had relied on Zhao Xinghua to establish a connection with King Zhao. Upon learning that she had fallen out of favor, he paced in his study for a long time before approaching Madam Bai, urging her to cut ties with Zhao Xinghua.

"From now on, let’s pretend we don’t know this person and let her fend for herself."

Madam Bai was already disillusioned with Hu Xianggong. If not for Young Master Hu, she would have already packed up and moved to the old estate in town for a quieter life.

Besides, King Zhao was known for holding grudges. If she severed ties with him now, even if she wanted to reconnect in the future, King Zhao wouldn’t believe her sincerity.

Still, Hu Xianggong was only a minor official. She could only hope that the higher-ups' power struggles wouldn’t implicate them.

After bringing the wild kiwi fruits home, Wang Yingniang began to dry them. The October sun wasn’t as harsh, and fearing rain, she hung them all in the west room.

Hui Jier had already arrived from the town, and the other day, Lady Zhu came over and suggested making jujube paste yam cakes. Today, they planned to start.

Hui Jier got to work quickly. While Wang Yingniang hung the kiwi fruits to dry, Hui Jier had already prepared the yam and jujube paste, with the molds ready nearby.

Wang Yingniang washed her hands and began a casual conversation with Hui Jier.

Hui Jier seemed distracted, and Wang Yingniang wondered if it was about the house, so she probed a little more.

Hui Jier shook her head, "It’s not because of that. I can live anywhere, but my father has returned, and somehow, Li Youfu next door managed to persuade him. From what I gathered, he wants to marry Lan Jier now."

Hui Jier and Lan Jier relied on each other, and though she knew Li Youfu was a good man, the thought of Lan Jier marrying always made her uneasy.

Wang Yingniang didn’t recall Mrs. Zhao mentioning this, so she first comforted Hui Jier, "It won’t happen immediately."

Seeing that Hui Jier was still troubled, Wang Yingniang continued, "Think of it this way, it’s not like she’s marrying a stranger. They’ll be living next door, and you can see each other every day."

"But it still feels different. I always feel like Lan Jier will be taken away."

Wang Yingniang empathized with her, "You’re right. If Yan Niang were to marry, even if it’s next door, I’d still feel sad."

Understanding Wang Yingniang’s meaning, Hui Jier felt closer to her and naively said, "Why do girls always have to marry into other families? No wonder they say a married daughter is like water spilled on the ground—gone forever."

Wang Yingniang had never thought about it that way before, but hearing Hui Jier’s musings, she found it amusing, "We marry, but we’re still giving birth to someone else’s child."

After finishing the jujube paste yam cakes, they decided to make some melon seed candies next.

Tomorrow was Zhang Tianhe’s wedding day, and the Village Headman’s family had already finished the melon seed candies they had bought earlier. They needed to make a fresh batch of melon seed candies.

Lin Chunyan was busy at the establishment. This time, Zhang Xiaojiu had brought back a large order, and Lin Chunyan had to prepare everything according to the list.

There was a constant flow of people at the establishment. A small head poked through the doorway, scanning the room for Li Meiniang.

The child wondered if Li Meiniang was adjusting well. He had thought about it even while catching fish in the river. Today, he finished his work early and ran to the establishment’s door.

Mrs. Song liked his spirited look and served him a bowl of cool jelly first.

Now that it was colder, the cool jelly wasn’t selling as much. Mrs. Song didn’t mind. She thought, no matter how much money there was, it could never be fully earned. The old couple didn’t need much, and fewer customers meant more rest.

In the shed, aside from the area for tea, two tables were pushed together, with quite a few hams and salted eggs placed on them. Travelers fresh off the boat often picked up a few of these treats as they passed by.

“When it’s this cold, why are you giving the child cool jelly?” Mr. Song said disapprovingly. “Young master, I’ll pour you a cup of pine needle tea. Your mother will come out once she’s done with her work.”

Stone felt a bit awkward and didn’t want to bother Li Meiniang. He said he was just passing by and didn’t need anyone to come out especially for him.

Mr. Song chuckled and treated him like an adult, pouring him a cup of pine needle tea.

In the spring, they drank bamboo leaf tea. As autumn and winter came, Mr. Song went to pick these pine needles.

After picking them, he cut them into equal lengths, dry-fried them in a pot without oil to remove the water content, and then sun-dried them for a day or two. This way, they could be stored in a jar and taken out whenever they wanted to drink.

The pine needle tea had a slightly astringent taste at first, but it left a cool, sweet aftertaste. It was a natural tea that was very popular at the time.

But Stone clearly wasn’t used to the astringent flavor. He frowned after two sips and stopped. Seeing this, Mr. Song laughed again and added two pieces of rock sugar to his tea.

“When you’re my age, you’ll know how good this pine needle tea is.”

Tutor Duan, at the establishment, laughed along. “These children can’t appreciate good tea. To them, only sweet tastes are the best.”

Hu Daqiang heard this and nudged Zhao Liu next to him. “Can you drink that pine needle tea now?”

Zhao Liu didn’t respond for a long time. Hu Daqiang looked at him strangely. “What’s going on with you lately? You seem distracted. Is something wrong at home?”

Zhao Liu hurriedly shook his head, but his eyes flickered towards Lin Chunyan, who was organizing goods. His hand unconsciously went to his sleeve pocket, but it was empty.

The protective charm was discovered by his mother when she washed his clothes. She guessed he had a sweetheart and, after being happy for him, asked about it.

Zhao Liu wasn’t good at lying and, feeling small and uneasy, he hesitated for a long time before speaking. His mother became anxious, clutching her chest and saying she felt unwell. Panic-stricken, Zhao Liu finally blurted out Lin Chunyan’s name.