Chapter 172
Shen Yan stuffed a candied haitang fruit into her mouth. Preserved fruits and candied snacks were luxuries she enjoyed thanks to Lu Gu and Ji Qiuyue. Normally, she wouldn’t have the chance to eat such things. As for the salted plums Lu Gu liked now, she had already grown out of them.
Lu Gu was also eating candied fruit. Several of them gathered around to look at the four goslings in the bamboo basket. The goslings were noticeably larger than ducklings, and once they shed their yellow downy feathers, they would grow into big white geese.
"I saw someone selling them from a carrying pole, so I bought four. We’ll raise them with the ducks for now and separate them when they’re bigger, no rush," Wei Lanxiang said. Though she had ridden the mule cart back, the sun had been scorching, making her sweat profusely. Still feeling the heat, she pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped her face.
Over on the other side, Shen Yaoqing was washing his hands. Hearing this, he said, "Raising them together is fine, no need to feed them separately. Once we’re done with the busy season, I’ll build another fenced enclosure. The duck shed is big enough, they can roost together at night without needing a separate goose shed."
Dabai also came over, stretching his head to peer into the bamboo basket. The two pups had grown taller than before, though not as long-legged as the greyhounds. The basket was a bit high, but since everyone was gathered around, they were curious too, jostling to stick their heads inside.
The bamboo basket wobbled. Wei Lanxiang waved her hands to shoo the pups away. The goslings had cost money, she was afraid the basket tipped over and hurt them. She quickly picked it up and carried it to the duck pen in the back.
Lu Gu handed Shen Yan a partially opened oil-paper packet, inside were candied fruits. His eyes crinkled with a smile. "Eat more if you like them."
"Brother Guzi!" Shen Yan giggled, her almond-shaped eyes squinting with delight, looking innocent and childlike.
With nothing else to do at the moment, Lu Gu popped another candied fruit into his mouth and returned to the front yard, sitting on a chair. He picked up a small tiger-head shoe from the sewing basket and resumed his work. Lately, the fields had been busy, even Ji Qiuyue had to carry Zhao’er while cooking. He helped by washing vegetables, feeding the dogs and livestock, and doing whatever else he could to lighten the family’s workload. Now that he had a free moment, he stitched a few more seams. Once his belly grew bigger, it wouldn’t be as easy.
The tiny clothes Zhao’er had worn as a newborn no longer fit him. Those had all been new, but he hadn’t worn them for long. They’d been kept, and could now be used for the baby in his belly. However, this was his and Shen Xuanqing’s first child. As a parent, he naturally wanted to make a couple of new outfits for his own child.
"Brother Guzi, I’ll leave the fruits here for you. I’m going to the fields with Mom first." Shen Yan had followed him to rest for a bit. After eating two candied fruits, she heard Wei Lanxiang calling her from the back and quickly stood up, placing the oil-paper packet on the chair.
"Alright, go ahead. What do you want to eat tonight?" Lu Gu looked up and asked.
Shen Yan paused mid-step, thinking before answering, "The spring chives in our vegetable patch are ready to harvest. Since it’s still early, how about we ask Sister-in-law to make some chive-and-egg dumplings? Tomorrow’s the day for transplanting rice seedlings, it's hard work."
She Yan was right. The paddy fields were prepped today, and tomorrow they’d start transplanting seedlings early in the morning. A hearty meal would give them the energy they needed.
"Alright, I’ll go cut some later. We’ll have them tonight." Lu Gu nodded in agreement.
Shen Yan was delighted. In the countryside, dumplings were considered a fine meal, something usually made only when guests visited.
After finishing a few more stitches, Lu Gu set aside his sewing. Kneading dough and chopping filling would take effort, so he didn’t delay. He took a sickle to the backyard vegetable patch to harvest chives, calling the two pups along as he went. Compared to the steadier older dogs, the pups sniffed at everything, he didn’t want them ruining the candied fruits, so he had to take them away.
The family had four rows of chives planted against the courtyard wall. Three rows had already been harvested once. Four days ago, when Shen Yaoqing delivered rabbits to the brothel, he had taken Wei Lanxiang along to sell chives in town.
The remaining row still had plenty. They couldn’t eat several catties themselves, so Wei Lanxiang had told the villagers they could buy chives from their home if they wanted. Since they were all from the same village, the price was naturally cheaper than in town. But aside from a few families who lived comfortably and enjoyed tender spring chives, not many in the village spent money on vegetables.
With five mouths to feed, and Shen Yaoqing working hard every day with a big appetite, Lu Gu cut a large handful before deciding it was enough. Instead of leaving the bamboo basket of chives by the vegetable patch, he brought a chair to the main hall and sat down to trim them.
Ji Qiuyue had gone back to their old home to change Zhao’er’s and her own clothes - the baby had peed and pooped unexpectedly, even getting some on her clothes. Little children were like this, often needing their diapers and clothes changed. Fortunately, the weather was warm now, and Zhao’er had plenty of outfits, so there was no shortage of clean clothes.
The strong smell of chives made Xiao Huang sniff a few times before losing interest, turning instead to wrestle and play-fight with Huang’er.
Listening to their antics, Lu Gu’s mind wandered. Shen Xuanqing had been up the mountain for six days, he wondered when he’d return.
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